Wedding at Cornish Tipi Weddings, Cornwall

Festivals have played a big part in Imogen and Ollie’s love story – both working as actors, the couple first met while performing Shakespeare at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before getting engaged at Glastonbury Festival. So it was no surprise that they opted for “Glastonbury and festivals” as their wedding theme. “The vague colour scheme was orange, pink and green, but just bright colours really!” explains Imogen.

The wooded valley, green meadows and lakeside setting of Cornish Tipi Weddings provided the picturesque canvas for their free-spirited festivities. “It's a magical place and we couldn't have wished for a better venue,” says Ollie. "We love the vibe of the site and all the staff were wonderful." In keeping with the colour scheme, they filled the marquee with colourful bunting and linens, vibrant locally grown blooms and décor the couple had sourced from car boot sales and charity shops.

Opting for a whole weekend of celebrations, Imogen and Ollie welcomed guests with a barbecue and camping in the tipi field on the Friday evening, the wedding took place on the Saturday and then, on the Sunday, guests gathered for a lake swim followed by an afternoon at the beach and evening dinner at the venue. “It meant we really got to see everyone and the wedding wasn't such a blur,” says Imogen.

On the wedding day, everyone gathered at the wedding pavilion in the woods for the couple’s personality-packed ceremony. “Some of our friends did readings, we read an extract from the play we met doing, and we did the traditional Celtic tying of the knot,” she recalls. “Our friends performed while we signed the wedding register and then everyone sang Simply the Best. It was probably our favourite part of the day and even more amazing than we could have hoped for. We had rain and sun during it, and the setting is so beautiful – it was magical!”

The Cobweb Crew performed shanty songs as guests toasted the happy couple with drinks in the sunshine, before the perfectly timed speeches took place in the marquee.
“It was sunny at all the right moments and then as soon as we went into the marquee, it poured with rain,” laughs Ollie. After the speeches, a vegetarian feast, including thali plates with dhal, curry, chapati and pickles, was served and followed by a fun-filled, foot-stomping ceilidh.

Espresso martinis and cake fuelled the evening revelry, with the couple’s first dance to Birdhouse in Your Soul by There Might be Giants opening the dance floor for live band Something Borrowed. Fancy dress, glitter and some special performances ensured everyone was in the mood to party. “My 10-year-old cousin did an amazing performance, singing a medley of three songs which got everyone ready to dance,” says Imogen. “And at the end of the night, out friend played keyboard for a singalong.”

Imogen’s advice for couples planning a wedding is simple. “Do all the things you want to do and don't do the ones you don’t,” she advises. “Think about what will make you and your guests the most comfortable and happy, and throw a good party!”