Continuing on our theme of an outdoor woodland-inspired wedding,  I don't want to jinx it, but  I'm very hopeful for a nice summer.  So the prospect of having an outdoor wedding seems more realistic by the day (less and less guffaws from friends and family) and it's time to start looking  at options for having the wedding reception outdoors. Marquees have been around for years and while practical, I've always found them lacking in terms of aesthetic appeal. So what are the alternatives?

Answer: Tipis, Yurts or Katas. (You wha?) Why not a bring a touch of the wild and unfamiliar from the US, Norway or Mongolia to your wedding, and make it a wedding no guest will forget...

Katas - Wedding Wigwams?

So you've heard of Tipis at least - well Katas are Nordic Tipis, constructed using poles and lightweight fabric, they are built to withstand the harshest arctic weather and the wildest wedding party. Inside the soft light and fabric roof make for an intimate and fun celebration space. Magnakata is a new company based in Downpatrick Co. Down, specialising in kata rental. They offer lots of options from single katas, to several joined up (as pictured), which can seat up to 300 guests. Magnakata can provide furniture, lighting and all the accessories if you want - check out their pricelist for details.

Tipis - a traditional wedding tent?

Slightly more traditional (?!) tipis have been around for a little while, as any of you who have frequented Electric Picnic will know. Like Katas, Tipis are made with poles and a canvas exterior, and those available from Silk Road Tents come in various sizes from 12ft to 21ft wide. All their tipis are traditionally styled and they can come fully equipped with floor, decorated inner lining, sheepskins and beautiful block printed Jaipuri quilts. And if your guests felt like camping after the wedding, Silk Road could arrange a tipi village for you.

Yurts - a Mongolian wedding alternative

Yurts (Gers) are traditional wooden framed round tents from Mongolia. They are lightweight but spacious and  very warm and cosy (on a trip to mongolia we stayed in one).  The traditional styling with red trimming and wooden posts gives them such a romantic look perfect for a wedding party. Yurts can be made in practically any size, and like katas, can be joined together to make a fabric covered mini-complex perfect for accomodating all the wedding reception paraphernalia. Bohemia Tents offer a very large pavillion yurt - apparently the largest in the world - which can accomodate up to 2000 people. Good luck with that bar bill!