NEWLY-WEDS picked the opening of a new restaurant in the Oxford Castle complex for their evening reception.

James and Valerie Bentley, of Cumnor Rise Road, celebrated their marriage at the opening night of The Big Bang.

Owner Max Mason opened the new British restaurant – which specialises in bangers and mash – on Saturday night with free food for more than 750 guests.

The Big Bang in Walton Street, Jericho, closed last year after seven years, to make way for a six-shop and 41-student room development.

The business has been relaunched in the old home of Carluccio’s Italian restaurant, which closed in 2010.

Jazz bands also played on the opening night, giving Mr and Mrs Bentley the chance for a first dance.

Mrs Bentley, who had been invited to the launch party as a former Big Bang customer, said: “It was absolutely fantastic, because Max had not just got music but a gentleman doing some magic tricks, too. We even had a dance.”

The couple were married at Oxford Register Office and had a lunchtime reception at the Nut Tree, in Murcott, near Islip.

Mr Mason said the new location for his buisness was ideal.

He said: “It's right in heart of Oxford. I don’t think there are premises with quite as much potential as the castle in the middle of Oxford.”