Poppy Delevingne's festival-themed wedding party in Morocco - Instagram
Ever since Poppy Delevingne’s mammoth wedding month (a boho ceremony in Marrakech followed a totally uptown London wedding) and seeing that Pucci gown we’ve been mentally – and meticulously - planning our own imaginary extravaganzas. Her festival-themed rave held on the beach in Morocco day after the ceremony (pictured above) got us thinking too. How can mere mortals recreate the euphoric festival atmosphere that we - Brits especially - so love?
We talked to A-list party and wedding planners Kasimira (Lily Allen, and Poppy herself have been guests at their beautiful bashes), to see how they would plan such a spectacular soiree. Here are their 10 Hot tips for the perfectly rustic reception:
[pics - Kasimira]
1. The Tent
A classic white marquee? Forget it. 2015 is all about festival-inspired structures.
• Tipis and yurts are magical. Yes, they’re a little more expensive than standard tents, but these structures are so impressive that you won’t need to splash out on excessive decorations.
• Position your tent around the most beautiful features of the landscape – trees, bushes, or even a stream – to make the most of your existing organic decorations.
This summer we built a tent around a mulberry tree adorned with fairy lights and flowers, which then became the focal point of the tipi. Guests were then invited to write notes to the bride and groom and hang them from its branches.
[pics - Kasimira]
2. Light Up
Lighting is key. From romance to drama, any mood can be created with clever use of flambeaux, wax torches, candle bags, hurricane lamps and festoon lighting – all of which are inexpensive.
• Scatter glow sticks on the dance floor to get the crowd raving, or hand out sparklers to give the bride and groom a glittering send-off. Another option is to let glowsticks do the talking, used as name cards for each place at dinner.
• For the ultimate festival touch - go naked with a bonfire. Get stuck in to toasting marshmallows on the flames and don’t be surprised to see your guests snuggled around it until the early hours.
[pics - Kasimira]
3. Chow Down
As all party people know, festival eating is a relaxed affair. Forgo formality and serve up a simple hog-roast or go feast on street food and employ a selection of pop-up food trucks.
• It is possible to balance festival frivolity with elegance. Seat guests at long banqueting tables, (which always creates a dramatic vibe) with food served family-style on large platters to encourage a communal feel, and break convention with quirky touches by replacing wine glasses with jam jars and place mats with old maps or hessian.
• Food stalls – sweet stations, cheese tables, pudding displays – are less experimental, but a playful way to feed the masses.
Cakes by Pearl & Groove
4. The Cake
What do you call a cake without icing? Naked. The big baking trend this season - naked cakes - are glorious and ooze rustic chic (our favourites are from Pearl and Groove).
• Wrap them in flowers or ribbons, or cover with candles or edible glitter to preserve some modesty.
[pics - Kasimira]
5. The Entertainment
No festival makes sense without music: stage live performances or even a wacky visual act to blow guests' minds. Steer away from the usual classical music and go for something personal to both of you.
• A basket of props and fancy dress attire near the dance floor will encourage guests to get silly – inflatables are a winner, and fox tails and feather headdresses will get snapped up immediately.
• Children need entertaining too, and weddings are usually adult orientated so prioritise little ones with goodie bags filled with treats and games such as juggling balls, puzzles, adventure maps, spinning tops, and disposable cameras.
[pics - Kasimira]
6. Chill-out
A must at any festival, guests will need a breather from throwing shapes so prepare a cosy chill-out corner. Beanbags, hay bales, throws and cushions will do the trick, along with masses of hanging tea lights.
[pics - Kasimira]
7. Full bloom
Bring the outside in. We once hung an upside-down tree in place of a chandelier, and covered it in gold leaves and crystals. It looked sensational. Be creative with your flower arrangements; bunched, seasonal wild flowers in random jars always looks gorgeous, or suspend them from the top of the marquee.
• If you’re going full-throttle on the wed-fest look, you need the right hairdo. Crowns of wild flowers are a beautiful way to accessorise – for yourself and/or your guests. Check out @crownandglory for inspiration.
[pics - Kasimira]
8. Embrace the storm
Rain on your wedding day? Not the end of the world. Stock up on wellies for your guests so the ladies can change into more appropriate footwear once the formal part of the day is over. You’d be surprised how great wellies look in photos.
• Worrying about unreliable British weather is a niggle you don’t need. Pre-empt the rain by hiring umbrellas. Sometimes buying bulk online can work out cheaper and it means your guests can take them home as a keepsake. We’ve brought clear umbrellas from £2 each when hiring the same style would have cost £10 per brolly.
[pics - Kasimira]
9. Play on words
Don’t take things too seriously and be creative with how you theme the day. ‘Wedfest’ or ‘Wedstock’ are popular terms to describe a festival wedding, and inspire the experience from the outset.
• Festival-inspired table names look fab. Choose your favourite festivals or bands, or perhaps types of trees, flowers or animals.
[pics - Kasimira]
10. DIY
We know that the best memories don’t cost the earth. So much can be achieved with a little imagination and organisation.
• Start collecting jam jars to use as candle holders (or glasses)
• Make bunting out of old material
• Use paper pompoms, paper lanterns, and ribbons to hang on trees and wrap around trunks
• Suspend place cards on tree branches or on a washing line
• Make signs indicating the loos, the dancefloor, and the bar. Have some fun with this – it’s your day, you can afford to be a bit cheeky (try ‘this way’, ‘that way’, ‘somewhere', ‘nowhere’).
• Create a bespoke signature cocktail. Have a cosy night in the two of you or make a girls night of trying lots of flavours and creating the cocktail for the wedding. Obviously - it needs a name too!
Be creative! Enlisting your bridal party to help you with the homemade touches will infuse the day with personality - just enjoy!