Stonehenge Sunset Wedding

We were fortunate enough to be asked to shoot a wedding inside the Stone circle at sunset only days after the Solstice. It was truly magical.

For those of you who have not been lucky enough to actually enter the stone circle of Stonehenge, let me tell you, magical is the only word that can do it justice.

From the distant path that tourists are restricted to nowadays, the Stones are a little underwhelming (and yes, we're actually old enough to remember when you were allowed to walk in amongst the stones and climb on them). But as you approach them, they become quite magnificent. As you enter the circle, they are totally captivating.

The weather was still and warm. The ceremony was conducted inside the circle just as the sun was setting. Surely one of the most magnificent backdrops in the world for a wedding.

The ceremony had all the ancient traditions including the tying of the bride and groom's hands together in a hand-fasting ceremony. It is from this, in fact, that the saying "tying the knot" comes from.

The ancient stones, the warm air, the stunning sunset, the smell of burning herbs, the gentle boom of the ceremonial drums and the friendly voices of the shaman - made the evening extraordinarily magical. We of course had the technical job of photographing the proceedings but it was impossible not to get caught up in the wonder of it all.

Each of the guests, ourselves included, grabbed a ribbon, tied it to a broomstick and spoke aloud our good wishes for the bride and groom. Then the couple held hands and jumped over the ribbon covered broomstick.

Sadly the ceremony ended just a little too late to get the best of the sunset for portraits.

There was just enough colour and light left to get a few before the darkness fell and it was all just a memory.

Stonehenge certainly cast it's ancient spell on us that evening. On our way home our GPS refused to work. In the Western skies ahead of us there were mysterious dancing lights in the sky...we followed these lights to find out more and we were half way to Glastonbury before the spell broke and we turned our backs on the extraordinary dancing lights and headed for home.

Our congratulations go to the bride and groom but also our thanks for letting us share an evening we shall remember forever.