Lauren and Shaun’s vision was to create a wedding reception completely out of the norm, a truly one-of-a-kind event. Their winter wedfest at Shamba Malaika, Currumbin Valley, was all that and more. It was a celebration that captured the ambience of a night market, channelling chilled party vibes, entertaining their family and friends throughout the night. Possibly the most unique touch was the troupe of cultural dancers that put on a spectacular show inside a large kata tipi, beneath a canopy of festoon and fairy lights. The cozy fire-pit was the perfect addition, a place where guests could mingle, warm up and toast marshmallows. This was a beautiful way to celebrate the marriage of this gorgeous couple and we were so happy we could help them bring their ideas into reality.
What made you choose tipis for your wedding: When I was in the early stages of planning our wedding in 2014, Gold Coast Tipis didn’t even exist, so I thought my idea of having a winter tipi wedding was going to be in the ‘too hard basket’. It wasn’t until I started some serious searching a few months later that I came across this amazing local company, being Gold Coast Tipis. I had always pictured my wedding to be a very laid-back occasion, more like a big party, where there is no set places to sit and no name-cards to be seen! I wanted everybody to mingle and not feel like they had to sit in the one spot all night. Gold Coast Tipis helped me bring this vision to life. One of the major factors in choosing a tipi for our wedding was that I knew I had total trust in Hannah as a vendor and the total professionalism that Gold Coast Tipis offered.
What advice to you have for people who are planning a tipi wedding? Take your time and try to relax! Having a wedding planner/co-ordinator was our biggest asset, allowing us to work side-by-side with planners to get the best results. They just take all that added pressure off you on the day and make it run so smoothly.
Which styling tips are a must for our tipis? Our wedding was in May, so the added extra of the fire-pit was a must. We could toast marshmallows with our guests and also stand around it when the temperature dropped, which was amazing. We kept our styling simple, yet classic to us as there are so many unnecessary costs these days with weddings. The neon signs we had from a local company ‘ What She Said’ – looked picture perfect once the sun had set and day turned to night.
Please describe your overall experience with having your wedding reception beneath a tipi? We didn’t have your ‘normal’ wedding reception, so having a tipi just added to my vision of a ‘night market/party’ feel for our wedding. The food we chose from our caterer was themed around different countries and worked out perfectly with the tipis. I loved the fact that our guests could either stand by the fire and have a chat, or sit down on one of the lovely bench seats and tables cosy by the fire-pit that Gold Coast Tipis provided.
Venue: Ceremony & reception – Shamba Malaika, Currumbin Valley Tipis: Gold Coast Tipis Furnishings: Pocketful of Sunshine/What She Said/Arctic Fox Hire/Shamba Malaika Photography: Bec Wedding Love Photography Film: Locky McCulloch Films Musicians: Janda Events Catering: Lola and The Chef Mobile Bar: Gathering Events Wedding Planner/Co-ordinator: Helen Foukkare & bride Celebrant: Dallas Nibbs Florist: Helen from Pocketful of Sunshine Styling: Pocketful of Sunshine Dress: Svetlana Martynova Hair: Aleesha Darke from A Fashionable Hair Life Make-up: Personal friend – Mel Morey Suits: Groom – Man2Man Toilets: Vikings Cool room: Gold Coast Party Hire
