If you’re planning a tipi wedding at Alexander Weddings — also known as Lake Henry — you’ve already nailed one thing: location.
Set around a private lake in North Yorkshire countryside, this venue is made for relaxed, outdoor celebrations with proper personality. Think open skies, waterside ceremonies, festoon lighting reflecting on the lake, and dancefloors that feel more festival than formal.
Here’s your updated 2026 guide to planning a tipi wedding specifically at Alexander Weddings — with the stuff that actually matters on the day.
Why Alexander Weddings Works So Well for a Tipi Celebration
Unlike hiring a random field and starting from scratch, Alexander Weddings gives you:
- A purpose-built tipi wedding setup
- A beautiful lake backdrop for ceremonies
- Space for outdoor drinks, lawn games and golden hour portraits
- That perfect balance of countryside calm + party energy
It’s rustic, but polished. Relaxed, but organised. And that makes planning so much smoother.
Ceremony Options at Lake Henry
One of the biggest perks? The lakeside ceremony space.
You can:
- Say your vows overlooking the water
- Use the natural setting as your décor
- Keep everything in one location (no guest logistics stress)
From a photography point of view, water + open sky = soft, flattering light and dreamy reflections. Especially if you time it right.
Tipi Layout & Guest Flow
The tipi at Alexander Weddings creates a brilliant flow for the day:
- Outdoor drinks reception by the lake
- Move inside for speeches and food
- Open the sides if the weather’s kind
- Seamless transition into party mode
Because it’s a permanent setup, you don’t have to stress about structural logistics in the same way as a fully DIY field wedding.
Top tip: Ask about dancefloor positioning and bar layout early — it massively impacts the energy once the music kicks off.
Weather (Because… North Yorkshire)
Let’s be honest — we have to talk about it.
The beauty of Alexander Weddings is that you get the outdoor vibe without total exposure to the elements.
- Covered tipi space
- Solid flooring
- Open sides for sunshine
- Closed sides + heating if needed
And actually? Tipis in the rain are cosy as hell. The sound on canvas. The warm lighting. The slightly wild atmosphere. It’s a vibe.
Styling a Tipi at Alexander Weddings
The neutral canvas of the tipi means you can go:
- Full festival energy (streamers, colour, disco balls)
- Rustic & romantic (foliage, candles, soft linens)
- Modern & minimal
- Or completely chaotic party-core (my personal fave)
You don’t need to over-style this venue — the lake and open countryside already do a lot of heavy lifting.
Lighting is everything here. Once the festoon lights come on and the sky starts to fade? Unreal.
What Couples Often Overlook
A few practical things to think about:
- Footwear for the grass
- Clear signage for older guests
- Sunset timing for portraits by the lake
- A weather back-up drinks plan
Alexander Weddings gives you the bones. The magic is in the detail.
From a Photographer’s Perspective
Tipi weddings at Lake Henry are perfect for couples who care more about how the day felt than how it looked.
You get:
- Movement
- Big skies
- Space for guests to relax
- Natural interactions
- Proper dancefloor chaos
And because everything happens on site, I can capture the full story without anyone disappearing off to a second location.
LOVE these images? Contact me if you’d like to chat about me photographing your big day.
The supplier squad
Photography – Hannah Brooke Photography
Hair and Make up – Chrys Chapman MUA
Venue – Alexander Weddings
Styling – Birdcages and Dragonflies
Floristry – Meadows & Mulberry Weddings
Neons – Love Lights The Way
Dresses – Leigh Hetherington
Veil – Sash + Veil
Crowns – Glorious by Heidi
Suit – Haworth Menswear
Cake – Where the ribbon ends
Stationery – Somers Creative
Celebrant – Melanie Gail
DJ – DJ Mark Green
Videographer – Your Story Films
Flower girl dresses – Laura Lea Boutique
Jacket – The Mermaid Effect
