A Surrey tipi wedding in a Picturesque Setting

The sun was out in full force as I pulled into Pirbright, this cute little Surrey village, for Zoe and James' big day. As someone who's done a fair bit of wedding photography in Surrey, I knew we were in for a treat. It was one of those late July scorchers that makes you think, "Man, England's not so bad after all" - toasty but not unbearable, with a nice breeze rustling the leaves. Couldn't have asked for better weather for an outdoor do. As an experienced wedding photographer, I knew this wedding day was going to be a perfect showcase for my reportage wedding photography style.

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When I saw the field where they'd set up the tipi for the reception, I got why they picked it straight away. These massive pines and old oaks were all around, like they were hugging the place. Felt like you were in your own little world, you know? An ideal setting for the laid-back festivities to come and some stunning wedding photos.

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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. My wedding photography style is all about capturing these genuine moments.

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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. The ceremony was filled with emotion, perfect for my reportage approach.

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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. These are the kinds of images that make couples love my wedding photography style.

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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. These unscripted moments are what my photography style is all about.

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The real revelry kicked off with Zoe and James's grand entrance into the tipi reception. The Function Band kicked off with some bangers, and in came the newlyweds, climbing the steps to a sea of cheers and napkins waving all over the place. Before you knew it, everyone piled onto the dance floor for a proper sing-along. Then we all calmed down a bit for the 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 it started getting dark, we made a mad dash for some last-minute shots, trying to beat the sun before it disappeared completely. 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! You can view gallery of these stunning images on my blog.

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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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Reckon you'll spot something in here that catches your eye! If this is your cup of tea, you might want to have a gander at Luisa & Jack's tipi bash in Buckinghamshire, or check out Talia & Jamie's swanky do at Chiswick House in London. And if you're interested in my wedding packages or want to chat about your own big day, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to bring my experienced eye and unique photography style to more lovely couples like Zoe and James!