It's been a long while since we were last at Langley Castle in Northumberland. The medieval fortified towerhouse with it's crenulations and ancient achitecture dates back to the 1300's and speaks of a distant northern lifestlye of days gone by. The people who once lived there almost blending into mythology in our minds.
Charlotte and Paul fell in love with the ancient building, it's history and the stunning countryside that Langley Castle sits within. It was the perfect location for their traditional wedding last summer. Married in the picture perfect village church of St John's in Snods Edge, they went on to enjoy a wedding breakfast and evening reception at the castle with all of their family and friends.
I asked this beautiful pair to tell us about their day in their own words...
How did you meet? How did he propose? What is your story?: Oddly our families knew of each other long before Paul and I met. We met, working at the same store but didn't become a couple until almost 18 months after I upped and left for university in Manchester. Transpennine Express has a lot to thank us for, buying many train tickets to and from Manchester until I eventually came back home to the North East.
We eventually moved into our first home together which we've filled with love, laughter and many happy memories over the years. A long awaited (on my part) engagement came as a surprise after 7 years together, back in Manchester where it all began. Perfect and private, Paul proposed on one knee with a dazzling ring and a joke of whether I thought he'd ever get around to it!
What was the inspiration behind your wedding?: Our wedding was about celebrating a new chapter. Reflecting who we are as a couple but also how we have become the individuals that we are because of our families and what they mean to us.
What was the most memorable or your favorite part of your wedding day?: Speaking for myself, arriving at the church, a bag of nerves but then turning to walk down the aisle and suddenly feeling nothing but excitement to get married.
Why was photography important to you and why did you choose 2tone Photography ?: The photographs of our wedding capture all of the 'moments' of the day, to look back on in years to come. Being transported back to our most memorable day. We chose 2tone Photography based on a family recommendation. The fact that we would have two fantastic photographers and two angles of everything for the whole day was a real draw for us! They have the style that we were looking for, modern and fresh but with the potential for a mix of traditional shots to keep the family happy and more adventurous ones too.
What is your favorite part of being married now?: As the best man said, marriage changes nothing inwardly about how we feel, but changes everything outwardly. The fact we're married and share a name means people see us in a different light and that unity gives us a stronger sense of togetherness. Our own new family unit starting out!
Do you have any advice for brides and grooms who are currently in the planning process?: Know what you want your day to be and look like, and then do your homework. Find the suppliers who can offer what you are looking for and will share your passion to achieve your dream day. Having that will take a weight off your mind to focus on all the other parts of the day.
Venue: St John's Church, Snods Edge and Langley Castle, Hexham
Venue styling: Simply Bows & Chairs
The wedding dress: La Sposa (designer) from Eve & Ellis (boutique)
The men's suits: Ted Baker at Moss Bros
Wedding cake: Sara's Kitchen
Flowers: The Enchanted Florist
Hair and Make up: Hunter & Dublin (Hair), Kate Alexandra Howlett MUA
Wedding video: Michael & Alice from Bennett Media
Entertainment: Dan James McClew and Groove Central Station from AMV
Wedding stationery: Silverbirch Designs
Transport: ATW Wedding Cars in Washington.
