A Unique Outdoor Wedding Experience at Cattows Farm

Planning a wedding is a monumental task filled with decisions, excitement, and endless possibilities. Join us as Jacob and Chris take us through their unique outdoor wedding experience!

What made you decide on an outdoor wedding?

We loved the flexibility to make our wedding truly our own! After visiting a few traditional
venues that didn’t cater well to our vision (such as being ushered into the “bridal suite”), it
became clear we would be compromising too much. Being outdoors meant we had the freedom
to bring our vision to life without boundaries!

Where did you choose to celebrate, and what helped you make that decision?

We chose Cattows Farm! The breathtaking open views over the fields, the magnificent focal
tree, and the opportunity to see the tipis set up at a showcase before booking really sealed the deal for us.

What date did you celebrate, and is there a reason for your date choice?

We celebrated on 6 July 2024. We picked a Saturday for the convenience of our guests, and wanted a balance between potentially dry weather and not too much heat. Plus, we wanted to avoid two July birthdays in our family!

What did you both wear? What about the rest of the wedding party?

We went for matching suits, which mirrored our vibrant colour scheme. Our wedding party rocked matching suits or orange jumpsuits, tying everything together!

How would you describe your ceremony?

Our celebrant-led outdoor ceremony was perfection! Hiring a stretch tent for some shelter/shade, surrounded by our friends and family. We set this up under the focal tree in the Cattows wedding field. Our parents and wedding party walked down the aisle first, and then Chris and I walked each other down the aisle—why not?! This format allowed us to include special stories and memories, resulting in a service that our guests are still raving about!

How did you feed your guests?

We toyed with many ideas, including food trucks, but we didn’t want our guests to queue for their main meal. So, we sought out a caterer who would help us create our ideal menu – Anthony’s Catering. We opted for hot canapés followed by a BBQesque feast served to the table.

For dessert, we had an ice cream truck, thanks to Chris’ love for Mr. Whippy, and we couldn’t resist having our first showcase suppliers provide their services—Origin for the bar and Alpine for evening pizza!

How would you describe your theme/styling?

We went all out with DIY styling, with help from our parents! Our theme was bold, bright, modern, and industrial, featuring a deep pink and bright orange palette with black accents. We filled the space with dressed furniture, floral arrangements, and neon lights that contrasted the tipis really well.

How did you entertain your guests?

We turned our gathering into an unforgettable experience by incorporating a range of DIY lawn games like Kerplunk and Jenga, but the highlight of the day was definitely the axe throwing! Guests could channel their inner lumberjack and test their skills while aiming at the wooden targets, all in good fun.

Alongside the axe throwing, we had board games, live music that created an amazing atmosphere, and a photo booth capturing all the memorable moments. To top it off, the fire pits were a perfect spot for guests to wind down and indulge in making s’mores, adding a communal feel to the evening. Overall, it was a mix of competition, camaraderie, and creativity that kept everyone entertained!

What are your top tips for planning a tipi wedding?

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but with some creativity, it can lead to a magical day! I love planning & spreadsheets, so I was in my element! Make a list of tasks and consider using a tool such as Trello to manage them—it makes sharing the load easier. A “grab bag” for emergencies (think scissors, glue, and first aid) is invaluable
on the big day. Lastly, remember that your vision may be clear to you but not others; create Pinterest boards for inspo, create ‘mock-ups’ of your ideas, and document key points to share with your wedding party and partner.

If you could relive one part of your day, what would it be and why?

Honestly, all of it! But if we must choose, it would be dancing with our family and friends, belting out songs with our incredible band—a truly unforgettable moment!

Did you manage to work to a budget?

Our wedding budget was a little over £40k. There definitely were opportunities where we could have saved, but equally doing a lot of the décor and flowers ourselves gave us the opportunity to invest elsewhere in our special day.