“We hired Sami Tipi’s Three Giant Hat Tipis before even going to one of their showcases to create our Garden Tipi Wedding Celebration…”

Mae and Lewis were so certain they wanted a Tipi wedding to create that perfect home-from-home vibe. They booked their Sami Tipi, Tipis before even seeing them in person! Not being restricted by a Traditional Wedding Venue was important to Mae and Lewis as they wanted the freedom to create a home-from-home wedding, that allowed everyone to relax and just enjoy the day.

Working with a team of suppliers that understood their overall vision was crucial. We matched Mae and Lewis with the right suppliers and provided on-the-day wedding management to ensure everything ran smoothly. This allowed them to relax and fully enjoy their day, knowing all the details were taken care of.

What made you decide on an outdoor wedding?

We wanted the freedom to create the day exactly as we envisioned it. With the freedom to hire the suppliers, we wanted to work with.

We also chose to have an outdoor wedding for several meaningful reasons. First Mae’s parents have a spacious garden, which offers a picturesque and personal setting for our special day. Traditional venues felt restrictive, and we wanted our wedding to have a warm, ‘home from home’ feel, ensuring that our ourselves and children were comfortable and relaxed.

Having five days to prepare the Tipis and surroundings gave us the time and flexibility to turn our dream into a reality, down to the last detail.

What did you both wear?

Mae wore a dress from Lyn Ashworth which she had a polka dot overlay jacket added which gave a unique and elegant touch. The jacket was removed after the wedding ceremony at the church.

Lewis had a custom-tailored suit from Calmore Tailors which was tailored down to the last detail which looked impeccably sharp and stylish.

What about the rest of the bridal party?

The Best Man’s suit was hired from Duncan James with a subtle nod to Lewis’ suit.

The Bridesmaids wore dresses from Monsoon, which offered 15 versatile ways of being worn. I liked these, as it allowed them to choose their own style, so they were all comfortable.

Tell us about your ceremony

Our wedding day started with a beautiful intimate ceremony at our local Catholic Church at 12pm, which lasted about an hour.

Afterward, we hopped into our VW camper van and made our way to Mae’s parents’ house, just a short 10-minute drive away, where we hosted our garden Tipi reception.

As our guests arrived, they were greeted with delightful canapés and their choice of champagne or Pimm’s. We wanted a really relaxed transition from the ceremony to the wedding breakfast/reception and this was just perfect.

How did you feed your guests?

We had a lovely sit-down wedding breakfast with 50 of our closest friends and family, creating an intimate and memorable atmosphere. In the evening our guest list had nearly doubled so we decided to bring a taste of Greece to our celebration by hiring the Travelling Taverna, and it was a hit! Everyone absolutely loved the food, and to this day, our guests still rave about how fantastic it was.

How would you describe your styling?

Our wedding styling was a dreamy fusion of natural beauty and whimsical boho charm. Surrounded by lush greenery and an abundance of flowers, our celebration had a carefree and easy-flow atmosphere that felt truly magical. We embraced bold pops of colour to liven things up and added disco balls throughout for that extra touch of sparkle and fun. It was a day filled with joy and unforgettable moments in a setting that perfectly matched our Pinterest boards.

How did you entertain your guests?

Entertaining our guests was a top priority, and we were thrilled that everyone had such a great time. We spent a long time searching for a band that we felt could give the sound we wanted. We hired a fantastic band called Emblems, who kept the dance floor packed all night with their amazing covers.

The free bar was a hit, and the relaxed atmosphere allowed everyone to connect and enjoy themselves. For the little one’s we had a bouncy castle, keeping the children entertained all day, we didn’t see our son much because of it. Plus, there was plenty of delicious food to satisfy everyone’s cravings throughout the evening. It truly was a day filled with laughter, dancing and wonderful memories.

What are your Top Tips for planning a Tipi wedding?

First things first go for it! We hired Sami Tipi’s Three Giant Hat Tipi before even going to one of their showcases!

Go to their showcases. They can be eye opening, we found some fantastic suppliers through doing this, which gave us a real boost when it came to locking in those extra details which we hadn’t even thought about.

Hiring Beth as on-the-day management was an absolute game-changer for our special day. Her support in the lead-up to the wedding was invaluable. Beth’s attention to detail and commitment to ensuring every aspect of the wedding went smoothly were remarkable. She went above and beyond to make sure our day was stress-free. She became an essential part of our wedding’s success as she kept us on our timeline and made sure suppliers knew where they needed to be.

Add that extra seating and lights, it can transform the look and feel of the tipi and enhanced the overall ambiance.

The freedom and flexibility of a tipi hire is really great as you have total control to create the wedding day you want from the inside out. Making it a highly personalised experience.

HIRE THE HOOP FOR A FLORAL DISPLAY – it can be a showstopper!

Sami Tipi was an outstanding choice for our wedding. Their team were exceptional, consistently demonstrating professionalism and promptness throughout the entire process. Communication was effortless, and they were with us every step of the way, from the booking and planning stages, too even after our wedding. Their dedication and support made our wedding day truly special. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner in creating the perfect atmosphere for our celebration.

Suppliers You Used, Loved and would trust to recommend

Mae and Lewis’ Intimate Tipi Garden Wedding