How Much Should You Budget for a Tipi Wedding?
One of the biggest questions we hear from couples is, “How much does a tipi wedding actually cost?”
The answer depends on much more than the number of tipis you hire!
Unlike a traditional wedding venue, a tipi wedding gives you the freedom to create your own space, choose your suppliers and prioritise the things that matter most to you.
But it’s important to understand the difference between the cost of hiring the tipi itself and the cost of creating a fully functioning wedding venue.
Alongside your tipi hire, you’ll need to consider things like furniture, toilets, power, catering, entertainment and potentially land hire.
The good news? With over 11 years of experience creating tipi weddings across Yorkshire, we can help you understand exactly what you’ll need, what you can expect to pay and where you might be able to save.
How May Tipis Will We Need For Our Wedding?
This is usually one of the first things we discuss with couples, as your guest numbers have a big impact on your overall budget.
As a rough guide:
One Giant Teepee | 70 guests | from £1670 + vat (inc matting and lighting)
Two Giant Teepees | 120 guests | from £3340 + vat (inc matting and lighting)
Three Giant Teepees | 150 guests | from £5010 + vat (inc matting and lighting)
We can create a bespoke quote based around your plans, guest numbers, budget and the space you have available.
There are a few practical things to consider when planning your budget, which are all things we can help with:
Land or venue hire: You’ll need somewhere to put your tipis! Some couples choose private land or a family garden, while others book an established tipi wedding venue. As a guide, expect to budget £1,500–£4,000 for land hire, although this varies depending on the location and facilities included. We can help you find the perfect spot!
Toilets: Depending on your venue, you may need to hire luxury toilet facilities for your guests. For a wedding of around 100 guests, we’d suggest budgeting approximately £600–£1,000 for a luxury toilet trailer.
Power: If there isn’t a suitable electricity supply on site, you’ll likely need a generator to power your lighting, catering, music and other equipment. Budget around £600–£800, depending on the power requirements, fuel and duration of hire.
Furniture and styling: Tables, chairs and basic lighting are included in our typical tipi wedding packages, so that’s one less thing to worry about! Optional extras such as lounge furniture, mirror balls, additional lighting and decorative touches can add anywhere from £200–£1,500+, depending on how much you want to personalise your space.
Heating and weatherproofing: Planning a wedding in the cooler months? Heating, doors and additional flooring can make a huge difference to guest comfort. We’d recommend allowing approximately £350–£700 for these extras, depending on your setup and the time of year.
Catering and drinks: From street food and relaxed sharing platters to traditional wedding breakfasts, your catering choices can make a big difference to the overall spend. As a rough guide, street food might cost £15–£30 per person, while a more traditional catered wedding breakfast could range from £40–£90+ per person. Some caterers are completely self-contained, while others may require a separate catering structure, so it’s worth factoring this into your budget too. Drinks costs will depend on whether you opt for a fully staffed bar, a prepaid drinks package or supply your own.
Please note: These are approximate planning figures for weddings in Yorkshire, not fixed supplier quotations. Costs can vary depending on guest numbers, location, specification and whether VAT, delivery and setup are included.
The important thing is understanding these costs early, rather than discovering them further down the planning process.
We can help you plan the full setup, recommend trusted local suppliers and make sure nothing important gets overlooked.
Get in touch for a bespoke quote.
Images: Damian Bramley Photography
Are Tipi Weddings Cheaper Than Traditional Wedding Venues?
Not necessarily, and we’d always encourage couples to compare the complete costs rather than just the venue hire price.
Traditional wedding venues often include furniture, toilets, power and other facilities within their packages.
With a tipi wedding, you may need to arrange some of these separately.
However, you also have much more freedom over your suppliers, catering, drinks and how you use your space.
For many couples, the real appeal isn’t necessarily saving money. It’s having the flexibility to create a wedding that feels completely personal to them, without being tied to a traditional venue package.
How Can We Keep Our Tipi Wedding Costs Down?
There are definitely ways to make your budget work harder without compromising on the atmosphere!
Here are a few things we’d recommend considering:
Be realistic about guest numbers. Your guest list influences everything from the number of tipis to catering, furniture and toilet requirements.
Choose your location carefully. A site with existing power, toilets and suitable access could save you money on additional infrastructure.
Consider an off-peak date. Some suppliers may offer more flexibility outside the busiest summer wedding months.
Prioritise what’s important. A beautiful tipi setting already creates an incredible atmosphere, so you might not need as much additional styling as you think.
Make the most of experienced suppliers. Getting the layout and logistics right from the beginning can help avoid unnecessary costs further down the line.
Our advice? Set your overall budget early and be upfront about it when requesting quotes. We’re always happy to explore different options and suggest where your money is best spent.
How Far In Advance Should We Book Our Tipis?
We’d always recommend securing your tipis as soon as you’ve chosen your wedding date, particularly if you’re planning a summer wedding.
Many couples book around 12–18 months in advance, especially for popular dates in May, June, July and August.
However, if we have availability, we’re also happy to help with weddings planned on a shorter timescale.
Getting your main infrastructure booked early means you can move forward with the rest of your planning knowing you’ve got the foundations in place.
With years of experience in the industry, we not only provide top quality, authentic Nordic tipis but also exceptional customer service and expert event planning support. Our team will work closely with you to ensure every detail is covered, from tipi layout to furniture styles and logistics.
More Than Just Tipi Hire – Planning Support That Makes a Difference
When comparing tipi hire quotes, it’s worth looking beyond the price of the structures themselves.
With BAR Events UK, you’re getting more than beautiful giant tipis.
You’re getting over 11 years of hands-on experience, practical planning support and a team who understand exactly what’s involved in creating a successful outdoor wedding.
From site visits and floor plans to power requirements, toilets, catering logistics and supplier recommendations, we’re here to guide you through the process.
And if you book our staffed bar alongside your tipis, you’ll also benefit from having our experienced team on site throughout your wedding day, helping everything run smoothly.
Ready to find out what your dream tipi wedding could cost?
Tell us a little about your plans, guest numbers and preferred date, and we’ll help you put together a realistic quote.
Get a Quote Today
Ready to bring your dream event to life? Contact BAR Events UK today for a bespoke tipi hire quote. We’d love to help you create an unforgettable experience with our beautiful giant tipis.
Visit our website at www.bareventsuk.com or give us a call – 07835 893 295 to discuss your requirements!
Photo credits:
Images: Damian Bramley @damian.bramley
Venue: Helperby Walled Garden
Styling: Ruby & Co
Stationery: Hearts & Twine
Cake: Where The Ribbon Ends
Planning: Soul & Co