ABOVE US ONLY SKY

We spoke to local experts for their take on what’s cool for al fresco weddings this season

Love for the great outdoors is blooming. After being shut up indoors during the pandemic there’s growing appreciation of open spaces, fresh air and all that nature has to offer. Demand for chilled al fresco weddings continues to rise and shows no sign of stopping any time soon. Luckily, we’re blessed in East Anglia with everything from beautiful coast and countryside, magical woods, forests and more, so the world’s your oyster. Read on for top tips on how to pull off a dream outdoor wedding in style. The green canopy

Norfolk’s Wellington Wood is a magical tipi venue with a green, eco-friendly ethos designed to tread lightly on the earth. With 70 acres of private wildflower meadows and ancient woodlands, it’s an idyllic setting for couples wanting to celebrate their special day, their way. Owner Vicky Plum says, “Outdoor weddings provide freedom and opportunities to personalise, celebrate, complement and have fun with your wedding in unique, sustainable ways.” Visit www.wellingtonwood.co.uk

VICKY’S TOP TIPS

❤ Start with your wedding date and what’s in season – an important consideration for outdoor weddings. Be inspired by the natural backdrop at the time of year and use local produce and seasonal flowers to enhance and complement the setting and your colour palette.

❤ Create imaginative welcome drink stations using wooden ladders, crates and glass dispensers. ❤ Make the most of the space available to set up outdoor seating and lounge areas. Think low seating and pallet tables with a bell tent, stylish cane furniture, rugs and straw-bale sofas.

❤ Add your own special touches with signage, ceremony backdrops, props and milk churns filled with flowers – easy ways to personalise your wedding, especially if they’re portable and can be used for the ceremony and reception. ❤ Have fun with outdoor activities and games. Get creative and make your own or hire vintage garden games for your wedding. Check out Norfolk-based Samphire Vintage Props (www.samphirevintageprops.co.uk)

❤ For al fresco dining, relaxed choices and regional, seasonal produce are ideal, everything from food vans and barbecues to hog roasts and local artisan ice cream.

With the recent relaxation of restrictions on outdoor weddings at licensed venues, couples now have more choice than ever before. With greater freedom and flexibility, expect to see more al fresco ceremonies and personalised services tailored to couples’ lives and loves this year.

Local celebrant Robert Head of Oaktree Ceremonies (www.oaktreeceremonies.co.uk) loves an outdoor wedding. He says, “It’s wonderful for nature-loving couples to be able to hold their wedding celebrations in the great outdoors. Getting married outside is a unique, vibrant experience and a growing trend which we believe will be even more popular in the future.”

WHY CHOOSE AN OUTDOOR WEDDING? Robert says: ❤ There's more space for friends and family to mix and mingle without having to worry about narrowing the guest list down. ❤ Being surrounded by natural scenery gives you a head start on the décor. Choose a location that provides the perfect backdrop to match your wedding theme. ❤ Plenty of natural light throughout the day creates a wealth of photo opportunities. ❤ Great for seasonal weddings, whatever the time of year. Although the warmer months in spring and summer are most popular, that doesn’t mean you should dismiss late autumn or winter. Although you’re gambling with the elements a little more, the earthy autumnal colours are beautiful and winter weddings can be magical too – you may even get a dusting of snow!

www.richardjarmy.co.uk

Blank canvas

If you’re worried about the British climate putting a dampener on your day, never fear a giant hat tipi is not only great for all weather, but adds an extra special touch to a rustic, boho or festival-style wedding. Amie Price, event manager at Norfolk-based Firefly Tipis (www.firefly-tipis.co.uk) says, “The tipis can be set up anywhere, even in the middle of a field, with services brought in.to cater for all your big-day needs.”

With room for 55 loved ones for a sit-down reception, or more standing, extra tipis can be added on if you’re planning on inviting a crowd. The perfect blank canvas, the dining layout and styling is down to you. “Most couples prefer the rustic, relaxed vibe, but any theme can be achieved with a little creative imagination,” adds Amie. You could even sleep out under the stars in a tipi bridal suite, complete with rustic bed and heater to keep you cosy.

Marquee magic

A marquee is a perennial favourite for outdoor weddings offering flexibility and a space to make your own. Here Chris Boardley, events and operations manager for Anglia Coastal Marquees (www.angliacoastalmarquees.co.uk), answers some of your most frequently asked questions.

1. Can a marquee be sited anywhere or does it need a special surface? Marquees can be put up on almost any surface provided the correct fixings can be installed. A flat and level grassed area is ideal, however for concrete, tarmac or any similar hard surface unsuitable for stakes, large concrete weights or special bolts can be used instead to anchor it to the ground. On sloped or very uneven surfaces, the marquee can be put up on a raised level platform. windy we’d recommend keeping it closed though. A marquee does offer shade, which is great when it is very hot and sunny.

3. What kind of styling and décor works well to create the wow factor? This depends on your personal taste and wedding theme – especially when it comes to styling the inside. It could be anything from large hanging flower arrangements to brightly coloured Chinese lanterns. Other ways to create wow factor include adding peaks or cones to the roof line of the marquees.

4. Would we need a separate power supply? In most cases, a generator is the best and most reliable power source, certainly for large celebrations. For more intimate affairs it can be possible to get power from a house or outbuilding but this is less reliable.

5. What are the restrictions? Restrictions are few and far between but usually it’s down to the suitability of the site. Size, shape and, or the surface or sometimes the access to the site can dictate what type and, or size of marquee can be provided.

Hannah of exclusive-use wedding venue Hall Farm Cottages in the heart of the Norfolk Broads shares her handy hints for outdoor weddings.

❤ Think about seating and save some of your budget by reusing your ceremony chairs for inside the marquee. This is a great job for some helpful ushers and groomsmen to organise while you’re having your photos taken.

❤ Marquee logistics can involve a little more careful planning than other types of wedding venue. One big consideration is planning the order of setting up and clearing away. The rule-of-thumb here is ‘first in last out’. For example, you can’t take the marquee down before all the furniture has been collected and the furniture can’t be delivered until the marquee is up!

2. Does it get stuffy in the summer if the weather’s hot or what happens if it’s wet and windy? The marquee should have ample sides which can be opened up to allow a breeze to circulate through (weather dependant of course). If it’s very