Man VS Field
Unfortunately for us, the perfect field is only a dream for us in the Tipi event game. That’s not to say it’s impossible to find an excellent location, but there are certainly preferred elements that make your Tipi feel more at home and significantly reduce stress and effort for everyone involved. In reality, certain circumstances, such as limited space, unusual terrain, or site restrictions, may mean the location isn’t completely optimal. However, this doesn’t mean a Tipi can’t be set up or that the site can’t work, and sometimes these limitations can produce fantastic results. As mentioned in previous blogs, the modular nature of Tipis makes them incredibly adaptable, allowing them to be adjusted and configured to suit a wide variety of environments and layouts.
Landscape
When it comes to terrain, having flat, or at least mostly level ground, is definitely ideal. That said, a slight incline isn’t a dealbreaker and won’t ruin your event. It may, however, introduce practical challenges, particularly when positioning furnishings, dance floors, or sound systems. Uneven ground can make it difficult to place items where you’d ideally want them, sometimes forcing compromises in layout or design. Ground type is also worth considering. Well-draining soil is strongly preferred, as the last thing anyone wants is for an event or festival to turn into a muddy bog. Extremely soft or very hard ground can also cause problems, as it may prevent the stakes securing the Tipi perimeter from holding properly. In high winds, this can cause movement or, in the worst-case scenario, damage to the canvas itself.
Location, Location…
While terrain, location, and available space are usually the forefront when choosing a site, accessibility is another key factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. Easy road access for guests, suppliers, and staff can make a huge difference to the overall experience. There’s nothing worse than hosting an event (especially something like a wedding), only for guests to have to walk half a mile from the car park to the venue. While not essential, good access can greatly improve convenience and comfort. Additionally, having some distance from neighbouring properties can be extremely beneficial, particularly if your event involves music or runs late into the evening. How important this is will largely depend on the type of event you’re planning.
Other important things…
Finally, regardless of the event itself, you’ll always need access to electricity and water. In many cases, electricity can be supplied via a generator unless the land already has power available. The same applies to water, while it may need to be sourced externally in some situations, we’ve found that many sites already have access in place. Fortunately, both power and water solutions are generally straightforward to organise and can be easily hired for a weekend, meaning they rarely become a major source of stress during the planning process.