A YOUNG couple from Australia chose a picturesque village hall in the Yorkshire Dales to tie the knot.

Walter and Chantell Sives who hail from Cronulla near Sydney in the Australian state of New South Wales flew the 10,500 miles to the Coverdale Memorial Hall at Carlton, after they chose it as the venue for their wedding celebrations.

They decided to get married in the UK as the groom’s family who are from Scotland is much larger than the bride’s. It is also close to Catterick Garrison where many friends and relations live, so it was easier for the couple to travel to the UK.

The future Mr and Mrs Sives undertook a 3 minute legal ceremony in their home town with some immediate family present.

For their special day, a bagpiper accompanied the bride and groom onto the hall’s sports field which had been transformed. One of their friends performed a simple, hand fasting ceremony and Mr and Mrs Sives wrote their own vows.

They were attended by four bridesmaids, a flower girl and page boy. The couple are now honeymooning in Croatia and will return to Australia to live.

Mrs Silves said: “We chose the Dales as to me it is classic country Britain and if I couldn’t have the beach I wanted the classic wedding.

“Coverdale had the hall for wet weather, which fortunately we didn’t need and the view for the most amazing ceremony and pictures.

“We just wanted to say how grateful we are to the hall committee and the community. We felt so welcomed by everyone and loved being a part of the village for the week.”