Being a Somerset and Bath Wedding Photographer certainly has its benefits as far as choice goes. We are surrounded by some beautiful venues such as Priston Mill, Wick Farm and Coombe Lodge to name a few, however Becky and Phill decided to steer away from the traditional venue and booked a fabulous tipi from Buffalo Tipis to host all 130 guests of theirs in the village Phill grew up in. I haven’t shot a wedding in a tipi since 2016 so I was super excited when I met up with Becky and Phill in North Stoke to talk about their plans and visit the village itself. The grooms brother so happens to be a professional photographer too, and he put my name forward to Phill so I have him to thank foremost otherwise I may have never got to experience such a great wedding.
A lot of water was consumed in the making of this wedding. The temperature reached 25 degrees at one point, which meant for a super hot summer wedding. The day involved lots of walking around, in between locations so I could grab snaps of both the girls and the guys getting ready, the church was at the top of the hill, and then the tipi field was nearer the bottom. It was a really unique way to map out their wedding and they used countless signs around the village to direct everyone between locations. The village is a beautiful area, with flowers bloomed, cottage-feel housing and no cars travelling through which is just what every wedding photographer looks for at locations like these. Complete freedom to roam and capture some unique and momentous snaps for the happy couple.
I arrived in the morning smiling as always, and everyone made me feel super welcome. Becky and her bridesmaids were all getting pampered and ready for the day, with help from family friends and Katheryn from Powder and Paint to do the girls makeup. I visited the boys a bit later to get snaps of them putting their suits on and buttonholes placed on their jackets all with help from Tim, Phill’s older brother. Becky was sipping water all morning as the heat was already kicking butt but she fortunately had a light dress to wear for the day.
Before we knew it, the clocks were catching up and the ceremony was taking place up in the church. It was a beautiful ceremony, with several readings, blessings and a singing performance from Becky’s sister which was amazing. In the morning, I overheard her saying she sings in a choir so I knew we were in for a treat.
Drinks were served straight after the church from wheelbarrows hidden earlier in the morning by the groomsmen, followed a ton of confetti leading the way to the tipi. After following the bride and groom down the hill in their golf buggy, guests were down in the field to celebrate the rest of the day soaking up the sun and enjoying good food, fun and music. The rest of the day run smoothly with games on the lawn; Giant Jenga, Connect 4, Frisbees and so on all being enjoyed until the early hours of the morning. With the help from their amazing band, Brothers in Arms who got the crowd going from 8pm I don’t think I seen an unhappy face all evening, except for the bloke who knocked the Jenga down as I walked over to take pictures. Sorry mate!
I see a lot of things at weddings, some truly amazing moments but being in the village itself was probably my favourite part to the day. It sounds cliche but wherever you looked there was an opportunity for photos, and Becky and Phill made the most of it and we spent a good half hour walking the village getting snaps in some of the spots I noticed earlier in the day. My particular favourite is the shot amongst the roses, but we all have personal preferences so it may different for these two. Let me know which shot you like the most too?
It was a real pleasure to spend the day with Becky, Phill and their guests, on what was the hottest summer wedding to date and I’d like to take this moment to say congratulations again to you both and I look forward to sharing with you your photos soon.
Ryan x
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• Venue: Buffalo Tipi’s
• MUA: Powder and Paint
• Florist: Family friend
• Band: Brothers in Arms
• Cake: Family friend
• Catering: Green Farm Events
