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From choosing your outfit to booking a baker to create the perfect wedding cake, there are lots of things to organise before you walk down the aisle to say, “I do”.

Once all the formalities of the vows have been completed, the happy couple and their guests can look forward to enjoying the wedding feast and reception. For this article, we spoke to bloggers and industry professionals about why you should consider hiring a tipi to give your wedding reception that something extra special.

1. The decorative possibilities are endless

The beauty of tipi weddings is that you literally have a blank canvas to work with, which means you can let your imagination run wild regarding décor, as blogger Ellie from Eleanor Graceful explains: “As a couple, there is so much you can do with a tipi, from dressing it up with fairy lights or festoon bulbs and fresh flower garlands or having a flickering firepit, you can really make it your own.

“If you have land, it's a great way of utilising the space you have and not having to hire a venue. With this, you can bring in caterers and make sure everything is just the way you want for your big day.”

Wedding photographer Andy Casey told us that hiring a tipi can be the cherry on top of a fantastic day: “You have married the one you love, surrounded by all your family and friends. Is there a better way to end the evening than gathering around the cosy fire pit and toasting marshmallows in a gorgeous tipi which you have decorated to reflect your style?”

2. A tipi offers flexibility of the layout

Not only are tipis elegant, but they are also extremely adaptive which means you are in control of the seating arrangements and general layout.

Jo is the director of a wedding planning agency called One Curious Dream and told us why tipi tent hire is a great idea: “There’s nothing we love more than planning tipi weddings! Perfect for couples who are looking to create a beautifully relaxed, wonderfully fun and completely unique wedding, choosing a tipi offers huge flexibility and the opportunity to truly personalise your wedding day.

“As well as being a wonderful blank canvas for you to inject your personalities through the décor and design, they look thoroughly impressive, are a great alternative to a traditional marquee and can include really quirky touches such as cool chillout areas, where you can create a living room vibe. What’s not to love?”

Whether you have a lot of guests and want to consider giant tipi hire, or would like to add a Little Hat tipi into the mix for an additional undercover serving station, the possibilities for what your finished reception will look like are endless. Something else to remember is that the structures link perfectly together meaning you can customise and mix and match to create a wonderful space for dancing, relaxing and dining.

3. Tipis provide a wonderful photographic backdrop

Weddings can take months to plan and can feel like the festivities finish in the blink of an eye, which is why photography can be an integral part of your special day.

Whether you hire a professional photographer or rely on snap-happy friends and family to capture joyful moments, a tipi can help bring your pictures to life. As well as having photographs taken showing the wedding reception atmosphere inside the tipi, outside, the tipi can make a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos with friends and family, especially when placed amongst lush green foliage and outdoor fairy lights & festoons.

4. Tipis are perfect for weddings all year round

You would be forgiven for envisaging using a tipi for a summer wedding, however, thanks to their durable material and sturdy structure, tipis are also a fine choice for winter weddings too. With a robust outer layer, you and your guests are sure to stay nice and toasty during chilly winter evenings. Additionally, a tipi wedding celebration on a balmy midsummer’s night is equally sure to dazzle guests and give the day a fun, festival-like vibe.

With an open log fire and powerful tent heaters, a wonderfully cosy space can be created easily no matter what season you tie the knot. Manufactured to withstand the range of Scandinavian weather, Nordic tipis are the perfect way to provide a practical and atmospheric alternative to standard wedding venues.

Matilda from Whitehouse Event Crockery explains why tipis work well all year round: “Tipis are a fantastic way to choose your own venue that you can design exactly the way that you want no matter the time of year. Whether you’re looking for something traditional, something bohemian or something modern, it’s adaptability means that it can work around the vision of almost any bride.

“Though many would perceive the tipi to only be something you can use in the summer, we’ve seen how brides can utilise the cosy and intimate space to celebrate the most brilliant winter weddings.”

Hannah, who blogs at Cupcake Mumma was a guest at a summer tipi wedding: “My cousin got married in the summer and her theme reflected this with tipis decorated with handmade dreamcatchers of all colours. Inside there was a vintage feel with happy signs, flowers, sweet shelves and areas of blankets and cushions.

“The atmosphere was lovely. So down to earth, grounded and relaxing. Everyone enjoyed the back-to-nature vibe with most guests wandering around in bare feet and enjoying themselves.

We also asked Hannah why, as a guest, having a tipi made the wedding so special: “I think they bring something really special to a wedding day. They break with traditions that can a bit ‘samey’, and in my opinion, it's always good to experience something new.

“Having the tipi set up with blankets & cushions, was fantastic for my children . It gave them a area where they could take a break from where the music was playing. The linking of the tipis provides these quieter more intimate areas that can be great for anyone who needs to take a moment away from the revelry.

Ellie also told us what kind of atmosphere she believes a tipi reception provides: “I love the idea of a tipi for summer weddings because it gives guests the option of being outside and enjoying the sunshine. It is also a great way to keep dry if the great British summer isn't playing ball on the day. There is also the option of having a separate area for a dancefloor as well as seats for the wedding breakfast, and they are always a lot bigger than they seem from the outside.

“For a winter wedding, a tipi is perfect because it's such a cosy place to celebrate, especially with a log fire in the middle and blankets. Decorating the interior with an array of lights also makes it extra special and intimate.”

5. Having a tipi village provides guests with onsite accommodation

Once the music stops playing and food has been eaten, the newlyweds and the guests will no doubt want to retire to cosy and comfortable sleeping quarters.

Not only can tipis provide a wonderful space for a party atmosphere, but they can also be used as accommodation for wedding guests. A camping village can be a fantastic addition to your wedding reception because it means your guests don’t have to worry about arranging travel home and can fall into bed after an exciting day making memories with the newlyweds.

No matter what time of year you want to tie the knot or what your style preferences are, hiring a tipi for your wedding reception means you are truly in control of your big day. Take a look at our previous wedding events to see how our tipis have enhanced the wedding day of many happy couples we’ve had the pleasure of working with.