What exactly is a tipi wedding?
A tipi can give you the freedom to create the wedding you’ve always dreamt of and is probably easier to arrange than you might think so to give you a little bit of a head start I have thought about what would be my 5 top tips for planning a tipi Wedding in Wales – you never know, these could well turn out helpful!
Sometimes also referred to as dry hire, you basically simply hire the grounds of a venue (rather than its facilities) and bring in things like caterers, bar, entertainment etc. yourself. It gives you total freedom to create exactly the kind of wedding setup you want without being restricted as to who or what you use.
Tipi Wedding Packages
You can set up a tipi anywhere you like really, which is just perfect for outdoor-loving couples hoping for a dreamy woodland tipi wedding, home & garden tipi weddings and tipi festival weddings in beautiful meadows! Just imagine how epic your wedding photographs could turn out if your tipi is overlooking some of our glorious Welsh scenery!
Currently planning a wedding but not quite sure if a traditional setup is right for you? My 5 top tips for planning a tipi wedding in Wales may just persuade you to plan the most laid-back outdoor wedding you could possibly dream of!
1) Find the right venue for your tipi wedding in Wales
When it comes to tipi weddings, finding a location that gets you super excited is massively important! Tipis can be set up pretty much on any ground and here in Wales, we’re definitely spoilt for choice! Start dreaming about the most glorious/scenic/epic location like your favourite campsite, a gorgeous field, or any other privately-owned land you can think of! Then simply try and narrow it down a little. What is it that truly flicks your switch? Are you dreaming of being in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature? Do you want to wander around beautiful wild meadows? Maybe it’s an unforgettable sunset by a lake that gets your pulses racing (does it for me!)
Tipi Weddings in Wales
Talk to a reputable tipi hire company and make sure your dream venue is big enough to hold one or more tipis. Most tipis can be linked together and so the final tipi setup very much depends on how many guests will join you on the day. If you prefer an open set up like a large field or vast grounds then you are, of course, less restricted with the number of guests you can invite than say for instance if you put it in your front or back garden. Having a tipi wedding in a small’ish but super sentimental spot like your very own back garden or the grounds of your family’s treasured holiday home – especially in Wales! – can create so many unforgettable memories though!
If you are hoping to accommodate friends & family nearby, you may also need enough space to set up glamping or camping, washing, and also toilet facilities so it’s worth finalising your numbers before you start looking into confirming where you are going to put your tipi.
2) Need some tipi wedding venue inspiration for your wedding in Wales?
Wales offers some of THE most picturesque & romantic locations for epic wedding photo opportunities and stunning backdrops. Number 2 on my list of 5 top tips for planning a tipi wedding in Wales is definitely the venue so here are some beautiful venues in Wales that’d be perfect for a relaxed tipi wedding! All offering different packages and prices to suit any tipi wedding needs – these venues don’t compromise on service either so do contact them directly for further details.
Tipi Wedding Venues in Wales
Red Welly, Gwynedd – complete with 3 cottages & set in 10 acres in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Looks like heaven on Earth!
Tower Hill Barns, Trevor – beautifully secluded and nestled within 10 acres of rolling Welsh countryside with a laid back ambience.
Abbey Farm, Llangollen – stunning views from the valley and with the Valle Crucis Abbey as a backdrop for one of a kind wedding photographs.
Tros Yr Afon, Anglesey – wedding venue & self-catering accommodation set in 6 acres of lush gardens. Perfect for a laid-back family weekend tipi wedding.
Fforest Farm, Cilgerran Forest – breathtakingly beautiful woodland venue, perfect for relaxed & informal weekend weddings.
3) Tipi hire in Wales
With tipi and outdoor weddings increasing in popularity, there’s a ton of companies out there hiring out tipis for weddings across the whole of the UK! it is not surprising that it can be a bit of a daunting task to find the one that’s right for you. But why not just limit your search & support a local Welsh business? Here is a small selection of Welsh tipi hire companies that’ll take the stress away and make planning your tipi wedding in Wales an absolute breeze!
Event in a Tent, Wrexham – Events Team based in North Wales for complete tipi wedding packages incl. everything from caterers and decorations to furniture and venues;
Event Tipis, Denbigh – specialising in tipi hire & build.
4) How to plan a tipi wedding
So once you’ve decided on the perfect location and how many friends & family to invite you simply add all the pretty little bits & bobs that make your tipi wedding in Wales so uniquely you! Get basic utilities in to supply the power to light your twinkly lights, have portable toilets on site, get super cosy fire pits or heaters, maybe some hay bales for your lovely friends to sit on outside, use wine barrels as tables, decorate the place with wind catchers, flowers, candles – whatever floats your boat!
Bring in caterers like Wild Garlic or Cheeky Chilli Events, have quirky food trucks, tasty street food or wood-fired pizza ovens, hog roasts, BBQ, or Fish’n Chips – whatever takes your fancy really! Arrange for a mobile bar to be on-site, get a DJ to play the latest party tunes, or hire a live band to really get the party started!
5) Get creative with these tipi wedding ideas
So now your tipi’s up and already looking pretty cool you probably wanna kit it out a little more to keep your guests extra comfy & warm. You can hire tables, chairs & benches, create a chill out zone, add a play tent for little guests (and hire someone to look after hordes of youngsters for extra peace of mind!). Add a banging dance floor, dazzling lights and festoon lighting to guide and impress guests at night. Plus they’re brilliant for a romantic wedding photographs in the dark!
If you want more personalised items there’s also chuppahs, wedding signs and ceremony arches – the sky’s the limit really!
So there we have it. 5 top tips for planning a tipi wedding in Wales. All you need now is a wedding photographer to cover it for you in all its beautiful glory! Which is where I come in! My wedding photography style is authentic, romantic and perfect for tipi weddings in super scenic spots in Wales or beyond so do get in touch!
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Babs Boardwell is a wedding & elopement photographer based in Llangollen, servicing Wales and the surrounding areas. Often provides services for weddings across the whole of the U.K. Specialises in capturing artistic portraits paired with unique storytelling moments to produce natural, romantic wedding photography. The Clwydian Range is home but available for travel across the whole of the U.K.