Sophie & Oliver's Rustic Relaxed Outdoor Wedding Celebration

Sophie & Oliver’s Rustic Relaxed Outdoor Wedding Celebration

Sophie and Oliver celebrated their rustic relaxed outdoor wedding celebration back in May this year. With them living in Australia, they were due to originally get married out there for their full celebration in 2020. But the dreaded covid put a stop to that. So after they got legally married in Australia, Pam and Derek, Sophie’s mum and dad, organised a wedding celebration for them in the UK.

Celebrating in two giant hat tipis on the lawns of the Bridge Hotel in Alton, they invited their nearest and dearest to watch their blessing in the tipi entrance. Before a fun celebration of food, drink, music and games.

Pam and Derek talk us through the details alongside gorgeous photos by Emily Jayne.

What made you decide on a Tipi celebration?

Sophie and Oliver wanted a rustic type of celebration as they had already “officially” married in November 2021 in Australia.

However, we had already started planning the celebration way ahead of them getting married as there should have been a full wedding in Palm Cove in Queensland in 2020 and then 2021 when Covid hit us all. So, Pam and Derek were given the task of finding a suitable company and location to fulfil their dreams. After several months of extensive research, we chose Sami Tipi and Alton Bridge Hotel to make it all happen.

There were lots of final preparations made a few weeks before as Sophie and Oliver wanted to have a “hands on” approach with the day and this proved difficult from several thousand miles away. So as soon as they landed in the UK there was a flurry of activity in sorting out the final plans/decorations to the Tipi.

What did the bridal party wear?

Sophie and Oliver decided to wear their bridal outfits as they had not been used in Australia at this point. The two UK bridesmaids also wore their outfits. As for everyone else the theme was dress to impress.

Tell us about the Ceremony.

As their actual marriage had already taken place, Sophie and Oliver chose a blessing delivered by a celebrant who was a friend of the family, at the Tipi entrance. The guest chairs were placed either side of the walkway, giving everyone a great view. The location was on the large lawn of the Bridge Hotel in Alton Staffordshire. Both Sophie and Oliver wrote their own pledges to each other along with placing of their wedding rings. The whole event was magical and a perfect setting which was just what we wished for. To top it off the weather couldn’t have been better, after a very mixed couple of weeks leading up to the big day.

Music

The day started with our guest singer, James Avery, playing “Hey There Delilah”. A tribute to Sophie and Oliver’s daughter Delilah, who was of course the guest of honour.

James kept everyone entertained throughout the afternoon until the DJ for the evening took over after the first dances were done.

Food

The food was supplied by the Bridge Hotel head chef. It consisted of a lovely mixture of sliders and drinks prior to the main meal of individual pies and mash. All this was accompanied with Prosecco, wine and beer again supplied by the Bridge Hotel.

Entertainment

As the evening progressed everyone joined in the games outside. As well as watching Sophie and Oliver take part in a game of Mr and Mrs. Otherwise known as The Shoe Game!!

The firepit was very popular with marshmallows being toasted. As well as providing a chilled area for those not dancing to the disco.

The evening ended with an arch of sparklers provided by the guests for the final photos of the day.

Everyone who attended were amazed with the Tipi, the setting and the whole day, we were so happy we finally got to celebrate the marriage of Sophie and Oliver with family and friends in the UK.