Tipis can make a fantastic debut at weddings dazzling the guests, and creating a feeling of anticipation when they go into the interior! They provide a blank canvas they are extremely popular because they offer the perfect basis for making your wedding unique and can be used for any style, from formal events to more relaxed wedding weekend celebrations. Since they’re a structure that’s embracing the natural environment, they are often a preferred option for a sustainable wedding that allows you to invite the outdoors inside and feel a connection to the natural world.
However, as an open-ended wedding design has an array of issues and a checklist particular to the planning of this kind of wedding. This article will cover the 10 most important logistical concerns for planning your dream wedding…
1. Learn The Maths!
Contrary to standard wedding venues, which provide packages or fixed-price packages, it’s always the case with tipis because of the capacity to begin with a blank slate and create the wedding you desire and require for the number of guests. Although this is one of the most appealing aspects of a wedding in a tipi but it also means that calculating the costs is more crucial and can be a difficult task.
When we look through the list of items, we will see numerous aspects that are mentioned that have to be considered and budgeted for, however the most important factor to consider for weddings with tipis will be the price of hiring the land as well as the cost of structure hire. Many tipi hire firms provide a free site visit in the initial stages of your planning process to meet you, inspect the area, and discuss the details and size needed for the event to give an accurate estimate. A lot of them also have an inventory of recommended local places where they’ve erected their tipis before and are confident about which is an ideal starting point when you are planning to have a wedding with a tipi, but don’t know where you should place the tipis.
2. Logistics
While this is something a trustworthy local tipi service is looking for during their site inspection It is also beneficial to plan certain aspects prior to your visit to avoid unnecessary trips, and avoid making a decision on a location that may not be ideal for tipis. Consider whether the location you’re considering is accessible to vehicles and has enough space, recognizing that when they’re laid out prior to installation, they can have a vast footprint. Although overhead cables and underground pipes aren’t things you’d be looking at when you visit wedding venues This kind of aspect is crucial for tipis, and may be a major factor in how they are placed within the space. It is also important to think about whether the venue permits additional access prior to or after wedding for building and tear down, the precise timeframe is determined by the size of the tipis you’re needing.
3. Size is Important
Tipis are amazing in allowing you the space you want in any layout you want since multiple tipi hats can be arranged in nearly every arrangement you want (your hiring company will be able to discuss this with you in depth). It is recommended to think about the ‘areas’ or zones you’d prefer for your reception (i.e. separate dance floors bar, a bar, or a an inviting seating area, for example) and whether you’re capable of moving things around in order to make more space during the event, and also which items you’d like to keep inside the tipi instead of outside. All of these aspects together with your guest count and budget will be taken into consideration to determine the amount of tipis you’ll need for your party.
4. Weather
Tipi canvas is waterproof if properly maintained and taken care of and properly, which makes these structures suitable for all weather conditions and any time of the year. Although, being an unpermanent structure with no permanent foundations, it is possible that the speed of wind could affect tipis, though it is only an issue in the extreme conditions of wind that we encounter in the UK on a small number of days in the year. The placement of your tipi on an area that offers the benefit of refuge and shielding from winds in the form hedgerows that are well-established or similar could be a good idea, and will not cause concern.
While the tipi canvas offers security from elements the temperature can fluctuate inside a tipi the same way that they do in any other outdoor structure. In order to use tipi structures during colder seasons, heaters are a beneficial purchase! The short-term nature of a tipi can mean that it’s not the most efficient at containing heat , however it will require more energy to bring the area to a suitable temperature, and then to maintain it which is something to consider in assessing environmental impact of hosting a party at a tipi in the winter months. The necessity for or reliance on heaters depend on the number of people in attendance and the amount of space that needs heating, and the quality and thickness of the tipi canvas. The fire pits are able to be placed within the tipis (following security guidelines set forth by the hiring company for their location) and can also complement the function of the heater, or even suffice to eliminate the requirement for a heater during an evening in summer when temperatures are dropping.
When we think about the weather, it seems like we’re already conditioned to think about the issues that cold and rain cause, but as the weather begins to drastically change and we are experiencing more hot summer days than we did in the past This is something that needs to be considered too. Tipis are able to keep hot air inside during those hot, hot days which makes them extremely hot to be inside. Tipis have the ability to set their sides in the air, which allows more airflow and giving an event the chance to spill over into the gorgeous outside space quickly.
What number and what sides are going to be built is something that needs to be determined and planned prior to erecting them . These are not able to be changed at a later time which is why this is a vital discussion to have with the hire team prior to when they start creating your tipi structures. In addition to the sides being constructed and the occasional zip-locking of the entrances to the tipis opening There are a few alternatives to cool down the structure of a tipi. Just releasing the canvas into sections and opening it up to the outside isn’t an option since it would compromise the meticulously taught canvas and eventually the structure! If you are planning a wedding tipi to take place during the summer heat and the heat can be a problem for you It is worth looking into hiring fans.
5. Power
The ability to be off grid and using the space in a remote location could be a one of the reasons for outdoor weddings and structures like tipis, but ultimately , the catering crew as well as your DJ and lighting must be powered in some way (unless you have an entire team that is powered by solar energy or other sources of energy however, the majority of aspects of weddings don’t have this). Therefore generators are often required. The tipi hire business will possibly recommend a generator they frequently use or, ideally, they may have their own generator that can be moved together with the structure to reduce the miles.
While typically, vendors are able to simply arrive and plug into an event, with tipsi and outdoor weddings , it’s essential to know beforehand how much power they’ll need and also ensure that the generator that be able to produce all the power at once. You don’t want the lights to go out once the catering trucks arrive to begin ready to cook!
6. Bathroom Facilities
It doesn’t matter if you stick to the essentials or go for the most luxurious Trailer toilet, these unglamorous aspects of planning your tipi wedding are essential to keep in mind and plan your budget for! Like many other aspects of planning be sure to utilize the tipi hire service or wedding planner’s knowledge and get their recommendations. Consider the area the trailer will leave on your site and the place you’d like them to be placed in addition, if you’re planning to add an element of camping or glamping to your wedding, will you require a separate bathroom block close to the hotel? Do you need to have shower facilities also?
Also consider accessibility Many toilet trailers are only that trailers that require access via steps. Therefore, should you have persons who have difficulty moving around it is crucial to spend more time looking for a bathroom that can accommodate all.
7. Flooring
In terms of accessibility, the nature of the outdoors of structures like tipis may mean that the ground they’re placed on is not level or level. The majority of tipi businesses provide matting in the standard configuration as a way of covering the floor in order to clean the area up and keep it from being churned beneath your feet. But, hardwood flooring is an alternative that you can consider, which will level the floor for you, allowing an easier floor for those with disabilities and making it more accessible for stiletto-wearing guests! Hard flooring is typically available at a price that is higher therefore, you must consider the benefits of it against your budgeting limitations.
Matting is also a great option to use as walkways around the venue, marking paths , preventing areas from getting muddy as well as reducing the trail that you leave on the site following the incident.
8. Lighting
It is rare to be looking around a barn manor home, or hotel and contemplating the amount of lighting fixtures, however this kind of thing isn’t an option when you are starting your wedding venue by beginning from scratch in the field! The company that hires your tipi may have the capacity to include lighting, having the ability to tie it up in the building stage, but it’s essential to verify the details. For tipis as well as dry hire structures, you are able to select the kind of lighting you want and where it will be placed. There are a myriad of options Are you thinking of opting for fairy lights, pea/fairy, white or coloured lighting to emphasize particular areas like the dance floor?
Make sure you have lighting the outside You don’t want guests to be lost in the process of getting to the bathroom or locating their vehicle. This is essential for security in the event that the property is located near the watercourse.
9. Catering Tent
What’s a party without food? If you are planning a wedding with a tipi be sure to inquire from your caterer whether they are experienced in catering for outdoor events and whether they have their own kitchen space and equipment, or if you’re required to provide their catering tent. If yes, your tipi hire provider can put an additional catering tent to your rental arrangement, or recommend a service that can do this. If you’ve not already found an experienced catering company It is also worth having a discussion with your tipi hire service or wedding planner since catering for outdoor events could be a unique issue for catering teams, and previous experience and recommendations are a great source of assurance.
10. Furniture and Feasting
Now that you have your site and your layout, you’ve contemplated the logistics and ensured that your catering team is happy…now you’ll require furniture to make the most of your space! Enjoy this and customize it to your liking! Long tables work great in tipis because they’re easily arranged between the’legs’ of the tipi and are ideal for a casual dining space, but round tables work equally well and enhance an event by creating a formal atmosphere. Hire companies usually supply you with everything you require including tables and chairs and maybe even a bar to cutlery, plates and linens, and often collections of gorgeous items. Hire is a great option that is sustainable, as it ensures that things are reused and taken care of to be used for many weddings. Contact your catering and tipi hire firm as they may be able to arrange everything for you, but it’s better to be secure rather than being sorry!
These 10 tips for planning the perfect tipi wedding cover the basics, and above the list, you’ll be capable of getting creative and add your personal finishing touches to the decor. The list may seem long and weddings with tipis require more planning and considerations than a standard wedding however for many, it’s one of the reasons they are so exciting and distinctiveness.
If you are awestruck by the atmosphere and look of weddings with tipis but are intimidated at this long list of things to consider Don’t worry the work could be greatly simplified for you in a variety of ways. First, consider employing a planner for your wedding especially one that is specialized in outdoor weddings, and who can handle the planning process in step so you do not have to. Furthermore, certain venues specialize in weddings in tipis and offer the full list of vendors they’ll recommend to you that will take all the stress off your shoulders.
