How to find and check your venue is suitable for an outdoor event
First, find your site:
Right then, it’s time to find your perfect plot! You might want it to be close to your wedding ceremony venue or have a particular feature like a lake or ruins as a back drop. There are lots of little gems out there and it is just a matter of dedicating some time to researching.
First option is to research field wedding venues on the internet. Or take a drive around your local area and see if there are any farms, village halls and social clubs, cricket clubs or rugby grounds. Many of these types of venues have plots of land they are happy to hire out for outdoor celebrations. (You usually find that they are very reasonably priced too). One nice idea is if you can find a river and either a B&B or public house which has a beer garden next to it.
There are a number of Dream Venues on our website which you could look at to start you off. Plus we do have a list of farms in different parts of the Midlands where we have erected tipis before so do ask us.
Check it’s suitable:
Once you have found a venue, contact the local council and check to see if you need to apply for a temporary events notice. (This will cost you around £20) That will ensure you are covered for music and alcohol on the site. A lot of field venues already have this in place, so make sure you ask them first.
Once you have found a venue that you are interested in, contact your tent/tipi supplier and ask them for their checklist to help you decide if the site is suitable. If you’re unsure, ask them if they can do a site visit to check it for you. You need to make sure they can gain access to the site and that the land is fairly level and not on a slope. Also look out for overhead cables or underground services. (The land owner should be able to confirm whether there are any issues.)
Once it’s booked:
Right, now the land is booked, you can start building your venue. You need to book your structure first of all but make sure you also know what additional items you will need. The main things to think about are your utilities such as power, toilets and the catering facilities . Plus in the cooler months you might want to check out heating too.
Some venues will already have some of your requirements in place. However I would definitely advise that you use recommended suppliers from your tipi/marquee company. That will ensure that you have the correct equipment on site for a smooth running celebration. This will also be one thing less for you to have to worry about. Don’t cut corners or cost with subcontractor items. You will generally find that the prices are very similar between reputable companies. The only difference will be the delivery costs. Your marquee or tipi provider will probably have a preferred supplier that they feel confident will not let you down on the day.
To find out exactly what extras you need to think about read What additional equipment do I need for my event
Or if you need a checklist to help with your finding your venue our Finding A Venue page?
Jacquie x
