Wow! What an amazing wedding! I have just done my first tipi wedding at a lovely rural location in Norfolk, College Farm. The day was just wonderful with stunning weather, some amazing food and entertainment. The location was excellent, the lovely owner is more than hospitable and was a great help to me on the day also. The farm has horses, rare breed sheep, alpacas and llamas which made for some quirky photographs as the sun began to set.

The tipi looked awesome! The bride and groom let the venue do the talking so kept decor to a minimum but with masses of fairy lights, tea lights, lanterns and a fire pit with marshmallows – it was perfect! They hired in some rustic furniture to match the setting and sheepskin covered wooden benches and trestle tables accommodated the guests while they ate their scrummy dinner of a freshly cooked hog roast – it was delicious! They were joined later by a fish and chip van which cooked all the food on site too and really added to the laid back, festival vibe of the day.

As well as being my first tipi wedding, it also had a number of other firsts for me – obviously the alpacas and llamas, but the couple opted to have a sweetheart table for just the two of them, in the middle of the dance floor, there was ‘marryoke’ to the B52’s ‘Loveshack’ (which was hysterical and I can’t wait to see the final cut!)  and there was an utterly fabulous gospel choir!

Planning the wedding long-distance was a challenge at times and with the numerous emails going backwards and forwards it was only once the bride and groom saw the tipi go up two days before the wedding that the reality and scale of of it all sank in! On the day my tasks were varied (as is often the case with DIY weddings) but I can honestly say it was such fun! Here is a little flavour of some of the jobs I did yesterday:

  • Checking transport arrival times
  • Greeting suppliers and checking everything they needed was catered for (power supply, shade, refreshments etc)
  • Confirming running schedules for the day
  • Sorting out parking
  • Arranging hay bales and blankets
  • Cueing the gospel choir
  • Handing out ceremony readings
  • Sorting out ceremony seating plans
  • Laying up in the tipi
  • Handing round refreshments to guests
  • Cueing events for the day (confetti throwing, music, cake cutting, first dance etc)
  • Decorating and assembling the wedding cake (a slightly nerve wracking moment)
  • Clearing tables
  • Topping up drinks
  • Rearranging furniture for the evening
  • Organising the service of food (including some specific dietary meals)
  • Displaying pudding
  • Lighting candles
  • Lighting the firepit
  • Filling lanterns with paraffin
  • Checking the portable toilets regularly (not the most pleasant job but someone needs to do it!)
  • Organising the ushers and bridal party
  • Handing round glosticks and sparklers
  • Paying suppliers
  • Thanking suppliers and keeping them informed of the schedule and any tweaks.

Phew! It was amazing, and I can’t wait to see the professional photos but here are a few to whet your appetite in the meantime!