Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rustic Lily Weddings do?
I am a Nottinghamshire based wedding planner, who specialises in outdoor weddings, marquee, tipi and stretch tent celebrations, and weddings at dry hire venues. I work with you to shape your vision into an unforgettable wedding day that feels completely you.
What planning services do you offer and how do they differ?
I offer three main types of support:
Full Wedding Planning: From first brainstorming to final guest departure, every element is handled with care, including budgeting, supplier sourcing, timeline creation and on-the-day management.
Outdoor Wedding Planning Package: Ideal if you're planning your own outdoor wedding but want professional guidance, especially around site logistics like power, toilets and water. This package offers additional support to work alongside your wedding planning.
Wedding Day Management: For couples who’ve done the planning themselves but want to relax on the big day, I take over supplier coordination and make sure your timeline runs smoothly so you can really step back and enjoy the magic.
Each service can be tailored to your needs so you get the right level of support without paying for things you don’t want.
Can you help with weddings at dry hire venues?
Absolutely. I specialise in dry hire weddings where the couple controls the entire day from styling and supplier choices, to set up and logistics. I love to turn blank-canvas venues into beautiful, effortless celebrations .
Do you only plan outdoor weddings?
While outdoor weddings and marquee and tipi celebrations are my speciality, I’m also experienced in creating seamless days at dry hire venues. This could be a barn, field, farm space, vineyard or other blank-canvas locations. If you have an idea, I can help make it happen.
Do you only plan outdoor or dry hire weddings?
No! Whilst my speciality is planning outdoor weddings and weddings at dry hire venues, I also have experience working with “wet hire” venues which provide elements for your wedding in house. This is usually catering and a bar. I love working with venue teams!
How far in advance should we book a wedding planner?
This can vary depending on your wedding date and how much planning you want support with, but generally booking as early as possible gives you the most flexibility, especially for outdoor celebrations where logistics and supplier availability are key.
What kind of weddings are the best fit for your services?
Couples who want a personalised and unique wedding, especially those embracing the beauty of outdoor spaces, marquees, tipis, or dry hire venues, benefit most from my approach. If you want to create a celebration that feels entirely like you (not a cookie-cutter event), then we’re a great match.
Do you plan outdoor weddings in Nottinghamshire?
Yes. I’m based in Nottinghamshire and specialise in planning outdoor weddings across the county and the wider Midlands. This includes marquee weddings, tipi weddings, stretch tents and celebrations on private land or blank-canvas dry hire venues. I also travel further afield across the UK for the right event.
What areas do you cover for dry hire weddings?
I regularly plan weddings throughout Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Rutland and Warwickshire. If you’re planning a marquee or dry hire wedding elsewhere in the UK, I’m happy to discuss travel options as I am always happy to go anywhere the right event may take me.
Can you plan a wedding at a private home or family land in the UK?
Absolutely. I love to work with couples at their home or on private land, and enjoy the challenge of ensuring all the logistics are in place at a site that is completely new to me.
What is involved in planning a marquee or tipi wedding?
Planning a marquee or tipi wedding involves much more than styling. It includes:
Ground assessments and site planning
Power supply and generator calculations
Luxury toilet hire
Water supply and waste management
Lighting design
Catering tent logistics
Flooring for uneven or soft ground
Weather contingency planning
Detailed supplier scheduling
Because these weddings are built from the ground up, every logistical element needs careful coordination.
What suppliers are essential for a dry hire wedding?
Dry hire weddings typically require:
Marquee, tipi or structure provider
Generator and power distribution
Caterer and mobile kitchen
Bar team
Furniture hire
Luxury toilet hire
Lighting supplier
Florist and stylist
Photographer and videographer
Entertainment
Waste management
On-the-day coordination
Unlike traditional venues, these elements are not included and they must be sourced and managed individually.
How do you plan power and generator requirements for outdoor weddings?
Power planning is calculated based on catering equipment, bar refrigeration, lighting, band or DJ requirements and any additional installations. I work with experienced generator suppliers to ensure safe distribution, backup capacity and quiet operation so there are no interruptions during your day.
How many toilets are needed for an outdoor wedding?
The number of toilets depends on guest count and event duration. As a general guide, most outdoor weddings require luxury toilet units rather than standard portable toilets. I calculate requirements based on industry recommendations and coordinate delivery, placement and collection.
How much does an outdoor wedding typically cost in the UK?
Outdoor and dry hire weddings often appear cheaper at first glance because venue hire may be lower. However, once you factor in structures, generators, toilets, furniture, catering facilities and lighting, costs can equal or exceed traditional venues. The biggest benefit is complete flexibility and personalisation. I help couples create a realistic budget from the outset so there are no surprises later.
Is a dry hire wedding cheaper than an all-inclusive venue?
Not necessarily. Dry hire gives freedom and creative control, but every element must be hired individually. When properly budgeted, costs are often similar to traditional venues, although the difference is that your money goes toward creating a bespoke experience rather than paying for an existing package.
What hidden costs should we expect with a marquee wedding?
Common overlooked costs include:
Generator fuel
Additional catering equipment
Flooring for wet ground
Extra setup time
Security staff
Waste removal
Extended hire periods
Corkage or licensing requirements
Part of my role is identifying these early so your budget stays accurate.
What hidden costs should we expect with a dry hire venue?
Common overlooked costs include:
Additional catering equipment
Extra setup time
Waste removal
Extended hire periods
Additional décor requirements
Part of my role is identifying these early so your budget stays accurate.
Can you legally get married outdoors in the UK?
In England, legal ceremonies must take place in a licensed structure. Many couples choose to complete the legal paperwork at a registry office and then hold a celebrant-led outdoor ceremony on their wedding day. I guide couples through these options to ensure everything is both meaningful and legally compliant.
Do we need event insurance for a dry hire wedding?
Yes. Most dry hire venues require event insurance covering public liability and supplier equipment. This protects you against unexpected issues and is especially important for private land weddings.
Do we need a wedding planner for a marquee or dry hire wedding?
While it’s possible to plan independently, dry hire weddings involve managing multiple suppliers, technical logistics and detailed timelines. Having a planner ensures:
Clear communication between vendors
Backup plans in place
Structured site layouts
Smooth setup and breakdown
One point of call for all suppliers
A relaxed experience for you
Many couples choose support specifically because of the complexity involved. My speciality is working with this complexity, and making sure my couples are not impacted.
What happens if it rains on our outdoor wedding day?
Every outdoor wedding I plan includes a weather contingency plan. This might involve alternative covered ceremony spaces, sidewalls for marquees, flooring solutions, umbrella provisions or layout adjustments. The key is proactive preparation rather than last-minute stress.
What’s the difference between a venue coordinator and a wedding planner for dry hire venues?
A venue coordinator typically manages the venue itself, and usually a dry hire venue does not have this included. A wedding planner manages the entire event, including all external suppliers, logistics, timelines, layout design and on-the-day problem solving. For dry hire weddings, this distinction is particularly important because there is no in-house team coordinating your suppliers. A venue coordinator works for the venue, whereas a wedding planner works for the couple.
How does your full wedding planning process work?
My full planning service includes:
Initial consultation and vision development
Budget creation and management
Supplier sourcing and contract coordination
Site logistics and layout planning
Detailed timeline creation
Ongoing communication and guidance
Full on-the-day management
The aim is to remove stress while keeping you fully involved in creative decisions.
Can you step in partway through planning if we’re feeling overwhelmed?
Yes. Many couples begin planning independently and then realise how complex outdoor or dry hire weddings can become. I can step in to refine logistics, manage suppliers and bring structure to the process.
Are you involved on the wedding day itself?
Yes, whether you choose Full Wedding Planning, my Outdoor Wedding Planning Package, or Wedding Day Management, I’m there on the wedding day to coordinate suppliers, manage timelines, troubleshoot issues and make sure you focus on celebrating rather than organising.
Will we actually be able to relax on our wedding day?
Yes. With professional coordination in place, you won’t be answering supplier questions, managing setup, or troubleshooting delays. My role on the day is to oversee logistics so you can focus on celebrating with your guests.
Who is full wedding planning best suited for?
Full planning is ideal for couples who:
Are planning a marquee, tipi or dry hire wedding
Are hosting their wedding on private land
Are planning from abroad
Have demanding careers
Want expert logistical support
It provides complete structure and reassurance from start to finish.
How do we get started if we’re interested in working with you?
The first step is to book a free consultation where we chat about your vision, timeline and the kind of support you’re looking for. From there, I’ll explain which service package suits you best and outline the next steps.