A Sunshine-Filled Garden Tipi Wedding Photographer Story
As a Garden Tipi Wedding Photographer, this was one of my favourite days of the year to shoot. The Garden Tipi sits in Preston Bissett, Buckinghamshire, and it’s built for exactly the kind of day Abby and Harvey wanted — relaxed, outdoors, and full of family, with live music running from the morning right through to the last dance. Married on the 18th of July 2026, their day had a magician working the crowd, a saxophonist appearing out of nowhere on the dance floor, a cake made from layers of cheese, and a set of family and friends who’d clearly got the memo.
Getting Ready at Cowley Farm
Abby and Harvey both got ready (although in separate accommodations) at Cowley Farm in Preston Bissett — Harvey and his four groomsmen and sister, Abby and her five bridesmaids. The Cowley Farm estate is perfect for this sort of thing, and the pig pen with the little pigs running around was a lovely touch. Cowley is a working farm, but they’ve built beautiful accommodation from the stable areas through to a new build on either side of their gorgeous farmhouse, so both groups could be quite separate but still have a short walk to connect. The groomsmen wore sage and olive suits finished with multicoloured summer flower boutonnieres, a lovely bit of colour against all that greenery.
Rather than a first look between the two of them, Abby had a first look with her dad instead and her bridesmaids — one of those moments that sets the tone for the whole day. Mum was also with Abby all morning and was such a help to us all on the day.
The Ceremony & Confetti
Sixty-six guests gathered at 1pm for the ceremony under the tipi. Nothing overly formal — no readings, just a short, heartfelt ceremony — before Abby and Harvey walked back out through confetti as newlyweds, followed by a glass of their favourite tipple together.
Private Portraits & Cocktails in the Garden
After group photos and some mingling, we slipped away for some private couple portraits for a few moments before heading back in for the reception. Our plan was also to make the most of golden hour for a few portraits, and I had a creative idea for Abby, Harvey, and her cowboy boots — more on that later. Oak, the owner of Garden Tipi, is such a lovely, welcoming host, and he and his team made sure Hayley (my second photographer) and I felt welcome, fed, and hydrated all day.
Speeches & The Wedding Breakfast
The wedding breakfast was served inside the tipi over BBQ platters, with four speeches carrying the room — Holly, Harvey’s sister, opened things with a warm introduction as the couple made their entrance, followed by the father of the bride, then Harvey, cutting the cake with Abby at the end of his speech. Let me be really clear here: the cake was layers of different cheeses, and it was so refreshing to see something unique like this at a wedding. Then Chris closed things out. A live guitarist played through the entire afternoon, right up until the first dance.
The Evening — Music, Magic & Fire Pits
The first dance had a genuine surprise built into it — Abby and Harvey danced to Mac Miller, and partway through — my favourite part — a saxophonist appeared out of nowhere playing Jubel, with the whole dancefloor gathering round for a group photo mid-song. A magician worked the crowd between dances, and as the light faded, Abby (with Harvey’s help) changed into her trademark white cowboy boots, and fire pits and sparklers came out for a proper golden finish. Another 20+ guests joined for the evening, and my second photographer Hayley Randell was on hand throughout to make sure nothing was missed.
I always had a creative idea for the boots and golden hour, and it was wonderful to get a beautiful sunset while we spent a moment getting Abby’s dress fixed (by her mum) and then doing the golden hour portraits on the love heart bench.
A Day to Remember
Days like this are exactly why I love shooting weddings at venues like The Garden Tipi — nothing forced, nothing too over-choreographed, just genuine moments strung together from morning to night.
Looking for a Garden Tipi Wedding Photographer for your big day, or planning a wedding anywhere else in
Buckinghamshire? I would love to hear from you.
You can find The Garden Tipi on this link
here.
Suppliers: Ceremony & Reception — The Garden Tipi · Second photographer — Hayley Randell · Catering — The Brothers Supper · Music — Joey Hanson Music · Hair — Hayley Edwards Weddings · Makeup — Rubymae MUA · Styling — Shire Events Co · Dress — Wed2Be & Next
