Laura and Jack’s wedding was the sort of day that had a bit of everything. A church ceremony, a countryside tipi reception, good food, plenty of guests and a proper relaxed feel from start to finish.

Their day began at Abbots Road United Reformed Church, where family and friends gathered for the ceremony. Church weddings always have their own atmosphere. There is the quiet build up before the service, the little looks between people, the nerves at the front and then that brilliant moment when everyone can finally relax once the vows are done.

After the ceremony, the celebrations moved over to Beeby for a tipi reception. As a tipi wedding photographer in Leicestershire, this kind of setting is always great to photograph because it gives the day a really natural flow. There is usually no need to force much. People are chatting outside, drinks are being passed around, children are running about and everyone seems to settle into the day quite quickly.

The tipi looked great in the Leicestershire countryside and gave the whole reception a warm, informal feel. These are the weddings where documentary photography really comes into its own. Rather than turning the day into a long photoshoot, I focused on capturing the bits that made it feel like Laura and Jack’s day. The hugs, the laughter, the reactions, the small details and the in-between moments that often end up meaning the most.

Later in the day, as the light softened and the evening got going, the tipi became the centre of everything. Speeches, food, drinks and dancing all came together under canvas. It had that lovely mix of countryside wedding and proper celebration.

Laura and Jack’s Beeby tipi wedding was relaxed, personal and full of life. A brilliant example of how a church ceremony and tipi reception can work so well together.