HUNDREDS of couples said ‘I Do’ to Northumberland’s county wedding fair last weekend.

The fair was established to encourage more affianced couples to support local businesses in the region.

And on Sunday, more than 440 people attended My Northumberland Wedding Fair at Ponteland Leisure Centre.

Organised by Northumberland County Council’s registration service, 73 local wedding businesses set out their stalls.

And from jewellers to florists, outfitters to photographers and cake makers to car hire companies, there was something for everyone.

Rachel Henderson, who has recently launched her business, Make Up By Rachel, said: “As a new business, the wedding fair was the perfect opportunity for me to meet potential clients and network with other local suppliers.

“I was really impressed with the number of people that attended and I have already seen an uplift in traffic to my website.”

Last year, 60 per cent of the couples who got married in Northumberland had travelled in from outside the county.

Penny Dane, who runs The Grange Bed and Breakfast and wedding venue at Seaton Burn, described the fair at the leisure centre as ‘superb.’

She said: “I thought the venue at Ponteland was brilliant and in a great and accessible location.

“There was a very positive atmosphere throughout the day.”

Last year, the county’s wedding co-ordination team officiated over 1,700 marriages.

And annually, weddings bring up to £30m into the county’s economy.

Northumberland County Councillor Dave Ledger, cabinet member with responsibility for the registration service, said: “The wedding industry brings an enormous amount of revenue into our economy.

“Couples spend thousands of pounds on their big day and we are working hard to encourage more people to get married in Northumberland.”