How to mix tradition and fun in a modern wedding

Charlotte and Mathew travel the world chasing the EDM festival scene.

Think Tomorrowland in Belgium, Creamfields in the UK, Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. They love the music, the people, the energy, and the unforgettable moments that come with it.

But when it came to their wedding, they didn’t just want another festival. They wanted it to feel like a wedding day. Timeless, meaningful, and full of those once-in-a-lifetime moments you share with family and friends.

At the same time, it was important to them that their guests didn’t just attend their wedding. They wanted everyone to feel truly immersed in the experience. To participate in and play a part in the celebration, rather than just watching it unfold.

So the challenge was simple but bold: how do you mix tradition and fun in a way that feels seamless? Creating a wedding that your guests are part of, not just present for?

The result? A wedding that evolved beautifully. Starting with a modern, elegant ceremony. Moving into a relaxed and playful cocktail hour. And ending with a rave-worthy marquee afterparty that perfectly captured their personalities.

The talented Charlotte Kiri Photography captured all these incredible moments.

A modern ceremony with just the right amount of tradition

The day began with all the beautiful, heartfelt moments you’d expect from a wedding morning. Charlotte got ready with her family and inner circle, taking a quiet pause for a “first look” with her dad before the whirlwind ahead.

“Walking down the aisle and seeing the view, the setup, and all our loved ones there was truly magical.”

Charlotte says Asta was a dream to work with:

“She created the most gorgeous florals that completely elevated the whole vibe.”

There was still room for a touch of fun. Instead of traditional flower girls, two of their best mates took on the role of “flower men”. Scattering petals down the aisle with plenty of personality.

It was the perfect start—meaningful, elegant, and undeniably a wedding.

Cocktail hour: easing guests into the fun

After the ceremony, the vibe began to shift.

The cocktail hour was intentionally relaxed, giving guests time to mingle and enjoy the view without feeling rushed. Comfortable lounge areas and cocktail tables from Flock Events helped create inviting pockets of space. Echoing the ceremony styling while feeling a little more casual.

To hint at the festival vibe that would come later, Charlotte and Mathew added interactive touches. That were playful but still wedding-appropriate:

• a glitter station so that guests could add a little sparkle for the evening ahead
• kandi bracelet making, a nod to the EDM festival tradition of exchanging bracelets
• an audio guestbook and Polaroid snaps, creating casual, candid keepsakes

“These weren’t just fillers for while we were off taking photos—they were personal touches that let us share a bit of ourselves. Plus, the bracelets became fun keepsakes!”

Later, during the helicopter flyover for their photos, Charlotte got a bird’s-eye view of the cocktail hour set up below.

“Seeing our vision—especially my 3D model!—come to life from the perspective of the helicopter flyover was a feeling I can’t even begin to describe. After 1.5 years of planning, it all came together in the most stunning way.”

The styling felt like a gentle evolution, not a jarring change. Guests could sip cocktails, laugh over Polaroids, and slowly settle into the more personal side of the celebration.

The marquee afterparty: all fun, all personality

And then… the flip.

As the sun went down, the entire atmosphere transformed. The same marquee that hosted the reception transformed into a full-blown rave, complete with lasers, smoke machines, and a lighting setup that made it feel like an entirely different space. Guests were even invited to change into their favourite rave-inspired outfits—sequins, sparkles, and bold colours—ready for the party to begin.

The music was pure drum-and-bass bliss. Friends who are DJs played sets, Charlotte herself jumped behind the decks, and Mathew completely surprised her by performing a set of his own.

The moment no one will forget? After their first dance, they recreated their friend-group tradition of forming a big circle and belting out the lyrics to their “anthem” track, just like they would at a festival.

And all without annoying the neighbours!

How to mix tradition and fun in your wedding

Charlotte and Mathew’s wedding shows just how beautifully you can mix tradition and fun without it feeling like two separate events.

If you want your wedding to feel meaningful and personal, the secret is in how you shape the experience, not just how it looks. Here’s how to strike that balance:

✨ Keep the ceremony intentional and straightforward

You don’t need to overcomplicate this part. Let it feel like a wedding. A few well-chosen details (like beautiful florals or a meaningful reading) go a long way.

✨ Think about energy, not just styling

The music, lighting, and pace of the day are what shift the mood. Build the energy gradually so that by the time the party starts, your guests are ready to dance.

✨ Choose a few moments that are uniquely you

It doesn’t have to be over the top. Just one or two personal touches, like a favourite song tradition or a creative group photo moment, can make the day feel unmistakably yours.

✨ Keep it cohesive

Even if the vibe changes, keep one thread running through the whole day. Whether that’s your colour palette, styling choices, or the way you host your guests. It’s what makes the day feel like one celebration rather than separate events.

✨ Make your guests participants, not just spectators

Charlotte and Mathew wanted their guests to feel like they were part of the celebration, not just watching it. Interactive touches, like the glitter station, kandi bracelet making, and their rapid-fire photo game, meant everyone had a role to play. Consider ways to engage your guests so they feel fully immersed in the day, rather than just attending it.

Or, as Charlotte puts it:

“Honestly, the only thing you have to do is say that one sentence and sign the license. That’s it. Everything else is completely up to you.”

When your guests feel included and the energy builds naturally, you can mix tradition and fun without losing the wedding feel your loved ones expect. Or the personal touches that make it yours.

Final thought

When Charlotte and Mathew look back on the day, it wasn’t just the music, the florals, or even the epic afterparty that stood out. It was the way everything came together to feel like them. Traditional enough to honour the moment, but full of personality and fun.

“It was practically perfect in every way. We wanted it to feel like a wedding but still like our wedding—and that’s exactly what it was.”

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Want a wedding that seamlessly blends tradition and fun?

Let’s design a day that feels timeless where it matters—and completely you where it should.