Open Air Business December 2018

FUNCTION VENUES
it possible for couples to marry
outside then step inside the barn
to conduct the legal formalities
such as signing the register.
We are also licensed for events
(music, alcohol etc.) although we
don't have corkage so people can
bring their own drinks.
We are self catering but have
facilities on-site in a side room of
the barn (water and electric) for
caterers to use when preparing
food.
Describe how you researched
and sourced your structures
I had never been inside a tipi
before but saw a picture and just
knew they would be a perfect
for our venue. The barn can seat
160 guests and the tipis were
purchased to add more space
for a dancefloor etc. They were
an impulse buy in the end – two
came up for sale online at such a
good price I had to have them.
I hired them out for a season to
external events, which was a
baptism of fire!
The flooring and lighting
were extra – I was a bit naive
with what all the additionals
would cost. We use a Dandy
Dura matting in the woodland
marquee and I built a timber
deck for the courtyard structure.
We use festoon lights leading
up to the woods and have up
lit a few trees for an enchanted
woodland atmosphere at night.
I built the shepherds hut
myself from a £90 chassis I got
in a farm sale and the help of
a carpenter. I now understand
why they cost what they cost
new. I spent about £12,500 on
parts and labour – a saving no
doubt, but a lot of work!
How do you work with your
customers to make their
events unique?
We offer exclusivity, no corkage
and a blank slate for couples
to create what they wish. The
decision to allow couples a
free rein is two fold – it is less
responsibility/work for us
and allows customers to use
whichever suppliers they want,
which hopefully saves them
money.