Pagan Hand-fasting Ceremony in Puck’s Glen | Jessie & Laurence

I am forever grateful for my dear clients who find me, connect with my work and take me to explore the most amazing places.

This time it was the moss covered universe of Puck’s Glen in Scottish Argyle. Entering this gorge feels intimate, like going inside the Earth. This is what drew Jessie & Laurie here, the two artists who wanted to celebrate their love and make their promises to each other in a Handfasting ceremony in this beautiful place. The date they chose, 1st of May – Beltane – was symbolic in many ways.

There is hardly a more magical day of the year for lovers than the 1st May – in the Czech Republic, where I am from, the tradition is that the lovers are ment to kiss underneath the cherry tree blossoms to not “wither away”. And then you have the Beltane – the celebration of light of fires.

May the blessing of light be on you – light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire,
so that stranger and friend may come and warm himself at it.
And may light shine out of the two eyes of you,
like a candle set in the window of a house,
bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm.
(Scottish blessing)

We met their wonderful celebrant in the forest and walked into the glen together as the morning light scattered through the trees into the dark mossy forest floor. There were inscenses burned, promises made, spells cast, ring and a pocket compass exchanged, hands handfasted and a broom to be jumped! The waterfall and the elements were the witnesses and it all really felt magical. In the end we all cheered with their delicious home-made mead from a quiach.

Afterwards we went on for a little bit of exploring and foraging in the forests and around Loch Eck and parted ways in the afternoon so they could enjoy a cozy evening back at their little cabin on the shores of the Loch as the plans for the next few days were mostly camping and road tripping around Scotland.

Location: Puck’s Glen, Scotland | Photography: Ceranna Photography | Celebrant: Pagan celebrant Ceci Alderton | Dress: Jessie created her two piece wedding dress herself.