Open Air Business January 2017

CHRISTOPHER TERRY PHOTOGRAPHY
Bailey (no relation), we enjoyed an
evening of celebrations with our
industry friends in November 2016.
You can hire a field on a farm and
often that is all you get. Bawdon
Lodge Farm aims to offer so much
more. Any of our unique weddings
enjoy exclusive use of Bawdon
Lodge Farm for four days, on-site
co-ordination by the events team,
three meetings prior to the event,
and supplier liaison and support via
email and telephone. We are also
fully licensed for late entertainment
and bar facilities.
We like to understand our clients’
needs and signpost them to ideas
that may be of interest as well as
advising on industry trends. We
encourage our clients to pass on
their supplier’s details to us so that
we can establish the operational
side of the planning, such as
electricity requirements, arrival
times and requests, and so we
can explain the set up of the farm,
access requirements and so on.
This helps us to build a confident
relationship with the suppliers and
they know that when they come to
Bawdon Lodge Farm they will be
looked after. The kettle is always on!
At this point we start to collate
and produce a schedule of the day,
which details all activity including
the timings of the event. From the
arrival of suppliers and guests to
the best man’s contact number, we
have it covered. The day before,
after we have helped with the setup
and styling, we hold a handover
with the clients finalise any details.
A typical wedding will be
organised over four days with
copious quantities of Lynn’s famous
brownies to keep everyone going.
Day one is structure build, day
two is styling, catering and bar
set up, day three is the wedding
celebrations, and day four is take
down.
How do you research and source
your tipis and marquees?
We simply work with the best. We
have the outdoor event planning
expertise and a beautiful location.
We then work with award-winning
event industry friends who we know
will deliver an exceptional hire
service to our clients.
It was a learning curve at first.
Not all wedding suppliers are the
same or provide the level of care
and support that we want our
clients to enjoy! We now have an
enviable friendship with key local
suppliers, giving us the chance to
concentrate on making sure the
event runs without a hitch and
still provide the very best in tipi or
marquee hire.
How do you work with your
customers to make their event
unique?
We give our clients time; time with
us, time with our suppliers and
space to explore all their ideas.
We have at least three meetings
prior to the big day and we are in
constant contact to help
HOLLY CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY
KEOWN PHOTO DANI&JORDAN
“...OUR
RELATIONSHIP
WITH
SUPPLIERS
HELPS US
CREATE A
UNIQUE
EXPERIENCE
AT EVERY
EVENT”
them create a day that is as unique
as they are.
Again, our relationship with
suppliers helps us create a unique
experience at every event. From
award-winning catering that
reflects each client’s wishes through
to stunning flowers, décor and
amazing entertainment, each day is
personal and unique. Our motto is
‘Your wedding, your way.’
Instead of a pre-decorated
hotel room, an outdoor event
provides a blank canvas. We work
hard to ensure each celebration is
personalised to reflect our clients’
style and wishes.
How do you publicise yourself?
We have a strong website and
online presence that helps
prospective clients to find us.
Through regular updates on social
media and emails we stay on top
HOLLY CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY