HE has captured the happiest day of the lives of hundreds of couples, but now a wedding photographer is finally set to tie the knot himself – more than a decade after proposing to his partner.

Today will see Fearnhead snapper Gavin Tomkins on the other side of the camera when he marries Elaine Rigby, 18 years after the pair first became a couple.

Gavin estimates that he has been a photographer at hundreds of wedding in his 14 year career, having shot around 30 this year alone.

His and Elaine’s big day has been a long time coming in some ways but very last minute in others – the date was only set two months ago despite Gavin proposing 14 years back.

The 39-year-old said: “We only booked the wedding a couple of months ago so it’s kind of been last minute.

“The comical thing is that when we met she said she would hate a long engagement and would just want to get married within a year or two if I proposed.

“I ended up popping the question but 14 years later here we are – it’s quite embarrassing.

“We’ve spoken about it for years but there was always things like buying a house, starting the business, moving house and having children.

“We would always say we’ll get married next year so that’s why we just thought let’s just do it, and that’s why we’ve done it in about a two month period.”

Gavin was almost left shooting the pictures himself due to the last minute nature of the wedding, but fellow photographer Sarah Hough will be on hand to capture the moment.

He added: “I’ve put her in charge of shooting my wedding so she’s a little bit nervy about taking the reins, and I’ll have to stop myself from saying we should try this or do that.

“I’ll have to zip it and let her do the job as she knows what she’s doing.

“Initially Sarah was going to be going away on holiday when I was getting married so at one point I thought I was going to be taking them.

“I was contemplating setting cameras up and using apps to control them and also trying to use drones but luckily Sarah’s not going away so she’s stepped forward to do it.”

The big day at the Midland Hotel in central Manchester is now upon them, 18 years after the pair met while working for the Royal Mail, with kids Heidi, seven, and Ted, three will be in attendance.

Gavin added: “As sad as it sounds it was kind of love at first sight.

“I just think it would be lovely to do it for Elaine because it’s a long time coming, we’ve had a busy and stressful year and now everything’s tickety boo, let’s get married.

“People are asking me if I’m stressed but the only thing that concerns me is making sure my partner has the day that she deserves.

“I love her for the fantastic mother she is and for making me the man I am.”