"I had a really strong idea of what I wanted for my wedding, but found it really hard to put it into words.

"I wanted my wedding to reflect me, my style. I’m a pretty chilled person, a bit alternative, a bit whimsical, and I wanted the wedding to be in a natural setting, like a garden. On the other hand, it had to be beautiful and elegant, lavish and pristine, with everything in its place. I wanted my girlfriends to feel entirely comfortable in their most expensive dresses.

"I was also very aware that we had 300 guests flying out for our wedding. I really felt we owed them a great party! It needed to be a magical event, and aesthetically amazing. I wanted people to walk in and immediately think, 'I’m so happy to be here.' With every bite, with every sip, I wanted them to say, 'I’m so glad I came.' I wanted people to be astounded, to wonder how it was put together.

"What Nikki did very well was get it all out of me. I’d driven a few planners crazy trying to explain it to them before I met Nikki.

"I felt that because Nikki’s young and comes from a similar background to me, she understood me. She put a lot of time into understanding exactly what I wanted. I wasn’t always easy either. I acted quite laid back about it, not pushy at all – but at the same time I knew that if it didn’t turn out how I wanted, I’d be really upset!

"But I didn’t need to worry about anything in the end. Nikki was organized and she knew what she was doing. She really cares, and she’s really enthusiastic about what she does. You don’t come across people like Nikki very often. And at the wedding I was finally certain that she knew exactly what I wanted all along.

"I will admit that on the day I was shocked. I’m a painter and an interior designer, and I like to think I have an eye for these things – and I couldn’t have changed a thing. It was amazing. She must have picked up on everything that I said. In fact, when I saw the venue on the day I felt like Nikki had been inside my head.

"The reception and chuppa ceremony were outside. It was like a secret garden, and it was absolutely stunning. There were butterflies glistening in the bushes and trees. Fans were laid out for the ladies, which added to the elegant Bohemian feel. Inside it was rich and lavish and magical like Narnia. The tables were overflowing with flowers and decorated with crystal butterflies, and the walls were draped with rich white fabric. Our families were bowled over.

"It was a great party, and it really felt like our party, mine and Dan’s. Our wedding was us. It really reflected us as a couple."