Matthew and Ashley’s Cocktail Filled DIY Travel Themed Tipi Wedding by Jessica Lang Photo 

Happy Friday everyone, and how are you all this fine Friday? I am super excited as I have two nights out planned this weekend. I barely get to go out at all, so 2 nights in one weekend is unheard of! Tonight I am out with a group of friends for a Christmas get together, and then tomorrow I am off to the Cinema to watch Last Christmas with another friend……yes you guessed it I am feeling festive! We are off to get our tree on Sunday, and while we are there we are going to go ice skating, just to get into the Christmas spirit a bit more! I LOVE Christmas!! However today it isn’t about Christmas. It is all about the glorious wedding of Matthew and Ashley who held a gorgeous Tipi wedding in Halifax. They filled it with lots of handmade elements, including a cocktail station at each table where the guests made their own cocktails! Now that’s my kind of wedding! Jessica Lang Photo was there to capture the day for us.

The church was gorgeous and more formal before the extremely laid back and festival feel wedding. It was incredibly wet and muddy but everyone was in extremely good spiritis and never stopped dancing, truly the best day and party of our lives.

Matthew and Ashley were married on 10th August 2019 at Halifax Minster with a tipi reception on Rooley Farm in Halifax. ‘We wanted a laid-back wedding near Ashley’s family. The church had been used for her parents and grandparents. The farm was a camp site that could be hired for our tipi’s. We had 110 guests and it ook a year to plan.’ 

How they met 
We met living in Doha in Qatar through mutual friends. We have been together for 4 years.

The proposal
Matt proposed in Canada. He arranged the trip to Canada where we spent four weeks. The main surprise part of the trip was where he took me to Churchill near the base of the Arctic circle. We managed to see polar bears and kayaked with beluga whales. Then he took me out for dinner and we went to watch the sunset. Matt had a book hidden in his camera bag- this was all polaroid pictures of our favourite and significant moments together. The end page was a ‘pop up’ will you marry me question. It left space for the picture where I either said yes or no. Ash said yes! Matt then got a bottle of champagne out of his bag and we drank out of paper cups watching the sunset.

How did you allocate your budget?
We had savings and then got money from our parents. We used a spread sheet to estimate different costs. We used a company, Wedbarn for the majority of the costings- we paid for the teepees, staff, food, chairs etc through them.

Where did you splurge and where did you save?
We splurged on alcohol, we provided it. Extra touches such as a photobooth. Food was relatively cheap, a hog roast.

How did you choose your photographer?
We chose our photographer through recommendation. She had worked as a second shooter for another photographer. She was brilliant! We were so pleased.

The dress 
The dress was by Stella York bought at Ava Rose Hamilton, Silsden and the same for the veil. Shoes were bought in John Lewis.

The suit and bridesmaids
Bridesmaids dresses from Coast and suit from John Lewis.

Theme or colour scheme
Festival and boho theme with links to our love of travel. Each table was the name of a country we have travelled to together.

Flowers
Local and seasonal flowers by Nodding Violets.

Decoration 
Festival and boho theme with flowers, bunting, eucalyptus wreaths, photos of our travels, friends and family.

Food
We ate hog roast for our main. Then a selection of desserts and ice creams. The evening food was pizza.

Wedding cake
A naked cake with three different layers, decorated with fruit and a mini Colin and Connie the caterpillar on top.

Entertainment
We had an acoustic guitarist at the church and on entry to the tepee. We then had a band, Audio Eave who also were the DJ. We also had a picture booth

Who supplied the stationery?
We made these ourselves.

Personal touches
All the invites, save the date, table plans, table centre pieces, order of service and general photos. All done by ourselves to match the theme. Also, we had boxes of cocktail ingredients on each table. These were linked to the different countries that we had been too. We then created an apron and placed it on one persons’ chair on each table. They were then the designated cocktail maker for that table.
The alcohol was also provided by us. However, people were asked to make a donation if they wanted to. This money went to charity- Overgate Hospice where Ashley’s grandfather spent his final days; and Brain Tumour Charity because Matt’s nephew sadly lost his life at the age of 5 to DIPG, a rare brain tumour.
Another personal touch was Matt’s brother Mark playing acoustic guitar in the church. He played Wonderwall for Ash walking down the aisle. He also created a song for Matt’s nephew which any money from downloads went to Starlight Charity.

Special moments 
Ash entering the church. Walking into the teepees. Seeing everyone getting into the ‘cocktail’ spirit and enjoying making and drinking them. This really brought everyone together. The speeches were amazing. The band were brilliant- we spent most of the time on the shoulders of our friends in the air! Watching our family and friends all mingle and dance.

Advice for other couples
It will all work out! Remember everyone wants everything to go well and they don’t notice if tiny things go wrong, so don’t worry

Biggest surprise 
The speeches- the best man made a video recreating Bohemian Rhapsody with the Matt’s brothers. It was amazing.

Supplier Shout Outs

• Photographer: Jessica Lang Photo
• Dress Boutique: Ava Rose Hamilton
• Flowers: Nodding Violets
• Wedding breakfast: hog roast
• Evening food: pizza
• Band: Audio Eave
• Photobooth: picture booth

For more information on Jessica Lang Photo go to

 www.jessicalangphotography.co.uk / www.jessicalangphotography.co.uk/blog /  [email protected] / 07551323804 / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / PINTEREST 

Having always been a lover of photography from a young age I am so lucky to have a job that I wholeheartedly adore. Seeing the photographs I have taken for people taking pride place hung up on walls or decorating mantelpieces fills me happiness, and to know that my photos will bring joy and reignite happy memories for years to come is amazing. I have a relaxed approach to telling your wedding story and love bringing it all together in a lasting colourful collection. When I am not taking photos you would most likely find me caring for my house plants, in the kitchen cooking or planning my next abroad or theatre trip!