10 Reasons to Say YES to a Ren Faire Wedding: From Bards to Budgets (& Giant Turkey Legs!)

A Ren Faire wedding is the most fun you’ll ever have getting married & your guests will love it too

 

 

Hail and well met, lovebirds! Want a romantic and rollicking wedding, surrounded by magic, merriment, and your closest friends? Maybe with a theme, in costume, serenaded by a bard or bagpipes? A Renaissance Faire wedding has everything you want – and your guests will love it too. 

 

If you and your partner already love the Faire, why not make it a lasting part of your love story?

 

To help you start planning, we reached out to two wedding pros who understand what makes ren fest weddings the best: Wedding Officiant Margaret Hall and Wedding Photographer Devon Rowland. These experts were patrons before they were wedding pros, and they know how to blend the best of both worlds. (Scroll to the end of this post to learn more about our experts!)

 

Below are 10 reasons to say YES – or aye, huzzah, yea, and marry shall I! – to getting married at a Ren Faire!  

 

 

(Photo: Devon Rowland Photography)

 

 

10 Reasons a Ren Faire Wedding is Right For You

 

1. Immersive Wedding Experience

 

 You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world as you take your vows! Immersive wedding experiences are trending for 2026, and nothing puts you in the middle of the magic, and delights the senses, like a Ren Fest wedding. You’ll be surrounded by authentic entertainment, lively music, colorful costumes, earthy incense, and historical accents – with plenty of private fairytale moments to steal a kiss or three.

 

Officiant Hall points out, “Couples should also understand that they will have lots of guests passing by who will be able to witness the ceremony,” if it’s held outside or at a walk-up booth. “For individuals who are very private, this might not be a good option,” she says. “For social creatures, however, this could be the most grand celebration!”

 

 

(Photo: Devon Rowland Photography)

 

2. Built-In Theme & Entertainment Means Stress-Free Planning

 

No more fretting over a wedding theme or when to book the entertainment – a Ren Fest wedding does it for you! The theme and entertainment are built-in, with an optional costumed dress code. You’ll also have the chance to curate an exciting, interactive guest experience with your pick of after-ceremony activities – like axe throwing, archery, and fire shows for your adventurous guests; or wandering the market, watching a band, and cheering a sword battle for your mellow wedding guests. 

 

“As a long-time faire attendee, renaissance festivals hold a special place in my heart,” Rowland tells us. “Weddings at Ren Faire allow folks who love the festival to incorporate it into their wedding day while also sharing this special place with family and friends. Besides, where else does your wedding reception include costumes, turkey legs, face painting, and a joust?”

 

 

Ren fests offer a memorable and interactive experience for your wedding guests. (Photo: Devon Rowland Photography) 

 

 

3. Affordable! (All-Inclusive Ren Faire Wedding Packages)

 

This might be the biggest factor for many a lord or lady - Ren Fest weddings can be incredibly affordable. Most large faires offer all-inclusive wedding packages at different price points, making it easier to plan something within your budget. Small faires and fests sometimes have a walk-up wedding booth – with an ordained officiant ready to marry you! (We always recommend you check ahead.)

 

Ren Faire wedding packages range between $1,000 for a small elopement ceremony (no reception), and $10,000 for a midsized ceremony followed by a full feast and drinks. Your local hometown faire may be even more reasonably priced.

 

How much does a Ren Faire wedding package cost? It varies:

 

• The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire wedding package is around $2,800 for 25 guests, and includes a ceremony, live music, dinner, and reception entertainment.
• The Texas Renaissance Faire (the largest ren faire in the US) offers several ceremony venues and packages, ranging from an estimated $5,800 for a small celebration, to $10,300 for the royal treatment with 50 guests.
• The Ohio Renaissance Faire offers packages from around $1,000 for a short ceremony with 4 guests, to $7,500 for a full ceremony and reception for 50 guests.

 

Walk-up weddings at smaller local faires and fests, like those offered this year at the Summerville, Georgia Mini Renaissance Festival by Officiant Hall, give you the most bang for your buck. After your ceremony, you and your guests can join the line for your favorite fest foods, sing along with a scandalous sea shanty, and share a first dance with the finest dressed members of the court, all for not much more than the one-day ticket price. 

 

 

4. The BEST Wedding Photos

 

It’s impossible to argue with this one: Ren Fest weddings make the best photoshoots! But instead of telling you, why don’t we just show you? Here are just a few of the stunning photos taken by Devon Rowland at the Maryland Renaissance Festival over the years. (Mine heart is smitten!) If a photo is worth a thousand words, these tell an entire love story. 

 

(All photos: Devon Rowland Photography, Baltimore wedding photographer) 

 

 

 

5. Mementos, Keepsakes, and Trinkets Abound

 

Let’s be real – most wedding swag bags and party favors end up in junk drawers, or repurposed as next year’s stocking stuffers. But Ren Faire weddings offer endlessly delightful and memorable keepsakes and trinkets for your guests to choose from. From bottle charms to stickers, jewelry, and mead mugs, there are countless items to help guests remember all the fun they had celebrating your special day. 

 

If you regularly attend faires, you probably know about trinket trading! If your faire allows it, consider bringing a few special love-themed trinkets to trade away, like small wooden hearts or stones, and share your joy with others.

 

Related: Order the AMM 'Renaissance' Marriage Certificate

 

 

6. Jousting! 

 

We probably don’t need to elaborate here – jousting on the wedding day? Huzzah! Whether it’s choreographed or competitive, you’re in for a heckling good time. 

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7. Nerdy, Queer Inclusive, Accessible

 

Come as thou art! Medieval faires tend to attract like-minded, open-minded folks – and the nerdier, the better. Faires and fests are also known for being super queer-friendly and affirming spaces. They’re usually neurodivergent-friendly and family-friendly, too! This makes a Ren Faire wedding a natural choice for nerdy, neurodiverse, or LGBTQ+ couples of all kinds. 

 

“The renaissance festival is a space built for play and self expression,” Rowland says. “In the 20+ years I have been attending and occasionally working at renaissance festivals, they have only gotten queerer and queerer. I’ve photographed queer weddings at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, and couples have been met with joy and celebration from MDRF staff, vendors, and patrons alike.”

 

Some Ren Faires have also taken steps to be more accessible to disabled patrons in recent years (though there’s definitely room for improvement). Many on-site venues will be accessible, but faire grounds can be hit or miss. Check with your chosen faire about things like quiet areas for sensory breaks, ramps and paved areas for wheelchairs and other mobility aids, and ingredient lists for food vendors (or allowing outside food) to accommodate food allergies.  

 

Related: How to plan an accessible and disability-friendly wedding ceremony

 

 

8. Beautiful Outdoor Setting

 

If you wander the faire after your ceremony, you’re in for a treat! Renaissance faires are usually held in parks and out-of-the-way settings, with rustic woodlands and fields as a backdrop. It’s a beautiful setting to say “I do!”

 

“[My wedding booth] was right next to a pretty little stream with a tree right next to it, so it was a beautiful backdrop for our wedding arch,” Officiant Hall tells us about her local faire.

 

Of course, trying to plan around the weather for an outdoor wedding can feel as dubious as a dragon's promise… and Ren Faires are no exception. The difference is that faires are hosted by professionals with tons of outdoor event experience – which means they won’t be caught off guard (or without a waterproof cloak) if it starts to rain. You’ll be in good hands, for a wedding day that’s truly magical – rain or shine. (Just be sure to pack some rainboots and umbrellas, in case!)

 

Related: Summer Survival: 10 Items to Add to Your Officiant Wedding Emergency Kit This Season

 

 

(All photos: Devon Rowland Photography, Baltimore wedding photographer) 

 

 

9. The Food! 

 

What’s a Ren Faire wedding without hearty feasts, sweet treats, and tankards of mead?! You’ll have your fill of hearty vegan meatloaf,  pork chops on a stick, and giant turkey legs! Or fried pickles and scotch eggs! Hearty stews and country cider! Chimney cakes!

 

Seriously, Ren Faire food is fun and filling, with old-timey options for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans that put a unique twist on the traditional wedding menu. All-inclusive wedding packages might come with a list of options to choose from, or you might be asked to work with their caterer to customize your menu. If your package only includes a ceremony, or you choose a walk-up wedding, reserve seats at a specialty feast, or pick and choose your favorites at the food court. 

 

 

(Photo: Devon Rowland Photography) 

 

 

10. A Ceremony That Feels Like Part of Your Love Story

 

Your wedding should be a natural part of your love story – not a disruption that doesn’t suit your style or personality. Make your wedding day magical by exchanging vows in a place you love, surrounded by community. It’s a special moment in your story, and a fairytale start to your marriage. 

 

Related: Medieval Themed Wedding Ceremony Script

 

You can even return to the faire each year for anniversaries and vow renewal ceremonies – informal ceremonies “which allow couples to have a ceremony without the legalities,” Officiant Hall says. “Any couple can do this, and leave with some fun memories.” Something to look forward to in the future as your love grows!
 

 

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Ask a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding at Ren Faire! 

 

Ask a friend to get ordained online with American Marriage Ministries to officiate your wedding at your favorite Renaissance Fest or Faire. AMM is recognized across the country, and it only takes a second to complete our online minister application. Forward this to a friend and click the button below to get started! 

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Why choose AMM for your online ordination? American Marriage Ministries offers free minister ordination and training for wedding officiants from all backgrounds, spiritual beliefs, and walks of life. We are proudly LGBTQIA+ inclusive and interfaith, and believe that all people have the right to get married and perform marriages.

 

 

(Photo: Devon Rowland Photography) 

 

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Meet Our Ren Fest Wedding Experts

 

 

Devon Rowland (they / them)

Wedding Photographer

Devon Rowland Photography

 

"Devon Rowland Photography is a queer Baltimore photographer specializing in LGBTQ+ weddings, fun portraits and headshots, family photos that go beyond the Christmas card, and engaging event images. Based in Baltimore but happy to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get to you!" 

 

• Read more about Devon's experience with Ren Fest weddings, in their own words: "Why You Should Plan a Maryland Renaissance Festival Wedding"

 

Connect with Devon: 

Website / Instagram / Facebook

 

 

 

Margaret Hall

Wedding Officiant 

The Matchbox Drive-Thru

 

Margaret Hall is owner and officiant at The Matchbox Drive-Thru, an inclusive Vegas-inspired wedding and elopement chapel located in the artsy historic district of Lafayette, Georgia, just a short drive from Chattanooga, Tennessee.

 

 

 

Connect with Margaret: 

Instagram / Facebook / TikTok

 

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