A Summer Festival Wedding near Cambridge: Tipis, Hot Tubs and a Thousand Origami Cranes
Tipis glowing under a deep blue night sky, pink flamingos on the lawn, guests sinking into wood-fired hot tubs and a swimming pool full of wedding guests. Alex and James’s two-day festival wedding near Cambridge had all of that, plus bands, DJs, a thousand origami cranes and weather that Glastonbury would kill for.
A festival wedding near Cambridge: tipis, fields and hot tubs
Rather than a traditional venue, Alex and James created their own festival. A row of tipis stood on the lawn, strung with festoon lights, with long wooden tables inside under a ring of Edison bulbs. Around them were fields stretching to the horizon, a swimming pool beside the willows, hot tubs on a wooden deck and the hot-tub buses.
Everything followed a bright pink colour theme, from the ribbons on the luggage-tag seating plan to the flamingos on the grass. Tipis are a brilliant choice for a hot day like this one. The sides roll up to let the air through, and at night they glow from the inside, which makes them a joy to photograph.
A unique day, and a downright awesome couple
It goes without saying that one of the most interesting parts of being a wedding photographer is how different every day is. Food, location, theme and a thousand other choices keep us both excited as we drive to weddings every weekend. Not to mention the couples, who really make each day special.
As we drove down to Cambridge for Alex and James’s two-day festival wedding, we knew it would be one to remember. A bright pink theme and hot-tub buses were always going to be memorable but, as always, it’s the couple that holds the day together. You’ve probably already pictured an entertaining and downright awesome couple, and you’d be right.
A churchyard, speeches on the lawn and a field of green
The day began with the quiet details: ring boxes in careful hands, make-up in the mirror and a bow tie being knotted. Alex, in a beaded vintage-style dress, walked up through the churchyard watched by some of the youngest guests, and afterwards there were big hugs among the old gravestones.
Back at the tipis the speeches happened outside on the grass, microphones in hand and plenty of animated pointing. Then we took Alex and James out into the fields for portraits, with nothing but crops and a big sky around them.
Hot tubs, a pool party and dancing under canvas
Then the festival really got going. Guests piled into the hot tubs and took over the swimming pool, and Alex and James perched on the bonnet of a vintage blue truck. There were bands and DJs, children and grown-ups dancing together under the tipis, and as night fell the whole site glowed with festoon lights.
Alex and James’s wedding was the perfect storm of weather, planning, people and execution. With the help of the lovely Vanessa at Frocks and Rocks, their vision of a wedding done their way was something every single person there will remember for a long time. There was even talk of the whole thing turning into an annual festival. Now that’s a wedding with a legacy!
Why we love a festival wedding
If you’re dreaming of a festival-style wedding, here’s our honest take after this one:
- Spread it over two days. There’s no rush to fit everything in, and guests have time to relax, catch up and make a weekend of it.
- Give people things to do. Hot tubs, a pool, bands and DJs meant guests made their own fun, and the photos are full of it.
- Plan for sun as well as rain. Shade, water and sun cream matter as much as umbrellas, and tipis with the sides rolled up give you both shelter and a breeze.
- Pick a theme and commit. Alex and James’s bright pink ran through everything, and it ties the photos together beautifully.
Planning your own festival wedding?
We love a wedding that does things differently. See more of our marquee and tipi weddings and summer weddings, browse our destination wedding photography, or get in touch to tell us your plans.
