On September 24th, 2016, Adele and Philip embarked on a fun-filled day of relaxation and merriment, surrounded by the laid-back atmosphere of a festival. To create this unique experience, they chose Tipis4hire’s Scandinavian tipi and the picturesque Secret Garden in Wymington, Northamptonshire as their venue.Thanks to Adele’s brother, Aaron Collett Photography, we’re treated to stunning visuals that capture every moment of this special day. From Adele’s breathtaking oversized flower crown to the charming signposts and heartfelt outdoor humanist ceremony, it’s a visual treat that exudes elegance and charm.As you plan your own big day, take inspiration from Adele’s thoughtful advice, including her insight on creating meaningful gift lists. We’re particularly impressed by her recommendation for ‘Buy Our Honeymoon’, which shares a special connection to the World Wide Wedding (WWW) community.
The Proposal
The surprise weekend getaway still brings a smile to my face. Phil had planned the entire trip, but wouldn’t reveal any details – not even the destination or departure time. As we wandered around the airport, I caught a glimpse of his horrified expression and he exclaimed, ‘We need to run!’ We sprinted to the gate just as they were closing the barrier, and Phil had to plead with them to let us board. It wasn’t until we’d taken off that I finally found out where we were headed – Venice! I’d always wanted to visit, so my excitement was palpable. As it turned out, this romantic getaway might have been a proposal opportunity as well, given our summer discussions about marriage. A fancy dinner on the Saturday night had me thinking maybe today’s the day, but when Phil got the bill and we left, I felt a little deflated. However, my mood shifted when I realized he’d planned an amazing holiday for us. We explored different bars, with Phil repeatedly insisting we needed to get to the Rialto Bridge. In desperation, he told me there would be fireworks at 8 pm, so we hurried over. As I searched for the display, Phil got down on one knee and began speaking from his heart – my tears flowed freely as I said yes! The only thing I recall amidst my sobs is an American woman screaming, ‘Oh my god, he’s proposing!’ It was a truly unforgettable experience.
The Vision
After a year of attending small festivals together as an unmarried couple, my husband-to-be and I had a shared vision for our special day. We decided that if we ever tied the knot, we’d love to recreate that festival atmosphere on a smaller scale. Given our non-religious background, we opted to formalize our marriage at a registry office a few days prior, with a Celebrant presiding over the ceremony. This freedom allowed us to get married in a setting that felt truly ours. We settled on a ‘festival vintage’ theme and chose a palette of navy blue, blush pink, green, and white to reflect the whimsical tone we wanted to capture. Ultimately, our goal was simple: to throw an unforgettable party celebrating our union with our closest friends and family.
The Planning Process
As our vision for the big day came into focus, our top two priorities became crystal clear: securing a Scandinavian Tipi and finding a venue that would accommodate our unique needs and allow us to curate our own vendor lineup. We didn’t want to be limited by outside constraints on what we could or couldn’t have. Luckily, my brother is a seasoned wedding photographer with insider knowledge of the best-kept secrets in our area. His expertise led us straight to The Secret Garden in Wymington, Northamptonshire – and it was love at first sight. With my background in fashion and eye for detail, as well as a network of creative friends who shared my enthusiasm, bringing our vision to life became a collaborative effort. My husband’s role as a hairdresser proved fortuitous, too, allowing us to tap into his professional connections and find the perfect caterers and live music for our celebration.
Budget
After conducting an online search to gather insight into the average budget for a typical wedding, I created a spreadsheet to track our expenses and identify areas where we could cut costs. Our initial goal was to stay within a $15,000 budget, but ultimately ended up spending around $18,000. The most significant expense was the tipi rental, which exceeded our expectations.
The Venue
Your Photographer
My brother is a talented wedding photographer whose unique style aligns perfectly with our tastes. I’m grateful we had him capture our special day, and he put in an incredible amount of effort to ensure everything turned out flawlessly. The only bittersweet aspect was that he wasn’t featured prominently in most photos – but that’s not a surprise given his aversion to being the subject of camera lenses himself.
Your Outfits & Accessories
I wore a stunning Watters dress from Serendipity Boutique in Weedon, which ended up being my sole shopping destination. I had a clear idea of what I was looking for – a sweetheart neckline and a flowing tulle skirt with minimal embellishments. The cap sleeves on the dress added a touch of elegance, making it perfect for our garden wedding. As someone who’s quite tall, I knew I wouldn’t be able to pull off heels in the outdoor setting. Luckily, my husband and bridesmaids surprised me with a pair of Valentino rock stud ballet pumps that matched my color theme – a thoughtful gift that completed my overall look.
Beauty
The star of the show was undoubtedly my oversized flower crown, which dictated the overall aesthetic of my look. My hair was deliberately styled to complement this statement piece, with me even wearing it all day long – I nearly slept in it! To add a touch of effortless elegance, I opted for natural makeup that featured subtle shades of brown, nude, and pink. The majority of my products were from Mac, a trusted favourite. As for my skincare routine, I began prepping months in advance by making simple yet effective changes to my daily habits. This included increasing my water intake, using a weekly face scrub, and incorporating Charlotte Tilbury’s clay masks into my regimen.
Bridesmaids
I opted for a non-traditional approach to bridesmaid attire, seeking to reflect each woman’s unique personality while prioritizing their comfort. To achieve this, I set a £50 budget and turned to ASOS for inspiration. Despite my desire for distinct dresses, I didn’t want the overall aesthetic to appear disjointed. To strike a balance, I chose backless, floor-length fitted gowns for all but the maid of honour, who wore a striking one-shoulder tulle dress that added a touch of elegance and made her stand out from the crowd. We completed the look with delicate gyp head crowns and small bouquets, allowing each bridesmaid to shine on their special day.
Groomsmen
Phil, an aficionado of fashion, approached the task of selecting his attire with enthusiasm. He discovered a slim-fit navy suit and crisp white shirt on ASOS, which he paired with a tweed waistcoat and navy bowtie for a stylish look. The other grooms-to-be opted for the same navy suit, white shirt from ASOS, and navy waistcoat from French Connection, completing their ensembles with bowties. As Phil’s employer is the esteemed shoe brand Grenson, the group had access to an array of high-quality footwear options, ultimately settling on sleek tan brogues that added a touch of sophistication to their overall appearance.
The Details & Décor
As I reflect on the wedding preparations, I’m reminded of the collective effort that went into making it a truly unique and memorable day for the couple. My dad crafted the directional signs, while I took care of creating all the signs, table runners, confetti, seating plan, and painting succulent pots as favors. Meanwhile, my friend brought to life the A & P light bulb letters that now adorn our dining room. Another friend skillfully designed the cake toppers, which added a delightful touch to the wedding cake. I also drew up the French and British bulldog table numbers and had them professionally printed at Perfectly Crafty.The overall aesthetic was intentionally understated, with flowers, herbs, and candles serving as the primary focal points. However, it was the life-size pink flamingos scattered throughout the garden that truly stole the show for me.In terms of logistics, I worked closely with Lion House design agency to develop an invitation design that featured our own logo. The final product was then printed through printed.com. We also incorporated the same design onto our paper cups from the Wedding Cup Company.
The Readings & Music
As part of our wedding celebration, we took it upon ourselves to curate a playlist that catered to diverse musical tastes by featuring everything from contemporary hits to timeless classics from the 1940s. The response was overwhelmingly positive when loved ones discovered their personal favorites were playing in the background. To further enhance the ambiance, we had local musician Patrick Currier take the stage with his acoustic guitar, filling the air with soulful tunes during brief moments of respite between events and adding to the overall festival-like atmosphere. In the evening, the Blue Meanies, a talented ska band from our neck of the woods, brought the house down with their infectious rhythms, leaving us eager to book them for future celebrations. Meanwhile, our ceremony was accompanied by Birdie’s heartwarming ballad ‘Wings’, which holds a special place in my heart.
The Cake
A stunning masterpiece of culinary artistry was crafted by the talented Natalie at Manvell Farm Tearoom & Fishery – a majestic four-tiered naked wedding cake that showcased an impressive array of flavors. The cake’s tiers boasted a delightful variety of fillings, including rich chocolate orange, decadent white chocolate sponge with velvety filling, classic victoria sponge paired with sweet raspberry jam, and refreshing lemon sponge complemented by the tangy zest of lemon butter icing. Each tier was a testament to Natalie’s skillful hands and attention to detail, resulting in a truly breathtaking confection that left onlookers in awe.
The Flowers
When I had my heart set on incorporating peonies into my arrangement, I was disappointed to learn they were out of season by a significant margin. Enter Siouxzie, the creative genius behind Sioux Phillips Floral Design. She listened to my vision and cleverly substituted vendella roses, which share a similar appearance to peonies, with their lush petals and delicate charm. To add depth and texture, she paired these beauties with ivory avalanche roses, waxflowers, astilbe, and a fragrant sprig of rosemary.
The Honeymoon
Tucked away in the picturesque paradise of Mauritius lies a gem of a hotel that boasts its very own private island. The iconic Shangri-La property is a masterpiece of luxury and seclusion, offering an unparalleled getaway experience to those who seek it.
Memorable Moments
As I took my first steps down the aisle, the unmistakable theme from Jurassic Park filled the air, and all apprehension vanished. Seeing the joy radiating from our loved ones, tears of happiness welling up in their eyes, was a truly magical moment. Little did we know, another surprise awaited us – our 10-month-old French Bulldog, who had snuck away to join the celebration. Dressed to impress in his bowtie, he stole the show, charming everyone with his playful antics and endearing himself to our guests. He even crashed the first dance, stealing the spotlight from Phil and me as we swayed to the music.
Advice For Other Couples
Before diving into wedding planning, take the time to create a comprehensive budget and spreadsheet that accounts for all aspects of your big day, not just the wedding itself. This will help you avoid sticker shock when prices skyrocket at the mere mention of ‘wedding.’ To save money, consider enlisting the help of friends and loved ones – those little favors can add up quickly. Our experience showed us that organizing everything ourselves was a significant cost-cutting measure, but it’s crucial to have a trusted Master of ceremonies or day-of manager to ensure the logistics run smoothly, such as making sure water is available and toilet paper is stocked. While your attendants will be there to celebrate with you, they may not be the most helpful by 3pm, so consider delegating tasks to avoid added stress. When it comes to creating a honeymoon fund in lieu of traditional gifts, websites like BuyOurHoneymoon.com offer flexible payment options – we opted for GoCardless’s competitive rate of just 1%.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Adele and Philip’s whimsical festival wedding celebration was a true masterpiece, thanks to the incredible team of vendors who brought their vision to life. From the photographer Aaron Collett Photography to the venue, The Secret Garden, every detail was carefully curated to create an unforgettable experience. Tipis4hire provided the perfect shelter from the sun, while Siouxzie Phillips’ stunning floral arrangements added a touch of elegance. The bar, Tipple & Toast, kept guests happy with refreshing cocktails, and Serendipity Brides helped Adele find her dream dress. Branded Cups by The Wedding Cup Company made for a thoughtful and personalized touch. The Meanies got the party started, while Howe and Co provided delicious evening bites. Manvell Farm Tearoom & Fisheries offered an indulgent cake, and Dean’s Wedding Cars ensured their grand exit in style. Perfectly Crafty designed custom table numbers, and Tracy Jones served as their celebrant. Ditsy Pet added a playful touch with adorable dog bow ties. The couple’s honeymoon fund gift list was managed by Wedding Directory member – Gift Lists & Honeymoons, allowing friends and family to contribute to their dream getaway. Makeup artist Jessica Gough and hairstylist Grace Miller at Steve Miller Hair helped the bride look stunning on her big day.