A HAPPY couple tied the knot at the foot of High Force, in Upper Teesdale – 16 months after groom popped the question at the falls.
The first ever wedding took place at the beauty spot and the big day was made more memorable with the pair’s choice to give the nuptials a Viking theme.
Callum and Amy Kinchley said ‘I do’ in front of about 40 family and friends at the foot off High Force on October 8.
The Middleton-in-Teesdale couple’s unusual decision to tie the knot in traditional Viking dress was borne out of a mutual love for all things Nordic.
Mrs Kinchley, a Scout leader, said: “There is a plaque at the bottom of High Force saying that the Nordic name used to be High Fosse and we really love Iceland.
“And we really fell in love with all things Viking when we started watching it [the TV series] and the kids were doing it at school at the time.”
Mr Kinchley said: “We both love the falls and I actually proposed there, from the other side of the river.”
The bride and groom wore traditional Viking dress along with many members of the wedding party.
Mrs Kinchley added: “The weather was a worry but we did have the back up of doing the ceremony at the hotel. The day before it was awful, but on the big day the weather was superb.”
Many guests fully embraced the theme donning a variety of outfits including the couple’s sons CJ, 11, and Oakley, 8, who made and decorated their own shields.
The Viking theme continued at the reception at High Force Hotel, where landlords Andrew Lindsay and George Dunn created a banqueting hall fit for Odin.
She added: “It was out of this world. Andrew and George were fantastic. We didn’t really know where to start and so we left to them.
“There were animal skulls as decorations and antlers. Some people might describe it as grim, but it was just perfect.” Entertainment for their guests also followed a Norse theme with an axe thrower and a fire dance.
And for their honeymoon the happy couple jetted off for four days in Iceland.
Mrs Kinchley said: “We are really quite shy people and the thought of getting up in front of everyone to say our vows we would have both really found it difficult, but having the costumes on made it easier. It was like one big fancy dress party.”
Mr Lindsey, from High Force Hotel, said: “It really was a fantastic day and we were all certainly thrilled to be able to share it with them both.
“It was the first wedding ceremony to be held at the waterfall and a result of the ceremony regulations being relaxed during Covid times and never reinstated. We were delighted to be a part of such a special ceremony.
“We had worked with Amy and Callum for a long period of time in the run up to their big day and it was clear
from the start that it was going to be something really special.
“They are a really lovely couple. George and I have worked in the luxury leisure sector for many years and have been part of many big days. We can both say that this Viking themed wedding was a first for us.”
