Midnight Weddings
Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire have just announced dramatic Midnight Weddings available from January 2010.
Ceremonies will be held by torchlight in the grounds with the amazing backdrop of the floodlit Norman Castle ruins under the stars.
The Castle has an extraordinary past and one of the most important royal castles in English history having had guests such as Henry 4th., the Black Prince and Henry VIII as well as being a prison for the tragic and romantic Mary Queen of Scots on four occasions.
The event would work by offering the latest possible civil ceremony followed by a reception and then a Medieval Handfasting at midnight. Some people may chose to only have the Handfasting perhaps to celebrate a wedding anniversary or for those individuals who wish to make a public commitment to a partner in front of friends and family. The Handfasting is not legally binding but it was until the late medieval period and was recognised by the Church and State.
“It is a beautiful ceremony with wonderful use of the English Language and utterly romantic. “ said Lesley Smith, TV Historian and Curator of Tutbury Castle. “People love the Handfasting and we have held many over the past two years with couples and guests alike finding it a captivating ceremony”
Imagine how glamorous it would be by starlight under flaming torches.? “
Lesley Smith, is a world famous Ghost Hunter and expects plenty of ghost hunters would so enjoy this choice, particularly if they manage to squeeze a spook-hunt in between.
With couples always looking for innovation and something different, Tutbury Castle have certainly provided it with this new creative idea and expect to be very busy indeed with bookings.
There has been one midnight handfasting already but this time by candlelight in The Great Hall with colours of white and gold - no doubt a dazzling affair.