Langley Castle has hosted a Viking-themed wedding for a couple from Gateshead.
The hotel, near Hexham, Northumberland, was chosen for its ability to create the ideal backdrop for Benjamin and Annmarie Coomber's dream wedding, celebrating their love of Viking culture and traditions.
The medieval castle, which dates back to 1350, was transformed into a Viking haven for the couple's big day.
It provided the perfect setting for the couple's 'handfasting' ceremony, an old tradition that involves tying the couple's hands together as a symbolic demonstration of their future unity. 'My England' by John Lunn played in the background as the couple recited their vows.
The ceremony was attended by 31 guests, including Viking re-enactors and a weaver who crafted bespoke friendship bracelets for the attendees.
Celebrations continued in the castle's tipi, where Norse music by the band Bisarr resonated throughout.
The guests were also treated to a mini castle tour, culminating at the battlements where they could gaze out across the land.
Adding to the Viking theme, guests engaged in activities like axe throwing and the traditional Viking game of Kubb.
Fire pits were set up in the castle grounds, inviting the guests to gather around for conversations, much like the Norse ancestors once did.
The Viking theme extended to the food and drink as well, with mead served as the tipple of choice, and bacon and sausage sandwiches replacing the traditional canapés.
The day concluded with a finger buffet in the castle’s Stuart Suite, decorated with Viking shields and axes.
Langley Castle's deputy manager, Bob Rutherford, who oversaw the wedding arrangements, said: "We have long recognised the attractiveness of Langley Castle for those who want a Viking or warrior wedding and so to stage this sort of themed wedding day is a true pleasure.
"It gives the castle a completely different identity and demonstrates just how perfect it is for woodland, nature-based and historically or TV drama-inspired wedding occasions.
"Benjamin and Annmarie’s wedding day was just perfect and we hope it provided the goose bumps for both themselves, as the couple at the centre of it, and their guests."
This unique celebration came just six weeks after the castle hosted a two-day Indian-themed wedding, further showcasing its ability to cater to diverse wedding styles and themes.
The castle offers a variety of wedding options, from formal or informal, marquee-sized or elopement weddings for two, fairytale or themed, to exclusive-use or just staged over a few hours.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here