How to Plan a Tipi Wedding on Your Own Land
There is something incredibly special about getting married on land that means something to you. Your family farm. Your parents' garden. A field you have looked out over your whole life. A tipi wedding on your own land is one of the most personal and meaningful things you can do.
The good news is that it is absolutely achievable. We have been setting up tipis on private land across Devon and the South West for nearly two decades, and we know exactly what makes it work. Here is everything you need to think about before you get started.
Is Your Land Actually Suitable?
This is the first and most important question, and the honest answer is that most land is more suitable than people think. A reasonably flat field or large garden with decent vehicle access is a great starting point. You do not need a manicured lawn or a purpose-built events space. What you do need is enough flat ground for the tipi footprint plus some space around it for guests to move about comfortably, a route wide enough for our vehicles to get the structures in and out, and ground that is not prone to severe waterlogging.
How Much Space Do You Actually Need?
As a rough guide, a single large tipi comfortably seats around 100 guests for a wedding breakfast and needs a footprint of approximately 15 by 15 metres. For larger guest lists you can link tipis together, which is one of the great things about our Nordic structures. They connect beautifully and create a wonderful sense of flowing space.
Beyond the tipi itself you will want to think about space for a bar area, a dance floor, a catering setup, and somewhere for guests to spill outside on a warm evening. A good rule of thumb is to think bigger than you think you need. The space always fills up more than you expect on the day.
Getting Power Sorted
Unless your land already has a suitable power supply nearby, you will need a generator. This is one of the most overlooked parts of planning a private land wedding and it is worth sorting early. A good generator will power your lighting, your catering equipment, your bar, your band and anything else you need running on the day.
We can advise on what size generator you need based on your plans, and we are happy to point you towards reliable suppliers we have worked with. Getting this right means everything else runs smoothly, so do not leave it as an afterthought.
Toilets: More Important Than You Think
If your land does not have facilities nearby, you will need to hire in loos. Glamorous portable toilet hire has come a long way and there are some genuinely lovely options out there these days, from shepherd's hut style loos to proper flushing trailers that your guests will be very happy with.
Plan for more than you think you need and position them close enough to be convenient but far enough away that they are not the first thing people see when they arrive. A short lit pathway between the tipi and the facilities makes a real difference on the evening.
Parking and Access
Think carefully about where your guests are going to park and how they are going to get from their cars to the tipi. A clearly marked parking area, some good signage from the road, and a lit pathway from parking to the entrance all contribute to guests arriving feeling relaxed and excited rather than confused.
If your land is down a narrow lane, it is worth letting guests know in advance and perhaps arranging a shuttle from a nearby car park.
Do You Need Planning Permission?
For a single private event on your own land, in most cases you do not need formal planning permission. Tipis are classed as temporary structures and a one-off wedding celebration on private land generally falls within permitted development. However, if you are planning something larger, if you intend to host events on a more regular basis, or if your land is in a particularly sensitive area such as a national park, it is always worth checking with your local planning authority first just to be sure.
The Neighbours
A quick conversation with any nearby neighbours before you send out your invitations is always a good idea. Let them know the date, reassure them about timings and give them a way to contact you if they have any worries. Most people are genuinely delighted to know something lovely is happening nearby. It also means there are no awkward surprises on the day itself.
On the Day Itself
One of the greatest joys of a private land wedding is that you are completely in control of your timeline. No last orders imposed by a venue manager, no pressure to vacate by a certain time, no list of things you are not allowed to do. It is your land and your day, entirely on your terms.
We will arrive to build your tipi in the days before your wedding, and we will come back to take it down once the celebrations are over. In between, the whole space is yours. We make sure everything is set up exactly as you want it, and we are always on hand if you need anything in the run up to the day.
Come and See Us
If you have land and the seed of an idea, the best thing you can do is get in touch. We are the UK's longest-standing tipi hire company, based in North Devon and covering Devon, Somerset, the South West, the Midlands and South Wales. We absolutely love working on private land weddings and we would love to hear about yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need planning permission for a tipi wedding on my own land? In most cases no. A tipi is a temporary structure and a one-off private event generally falls within permitted development. If you are unsure we are happy to talk it through and point you in the right direction.
How much space do I need for a tipi wedding? A single large tipi needs roughly 15 by 15 metres of reasonably flat ground and comfortably seats around 100 guests. For larger numbers tipis can be linked together. A free site visit is the best way to work out exactly what will work on your land.
What if my land does not have power or toilets? This is very common and very manageable. A generator will cover your power needs and there are some genuinely lovely portable toilet hire options available. We can advise on both during your site visit.
How do I find out if my land is suitable? Just get in touch and we will come out to you for a free no obligation site visit. We can assess suitability, talk through layouts and give you a clear picture of what is possible.
