Outoor weddings

Credit: Damien Vickers Photography

More and more couples are looking to create a relaxed, laid-back vibe for their big day and want to continue the party outside.

Tipis, marquees and stretch tents are ideal for this kind of celebration. Ideal for summer wed-fests dressed with festoon lights, you can bring the outside in with masses of natural greenery, rustic details, wooden trestle tables and chairs.

Based in rural Norfolk Magical Events offers giant hat tipis and bell tents as well as furniture and lighting forwedding hire. Here director Lisa Mazurek shares her top tips for hosting a magical event under canvas:

• Big botanical themes work really well in any tipi or marquee withlots of foliage and plenty of lights or candles to create a really cosy intimate vibe.
• Top tip for coping with the great British weather is definitely to make sure you book a tipi or marquee with enough under-cover space to accommodate all your guests comfortably in the event of it raining. As the wedding gets nearer, if the forecast looks a bit on the chilly side, ask your supplier to bring in heaters or open fires as there's nothing worse than your guests feeling cold. It's so important to discuss a bad-weather plan to ensure it doesn't stop you having the best day ever.
• Have a big basket of blankets available for guests to keep the chills at bay if they need to. Not only do they look cute all rolled up, they'll be very welcome later in the evening especially if anyone's forgotten their jacket.
• Bright hues look stunning for an outdoor set up so try and use as many in-season flowers as possible and build your colour scheme around them.
• We always say it but lights can make or break an outdoor wedding evening celebration, so the more festoons and fairylights the bette rto create a magical festival vibe.