Blog Post

Bonnie and Dave's Wedding on a Hill

  • by Natasha Gilchrist
  • 26 Sept, 2019

Tipi or not Tipi?... that is the Question!

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

Definitely ‘tipi’ for Bonnie and Dave…what a beautiful wedding!

Bonnie first got in contact with me when her maid of honour Gemma saw my advert on 'Facebay - Lymington' and suggested to Bonnie that I may be exactly what she needed.

With Bonnie and Dave living in Oxford this didn’t stop us being able to help them, in fact it was quite exciting to think we could have a little road-trip to somewhere completely different. We didn’t let the distance get in the way and we certainly didn’t let it stop us chatting through their wedding plans. With the joy of Whatsapp video message it meant we could chat whenever we needed to and we were able to tweak the time-plan by email until Bonnie & Dave were happy that everything was in place.

Bonnie and Dave’s tipi wedding took place in the beautiful location of Watlington and what’s more...

...it was on top of a hill!

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

The views were breath-taking!

When my team and I arrived, it was pouring with rain and sadly not looking good for their outside ceremony.

Thankfully there was a contingency plan in place, so we asked all their guests to take a seat inside the tipi ready for Bonnie's arrival.

Someone somewhere (I think it was secretly Dave) must have been doing a sun dance! 

With everyone seated, the confetti handed out and with less than a minute to spare…the sun came out!

In an instant Dave made the decision to announce that everyone was to make their way out to the straw bales.

With seconds to go, everyone dashed out and was seated just in time.

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

The sirens of the fire engine announced the arrival of Bonnie, which was only fitting with Dave being a fireman.

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

For the rest of the day the sun shone and the weather was perfect. 

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography
Inside, the tipi had been beautifully decorated by Bonnie and Dave with the help from their friends and family the day before.
Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography
Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

...and the fire-pit was lit to toast marshmallows on.

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

Being a true DIY wedding there were many things Bonnie and Dave needed help with ‘On the Day’. From moving tables, taking puddings from guests, meeting suppliers, setting up the bar, serving welcome drinks (and of course saying Hello to their little chap, Woody)...

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

...serving canapes...

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography
...sending guests up to the Pizza Project van (whose pizzas were totally yummy!), clearing the tables, prompting timings, laying out the dessert table and clearing glasses along the way.
Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

With my team of Abbey, Hayley and Jenson, we had it all under control!

Our job was to make sure everything ran smoothly and that all the jobs listed on Bonnie & Dave's time-plan were done.

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

When I received a thank you email from Bonnie saying...

‘You and your team were incredible not only on the day but in the lead up. Meaning this in the nicest possible way, I barely noticed you were there, it seemed to all run seamlessly’

...this made me extremely happy knowing we had done what we set out to do!

The whole day was absolutely beautiful and Bonnie and Dave certainly looked like they were having the time of their lives.

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

We left at 9.30pm just as Bonnie and Dave were lighting the beacon to symbolise their marriage together...

...it was truly beautiful and the most perfect setting!

Photo Credits: Nigel Chapman Photography

So, if you are planning a D.I.Y wedding and need some help ‘On the Day’ get in touch and let us take that pressure away so you, your family and your friends can all relax and enjoy your special day.

Please don’t be scared to get in contact if you live outside of Dorset or Hampshire, if we can help you...

...we will!

Lots of Love

All of these amazing photos were taken by Nigel Chapman Photography...a truly fantastic photographer and a really lovely guy!

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