Wedding Photos

Here are some wedding photos... I will upload all of them to Snapfish eventually so you can see them all. This will take some time, but I am going to try and do it this evening in the hotel room.

Here are the details of each point in the ceremony, however, so you will be able to understand the progress.

Station One: Holy Well.

The Well is a Celtic symbol of the feminine. In ancient Ireland, it was an entrance to the womb of the goddess. The goddess was the land of Ireland, Eriu. At this well we celebrate the woman to be married. The bride places her hands in the well water. We pray for fertility, womanhood, and for the bride as wife and mother.

Station Two: Standing Stone.

The Standing Stone is a Celtic symbol of male fertility and power. In ancient Ireland it was used as a phallic symbol, marking a centre of energy. The monks carved Christian images on it and used it to mark the boundaries of their monastery. At the standing stone we celebrate the man to be married. The groom places his hands on the stone. We pray for virility, manhood, and for the groom as husband and father.

Station Three: Altar.

The Altar represents God or the Divine. This altar was used by the monks for 1100 years, from the 5th to the 16th century, as the focus for their worship. It is likely that they built the altar above an earlier Druidic energy point. Before the altar, the two to be married stand facing each other and make their vows. They exchange rings, have their hands tied in a Celtic handfasting, and receive a blessing from the priest.

Station Four: Sundial
The Sundial is a carved stone with a hole in it. It has a circular dial and a Celtic cross carved on it. It was a primitive clock, using a stick in the hole to cast a shadow from the sun across the dial. The monks needed it to divide their day into periods of prayer. The bride and groom touch their forefingers inside the hole to further solidify their commitment. Wishes are made by each, by pulling a silk scarf through this hole three times.

XOXOXO