The way sunlight filters through ancient branches, the rustling leaves that sound like nature’s applause, the untamed beauty that turns any moment into pure magic – the forest has a special charm. Perhaps your dream is to have a fairytale-like wedding and get married in the forest? It's a bit challenging, but definitely possible. Enchanted forest weddings have this rare quality: they feel otherworldly yet deeply personal. They pull you away from the ordinary and drop you into a scene straight from a storybook. But woodland weddings are not just about aesthetics. They demand careful planning, a bit of wild spirit, and a willingness to embrace nature’s unpredictability.

Before you set your heart on a location, and know for sure that a wedding in the forest is what you want, ask yourself a few key questions.

• How do we keep guests comfortable?
  Provide blankets if it’s chilly, bug spray if necessary, and clear directions so no one gets lost in the woods. If the ceremony spot requires a hike, offer shuttles or golf carts.
• Are permits required? Some forests have strict rules about gatherings, decorations, and even music volume. Do your research early.
• Will the light be right? Dappled sunlight is dreamy, but deep woods can turn photos into a shadowy mystery. Visit at different times of the day to see how the light moves. Do it together with your wedding photographer.

FIND YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER HERE: Wedding photographers

• What’s the plan for weather surprises? A sudden rain shower can be romantic… unless you’re completely unprepared. Listen to professional advice and organize a wedding in the forest with a wedding planner.

FIND YOUR WEDDING PLANNER HERE: Wedding planners

A forest doesn’t need much to look enchanting—it already is. But the right details can transform it to whimsically breathtaking.

Lighting is everything. As the sun sets, the woods can get surprisingly dark. Twinkling fairy lights strung between branches, flickering lanterns lining the aisle, and clusters of soft candles in glass holders make all the difference. Want something truly amazing? Hang chandeliers from trees for a surreal, floating-glow effect.

Use the landscape as your canvas. Skip the plastic arches and let nature frame your ceremony. A moss-covered rock can be your altar, fallen logs can become seating, and wildflowers can be the perfect aisle markers. Keep it organic—this isn’t a banquet hall, it’s an enchanted glade.

Subtle, nature-inspired decor works best. Wooden signage with hand-painted calligraphy, dried flower confetti instead of rice, and woven dreamcatchers swaying gently in the breeze. And let’s talk about tablescapes—mismatched antique plates, clusters of ferns, and beeswax candles dripping onto wooden slabs. It’s rustic, elegant, and effortlessly beautiful.

Organizing a wedding in the forest is more complicated than in a beautiful manor where all the amenities are considered. Don't take the wedding planning tasks on your own shoulders! Hiring a wedding planner is a must.

Forest Weddings Come with Their Own Set of Challenges

As breathtaking as a woodland wedding is, it’s not all soft breezes and birdsong.

Bugs don’t care that it’s your big day. Nature is their home. Provide guests with natural insect repellents, lavender or citronella-infused wedding favors.

Weather is unpredictable. A perfect sunny morning can turn into a misty, rain-drenched afternoon. Always have a backup plan—a tent, cozy blankets, or even a second indoor location nearby.

Guests need to know what they’re in for. You’d be surprised how many people show up to a forest wedding in stilettos. Include a small “dress appropriately” note in your invites. No one wants to be that person sinking into the earth mid-toast. The more information you provide to your wedding guests, the more comfortable they will feel and the more prepared they will be.

Dresses That Belong in a Woodland Dream

Your wedding attire should feel like a natural extension of the forest—soft, flowing, and effortlessly enchanting, in harmony with beauty of nature.

For Brides

Imagine walking through the woods in a gown that moves like a whispering breeze. Delicate lace sleeves, flowing off-the-shoulder silhouettes, or cascading layers of sheer tulle create a fairy-tale effect. Soft, earthy tones—ivory, champagne, or even subtle blush—blend beautifully with the woodland backdrop. A flower crown of wild blooms and greenery is the perfect finishing touch. As for footwear thin about comfortable flats or lace-up boots.

For Grooms

Nature calls for something relaxed. A linen suit in soft beige or warm brown complements the organic setting, while a tweed vest or dark forest green jacket adds a touch of woodland magic. Pair it with a crisp white shirt, rolled-up sleeves, and maybe even a simple boutonnière made of ferns and wildflowers. No need for black-tie formality here—comfort and character are key when dressing for a forest romance.

A Feast That Feels as Magical as the Setting

Food at a forest wedding should feel comforting yet elegant—like an enchanted picnic meets fine dining.

For cocktails, serve drinks with botanical elements: rosemary gin fizzes, elderflower champagne, or whiskey infused with wild honey.

For dinner, think long wooden tables with platters of fresh artisan bread, local cheeses, and grilled vegetables. A family-style meal works beautifully—roast meats, herbed potatoes, and farm-to-table dishes that bring people together.

For dessert, skip the overly formal wedding cake. Naked cakes with berries, lavender-infused shortbread, or tiny honey-drizzled pastries fit the woodland vibe perfectly.

Wedding Favors Guests Will Actually Love

Forest weddings are the perfect excuse to gift guests with something meaningful and nature-inspired. Forget trinkets that will get left behind—give them something they’ll cherish: mini potted succulents or wildflower seeds they can plant; hand-poured soy candles in earthy scents like pine, cedarwood, or vanilla; tiny bottles of locally sourced honey or herbal tea blends; handmade wooden coasters or pressed flower bookmarks.

A forest wedding is a moment where reality blurs and something undeniably magical takes over. The scent of pine in the air, the way lanterns flicker against the twilight, the hush that falls just before vows are spoken—it’s a wedding that doesn’t just look beautiful but feels like something out of a dream.

So if you’re ready to step into a world where nature becomes your cathedral, where love feels as boundless as the sky above the treetops, then a woodland wedding is waiting for you. Step into the trees, and let the magic begin.

Author: Ieva Simanoviča