Tipis create a stunning debut at weddings dazzling visitors and inspiring a feeling of excitement as they set off towards the inside! Offering a blank space they are extremely sought-after because they are the ideal basis for making your wedding uniquely yours and can be used for any style, from formal events to relaxed festival weddings. Since they’re a structure that’s embracing the natural surroundings, these structures are often also a popular option for a sustainable wedding that allows you to let the outdoors inside and feel more connected to the nature.
But, having an open-ended wedding design is not without some considerations and a checklist particular to the planning of this kind of wedding. In this article, I will discuss the 10 most important logistical concerns in planning your wedding tipi…
1. Learn The Maths!
In contrast to traditional wedding venues which offer packages or fixed-price arrangements, that’s not usually 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. While this is among the most appealing aspects of a wedding in a tipi but it also means that calculating the costs is more crucial and is a more difficult process.
When we look through this list , there are numerous aspects that are mentioned that have to be considered and budgeted for, however the primary starting point for weddings with tipis will be the price of the rental of the land as well as the cost of structure hire. Many tipi hire firms offer a free site tour in the initial stages of your planning process to meet with you, look over the location, and talk about the requirements for size and logistics for the event to give an accurate price. They also offer an inventory of recommended local locations that they have put up their tipis before and are confident about which is an ideal starting point when you’re planning to have a wedding with a tipi, but don’t know where you should place the tipis.
2. Logistics
Although this is something a trustworthy local tipi service will be looking to check when conducting their site visits It is also beneficial to plan certain aspects prior to your visit to avoid unnecessary trips, and to avoid settling on a spot that will not be suitable for tipis. Consider whether the place you’re looking at has easy access for vehicles and enough space, recognizing that when they’re laid out prior to installation, they can have a huge footprint. While overhead cables and underground pipes aren’t things you’d be looking at when you visit the wedding location This kind of aspect is crucial for tipis and could influence how they are placed in a space. It is also important to think about whether the venue gives you access to additional areas prior to or after wedding for building and removal, the exact timeframe of which will depend on the size of the tipis that you’re required to build.
3. Size is Important
Tipis are great for granting the space you require for any arrangement you’d like since multiple tipi hats can be arranged in nearly every arrangement you want (your hiring company will be able to discuss the details with you). It is important to take note of the areas or ‘zones’ you’d prefer for the wedding (i.e. an additional dance floor bar, a bar, or a comfortable seating areas for instance) as well as whether you’re in a position to move items around in order to make more space during the event, and also which things you’d like to keep inside the tipi, and what you would prefer to put outside. These factors along with the total number of guests and the budget you have set, will be taken into consideration to determine how many tipis you’ll need for your celebration.
4. Weather
Tipi canvas can be waterproof when kept clean and properly cared for making them ideal for all weather conditions and at any time of the year. But, as an unpermanent structure with no permanent foundations, it is possible that winds could affect tipis, though this is only an issue during the most extreme weather conditions that we encounter in the UK on a small number of days throughout the year. The placement of your tipi on an area that offers some shade and shelter from wind , in the form of hedgerows with a good foundation or similar may ensure that this won’t cause any concern.
The tipi canvas is a great way to provide shelter from weather elements the temperature can change within a tipi in the same way that they do in any other outdoor structure. To make use of these structures during the colder winter months, heaters can be a worth the purchase! The fact that a tipi is only temporary tipi can mean that it’s not very efficient in containing heat , however it will require more energy to bring the space up to a satisfactory temperature and to then maintain this which is something to consider in assessing how carbon-intensive a party at a tipi in the winter months. The necessity for or reliance on heaters depend on the number of guests in attendance as well as the size of the space that needs heating, and the thickness and quality of the tipi canvas. The fire pits are able to be placed inside tipis (following security guidelines set forth by the hiring company to ensure their placement) and they can be used to be used to supplement the work of the heater, or even replace the requirement for a heater during the evenings of summer as temperatures fall a bit.
When we think of weather, it seems like we’re already conditioned to think about the issues that cold and rain can bring, but as our weather begins to drastically change and we are experiencing more hot and scorching summer days than in past years This is something that needs to be considered too. Tipis keep hot air inside during those hot, hot days making them hot to be in. One benefit of tipis is the ability to set their sides in the air, which allows more airflow and giving the occasion the possibility to spill out onto the outside space quickly.
The number of sides and the lengths they are going to be built is something that must be decided upon and planned prior to erecting them . These can’t be altered at a later time and therefore this is a vital discussion to have with your hiring team prior to when they begin making your structures for your tipis. Apart from the sides that are constructed and the occasional zip-locking of the entrances to the tipis opening there aren’t many alternatives to cool down the structure of a tipi. The simple act of releasing the canvas in areas and opening the structure to the outside isn’t an option as it could damage the canvas that has been taught and, ultimately, the structure! If you are planning a wedding tipi in the summer months, and the heat can be a problem for you It is worth looking into the possibility of 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, however, ultimately, the catering staff as well as your DJ and lighting must be powered by some way (unless you have with a team of people powered by solar or other energy sources however, the majority of aspects of weddings aren’t quite mastered this). Therefore it is common for a generator to be required. Your tipi hire firm can possibly recommend a generator they frequently use or they may have their own generator that can be moved alongside the structure in order for a reduced miles.
While typically, vendors are able to simply show up and connect at an event, with tipsi or outdoor weddings, it’s crucial to inquire beforehand how much power they’ll need and also ensure that the generator which will be able to power all the power at once. You do not want all 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 an extravagant Trailer toilet, these less-than-glamourous aspects of planning your tipi wedding are essential to keep in mind and plan for! Like many other aspects of planning make sure you utilize the services of your tipi hire provider or wedding planner’s experience and ask for their suggestions. Consider the space the trailer will leave on the location and where you’d like them to be placed in addition, if you’re planning to add the camping or glamping aspect to your wedding, will you require a separate bathroom block close to the hotel? Do you need to have shower facilities also?
Be aware of accessibility as well There are many toilet trailers that are only that trailers that require access via steps, so should you have people who are unable to walk, it is essential to take more time looking for a bathroom that is accessible to all.
7. Flooring
Concerning accessibility, the outdoor design of structures like tipis could mean that the ground they’re situated on is not level or level. Many tipi manufacturers provide matting in the standard configuration and provide a cover for the floor in order to clean the area and stop 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 as well as making it more accessible for stiletto-wearing guests! Hard flooring typically comes at a price that is higher however, so be sure to consider the benefits of it against your budgeting limitations.
Matting is also a great option to use as walkways around the site, creating 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 house, or hotel and contemplating the amount of lighting fixtures, however this isn’t an option when you are starting your wedding venue by starting from scratch in an open field! The tipi hire service may offer or even be able to add lighting and be able to string it up in the building stage, but it’s crucial to confirm the details. For tipis as well as dry hire structures, you have the choice of the kind of lighting you want and where it will be placed. There are a myriad of options Do you want to opt for the pea/fairy lighting, or festoon white or colored lighting, or to highlight certain areas, like the dance floor?
Be sure to have the lights on the outside It isn’t a good idea to have guests to get lost when they go to the bathroom or locating their vehicle. This is essential for security in the event that the property is located near an watercourse.
9. Catering Tent
What’s a party without food? When planning your wedding tipi ensure that you inquire from your caterer whether they are experienced in catering outdoors and if they will provide their own cooking area and equipment , or whether you’re required to supply their catering tent. If they do, typically the tipi hire business can put the catering tent to the hire arrangement, or recommend a service that can do this. If you’ve not already found an catering service 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
You’ve created your website and your layout, you’ve considered the logistics and made sure your catering staff is happy…now you’ll require furniture that can make the most of your space! Take your time and personalize it! Long tables work great in tipis since they are simple to set up 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 giving a formal feel. The hire companies will usually provide all the items you require including tables and chairs or even a bar to cutlery, plates and linens, and often with beautiful treasures. Hire is a great alternative that’s sustainable, and ensures that the items are reused and well cared to last through many weddings. Contact your catering and tipi hire firm as they could be able organize everything for you, but it’s always better secure instead of to be sorry!
These 10 tips for planning the tipi wedding are all the basics, and above the guidelines, you’re in a position to start thinking about your own ideas and add your personal finishing touches to the decor. This list could seem lengthy and weddings with tipis require more effort and planning than a standard wedding location However, for many, this is one of the reasons they are so exciting and distinctiveness.
If you love the style and ambience of weddings with tipis but are intimidated with this checklist of things to consider Do not 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 manage the entire process in their step so you do not have to. Furthermore, certain venues specialize in weddings in tipis and offer the full list of vendors they recommend that will take all the stress off your shoulders.
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