What is most extraordinary about human beings is our capacity to love. It is this magic I get to witness every day in my job and I cannot express enough just how much that takes my breath away - that even as an outside observer, there just for the privilege of documenting a single day, even I get to revel in that beautiful energy your love story conjures. Because it’s not just you two, though you remain the epicentre throughout. It’s your families, reaching across the aisle to grip each other’s hands, sharing the happy tears and a meal and a dance floor, gleefully crashing into each other over and over again. And it’s your friends, mixing groups of people who carry you in their hearts and inside jokes landing in differently depending on who you ask. It’s the soul-mating intimacy of fastening one hundred buttons and adjusting a stray hair or a collar, mimicking that same gesture you made for each other over a thousand nights out a lifetime ago. A wedding is that mind-melting crescendo of love bringing together all the facets of who you are as an individual, as a couple, as your parents’ children, and as a best friend. And then it’s wrapped in tulle and silk and cake and glitter and flowers and goes by in such a flash that all that remains is an empty champagne flute on the side, sore feet from dancing, a hoarse throat from singing and this miraculous impression of all that love that lifted you up and held you for a day. Even better that then you get to wake up in the arms of the person you held hands with throughout the rest of your life. Wowza.

Yesterday was a day of love in two parts: a firmly family-focused wedding ceremony at Naomi’s home church in Dukinfield where her own father is vicar - and indeed her sister’s father-in-law shared these duties and performed the marriage service for Naomi & Rob - followed by a big fat friend-filled celebration at the stunning Hyde Bank Farm in Romiley.

But the ceremony was no stuffy and serious palaver but the kind of service where their nieces freely moved about (and even stole the show once or twice to everyone’s delight!), songs of worship were sung enthusiastically with joy and not a dry eye was to be found as the happy couple said their vows. The church must truly feel like home for Naomi as evidenced by the dozens of well-wishers who came to witness the vows. It was emotional and loving, with a beautiful sermon by Naomi’s father Stuart and rapturous singing and applause as the new Mr & Mrs Hayman exited the church hall in a shower of confetti.

We then made our way over to Hyde Bank Farm and the celebrations truly got underway. What is so special about Naomi & Rob is that they’ve been together for 10 years, having met on the very first day of University. Over the course of the afternoon, it was said over and over that it was like everyone’s two best friends were getting married to each other. Indeed the best man Ollie’s very moving speech touched on this in such a sincere and earnest way, Naomi & Rob will never ever be short of love to carry them.

Every single part of the day was inspired by and created out of love - the cake was homemade and meticulously decorated by the mothers of both bride and groom, the flowers chosen and arranged and even the flower girl dresses sewn and bridesmaid dresses altered all by Naomi’s beloved aunt Jane.

As I said my goodbyes and left the merry bunch to their revelry, the sun was setting, the greens vibrant from a quick afternoon rain shower (that mercifully stopped in time for twilight drinks) and I was flushed from a day well spent, wrapped in love.

Here is a sneak peek of Naomi & Rob’s beautiful wedding, photos filled with so so much love.