Magical Manorbier Castle has opened its heart to the first couple to get married there.

Between them the two young people created such an air of happiness and joy. The bride, Ellen Stelter, was born in Hanover, Germany and her bridegroom, Simon Bowen, was born in Bristol, but his parents moved to New Zealand shortly afterwards. They met in Edinburgh and now live in Hammersmith, London.

Simon has so many connections with West Wales as his grandparents, and aunt and uncle still live in Penally and he has cousins in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. For historical interest, his great- grandfather was a Unitarian Minister in Llanybydder.

Both Ellen and Simon have visited Pembrokeshire many times for holidays and during one of their visits they fell in love with Manorbier Castle.

Ellen actually proposed to Simon in the village of Manorbier on her 30th birthday in front of many friends who subsequently came to the wedding.

Through Simon's uncle, John, contact was made with staff at the castle and from there the owners decided to apply for the civil marriage/partnership licence. When Simon was told that it had been granted he was over the moon and immediately set about planning the wedding with Ellen.

On a beautiful September afternoon, the guests arrived dressed in outfits of feathers, sequins, boas and everything else relating to the theme of Cabaret. They congregated outside the main gate of the castle and then walked through to the Great Hall for the ceremony. The hall had been decorated with superb flowers and foliage with a final touch of white drapery. When the bride and groom made their entrance, gasps were heard from round the hall - they were both dressed in silver – the bride looked so beautiful in her organza dress and the groom was so handsome in his silver morning suit and top hat.

The guests included local family and friends, from the UK people came from London, relatives and friends from New Zealand, Japan, Australia, USA and Europe, including Germany and Switzerland. It was incredible to think that they had travelled so far to be at Manorbier Castle in far flung Pembrokeshire.

After the ceremony, there was a reception in the garden and then people made their way to the marquee which had been decorated on the Cabaret theme.

The catering was done by the Four Cooks of Pembrokeshire and the entertainment included the Puppini Sisters, the Lady Grey Tease and Lily Farthing on the piano, who had all travelled from London.

Talking to Ellen and Simon, it became apparent that they felt that Manorbier Castle was a special place and had brought people from all over the world together. Another important point they mentioned was that the more elderly members of the family were happy to be there, greatly enjoying the festivities with the younger generation.

If anyone is interested in finding out more about civil marriages/partnerships, do please phone Nicola Dent, the wedding organiser, on 01834 871312