Having met while working at the same agency, Tim orchestrated a romantic festive proposal, popping the question to Katie beneath the Christmas tree outside the Parish Church of St Margaret in Topsham in December 2021.
Deciding on a tipi wedding at their home on an organic cattle farm in North Devon, Katie and their families and neighbours helped them to bring their vision to life. “They all pitched in to help us with everything from building flower planters, sweeping the road, baking the cake, making signs, cleaning the church, setting up the tipi and so much more,” says Tim. “We were so grateful and couldn’t believe everyone was so generous in how they helped us.”
The collective effort was worth it: their tipi reception was a wildly beautiful celebration of Devon’s natural beauty. “We wanted the wedding to be a celebration of summer, and the tipi was situated in a wildflower meadow on a hill looking out to Dartmoor, our favourite view,” explains Katie, who is a keen gardener and grows wildflowers on their farm. “Our brief was ‘summer colour’ – we sewed a variety of wildflowers around our wedding site and grew a selection of our favourite flowers such as gladioli, cosmos and sunflowers that we could use.”
Opting for a ‘South-West first’ ethos, the wedding also showcased the region’s creative talents. “It was so important to us to work with as many South West based businesses as we could,” she says.
The day began with a ceremony at their local church for a small group of family and close friends followed by a reception on the front lawn of their family farmhouse, where they were serenaded by a string quartet.
The rest of their guests then joined them for their tipi reception, sitting at tables dresses with homegrown blooms and bespoke stationery featuring an illustration of their home. The couple took inspiration from their farm for the wedding feast, with their own organic Longhorn beef featuring in sharing dishes such as beef teriyaki, beef brisket and nasi goreng. Brown sugar meringues and a cake featuring the couple’s favourite flavours completed the mouthwatering menu.
As dusk fell and the band began to play, the couple ventured into the grounds for photos which saw Tim treading on numerous thistles, in cow pats and catching his shoes in several holes, and Katie driving the RTV in her dress and heels!
“Getting to celebrate at our home with friends and family – many of whom had travelled to join us – and introducing Katie as ‘my wife’ for the first time was so special,” says Tim, who also has some advice for those embarking on their own wedding journeys.
“Share the planning between you,” he says. “If you’re planning a wedding at home or in a location that doesn’t have a planner, we highly recommend budgeting for a coordinator to support on the day. It relieves a huge amount of pressure, leaving time to enjoy the day without worrying about the particulars.”
Photography Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod kathrynclarkemcleod.com
Venue St George and All Saints Church, Beaford
Tipi World Inspired Tents worldinspiredtents.co.uk
Bridal party accommodation Little Warham Holiday Cottages littlewarhamholidaycottages.co.uk
Suits Clifton Suits cliftonsuits.co.uk
Dress Justin Alexander from The Bridal Room Broadway thebridalroombroadway.co.uk
Veil Rebecca Anne Designs rebeccaannedesigns.co.uk
Shoes Jimmy Choo jimmychoo.com
Hair & make-up Lauren Wheeler Artistry laurenwheeler.co.uk
Hair accessory Vivi Embellish viviembellish.com
Bouquets, buttonholes, tipi and church flowers Dartmoor Flowers dartmoorflowers.co.uk
Table flowers Peamore Flora peamoreflora.co.uk
Stationery Lucy Claire Illustration lucyclaireillustration.com
Printing The Dairy Studio thedairystudiodesign.co.uk
Linen Special Occasion Linen specialoccasionlinen.com
Catering & tableware Chef Duet chefduet.co.uk
Bar The Box Bar Devon theboxbardevon.co.uk
Entertainment 4tissimo 4tissimostringquartet.com Route One routeonepartyband.co.uk
Videography Raggtime Pictures raggtimepictures.com
