I have been so excited to blog this wedding day – and you’ll soon see why, as Bamburgh Castle is every wedding photographer’s dream! Picture the scene, you’ve watched The Last Kingdom and seen Bamburgh Castle on there. You decide that’s exactly where you need to get married. But, you live 1000 miles away in Iceland so can’t actually see it in person until you fly here for your wedding! That’s exactly what Barry and Marta did 🙂
Bamburgh Castle as a wedding venue
First up, yes you can totally get married at this incredible castle. If you’re looking for a fairytale castle in Northumberland, you’ve literally found it. The first time I visited Bamburgh Castle I couldn’t believe this place existed! The castle itself, but the views over the sea and that incredibly sand beach. It’s actually completely breathtaking! I can really see why couples would fall in love with it immediately. It’s also very versatile – it’s got options for intimate celebrations or bigger weddings.
As I mentioned, Barry and Marta had seen the castle on television and knew that instant they had to get married there. This whole wedding was planned from 1000 miles away! They finally got to see the place in all it’s physical glory the day before the wedding. Their wedding was actually on my birthday, which I never usually take bookings for. But, as soon as their lovely enquiry came through and I heard their story, I knew I was destined to photograph it for them. As I only moved up north from London last year, it would also be my first time at Bamburgh Castle.
Bridal prep in the Philippa Tower
If you’re tying the knot at Bamburgh Castle, you can get ready in the Philippa Tower. It’s a bit of a snug spot, but it’s packed with history and makes the perfect setting for those final moments—like slipping into your wedding outfit! Marta had her mum on hand to help her into the dress, and we grabbed a few shots of her looking absolutely stunning before she headed down for the ceremony. Honestly, with this dress and the castle , Marta could’ve stepped straight out of Game of Thrones as a queen.
Wedding ceremonies in the Kings’ Hall
When it comes to your wedding ceremony at Bamburgh Castle, you’ve got two epic options. For something intimate, The Keep Hall is your spot – seating up to 15 guests in a cosy, historic setting. But if you’re going big, The King’s Hall is where the magic happens. Calling this space dramatic doesn’t even come close. Think Game of Thrones banquet vibes: a soaring teak ceiling, mullioned windows, and a raised stage with a fireplace. And yep, that’s exactly where you’ll stand to exchange your vows! It’s pure medieval grandeur.
It was in this grand space that Marta and Barry were saying their vows. Marta was walked down the aisle by her Dad, before greeting Barry at the top of that incredibly majestic aisle.
As this was also my first time at Bamburgh Castle, I was actually in awe as I was shooting this! The majesty of it all, and the light spilling in through the gorgeous windows was bathing everything in some beautiful rich hues.
Barry and Marta were surrounded by 30 of their closest family members and friends as they took to that stage and read their vows to each other. It could be quite an intimidating space, but the Northumberland registrars conducting the ceremony were so sweet.
Barry’s daughter had the sweet role of presenting the rings to the couple up on the stage. With that, these two officially tied the knot, earning a big round of applause from their guests! After signing the register and snapping a few shots with it, they were all set to step out onto Battery Terrace as the brand new Mr & Mrs.
Wedding celebrations at Bamburgh Castle
Battery Terrace is directly outside the King’s Hall and looks out over the incredible views of the Northumberland coast and turrets of the castle. Instead of confetti, Barry & Marta had armed their guests with bubble guns to shower them as they walked out. I love bubbles as a confetti alternative – if you have enough of them, they linger in the air for longer than confetti.
Barry and Marta had planned their intimate wedding dinner at Doxford Hall, just a few miles down the road. But before heading off, they treated their guests to celebratory drinks on the terrace. Champagne popped, hugs and congratulations flowed, and the vibe was pure joy.
If you’re having your wedding reception here, you can actually hire a marquee down on the Castle Green, which looks up at the castle. Stunning! This also means you could easily do extra special couples’ photos on the beach after dinner / for golden hour.
A wedding photographer’s dream at Bamburgh Castle
Now, one of the obvious highlights of getting married at Bamburgh Castle is the endless photo opportunities. Once the guests set off for the reception, we stayed behind to capture some couples’ shots, and let me tell you, choosing where to start is almost impossible with so many stunning backdrops!
Although this was an August wedding, it was actually an insanely windy day (as you can see from the photo with Marta’s veil)! For this reason, we decided not to head down to the beach, but stuck to the castle walls for some gorgeous photos with the sea view.
This shot was very much a case of praying that Marta’s veil wasn’t going to blow off, but it was so worth it. Look at that view! Even from up there and in that wind, the sea was so inviting I wanted to dive straight in. Northumberland really does have some of the best beaches in the UK.
It’s so hard for me to choose just a handful of shots for this blog but here we go! Even without the beach there were so many beautiful spots. Luckily, aside from the wind we had a perfect day for it. After some photos on the front, we popped back into the shelter of the Battery Terrace for some final photos inside the castle grounds.
This shot of Marta by herself is actually one of my favourites from the day. When I said earlier she looked like a queen, this is exactly what I meant! This photo feels like it belongs in a fashion magazine.
Iconic wedding portraits at the gates of the Castle
Before leaving Bamburgh Castle, Barry and Marta pulled off one last epic surprise, a classic Morris Minor waiting to whisk them away to Doxford Hall. Naturally, they wanted some photos with it in front of the castle, and I couldn’t have been more excited. Vintage cars are totally my vibe! If you’ve had a nosey around my website, you may have seen I have a classic Mini and LOVE a fun wedding car. This was a total dream come true!
As a wedding photographer, I left Bamburgh Castle that afternoon absolutely buzzing – and not just because it was my birthday! I honestly feel so lucky to work with such amazing couples, and when you throw in a venue like this? Incredible. After over a decade of shooting in London and then moving to Newcastle, having the chance to photograph at unreal wedding venues like Bamburgh Castle still completely blows my mind.
Bamburgh Castle Wedding Photographer
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer for your Bamburgh Castle celebrations, get in touch! This venue is an absolute dream to photograph, with its breathtaking views, historic charm, and iconic backdrop. Whether it’s an intimate ceremony in The Keep Hall or a grand celebration in The King’s Hall, I’m here to capture every unforgettable moment of your day. As I did for Barry & Marta, I can provide bespoke options for your wedding, or offer my classic packages for full day celebrations. Drop me a message, and let’s chat all about your plans 🙂
