Photography Alan Law alanlawphotography.co.uk Venue Cornish Tipi Weddings cornishtipiweddings.co.uk
Mutual friends brought Gemma and Adam together during a day out in London. “We weren’t each other’s usual type,” laughs Gemma, “but happened to be the two single ones.” Romance quickly followed, and soon the pair made the move to Cornwall. At the end of their first season living by the sea, Adam planned a day centred around all of their favourite things in Newquay. After a hotel breakfast, beach walk and coffee they headed to Little Fistral for a dip – champagne in tow. “Adam pulled the ring from the leg of his wetsuit!” laughs Gemma.
When it came to choosing a venue, Cornish Tipi Weddings instantly captured their hearts. “Driving in for the first time, there were butterflies fluttering, baby rabbits hopping around and peacocks! It felt magical,” says Gemma. The festival-loving couple were determined to create a celebration of colour, fun and high-energy moments. “Hot pink and orange were our main colours but the whole wedding was bursting with colour.”
Taking a DIY approach, Gemma handcrafted many of the details herself. Dried flower arrangements flowed from ceremony to marquee, while festoon lights, disco balls and birdcages hung from the trees. Tables were styled with vintage bottles, napkins and ribbons personalised with each guest’s name – all made by Gemma. She also created the table plan, fabric banners, tent plaques and even hand-etched shot glass favours.
Their outdoor ceremony took place beneath the trees at the wedding pavilion, led by their friend Anna. “It was so fun and personal,” says Gemma. Guests were handed mini bottles of Babycham for a toast – a nod to Gemma’s favourite drink and a touching tribute to Adam’s mum.
True to form, the ceremony was full of joyful surprises: bubble machines, a Mexican hug that rippled through the rows of guests and a life-sized cut-out of Bradley from S Club 7 (Gemma’s childhood crush). Adam also surprised Gemma with a personalised surfboard to stand on during their vows – a sweet nod to her childhood dream of marrying on one. “And we taped the rings under random chairs so people became surprise ring bearers,” she adds.
Led by The Real Deal Band, guests were then paraded through the woods to the marquee, where the festival vibes really kicked in. Canapés, candyfloss and a tent filled with festival outfits set the tone, alongside a glitter station, chill-out area and a 360 video booth. One tipi became ‘The Museum of Gem and Adam’, where guests displayed sentimental and funny objects from their lives. “The stories were brilliant,” says Gemma.
Dinner was a barbecue feast, followed by a crumble bar where guests built their own desserts. And instead of a traditional first dance, the couple called everyone onto the for a group photo as the band launched into Outkast's Hey Ya with confetti cannons exploding overhead. The celebrations continued late into the night with drinks by the firepit, music and s’mores. With a three-night stay, the party didn’t stop there – welcome pizzas, a Polzeath beach day and volleyball back at the tipis made it a true wedding weekend.
“My favourite moment was walking down the aisle to Seasons of Love from Rent with both my mum and dad,” says Gemma. “Seeing everyone in their amazing festival outfits at dinner was incredible. It was so colourful.” For Adam, it was the pizza night, the Mexican hug – and seeing Gemma.
Their advice? “Enjoy every stage of planning and try not to have any expectations. Love it for what it becomes, not for this perfect plan you have in your mind. And most importantly – smile and nod at your fiancé’s wild and out of budget ideas!”
Photography Alan Law alanlawphotography.co.uk
Venue Cornish Tipi Weddings cornishtipiweddings.co.uk
Dress Wed2b wed2b.com
Jumpsuit Rosa Bloom rosabloom.com
Groom’s outfit Zara zara.com Vans vans.com
Hair Lisa Poole, Salt Salon Newquay saltsalonnewquay.co.uk
Make-up Katarina Lategan katarinalategan.co.uk
Flowers (on boat) Bruallen bruallen.co.uk
Catering Gravy & Custard Catering gravyandcustard.co.uk
Crumble Shack gravyandcustard.co.uk/crumble-shack
Bar Bars with Legs barswithlegs.co.uk
Bell Tents BellaKernow bellakernow.co.uk
Table hire Pengelly Event Hire cornwalleventscompany.co.uk
Entertainment Olipop’s olipops.co.uk
The Real Deal Band therealdealband.co.uk
Guestbook phone Cornwall Hire cornwallhire.co.uk
Videography Nick Whitworth for Noah Werth Film & Photography noahwerth.co.uk
