Well, what can I say about Jennie and Jamie's day to start with? If you've been following along for a while you'll know I always check the forecast about 47 times in the week leading up to a wedding. This week, every single check said the same thing - rain. Heavy at times. Bring a brolly, bring waterproofs, bring a towel for your cameras.

I arrived for bridal preparations at Jennie and Jamie's house at 11.30am and it was... glorious. Bright, warm, beautiful late summer sunshine pouring through the car windows. Not what we were promised at all, but absolutely no one was complaining.

And what a lovely calm house to walk into. You know those mornings where you open the front door and you can already hear the music and the hairdryer and the excited chatter from halfway down the path? This wasn't that. Not yet. It was calm. Tea on. A quiet sort of anticipation. I knew, as we all did, that it wouldn't stay like that for long.

Jennie was already well into the swing of things, looking amazing and taking it all in her stride. She was joined by her bridesmaids - her daughter Lexi, Sophie and Alesha - and two absolute superstars of flower girls, Harper and Arabella. A brilliant, brilliant little crew.

Hair and Makeup was in full flow, and when I say full flow, I mean FULL flow. The super talented Kay-Lee was doing the lot - hair, makeup, the whole works - and making it look effortless. Kay-Lee, if you're reading this, you were incredible. Calm, organised, and every single one of the girls looked stunning.

That first hour or so is always one of my favourite parts of the day to photograph. It's the bit people don't always remember afterwards because there's so much happening, but it's full of the real stuff. The conversations, the laughter, the in-jokes that have been going for years. Lexi helping her mum, Harper and Arabella already practising their flower girl walks.

Then the cavalry arrived. Jennie's Dad Thomas arrived with her brother Tom and nephew and Page Boy Hunter. And the dynamic in the house just shifted up a gear, in the best possible way.

Hunter, Harper and Arabella had formed a little gang of their own by this point and had decided the garden was far more interesting than what was happening indoors. And honestly? Fair enough. The light out there was beautiful and the three of them kept themselves amused running around, playing, burning off that excited energy while the girls got ready indoors. Some of my favourite frames from the morning are just the three of them in the garden, completely oblivious to the wedding chaos around them.

Thomas and Tom headed through to the living room to get ready. Suits pressed, ties straightened, that classic father-and-son moment. Thomas looked incredibly proud, as he should.

Now. I need to tell you about an important thing of note here. A crucial detail. The clock in the kitchen.

For the whole morning, everything had been working like clockwork. Excuse the pun. Hair done by such a time, makeup by such a time, car arriving at such a time. We were all working to the clock in the kitchen. Everyone was glancing at it. "Oh we're doing fine for time, plenty of time."

Until someone - and I still don't know who it was who noticed - pointed out that the clock in the kitchen was 35 minutes slow.

35 minutes!

Panic stations. Absolute panic stations.

You could feel the whole house go from "we've got loads of time" to "WHY IS NO ONE READY?!" in about three seconds. It's funny now. It was not funny at that exact second.

And of course, right on cue, the wedding car arrived outside. And no one was ready.

What followed was what I can only describe as a very well-organised flurry. Dresses being zipped, shoes being found, bouquets being gathered, hairspray getting one last blast. Kay-Lee was still an absolute picture of calm in the middle of it all. The girls were brilliant. That slow clock actually did us a favour because it forced everyone to just get on with it and stop faffing.

Before we knew it, the bridesmaids and the flower girls were ready - and they looked absolutely beautiful - and they were whisked away by the wedding car. One down, one very important one to go.

It was at this point I had to say my goodbyes and make a dash to the church. This is always the bit where I do the mental maths in the car - have I got everything, have I left anything on charge, how long will it take, where can I park near the church without getting a ticket...

I arrived at the church at 1.50pm and the ceremony was supposed to start at 2pm.

That's tight, even for me. I did a very quick lap of the church to check the light - it was gorgeous in there, Jamie and the lads were there and looked smart as - I said hello to Jamie, who was doing that brilliant mix of nervous and excited that every groom does, and then went and grabbed the bridal party outside for some quick photos while we waited.

A few group shots, a few laughs, trying to keep everyone relaxed. The light outside the church was stunning, that bright warm glow we had all morning still holding strong.

Then I had to go and find the vicar to introduce myself. This is always an important bit. Luckily for me, we had worked together before, so our meeting was brief, a quick handshake and a "you stand there, I'll stand here" and we were good to go.

And then... we waited.

And waited.

2pm came and went. 2:10pm. The church was full, Jamie was at the top of the aisle, everyone was ready.

She arrived at 2:20pm. Twenty minutes late, looking absolutely incredible, with the biggest smile. Worth every single minute of the wait. That kitchen clock had a lot to answer for!

We had just enough time for some quick portraits outside with Jennie with the bridal party and her Dad, then it was time to get inside.

I was stood bang in the middle of the nave looking straight down the aisle as the bridal party entered. This is my favourite place to be for the entrance. Right in the middle, doors at the far end, that long aisle ahead of you. You get to see everything as it happens. I move to the side when the bride reaches the front, but for that entrance, you can't beat being straight on.

The music started, the doors opened, and here they came.

First up, Harper and Arabella. Their job was to scatter petals down the aisle and they gave it their all. Harper with a careful, thoughtful little scatter. Arabella with big joyful handfuls. And right in the middle of it all, Hunter. Our Page Boy and chief entertainer. He ran around. Didn't walk, ran. A little lap up, a little lap back, huge grin on his face. Those are the moments you can't plan.

Next came the Bridesmaids in a beautiful procession. Lexi, Sophie and Alesha. Stunning, walking so well together down that long aisle despite the giggles Hunter had left behind.

And then Jennie. Jennie was accompanied by her Dad Thomas and Leon, Jennie's son, pushing her Dad as he is in a wheelchair. All three together.

This was such a special moment. I know how much this meant to Jennie. Thomas looking so proud, so smart, so happy to be pushed down the aisle with his daughter. And Leon doing an incredible job, steady and caring, making sure they were all together for this walk. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. I was stood right there in the centre of the nave as they came towards me, and it was a privilege to be the one seeing it first.

As Jennie reached the front, I moved to the side to let the ceremony begin.

The Central Methodist Church in Bishop Auckland is a large church. Height, space, wonderful light from the windows. For photos it gives you plenty of scope to work from different angles without ever getting in the way. I worked from the side for the main part of the service, then slipped up to the balcony for a few frames looking down on the proceedings. That high view over the whole church, everyone seated, everyone focused on Jennie and Jamie - it really shows how loved these two are.

The ceremony was lovely. Warm, personal, the right mix of laughs and tears.

One of the highlights was when Lleylan stepped up with the rings. He was official ring security for the day! He was close to the front already so he didn't have to walk all the way down the aisle. He stepped forward when called, smart suit, little box held tight, that look of pure concentration - "do not drop them" - and handed them over to Jamie like a seasoned pro. Job done. The pride on Jennie and Jamie's faces said it all. Lleylan, you smashed it mate.

Then we had the signing of the register. A slightly more relaxed moment after the vows. A few official ones for the records, then some natural ones with the witnesses..

And then, the walk back down the aisle as husband and wife. Music up, hand in hand, huge smiles. A few high fives on the way down, Hunter trying to get one more run in.

Outside we did the now almost traditional bubble run. Or at least, we tried to! The plan was a big tunnel of bubbles outside the church. The reality? They forgot all the bubble guns except 2 and 1 had dead batteries.

So we had one bubble gun working overtime and a lot of very enthusiastic guests blowing by hand and cheering instead. And you know what? It was brilliant anyway. Harper and Arabella right in the thick of it, Jennie and Jamie laughing their heads off coming down the path. Oh well, it didn't put a downer on the day at all. If anything it made it funnier. More real.

Then straight into the formal group photos. Jennie had said beforehand, "nice and swift John, so people can get to Tindale". And that's exactly what we did. Quick, efficient, but still relaxed. Big family groups, bridesmaids, Page Boy and Flower Girls, a few with Thomas.

Just as well we were swift, as it had now started to spit with rain. That forecast from the morning had finally caught up with us. The bright sunshine from the house was gone and the first spots were landing on the path.

So we grabbed a couple of quick photos of the Bride and Groom just outside the church, then straight into the wedding car. Dress tucked in, big wave from the window, away they went.

I jumped in my car and made the 5 minute journey over to Tindale Working Men's Club. And when I arrived there the Bride and Groom had just arrived too, so I grabbed some quick shots of them posing in front of the wedding car before making my way inside.

It was perfect timing. We didn't need to go anywhere fancy, just a few relaxed posed shots right there in front of the car. Jennie stood proudly, Jamie with his arm around her, both of them together, big smiles, that lovely just-married glow. The rain we had at the church had eased off just enough.

Then inside.

Everyone had now got drinks and celebrations were well underway. You know that feeling when you walk into a room after a ceremony and the volume has gone up by about 200%? Glasses clinking, hugs, everyone talking at once, telling each other how beautiful the service was, how amazing Jennie looked. The bar at Tindale was busy, just how it should be.

Adults chatted whilst the kids all ran around the dance floor with flashing foam sticks which of course were getting used as weapons to clatter each other with. Lots of fun.

Harper, Arabella, Hunter and the rest of the little gang had discovered the foam sticks. They light up, they flash, and in the hands of kids they immediately become swords. No one was dancing at this point, it was full on foam stick battles across the dance floor. Hunter leading the charge, Harper and Arabella not far behind, lots of squeals and laughter. The adults were watching on, pint in hand, loving every second. This is what I love about a club reception - the kids have space, they can be kids, and it makes for the best photos. No posing needed, just pure, chaotic fun.

I made my way around the room photographing the guests as they celebrated. This is one of my favourite parts of any wedding day. No structure, no list, just wandering, chatting, grabbing those natural moments. Thomas with a drink in his hand, in his wheelchair, right in the middle of it all looking so happy. Leon and Lleylan with their mates. Lexi, Sophie and Alesha finally able to kick off their shoes a little and have a catch up. Groups of friends who haven't seen each other for months, family who have travelled to be there.

Then, at 5pm, the buffet opened.

And this is the time I can relax a little. As a rule, people don't want to be photographed whilst eating. And I don't blame them! No one wants a camera in their face when they're trying to balance a plate of sandwiches and sausage rolls. So I step back, let everyone get fed, let the room settle.

It's also time for me to grab a bite to eat, which is always very much appreciated.

And I have to say, the buffet was great. Lots of choice, and delicious. Sandwiches, hot bits, salads, all the classics you want at a club reception, and all done really well. I managed to find a quiet corner, plate full, quick sit down, check my cards are all backing up, batteries on charge. That ten minute breather in the middle of a wedding day is so important.

After everyone had finished eating it was time for the newlyweds to go into their first dance.

Romance, love, smiles. You could feel it in the room straight away.

Jennie and Jamie took to the floor and you could see the rest of the day just fall away for them. All that morning chaos, the slow kitchen clock, the dash to the church, the one bubble gun - all gone. Just the two of them. Jamie holding Jennie close, Jennie looking up at him, both of them grinning. They weren't putting on a show, they were just in their own little world.

People gathered round videoing, phones up, the kids sitting cross-legged at the edge of the dance floor with their foam sticks finally put down for five minutes. Lexi watching her mum, guests gathered round with arms around each other. It was really beautiful to see. No big routine, just love.

Then it was on to the Father Daughter dance.

Jennie held her Dads hands and gently swayed to the music. They both stared at each other for the whole song.

This was the moment of the day for me.

Thomas is in a wheelchair, so they had cleared a little space in the centre of the dance floor for him. Jennie bent down in front of him, in that beautiful dress, and took both of her Dads hands in hers.

She held his hands and gently swayed to the music. No big spins, no fancy footwork needed. Just father and daughter, together. Thomas looking up at his daughter, so proud, Jennie looking down at her Dad, tears in her eyes but that huge smile still there, and they both stared at each other for the whole song. Just swaying, hand in hand.

The whole room went quiet for it. Even the kids stopped. You could hear a pin drop, just the music and those two in the middle of the floor. Thomas had been there for the walk down the aisle with Leon pushing him, and now this - their dance. I stayed well back for this one, quiet clicks, let it happen. Some moments you don't want to crowd. I know how much those frames will mean to Jennie in years to come. I had a lump in my throat behind the camera, I don't mind admitting.

Straight after the Father Daughter dance it was time for cutting the glorious five tiered cake.

And when I say glorious, I mean it. Five tiers! It was absolutely stunning, sat there in the corner of the room, beautifully decorated, tall and proud. How they got it there in one piece I have no idea. Jennie and Jamie came over, hand on the knife, big cheers from everyone, a little bit of "you get the top, I'll get the bottom" laughter, and then the knife in. Of course, everyone wanted a photo, and the kids were suddenly very interested again after their foam stick battles.

One more recce around the room then it was time for me to head home.

This is what I always do at the end of the night. One last lap, just to make sure I've got everything. A few more shots of guests chatting, the dance floor filling up again now the formal bits were done, Hunter already back on the dance floor, foam stick re-armed.

Bags packed, cards checked, cameras away.

I said my goodbyes to Jennie and Jamie - big hugs, thank yous, that lovely end-of-day buzz when you know a couple have had the best day - and headed out into the night.

It had rained, it had shone, the kitchen clock had been wrong, we had one bubble gun between us, and it was absolutely perfect.

Jennie and Jamie, thank you so much for trusting me to capture your day. From the calm, sunny house in the morning to the bubble run outside Central Methodist, to foam swords and first dances at Tindale. It was a joy from start to finish.

Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together.