AN ENCHANTED WEDDING (in the Scottish Highlands)
A Lone Bagpiper calls us
Its unique tones
drifting across the loch
Clambering up the majestic mountain
Skittering over the manicured lawn.
Gently herded by the music
the wedding guests gulp down
remnants of welcoming champagne,
late-comers gaze longingly
at the table of filled flutes.
A winding path leads us
down to the loch
onto the lawn.
Nail thin stilettos
pierce the grass
jammed into the turf.
Traversing a wooden bridge
the rope railings swing
merrily to the steps
of the hundred people.
Ahead looms a steep woodland path,
the sunlight playing
chase with the shadows
of the conifers.
The Piper urges
us upwards and onwards,
decorative hats
bob up and down
enjoying their rare outing.
Below, stragglers pause
on the bridge
for photos.
Quiet conversations burst around me,
friendships in their infancy.
The tender chit-chat of
‘How wonderfully unusual.’
‘Aren’t they lucky with the weather?’
‘Is it much further, do you think?’
To the last question, it isn't!
From the soft gloom
the guests step forth,
pausing in awe.
We have entered
The Land of the Fey!
In the bewitching sunny glade
an officiant dressed in a white robe
stands behind the wildflower-decked table
patiently waiting for the hoard to settle.
A fiddler stands to her left
the light lilting music
bidding us to our slightly sloping seats,
Bride’s guests to the left, groom’s to the right.
A packet of crushed
wildflower petals for confetti
rest on each chair.
Enchantment swirls
around us all,
hushed whispers of
wonder in this
haven of natural mystique.
The guests at this
Inspired church of nature
stand as one.
The most spiritual of ceremonies
Begins.
Holding the hand
of her chief bridesmaid’s mother
a sprite of a flower girl leads the way.
Not a dry eye
as the father walks his daughter
up towards the front.
In the full traditional Scottish garb
the groom takes the hands
of his soon-to-be wife.
A touch of the Celtic lores
weaves its magical
influence over the ceremony.
Two tartan bands
are bound across
the couple’s joined hands.
Literally tying the knot!
In the ancient custom of
Love, friendship, trust and honesty
A quaich is passed between the two.
The two-handled silver cup
filled with symbolic
whisky and honey.
They drink,
their union becoming
more profound.
Two readings, both from the world
of literature, resound across the
gathering, across the trees,
the loch.
‘The Perfect Moment is now.’
It is! All our hearts are full.
The legal marriage vows are exchanged
sealed with a bountiful kiss.
It’s time for celebrations
in honour of the
newly married couple
To start with abundance!
©Annika Perry, August 2024
Below is one of the beautiful and inspiring readings from ‘The Thief of Time’ by Terry Pratchett:
‘Wen considered the nature of time and understood that the universe is, instant by instant, re-created anew. Therefore, he understood, there is, in truth, no Past, only a memory of the Past. Blink your eyes, and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore, he said, the only appropriate state of the mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now, you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it.’
Join me for a quick look at the magical walk to the ceremonial glade.
Below are photos of some of the local stunning scenery, as well as the rabbits in the Beatrix Potter Garden and image of a quaiche.
For the rest of August I will be in Sweden and as many of you know the holiday homes there, in the midst of the forest, are not connected to wifi. Although I look forward to answering comments on this post via my hotspot connection I will otherwise be taking an extended blogging break until September. Wishing you all a wonderful, peaceful, and healthy August!
Annika Perry 
Gorgeous green grounds and I enjoyed the tradition of walking to the loch with the bagpiper. What a memorable day for you!💚
Thank you! It was indeed an incredible day and one that will stay with us! Being in Scotland I’d expected a bagpiper but never to lead us over to the beautiful glade for the ceremony. It was magical!
Wow, Annika. This was an enchanting post.
Adore how you told of it in poetry form.
The location is magical, and the bagpipe is mesmerizing.
Thank you for sharing this magic time!
Resa, bless you for your lovely poetic thoughts and it is wonderful you enjoyed all the elements of the post and could join us albeit from afar! It has been a joy to share here!
It wonderful, Annika!
Love your poem and this beautiful post! 🙂
That’s wonderful and thank you so much, Linda! Xx
How did I miss this beautiful post! Love that poem, Annika. It’s heartfelt and with vivid imagery. Those video snippets and photos are just stunning; what a wonderful location for a wedding! Thank you for sharing beauty in your world, and welcome back! ❤
Khaya, I’m so glad you came across my poem as your words mean a lot to me! ❤️ It’s wonderful that you enjoyed it so much and it has been great to share about the wedding here. There were so many photos hard to cut them down to these few! 😀 btw. A belated Happy Birthday to you … your last newsletter resonated deeply with me. Hugs xx
I pretty much took the summer off from blogging, and returned slowly, Annika! What a charming poem to tribute to the enchanted wedding. I love watching the video clips of walking down the hill with the Bagpipe leading the way. The images of the Beatrix Potter Garden are extraordinary. What a beautiful place. My daughter loves The Peter Rabbit books. She has a big book with all the stories and a complete set of individual books and books with selected stories.
Miriam, it was an amazing location, wedding and yeas, the Beatrix Potter gardens and exhibition were the icing in the cake! How wonderful that your daughter still has all her books! I used to have the set too and talking to my mother recently we are trying to work out what happened to them. We bought our great niece a little Peter Rabbit teddy and bless her, she loves it and has it with her all the time! Just bought her a book – the magic of stories, eh?! 😀 I’m glad you had a lovely summer and chance to be so much with your grandchildren and enjoy the outdoors. Very special times, I’m sure! Many thanks for your lovely comment and welcome back to the world of blogging! Hugs xx ❤️
I know I am late arriving here Annika, but your poetic words brought the ceremony to life and I loved your little video clips and the slide show.. What a beautiful location for such a special occasion..
May the lucky couple have a wonderful Happy and prosperous long life of togetherness..
Sending Hugs your way . ❤
Sue, thank you so for you wonderful comment and always lovely when you pop by. This location, music, atmosphere was ethereal and quite unlike any wedding I’ve been to before – a joy to share here via the poem, video and photos! hugs xx
I also really enjoyed the experience Annika as you swept us along in the Wedding ceremony.. I really enjoyed… xx ❤
Welcome back!!
Thank you! 😀🙏