We couldn’t be more excited to share our top tips for creating your very own wedstival that rocks. What’s a wedstical and how do you throw an epic one? Read on to find out.
What is a wedstival?
A wedstival is pretty much a wedding festival. It’s a wedding day that is relaxed, chilled and filled with whatever tells your love story best. Wedstivals are filled with colour, rocking music and a couple focused purely on celebrating BIG with all of their family and friends.
The key to a sensational wedstival or wedding festival is adding elements of your personalities are every turn. And if you want the party to last even longer, consider running your wedsitval over a couple of days.
Yep, offer accommodation (like tents, swags or vans) and let the party roll on.
Where to have a wedstival
The best place to have a wedstival is out in the open somewhere…far, far away from neighbours. So you can party as hard as you like.
Think large paddocks, farms, warehouse spaces, and wide open spaces. If you are planning on erecting a marquee, tents or similar, make sure you choose a site with some flat spaces.
What should we include in our wedstival
The great news is that you can choose each element of your wedstival. There are NO rules.
So if you love Barry Manilow but also can’t live without a solid dancing session and a mosh pit, you might have a Barry Manilow tribute singer followed by a DJ.
Love sequins and glitter? Buy that jumpsuit, don a tutu or fill that beard with glitter.
Whatever your vibe is, a wedstival allow you to make it part of your wedding day.
Need some ideas to get those creative juice flowing?
Entertainment
You can absolutely go to town here. Jugglers, fire eaters, burlesque dancers, clowns, stilt walkers or petting zoos. There are ten trillion options for bringing in entertainment that your guests will NEVER have seen at a wedding.
After some lower costs ideas? What about setting up tables with board or lawn games, a beer pong championship stadium or have a friend play the guitar, sing a song or beat some drums.
Rip up the rule book and think creatively about what you and your guests will be delighted by.
Décor
Again, the décor you choose for your wedstival should reflect a style that reflects the two of you.
Love pigs? Why not have a giant sized styled pig in the middle of your reception space (not a real one of course!) covered in florals. Got a thing for gnomes? Style guest tables with gnomes as centre pieces which will add an awesome pop of colour to your celebration.
Not into regular tables? Why not hire some hay bales, pellet tables, cushions, bean bags or even picnic rugs for your guests to mingle on.
Food and drink
Food trucks and vans are super popular at wedstivals, as are mobile bars. Wild about tacos? Book a Mexican food truck.
Now if you live in Melbourne, Australia, we are blessed with a RIDICULOUS number of awesome, mouth wateringly delicious food truck options to consider.
Check out what is available in your home town. And if you are planning your wedstival in the middle of nowhere, make sure the food truck you choose has a generator. Plug in power might be a little tricky to come by!
For some food truck inspo, head to our Food Truck Weddings Pinterest Board chock full of delicious ideas.
When it comes to drinks, the options are also endless.
Known for slamming down late night tequila shots? Set up a custom tequila drinks station complete with tequila, salt and lemon and let you your guests lick, scull and suck away. The dancefloor will be rocking in no time.
If you are short a dollar or two, consider supplying your own drinks for your family and friends. Keep it cold in cooler boxes, buckets, wheelbarrows or bathtubs!
Wedding Invites and on the day signage
Have some fun with your wedding invites. Whether you are sending out hard copy invites or are taking your wedding invites online, add some colour to get your guests excited about your pending nuptials.
Give guests some hints about the big day by mixing things up a little. Why not send them a wristband, neon glow bracelet or another quirky hint about your wedding day ahead. But don’t tell them everything – some surprises on the day are always the best idea.
On the day signage can be easily sorted too. Consider using blackboards, letterboards, light up boxes or write words on balloons. Hand painted signs on wood, mirrors or butcher’s paper are also great left of centre ideas. Honestly, the options are endless.
Take cover
When you choose a non-traditional wedding venue, you get to be creative when it comes to putting a roof over your party heads. Whether you are marrying in hot or cold weather, some cover for your guests is always a practical idea.
You might choose a sperry tent, marquee, a tipi or simply party under the stars.
Oh and it you want to up the anti – why not consider a circus big top???
Tunes
We all know that music can make or break a wedding. And a wedstival is no different. Seek out musicians and bands that will get the party started and keep it going all night long. This isn’t easy to do and yes, you might need to pay a pretty penny for the privilege. But if music is your thing, prioritise it.
An epic night on the dancefloor is something you, your lover, your family and your friends will remember forever. You can’t bottle that feeling and it’s a talent to make that happen.
So research hard, ask around, scan your local pubs, clubs and venues and see if you can find uber cool musicians, bands and DJs to set your night alight.
Warm it up
There are lots of ways to create a little warmth at your wedstival (apart from the warm glow of your love of course!!). Consider free standing heating units (that run on gas), set up fire pits or a bonfire or offer blankets to keep your guests warm.
Warm guests from the inside out with a late night snack or warm drinks. Hot soup? Hot donuts? Maybe a warm cocktail? Another fun idea to consider is toasting marshmallows or making s’mores over the open fire.
Wanna sleep over
Want to party all night? Consider setting up tents or a glamping village for your guests on site. That way guests can roll into bed in the wee hours of the morning without a hitch. Now that’s an epic wedding perk.
Wedstivals are cheap right?
Wellllll, a wedstival can be inexpensive. But it might not be. It really depends on a few factors. Hiring furniture, styling items, tipis and marquees can quickly add up. But you are bound to have a night that reflects the two of your absolutely perfectly, so it’s worth taking into serious consideration.
And if money is not so much of an issue, you are going to have an absolute BALL pulling your wedstival together.
All sound like too much hard work?
If you love the sound of a wedstival but planning it sounds overwhelming, you need someone like me.
Wedding planners live and breathe wedding planning and LOVE planning celebrations that are truly unique. If you’re in Australia, you’re in luck. I can help. If you’re anywhere else in the world, find yourself a wedding planner and explore creating a wedstival that is a super unique celebration of your love.
Need more wedding festival inspiration
We live is the very best time for finding inspiration galore for your wedding festival.
Check out hashtags like #weddingfestival on the gram and type in “wedding festival” or “wedding festival” ideas on Pinterest for more inspiration than you could possibly need.
But remember, don’t get carried away with other peoples’ ideas. It’s your day and should reflect the two of you perfectly.
Happy planning lovers.