A Relaxed Wedding at Bowland Tipis
There are some weddings where everything simply feels easy, and Thom and Mattie’s day at Bowland Tipis was exactly that.
Set amongst the woodland, Bowland Tipis provided the perfect backdrop for their relaxed boho-style wedding. It was one of those glorious summer days where everyone naturally wanted to spend as much time outdoors as possible, chatting, laughing and enjoying the sunshine.
One of the loveliest parts of the day was how much thought Thom and Mattie had put into making their guests feel comfortable. Their outdoor humanist ceremony was wonderfully relaxed. Guests were encouraged to move around if they needed to, stand up, or quietly look after little ones without worrying about disturbing the ceremony. It created such a warm, welcoming atmosphere and allowed everyone to simply enjoy the moment.
They met studying science at university, starting out as friends before realising there was perhaps a little more. The rest, as they say, is chemistry… and judging by the speeches, every science pun imaginable had to make an appearance!
Their ceremony was made even more personal as it was led by Mattie’s Aunt, who knows them both incredibly well. She shared wonderful stories from throughout their relationship, making everyone laugh and occasionally reach for a tissue.
Although this was their wedding celebration, Thom and Mattie had already quietly tied the knot during a small legal ceremony at Dunsop Bridge Church. I absolutely loved that they chose to walk down the aisle together at Bowland Tipis. It felt such a lovely reflection of their relationship—side by side from the very beginning of this new chapter.
The styling suited the venue beautifully. Thom and his groomsmen wore deep forest green, while the bridesmaids looked gorgeous in rich copper dresses that complemented the woodland surroundings perfectly. Mattie’s dress was stunning, with a beautiful lace design that gave the appearance of delicate macramé or crochet, adding to the relaxed boho feel of the day.
The flowers, created by Millie Davey Flowers, looked as though they’d just been gathered from a summer meadow. Arrangements of natural blooms filled small glass vases running the length of the long trestle tables, creating simple yet incredibly effective centrepieces.
As the afternoon drifted into evening, guests continued to enjoy being outside before heading inside to celebrate beneath the fairy lights and giant LOVE letters. A fantastic live band had everyone on the dance floor for the first dance before keeping the party going well into the evening.
This was my very first wedding at Bowland Tipis, and I have to say I absolutely loved photographing there. It has such a relaxed feel, surrounded by nature, making it perfect for couples wanting to celebrate in their own way rather than following tradition.
A big thank you also goes to Ray, who joined me as second photographer on the day. It’s always lovely having another pair of eyes to help capture all those little moments happening around the venue.
Congratulations once again, Thom and Mattie. Thank you for asking me to capture such a wonderfully relaxed, joyful day. I wish you both every happiness for your future together.
