We held our wedding in what was, for us, the perfect place – The Boiler Shop, a converted red-brick Victorian factory in the heart of Newcastle which also acts as a concert hall where we’d been to several shows together. A cavernous venue for a 125-guest wedding, perhaps, but we used every inch of a truly beautiful building in which we’d already made a few memories.

In a back room upstairs, I was getting ready with my long-time friend and stylist Tinu and my make-up artist Naomi while my husband-to-be, Matt, welcomed the guests into the vast main hall. The last arrived at a sprint as the heavens opened, but some typical July weather didn’t matter once we were inside.

Our guests waited for us in the hall as we walked down the spiral staircase which took us from the ceremony to the food. One half of the huge space was used for the tables and service, the other – in front of the stage so many brilliant bands have performed on – was set aside for dancing and drinks later. Even though the room was enormous, the layout ensured that it still felt cosy and intimate.

After sublime food from the much-missed Earl of Pitt Street, speeches and cake, we drank, danced and laughed our way through the night while a brilliant Motown covers band kept everyone on the floor for hours on end. All the while our photographer (and now friend) Karolina Auksoriute helped us to capture lasting memories, finishing up with a group photo taken while the venue’s organiser, the brilliant Fiona, gamely fired a bubble gun to help us get the perfect shot to close out the perfect day.