Festivals are the ultimate celebration of connection, freedom and joy – so what better way to mark your big day than to host a festival-style wedding surrounded by your favourite people and filled with incredible music?
That being said, it’s one thing to love the idea of a festival, but bringing it all together is another prospect entirely. How can you host a party that epitomises those sunshine settings, relaxed vibes, and effortlessly cool celebrations? To help you nail the perfect music line-up, as well as tips and event ideas, the live music experts at Tailored Entertainment – who’ve provided bands and DJs for over 10,000 events – have shared their top tips for building a celebration that keeps your guests dancing from daylight to disco.
Treat Your Wedding Like a Mini Festival
A festival-style wedding is all about creating a laid-back, joyful atmosphere – the kind of event where everyone’s smiling, dancing barefoot, and soaking up the vibe. Rather than having just one band play an evening set, consider curating a line-up for the day that mimics the feel of a real festival: different acts for different moments, each with their own energy.
Here’s a sample line-up that works brilliantly across a full wedding day, designed to echo the energy of a real festival experience:
Arrival & Ceremony – The Acoustic Tent
Set the tone with an acoustic duo or solo artist as guests arrive. Think of this as the welcoming Acoustic Tent to your day of festival vibes. Soft guitar and vocals help ease guests in and give a hint of what’s to come.
Drinks Reception – The Folk Den
This is the perfect time for a roaming band or folk-style trio. If you’re new to roaming bands: they play unplugged sets as they mingle through the crowd, take requests, and gently raise the energy – keeping your guests entertained as they explore the venue and the wedding party is whisked away for photos.
Wedding Breakfast – The Live Lounge
After the interactivity of the drinks reception, a stripped-back set or gentle instrumental performance helps your guests settle into the flow of the day. Jazz, string quartets, pianists, and duos all work perfectly here, adding ambience without taking over – like the soft background of a tucked-away tent at your favourite festival.
Wedding Party – The Main Stage
Now’s the time to bring out the big energy. A high-energy party band with festival flair will have everyone on their feet. There are so many incredible options to choose from here, but for peak festival vibes, indie rock bands and Mumford-style acts are synonymous with that atmosphere. But don’t feel limited by genre! Modern pop headliners and grooving the night away with soul and Motown hits also bring home that main stage energy.
After-Party DJ – The Dance Disco
Finish strong with a DJ set that can blend into the early hours. These performances set the stage for dancing all night and bring the energy of an exclusive-access after-party. Want to elevate the experience? Booking a DJ or act that includes a saxophone or percussion in their line-up for a stylish and modern twist.
Festival-style on a Budget?
If hiring multiple bands and acts isn’t within your budget, this tip is for you: most bands offer Upgrades & Extras such as Live Lounge/ Daytime Set or Manned DJ Service? This means you can book your headline act and have them perform a stripped-back acoustic set, or DJ later into the night. That way, you get a fuller day and evening of music all provided by one act, whether that’s your favourite indie rock band or a folk-style line-up.
To save money on venue hire transform your own garden into a festival wedding venue and get married there!
Tips for a Smooth Music Flow
For the polish and finesse of a festival, you’ll want to make sure the music flows seamlessly between stages throughout the day. Here are some expert tips to consider:
- Think about the transitions: Each musical moment should naturally flow into the next. Avoid long silences or awkward lulls by planning ahead with your musicians. If you use a music agency like Tailored Entertainment, their events coordinators will sort this all for you (but not every music agency will do this – so check ahead of booking!)
- Sound logistics matter: Festival-style weddings often take place outdoors or in non-traditional venues. Chat with your suppliers about sound setups, power needs, and any noise restrictions.
- Don’t go too loud, too soon: Build the atmosphere throughout the day. Start soft and intimate, then increase the energy as the day unfolds.
Add-On Ideas to Complete the Festival Feel
Music is central, but little extras help tie it all together and elevate your day from an event to an immersive experience. Our top five favourites include:
- Custom wristbands and tickets: As a token of the event, these are a charming way to welcome your guests. You could custom design wristbands or tickets with your names, plus the date, and you could even name your festival wedding and include that too!
- Music-themed signage: Instead of the traditional names in neon, you could create an immersive atmosphere with signs dotted through your venue, e.g. “Main Stage”, “Acoustic Lounge”. Décor companies can create bespoke signs for you, and supply other stunning decorations to match.
- Chill-out areas: Every good festival needs a quiet area for attendees to collect themselves. If your venue space allows, consider tents or hay bale seating for those refreshing moments.
- Upgrade to professional sound and lighting equipment: Each band you book should come fully equipped with everything they need for a great experience. If you want to go all-out, consider professional sound and lighting companies to enhance your event, making your wedding feel truly like the real deal festival you want.
- Festival activities: It’s worthwhile considering some activities to entertain guests throughout the day and evening. For full festival vibes, look at adding glitter stations, garden games (think giant Jenga, axe throwing, ring toss), photo booths with vintage props, and – of course – a themed bar with all your favourite beverages.
So if your dream wedding looks more like a sun-drenched weekend at Glastonbury (or Suffolk's very own Latitude) than a sit-down formal affair, a festival-style line-up could be exactly what brings it to life. With clever planning, the right acts, and a few creative touches, you can turn your big day into an unforgettable celebration of love, music, and joy – the kind your guests will still be talking about long after the last song fades out.
Many of our Approved Venues have the perfect outdoor setting for your festival-style wedding, have a look.
In collaboration with Tailored Entertainment the live music experts – who’ve provided bands and DJs for over 10,000 events to keep your guests dancing from daylight to disco.