It’s 3:30am, I arrived home from Yehudit and Simcha’s wedding a couple of hours ago, and I’m still buzzing with adrenaline from such an amazing and uplifting day. There were many elements that made this day very special indeed, and top of that list is that everyone spent time with Yehudit and Simcha, which in itself is always so enjoyable.

The ceremony was an Orthodox Jewish one, so took place under a Chuppah, a canopy which symbolises the couple’s future home that they will build together. It was held at Kinloss, the large function hall of Finchley United Synagogue. Proceedings were beautifully officiated by Rabbi Dr. Michael Harris of the Hampstead Synagogue, who happens to be none other than Yehudit’s father, so this really was a very personal affair. Two other Rabbis spoke under the Chuppah – incoming Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, and legendary outgoing Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. To have two Chief Rabbis speak so warmly about a couple on their wedding day is very rare and an incredible blessing.

Today was not only Yehudit’s wedding day, but also as fate would have it the day on which her university results were published. She was telling me in the morning, in the midsts of having her make up applied, that she wasn’t going to check her results until tomorrow – and all her friends from Cambridge University were under strict instructions not to tell her. Well, Rabbi Harris soon ruined that plan, having colluded with her friends, he was happy to announce during the welcome speech that Yehudit had achieved a Triple First Class Honours.

The party was a huge, joyous, energetic, crazy, loving celebration – featuring masses of dancing, surprise costumes, Wills and Kate masks, hoisting Yehudit and Simcha into mid air on a table, and many other moments that will feature in our full blog post in a few weeks time. In Hebrew, Yehudit means ‘Jewish’ and Simcha means ‘Joy’, this day certainly lived up to their names.

Here are a selection of preview images that have been sent to Yehudit and Simcha…