How do you really plan a tipi wedding? Choosing to have a tipi wedding in your own grounds or at a venue can make the day truly spectacular. This comprehensive guide will help you plan the perfect tipi wedding, with expert tips on locations, logistics, styling, and more.
Why Choose a Tipi Wedding?
Tipi weddings offer a unique blend of rustic charm and elegant luxury. They are incredible structures that stop guests in their tracks when they see them. Tipis evoke fun and celebration and guests can freely roam from inside to out, enjoying the beautiful settings of gardens, open land or private estates. They are really flexible, can be joined together to create huge structures, with sides up or sides down. You can even have fire pits inside.
Finding the Perfect Location for a Tipi Wedding
We champion East Anglia as the perfect region to host a wedding. It’s such a diverse region with huge skies and space. But choosing the right location is key. Look for venues with level ground, good access for vehicles, and stunning surroundings. Some wedding venues that we LOVE and are perfect for tipi weddings in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, and Cambridge include:
- Dedham Vale Vineyard, Dedham, Essex
- Houchins, Coggeshall, Essex
- Elton Hall, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
- Boxted Hall, Suffolk
- Bullard’s Farm, Norfolk
Remember to check if the venue allows external suppliers and whether they have experience with tipi or marquee setups.
Designing Your Tipi Wedding
Your tipi wedding should reflect your personality and style. Here are some popular styling ideas:
- Rustic Elegance: Use wildflowers, wooden furniture, and fairy lights.
- Boho Chic: Incorporate dried flowers, lounge furniture, and Persian rugs.
- Festival Vibes: Add live music, food trucks, and colourful decor.
Using styling companies to create a vibe and supply the tableware and the props can be a great idea. We love Stories Event Hire who can style and supplement events with amazing furniture outside of the sort of furniture we do, Miss Carlysle & Co for styling and prop hire, The Treasure Box and Human Nature Events for styling and of course the amazing Boomting Bunting for their drapes and lighting.
Planning the Practicalities
Luxury tipi weddings require thoughtful logistics and these are practical things to think about:
- Weatherproofing: Use matting, heaters, and fire pits to keep guests comfortable.
- Power Supply: Arrange for a reliable generator to run lighting, catering, and entertainment.
- Toilets & Facilities: Consider luxury portable loos and on-site changing rooms. We love Nomadic Washrooms and their posh toilets!
- Catering: Choose vendors experienced in outdoor events and ensure they have all the facilities they need.
Working with Local Suppliers
Collaborating with local suppliers who know the area can make your planning easier and more efficient. Here are some trusted suppliers we work with around East Anglia:
- Wedding planners: Louisa May Weddings, Softley Events
- Florists: Claridge’s Flowers, Starry Eyed Events, Elly’s Flower Studio,
- Caterers: The Hungry Hog, JP’s Kitchen, Little Piggy Catering
- Photographers: Chloe Lee Photography, Sharon Cudworth Photography, Ivory & White Photography
We’ve worked with all of these professionals, and they all understand tipi weddings and know how to work in outdoor settings. Of course pulling altogether everything yourself might be your thing, but if not a wedding planner can be a great idea to take the stress away. If you want to see our curated recommended supplier list for many other recommended, you can find it here.
Real Wedding Inspiration
We’ve helped hundreds of couples create unforgettable tipi weddings. One recent wedding in Essex featured three interconnected tipis, festoon lighting, a gin bar, and a live acoustic band – all set in a beautiful orchard. Guests danced under the stars and stayed in glamping tents nearby.
Visit our featured wedding page to see more real-life wedding inspiration from around Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridge.
Let Us Help You Plan Your Tipi Wedding
Ready to start planning your dream tipi wedding? At Events Under Canvas, we provide high-quality, luxury tipi hire across Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, and Cambridge. From your initial consultation to the final takedown, our expert team ensures your big day goes off without a hitch.
Contact us today to book your site visit, view our tipi options, and begin your wedding journey with confidence. Or play around on our Instant Quote facility on our website, to see our products and prices – you’ll find the Instant quote button in the header on our website.
Let us help you celebrate under canvas with style, elegance, and unforgettable memories.