I walked into the bathroom a couple of days ago to find my big butch hubby, sleeves rolled up, washing his old childhood toy ‘Pappy’ in the baby bath, getting it ready to meet the new addition to the family… It’s a very old, dog-eared, one-eyed, lump of stuffing in the shape of a leopard that to this day Greg still holds dear and looks on with real affection. I can’t mock, I also have my old ‘Hedgy’ the hedgehog tucked away in a box, and my other sister Anna  still has ‘Teddy’, held together now with sheer will power rather than stitching. I’m not sure what happened to Louise’s fluffy jingle shape but I’m sure it died content.  Pappy is now squeaky clean and less of a health hazard, but I think we’ll still be on the lookout for a brand new leopard friend for the new baby, so she can love it to bits from scratch…

However, with my friends Lisa and Richard celebrating the birth of baby Ariana, I just had to dust off the camera to take a few pictures for them! Ariana is such a sweet wee thing with a beautiful name to match. I’m very jealous, waiting for our own baby to arrive is starting to drag, we just can’t wait to meet her!

So, who shot my wedding?! Well, I was a lucky girl indeed – my photographer was the very talented Kate Chandler, (who also made my beautiful birdcage veil and fascinator!) a dear friend and fantastic snapper. Thank you Kate, not only did you do an amazing job under pressure (it’s very stressful shooting a photographer’s wedding!) but you made us feel so relaxed in front of the camera. Nobody else could have got such lovely shots of us… And I also had some wonderful shots done by photographer friends Jayne Wright and Cate Gillon. Thank you, I’m spoiled rotten by the pictures of our wonderful day…

Before we start with the pictures I have a few special mentions to make – firstly, the fantastic make-up artist Lucy Gourlay of LG Makeup- I have her to thank for the lack of airbrushing needed on my photos! And thanks go to the talented Gail Rankin of Bespoke Wedding Hair, who made my unruly mop into a fabulous updo! I also have to thank Planet Flowers for their amazing work – my bouquet was just so beautiful, I nearly cried with joy when it arrived -  all of the buttonholes were unique and the 60 vases of gorgeous flowers (all different) scattered around the church hall made the day very special. Also a big thank you to my new sister-in law Chloe of Bebaroque for embellishing my dress with sparkles a couple of nights before the wedding and to Angela of Jacques & Lawrence Catering for such gorgeous food!

Greg and I were married on March 17th after a four month engagement at the beautiful registry office in Edinburgh, with our reception at the fantastic St Columba’s by the Castle. I was six and a half months pregnant, but my bump stayed fairly hidden under my petticoats! It was a simple vintage-style day, many lovely guests, lots of laughter and a great deal of fun for us both. It’s a complete cliche but it really was the happiest day of my life, I married the man I love, and it will no doubt stay the happiest day until our baby daughter arrives on the scene in June!

The ceremony was wonderful – lots of love and laughter, beautiful readings,  In My Life by The Beatles sung very enthusiastically and very loud by the congregation, and walking back down the aisle to ‘I Feel Good’ by James Brown! We spilled out into Parliament Square and were greeted by a carnival atmosphere, provided by incredible samba drummers Commotion (thank you guys!) and were soon surrounded by guests and Japanese tourists alike!

Then off for some fun portraits with Kate before heading onto the reception…

St Columba’s by the Castle was a perfect venue for us – we decorated it with bunting, fresh flowers and fairy lights, and included a sweetie bar for guests to snack on. We made confetti cones from sheet music and our guests had a great time throwing it at us (including the cones!) when we arrived at the hall!

Our first dance was ‘For Once in my Life’ by Stevie Wonder, and then we boogied the night away to an ipod disco and fab live music performed by various family members. Thanks guys, the joint was jumpin’..

And finally here are some of the shots from our DIY photobooth – such great fun, Greg’s uncle Keith created the amazing props and they were used all night! I should probably explain that the guns and ‘bairn’ sign are because of my ‘delicate’ state, and it being a ‘shotgun wedding!’

Finally I’d like to be a sentimentalist and thank my husband, the gorgeous Mr Patience, for making me a very happy girl indeed…..xxx

To start with, I’ll share some pictures from the double engagement shoot done with the fab photographer Cate Gillon. Cate got married a few weeks before I did, and as we were both more used to being behind the camera than in front of it, we swapped engagement shoots with each other as gifts for the wedding! Great fun and it was really good to practice being photographed, she’s a fantastic photographer and put us both at ease. Cate and Marc seemed to enjoy themselves in front of the camera too! Here are a few of my favourites of them…

And here are a few of Cate’s showing Greg, myself and baby to be… Love them, thanks Cate… x

Thank you Jo and Dave – it was lovely to be a part of such a gorgeous day, especially with my own nuptials approaching fast! Very inspiring…

Now, in 2012, it was time to meet his new little sister, the beautiful Emma and capture images of her at the same stage. They look so similar, the same smiley eyes and big grin. And lovely to see how Calum is turning into a fantastic wee boy! Thanks guys for inviting me back, it was wonderful to meet the new addition!

Yes, it’s official, I’m due to have my first baby in the summer and I can’t wait until this wee one makes it into the world. Very exciting… My gorgeous man, Greg and I have had a very eventful year together – we’ve had some tough times over the last year, but what we’ve gone through has just made us stronger as a couple. Love him to bits, we have such a brilliant relationship, and this baby will be very loved.

And then things got better again… In December, on a weekend trip to Paris, Greg proposed with his great-grandmothers engagement ring at the beautiful Sacre Coeur, and I accepted! We’re getting married in March, when I’ll possibly be the size of a small planet but very happy. I’m thinking of hiring a small white marquee as a dress. The wedding will be a simple but stylish affair, and I can’t wait. After five years photographing other people’s beautiful weddings and tiny newborns, it’s now my time to experience first hand what life has to offer….