I have been photographing weddings for over 10 years and I still very much love the joy and positivity of the day. Weddings are really happy occasions that I never tire of photographing. I often come home at the end of a very long day with sore cheeks from where I have been smiling so much.

Georgie and Craig’s wedding was a lovely day, very simple and non fussy. The couple and their guests were very down to earth. The ceremony was poignant, with Dad clearly very emotional at giving his daughter away. I was pleased that the registrar allowed me to take photographs throughout the ceremony, and that she let me stand in my preferred spot - just to the side of the groom, looking at the bride. I love capturing the reaction on both couple’s faces.

I recall it was a very sunny day, which was fortunate as the grounds were gorgeous and the couple were keen to have photos taken. It’s always nice to take the bride and groom off for twenty minutes or so for some quiet photographs of just the two of them. It’s nothing like a photo shoot - I give minimal direction, preferring instead to let the couple be together. It produces lovely, natural intimacy.

I remember I was booked for the whole day, right up to and including the first dance. The speeches were great, with the best man not showing any nerves, (and I’ve done many weddings where that hasn’t been the case!) Before guests enter for the wedding breakfast, I always like to make sure I have taken pictures of the room - so much effort goes into decorating it and laying up the tables, often with lots of personal little touches. It’s important to document it all.

A live band always makes a first dance go off with a bang! Georgie and Craig got married in 2012 so I can’t remember if theirs was a slow or fast number, but going by the fact I used a flash, would lead me to think it might have been quite up tempo!