One of my favourite weddings this July was at Winchester Guildhall. From our first meeting last summer, it was clear that Lisa & Duncan were both such warm and likeable people with a love of good food, music, travelling and partying! They didn’t want a London wedding, or a traditional religious church wedding or anything particularly traditional but had ideas of a wedding party at the guildhall followed by a party in a tipi. Sounded good to me!

Winchester Guildhall Wedding Ceremony

Roll on Summer 2013, and Lisa & Duncan’s epic festival themed wedding started with their ceremony in Winchester Guildhall. Now I didn’t know the first thing about Guildhalls before this wedding so here’s a bit of info if you’re interested! Guildhalls were traditionally used as townhalls for guild meetings and where citizens historically used to pay their taxes! They’re often very elaborate, ornate buildings and a perfect setting for non-religious wedding ceremonies. Winchester’s historic and majestic Guildhall didn’t disappoint…. my heart sings when I get to cover weddings in venues like this!  The day started with coverage of Lisa’s preparations in Hampshire, before heading off to the Guildhall, where their ceremony was the only real formal part of the day. Lisa looked amazingly elegant in her beautiful, long empire line wedding dress. After the formalities (and a few struggles trying to get the ring on!) the new Mr & Mrs Walters headed off to their reception venue – a tipi in a field just outside Droxford village.

Tipi Wedding Venue in the middle of a field!

A long convoy left with Lisa & Duncan at the helm in their vintage wedding car to literally, a field in the middle of nowhere. One of Duncan’s Aunts had kindly offered to host their wedding reception in one of her fields, surrounded by beautiful rolling Hampshire hills. It was a perfect setting and a perfect summers day. This is the second event this summer that I’ve shot in a tipi, both times supplied by The Stunning Tents Company.  They’re AMAZING tipi’s and a brilliant choice for events of any kind. You need to have the appropriate space to put one of these up, but they’re amazing alternative venue options if you’re keen on something a bit different, summer or winter!

Festival Themed Wedding

Lisa & Duncan had wanted a festival style theme for their wedding and the tipi’s had been decorated with gorgeous hand sewn bunting by Lisa & friends who’d spent many a girls night-in sewing, and lots of other lovely decorations including herb table decorations, lots of summer flowers, lavender bags, butterflies & bird cages, and some huge pots of planted lavender – the smell in the tipi’s was utterly gorgeous. There was even a scarecrow Bride & Groom! It was a scorchingly hot day and guests welcomed the ice cold Pimms, delicious canapés and some great tunes. After a lush hog roast and all the trimmings, the afternoon rolled into the evening with an amazing atmosphere of good friends celebrating together. The evening party took off with a photo booth run by a photographer friend and guest Shen, who did a sterling job trying to keep the revellers under control, and loads more cool tunes rocking nearby Droxford.

Fabulous local suppliers

A quick mention of all their suppliers who did such a great job and come highly recommended – Catering by Total Hospitality, wedding car from Nostalgic Car Hire, Lisa’s dress was from Hayley Elizabeth Bridal Boutique, marquees from ARM Marquees, wine & champagne supplied by Laithwaites and hay bales supplied by West Hoe Farm.

It was definitely one of my favourite weddings this summer and felt more like a day out than a wedding! If you’re thinking of hosting an event or wedding in a tipi, whether you’re in London, Surrey, Sussex or anywhere in fact (have wheels, will travel) and you need a relaxed and creative photographer get in contact – I’d love to cover your event for you! Many congratulations again to Lisa & Duncan and thank you for choosing me to capture your big day!! It was a real pleasure.

If you’re having a Winchester Guildhall Wedding, you can contact me here to discuss your wedding photography requirements. Look forward to hearing from you.

 

SHARE THIS STORY
COMMENTS
EXPAND