a relaxed tipi wedding styled shoot

Today’s styled shoot is perfectly timed for the summer months and takes us inside a magical tipi in Chesterfield for an uber cool, rural affair brimming in boho-inspired fun – we’re talking a polka-dot dress, laughter by the fire pit and a spot of marshmallow toasting.

And ranking high on the cuteness factor – there’s the most adorable puppy (a bridesmaid nonetheless) vying for our attention, too. She could be our plus one any day, that’s for sure.

Keen to spotlight those memorable quirks that make a wedding day truly unique, this styled shoot is all about originality and personality, and showcases some top suppliers from the locality. It’s a welcome reminder that when it comes to your special day – with a little imagination – you really can make a space your own.

With photography from Jenny Mills Photography and second shooter Mariola Zoladz, wedding planners Laura and Kym from Once Upon A Wedding Events tell us more…

We named the shoot Boho Belle, after deciding that we wanted to create a shoot that fused bohemian fun with simple elegance. With a magical tipi setting, a polka-dot tea-length dress and an impossibly cute puppy bridesmaid, our shoot was all about inspiring our brides and grooms to incorporate their own personalities and little quirks into their wedding day.

We at Once Upon A Wedding Events work closely with Tipi & Kata as their recommended coordinators – as soon as we stepped inside the tipis, we fell in love with them and instantly began planning a styled shoot incorporating the space. The dance floor, fire pit and fairy lights naturally fit with our theme and provided a fab backdrop for our models, Katy and Doug.

To style Katy, we chose one of Susanna Greening’s tea-length dresses, which fitted with the relaxed, outdoor wedding vibe. Complete with a polka-dot print, this bespoke bridal design instantly stood out to us as a fun alternative to the classic floor-length wedding gown. The buttons on the back of the dress added that extra bit of quirkiness, in keeping with the ‘something blue’ theme.

As we’d opted for a tipi venue, we wanted to incorporate plenty of greenery into the floral adornments for the shoot. Our lovely florist Polkadot Florist crafted a hanging foliage feature, blending purple hues and greenery to create a flower crown and two beautiful bouquets.

Matching buttonholes were made for Doug and Scout’s collar to tie in with the bohemian theme. Avoiding the traditional suit, shirt and tie, we dressed Doug in simple chinos, paired with a waistcoat and bowtie from Tweed & Groom, available at The White Yard. The dark grey-blue tweed waistcoat complemented Katy’s tea-length dress and was the perfect fusion of smart-casual for our Boho Belle shoot.

With lots of lovely suppliers on board – including Oh So Makeup, Whyte Weddings (who supplied our signage and stationery) and videographer Lukas & Laura Films – the shoot ran smoothly without a hitch!

The tipi provided the perfect setting for natural shots, including marshmallow-toasting, puppy chasing and drinking plenty of fizz, courtesy of Salute’s mobile prosecco bar.

Here at Once Upon A Wedding Events, we have recently launched our new website, which includes a a section dedicated to creative inspiration for brides and grooms, so look out for further updates and wedding shoots from us soon!