British couple tie the knot in first ever Antarctic wedding

Two polar guides have become the first people ever to be married in the British Antarctic Territory.

Britons Tom Sylvester and Julie Baum, who both work at the Rothera Research Centre on Adelaide Island, west of the Antarctic Peninsula, celebrated with a two day ceremony attended by 20 of their colleagues.

Ms Baum, from Staffordshire, wore a wedding dress made from an orange pyramid tent, which she had designed with the help of her fellow researchers.

She said: "Over the last 10 years, Tom and I have been working and travelling around the world. Getting married in Antarctica feels like it was meant to be.

"There is no better place really. I love snowy mountains and spending time in amazing places with awesome people."

Having started the celebration with a champagne breakfast on Saturday, the pair tied the knot in below freezing temperatures.

Despite the chilly conditions, Mr Sylvester said the surroundings "couldn't have been better".

He explained: "Antarctica is an incredibly beautiful place and we have made such great friends here.

"We have always wanted to have a small personal wedding, but never imagined we'd be able to get married in one of the most remote places on Earth."

The newlyweds, who have been together for 11 years, headed out to the continent last year to work for the British Antarctic Survey.

Both guides are experienced mountaineering instructors, who have worked as expedition leaders across the globe.

British Antarctic Territory (BAT) Magistrate and station leader Paul Samways, conducted the ceremony at a chapel in the Rothera Research Centre.

The marriage, which is also legal in the United Kingdom, was made possible by a reform in the law last year, making it easier for marriages to be performed in the territory.