The couple, who live in Kent, set the tone for their enchanting al fresco wedding at Cornish Tipi Weddings with a 'build your own tipi' invitation that included a guitar pick for the music, a candle and matches for the campfire and a fishing fly for the trout fishing.
Abloom with wildflowers, the woodland setting couldn't have provided a more characterful and fitting backdrop for their 'best of British' themed celebration. From the dishes to the decor, an abundance of features and influences combined to create an atmospheric wedding brimming with fun, flavour and flamboyance.
The striking decor featured hundreds of tiny paper origami cranes, which symbolises a good marriage and long life in Far Eastern folklore, while a marquee was decked out with bunting, lanterns, candles, flowers and ribbon. Meanwhile, Joi wore an embellished gown accessorised with flowing locks and a vibrant bouquet of seasonal blooms.
Following the memorable ceremony in a woodland pavilion, guests wandered to the marquee meadow, where musician Sam Green provided a stirring soundtrack as they mingled in the sunshine. Adults enjoyed the likes of Giant Jenga, welly wanging, horseshoe tossing and a tin can shy, while a children's tipi filled with toys and games kept the little ones entertained.
The day's delights didn't end there. Joi and Joel were keen to treat their guests to the tastes of both Cornwall and Kent. "We chose British produce sourced locally where possible," explains Joi. Traditional British party staples such as Pimm's joined Chapel Down sparkling wine from Kent, Cornish Orchards' sparkling elderflower presse and a selection of local cider and beer as mini Cornish pasties and scones topped with clotted cream and Kentish strawberry jam did the rounds.
A gourmet barbecue of whisky marinated steak, king prawns with garlic and chilli oil, Cajun chicken, Kittow sausages and roasted couscous stuffed peppers with local cheese was served in the marquee. Sweet-toothed guests then took their pick from traditional fruit wedding cake, a 'chocoholic caramel delight' and stunning Victoria sponge all strewn with delicate handmade sugar wildflowers.
The feast for the senses continued throughout the evening with entertainment from a fire-eater, folk band The Gentlemen of Few and a DJ. As a dazzling conclusion to the day, guests gathered on hay bales by the campfire to munch on local cheeses and sausage butties, while marvelling at a firework and laser light display under the stars.
Though their wedding was a brilliantly eclectic affair, Joi's advice for staging a wedding is simple. "Do lots of research and planning, be creative and allow plenty of time," she wisely recommends.
Photography Kiss Photography www.kissphotography.co.uk
Venue Cornish Tipi Weddings www.cornishtipiweddings.co.uk
Catering The Gourmet BBQ Co. www.thegb.co.uk
Dress Justin Alexander www.justinalexanderbridal.com
Hair and make-up Weddings by Neila www.weddingsbyneila.co.uk
Flowers The Garden Gate Flower Company www.thegardengateflowercompany.co.uk
Entertainment Gentlemen of Few www.gentlemenoffew.com
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
