Wilderness Festival is an annual, four-day festival held within the Cotswolds Estate at Cornbury Park.
Presented by Audi, Wilderness is a festival that encourages escapism and emphasises nature; creating opportunities for guests to interact with their surroundings and senses. The long weekend is packed with experiences centred on wellness, exploration and celebrating the arts and creativity. With attractions such as sensory raves, family theatre, foodie experiences and more; there is really something for everyone!
Festival Installations and Luxury Furniture Hire
Wilderness Boutique 2023
HIGH-END BOHEMIAN HOTEL ROOM IN AN OXFORDSHIRE FIELD.
The Brief
On this occasion, we were contacted by a UK Live Entertainment Company who were experts in the festival planning and entertainment industry. Having taken the reins on the Boutique Tickets, it was their responsibility to ensure VIP ticket holders had the highest quality experience throughout the weekend and to ensure they would return year, after year.
Visitors choosing the Boutique Camping Tickets were to be greeted with an array of luxury accommodations to choose from, ranging from air streams to safari tents and even lodges and cabins. With a client base of anything from all-female parties to couples and teams on work excursions, it was important to create unforgettable comfort that suited the variety of possible demographics.
Our client submitted a brief of a bohemian aesthetic, embracing the existing recognisable branding and aesthetics of the Wilderness Festival.
The Experience
Above style, the overall experience of the guests was at the forefront of our brief. The spaces were to be designed with practicality and everyday living in mind; whilst also being unforgettably aesthetic and picturesque.
We wanted to create a sense of home from check-in to departure, morning, noon and night. From guest's morning coffees to reading a paper, afternoon cocktails and midnight dancing, each space was tailored to its specific function.
Sustainability
As a core value of Wilderness’ ethos, sustainability and environmental awareness was a top priority when designing installations. Here are a few things took into consideration during our planning process:
Zero single-use plastics: We ensured that no single-use plastics were used in our installations.
Zero-waste-to-landfill: Wilderness Festival adheres to a zero-waste policy, which we also honoured in our setup.
Alongside a huge environmental focus, they also encourage diversity in all forms such as race, gender, sexuality, identity, age, ability, religion, pronoun size and shape. This was something we adopted into not just the planning for this festival but into our daily framework as a business.
How Did We Help?
Turnkey Packages
With a brief of bohemian beauty, we were thrilled to have such an apt collection of props and furniture that flawlessly aligned with the festival's aesthetic. We almost immediately set to work, outlining bespoke packages and products for the client to choose from.
Being the client's first time managing the boutique area at this event, we anticipated potential changes in budgets, numbers and other variables. Because of this, decided to offer three tiers of turnkey packages; bronze, silver and gold. Each package provided a comprehensive outline of the items provided and gave the client flexibility in both the budget and level of items supplied.
As plans began to come to life and budgets and concepts developed, we also had the pleasure of expanding our ideas by suggesting additional elements of styling and decoration throughout the site.
We worked closely with the client to ensure that each prop aligned with the overall vision and brief, and created a look that was bespoke to Wilderness Boutique an identity, recognisable for years to come.
Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills
As with any large, live event, it was key for us to use our creative skills to problem solve and adapt on-site as inevitable changes occurred throughout the installation.
With a range of suppliers contributing to the Boutique Area, it was key for us to consider those working around us to achieve a smooth installation for all and a successful outcome overall. Elements such as table layouts, uneven floors and back-of-house dressing were all discussed with other suppliers in the field to ensure a safe and efficient rig.
We also had the issue of weather at this event, both during installation, the live event and during design. With persistent rain and wind, our team fought with wet, muddy and challenging conditions throughout. From not driving on wet ground for close access to rainy, wet setups, leaking tents and damaged furniture, we had to work closely as a team to ensure everything was ready and in the best condition for the guest's arrival and client satisfaction.
Alexander Parnell Photography
In the lead-up to the event, both the studio and workshop teams worked tirelessly to ensure every aspect of the installation was meticulously prepared. As the primary stylists for the Boutique area, we prioritised organised packing, making sure each item was ready for a seamless onsite installation. We also created custom, handcrafted details to enhance the overall aesthetic and bring everything together in the field.
Every touchpoint of the customer journey was thoughtfully styled to reflect the bohemian "Wilderness" theme, beginning from the moment guests arrived at the Boutique Reception.
We designed bespoke lounges adorned with dried floral arrangements and created functional reception desks using reclaimed wood to emphasise a connection with nature. Each element contributed to an immersive bohemian experience as guests moved from reception to their tents and then on to the Boutique Restaurant and Bar, information hub, and pamper parlours.
No space was left untouched. We added final details with vintage, reclaimed wood, and handcrafted pieces to ensure a memorable and authentic guest experience.
Our team provided furniture and decor for:
The Main Boutique Reception
The Grove Reception
The Meadow Reception
The Boutique Bar and Restaurant
The Boutique Pamper Parlor
The Boutique Information Hub
The Boutique Cinema Tents
The End Results
THE CLIENT
“I approached Nikkita for event styling and furniture hire, and from the initial chat to the proposal, to the completion on site, the level of detail and commitment was unmatched. Each part was thought about carefully to match the tone of the event, and each piece that we rented was beautifully crafted and maintained. Nikkita and her team were also able to accommodate extra requests and last-minute changes and took very vague ideas about bigger styling ideas such as ceiling installations and made them a reality. The overall experience was amazing, and we got multiple compliments about how well the event was styled”
We also continued to work with this client for Wilderness 2024, building on our relationship and visions for Wilderness Boutique.
