A Relaxed Yurt Wedding at Home in West Yorkshire

I was so excited when Pip & Jake first got in touch about their at-home wedding. Firstly because it meant I got to venture back to my old home of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. Secondly, because they’d used my website and blog to help them figure out exactly what kind of wedding they wanted to plan. This is a huge compliment for me as a photographer!

Bride and groom in Dixon's icecream van looking at each other

As they were planning their UK wedding from their home in Amsterdam, they had used the information from my blog and venue write-ups to come up with a plan they were happy with. That plan was an intimate registry office wedding at Huddersfield Town Hall followed by a DIY reception in a Yurt at the groom’s parent’s home.

You can see more photos from their ceremony at the town hall here.

Bride and groom laughing at Huddersfield Town Hall wedding ceremony

You Don’t Need a Fancy Venue to Have a Wedding Photographer

One of the many reasons I love at-home weddings is because they’re always so relaxed and informal, making them a joy to photograph.

Comfort is key for a wedding at home, and so Pip & Jake chose a reception location that was perfect for them.

‘(Jake’s parent’s) garden extends down into a wild field with views of the valley, which we creatively call ‘Down the Field’. It’s the perfect place for us as we are genuinely quite a low-key couple who want a wedding that’s homely and personal, and comfortable for us and our guests.’

Couple walking through a field with a yurt at the bottom of the garden

When they talked about wedding photography, they mentioned their love for my documentary approach, as the idea of ‘posed’ pictures made them nervous.

They said they would love to come away from their wedding with a collection of photographs that capture the joy of the day. Laughing (or crying) faces and all those funny, lovely, heartwarming moments with their guests – just like this one!

Guests wiping eyes crying whilst others laugh during speeches

A Stunning Yurt Wedding in the Garden

The wedding yurt in the garden (provided by Elite Event Hire) was decorated with greenery, dried flowers and little personal touches such as custom beer mats designed by the bride herself. I always love to capture these little details that my couples put so much thought into.

Couple standing together with guests in large wedding yurt

After an epic entrance from the bride and groom with a colourful confetti run, drinks flowed and canapes were distributed via Finer Pleasures. P.R.E.A.M Pizza suppied food from their van later in the evening too. Even the Dixons van made an appearance, their ice-cream being a right of passage for all Huddersfield folks. I love to include food in my wedding photos as it’s huge a huge part of the day. The food choice at this wedding was very important, as the groom is Head Baker at a bakery in Amsterdam.

Bride eating ice-cream with guest watching and another guest eating pizza in the foreground

Speeches took place with everyone gathered informally in the yurt and later on the space became one big dancefloor with a homemade limbo making for some hilarious photos.

Guest doing limbo under material tied together

Kind Words from the Couple

When I sent their wedding preview photos, they sent back the loveliest message:

‘These photos are incredible! This is so delightful to see.

After spending months looking at your photography its quite surreal to be the subjects now. You did an amazing job of capturing the feeling of the day and highlighting our gorgeous guests!’