It's one of the most special days of your life - and what could make your wedding day more magical than saying "I Do" in an ancient castle steeped in history?
The North East boasts an incredible wealth of medieval fortresses, with Northumberland being home to more castles than any other county in England - and a select few in the region are now used as unique wedding venues.
Couples can be transported back in time on their big day by saying their vows under timber-framed vaulted ceilings, dining in the same halls as kings and queens of centuries past, and even dancing the night away in a medieval Gaol.
Read more: Northumberland couple say 'I do' with a pork pie wedding cake
Here are four castles around the North East offering wedding packages to make sure the day is truly unforgettable.
Bamburgh Castle
With the earliest recorded history of Bamburgh Castle stretching back to AD 547, there's more than 1,400 years of history contained in the towering walls of this magnificent fortress.
Hosting up to 150 wedding guests, Bamburgh promises a “fairytale” setting for the big day, and has several rooms within the castle itself to choose from which each have their own unique charms.
Couples can elect to make their entrance in The King’s Hall, or descend the staircase into the 12th century Keep Hall with vaulted ceilings and stone-flagged floors, and enjoy a drinks reception in the castle’s Victorian Stables.
Bamburgh also offers marquee weddings on its famous village green, with the grandeur of the castle providing a dramatic backdrop to your day, and guests can head up to the Battery Terrace for incredible views of the stretching Northumberland coastline.
Langley Castle
Built in 1350, this Hexham castle spent 600 years under the ownership of various lords and ladies before being bought by historian Cadwallader Bates in 1882.
Surrounded by ten acres of woodland, Langley has played host to everything from traditional white weddings to Game of Thrones-themed ceremonies.
With window seats set into seven-foot walls, spiral staircases guarded by suits of armour, and views of the Northumberland countryside from the battlements, Langley has stayed true to its medieval roots. The castle only plays host to one wedding per day, giving couples the experience of having their very own kingdom.
As well as options within the castle itself, from the intimate Drawing Room to the atmospheric Stuart Suite, the grounds are also a popular choice in the warmer months, with a special Woodland Wedding area and The Gazebo opposite the castle’s entrance among the outdoor areas to choose from.
Durham Castle
Durham’s castle dates back to 1072, when it was commissioned by William the Conqueror to defend the land.
A residence of the Bishops of Durham throughout the centuries with the iconic Durham Cathedral just next door, the castle now forms part of the University of Durham and plays host to larger weddings during student holiday seasons.
It sits with the Cathedral and the shrines of St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede at the heart of Durham's World Heritage Site, having been added to the UNESCO list in 1986.
Guests can head to the castle’s 16th century Tunstall Gallery or out into the Courtyard for the drinks reception, while the 13th century Great Hall can host a wedding breakfast for up to 200 guests, or smaller parties of up to 40 can dine in the Bishop’s Dining Room.
Newcastle Castle
For Newcastle history buffs planning the ultimate Geordie wedding, you can’t hope for a more iconic venue than the ancient Roman castle where the city got its name.
From reciting vows in the 17th-century Harbottle Suite, to tucking into a wedding breakfast in the Great Hall where kings and queens once dined and even enjoying drinks and dancing in the Gaol, Newcastle Castle is full of breath-taking spaces to make for a truly unique wedding day.
Couples who really want to add to the feeling of stepping back in time have the option to add some “medieval magic” to their big day, with extra touches including cannons firing, guards to greet guests, and live medieval music.
Guests can make their way up the castle’s spiral staircase for 360-degree views across Newcastle, which provides a stunning backdrop for a newlywed photoshoot.
