Event Decor And Installations For A Wellness Festival
Happy Place Festival
Starting in the summer of 2019, the amazing Fearne Cotton founded the Happy Place Festival—an alcohol-free event promoting well-being, connection, and discovery through experiences and exploration. Over the course of the weekend, attendees enjoy talks, expressive arts (e.g., live music, poetry, and book readings), the chance to explore independent wellness brands, and a variety of workshops, including sound healing, yoga, and relaxation.
In 2023, the Happy Place team approached us to elevate the event's aesthetic while incorporating practical and sustainable solutions for seating and branding opportunities. Let’s delve into the team’s brief and how we delivered.
When we received the brief from Happy Place’s planning team, three non-negotiables were outlined:
Quality
Practicality
Sustainability
The team sought a range of furniture and decorative options that aligned with the festival’s theme and aesthetic while enhancing the guest experience from the moment they arrived.
The Festival Brief
The Solution
After carefully mapping out each festival space and its requirements, we curated a selection of packages tailored to their needs. Maintaining a consistent theme was essential, so we focused on a rustic aesthetic accented with pops of the brand’s colours and identity.
Alongside our items, it was key for us to take other suppliers and fixtures into consideration to ensure a cohesive style and practical, physical journey around the venue.
Food and Drink Zone
In the food and drink zones, we provided poseur tables, bar stools, and parasols, creating a welcoming space for guests to relax. Each piece of furniture was handcrafted by our team and customised to align with Happy Place’s brand guidelines.
Craft Zone
For the craft zone, we delivered reclaimed wood trestle tables and a mix of vintage wooden chairs. This choice met both the sustainable and rustic aspects of the brief while offering practical solutions for workshop activities.
The Green Room
We designed an on-trend, on-brand space for celebrity guests to relax and debrief. This included our reclaimed sofa sets and a bespoke branded backdrop, perfect for social media engagement.
To help guests navigate the festival, we created an easy-to-read schedule using foamex boards mounted on a custom frame.
Each area featured a branded check-in station with our pod bars, complete with bespoke text, sponsor logos, and bright tassel bunting. This setup ensured a seamless guest flow and smooth registration at every attraction.
Bespoke Signage and Branded Check-In Stations
The Book Stall
The Book Stall, run by Waterstones, offered a selection of books and journals, whilst also being the home to book signings and talks with guest speakers and authors. To brand this space, we installed our reclaimed wood backboard with Happy Place Logo and other materials and decorative elements to soften the look.
How We Achieved These Results
Battling Weather and Adapting To Challenges
During the 2023 festival, extreme gale-force winds posed significant challenges during installation. To ensure the safety of guests, our team, and the prestigious venues, we implemented a comprehensive installation plan.
At Chiswick House and Gardens, ground-staking restrictions required us to adapt our usual processes by using weights instead of stakes for furniture and props. These adjustments were incorporated into our manufacturing and production plans.
Flexibility and Working With Other Suppliers
Given the festival’s large scale, we collaborated closely with other décor suppliers and the festival management team to ensure efficiency and cohesion.
Navigating Access Restrictions
The festivals were held at historic venues—Chiswick House and Tatton Park—each with unique quirks and restrictions. To protect the grounds, driving on wet grass was prohibited, necessitating manual handling aids and sufficient crew for deliveries.
We also worked alongside the Health and Safety team during installations to maximize guest safety during the live events.
Post-Event Debriefing
After each festival, we conducted a debrief with the management team to evaluate successes and identify areas for improvement.
Looking Forward
We’re proud to have partnered with Happy Place at both Chiswick and Tatton in 2023 and 2024, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration in the future.
