A Magical Festival Tipi Wedding at Dovecote Events

by Rachel Movitz | Apr 6, 2023 | WEDDINGS

Putting together this blog has been really lovely, especially reminiscing about blue skies and sunnier times! Audrey and Simon got married one of the hottest days of 2022 and I was melting, I think we all were!

Luckily the barn at Dovecote Events gave us some much needed shelter from the burning sun and everyone gathered under the shade of a huge tree for their family group photos. I have to say though, yes, we were all feeling the heat, but there is a real “Brit spirit” when it comes to extreme weather at weddings. Everyone comes together and just gets on with things. Whatever the weather – rain or (extreme!) sunshine – there’s always a great atmosphere.

Weddings at Dovecote Events

Part of the wonderfully named, family run Bo Peep Farm, Dovecote boasts incredible views over the Oxfordshire countryside and was the perfect setting for Audrey and Simon’s laidback day. I absolutely loved the festival vibe they’d created and the amazing weather just added to the feeling.

The Grade II listed barn has been carefully restored with a huge arched ceiling and oak beams. Audrey and Simon’s ceremony was a really beautiful coming together of two families. I love that Audrey’s proud sons walked her down the aisle, along with her adorable flower girl.

Festival style wedding in a tipi

Following the ceremony everyone spilled outside into the sunshine to enjoy a glass (or two!) of Pimms.

As their guests chatted and laughed together in the welcome shade of the huge tipi, Audrey, Simon and I gathered their family together (underneath the canopy of that big old tree) for some informal formals. They are such a close knit bunch and loved messing around together in front of my camera. There was a lot of cheering, whooping and jumping around. I don’t know how they managed it in the heat but the energy was fab!

Audrey and Simon really stamped their personalities on the day. They both love music and I thought their table decorations, made from old records, were fab. So unique! They named their tables after their favourite music festivals (they were sat on Glastonbury of course) and their whole day was based around a music festival. There were hay bales dotted around for guests to sit on, a fire pit and live music throughout. My favourite touch was the “Wedfest” wristbands that guests were given, such a great detail! The tipi was adorned with colourful streamers and origami paper cranes that they’d spent hours making. The tables looked amazing with beautiful wildflowers by Howe Farm Flowers and I have to give a mention to Audrey, who not only spent time planning the wedding, making the paper cranes and doing anything and everything to make the day perfect…but somehow she also found time to make the wedding cake too! So talented!

Dovecote Events wedding photographer

As evening fell Audrey and Simon’s guests went outside to enjoy some lawn games. Things got rather competitive which was a lot of fun to watch!

The three of us (plus their fab videographer, Harry Jaggard) took advantage of the stunning golden hour light to get some portraits. A big advantage of long sunny days is that beautiful evening sun. We went for a stroll around the fields, took in those incredible views and Audrey and Simon loved spending a bit of time together ahead of the party.

And what a party it was! After a fab first dance – which ended with Simon picking Audrey up and swinging her around the dancefloor – their guests quickly joined them and the celebrations continued long into the night. Amazing!

I had so much fun at Audrey and Simon’s festival style wedding. If you’re getting married at Dovecote Events and are looking for a wedding photographer then I would love to hear from you!