Julie Baum and Tom Sylvester are the first in the world to marry in this freezing location. Photo / Supplied
Julie Baum and Tom Sylvester are the first in the world to marry in this freezing location. Photo / Supplied
By Emily Chan
From the Bahamas to Thailand, jetting off to get married in an exotic location is nothing new.
But one bride and groom have taken it one step further - by becoming the first couple to tie the knot in British Antarctica, reports the Daily Mail.
Polar field guides Julie Baum and Tom Sylvester, from Yoxall, Staffordshire, both work in the region and the pair married on Saturday - with their stunning wedding photographs taken outside despite temperatures of -9C.
Their wedding, which was attended by 20 fellow researchers, certainly had some quirky touches - with Julie using part of an old orange tent for her skirt.
The ceremony was held at a chapel at the Rothera Research Centre on Adelaide Island, where the couple conduct their research, with celebrations continuing at a champagne breakfast.
The pair believe there was no better place for them to wed. Photo / Supplied
Explaining their decision to get married in Antarctica, Julie explained: "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.
Although temperatures were well below freezing and there was very little daylight, Tom, from Sheffield, said he thought the setting "couldn't be better".
He said: "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 couple, who have been together for 11 years, are experienced mountaineering instructors chosen to join the British Antarctic Survey and manage deep-field science expeditions last year.
They have worked as expedition leaders in countries around the world, including Nepal, Peru, Ecuador and Uzbekistan.
The marriage is valid in the UK as it was registered with the British Antarctic Territory government, based in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
It is the first marriage since the BAT marriage law was reformed last year to make it easier for marriages to be arranged in the territory.
