FESTIVAL-STYLE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Jo and Jason tied the knot in the middle of a field in Northampton – the kind of festival wedding that dreams (and muddy wellies) are made of – but with sunshine, dry ground, and a sky full of colour, it couldn’t have been more perfect.
From the moment guests started arriving, you could feel the excitement in the air. No formal prep photos on this one – I joined the party as everyone began to gather near the ceremony spot, a quiet patch of land beside a small lake that set the tone for a relaxed, open-air day.
Jo arrived in style in a classic VW campervan, flanked by her bridesmaids. They made their way down the aisle one by one before Jo walked the final stretch with her brother by her side. The ceremony itself was a humanist celebration – personal, warm, and full of meaning. After exchanging rings and sealing it all with a kiss, Jo and Jason headed back down the aisle to cheers, hugs, and plenty of happy tears.
We grabbed a few relaxed family group shots, including one big photo of everyone with me up on a hill (good views, slightly dodgy balance), before the focus shifted to the food, music and fun. Speeches were held inside the tipi – a proper festival-style setup with long wooden tables and fairy lights – with heartfelt words from Jason and his best man.
From there, the festival really kicked in: guests grabbed pizza from the wood-fired truck, tucked into pie and mash from the iconic Pie Taxi, and then jumped straight into the fairground madness. Ferris wheel rides, bucking bronco attempts, and one of those old-school spinning rides with horses – it was a full-blown mini-festival for all ages.
As the sun dipped, the Irish band cranked things up inside the tipi and got everyone moving. There was dancing, cheese (literally – they cut a cheese tower instead of a cake), and finally, their first dance outside under the night sky, surrounded by friends and family who quickly turned it into one big group dance.
This was my first time photographing a festival wedding in Northampton, and I absolutely loved it. From the open-air ceremony to the fairground fun, tipi vibes, and live music – it was the perfect setting for relaxed, documentary-style wedding photography. If you’re planning a humanist wedding, a DIY festival day, or anything that breaks away from the traditional format, Jo and Jason’s wedding is proof that you can do it your way – and have an unforgettable time doing it.
A SELECTION OF OUTDOOR FESTIVAL WEDDING PHOTOS
PLANNING A FESTIVAL OR TIPI WEDDING IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE?
Festival and tipi weddings are perfect for couples who want something a little less traditional, with the freedom to build the day around the things that matter to them. From a photography point of view, the mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, relaxed timings and guests moving naturally around the site creates plenty of opportunities for candid photographs throughout the day.
Jo & Jason’s wedding was a brilliant example of that – a relaxed countryside celebration where the focus was firmly on bringing everyone together and having a great time.
LOOKING FOR A FESTIVAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
Planning your own festival or tipi wedding? If you’re looking for relaxed, natural and documentary wedding photography without spending your day posing for photographs, take a look at my approach to wedding photography and get in touch to check availability.
You can also explore more of my real wedding stories, watch my wedding slideshows and photofilms, or take a look through my wedding planning hints and tips.
You can also keep up with my Instagram channel for more wedding and personal photos.