Tepee Wedding with a Glastonbury Air
This was a wedding where the couple had huge faith in their belief that Shillingstone House was the venue of their dreams! They lived in Bristol, got married in a church just outside Bath and then everyone drove for an hour to reach us! Thank you for your faith.
Thursday brought Buffalo Tipis to the field, all the way from Corsham- 01225 585586/ hello@buffalotipi.com /http://www.buffalotipi.com/. They looked magnificent when finished. Simon also provided cane furniture for guests to relax on and some magnificent huge barrels, as well long tables and chairs.
Friday brought the decorations and many friends and relations to help put them up.
The couple had arranged for Simon to hook up a pulley for them to attach a huge wooden ring for flowers. Bunches of eucalyptus and silk flowers were attached at intervals before it was lifted to the ceiling of the tepee.
More flowers were arranged in huge milk churns and a selection of vintage metal containers and placed on either side of the entrance.
Tables were laid with a line of shells and dried flowers down the middle. Each place had the guest’s name cut of wood and two stems of lavender – Lavender being the Bride’s new name.
This theme continued in the big pots of lavender placed on either side of the walkway from the tepees.
Long strings of photographs of the couple were pegged round the sides of the tepee and jars of sweets and boards ready for cakes and cheese appeared on side tables.
The barrels were heaved out onto the lawn ready for drinks the next day along with some more garden chairs for relaxation.
Tom from the Vintage Bar Co arrived to set up a rustic bar - 07775 067707 (Tom)/01483 320075 /
info@vintagebarcompany.co.uk /vintagebarcompany.co.uk
Lastly a white painted pallet was placed ready for guests to find their tables which were marked on votive candles holders.
Everything ready for the next day, the bride and groom left for their church rehearsal in Bristol.
Saturday and the sun was shining. The Groom’s father plays in a Gypsy Jazz band and his fellow bandsmen arrived to set up under a gazebo on the lawn so that they could practice before the arrival of the bridal party.
Manouche Jazz Quartet / 07775 916863 / manouchejazz.co.uk
Lisa Notley arrived with a beautiful wedding which she set up at one end of the tepee – three layers of white butter cream, decorated with real pink roses.
07818 201074 - lisa@lisanotleycakedesign.co.uk - lisanotleycakedesign.co.uk
Caviar and Chips had arrived early to set up in the catering tent and be ready for Guests as they began to drift in and come round onto the lawn for drinks and canapes. Caviar & Chips / 07500 791002 (Jo)/
jo@caviarandchips.co.uk /caviarandchips.co.uk
Suddenly there was a chugging sound on the drive and up came a vintage Morris Minor. Out of the back squeezed the bride and groom, not an easy feat with tip up seats and a wedding dress! They quickly went round to join their guests.
The groom’s mother and cousin came into the dining room to assemble two incredible cakes. She is Danish and this was a Danish delicacy called Kransekake . It took a lot care, as it was very fragile, to carry them out to the tepee, especially as the journey involved two sets of steps.
While guests socialised, James Darling, who had come all the way from Cornwall, took some formal photographs on the lawn before whipping the bridal couple away to take some more informal ones in the gardens. James took all the amazing photographs not marked “in house”.
https://jamesdarlingphotography.com / 07799 674826 info@jamesdarlingphotography.com
Soon it was time for the couple to join their guests for the delicious looking wedding breakfast, swiftly followed by speeches – much happy laughter and cheering.
James Darling used some of this time to take some wonderful drone pictures of the house.
Speeches over, guests returned to the lawns to chat or to explore the walled garden but as the sun went down they returned to the tepee for the cutting of the cake – done with difficulty with a sword as the groom had been in the navy.
We switched on our fairy lights and they lit flares along the bottom of the Ha Ha well out of the way of guests. It looked very magical
Two Doors Down, a band from Hampshire, had set up their kit on the stage and they began to tune up but it was not long before the bride and groom took to the floor for their First Dance.Two Doors Down – 0845-094-1911/ www.tailored-entertainment.com / info@tailored-entertainment.com
Guests took advantage of the photobooth set up in the tepees - with some hilarious results!
Fantastic music continued until midnight when the couple left to spend their wedding night at Ansty close by - Wooden Dorset Eco Retreats – Ansty - https://www.dorsethideaways.co.uk
The Brides amazing Aunt took charge of the camping party but sadly rain made the lighting of a fire pit impossible.
The party did not stop there, with the lovely Aunt producing the most amazing spread of pastries for Brunch the next day, washed down with Brazilian coffee ordered from our coffee tenant here at Shillingstone - Martin Carwardine & Co. /https://www.lovecoffee.co.uk/01934 853800 /
Sunday night brought a huge storm with the most incredible lightening show which lit up the sky like daylight so the wonderful weekend went out with a bang!
