Classic & Personal Colourful Tipi Wedding

I’d like to start off today by using some of Kate’s own words about her wedding to Danny on 1st June 2019.

It’s hard to describe the feeling you have on your wedding day. We have been to many weddings over the years, but nothing quite prepares you for the overwhelming warm and fuzzy sensation you have at your own wedding. Knowing that everyone you love and care about, have come together to share your special moment is beyond my ability to describe in words. I loved watching our creation come to life, all our ideas and the entire personal touches flourish, combined with a happy atmosphere and smiling faces of friends and family truly is the most sensational love in the world.

Isn’t that special? For those of your planning your weddings, I hope this makes you excited for your own day!

Of course their day which took place at the Tipis at Riley Green was ever so personal, from Del Boy crashing the best man’s speech courtesy of Supplier Love member Warble Entertainment to the choir from Kate’s primary school singing during the signing of the register, you’re going to love it all. Their planning process became a little stressful just a few months before their day and they handled it amazingly.

We’re really grateful to Jessica Isherwood Photography for sharing these wonderful images, aren’t they brilliant? Thanks so much for sharing Jess!

The Proposal

Danny proposed to me on my nan’s birthday 9^th November 2017. I was very close to my nan before she passed away so Danny wanted to turn her birthday into a memorable occasion. Danny proposed in the comfort of our own home, by placing the ring on Clay’s head…how could I say no to that?

The Vision

Our vision started in Hoghton, Preston as I once lived in Hoghton Tower (my grandad was the Lord High Sherriff of Lancashire, Charles Anthony Brennan), so we both decided we wanted the wedding to be based in Hoghton.

The Planning Process

We chose our venue pretty quickly and decided with our budget to go for a country pub wedding at The Sirloin in Hoghton so booked the date in December 2017. I knew exactly the vision I wanted and was in contact with the best wedding team who came to scout out the venue, adding their creative thoughts to make our day perfect. I felt ahead of the game, it was Summer 2018 and I had all my wedding planned out…I didn’t understand why some brides had ‘bridezilla’ moments. However, in February 2019 (just 12 weeks before we were due to get married!!) it was involved in a devastating fire.

Danny and I felt awful for The Sirloin and the owners who lost their livelihood and we were told that they were unable to accommodate our wedding as they were unsure if the damage would be rectified in time. So, with12 weeks to go we had a venue to find, suppliers and guests to contact and a whole new wedding to plan…I was beginning to have my bridezilla moment!

Thankfully The Tipis at Riley Green in Hoghton, Preston were available and were AMAZING! Danny and I love going to festivals, so to go from a country pub wedding to a Tipi wedding was beyond our wildest dreams, but we knew it was definitely ‘us’. Ellie who is the wedding coordinator for The Tipis was excellent at communicating with my suppliers, arranging appointments with caterers, making sure my (sorry our) vision of what we hoped for came to life in their Tipis and ensuring everything ran smoothly on the run up to the wedding and on the day itself.

Looking back on our wedding it was truly magical. From gin bars, hog roasts, ice cream vans to a mini tipi for guests to unwind and relax. We loved seeing The Tipis transform from day to night and seeing them lit up with all the fairy lights, a memory we both will never forget.

The Venue

The Tipis at Riley Green, Riley Green Meadows, Bolton Road, Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SP

Your Outfits & Accessories

Wedding dress – The Ivory Dressing Room, Blackpool.

Brett and Bev work as an incredible team to make you feel relaxed and comfortable. They pushed me out of my comfort zone and ensured my dream dress was perfect.

Suits – Swarbricks Suit hire, Three Arrows, Middleton.

The team here were fantastic at ensuring Danny, his best man, two ushers and the dads had a suit which was in sync with the theme of the wedding, yet each individual suit was personalised and different.

Bridesmaid dresses – Chichi London

Personalised denim Jacket – Kate illustrate

Wedding jewellery – Lace and favour

Beauty

Sarah Moore at Glam and Go, Preston.

Sarah was excellent at ensuring my mum, my four bridesmaids and myself were happy with our makeup and tailored each look to suit each person. She has a pure talent for making somebody feel and look so special!

The Readings & Music

Colossians Chapter 3, verses 12 – 17 read by Gail Barned (my friend at my school)
Recipe for Happily Ever After – Ilona M. Blake read by Michelle Levett (my sister)

Lord of the Dance hymn sung in church

Cop Lane Primary School Choir sung the following songs during the signing of the registers:

Journey – Don’t stop believing

Oasis – Wonderwall

Ed Sheeran – Castle on the hill

The Greatest Showman – A million dreams

The Cake

Wendy Teague (a friend at my school made this as a gift for Danny and I)

The Flowers

Sam Williams. Sam had to change her vision from a country pub theme to festival…which Sam LOVED! I let Sam’s imagination run wild…as I (sorry we) trusted her abilities to make our wedding look amazing…and it did. The bright pop of colours was captured everywhere and truly made our wedding feel unique.

The Details & Décor

Rachel at The Wedding Workshop – Ensured everything was to a very high standard, from the decorations around the Tipis, to the menu cards and table names. Rachel is a fantastic person to have for a wedding as she is so relaxed and takes the added pressure off you when it comes to decorations. My wedding would not have been the same without Rachel’s finishing touches.

Your Photographer

Jessica Isherwood Photography

Your Filmmaker

Wishing Wells Creative

The Honeymoon

We travelled around America…something we always wanted to do!

We did four nights in New York, two nights in San Francisco, four nights Los Angeles and five nights in Las Vegas. We are still on cloud nine from the trip of a lifetime and feel very lucky that our family and friends helped this dream happen.

Memorable Moments

1. Opening up my presents from Danny – the boy did good!
2. Seeing Danny’s reaction to a surprise vehicle taking him and his groomsmen to our wedding; Mk1 Escort RS2000
3. Having my dad see me in my wedding dress
4. Walking in church and Danny turning round to see me and whispering in my ear how lovely I looked.
5. Having the children sing from my primary school alongside an amazing guitarist; Sam Scherdel.
6. Danny placing my bouquet on my nan’s grave after the wedding service.
7. Walking up the path with Danny and seeing our venue in all its glory with all the suppliers; it was like a festival!
8. The speeches….and Del Boy crashing the best man speech. Danny loves Only Fools and Horses so this was a wonderful surprise for him…and the guests.
9. Our first dance as husband and wife.
10. Looking around and seeing everybody smiling, laughing and enjoying themselves.

Advice For Other Couples

1. Start wedding planning early

You might have summer 2020 in your mind as the ideal wedding date, but don’t think that means you have to wait two years before you start planning. The earlier you get onto it, the easier, and less stressful it will be as your day approaches.

2. Nail the budget

Don’t spend anything until you’ve set a realistic budget that won’t stretch you too far. It’s a common mistake to forget all the little extras, too – for the budget to work, you need to factor in every detail.

3. Helping hands

Although it’s your big day, your friends and family will be more than willing to help and will want to be involved in the planning.

4. Be selective with the guest list

Sorting the guest list early is important so you can then focus on finding the perfect venue that will cater for your chosen number of guests.

5. Make sure you have a Plan B in place

However much you don’t want to think it, something could go wrong on the day….or 12 weeks before!! Plan alternatives for each scenario and account for anything that might not go to plan so you’re not left stressed out and panicking on the big day.

6. Pick your best girls

Your bridesmaids should be your biggest support throughout the planning process, so choose wisely. Choose your sisters, long–term best friends or close relatives.

7. Book the best photographer you can

Your wedding album is how you’ll relive the cherished memories of your day, so don’t underestimate the importance of a good photographer. Research carefully and find someone who understands exactly what you want. Engagement shoots are a great idea too, because you’ll get to know your photographer better as well as practise your poses! Jessica Isherwood was incredible at making sure Danny and I felt so relaxed and ensured my ‘list of what I wanted captured’ was captured!

8. Get the menu right

Danny says one of the biggest talking points at any wedding is the food. From hog roasts and buffets to bake offs and mini fish ‘n’ chips, the quirkier the better! Avoid skimping in this area – hungry guests are never a good thing!

9. Give your partner their own responsibilities

Your fiancé/fiancée may not have been planning their wedding since they were five, but they will definitely have their own ideas and opinions and will want a say in the planning. Listen to what they say and remember it’s their day, too.

10. Don’t forget what’s important

Wedding planning can be stressful but if you find yourself getting too caught up in it all, take a step back and remind yourself what your wedding is really about – you marrying the love of your life!

Credit Where Credit Is Due

What a day! Thank you so much Kate and Danny for sharing your beautiful nuptials with us, not to mention the slightly stressful planning situation! I’m sure couples who are experiencing a few planning bumps will be so comforted to hear your story. Rachel x