Dreaming of a wholly unique wedding venue that gives you the freedom to design your perfect day? Let us introduce you to the Wedding Yurt.
The wedding yurt could be the perfect statement, and versatile venue space for your special day! They are a distinct alternative to the standard marquee, or even tipis. However, there's lots to think about when choosing a DIY wedding venue such as a yurt, so we've put together this guide to help you with your planning.
How to Plan a Yurt Wedding Venue
When it comes to wedding venues, it's normal to feel a little overwhelmed when you first start planning. Especially when choosing a wedding venue as 'un-standard' as a yurt. But with our tips and advice in this guide, you should start to feel a bit more confident about your big day boho plans.
Check the Ground
You'll need to choose a flat and level location for your wedding yurt. The ground on the property cannot drop more than 12 inches (30.48 centimetres) from end to end, to keep everyone and everything safe. Don't worry about lumps and bumps, as the yurt supplier will usually provide a solid floors that will give a perfectly smooth surface for eating and dancing (as well as plenty of protection from the elements!).
Your supplier will need access to your wedding location for a few days before the big day as they'll be erecting the yurts themselves. Typically they'll arrive on a Tuesday for a Saturday event, spending Wednesday and Thursday setting up the yurt so they're ready to be styled on Friday before your wedding on Saturday. Everything is pulled down on Sunday, and they'll load up and go on the Monday.
Obviously, the timescale may not be identical for you, but it's just to give you an idea of how long the yurt supplier will need at your wedding location.
Legal Stuff
If you wish to marry on your property legally, check it has the necessary licences. If not, is there a nearby location where you may conduct your ceremony and then return for your reception? Another alternative is to arrange a humanist ceremony on-site, ensuring that you've legally tied the knot before.
You should also find out if alcohol can be consumed on the site. Some wedding yurt suppliers provide their tents with all the necessary licences, and don't charge corkage - but not all.
Power
It can feel freeing at first to live without power, but soon you'll start to realise that you're going to need some form of electricity. Most wedding yurt locations tend to be fairly remote, so you will need some kind of generator. Hopefully, your supplier can provide, or recommend someone. If not, do your research and don't leave the hiring of a generator to the last minute.
You may need to look into hiring portable toilets too.
Your Guests
It's always a good idea to have a plan in place for when the weather is too hot, too cold, or too rainy. And, you should urge your guests to bring warm clothes, brollies, and even wellies to your event!
A typical large, 12ft wedding yurt will provide a cloakroom, which'll give guests a dry and secure location to store any belongings they bring with them. Also, don't forget to offer a smoking location; somewhere covered with sand buckets for butts is great.
The Decor
If you plan to dine in the yurt on your wedding day, you'll need some furniture, such as tables and chairs. If you require a bar, consider hiring a self-service bar or something unique, such as a prosecco mobile. You don't have to have bartenders if you don't want to; guests like being allowed to make their own drinks! A little too much sometimes…
The fun phase of wedding planning begins with styling and floristry. And the wedding yurt is the ultimate blank canvas. Decorations can be strung from the roof, trellis, and entryway to make your yurt truly unique. As a yurt is such a unique structure to decorate, we would recommend a wedding stylist. A good stylist will work with you to understand your vision for the day and will be as hands-on as you want them to be. Hiring your style, props, and décor also means you're being environmentally friendly, which is a terrific way to be sustainable.
Consider the food you wish to serve to your visitors. Food trucks are a terrific, casual and one-of-a-kind alternative to the classic reception meal, and they're simple to organise. As the majority of caterers will bring their own ovens, equipment, and catering tent to prepare all of your cuisine.