9 minute read
THE SUN, THE MOON AND THE STARS
Celebrate your wedding in the great outdoors
After spending more time than ever before cooped up indoors, many couples are looking to make the most of the great outdoors on their big day. Not even the Great British weather can dampen people’s enthusiasm and as the enduring trend for more relaxed, informal celebrations continues, demand is high for all things al fresco.
The sky’s e limit The sky’s e limit
Tipis, marquees and stretch tents are a popular choice for outdoor celebrations, bringing the outside in with plenty of greenery, rustic details, wooden trestle tables and chairs to complement a natural setting.
Norfolk-based Magical Events specialises in giant hat tipis and bell tent hire including all the furnishings, lighting and extra touches to create your own unique space. Owner Lisa Mazurek says, “Tipis are so neutral that they work best with bold, bright tones as well as green, white and neutral shades. You can add pops of colour with hanging décor, coloured glass, table runners, napkins and fl owers. Neon signs also look amazing in tipis.”
When it comes to choosing the perfect setting for an al fresco ceremony – the only limit is your imagination. What’s more, East Anglia is blessed with a wealth of diverse and fabulous settings from coast to countryside. “The only only thing to hold you back is the limiting belief that you can only have your wedding ceremony in certain places. However, with so many wonderful locations, you really can fi nd one that is perfect for you,” says celebrant Rebecca Waldron of Cambridgeshire-based White Rose Ceremonies.
Once the legal side’s sorted, the world’s your oyster for a one-of-a-kind service, tailored to suit you, in your chosen spot. “There are so many options available with a celebrant-led service, from formal venues, mansions and hotels to fi elds, forests, mountains, sand dunes and beaches. You could also host it at your family home, in a poppy fi eld or bluebell wood, we’ve even conducted a beautiful ceremony on a punt in Cambridge. Plus there’s no restriction on time – sunrise, a breakfast wedding, afternoon, at sunset or midnight, it’s entirely up to you,” Rebecca adds.
LISA’S TOP TIP
Don’t let rain spoil your big day; make sure you have a plan B and if the weather’s bad, embrace it. Keep a few brollies to hand just in case; we love the cute clear ones as they look great in photos.
Visit www.magicalcamping.co.uk
www.thymelanephotography.co.uk www.thymelanephotography.co.uk
A o check out...
Weatherfi eld Marquee Hire Norfolk offers both traditional and clearspan marquees and can take care of all your needs from the generators and toilets, to the tables and chairs, bar hire and even the cutlery, crockery and glassware, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy yourselves!
Visit www.weatherfi eld-marquees.co.uk
www.sarahbrookesphotography.com
Get e look
thing to hold you back is the limiting belief that you can options available with a celebrant-led service, from formal venues, mansions and hotels to fi elds, forests, If you’re time-poor or not the creative type, you can still have your dream al fresco wedding with a helping hand from those in the know. Sam Race Venue Decoration offers a bespoke service covering all you need to celebrate in style, with none of the stress or worry. Covering everything from designing, decorating, VW Campervan and prop hire, lighting and styling, Sam has your whole day covered from setup to breakdown.
Visit www.samrace.co.uk
A blank canvas outdoor wedding provides the perfect opportunity to go to town with the décor. Bring the inside out and create a quirky outdoor snug with pallet sofas, coffee tables, rugs and cushions and more; great for taking time out from the dancefl oor. Norfolk-based Vintage Partyware has all you need to celebrate in style. Owner Antony Lamb suggests:
♥ OUTDOOR GAMES
Outdoor games are perfect for entertaining guests of all ages, from giant Connect 4 to mini-golf and old favourite hook-a-duck.
♥ SIGNAGE ♥ CEREMONY ARCH
A ceremony arch marks the spot for your ‘I dos’ and makes the photos even more memorable. Create your own aisle with vintage rugs and runners.
♥ ICE CART
An ice cart is perfect for keeping drinks cool on a hot summer’s day.
Handy for directing guests, especially at farms and more remote venues, as a welcome to the wedding sign, order of the day or seating plan. ♥ LIGHTING
Whether it’s fairylights wrapped around the trees or festoon lighting with lampshades; twinkling lights are sure to create a magical party atmosphere as the sun goes down.
Visit www.vintagepartyware.co.uk
Sweet ea
Say cheers! Time for tea Time for tea
Ice cream always goes down well with guests of all ages; perfect for an outdoor wedding as a special treat during the post-vows drinks reception or after the wedding breakfast as an alternative to the customary dessert. Served from a traditional van, it’s sure to attract a crowd.
Visit www.polkadotsandmoonbeams.co.uk As a nation of tea-lovers, The Teapod ticks a whole lot of boxes for the big day. As well as delicious organic teas, it offers vegan and vegetarian goodies, organic teas, it offers vegan and vegetarian goodies, including milkshakes, sweet and savoury crêpes and vegan waffl es, all made-to-order. The supply chain is kept as close to home as possible, so it’s kind to the planet. The cute mobile trailer looks a picture all suited and booted for the big day and provides a great backdrop for the wedding photos. Owner Therese Coyne says, “The growing demand for more intimate and ecofriendly weddings fi ts well with our offering. We provide a fl exible service to cater for the whole day from breakfast to afternoon tea and can double up as a dessert truck too.” As an extra special touch you can even have your own wedding signature tea blend; great as favours for guests to take home as a memento of the day.
Visit www.theteapod.co.uk
A mobile bar is a surefi re crowdpleaser for an outdoor wedding so you’re never far from a refreshing tipple or two. Check out Cambridge-based The Copper Tree Bar for a fun and friendly service to add that extra dash of something special to your celebration. The bar is an important focal point, not just for the evening party, but throughout the celebrations the evening party, but throughout the celebrations from the post-vows welcome drinks and beyond. Norfolk based The Wonky Donkey has a range of options to suit weddings of all kinds, indoors and out. Their two converted horsebox bars look the part dressed for the day and lit up at night. The gazebo bar is just the job for a chilled al fresco wedding and their retro Pimm’s tricycle is a big hit for a summer drinks reception.
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