DM and I have been photographing another wedding today. Not just any old wedding, the wedding of my long-time close friend and colleague, Ginny.

Ginny has married her Nigel and become his new Rose (that’s his name in case you’d not worked it out). I doubt I’ve ever been so thrilled to see my friend happy and settled. Ginny takes on a completely different aura when he is around – she radiates love. It is wonderful to see. I feel deeply honoured to have participated in her special day and to have been able to take the photographs.

The two beautiful bridesmaids are Kelly and Emma, Ginny’s two daughters, who have embraced having Nigel as their second ‘Dad’ and participated fully in the ceremony by taking vows themselves to be his ‘special’ daughters. They have both decided to take Rose as a middle name so they can be seen as a real family unit. Ginny and the girls prepared all of this without the knowledge of Nigel who was overwhelmed to find himself not just marrying Ginny but truly marrying the family.

Of all of the photos I took today, I decided on this somewhat unusual semi-formal shot because I think it radiates happiness – just look at those faces – the warmth and tenderness these four special people share for one another just leaps out.

This wedding was such a pleasure to photograph and a joy to participate in. My friend has gone through some traumatic and miserable times so it delights me to see her obvious new-found happiness.

When Ginny first started dating Nigel I was very suspicious of his motives and worried that he might turn out to be a real shark. As they grew closer and closer my initial fears dimmed and turned to simple worry that he’d not be ‘good enough’ for my friend. I was wrong. Having met him now a couple of times and got to know him a little, I can see he is just the right man for her. It’s as clear as the nose on his face that he adores her and relishes being ‘dad’ to these lovely girls.

So, to Ginny and Nigel – may they have a lifetime of happiness together and a world of joy with Kelly and Emma – with love from me!

"In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony." - Eva Burrows

Last year I was in a post-trauma recovery period and two years ago Jo was threatening to belt someone with her iron!!