Pagan Wedding
Inspired by Nature & Celtic Traditions
Planner and stylist Sarah of Love Buzz Wedding Planning drew on her Welsh heritage and an interest in Celtic paganism to create this styled shoot at Gildings Barn. She brought together a team of creatives with a shared love of folklore and alternative weddings to explore how ancient rituals could inspire a contemporary celebration.
From a traditional handfasting ceremony beneath a Tree of Life to bespoke wedding fashion inspired by fantasy and nature, Aurelija Photography captured a shoot that reimagined pagan wedding traditions for today.
Photos throughout from Aurelija Photography
Inspired by Welsh heritage
Sarah explained:
“With my Welsh heritage and spiritual attachment to the mountains, forest, rivers and rugged coast line, I wanted to revisit my interest in Celtic paganism. I was recently inspired by modern Welsh paganism and wanted to explore pagan wedding rituals across the UK. Drawn from Celtic traditions, nature and folklore, our alternative pagan wedding concept was developed.”
Gildings Barn provided the perfect setting for the shoot. With its authentic oak-framed barns, open fields and ancient woodlands, the venue’s connection to the surrounding landscape complemented Sarah’s nature-inspired vision.
A ceremony rich in symbolism
Celebrant Paul of Human Civil Rights led a traditional handfasting ceremony beneath a Tree of Life hanging. A bespoke handfasting cord by Solar Crone Creations, created as a ritual object rather than simply an accessory, bound the couple’s hands together. The atmospheric sounds of Laura Pahkel‘s Fantasy Flute accompanied the ceremony.
Sarah told us:
“Paul brought the ancient handfastening custom to life with a special rope designed and crafted by the fabulous Solar Crone (a weaver of ritual items for daily magic) to bind our couple together. An additional companion to our handfastening ceremony included the captivating sounds from Fantasy Flute.”
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Styling inspired by nature
Ceremony space
Hedgerose & Honeysuckle transformed the ceremony space with abundant floral installations in deep burgundy, burnt orange and rich purple tones. Trailing ivy spilled across the floor, while clusters of candles added warmth to the rustic oak barn. The Tree of Life hanging completed the backdrop, quietly anchoring the space.
The Wedding Breakfast
Sarah of Love Buzz Wedding Planning styled the reception table with vintage lace linens from Here You Are Bridal, candlelight and richly coloured seasonal fruit, inspired by the changing seasons. Padraig Anthony Design completed the tablescape with stationery featuring artwork created from what Sarah describes as “fragments that once lived”, including bones from a Sunday roast, photographs of skulls and a taxidermy stag.
Fantasy-Inspired Wedding Fashion
Sarah knew Harriet Christelow would understand the vision from the very beginning.
“Harriet Christelow was top on the list given her enchanting fantasy creative designs. With passion and enthusiasm, Harriet took the lead and went straight to work sketching the Bride and Grooms outfits. With her craftsmanship to detail, methodical imagination and expertise, the results were outstanding.”
Harriet designed both looks exclusively for the shoot. The bride wore a lace gown with dramatic bell sleeves and an embroidered veil stitched with the words Till Death, while intricate Celtic-inspired embroidery flowed across the back of the groom’s tailored jacket.
Glitz and Glam Squad completed the look with soft, romantic waves by Hair Styled by Danielle and bold makeup by Alex Jagger including intricate forehead detailing.
A Creative Collaboration
Sarah told us:
“Harriet suggested we connect with book worm Aurelija Photography, another expert with a vibrant majestic aura. With her emotional story telling and earthy inspired compositions, Aurelija was the perfect match. Through creative collaboration, ideas began to flow and our vision was developed.”
Alongside the photography, Jamie Scott-Smith Weddings documented the day on film, while Fifi Benham captured behind-the-scenes content from another perspective.
Looking back on the finished shoot, Sarah told us:
“From my perspective the whole shoot was awesome, the details, the creations, the energy and passion delivered by all. The images captured speak for themselves and the results exceeded all expectations. Thank you to my amazing Pagan team. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”
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supplier dream team
Concept, Planner & Stylist: Love Buzz Wedding Planning
Photographer: Aurelija Photography
Dress, Veil and customised suit: Harriet Christelow
MUA/Hair Team: Glitz and Glam Squad
Hair: Hair Styled by Danielle
MUA (Bride): Alex Jagger
Stationery: Padraig Anthony Design
Venue: Gildings Barn
Models: Arma Medusa & Husband
Florist: Hedgerose & Honeysuckle
Hand Fasting Cord: Solar Crone Creations
Celebrant: Human Civil Rights
Fantasy Flute: Laura Pahkel (Fantasy Flute)
Content Creation: Fifi Benham
Tablecloth Lace Layering: Here You Are Bridal
Videographer: Jamie Scott-Smith Weddings
