Gemma and Andrew – A Stunning Tipi Wedding in Worcestershire - Elmbridge Farm Wedding Photography

Today I want to tell you about Gemma and Andrew’s wedding, in the stunning tipi at Elmbridge Farm in Worcestershire. Elmbridge Farm is a simply gorgeous place to get married – I was blown away by the whole setting – the woods, lake, and high-quality tipis make it feel magical, and it was a joy to capture a bit of that magic in Gemma and Andrew’s wedding photos.

Gemma and Andrew were already married – they’d had a small wedding ceremony during lockdown – so they’d planned this day to celebrate with their family and friends and (let’s be honest) have a massive party!

I loved how Gemma and Andrew had planned the day to fit in maximum fun! They’d hired out the Manor Coach House B&B in Hindlip, Worcestershire for all their friends, so everyone had the opportunity to catch up and spend time together not only the evening before the wedding, but also in the morning over breakfast.

By the time I arrived, the B&B was already brimming over with excitement; it was a gorgeous sunny day, the champagne was flowing, everyone was looking forward to the day ahead, and tucking into their English breakfasts.This really set the tone for the whole wedding day. With so many of their very important people surrounding Gemma and Andy in the morning, it made for loads of laughter and a fantastic atmosphere. The bridesmaids were dipping in and out to get their hair and make-up done, but the vibe was very relaxed, with the majority of the group sitting out in the courtyard and soaking up the sun.Once the group had had their fill of breakfast and fizz, it was time to wend their way through the Worcestershire countryside to Elmbridge Farm.

Gemma and Andy, already being officially married, had decided to ask one of their bridesmaids to perform a non-religious ceremony for them. So once they’d made their way down the aisle, she did a complete 180, donned a bowtie, and was transformed into the celebrant for the day’s proceedings! The wording was really personal, and that’s the beautiful thing about these kinds of ceremonies – the vows can be as silly, or as romantic, as feels right for the couple, and Gemma and Andy’s ceremony was the perfect fit for them.

Following the ceremony, guests took a short walk past the lake and on to the tipi. And props to Elmbridge Farm – what a tipi! This is no temporary structure; it’s got a proper floor, its own dedicated bar, gorgeous décor, and lights strung in the trees outside to make the whole place feel romantic and cosy. It’s a beautiful setting, and I’d definitely recommend it to any couple seeking a tipi wedding in the Midlands or Worcestershire.

Gemma and Andy had organised some lovely details that made the day extra special. They’d had some delicious, specialist ham brought over from Spain by a family friend, and they’d hired a professional to cut and serve it properly during the drinks reception. Everyone ate paella for dinner, and guests were provided with a very fetching chef’s hat as they were served. Friends and family had made and brought cakes, so that rather than one big traditional wedding cake, there was a whole array of homemade treats for guests to tuck into. Everything about the day felt very personal to the happy couple.

As a surprise at the end of the speeches, Gemma had decided to write and sing a song to her new husband, which as you can imagine, went down a storm! It was a joyful moment to see 120 people in the tipi giving her a standing ovation.

Outside, it was a beautiful long summer evening and the wedding guests were basking in the evening sun and enjoying a few drinks. Gemma and Andrew had been clear that they didn’t want any special couples shots, but as the sun was setting Gemma did manage to convince her new husband that it was an opportunity too good to miss, and I took some images of them framed by a gorgeous summer sky. It added an extra layer of fun to proceedings when all 120 guests clocked that Gemma and Andrew were having their photo taken and rather than leave them to enjoy a quiet moment together, shouted words of encouragement across the lake!

Before too long, the live band had started, and the dancefloor was full. As I was leaving, I glimpsed the bride and groom being lifted into the air by their friends – a celebratory end to a perfect day!