Colourful DIY tipi wedding
Jenny & Alex
A riot of colour at a unique DIY tipi wedding full of personal touches, smiles and fun captured by Phil Salisbury.
This unique, colourful, disco ball of a wedding was everything Jenny and Alex dreamed it would be. A village hall, a tipi, plus an army of friends, family, and superstar suppliers to bring their vision to life. It was all coordinated by the genius that is Emma Jordan Weddings – a recipe for wedding awesomeness! I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Emma and capturing North East wedding photography quite a few times now, and she always brings her A-game, this colourful DIY tipi wedding kicked off the busy season in style.
“We knew we wanted a lot of colour - we’re not scared of it, nor discreet, delicate people in life – so more is more really came through.”
From the moment Jenny and Alex got in touch, I loved their personalities, enthusiasm, and their vision of a fun-filled, relaxed and unique wedding day. Ever get that feeling when you just know something will be brilliant? That’s Jenny and Alex’s wedding all over!
They’d chosen a village hall in Alnwick with plenty of space for Covered in Style to put up a huge tipi on the cricket pitch, which provided them with indoor space and shelter from the weather (it is Northumberland after all!). This gave them ultimate freedom when it came to selecting their suppliers and decorating everything in a riot of colour. From the rainbow of ribbon garlands (taken from Pinterest to reality by Alex’s mum, Edwina) to the bright florals by Ginger House Garden; colour filled their entire day.
Jenny wore a two-piece outfit from an ethically sourced and sustainable brand, Rolling in Roses, she’s planning to dye the trousers and wear them again. Hair stylist Nik Delaney and Makeup artist Urszula took care of the finishing touches, with a subtle and natural look that lasted the whole day. Alex wore a suit and shoes from Master Debonair, with a floral tie and pocket square. They both looked incredible, importantly they also spent the whole day feeling and looking relaxed, and able to be themselves.
Jenny and Alex said their vows in front of the colourfully dressed crowd, with Alex’s Uncle John as their celebrant. They sealed the deal with a kiss under the disco ball and were showered with a rainbow of confetti outside, stopping for a kiss and a dramatic dip which got everyone cheering!
No one wants to be bossed around on their wedding day – so I aim to capture the important group photos (the ones the relatives usually want for above the fireplace!) with minimal fuss. As Jenny and Alex relaxed with their guests, we took a few moments to gather together the vital groups and capture them smiling and laughing together, then everyone could go back to drinks and canapes, and celebrating the newlyweds.
As they had 160 guests in total I had my second photographer with me, this helps ensure we tell the whole story of your day with all the fun, smiles, and party antics that happen from start to finish!
The tipi was ready for their wedding breakfast, filled with décor provided by Bird Cages and Dragonflies (who also supplied the disco ball for the ceremony), as well as glassware and crockery from Crosby Hire. It had all been expertly arranged, and the magnificent Emma Jordan Weddings made sure everything looked perfect.
“Put love, thought and personality into it, your guests will love it because they love you”
After some introductory speeches from Jenny and her mum, Riley’s Fish Shack presented guests with whole, freshly cooked fish, and one person from each table was put in charge of serving (whilst wearing a personalised apron), which was perfect for the relaxed and social atmosphere.
Alex and his best people followed the meal with some funny and emotional speeches, and then it was time for a vodka toast, Russian style as a nod to the time the couple spent living in Moscow.
Funk Brother Soul Sister started the party, as everyone joined Jenny and Alex on the dancefloor to kick off the wilder side of the celebrations. The 8-piece funk, soul, and disco band are known for creating the ultimate party experience, and they did not disappoint. Alex also took off his jacket and sang a song he’d written especially for Jenny, they’re a talented bunch this lot!
Later, their friend DJ Khov extended the party vibe into the night, keeping the dancefloor packed with people enjoying themselves and showing off their best moves!
I photograph weddings across the Northeast, throughout the UK and even in Europe, so if you are looking for relaxed, unposed and authentic photos that capture the fun, emotion and magic of your day, then I would LOVE to chat about your plans. Simply get in touch and we can start planning.
Are you looking for inspiration? Check out some of my recent work, including this elegant wedding at Healey Barn, a fun home wedding in Newcastle, and this awesome festival wedding in Lincolnshire!
