Abi and Alex’s relaxed wedding at The Swan Inn
I first met Abi when she was a bridesmaid at her sister's wedding, which I had the honour of photographing the year before. Returning to work with this beautiful family felt like a warm reunion, with everyone graciously welcoming me back.
While Dani opted for a traditional church ceremony, Abi and Alex expressed their personalities with an outdoor ceremony and tipi reception at The Swan Inn.
It was a true delight to be back making memories with this wonderful family.
The Ceremony
The ceremony was beautiful, overlooking the Suffolk countryside with the unique tipi as the backdrop. As family is important to me, both of my Grandmothers played a role in my own wedding, so when Grandma shared a poem during this ceremony, I knew the importance of this heartwarming moment and special memories it will make.
![wedding photography portfolio](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/e0ad9657-a95c-4f45-be82-4e9a4286e1e5/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-1.jpg)
![outdoor ceremony area at swan tipis](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/ab562f04-bdf2-4639-8b59-6707b135f30b/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-2.jpg)
![groom waiting for his bride to arrive](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/8aa0568e-d8e8-4419-88f5-1d85d7842b50/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-3.jpg)
![bride walking down aisle in ipswich](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/582b5e53-8513-46e7-b800-fedee5b09975/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-4.jpg)
![outdoor wedding ceremony, portfolio photo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/795edff4-bfa0-4b34-a1e9-ac5b0384ed02/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-8.jpg)
![bride walking down the aisle](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/cbd34532-1c71-47fb-8a26-e2db17b1e3d0/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-5.jpg)
![grandma doing a reading at wedding ceremony](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/579ea38a-2341-4f0a-bbaf-63ca87a7aa35/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-7.jpg)
![outdoor wedding ceremony in front of large tipi](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/e4303b23-7350-4d49-93f4-ff9edf945e0c/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-6.jpg)
![wedding confetti photo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/5bc14049-8795-4fa8-8f48-1e81647db676/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-20.jpg)
The Decor
The tipi reception space exuded rustic charm and understated elegance, with wooden tables adorned with delicate lace cloths and hints of vibrant red poppies. It was a perfect balance of simplicity and thoughtful detail, reflecting Abi and Alex's style and personality.
![rustic wedding reception decor](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/8930e869-26a3-4aaa-a5f5-825f86b500f6/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-16.jpg)
![red poppies in vase on table](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/ba0b3b90-ea93-446c-94bf-aaa71da969c8/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-15.jpg)
![ipswich wedding photography portfolio](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/f45c84d7-e4ad-4c7c-8b21-a1777b5575c2/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-17.jpg)
![sweet table, portfolio photo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/09bb1f3d-6b3b-4f15-bd2e-58c072c6d6a6/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-27.jpg)
![three tier, white wedding cake with foliage decoration](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/d26fc06b-8b8f-46f8-aec4-92db7cd21b36/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-30.jpg)
![guest taking photo of wedding cake](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/2340c18a-1e54-463c-bcec-84ac488f3bc6/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-31.jpg)
Entertainment
No summer wedding would be complete without garden games, and Abi and Alex's celebration was no exception. From Swing Ball to Giant Dominoes, the games added a lively and informal atmosphere to the day, offering guests entertainment and creating opportunities for candid and dynamic photos.
I think it was particularly fitting for the groom to win his game of Swing Ball, and celebrated accordingly.
![guys picking the groom up in fun, joyful wedding photo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/d3d1d521-458c-40eb-9ad9-60cadcc74a7b/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-26.jpg)
![bridesmaid playing swing ball](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/043782c7-1929-4c82-81e6-d777b93e2898/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-38.jpg)
![guests playing ring toss game](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/883e685a-69d9-44ff-8567-c300c282dd9d/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-39.jpg)
![elderly guests talking, wedding portfolio](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/c8a2ccec-3fe7-47ec-b778-7b1cd5af35fd/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-10.jpg)
![giant dominoes](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/187c4086-25c8-4661-b905-a197863ebfb3/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-12.jpg)
![guests playing hoopla ring toss](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/ab011d87-b412-49a3-98a5-d45ed77f4ce7/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-11.jpg)
![wedding photography portfolio](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/49362a79-49a1-489f-a71e-5d3ef11dd31c/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-22.jpg)
![groom winning swingball](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/fe090730-6681-4a5b-9c71-a7fb553d4f8d/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-13.jpg)
![guests playing swingball, portfolio photo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/be8b1b2f-295b-4415-8021-1895bc5a68db/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-23.jpg)
![relaxed guests, wedding photography](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/44bee9f0-e496-4be3-adaf-a3599fcb4586/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-9.jpg)
The Portraits
Abi and Alex have a wonderful connection, it was a delight photographing their couple portraits. The sun was so strong, we had to find shade before burning to a crisp with our pale complexions! The tipi was a perfect choice as it was so beautifully decorated.
![formal portrait of the bride and groom under flower arch](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/af22baa6-3802-4107-9f46-45dd94db666a/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-37.jpg)
![bride and groom portait inside tipi](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/b9963723-8df7-4753-9b53-834edc5333b2/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-18.jpg)
![wedding photography portfolio](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/ba563322-5ffe-43ac-a1cd-dadf42537f6c/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-19.jpg)
![beautiful bridal portrait](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/3a11cf59-fd33-4453-8fd4-54b977ce6958/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-24.jpg)
![wedding couple celebrating their wedding](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/816f12c1-8573-47f5-a84b-e551e424bd7d/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-40.jpg)
![groom making the bride laugh, portfolio photo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/5dcfc412-c8fd-424a-a5bd-1d4caadb9355/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-25.jpg)
The Speeches
The day continued with a BBQ feast followed by heartfelt speeches. Drawing from my experience at Abi's sister's wedding, I had a sense of the rich storytelling and humour that would unfold. Dani, Abi's sister, took her turn for revenge in the Maid of Honour speech, while Alex's brother delivered a speech that left a lasting impression, likening the couple's relationship to yeast and presenting Alex with a jar of it as a momento.
![large bbq at swan tipis, ipswich](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/05b4223b-6d96-4e32-9b3b-da959139acad/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-14.jpg)
![wedding photography portfolio](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/c100494e-3453-4663-bd44-b7bef16bb5db/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-29.jpg)
![late guest rushing to the meal](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/ea058ded-711b-4452-9ee1-ac46b3a2ed28/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-28.jpg)
![bride's dad giving his speech](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/b783e18f-da97-4f6e-97ca-0bea44deae0f/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-32.jpg)
![bridesmaid giving speech](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/20fd480e-f7fd-4288-829b-16765a2a3e4b/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-36.jpg)
![groom laughing and cringing during speeches](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/de91f619-2275-4905-bd15-75476be33b21/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-33.jpg)
![wedding photography portfolio](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/2cda8fa9-a347-4b3a-8f9f-062a1d776ce2/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-34.jpg)
![groom holding jar of yeast and laughing](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f037e88896c7a6c443b2340/4f77c24b-50c3-4de6-8a4e-da1bcb9b6217/ipswich-wedding-portfolio-35.jpg)