A Very Rainy Tipi Wedding – Well it was November in The Lake District

Clare and Glenn can have the first words:

“…..Where do we begin with the amazing Pixies!? Pete and Sara documented our wedding in November 2021 and WOWed us with the results… Our photos have left us speechless.

They managed to catch such emotion, happiness, love and friendship in every picture that resulted in telling the entire story of the day, rain and all. We had no idea how they managed to capture so many unique split-second moments of so many people which gives you an idea of how discrete and alert they are…..”

So, it was meant to be a Lake District Tipi Wedding in May, birds singing, canapés on the lawn…then you know the rest of the story…yep that old Covid chestnut scuppered those plans. So here we all were in November, birds riding the stormy winds and leaves swirling! No matter what the weather nothing could quell the energy and emotion of this day for a big wedding party in a stunning Lake District garden.

Tipi Tardis

This was an epic tipi, from the outside yep it looked like any ordinary tipi … but step inside and the space seemed to quadruple! It turns out that a tardis tipi was just what the doctor ordered – that Dr happening to be Dr Gloucester. With stormy winds and torrential rain forecast, then tipi would be a cosy retreat for the whole wedding day. We’d turned up the day before for a good old nosey and to say ‘hi’ to Clare and Glenn, in 3D rather than the ‘zoom’ versions that we’d all got used to.

Hawkshead Wedding

Clare’s family had owned the holiday home in the very cute Lake District village of Hawkshead for three generations, so this was a special place to hold the days celebrations. Adding to the memories of the old Hall with a wedding now in it’s rich family history. What a gorgeous house too, with a huge kitchen one that you could just spend hours in sitting around the huge table in front of the range… alas today was a day for more than sitting in front of the fire. There was a wedding to be had, lets do this! The girls had the run of the big house for fizz, chatter, make-up and all that was fancy and fun. Meanwhile Glenn met up with his team in the very swanky Hawkhead Suites – very James Bond with mirror TV’s to watch from the bath tub.

Lake District Church wedding

The cute village church definitely ticked the box here. Sat above Hawkshead the church of St.Michael & All Angels was quintessentially English and quintessentially Lake District especially in this weather! Everyone braved the stormy skies from pub to church clutching their brollies for dear life! Once inside entertainment was provided by the very lively organ music – it had to be heard to be believed, everyone loved it – huge congrats to the organist for all those fab renditions.

Anyway music aside we waited and waited for the bride, with a penchant for lateness then this was to have been expected! Clare and her entourage soon arrived, scurrying quickly to the vestibule for last minute coiffuring from the on hand hairdresser – essential for these blustery conditions.

One of their readings was a new Beatrix Potter story, created by a very talented friend, with more innuendo than I’m sure Beatrix would have had Mrs. Tigglewinkle up to, but very appreciated by all their family and friends. Worth their trips up from London to hear this if nothing else.

Parting of the clouds

As if by magic, the brief (very brief) window in the rain came just as Clare & Glenn left the church. Just time for some impromptu congrats and that all important shower of confetti. We love these ‘real’ moments along with the daylight (a bonus for November!), so made the most of those short outdoor moments.

Rainy tipi wedding reception

Plan A – pre-covid was for drinks alongside the babbling brook – sun shining, birds singing, Pimms, green spring colours and all you imagine of a spring garden tipi wedding day. Anyway we were now on Plan B, (with added stormy winds and rain!) – never fear though as Tardis Tipi saved the day – thanks Fjell events :) With soooo much space the drinks reception filled the bar space of the tipi, congrats flowed, sparkle sparkled, canapés were quaffed and toons were sung out by the very able Truly Medly Deeply.

Party, party, party

This was what it was all about and not shy of a dance or two or three these two and all their friends from London and further afield made sure that the dance floor was full from start to finish. Glow sticks, colourful Hawaian style Lei’s, a smelly cheese tower and some more rain – but we do like a bit of night time rain for a quick couple pic – worth a few mins off the dance floor for that :)

Well what can we say, an absolutely epic day – made all the more amazing by the energy and fun of Clare, Glenn their families and all their friends. Who cares about the rain when you can have this much fun (and a giant tipi!). A fab team (see below for all the amazing suppliers and Annabel the every ready wedding planner!) pulled this day off to a tee and made it a November wedding to remember.

Congrats Clare & Glenn x