1.Will you require a committee or a party planner/ event manager?

2.Set the date as soon as possible as venues book up quickly around Christmas time, also make sure that it does not coincide with any other work-related events

3.Determine the budget as this will affect all other decisions.

4.Find out if the Christmas Party is just for employees or will spouses/significant others and clients be invited?

5.Create a guest list.

6.Send out a save the date email – this email could also serve as a way to ask for suggestions for possible themes, as well as finding out if there are any special dietary requirements.

7.Will guests be contributing to the ticket price?

8.Once you know the budget, determine the level of formality and the style/theme of your Corporate Christmas Event.

9.Allocate the following common costs into the budget:

• Venue Hire/ Marquee Hire
• Insurance/Deposit/ Bonds (if applicable)
• Invitations (including postage)
• Decorations (if outside remember furniture, etc)
• Entertainment (DJ/ Band/ Etc…)
• Food & Beverages
• Catering/ Wait & Bar Staff
• Lighting & Sound (if applicable)
• Emergency Fund for Unexpected Costs!

10. Start calling venues immediately for quotes and to confirm availability.
11. Ensure that the venue is easily accessible to guests and has accommodation nearby (if applicable)
12. You should ask the venue the following questions:

• What is available for you to use and what exactly do you need to hire?
• This includes furniture, wait staff, entertainment equipment, decorations, etc…
• Is cleaning included in the quote?
• Will they supply the alcohol and if not, do they have a proper license?
• If it is an outdoor party, is there a noise ordinance you need to be aware of?
• Is parking available and is it sufficient for your amount of guests?
• Ask to organise a site visit and take pictures so that you can visualise the area when you are planning your theme
• If you haven’t received all the RSVP’s yet, you can ask if the venue is willing to allow you to add guests at a later date

Part II to follow!

Contact Schupepe today to hire a marquee for your Corporate Christmas Party!

The post The Ultimate Checklist on How to Plan an Epic Corporate Christmas Party [Part I] appeared first on Schupepe.

WET WEDDING DAY WASH-OUT

From Auckland to Invercargill, summer weather reports will include a sun, a cloud, and raindrops. Four seasons in one day is not just cool lyrics in a song, it is a reality here in New Zealand. Mud is public enemy number one when it comes to outdoor weddings. Our marquees will protect your head and our installation crew will advise on the best place to set up the tent – avoiding sloped areas.

• Flooring is essential because it will protect your guests from mud and possible injury. Simply throwing a carpet over matting on the grass will not do!
• Think about mass travel and create pathways to parking and restroom areas.
• It might pay to attach smaller marquees to the main one for bathrooms, catering and photography stations, or a dressing room to redo the bride’s make-up.
• Provide guests with parasols or umbrellas (which could double as a unique wedding favour).

GONE WITH THE WIND

Our professional installation crew will ensure that your marquee will not fly away in the middle of the ceremony. We will make sure everything is secured and weighted properly. That being said, you may want to consider other things that may fly away during the event if the walls are up to allow the wind to blow through.

• Instead of having place cards set out on a table (as is generally the norm) you can attach the seating cards to your guests’ wedding favour. Another way is to write the seating arrangements on a chalkboard or funky little sign.
• In fact, avoid a lot of lightweight, paper crafts if you can
• Use fabric napkins with ring holders
• Weigh down any centrepieces such as light vases with rocks so that they don’t fall over during the reception.

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Our summertime sunshine is beautiful but brutal. Thankfully, the material of our stretch tents will protect your guests from harmful UV rays. We also have removable/ roll-up walls that allow a nice breeze to circulate throughout the marquee. However, there are a few additional details that would be helpful.

• It is absolutely essential to research your location thoroughly and visit it during the exact time you will be having your wedding so you know the position of the sun on your big day. You want to take advantage of a beautiful sunset or sunrise, not be blinded by the mid-day sun– so consider having the ceremony at a specific time or make sure the windows are facing in the most opportune position.
• Set up outdoor furniture near shaded areas and provide plenty of non-alcoholic refreshments
• Not only could you give out umbrellas as guest favours, you could also provide fun sunglasses, or programmes that double as fans to help protect people from the heat.
• Depending on the time of year, it may be worthwhile to invest in air-conditioning or fans.

Wedding weather disasters can be avoided when you plan ahead. If you are thinking of having your wedding outdoors; hiring a marquee is not only a necessity for comfort but it is also a great way to add some elegance to New Zealand’s breathtaking landscape. Our experienced staff at Schupepe will not let the unpredictable weather in the land of the long white (storm) cloud ruin your wedding day.

Hurry! Contact Schupepe today to hire your summer wedding marquee before we book out!

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1. Say I Do – Anywhere you Choose

You can basically choose your view – perhaps your parents have incredible sea views, or there is an open field in your hometown that holds special memories – your options are limitless. Our flexible marquees can be manipulated to fit in any space and can be installed anywhere. Even if you chose to go the traditional route, many established wedding venues will allow the use of marquees onsite.

2. Personalise your Very Own Blank Canvas

Every marquee wedding that Schupepe has been a part of has been completely unique, intimate, and incredibly personal – as weddings should be. You don’t have to work with existing décor – you get to specifically choose your own colours and themes. Schupepe has a multitude of interior hire options available, but we are happy to outsource anything that we don’t have available to suit your individual tastes. Set venues will ensure that you use their catering services and will have menus that cannot be customised. Basically, with a marquee wedding, you have complete control over every detail.

3. Absolutely NO RESTRICTIONS

This means absolutely no restrictions when it comes to a season, limited time-frames, and the number of guests. While marquees are generally associated with summer/spring weddings, Schupepe has hosted quite a lot of beautiful winter/fall weddings. Our marquees are completely weather proof and we provide heating solutions that guarantee the comfort of your guests. With a marquee, you can choose a vineyard, paddock, beach, or field where neighbours cannot be disturbed – so there will be no forced finishing times. If you must invite Uncle Ted and your ten cousins, marquees allow you the freedom to do so. In fact, we have a handy size and accommodation guide to help you.

4. Sticking to a Budget

Regardless of your particular price range, marquee weddings allow you the flexibility to work within any budget. In fact, a lot of people choose to cut down costs by doing their own decorating or incorporating help from family and friends. Put your hard-earned money to better use – whether you want an incredible DJ, or exquisite food, an overflowing, unlimited bar – the choice is yours.

5. Break Away from Tired Traditions

If you desperately want to do your own thing – a marquee wedding is definitely the way to go. The only thing that all marquee weddings have in common is that they showcase New Zealand’s breathtaking landscape. Instead of your guests dancing the night away under harsh, fluorescent lights, they will be illuminated by the stars in the night sky, with fairy lights gently twinkling in the background. Have a look through our gallery at some of the photos – absolutely stunning and each one personal and unique.

Contact Schupepe today for a free consultation.

The post 5 REASONS TO CHOOSE A MARQUEE WEDDING OVER A TRADITIONAL VENUE appeared first on Schupepe.

There are fewer restrictions on the maximum number of guests, ranges of drink, menus, and finishing times. Marquees are the perfect solution for those that do not have the capacity to fit a large number of guests in their home, in addition to the fact that marquees add an element of elegance and grandeur to a wedding celebration.
Backyard weddings are a perfect opportunity to showcase a couple’s individual style in a sentimental backdrop. Here at Schupepe, weddings are what we do best! We want you to have a memorable, stress-free event so we have compiled a list of 4 tips to avoid backyard wedding blunders.

MAKE SURE TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE

A rule of thumb in wedding planning is to never assume that something will take less time than you think it will. Allow yourself enough set-up time. You may think that most people will arrive later than the time given on the invites, but the opposite is generally true. Guests will usually start arriving 30 minutes before the official ceremony time. The pre-wedding photos should be done as soon as possible and vendor delivery times should be scheduled accordingly.

YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH CHAIRS

Some couples will try to cut down on wedding costs by only getting one set of chairs for the ceremony or the reception. Most wedding ceremonies last longer than 10 minutes – anything over 10 minutes is too long to be standing in high heels, straining to see over-top of people’s heads. Nana may be sprite for her age, but chances are she would appreciate a seat. If you are planning on moving chairs from the ceremony to the reception, you may want to reconsider. This would be a tricky logistical nightmare. No one wants to transfer chairs from one area to another, especially during cocktail hour when caterers are serving food and drinks. The last thing you want to do is ask your guests to move chairs. Another thing to think about is providing chairs outside of the tent. Schupepe offers a wide variety of affordable seating options to cover all your bases.

MONEY IS WELL-SPENT ON A WELL-LIT EVENT

Lighting not only sets the tone for your event, it also provides guidance for those tipsy, stiletto-clad guests who are trying to navigate their way to the restroom and back to the bar. You must take into consideration that guests need to be able to see what they are eating and the caterers need to see where they are serving and what needs to be taken away once the guests are finished with their meals. Guests will require a well-lit route to the parking area as well. Schupepe can provide string lights for the interior and exterior, as well as lamps for larger areas.

NO PINCHING PENNIES ON HEATING REGARDLESS OF SEASON

Even in the summer temperatures can drop drastically and suddenly. Space heaters inside the tent are a must-have for every season. Placing heaters strategically outside of the tent is also a smart idea. The last thing you want is for Nana to catch a chill! Schupepe provides a wide variety of heating hire options to help keep the warmth in and the cold out. We have standard patio heaters for the interior and exterior of the tent. Diesel fan heaters are also available for those cool, unpredictable summer evenings. These types of heaters are able to fill the entire tent will bursts of warmth.

Contact Schupepe today and let us help make your backyard wedding memorable – not stressful.

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Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves may have made the idea of glamping inspired weddings popular, but Kiwi’s can take it to the next level. We have a wide variety of rustic and awe-inspiring outdoor settings. Here are some ideas to incorporate in your glamping wedding theme.

• Add elegance and colour by making use of New Zealand’s wildflowers for centrepieces.
• Have fire pits strategically placed around your glamp-site
• Organize outdoor activities instead of having a traditional wedding reception.
• Bring cricket bats, rugby balls, fishing gear (if appropriate)
• A bush walk procession to the altar may be fun.

There are a million ways that you can make your glamping inspired wedding a success. Regardless of venue, amount of guests, or unpredictable weather, we have you covered. Marquees are perfect for outdoor weddings as they provide that extra personalized touch to your special day. The material is extremely flexible, allowing it to be installed practically anywhere. We also provide freeform flex fabric stretch tents that are completely weatherproof – so you can have your wedding in an open field, in the woods, on the beach, the options are limitless. Our interior hire options will help to add the extra dash of glamour required for your glamping inspired wedding.

The post GLAMPING INSPIRED WEDDINGS IDEAS: SCHUPEPE STRETCH TENTS & MARQUEES HAVE YOU COVERED appeared first on Schupepe.