Picture perfect day for newlyweds
A former member of the RAF from Walsall was blown away when his bride revealed a touching personal portrait of the couple on their wedding day.
Gareth Williams was left speechless after his partner, Scottish artist Nicole Porter, unveiled the picture.
She started working on the painting shortly after the pair got engaged and hid it away until finally showing it to him at their ceremony.
The 29-year-old groom posed for the painting but had no idea what it would look like when completed.
He said he was left speechless as it was revealed to him after the moving ceremony in Banchory, Aberdeenshire on Monday earlier this week.
Mr Williams added: "It was so emotional to see it.
"I know how much effort and love she has put into it. For me to just have that 30 seconds of seeing it for the first time for all those months she has been working on it was incredible.
"It is such a treasure and a memory that I will take forever.
"It will be with us for generations and generations and it is just brilliant."
Nicole, artist and owner of the Nicole Porter Gallery in Aberdeen, said she will continue to add details to the portrait as their marriage progresses.
She said: "The concept is that it will never be finished. That is our life together and we will add to it.
"Our love is forever and the painting is a symbol of that. As our life changes I will add things to it and keep it developing as our lives go on.
"To do it for Gareth, and to unveil it on our wedding day, it just symbolises what this marriage is about for me."
The portrait is called A Hand to Hold, named after a poem written by Gareth, an electrical superintendent, which he read out during the ceremony.
The couple are depicted in the clothes they wore on their first date in January last year, along with the ringbearer at their wedding, their dog Kaja (corr).
The portrait also includes details of Gareth's time in the RAF and personal mementoes such as a Valentine's card he made for Nicole.
Nicole, 28, added: "I was so excited to see his reaction to it. Although he has been posing for it he has never seen it, and it has been this big mystery.
"I have been working so hard on it and it really has been the best day. It has all gone so well."