Guide to Planning a Nature-Inspired Woodland Glamping Wedding
- Ysella
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Our Woodland Themed Wedding Planning Guide provides comprehensive ideas for your big day. Covering Cornish woodland venues, backdrops, stationery, decor, outfits, and accommodation options. Learn how to plan a cohesive outdoor wedding celebration. Including tips to enable you to craft a multi-layered visual experience. One that transitions beautifully from the ceremony to a unique glamping party under the stars for you and your guests.
A woodland wedding ceremony at Little Oak, Newquay.
You've found the perfect woodland venue – now, how do you unlock its full potential? How do you weave together every detail to create a celebration that feels inherently part of its natural surroundings? The answer is simpler than you imagine!
We’ve been lucky enough to provide glamping accommodation at some truly beautiful woodland wedding celebrations. So if you dream of getting married among the trees, our guide can help. A few simple touches can turn your woodland vision into a beautiful reality.
Glamping on-site allows you & your guests to stay immersed in the woodland surroundings
Location Essentials: Seek a secluded yet easily accessible spot for your woodland wedding. One boasting natural beauty alongside practical features. Level ground for seating, shade, and ideally, a backup shelter for inclement weather. Crucially, ensure there's a flat area for a reception tipi, marquee or stretch tent. Space for comfortable guest glamping, a honeymoon bell tent and of course, dancing!
Our favourite Cornish woodland wedding venues:
Trevenna
Each offer a distinct and captivating backdrop for a wildly romantic wedding beneath the grandeur of trees.
Timing
Woodland ceremonies often suit earlier in the day. The light filtering through the foliage, naturally transitioning into evening bathed in golden light. Followed by intimate meal and fire pit conversations with starlit dancing. Woodlands transform with the seasons. You should visit your chosen venue at the same time of year as your wedding to assess light levels, ground conditions (rain? mud?), and the overall atmosphere (golden light?). Consider evening cover for later on in the day. As the last dance fades and the fairy lights twinkle out, where do your guests retreat? Glamping can be a more practical and cost-effective solution for accommodating guests in remote woodland locations. Especially if guests are not keen on long commutes or staying in multiple hotels.
Glamping
Glamping allows your guests to stay immersed in the natural beauty that drew you to your location in the first place. Bell tents naturally complement a woodland aesthetic. With earthy tones, natural materials, blending harmoniously with the surroundings. Adding another layer of visual appeal to your wedding weekend. With glamping, your ceremony, reception, and guest accommodation are all in one place. Creating a seamless and stress-free experience.
Wake up to the soft sounds of the forest, the gentle sunlight streaming through canvas
A significant advantage of a woodland wedding is the opportunity to transform it into a multi-day celebration. With guests staying conveniently nearby, the pace relaxes, and the enjoyment lingers as long as you wish. Imagine a leisurely post-wedding breakfast, sharing coffee around the fire pit, and evening candle-lit feasts.
Host up to 150 guests in our pop-up glamping tents at a woodland location of your choice
Food
Woodland weddings naturally lend themselves to a wonderfully informal atmosphere, and the food should reflect that. Opt for hearty, seasonal fare designed for sharing and bringing people together. Picnic baskets filled with sandwiches, grazing boards, hog roasts, BBQ’s all work well in a outdoor setting. Think feasting boards of delights; seasonal fruit, local cheeses, cured meats, biscuits, decorated with leafy foliage. Cold foods, quiches, sausage rolls, scones are perfect for picnic baskets. Their enduring charm lies in their portability and ease of sharing at any table or tent.
Our recommended wedding caterers that specialise in creating feasts for outdoor weddings. Allowing guests to share from the centre of tables:
Picnic baskets filled with cold food are easy to transport to a woodland / remote location
Rustic long tables are great for ambience in a woodland setting - Boconnoc
Decorate cakes and tables with existing foliage for a natural look
Unplugged Entertainment
Be mindful of power and noise restrictions. Acoustic musicians, string quartets, folk bands, or even silent discos work beautifully in woodland spaces. If you want a disco, you’ll probably need to hire a generator. You may also need this for lighting and catering equipment.
Decor - Your venue's trees offer a naturally gorgeous and dynamic backdrop of light and shade. Already giving you a fantastic foundation to build upon.
Key tip: Embrace the natural beauty:
Keep it Authentic: Work with the woodland, not against it. Highlight the existing trees, foliage, and natural textures.
Dappled Light: Utilise the natural play of light and shadow. Consider how sunlight will filter through the trees at different times of the day.
Here are some inspiring ideas we love:
Lanterns or delicate fairy lights gently strung between trees.
Festoon lighting in communal spaces
A natural aisle crafted from logs, scattered petals. Vintage Rugs: A mixture of Afghan and Persian rugs. Or jute for a rustic look.
Hand-tied bouquets featuring seasonal wildflowers, grasses, potted herbs, or even stylish houseplants.
Rustic wooden signage and biodegradable confetti (dried petals are a favourite!).
Remember to avoid plastic and glitter, and always check local regulations regarding on-site decorations.
Garlands: Drape greenery along tables, archways, and pathways.
Hanging installations, lamp shades, wild grasses and drapes with jute matting
Use the woodland theme for your wedding invitations. Include forest plants, natural elements, and rustic deckle torn paper.
Centerpieces: Use moss, ferns, leaves, and wildflowers.
Hanging Installations: Suspend floral and greenery arrangements from branches or ceilings.
Mason Jar Lanterns: Fill them with candles on tables or down the walkway of the aisle.
Burlap: Use it for table runners, chair ties, or bouquet wraps.
Natural Cotton: Opt for table runners in natural tones.
Seating:
Log Benches: Use for a rustic ceremony setup.
Vintage Wooden Cross Back Chairs: Add a touch of charm.
Long tables curving into the distance
Nature-Inspired Details:
Pinecones: Use as accents in centerpieces or scattered along aisles.
Nature-Inspired Place Cards: Use wood slices, leaves, or stones with guest names. We love the edible apple place card idea below.
Wildlife Motifs: Incorporate subtle animal or nature-inspired elements.
Natural and edible favours and place settings
Glamping:
Arranging bell tents in a semi-circle. This can foster a social environment by creating a gathering point and encouraging interaction. The semi-circular arrangement allows guests to see and interact with each other easily. While also creating a visual focal point. This setup is particularly effective when combined with shared amenities like a central fire pit or seating area.
Woodland weddings in the movies:
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is practically a masterclass in woodland romance! With 1990s aesthetics and a really oversized flower crown, it is still worth getting nostalgic over. Inspiring to anyone choosing a similar setting. Before seeing that all those years ago, a woodland wedding hadn't even registered as a possibility!
Woodland wedding inspo; Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Maid Marian and wearing a corn flower crown
Have you been invited to a woodland wedding?
What to wear to a woodland wedding - ladies:
I would definitely recommend a shawl or a cardigan to throw over your shoulders. woodlands can be shady, and the atmosphere can be moist and cool. Jumpsuits are great as they’ll protect you from bites and stingers! They're also practical if you're chasing after a stray toddler. Consider pairing them with flat, chunky silver sandals.
Think natural fabrics, earth tones, and comfortable, versatile clothing. You could also choose dressy flat ankle boots for comfort on uneven ground. Avoid thin heels, as they might not be practical in a woodland environment. If it rains? Think glam wellies in silver or gold!
Bridesmaids with silver Hunter wellies
Men:
Suits in dark brown, dark green, or blue can be a good choice for a woodland theme.
Casual Options: Linen shirts, khakis, and chinos are also suitable.
Envisioning a woodland wedding? Let Ysella Glamping bring comfort and convenience of on-site accommodation to life with our pop-up glamping tents. Operating across the South West. We give you the freedom to choose any woodland setting for your special day. We'll provide seamless on-site camping for your wedding guests. Our approach is simple: you hire the site, and we’ll bring the luxury accommodation.
