Simchah of the week: Miriam Bayfield and Jonni Berger

Miriam is principal rabbi of Finchley Reform Synagogue, having gained semichah from Leo Baeck College and a theology degree from Bristol University. Jonni is an employee-benefits tax consultant with Pricewaterhouse Coopers and holds a degree in economics and social studies from Manchester University. The North Londoners are living near the synagogue in what Miriam calls "a real rabbinic family home". They have a wide range of charitable interests

How they met
"We had known each other through a mutual friend for a while," Jonni explains. "Although our official story is that we got together at a mutual friend's wedding, Miriam was actually at my housewarming party the night before. Knowing that we were going to the wedding, I asked if she could ‘save a dance for me'. As it turned out, at the wedding Miriam was the only single girl on a table of couples with a spare chair next to her."

The proposal
"It began with lots of cryptic text messages about a surprise trip I would be taken on," Miriam recalls. "I hoped it might lead to the big question. I had endless excited conversations with my sister about the mystery excursion. It seems my six-year-old niece had been listening in and, by the time she came out of school on the Friday afternoon, the whole of Akiva knew I was getting engaged - luckily Jonni did pop the question!" Jonni adds: "I booked her in for a manicure so that her nails would look amazing when she was showing off the ring, While she was having it done, I got to work laying out champagne and truffles in our room before the proposal."

Tell us about the wedding
"Our chupah was at Alyth Synagogue, Golders Green, where Miriam grew up," Jonni says. "Miriam's dad, Rabbi Tony Bayfield, officiated. We then travelled by white-and-pink London taxis to the reception in the grounds of the Sternberg Centre, headquarters of the Reform movement. It felt like having the party in our own back garden as the Sternberg is also home to the Akiva school - where Miriam was a pupil and her late mum was head teacher - and the premises of Leo Baeck College. We had an afternoon tea and a funfair, complete with helter-skelter and carousel."