Oh! Oh! Oh! I have been so looking forward to sharing this lovely wedding with the world. A few weeks ago I answered a last minute call to step in and second shoot for Craige Barker at a wedding in Oxfordshire the next day pretty much. And boy, am I glad I did. Not only did I get to meet Craige and embark on a new collaborative project with him (more on that at some point in the future…early days still), but also I got to spend the day surrounded by some of the loveliest folks anyone could hope to meet. Katie and Luke moved into adjacent rooms in their university halls of residence and became fast friends, but it took two years for their love to fully blossom. Eight years later, this incredible couple, who have been through a great deal together and are clearly stronger for it, celebrated their obvious love for one another with their family and friends. It was an honour to be there to witness it, I have to say.

The day started (for me anyway) at the Abbey Baptist Chapel in beautiful Abingdon, Oxfordshire where Luke eagerly awaited the arrival of his stunning bride.

After a ceremony that featured a few tears and rather a lot of grinning, everybody ventured out into the Abbey Gardens for hugs, well wishes and some pretty pictures in the sunshine.

Before long it was time for the bride and groom to take advantage of the Aston Martin they’d hired for the day as we all made our way to Seventon House Hotel, a gorgeous rural Oxfordshire venue that perfectly suited their garden party style reception. The wedding breakfast was served in the conservatory but the garden itself was host to the majority of the party. An afternoon of sunshine, pimms, love and laughter, complete with bridal parasol, a jazz trio and dancing on the lawn.

Yes…I cried at the groom’s speech. Most people did. Yes…I fell madly in love with the little kiddies running around playing in the garden. Who wouldn’t? And yes…I left Seventon House Hotel feeling like I had just met a bunch of fabulous new friends who warmed my heart with their happiness. It was nothing short of a wonderful day. I wish Katie and Luke all the best for their future together and I can’t wait to see Craige’s images from the day now! I’ll leave you with two shots that make me smile even though they’re not technically great. They just sum up the emotions of the day for me…love and laughter.