5 Tips for a Unique PapaKåta Wedding by Rebecca Thompson
We love to hear from our Brides and Grooms following their PapaKåta Teepee or Sperry Tent Wedding. So imagine our delight when writer, artist and the beautiful face behind ‘The Girl of GG‘ blog Rebecca Thompson offered to share the experience of her gorgeous backyard wedding with us. We jumped at the chance to hear all about Rebecca and husband Chris’ wedding day. In this post Rebecca has been kind enough to share some pearls of wisdom and top tips for creating a wedding that’s as unique as you are. This is the perfect read for anyone wanting to put their unique stamp on their wedding day, as well as some stunning at home wedding inspiration with beautiful images by Lee Garland Photography. Enjoy…
Rebecca and Chris’ PapaKåta Teepee Wedding by Lee Garland Photography
In a culture of cookie cutter perfectionism, it can be tricky to plan a wedding that feels exceptional. Self-expression can be exasperating, especially when event planning has become a status sport and some wedding industry suppliers peddle varying levels of ‘luxury’ ranging from bronze packages to double diamond deluxe. Sigh. I’m not a cynic, ok I am a bit of a cynic…but it can feel like a trap with no way out.
Add into the mix the fact that everything has been ‘done’ before. Now it seems even your Grandma’s lemon curd recipe, as table favours feel contrived.
I loved planning our recent wedding it was the ultimate whirlwind of chaotic creativity (which incidentally is my favourite breed of Bedlam). But it can be tricky to remain discerning. How do you keep your wedding day as an authentic expression of your relationship as a couple? Here are my five top tips to ensure your special day is as unique as you are.
1. Adjust your Perception of Perfection
Guests don’t expect perfection. People want to see the real, raw, authentic you. I know, I know, it can be vulnerable to be an open book with all eyes on you but I promise it’s not about lowering your standards. It’s really more about adjusting your expectations and not being so attached to the outcome. Try to stay real and remember that imperfect is the new perfect. Wabi Sabi as it’s called in Japan (Google it) is an actual trend. If you take a look at the vase inscription it says ‘We See The Harmony of Chaos’.
Beautiful details from Rebecca and Chris’ PapaKåta Wedding by Lee Garland Photography
2. Comparison is the thief of joy.
Whilst it’s awesome to find inspiration in wedding magazines or from colleagues, friends, websites and Pinterest it should leave you feeling enthused not overanxious. Remember Pinterest can be similar to a passive-aggressive friend after a few glasses of Pinot. Limit your ‘pinning’ time to short, productive sessions where you set yourself a goal or an outcome. The perfect rustic, reception table setting for an outdoor Cape Town vineyard wedding isn’t necessarily going to work for your industrial gallery venue with an English botanical theme. It might be someone else’s perfect, but it’s not your perfect.
Rebecca and Chris’ backyard Teepee Wedding tablescape with flowers by Lucy MacNicol Floral Design
Rebecca and Chris’ PapaKåta Teepee Wedding by Lee Garland Photography
3. Stay True to You Two
Every couple is different when it comes to how involved they are with wedding planning. For me, it became apparent that after he’d proposed he viewed his work as done. So when it came to planning our day I was very much flying solo. Any cajoling for his opinion on confetti were wasted words. If like me, you are the head planner, it can be difficult to make sure there’s a balance of both of your personalities. Play to each other’s strengths; if your partners’ areas of expertise are alcohol, music or transport then make sure these are the elements that reflect their style. It’s a powerful lesson in compromise that stands you in good stead for married life! Our amazing celebrant Jan Shillito did an amazing job to find a perfect balance of our personalities. I can’t recommend her enough; she’s magical. The ceremony was a true collaboration and felt so deeply personal, I could cry just now thinking about how special it was. We have the ceremony script as a special keepsake.
Rebecca and Chris’ PapaKåta Teepee Wedding by Lee Garland Photography
4. Champion Minimalism
I strongly suggest, cutting out the fuss and doing ‘less stuff with more style’. Spreading your creativity too thinly is a sure route to collapse. I did a particularly austere task edit, formalising the ‘must haves’ and then ditched the rest. For instance we didn’t send out paper invitations, instead opting to manage everything online via Appy Couple (an interactive wedding website and app builder), which helped to reduce precious admin time. It’s got some great features and was a godsend.
I didn’t have time to hand make any decorations so I relied on the minimal luxe of PapaKåta’s Nordic reindeer skins and fairy lights to create the ambience we wanted with no late night Blue Peter crafting sessions. Understated is definitely the right decision, less is more.
Rebecca and Chris’ PapaKåta Teepee interior with cosy chill-out snug
5. Book Papakåta
Disclaimer: I’m not being paid to write this nor am I related to any of the PapaPeeps but they were hands down the best decision I made for our backyard wedding. The moment I confirmed our booking, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I knew everything was going to be ok.
They should give seminars in customer service! They were friendly, professional, nothing was too much trouble and they made sure we’d thought of everything. From the fire pits and festoon lighting to the beautiful oak bars, every detail was flawless. It’s easy to customise to your own requirements so that no two weddings look the same, you keep creative control over everything. We got quite attached to the Kåta and the Kung erected in the garden, we even considered the pros and cons of keeping it as a permanent fixture. If you want a unique wedding venue and a beautiful experience Papakåta are simply perfect.
Rebecca and Chris’ PapaKåta Teepee Wedding at home in Roundhay, Leeds
Rebecca and Chris’ backyard Teepee Wedding with PapaKåta
With huge thanks to Rebecca Thompson for these candid and very kind words. To see more beautiful images from Rebecca’s PapaKåta Teepee wedding, check out the full gallery HERE.
PKx
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