A Surrey tipi wedding in a Picturesque Setting

The sun was beaming down as I rolled into the picturesque Surrey village of Pirbright for Zoe and James' wedding. It was one of those gorgeous late July days that makes you grateful to live in England - warm but not sweltering, with a gentle breeze dancing through the trees. Perfect conditions for an outdoor celebration. 

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As I approached the open field that would host their tipi reception, I could instantly see why they chose this spot. Tall pines and ancient oaks encircled the grassy expanse, creating a self-contained world of tranquillity and privacy. An ideal setting for the laid-back festivities to come.

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From the moment I arrived, Zoe and James's infectious laughter and joy set the tone. These two were absolutely buzzing with excitement to become husband and wife, exchanging beaming smiles with their gorgeous baby daughter. You could tell right away what an amazing little family unit they already were.

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We started the day at the quaint St Michael and All Angels Church, where James awaited his bride's arrival. When Zoe finally appeared, radiant in her stunning Jesus Peiro gown with its bespoke personally-scripted veil, his face lit up with the purest smile. They'd thoughtfully planned for their daughter to precede Zoe down the aisle, filling everyone's hearts before the bride even appeared.

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After the "I dos" were sealed with a kiss, we raised our cameras for the classic confetti shot outside the church...except the showers of colourful petals were so thunderous, you could barely see Zoe and James at times! Their cheeks must have ached from smiling through it all.

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The party shifted to that idyllic field for the reception, with the crew from "Two Many Cooks" delivering their exceptional catering as final preparations for the tipi festivities got underway. As guests arrived with glasses of fizz in hand, the weather could not have been more perfect - just a solitary fluffy cloud dotting the bright blue sky.

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One of my favourite moments came during the group photos, when Zoe and James's little girl decided to inspect her mom's floral bouquet up close. Without missing a beat, James scooped her up and sent her soaring into the air, shrieks of delighted laughter echoing across the field. It was a glimpse of the wonderful family life awaiting them.

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The real revelry kicked off with Zoe and James's grand entrance into the tipi reception. As The Function Band launched into an upbeat medley of hits, the newlyweds made their way up the steps and into the whirl of cheers, with napkins waving joyfully in the air. The dance floor was promptly invaded for an all-out singalong before we transitioned to the heartfelt speeches.

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James's words had Zoe wiping away happy tears as she gazed adoringly at her husband. You could feel the profound love surrounding them in that warm, intimate space created by the fairy light-strewn canvas walls. 

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As dusk began to fall, we tore ourselves away for a last-minute portrait session, racing against the fading light. Thankfully some generous local farmers guided us to a picturesque field nearby just in time to capture Zoe and James awash in those surreal sunset beams. Definitely some of my favourite golden hour shots from this season!

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When we returned to the tipi, the party had progressed into an outright bash. Guests danced wildly with the band, balancing on each other's shoulders and raising glasses of cocktails in raucous cheers. Confetti cannons even went off during Zoe and James's first dance, momentarily obscuring them in a swirl of colour once again! 

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As I finally hung up my cameras for the night, content smiles and laughter still echoed through the shadows of the trees. Zoe and James's perfect Surrey celebration showed no sign of winding down anytime soon. It was one of those joyful, feel-good weddings that reminds you why we love doing this.

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I trust you'll find something you love in this story! If it resonates with you, I highly recommend exploring Luisa & Jack’s tipi wedding in Buckinghamshire, or diving into the urban elegance of Talia & Jamie’s celebration at Chiswick House in London.

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