C46uehconfeti summer 2015

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SUMMER 2015

SPIRIT OF

SPAIN

STEPHANIE

ALLIN’S

STUNNING COLLECTION

THE MYSTERY

Istanbul AND MAGIC OF

Frill me

IAN STUART GOWNS

BRIDAL

BOOTYCAMP SHAPE UP

FOR YOUR BIG DAY

Zaeem Jamal

SOFT AS SILK

Spain and Gibraltar’s dedicated wedding bible

Your Mediterranean Dream Wedding, Just as you imagined it!

An idyllic setting with spectacular views and a friendly and attentive service that will captivate you with our exquisite cuisine.

Getting married in Dolce Sitges will make your wedding day unforgettable and unique.

Hotel Dolce Sitges, Av. CamĂ­ de Miralpeix, 12, Sitges 08870, ES +34 938 109 000 info_sitges@dolce.com www.dolcesitges.com

SITGES

The Mediterranean Sea,

bright sunshine and a unique climate: all these factors combine to make your dream day come true.

18

Summer 2015

Cover Stories

Features, advice, tips, ideas and suggestions to help arrange THE PERFECT WEDDING IN SPAIN AND GIBRALTAR

N

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SUMMER 2015

24 Aisle Style

Bridal powerhouse Ian Stuart unveils his new ‘Frill Me!’ Collection

28 Stephanie Allin Gowns

The glorious Spanish sun seems to shine through the latest range of gowns from Stephanie Allin Couture

11 Confeti Loves

What’s hot in the world of bridal?

14 Theme your Day

Pretty in pink accessories and wedding décor ideas

16 Something Blue

Giving this bridal tradition a twist with some gorgeous ideas for your ‘something blue’

18 Ethereal Beauty

Christos Costarellos launches an exciting new range of gowns, which make a strong statement of female sensuality

26 Bridal Lingerie

66 Real Weddings

Finding and celebrating love on the Costa del Sol

94 CONFETI’s

Local News

96 CONFETI’s

Address Book

The best professionals, specialists and services

98 Love, Love,

Love This

40 Designer Profile: Zaeem Jamal

Q&A with the designer listed in Tatler’s ‘Best of British for 2015’

50 Bridal Bootycamp

A recent bride shares her experience of a stint at a health retreat in an attempt to shed some pounds ahead of her big day

86 The Mystery and Magic of Istanbul

Where East meets West spend your honeymoon in the enchanting city of Istanbul

stephanieallin.net

Staff PUBLISHER Andy Clark andy@iconpublishing.es EDITOR Amber O’Shaughnessy amber@iconpublishing.es FEATURES EDITOR Natalie Rose Kern natalie@iconpublishing.es CREATIVE TEAM Constanza Martínez constanza@iconpublishing.es

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Helping you look as good underneath your dress as in it

Alma Roda Ros alma@iconpublishing.es

44 Invest to Impress

Daniel Boardman, Senior Hair Technician at Reflections Salon in Marbella shares his ideas for wedding worthy dreamy dos

EDITORIAL TEAM India Baltran, KJ Elsdon, Natasha Johnson, Padre Peter Liza Mayne, Nicola McGeorge

46 Pre-wedding Beauty Secrets

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Gabriel Moya Gonzalez gabriel@iconpublishing.es

Beauty expert Liza Mayne explains how to get flawless, picture perfect skin with 10 top tips

All enquiries, please call: +34 600 812 418 or email

53 Going Undercover

enquiries@iconpublishing.es

Embrace boho bridal vibes with canopies and pavilions from the Raj Tent Club at your wedding reception

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The views and opinions expressed by contributors to CONFETI may not represent the views and opinions of the publishers.

Icon Publishing takes no responsibility for claims made in advertisements or advertorials in this magazine.

No part of CONFETI may be reproduced or copied in any way without the prior written consent of Icon Publishing.

57 Ask the Expert

Celebrant Natsha Johnson has all the solutions to your wedding issues and concerns

60 Sweet Dreams

With so many wedding cake options available, where do you even start? Omaya from Cake Couture Marbella has some handy ideas to consider

Spain and Gibraltar’s dedicated wedding bible

60

24

www.confetimagazine.com

VILLA DEL MAR

An enchanted setting for the most illustrious of weddings.

Set amongst swaying palm trees overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the dreamlike Villa awaits you.

Marbella Club Hotel· Golf Resort & Spa· Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n · 29602 · Marbella (+34) 952 82 22 11 · www.marbellaclub.com

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his issue is all about personality and creating a heartfelt big day that carries serious bridal clout. Gone are the days of whispery, delicate white weddings that are forgotten about as soon as the last flute of champagne has been drank.

Two leading bridal fashion houses give us a sneak peak at their most recent collections, which feature dresses that break the rules and vow to wow as you walk down the aisle. Whether it’s the ‘Amber’ dress from Stephanie Allin Couture in glowing gold or the girly playfulness of Christos Costarellos’s range, which features voluminous A-line organza skirts and delicate lace crop tops, the modern bride is all about creating fashion impact on her big day.

Summer Lovin’

bridal accessories, bouquet or décor. This is complemented by our feature ‘Something Blue’, which again shows our bridesto-be how to embrace your ‘something blue’ in wedding jewellery or perhaps a pair of sunnies (we are on the Costa del Sunshine after all), rather than hiding it so nobody can see your nod to this classic bridal tradition.

The CONFETI team again heads east to Istanbul to bring you our latest favourite honeymoon destination. For the more adventurous newlyweds who find a beach holiday too staid, this enchanting city is the perfect place to explore. By day get lost in the majestic mosques before enjoying an ancient Turkish hammam treatment together. By

night, head to some of Istanbul’s many rooftop bars.

We do some sweet-talking to Omaya, owner of Cake Couture Marbella, on page 60 who tells us all the different factors you need to consider in order to pick the best cake to suit your individual wedding vibe.

With all this wedding cake chat, it might pay to think about your bridal body. Do you need some help shedding those pounds? Did you buy your wedding dress one size too small in order to force you into losing some weight? One bride-to-be speaks to us about a bridal bootcamp she endured prewedding but ended up enjoying and left the health retreat with a new spring in her step.

Each issue we feature some of the most beautiful and inspiring weddings that have taken place on the Coast. Turn to page 66 for our brides’ stories, they’ve stressed, they’ve planned, they’ve wed – now learn from their successes (and their fails).

We hope that all these suggestions, tips and recommendations will make your ‘wed-min’ slightly less stressful, but we are, as ever, on hand to tackle all of your bridal questions, worries or concerns. CONFETI is your goto source for all things wedding.

The Confeti Team

In this issue our installment of ‘Theme your Day’ turns the traditional wedding colour of pink on its head with ideas of how to incorporate flashes of fuchsia, cherry and magenta into your

justinalexander.com 8 CONFETI

weddings and honeymoons aboard t h e w o r l d ’ s f i r s t s u p e r ya c h t h o t e l s e e w w w. s u n b o r n g i b r a lta r . c o m f o r i n f o r m at i o n a b o u t w e d d i n g s o r t o d o w n lo a d o u r w e d d i n g b r o c h u r e . or please call us to arrange a personal tour of the hotel.

s u n b o r n g i b r a lta r , o c e a n v i l l a g e m a r i n a | p h o n e + 3 5 0 2 0 0 1 6 2 0 0 | s u n b o r n g i b r a lta r . c o m

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ONFETI loves...

By Amber O’Shaughnessy

I ET NF VE CO T-HA S MU

You’ve Got to Have Faith

The ivory soutache ribbon embroidery on the ‘Faith’ gown from American couturist Claire Pettibone is simply stunning. The delicate champagne silver of the dress would make any bride the belle of the ball.

Clairepettibone.com

The Jewel in the Crown Gatsby inspired weddings are still hugely popular after the 2013 film starring the dreamy Leonardo DiCaprio. This ivory and pearl floral headpiece captures the magic of the 1920s era when the parties were wild and the love affairs intense.

Glitzysecrets.com

Heart of Gold

Forget wearing your heart on your sleeve - the only place to hang your heart is round your neck on one of those exquisite Links of London gold locket necklaces. Its intricate design makes it a one-off piece of jewellery and a unique gift for your loved one.

Linksoflondon.com

Love Letters

Wedding in a Teacup stocks a fabulous array of wedding gifts that are both unique and heartfelt. If you’d like a sumptuous splash of pink and gold at your wedding, this is the perfect guest book for you! We love the pretty shade of pink and the swirly, baroque-style goldfoil writing on the cover. This gorgeous guest book contains 32 leaves (64 pages) of quality white paper for your guests to write their wishes and love notes on, and comes boxed for safe keeping.

Weddinginateacup.co.uk

Pot of Gold

ICONIC’s decadent gold and caviar body scrub leaves a shimmer on the skin and naturally moisturises, while gliding over the skin’s surface to gently exfoliate. Full of über rich extracts from caviar, the scrub is packed with Vitamin A, B and D. The formula also contains amino acids, which help to promote healthy ageing. Use this pamper treatment in the lead up to your big day and you’ll be positively glowing in your wedding photos.

Iconiclondoninc.com

CONFETI 11

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ONFETI loves...

By Amber O’Shaughnessy

Sweet Talk

These luxurious truffles with beautifully delicate flavours are made with real champagne, cream and just a hint of strawberry.

Encased in a crisp chocolate shell, you can add a touch of elegant hedonism to your wedding with these sweet treats.

Hotelchocolat.com

I FET CON -HAVE T MUS

Butter Yourself Up

We all know it’s important to ‘love the skin you’re in’ and this Sparkling Lemon Verbana Moisturising Body Butter will have you doing just that! The deeply nourishing body cream will leave skin soft, smooth and sinfully kissable.

Marksandspencer.com

Glorious Gowns

Couture bridal house, Lyn Ashworth by Sarah Barrett, will soon be revealing its 2016 ‘To be Loved’ collection. The new range of gowns features the signature shapes, style and quality for which Lyn Ashworth is famed, with every piece handmade in Staffordshire. This utterly dreamy dress ‘Windsor Halls’ oozes femininity and luxury. Its full, swooshy, floor-sweeping skirt and shapely silhouette brings this timeless dress to life for today’s bride. With her sharp eye for style, head designer, Sarah Barrett has sourced absolutely beautiful and unique fabrics to create this collection, which is produced by Sarah and her skilled team of cutters and couture seamstresses.

Lynashworth.co.uk

Charming the Bride

A pale ivory stone combines with various small charms to create a multi-row necklace that will work with day and evening ensembles alike. Add another delicate gold chain for an extra touch of luxe.

Wallis.co.uk

Home and Dry

After wedding mania has subsided, it’s time to turn your attention to decorating your home.

As newlyweds there are many subtle additions you can bring into your home to make it into a gorgeous place for you to enjoy together. For a fun-loving centrepiece, add these cute ‘his ‘n hers’ cushions to your sofa - now you both have your own cushion you only have to worry about deciding who is down which end of the sofa!

Notonthehighstreet.com 12 CONFETI

WEDDINGS

Beach Club Estrella del Mar

DREAM.LIVE.VINCCI Celebrate your wedding at Beach Club Estrella del Mar. A different wedding in an exclusive atmosphere at seaside. Come. Open your eyes. Let yourself be surprised.

Look. Imagine. Take the advice of our team of professionals who will help you make this very special day a great success. Smile. Enjoy. Design your menu starting from 95€ including floral decoration, parking, wedding night, anniversary stay, entry pass and enjoyment of the Beach Club on the day after the wedding and anything your heart desires. Live. Feel. Dream. You are staying at a Vincci.

Estrella del Mar Beach Club. Marbella Ctra. 340, 190,7 – Urbanización Estrella del Mar. 29604 Marbella - Tel.: +34 951 053 990 www.beachclubestrelladelmar.com

Bracelet Stack, Accessorize, Accessorize.com

Theme your Day

From powder pink to a splash of fuschia, a pink palette adds personality and a sense of girly fun to your wedding day outfit or venue without being too radical a colour that you are at risk of hating it half way through the wedding planning process. There’s no denying that pink with white is a romantic match made in heaven.

Clementina Bra and Briefs, L’Agent by Agent Provocateur, Lagentbyap.com

Embellished Clutch, New Look, Newlook.com

Large Pink Balloons and Wedding Decorations, Balloon Chic Marbella, balloonchicmarbella@gmail.com

Tiered Wedding Cake, Cake Couture Marbella, Cakecouturemarbella.com

I ET VE NF HA CO STMU

Bridal Bouquets photographed by Nani de Perez, Nanideperez.com

Cupcakes, Cake Couture Marbella, Cakecouturemarbella.com Heels, Dune, Dunelondon.com Bridal Bouquet, Flor Valentin, Florvalentin.es 14 CONFETI

Decoration fabrics & make-up service

Suppliers of wedding decoration fabrics Taffeta • Satin • Velvet • Lace • Jacquard Plain & Decorative Organza • Tulle We make to order; wedding bows, table cloths, chair covers, cushions & curtains

952 794 883 / 620 626 168 Avda. José Martín Méndez, 37, 29680 Estepona, Málaga Find us at the lower end of the Estepona Polígono.

Mon - Fri: 09.30 - 14:00 y 17.00 - 18.00 / Sat: 10:00 - 14:00

ADD GLAMOUR TO YOUR EVENT Gorgeous giant balloons, tassel tails, garlands, party decorations and wedding décor Available for photoshoots and to rent, these unique pieces add style and atmosphere to your wedding Call Katrina on +34 661 724 963 E: balloonchicmarbella@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook

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Something Blue

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Weddings are all about honouring age-old traditions. However, the customary ritual of wearing something blue on your wedding day can be easier said than done, especially if the colour scheme of your outfit, venue and flowers are all centred around more subtle shades of gold, cream and pale pink.

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Here are some ideas for incorporating a delicate dash of blue into your big day outfit.

1 ‘Metal Revo’ sunglasses, Eu.accessorize.com 2 Colour Show Nail Polish in ‘Cool Blue’, Maybelline.es 3 Platform Court Shoe in Cornflower Blue, Very.co.uk 4 Light Blue Clutch Bag, Newlook.com 5 Monsoon, Monsoon.co.uk 6 ‘Blooms of Navy’ Hair Combs, Glitzysecrets.com 7 ‘Lost Island’ Tassel Bracelet, Whitestuff.com 8 Jade Stud Earrings, Whitestuff.com 9 ‘Fringly’ heels, Stevemadden.com 10 Blue Lace Bra, Missselfridge.com 11 Light Blue Mini Chandelier Earrings, Newlook.com 12 Blue Stone Necklace, Eu.accessorize.com 13 Mirrored sunglasses, Superdry.es

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3.

Party People Marbella Creating magical moments in Marbella & beyond for 20 years Add a different dimension to your party with our exquisite table art & transform your garden into a night time wonderland with the latest in wireless LED lighting effects. From extravagant themed Great Gatsby or Frozen parties to small family gatherings, weddings & corporate events. We will help you realize your vision with professionalism, style & originality.

• Event styling & production • Award winning lighting design • Mobile night club

+34 952812580

• Imaginative music & entertainers • Themed furniture & prop hire

• Bespoke linen hire • Creative catering • Designer balloon & gift deliveries

info@partypeoplemarbella.com

+34 655155107

BR16 42 Top BR16 43 Skirt

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Fashion designer Christos Costarellos has sourced the most luxurious silk tulle, organza and taffeta fabrics to create a collection of delicate gowns that have a hint of girly playfulness. From its voluminous A-line gowns to its mermaid-like silhouettes, this exciting new range marks the 15th anniversary of the House of Christos Costarellos, making yet again a strong statement of female sensuality and timeless elegance.

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BR16 44 Top BR16 45 Skirt

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BR16 42 Top BR16 30 Skirt CONFETI 21

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www.costarellos.gr

BR1614 CONFETI 23

AISLE

Style

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A

fter his hotly anticipated designer catwalk show at White Gallery London 2015, we take a look at acclaimed British bridal designer Ian Stuarts’s new Frill Me! collection.

This season, Ian has focused his energy on designing for different body shapes, ages and personalities. He has created a collection that is diverse and

versatile, giving every bride the opportunity to find her own style within the Ian Stuart label.

Experimenting with softer fabrics and fluid silhouettes, Ian is bringing his unique flair and couture construction to a different spirit of bride he has not reached before.

And as the unprecedented King of colour, he has introduced stunning softer shades of silver, pink and taupe, which he hopes

will encourage the next generation of brides to embrace wearing colour on their wedding day. There are four stand out themes this year within the Ian Stuart collection: Ian Stuart Signature Style- textured, playful and dramatic Sexy & Statuesque- figure hugging with plunging lines and dynamic silhouettes Romantic and Regalfairy tale ball gowns, exquisite laces and glittering touches.

Fashionista glamour- modern, unconventional and daring.

Taking centre stage at the sixth edition of the premium bridal trade show, Ian Stuart will showcase the new collection on the catwalk, at his renowned invitation-only Fashion Shows which will take place at 12pm on 17 and 18 May. For further information visit Whitegallery.com CONFETI 25

VOW to WOW The new season’s collection of L’Agent by Agent Provocateur will ensure you look sexy and stunning on your wedding night.

Whether you’re after something girly, lacy, floral or simple, L’Agent has some of the prettiest lingerie sets on the market so that you can feel extra fabulous knowing that you’re looking as sassy underneath your dress as you do in it!

26 CONFETI

Contact with your Wedding Coordinator and get your Perfect Day: María Sánchez Avda. del Carmen, 99.

Playa de Guadalobón, Estepona Tel: +34 952 79 00 40 comercial3.hes@h10hotels.com www.hotelh10esteponapalace.com

by

Amber Pale gold organza dress with full skirt, fitted bust and sheer lace overlay.

28 CONFETI

Heart of

Gold As Stephanie Allin Couture celebrates two decades as a leading bridal fashion house, we take a sneak peak at the label’s new ‘Night and Day’ Collection. The mystical spirit of Spain is captured in the range of gowns, which features full swooshy skirts and shapely silhouettes, ideal for a destination wedding.

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Sunset Cream fitted dress with fishtail skirt, lace corseted bust and intricate lace detailing.

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Chicago Cream satin gown with corseted bust and fine beaded straps.

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Moonlight Ivory gown with lace overlay and full taffeta skirt.

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Rosa Pale cream bodiced gown with intricate lace detailing and ribboned waist.

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Bardot Cream dress with fitted corset bust, full net skirts and lace overlay with three-quarter length sleeves.

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CONFETI 35

Amber 36 CONFETI

Stephanieallin.net CONFETI 37

D esigner P rofile

38 CONFETI

Zaeem Jamal Bridal designer Zaeem Jamal speaks exclusively to CONFETI magazine about being on the hunt for silk ‘as soft as air’, working alongside photographer to the Royals Hugo Burnand and creating a collection of gowns that makes every bride glow from head to toe

CONFETI 39

40 CONFETI

I wanted to design and create ‘fashion’ since…

childhood. As the third generation in the textile industry, my passion for learning and exposure to all aspects involved began very young.

and requirements. Tatler recently featured our label in their “Best of British” 2015 edition and it was especially fun working with royal photographer Hugo Burnand on the shoot.

The best thing about the creation of bridal gowns is…working with

In three words, I would describe my label as…

each and every bride. We love to create gowns especially for any bride who is looking for something special that will help her look and feel amazing, and bring out her inner radiance.

Discretion is a key policy at the brand so we cannot reveal all the names of the people that we have created gowns for, but one high profile ‘public’ wedding which we can talk about that was featured heavily in the press last year is, of course, Jodie Kidd’s gown. It was lovely working with her and creating something magical, incorporating all of her ideas

elegant, empowering and timeless.

I would describe the brand’s style as…an

infusion of romance, magic and elegance into beautiful flowing silhouettes, complemented by the passion, intricate hand craftsmanship, artistry, care and attention to detail that goes into each piece. The soft touch of exquisite silk fabric on skin, the flow of silhouettes that move with air and the elements and exquisite hues that inspire a feeling are some of the key

elements within each of our creations that evoke a feeling for a Zaeem Jamal bride as she walks down the aisle.

In 2016, brides will…

Continue to love having a selection of white and ivory tones, which can look very different especially when complemented by embroidery we offer in a selection of colours including pearl, silver and gold in various finishes. Therefore we will add a variety of new options on this front for 2015 - 16. We have a variety of new colours in our eveningwear collection that caters for mother-of-thebrides, bridesmaids, and some brides who would like a different gown for their ‘after-party’ or cocktail reception. We can also exclusively reveal that we have several silhouettes with beautiful

layered trains that are longer than any of our previous collections.

I find inspiration in…visiting related

sites, exploring the land, surrounding nature and monuments. These help to connect with the energy and feeling of the origins of the story and provide inspiring places to sit and begin sketching. This is complemented through other sensory experiences such as listening to related music, viewing related art and reading literature.

CONFETI 41

When purchasing a dress from Zaeem Jamal….a bride can expect

only the best laces and silks (satins, chiffons and crepes). We reject reams of fabrics, which other luxury brands happily accept, because they are below our very exacting standards. We like our silks to be as soft as air, and yet we require our corsetry to hold, support, envelop and enable – which is why so many brides also use our bespoke service.

The retail price for our gowns commences at £1,000, and between the £1,000 to £2,000 mark there is a lovely selection and brides within this budget can find something they love.

We can also include support in terms of bespoke changes such as colour, embroidery and tweaks to the style. The retail price of our couture gowns ranges from £4,000 to £10,000 and above, with its unique elements, exquisite craftsmanship and other facets of true ‘luxury.’

I believe a bride should…have fun and

explore all the options and find a dress which she truly loves. I feel this is more important than choosing something to match the destination specifically.

Today’s wedding destinations vary greatly from cities to beaches, historic properties to remote hideaways and the décor, settings and overall feeling & themes can completely change the ambience too… If we take the example of seaside resort weddings, a popular dress from our collection is the ‘Sandalphon’ gown (image shown here) with with its light, floaty etheric inspiration from the ‘Angels & Seraphims’ for more relaxed day time ceremonies on the beach, however our structured heavily embellished corseted and crystal gowns are popular for gala evening wedding receptions by the sea.

Zaeemjamal.com

42 CONFETI

INVEST TO

IMPRESS Daniel Boardman,

Senior Hair Technician at Reflections Hair, Nails and Skincare Salon in Marbella. trained under the multi-award-winning Errol Douglas MBE. Daniel cut his teeth working on shoots for the likes of Cosmo and Elle, while his Fashion Week experience gave him the skills to tackle any hair type or problem

Should you wear it

UP OR DOWN ?

Can you do it YOURSELF?

What style will work with your gown?

DEEP BREATHS. I’ve got you covered. In my new column I’ll answer all these questions and more.

Identify your style

My first piece of advice for all you b2bs is to work out which kind of bride you are. Is your style vintage, sleek, boho or traditional? What looks are you drawn to? If you are having trouble deciding, don’t panic!

You can find inspiration at the touch of a button. The internet is packed with amazing ideas, think pinterest, instagram and blogs. Just type in key words such as #wedding hair or #weddingmakeup and thousands of ideas will pop up.

I know, I know - you can thank me later.

Now I would always recommend to choose the dress first, hair later. Once you have decided on the gown, everything else will fall into place. Your wedding hair style should always reflect the style of your dress. In general, the simpler and more 44 CONFETI

understated the wedding dress, the simpler the hair.

Invest in a good stylist

Many brides decide to save money on their hair and makeup. This is a mistake and I am not just saying this because I work in the industry. Do not cut corners. When it comes down to it, all you will have left from your special day will be your beautiful memories and your photos. Remember, pictures last forever so a bad hair day on your wedding day is simply not an option. A good hairstylist will make your hairstyle look good from EVERY angle the camera captures.

During your consultation a good stylist will analyse your hair’s capabilities and discuss a bridal look to complement your wedding dress. It’s crucial

to road-test your style and try a few different options, so don’t be tempted to economise and skip the hair trial. Also, I always advise keeping your final do in for a few hours so you can assess if it holds up to your expectations.

Be Yourself

If you tend to wear your hair down every day then I wouldn’t suggest going for an up-do just because it is your wedding day, as it’s too far removed from your signature look. Don’t stray too far from the real you.

Remember you should still look and feel like yourself, just a more polished version. You don’t want to walk down the aisle and for your hubby-to-be not to recognise you!

What’s next

So you have decided on your hairstyle, now you need to get it in the best shape possible.

You’ll need to start working on the condition of your hair about six months before your wedding.

I recommend twice weekly deep conditioning treatments, such as the Kerastase Masque Force Architecte €37,20, which instantly replenishes weakened and very damaged hair. Also treat yourself to a monthly insalon treatment, as these are more intensive than at home versions. Regular trims (every six to eight weeks) are also a must to keep split, dry and damaged ends at bay. Have your colour done a week before the big event to give the hair time to settle down. If you are thinking about extensions I’d suggest you try them out about three months before so you can see if it really is the look you are after and if you can cope with the after-care.

What’s Hot

Unless you have been living under a rock this year you will know that braids are everywhere. If I am honest, I think brides should leave this look to their maids as they tend to work this style better. I am loving Redken’s Braid Aid, €16,88, a defining lotion designed to add both smoothness and grip, making braiding and twisting hair easier and longer lasting. On the subject of maids, I always think it works well to have a uniform look. I know that not

everyone’s hair is the same but you can still keep a general theme running their looks. Oh and, for goodness sake, please DO remember it is the bride’s day and you are not there to upstage her.

Buns are still on trend. At Monique Lhuillier’s they went back to basics by forming an oversized bun that sat just above the nape of the neck. A classic twisted knot will look super-chic for a bride or guest and looked simply gorgeous at 3.1 Phillip Lim. If you were looking for a more dramatic hair look on your wedding day, the high bun is always a classic.

Long hair has returned and features heavily in new season trends, worn with spiral waves or a full bouncy texture tumbling over the shoulders. At Vera Wang the volume of the dress shape was balanced with powerful hair. I have been working Redken’s Metal Fix 08, €16,88 into tousled hair for a different take on this look. The metallic liquid pomade which comes in silver and gold creates the illusion of highlights and photographs beautifully.

For me THE bridal look of the year has to be the ponytail as it can be worn in a multitude of ways. At Oscar de la Renta models rocked a sleek, centre-

parted ponytail, accented with a diamond headband while at Jenny Packham they wore their hair in a low ponytail, which featured volume around the crown and an effortless, tousled texture. The roughed-up vibe made for a eye-catching contrast against each of the opulent gowns. People should never underestimate the power of the ponytail.

Reflections Hair Nails & Skincare Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucia, Marbella + 34 902 325 324 + 34 952 906 524 www.reflectionsmarbella.com CONFETI 45

A trusted name on the Costa del Sol, Liza Mayne has developed her reputation thanks to her exceptional artistic skills and extensive industry experience.

TOP10

Pre-Wedding TIPS

Don’t leave it until the last minute, prep your skin for your special day!

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The more time you have to correct any skin issues, the better! Using products that contain AHAs (exfoliating acids) will help to remove dead skin cells, which tend to build up and leave complexions looking dull and lifeless.

By removing the dead cells, skin will start looking fresher and more vibrant.

Don’t forget to use a good SPF to avoid skin damage.

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Flawless bridal make-up starts with good skin - no foundation will look good without a smooth, exfoliated base. Once you’ve got your skincare regime down to a T, try using a matt primer to keep your foundation on for longer and oily areas at bay.

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If you want to start cleaning your body from the inside out, start drinking loads of water and green tea daily. Not only will this help with weight loss, supported by a good diet and 20 minutes of exercise a day, but many people swear by its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties to help brighten the skin.

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Don’t try any new products up to a month before your big day – this includes skincare, hair care, make-up, and even washing powder! You don’t want to experience any kind of a reaction, since it can take a couple of weeks to calm down.

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5

If you are hoping to lose a few pounds before your wedding day be sure that you start nourishing your body with a good daily moisturiser; look out for ingredients such as Vitamin E. When weight fluctuates it can cause stretch marks.

THE HOUSE HAIRDRESSING

NOW O P E N I N E LV I R I A

Experts in Bridal Hair &Up Styles

WE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO “OUR HOUSE”

AWARD WINNING CELEBRITY STYLISTS

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6

If you are dieting, remember to take a good multivitamin supplement as well. If you aren’t having the correct amount of nutrients that your body needs, it will show in your hair, skin and nails. Omega oils are also great for your skin and body.

7

If you’re getting married abroad or in the summer, be careful when sunbathing.

We all want that golden glow but even if you tan rather than burn, you may be left with unsightly strap marks that will spoil your wedding photos. Keep reapplying sun cream and make sure you wear SPF daily. Don’t forget your ears, lips, tip of your nose and the back of your neck.

8

To avoid any fake tan disasters on the big day, book yourself in for a spray tan at least two days before and this gives the tan time to develop as well as avoiding that freshly sprayed overdone look, plus you’ll be a lot less likely to end up with any streaky patches. Do try to find someone who uses a product you are used to, so you know exactly what the colour will be and there are no surprises before the big day.

10

Don’t forget about your lips! If you suffer from dry lips make sure you invest in a good quality lip balm and re-apply regularly throughout the day, even before bed. Another great tip is to exfoliate your lips with lip balm and an old tooth brush; gently brush over the lips at least two to three times a week. Your lips will be beautifully soft and smooth, and ready for your first kiss as man and wife!

CONFETI 49

Bridal B

ride-to-be Kelly embarked on a gruelling weeklong health retreat in Alicante in the run up to her wedding. It was a week of highs and many lows, but she left with glowing skin and minus several kilogrammes. She shares her experiences here with CONFETI magazine.

Everybody knows that the prelude to your wedding brings thoughts of crash diets and lifestyle changes so that you are able to fit into your dress on the big day and feel bikini ready for the honeymoon shortly afterwards. Somewhere during

this period I concluded that the only way to do this would be by attending a boot camp/retreat for a week where I could solely focus on my well-being.

Typically, I have believed that my weight benefits from my being less stressed (I am reliably informed that this is a typical female trait) but I reasoned that this was not a good enough excuse to indulge myself with a week away.

My mum was the tipping point and the reason I soon found myself checking into one such retreat for a week of juicing, exercise and mentoring. “I’ve been to the

doctor”, she said in a matter of fact tone, “for a check up.” “You’re not obese” he told me and I thought, “Great!”. Pause. “You´re morbidly obese he said”. Stifling a laugh (we both have a bit of a sick sense of humour), I shot her a sideways look. “I can’t believe he said that”, I said looking shocked.

“Neither can I” she replied.

My mum looks amazing; I was torn between finding the cheek of the doctor hilariously funny and actually being worried about her health. Obesity increases the likelihood of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. On average, obesity decreases life expectancy by six to seven years.

Needless to say when I got a call from my mum telling me we were going to a retreat, I didn’t think twice about signing up.

We managed to persuade two of my cousins to come with us, I

50 CONFETI

nicknamed it ‘Family Fat Camp’ and excitedly exclaimed that we would have fun. I was genuinely looking forward to it.

It was on the five hour journey to Alicante where the retreat is based that I realised I had absolutely no idea of what I was about to let myself in for. I jokingly mentioned to my mum that I had packed some contraband with my luggage (two chocolate biscuit bars and a bag of crisps) to which she confessed to having packed some “normal tea bags.” It was at this point that the seriousness of the situation sunk in – this wasn’t an indulgent week of me-time with a bit of juice and exercise thrown in.

This was a potentially life changing week, where caffeine was frowned upon, daily rigorous exercise expected and not a single solid piece of food would be passing my lips for three days.

Only after the three days of juice three times a day would I then be promoted to a daily vegan meal at night. This was designed to detox my body and kick-start my digestion for maximum health and weight loss benefit. I was given a timetable on arrival that showed every hour of the week ahead filled with some sort of activity.

Yoga morning and night, juice and cooking demonstrations, life coaching and various talks but screaming at me from the page was the sheer number of daily exercise classes. So there I was, all checked in with the hungriest week of my life stretching out ahead of me and more exercise than I would wish on anyone. I was thoroughly miserable. “Come on!” my mum cheerily called,” there’s a movie on.” A glimmer of hope jumped in my tummy, “Brilliant, what is it?” I asked. “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” she answered.

This was going from bad to worse but at least I wouldn’t be suffering alone. I ‘whatsapped’ my cousins who were arriving the next day. I simply wrote, “Ha ha”.

I’d like to say that the next week passed in a blur but that would be lying. I remember ever single minute but, although every we were not happy for a lot of it, there were moments in which we actually started to enjoy ourselves and I know I have learned things that have changed me forever. Of course we weren’t the only people there.

Each week there are new residents arriving and, although the average stay is between a week to 10 days, some go on to stay for months.

During our stay we met one resident who had already been there for three months. For them, this was seriously life changing.

My first few days were terrible.

Detoxing left me with terrible headaches and the hunger pain was excruciating.

The lack of daily calories meant, with all the exercise we were doing, that there was immense tiredness on top of this but this was ironically where the happy moments were born.

Everyone felt the same way and this produced a trench mentality where we all had genuine concern for each other. I was given tips on the best way to deal with my headaches and it was stimulating to enjoy intelligent debate over the new facts we were learning and any likelihood that we would take and use this new information when back in the ‘real’ world.

kept entirely intact. It is common sense that juicing a table full of fruit and vegetables into a glass means being able to digest an unprecedented nutritional super boost for which your body will always be grateful.

My body, in turn, repaid me with skin that glowed and an alert energetic state that I haven’t felt for years. I learned that by replacing milky coffee with hot water with ginger, mint and a dash of cayenne pepper that not only would my hunger subside but so would my waistline!

There were rumours at Fat Camp of previous residents escaping and having a meal in a nearby restaurant. We did escape one night, passing many enticing bars and restaurants yet we managed to stick to the programme and not go into any of them. Like anything- you get out what you put in and after the effort we had gone to, there was no way we were going to cheat.

I finished the week three kilos lighter and, despite my good intentions and having implemented only a fraction of the changes I planned on my return, three months later I am still two kilos lighter but - more importantly - have significantly more energy. My mum, however, regularly replaces at least one meal a day with a fresh fruit and vegetable juice and is continuing to reap the benefits.

Fat camp isn’t for everyone but it should be; our changes were beneficial, but for some residents leaving Fat Camp it meant no longer needing insulin for their diabetes. It makes you wonder if you can afford not to take a week out and try it.

Do yourself a favour and leave the contraband at home, though - I’ve never thought about a chocolate biscuit so much in my life.

I physically felt the benefit of juicing. We all know the five-a-day mantra but now I know that by not peeling or adding heat to fruit and vegetables their nutritional value is CONFETI 51

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Under Cover Jacqueline Roberts from fabric and upholstery store Tella Bella in Estepona goes undercover (the cover of canvas that is) to discover that the humble tent has not only survived the centuries but is experiencing a resurgence of popularity, especially in the wedding market.

A

human’s need for shelter is as basic as that for food and water and, since 40,000 years BC, we have been using tents to keep out the elements. Nomadic tribes from the Sahara to Mongolia, Arabia to America and from India to Siberia have long used tents for shelter and religious purposes.

Tents were not only used as shelters and shrines, they were also part and parcel of standard military equipment and still are, to this day. The Romans made such extensive use of them that camp building became an art form during their

expansion. Such was the size and sophistication of Roman camps that many actually morphed into real cities over time – Turin and Verona in Italy, Chester and York in the UK all began as tented camps.

Even after we began to build with wood, stone and marble tents endured. In fact, as our buildings grew in scale and grandeur, so did our tents!

Imagine a tent large enough to house 100 couches. One with fifty, 30-foot silver and gold columns supporting a domed roof, delicately brocaded with the sun, moon, stars and deities of the heavens.

CONFETI 53

This is Alexander the Great’s marriage tent where he and 9,000 of his closest friends (also getting wed to cement the new Macedonia-Persia alliance) lounged around on their big day.

No one did glamping quite like the Indians though and, in the desert state of Rajasthan, a very special nomadic tent culture was underway during the era of the Murghal Emperors. Much like the Romans and their vast

54 CONFETI

military encampments, the Murghals would construct entire tented cities for royal weddings, hunting trips and other special celebrations.

The most lavish and extensive example of this was the 1903 Coronation Durbar of King Edward VII in Delhi.

The celebration was to confirm the King as the Emperor of India and also to announce the transition of capital from Calcutta to New Delhi and the camp housed an incredible 12,983 people. It was the epitome of comfort and luxury with each Princely State and neighbouring Kingdom trying to outdo one another by displaying the most exquisite examples of their local craftsmanship within the confines of their camp.

But how do you even begin to choose the right tent for your wedding? Some things to think about or chat to your wedding planner about before getting in touch with a supplier are:

1 What space do you have available for a tent and on what kind of surface will it be placed – grass, concrete, asphalt, wood deck?

2 What is your guest list looking

like? And how will they use the tent – all seated, buffet style partial seating?

3 What else do you want to

happen under your tent? Do you want space for a dance floor or stage? Space for a cake table, kids’ area?

4 What season is your wedding Nothing quite says ‘outdoor wedding’ like a marquee and different forms of the traditionally humble tent are becoming increasingly popular. There are super-sized Mongolian yurts, bohemian Berber tents or the traditional Pimms and strawberries marquee.

and what time of the day? Will you need lighting, heating or air-conditioning?

5 Will you need satellite tents to

house caterers, bar or toilets?

The Raj Tent Club offers a range of elegant Indian wedding tents suitable for up to 250 guests and a wide choice of decoration ideas. Catering for more than 100 weddings annually, it is a highly experienced and professional company in the tent industry. rajtentclub.com

CONFETI 55

Expert

Photo by Anna Gazda Photography

ASK THE

We really want to write and say our own vows to each other but my girlfriend is very nervous about it, to the point where she keeps wanting to back out. Have you any tips for beating the nerves on the day?

- Hannah & Greg, September, 2015 Nervousness is something I see a lot when meeting couples and talking to them about their wedding day and, in particular, about them having to talk during their ceremony! It is really common and very normal to be lacking in confidence and full of nerves on such an occasion and for most couples it would be a shame if this stopped them from going ahead and doing something as special and as personal, as exchanging specially composed vows.

Luckily, there are lots of techniques that you can take into consideration that can help with combating nerves during your ceremony.

First of all, the way that you stand can help you to be less nervous.

Perhaps, you find that standing facing each other or standing next to each other helps you to relax and to feel more confident about saying your vows aloud?

Another technique, something which I learned during my BBC news-reading days and something I still think of even now, is talking as though you are speaking to just one person and not hundreds. In essence, your vows are promises that you are making to one another. So, if you are a bit shy or lacking in confidence about declaring them to all of your guests, say them as though you are talking only

From nervous brides to honouring departed family members, Confeti’s Ask The Expert, writer and celebrant Natasha Johnson, is here to answer all of your wedding questions.

to each other. It doesn’t matter if some people don’t hear all that you say, what is more important is that your husband or wife to-be does.

Other techniques include not trying to memorize your vows, as this will make anyone who is already nervous, even more nervous under the pressure of having to recite them. Printing your vows (you can sometimes misread your own handwriting) in a nice big font, and spacing out the lines will also help you to read them clearly and at a nice pace. And if your write your vows in good time (that is, not on the morning of your wedding!) you will have more time to practise them and to feel confident about them.

Good luck!

My mother passed away recently. I would really like to do something to honour her during our ceremony this summer. What can you suggest?

- Sophie, getting married next year It is usual for couples, during the speeches, to remember and pay their respects to loved ones who have passed away. However more and more couples also like the idea of remembering their nearest and dearest during the ceremony, as this is the first time in the day where such an element can be included. As well as having your celebrant include some wording which marks your loved ones as absent, there are also many other ways that couples can honour their loved ones during the ceremony and during the rest of the day.

For brides, the most common is perhaps carrying a photo of their relative or friend (in a frame or CONFETI 57

locket, perhaps) attached to their bouquet. It is also quite common to have a photo sewn into the hem of your dress or to have the photo made into a fabric print which can also be sewn onto a dress, on the back of a tie or the lining of a jacket. Some couples also use their ceremony table as a honour table and have some photos of their loved ones on it and, during the ceremony, they light a candle to mark their absence. Some couples like the idea of reserving a seat for their loved one and marking their absence with a single rose. Whatever you choose to do, it will be a lovely gesture and a way to honour your mother.

Our best man is really dear to us and is one of our oldest friends. Besides him presenting our wedding rings, we’d really would like him to have a bigger role in our ceremony. Is there anything more that he could do?

- Natalie and Adam, getting married in October 2015 I really love hearing that couples want to include someone special in their ceremony, so that they become not only a witness to the proceedings but an actual participant too. I think it is a really lovely way to involve someone who means a lot to you as a couple. A nice touch is to give your best man an extended best man’s role, where not only does he deliver the rings, but when he does so he also responds to his own friendship vow to give his support to you as a couple.

A few years ago, I helped a couple include exactly this same element in their own wedding.

It followed along these lines: 58 CONFETI

Celebrant: Do you best man present these rings to Bride and Groom as a true friend and loyal companion?

Best man: I do.

Celebrant: As a close friend who has been witness to the love and happiness that Bride and Groom have found together over the years, do you support them in their union and the pledges that they make to each other?

Best man: I do.

It made for a very emotional occasion and the best man was really touched to be given such a role and the couple really loved his involvement.

You may even like the idea of your best man asking you your own wedding vows, as it means having your vows asked by someone special to you both.

Have you got a question for Natasha?

Is there a ceremonial tradition that you’ve always wondered about but are not completely sure of, or are you interested in doing something different to the norm but not sure how?

Don’t hesitate to send your questions to : amber@iconpublishing.es who will forward them onto our resident celebrant expert Natasha.

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T

here are about 101 things for you to think about during the wedding planning process and one of the most important decisions you have to make concerns your wedding cake. The cake has never been just a small addition to the wedding meal it’s one of the main features of the reception, as well as providing an important photo opportunity.

To make the choice slightly easier, we asked sweet-talking owner of Cake Couture Marbella, Omaya Koreitem to provide some tips about the factors you need to bear in mind when deciding on that sugary treat for your big day.

Although all butter-cream cakes are beautiful, brides should always take the warm Marbella weather into consideration. An all butter-cream cake will not last outside for more than15 minutes.

It is always nice to display your wedding cake during the party/dinner, otherwise the guests will only get a quick glimpse of it before it´s cut. If you are planning to do this, a fondant covered cake is highly recommended, as it maintains its shape and that pristine finish for the longest amount of time.

Always keep in mind that cakes should be in the shade or, even better, in an airconditioned room.

Cake could either be served as the dessert itself or to complement your caterer´s dessert. In the case of the latter, it is always nice to choose two complementary flavours (e.g. raspberry for one and chocolate for the second).

Choux pastry cakes are impossible to display in the Costa del Sol heat as they are held together with caramel and would collapse very fast!

I always consider the date and time of the wedding as this helps us determine when and how the cake should be delivered, keeping the conditions optimal and ensuring nothing will happen during delivery or during the party itself.

Whether you are having one dessert or several will help us determine the size of your cake, so it’s something that is very important to mention to the cake maker.

Your cake can either be inspired by a detail of the bride´s dress, the colours of the party or the flowers you have picked to decorate your wedding.

The colour of the cake should match the shade of the dress, whether it has white or ivory/creamy tones. The lace detail on the dress can be recreated on the cake.

The bridesmaid’s dress colours could also feature in the design such as a satin ribbon on the base of the cakes.

Wedding flowers can also be recreated in sugar on the cake so the possibilities really are endless!

Cake Couture Marbella will ensure your wedding cake is as memorable as the day itself. Whether you are looking for a traditional tiered number or something experimental, this is the place to go. cakecouturemarbella.com 60 CONFETI

Flavours are almost endless, but from experience, I know that the two most popular are our raspberry cake and chocolate with vanilla butter-cream filling.

You can have as many flavours as you have tiers in the cake, but I would recommend that you stick to two or it becomes very complicated for the caterer to serve your guests.

There is a cake for every budget, which is why wedding cake consultations are so important. You will be able to discuss various options with your cake decorator to find the perfect compromise, getting the cake of your dreams without spending a fortune. There are many tricks that will help us ensure this: fake tiers, simpler flowers, etc.

Make SweetMusic M

usic plays an important part in the wedding ceremony, yet only too often it enters the picture only as an afterthought. But consider, the bride has to make an entry.

The bride and groom have to make an exit.

Throughout the ceremony there are opportunities; after a reading, the vows, the exchange of rings, the arras; a little music gives a pause for reflection. Having said that,one does not want the music to carry on for too long. Once when asked to explain the Theory of Relativity in simple terms, Einstein said “Gaze at a beautiful woman for a minute. Then put your finger in a bowl of boiling water for a minute. It’s still a minute!”

You do not want to stand at the foot of the altar hopping from one foot to the other whilst a Guitarista or String Quartet demonstrates their virtuosity. Then, of course, we have to consider what music it should be. Some music is clearly inappropriate. (This is true also of funerals. I once attended the funeral of a well known local butcher, and to my horror the

62 CONFETI

organist solemnly played “Sheep may safely graze” (Bach.Cantata 208)). On the other hand, some music is almost too well known, and brides may feel that they want something different from the weddings that they have attended.

Officiants cannot escape. For an officiant, Johann Pachelbel’s Canon comes as something of a recurring nightmare, yet it is perhaps the most popular of all wedding tunes. This has been the case since Paillard’s recording in 1970. Three violins and a cello repeat eight bars of music twenty eight times.

We don’t even know precisely when it was composed, but around 1680 is likely, and it is even possible that it was composed for the wedding of Pachelbel’s brother. To be different, if one wants a popular classical piece, why not Wagner’s Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin?

But be careful! The first three and a half or so minutes form a more fitting background for a shipwreck before bursting into “Here comes the bride”.

The Wedding March from Mendelssohn’s “Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream Opus 21” is also well known and much loved. If classicism is not in order, then perhaps Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t she lovely” might be appropriate, and has the advantage of being only about three minutes long.

Even shorter is “Just my imagination” by The Temptations.

Every bride will have her own idea of her perfect piece, perhaps a piece that she shares with her groom as the result of an amorous interlude.

But what was dreamy and romantic on a lazy long warm summers night may not be entirely appropriate.

How long does it take to get the altar? Much also depends upon what the bride wishes to convey.

Padre Peter, cleric for wedding ceremonies and regular contributor to CONFETI Magazine

Does she want to be cheerful and gung-ho? Or shy and pensive?

Elegant and sophisticated, or something of a tom-boy who’s about to don dungarees to muck out the farmyard?

At the end of the eremony music is required both to cover the signing of the register and the recessional. This can either be two pieces, if the register signing is to take place in an adjoining room, or just the one piece, with a pause or diminution in the middle of the piece for the couple to gather themselves to make their grand exit.

The four and a half minutes of Purcell’s “Sonata for Trumpet and Strings in D major” is popular here, as is the Allegro from Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”. Clark’s “Trumpet Voluntary” also makes a rousing

send-off, as does Purcell’s “Voluntary for two trumpets”.

If such pieces are used for the recessional, then it is quite a good idea to play something quieter during the signing. If you can manage to procure the services of a singer, this is a good place for them to give voice.

Some modern or popular ditty may be in order (although try to avoid a second cousin once removed belting out something like The Doors’ “Light My Fire” in a breathless cracked mezzo).

Verdi’s Libiamo ne lieti calici from “La Traviata” is both light and cheerful.

This is also a good place to give vent to any nationalistic tendencies. A tenor rendition of Bugeilior Gwenith Gwyn will not leave a dry Welsh eye in the house, whilst my own rendition of My love is like a red red rose on one occasion not only had a profoundly similar effect upon the Scots present (though pain or mirth I could not tell), but the sound of Rabbie Burns turning could clearly be heard.

It is clearly important that the choice of music is governed by the talent and equipment available. “Live” music is easier to control than the “canned” variety (or is this a particularly

old-fashioned term?) iPads, CD players, wind-up gramophones, what-have-you, all have a nasty propensity to go wrong at just the wrong time.

There is little that one can do about this, save to ensure that the person in charge of the music knows what s/he is doing.

Whilst in Spain we are not governed by such restrictions, it is interesting to note that in the UK the music at a civil or non-religious ceremony must be strictly non-religious. Not only nonChristian, but non-any-religion.

Equally, if a piece of music is in doubt, and the happy couple

apply to the General Registry Office for a ruling, the Registrar conducting the ceremony is not obliged to follow that ruling and can still refuse to allow the piece to be played.

This brings to mind an Anglican vicar of my acquaintance who refused to allow Wagner’s Wedding March to be played in church on the grounds that it was pagan! (He also once informed me that the only advice he ever gave to couples about to be married was to make sure that from time to time they made love with the lights on. He was an ex-naval chaplain, which perhaps explains a lot.)

CONFETI 63

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Elegant Asian Affair

davidtoms-weddings.com

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and then he asked me to marry him - my response was a mixture of laughter and tears, and of course, I said ‘Yes!’.

Real Weddings

Bhavesh and Rajvi enjoyed a magical

MEANT TO BE…

We were young, crazy and care free at 17 years old. We knew of each other through friends and in the few times we would bump into each other I would sometimes get a wink and a smile and he would get a little wave back. Who would have known that 17 years later, I would be married to him!

Bhavesh and I met again after some years at a fitness centre and we recognised each other straight away. We started to meet up as friends and realised that we shared the same interests however our friendship drifted slowly

when Jake Our love story began in a queue struck up a conversation Sadly for the cashpoint in London! had as he the timing was terrible, ‘Boys just booked a three-month HowOnly’ trip to South America. complete with ever we kept in touch, bills until Jake phone astronomical (much to send me a plane ticket friends on the the annoyance of his America trip,) and suddenly South holiday became our own romantic

their timeless nuptials

at the eternally stylish

fun, family and friendship.

went to Cuba and that was where Bhavesh proposed to me. We were on a tiny island off the south coast of Cuba and on our last night on the island (we were due to fly to Varadero the next day to continue our holiday), Bhavesh had booked us a table at a restaurant. When we arrived, I was surprised to see that he had arranged for us to dine in a private cabana that was beautifully decorated with candles, flowers and white curtains that were softly blowing in the breeze. During our meal, we were serenaded with beautiful Spanish love songs. At this point he told me that he did this for me

Real Wedd

Two years later, we had been well acquainted with each other’s family and friends and we had been on a few holidays together and we were definitely ready to take the next step in our relationship.

It was just a case of him popping the question. Last September we

Address Book

At the Water’s Edge celebrated Jake and Laufey

three day celebration filled with

apart and we became quite busy in our own lives but we would call each other now and again over the years just to catch up until one day we decided to meet, enjoying each others company so greatly we began to spend more and more time together before falling completely and utterly in love.

ings

Wedding Dress: Caroline Castigliano

Bridesmaid Dresses:

Reiss

Suit: Reiss Venue: Villa del Mar, Marbella Club Hotel

Villa del Mar.

Photographer: beckysharpe.co.uk

the rest of our and the beginning of in a restaurant lives. Jake proposed a few months in Paris in 2010 then twins hence later I fell pregnant with put on hold our wedding plans got for a little while.

davidtoms-weddings.com 60 CONFETI

davidtoms-weddings.com

because he loved me and he just wanted to say thank you for being such an amazing girlfriend and so I still had no clue what he was about to do.

It was after dinner when Bhavesh suggested that we go for a walk on the beach. As we walked towards the sea, I was holding on to him and walking with precaution as it was dark with only the moonlight to guide us, and the deck that led to the rocks above the shore had large enough gaps for my stilettos to become wedged in! When we arrived at the beach, the moonlight hit the waves that were rolling onto the sand - we just stood there in awe of the scenery. We held each other tight and reminisced about the amazing times we had been through together over all the years we had known each other. He then suddenly said, ‘Can you see that?’ I turned around to see what he was pointing at, and as I looked down, a light shone on to the rocks where there was a sign that read, ‘Marry Me?’. I then turned back around to see that Bhavesh had got down on one knee! He told me that he wanted to spend the rest of his life and more with me

was sun, My vision for our wedding I really sea, flowers and glamour. outside, either wanted to get married suron a beach or somewhere in the blooms rounded by beautiful

idea of Initially I had a very different thought years earlier I sunshine. About three how I wanted my wedding, were relaxed Jake and I (newly engaged) I wanted more of a hippy beach as soon as I walking down the Marbella drink at feel to everything but go for a changed. front and decided to saw the venue everything restaurant. perfect but The Marbella Club beach The entire wedding was through the most sentiWe then had a little walk I would have to say the knew the speeches hotel grounds and I instantly of mental moments were that I had found the destination villa, of course, the ceremony. and, private and friends my dreams. The hotel’s Seeing all of our family and holds all that they had Villa del Mar is beautiful together and knowing 1950’s. I could the world of its charm from the all flown in from across parties that they all visualise all the glamorous was amazing. The fact in the past and as much as we that took place there enjoyed themselves my wedding; on the cake. that’s how I visualised did was truly the icing timeless. classic, glamorous and

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Would you like

We went back to our table where we finished off our champagne, when Bhavesh told me he had another surprise for me! What could possibly be better than this?

I thought he may have booked us in for a spa day or he would take me shopping… No. He had booked us both in for a skydive!

Fancy being proposed to and then kicked out of a helicopter at 12000 ft... romantic at first, daringly devilish to end.

ALL I EVER WANTED AND MORE…

The wedding planning begun almost immediately after we had returned back to the UK. I had always dreamt of an outdoors wedding, with beautiful scenery and romance. I already knew that this would be the theme throughout. We decided to marry in Spain as we both travelled there often.

Spain has always been a destination close to home and close to my heart... the ambience, the people, the laidback attitude, the weather and climate.... we had to get married in Spain!

True Blue

morning, the blessing ceremony in the afternoon followed by cocktails and the reception party into the night. All were outdoors, the weather was amazing and all this infused with the surroundings and the ‘buzz’ our guests came with made it truly the best wedding, I myself, had ever been to, and I still can’t believe that it was my own.

I knew I wanted a traditional Hindu wedding with a twist of vintage and regal attire. Dianna from Party People and the team at Beau Rivaaaj ensured that the setting was just that and the planning was impeccable. The mandap was decorated with beautiful fabrics and hanging ornaments.

It looked exquisite with traditional but subtle colours. The large pillars surrounding the amphitheatre were draped with beautiful images of Lord Ganesh. For the blessing ceremony, Dianna had stripped away the colours and left a beautiful plain white chuppah that was complemented by the surroundings of the Roman Stone amphitheatre. The ivory and soft pink flowers paired with our outfits made a perfect combination against the sunlight and the greenery.

I wanted a wedding with a difAfter the sounds of the Spanference and I loved the idea of ish guitar and a few champagne davidtoms-weddings.com our closest friends and family all cocktails later, guests were coming to celebrate our wedding ushered to the reception on the davidtoms-weddings.com abroad and also enjoying a holioutdoor terrace surrounded by day at the same time. We decided olive trees with suspended Chito have a three day event, with the nese lanterns and wicker hearts.

Michael and first being the Surprises for our guests, and our Melan night.

The two day mendhi ie marri celeb second day was a leisure selves, were ‘wow’ factors starting ration day at ed in a elegant family, friend surro the Crowne Plaza s with flamenco dancing, speeches Estepona and son, with unded by their Dexter. golf and spa in the morning, and performances from our loved a pool party in the afternoon and ones to large glow sticks on our a dinner in the evening and the entrance, a live bongo player over last day wasOUR our big a UK DJ spinning the best beats dayY… STOR - with the Vedic Hindu Micha ceremony and then a firework finale. el and I in the met throug ing and h workliving in Marbella, the Real in Estate secto years ago. r about 8 CONFETI 61 property I was working for developer a for a renow and Micha el company. ned Real Estate He was professiona charming, polite and l, kind way about him, had a very of misch with a hint ief After a few in those blue eyes. each other, years of not seeing each other we bumped into again and meet up decided for coffee to tea, and or hence forth in my case good friend became s. We were ing for differe worknt comp then and anies by we chat, laugh would meet up to woes over , tell each other our a ner. Micha bit of lunch or dinel board and was my sound ing confidante. enjoyed each others We really everything company, plicated. was easy and uncom OUR VISIO One day shortly after one of my Spain holdsN… birthdays, my age and the in our hearts a very special (not telling of cours wedd as we have place e) we met normal and all the ladies ing date, given lived here up both to for many turned out kissed’ and things changed, as real treat our son to be ‘we Dexter was years and and also was born. Michael and Melan proved to a an excell Costa del born in the ent be ie Sol Hospi friends and memento for our sion was tal. Our vito share family.

Michael our and this proposed special time wedding 2 month later, on OUR MOST with our s the last loved ones. in our lives day amazing MOMENTS TREASURED we wante We knew cruise holidaof an d to get … beautiful It everyo togeth is hard to ne all er and for ring. It was y, with a select just our neare ful surpri moment a wonderand deare one se st from our st to be wedding even start and before we could as each a part of initiation day and every planning our into marrie I was pregn perfect. the wedd minute was addition, d life and However ing, for some ant. when the churc , who had in yet had the h and Julie- I entered not soprano our darlin pleasure, to meet singer beganAnn our g son.

Ave Maria singing my heart also dedic melted.

We chose She ated Villa Tiberi ing the recep a song to us location o as our duras tion dinne created such wond it is decorated with a very speci r, which for Micha fountains. erful gardens and al memo el ry A simple the funnie and myself. I think scheme colou r of st mome nt when my pale blue just off-white and mother was had to be was select Flamenco perfectly complemened, which dance and doing her cided he simple and Dexter deted our could elegant grandmothe n´t be withou adorned vision. We t his the main r, ‘Abu’ for moment table with crystals even one so and blue her on the he decided to join place cards chose invitations, dance floor! and a stunn all, having seating Above ing plan in the everyone cherish The pale same hues. we love togeth and blue days ultima er for two whole embellished Spanish fans, tely with our made our ding everyt names wedever wishe hing we could have d for and more.

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Real Weddings

When Beth and Ross decided that they would marry they were looking for a special place that would cause them to fall in love with it at first sight. Luckily for them they were introduced to Villa Padierna and their fates were sealed.

66 CONFETI

The Hong Kong affair Ross and I first met at university in Liverpool when we were 18 and, after three years of knowing each other, we got together on my 21st birthday when Ross sent the biggest bunch of flowers to my workplace. We’ve spent 10 happy years together, which included moving to London, travelling the world, buying our first house and setting up our own businesses with lots of festivals, holidays, parties and mad nights with friends thrown in throughout the years.

gold. The venue was so amazing that the neutral pallete worked perfectly with the amphitheatre and gorgeous buildings at the Villa Padierna.

In 2013 we went to Hong Kong for Christmas to stay with Ross’s family who live there. Ross also lived there when he was younger, so it’s a place that means a lot to him. On Christmas Eve Ross took me to The Penninsula Hotel for afternoon tea and, on our way there, we walked along Hong Kong harbour and, looking out over the skyline, Ross got down on one knee. Of course, I said yes!

Dressed to impress I own a wedding dress shop, so there were a lot of expectations for the dress but I wanted to keep it simple. The dress I chose was from Allure Bridals and was the perfect balance of a modern silhouette with a touch of simple lace. The huge bow at the back was something I added to make the dress my own.

Grand setting When we started to discuss wedding venues we decided that we wanted somewhere with sunshine but not too far from home, so Spain was perfect.

We chose Marbella because we wanted somewhere that reflected our personalities and were looking for a location that could combine our love of a good party with a relaxed atmosphere and exceptional standards.

My four best friends and my sister were my bridesmaids. They were great on the wedding morning and we had a lovely time getting ready. The bridesmaids had full length blush dresses which looked amazing with the groom and his two best men in pastel blue suits, with tan boat shoes and crisp white shirts.

My friend - and wedding hair and beauty stylist - Amy came all the way from England to make sure my hair and make-up were amazing. Again, I wanted to keep

We fell in love with Villa Padierna as soon as we saw it. The setting was beautiful and it offered everything we wanted - superb service, amazing food, beautiful buildings and the amphitheatre took our breath away. It was unlike anything else we had seen before and we knew it was perfect for our wedding day.

Informality ruled the day We held our blessing in the amphitheatre where we were joined by 50 of our friends and family. The ceremony was relaxed and we didn’t want anything too traditional, so we involved our friends in the readings and our celebrant Lizzie Marriage was just the perfect person to conduct our ceremony - it was like having a family friend officiating.

We wanted everything to feel relaxed, so the colour scheme was kept neutral with ivories and creams with hints of blush and

things simple with my hair down and looking natural. The main thing for me was that I wanted to look like me on my wedding day and we did manage to achieve that but, of course, it was the best version of me and I felt amazing because of having Amy to help.

Homemade favours I made lots of little touches for the wedding, from fans and bags at the ceremony to the favours and place settings. I like to get crafty and this was my perfect excuse!

We had a running theme which I CONFETI 67

Real Weddings continued from the invites, through to the decorations on the day.

this song, so it made sense to finish the ceremony on a high.

I also made the evening decorations - we had an enormous sign saying ‘Best Day Ever’ in gold glitter and we made signs for people to use in photographs with sayings and messages that all meant something to us and our friends!

For our first dance our friend made a mix if our two favourite songs, starting with Come Away With Me by Norah Jones and leading into Sweet Disposition

by Temper Trap, the chorus of which was a great summary of our time together: “A moment of love, a dream, a laugh, a kiss, a cry, our rights, our wrongs, a moment of love.”

Musical themes We wanted the wedding to reflect our personalities and so we chose music that was relevant and meant something to us. The bridesmaids walked down the aisle to Sunrise by Norah Jones, which is one of our favourite songs and I followed to Feels So Close by Calvin Harris featuring Nelly Furtado. The lyrics were perfect and it is a happy song evoking happy memories, so I walked down the aisle with a smile! We finished the ceremony with Rudimental’s Feel The Love - we have a very close group of friends and have spent many festivals and parties dancing to

68 CONFETI

After the first dance our friends organised a surprise for us, which involved carrying us outside on chairs to be met by all of our friends and family with sparklers.

To see everyone from on high was an amazing experience. Once we were put down the bridesmaids and best men all sprayed bottles of champagne into the air while we danced around to another of our favourite songs - it was a complete surprise and the most amazing moment ever!

Snap happy We chose Owen because his approach to photographing the day was exactly how we imagined.

The idea that we should have a set of natural photos that document our day rather then a set of staged photos was ideal and worked perfectly for us. Owen blended into the background for the whole day, capturing the moments and emotions as it developed.

Our pictures are amazing - from the start of the day to the end of the night when people let their hair down and everything in between.

Our photos weren’t too planned and happened organically as the day unfolded. Just like our day, the photos capture us laughing, crying, happy, kissing, partying, dancing, eating, drinking and enjoying ourselves.

The wedding day goes so quickly and, as the bride and groom, your emotions are running high and you can’t possibly see everything single thing that happens and on

the day it all feels like a dream.

The pictures are a way to capture moments to look back on and keep forever. For these reasons it is important that you find a photographer that is going to record your day in a way you want as, after the day ends, the photographs are the one thing you will have to keep forever.

Magic moments For me, walking down the aisle was the most perfect moment. The song I chose meant I was happy and seeing Ross was an amazing feeling. I didn’t feel nervous, just excited to be marrying him and to see all my friends and family there with us made me feel so happy.

We ate outside and, as the speeches were about to start, it started to rain a little so we all went inside to the bar which was all lit up and, because everyone was squeezed into the bar area, the atmosphere was electric.

Hearing the speeches made us laugh and cry, we reminisced

Address Book Wedding Planners : Marbella Wedding Angels, Marbellaweddingangels.com Wedding Day Ceremony and Party - Villa Padierna, Villapadiernapalacehotel.com Wedding Hotel - El Oceano, Oceanohotel.com

TOP TIPS #1 My advice for other brides-

about the past and realised how lucky we are to have such amazing friends around us. It was emotional but rounded off the day perfectly. Ross finished his speech and that’s when the party started!

If I had to do it again, we genuinely wouldn’t change a thing.. The day was the best of our lives!

to-be would be to look into hiring a wedding planner. Jenny from Marbella Wedding Angels made planning the wedding so easy, she was just amazing and, on the day itself, it meant I enjoyed every second and didn’t have to worry about anything - she literally was our wedding angel!

Wedding Photographer Owen Farrell, Owenfarrellphotography.com Dress - Allure Bridals , Allurebridals.com Flowers - Floral Lounge (UK), Florallounge.co.uk

#2

Make sure you have the wedding you and your partner want; don’t aim to please other people. Make choices that you both want, from guest lists, seating plans and food to outfits, the ceremony and music, think ‘what do we want and how do we want this to happen?’ and go with it.

#3

Relax and enjoy your day don’t stress over anything. Ross forget the rings on the morning and had to turn back at the last minute but this just added to the stories we look back on and laugh about!

CONFETI 69

Real Weddings

Limitless

Love

James and Priscilla knew they were meant to be together from the very first moment and their wedding in Menorca was the most stunning proclamation of their love

Home is where the heart is I am originally from Chile, but had moved to Valencia while James was spending a year abroad in the Spanish city as part of his university degree. We met when James was moving out of his flat to somewhere else in Valencia and needed to find a replacement tenant, I saw the advert online, came to look at the room and fell for both the room and the man!

Nearly six years later we went on holiday to Cuba for two weeks, which is where the proposal happened. We both really love the beach and the sea, so James planned the perfect place. We wandered for half an hour down a deserted beach shortly before sunset, I suspected nothing and then James said, “I have a surprise for you.� I was expecting a snack but was thrilled to discover it was a beautiful emerald diamond ring - even if it was not edible!

70 CONFETI

Destination Menorca!

Although we live in London, we always knew we wanted to get married in Spain. We had an obvious connection to Spain, given that this is where we met and we also wanted to minimise the chance of a rainy wedding day. The idea of a destination wedding in a rustic setting ticked all the boxes and, after trawling the internet, we found the wonderful venue at

Biniatram, Menorca as well as the nearby Cathedral in Ciutadella for the ceremony.

We specifically wanted a venue with a typically Spanish look where lots of our friends and family could stay. We also wanted somewhere that had a relaxed approach to allowing us to take it over for a whole weekend, with a big BBQ by the pool the day after the wedding to reminisce.

the impressive and unique style of the photos.

On the wedding day itself your photographers are right with you at the most intimate moments and so it is so important to find someone with a similar mindset.

Annie and Christian were both wonderful in this respect.

Once the wedding is over, the photos are the most valuable memento you will have of the occasion and so it is not worth compromising on the quality of the photographers.

Caught up in the moment It is very hard to pick a favourite moment, the whole day was wonderful. Walking up the aisle and seeing all my family and friends who had travelled to be there, surprising everyone by jumping on horses, drinking strawberry mojitos as the sun set, listening to some awesome speeches and then surprising everyone again by singing karaoke instead of a first dance - too many highlights to choose from.

Less is more My style was typically Spanish with lots of lace and a four-metre long cathedral veil with lace details. I was very relaxed about what the bridesmaids wore; they decided to wear matching coral strapless short dresses. The ceremony was in a huge cathedral, so we took a minimal approach to flowers and décor, but just enough to make it feel special. Back at the venue we were very lucky to have the amazing help of James’s aunt (Teresa Bromley-Gardner) who runs her own company back in England doing wedding decorations and tree hire and she themed the room with greens and creams, potted plants and trees and low level lighting.

Ride off into the sunset We opted for simplicity but quality on the food front. We chose typical Spanish tapas for the canapés at the reception outside and then the sit-down dinner was a menu of gazpacho, paella and wedding cake. The venue had a preferred caterer run by the wonderful Tolo who masterminded the whole thing and his great team of staff.

For the music, we found a local cover band who put their own

Repeat performance It may sound cheesy, but we really wouldn’t change a thing, it was a wonderful few days, everyone had a great time and we have absolutely no regrets.

twist on many classic songs and packed the dance floor the whole night; their Queen medley was a particular highlight.

As a special touch we decided to leave the ceremony on horseback,

riding away from the congregation through the picturesque streets of Ciutadella.

Instant connection We met Annie and Christian at a wedding fair and took an immediate liking to them. I was particularly keen to find someone I got on with and felt easy in their company. Their whole package, including their style, the fact there are two of them and the option for a pre-wedding engagement shoot, really impressed us and they were equally enthusiastic for a trip to Spain.

We are delighted with the final results and many of our friends and family have commented on

Live in the moment Take your time to plan your wedding, don’t over-think it and try not to get stressed. It is your wedding, a big party and celebration so make sure you enjoy and savour every moment.

I didn’t want to plan everything to the finest detail as that means there is more chance of things going wrong; with the right people around you it will be a great day, whatever happens.

Address Book Photographer Olliver Photography, olliverphotography.com Venue - Biniatram Agroturisme, Menorca, Biniatram.com Caterer - Tolo from the Recibaria Grupo Recibaria.com Florist - Teresa Bromley-Gardner, Ornamentaltreehire.co.uk

CONFETI 71

Real Weddings

A Golden Fairytale

Norwegians Charlotte and Runar celebrated their engagement in the Far East, but when it came to planning their wedding they wanted somewhere closer to home. If only they could find a location with guaranteed sunshine...

The boy next door Runar and I met in our home town of Bodø. We had seen each other around and felt that we would like to be better acquainted and then, one day, destiny united us. From Day One we realized that this was genuine love and have spent almost every day together since.

After about six months of seeing each other regularly we travelled to Thailand and it was there that Runar surprised me with a private romantic dinner on the beach under starry skies. It was the perfect day for an engagement.

He tricked me into believing that he was picking up a crab, which was the moment that he produced the ring.

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Warming things up We chose Spain because we wanted a proper summer wedding and in Norway it isn’t always wise to rely on the temperature! We have both travelled extensively and gained inspiration and ideas from around the world. One thing we wanted to control to some extent was the climate, another was the food - not forgetting the great cava. We were also determined that our guests shouldn’t have to travel too far, so Spain was an easy choice. In the end we found our ideal venue by travelling to Marbella. We met several wedding planners, but in the end the choice was simple; we hit it off with Rose from Romance

Bodas from the moment we first met her. She took us around several fantastic places but we fell in love with the wonderful gardens at Don Carlos. Here we felt we could have everything: exotic spacious gardens, beach club with quiet, intimate areas and stunning views. We could hear the waves and feel the fresh sea breeze – it felt as though we had everything in one place.

A touch of gold The colour theme for our wedding was gold and blush pink, a combination that I have always found very effective and we managed to thread it through the whole wedding. Invitations were

commissioned and handcrafted in London through etsy.com in gold and blush pink, of course.

This site is highly recommended, particularly if you are looking for something personal and unique.

Bridesmaids wore pastel dresses that were carefully coordinated to fit in with the colour theme of the wedding and they looked like a lovely bouquet of flowers!

The flowers we chose were pink, white and purple and were exactly what I had envisioned. Strangely it was Runar who decided what my bridal bouquet should look like and I was very excited when I saw it - it was the finest I had ever seen! The colours were gold, pink, purple and white and the

bridesmaids’ bouquets fitted the same scheme. The hotel helped us to find the right decorations and colours for the tables and we were more than happy with the way the venue looked.

Getting the food exactly right was also a major concern for us because we have always enjoyed Spanish cuisine and wanted to show our guests how good it can be. We opted for a five-course wedding breakfast with monkfish as the main dish and ordered a special dessert buffet from a

bakery that made a variety of mouthwatering delicacies. We were very happy with the food and the cake, which all of our guests enjoyed.

Snap happy Obviously the choice of photographer was very important to us, so in order to avoid any potential pitfalls we did a lot of research before travelling to Marbella so that we could find the person who would best capture our wedding day.

In the end it didn’t take long to identify Nani de Perez as the person who could do a great job – we loved her pictures and her style.

If you invest time in carefully choosing the person who will be capturing the big and small moments of your day then it will pay dividends later. We were so happy when we saw the huge range of photos that Nani had taken that brought back those special times so vividly. Nani is so professional and skilled and we were absolutely delighted with every shot that she took.

We would recommend her to anyone who would like a fantastic photographer for any event – but especially a wedding!

One of the best things about Nani was that she spent time discussing with us what we wanted to achieve on the day. My advice to brides-to-be as far as photography goes is to decide whether you want traditional pictures or something less formal.

I think every photographer has his or her own way of working, so it is a good thing to do lots of research before deciding. The

best thing would be to meet the photographer first to talk about your aims and expectations.

Magical Memories I think that my absolute best moment was when we had our first dance on the ‘island’ in the swimming pool and suddenly fireworks exploded overhead and made the whole thing romantic and unforgettable.

Both of us can say that, if we had to have our wedding all over again, we wouldn’t change anything. It was a dream wedding and we often talk about the day and just smile. However, I do wish that we had maybe thought of hiring a videographer to capture the day from beginning to end.

My advice to other brides-to-be would be to do your research very thoroughly and, if you really want something, don’t back down! This is a day that you and your fiancé will be able to look back on for the rest of your lives, so it’s important to get it right.

Also, don’t be stingy – any budget that you set will probably run over by about 30 per cent anyway!

Other than that, just relax and enjoy it – and employ the services

of a really good wedding planner who can explain the possibilities, especially if you have chosen a location abroad. An experienced wedding planner can smooth the way for you and your guests and is worth her weight in gold.

Address Book Dress, invitations and wedding décor: Etsy.com Photography: Nanideperez.com Videography : Vimeo.com/antoniodeperez Wedding Planner: Romancebodas.com Wedding dress : Pronovas.us CONFETI 73

Real Weddings

A Day to remember

The H10 Hotel was the perfect location for this stunning and sophisticated wedding with views out over Gibraltar and Morocco and food and service to die for.

John & Brian

Wedding bells already ringing John and I met at a wedding in the Caribbean. I was the best man and he was a guest of the bride. John was living in Miami at the time and he missed his connecting flight. He ended up taking a charter flight and arrived late at the reception. We both hit it off immediately and kept in contact. We dated long distance for three years, as I lived in the Caribbean while John remained in Miami. We finally decided to take our relationship to the next level and move in together and made the UK our new home.

Stunning Spain John and I live in the UK, where the weather can be varied and unpredictable. We thought, what could be more romantic than a wedding in Spain with a Mediterranean climate and the sea dancing in the background?

John’s love for Spain has grown since he was a kid and he admires the culture and country. In addition, getting married in Spain was not just a wedding; it was a holiday for us and our guests that they will never, ever forget.

Breathtaking views The H10 Hotel had that all-important wow factor that we were looking for.

It’s a beautiful modern Andalusian style hotel situated right on the beach with exceptional views out over the ocean as far as Gibraltar and Morroco. This made it the perfect wedding venue for us.

74 CONFETI

there with us. It is a moment full of emotion and excitement. Walking down the aisle, exchanging our vows and saying, “I do”, our first dance together, the beautiful and emotional wedding speeches and toasts that were given by our friends and family were all special moments for us.

If I could do it all over again I’d change…

Absolutely nothing! We could not have asked for a more perfect day.

Maria Sanchez Soriano and her professional team made sure that every single detail was taken care of. Maria has a very easy-going personality and we made an instant connection. From the minute we met, she made us feel like we were a team working together making sure that everything goes to plan.

Words of Advice A wedding can be very stressful; a destination wedding is not much different. We were very happy that we obtained the assistance of Maria Sanchez Soriano, a bilingual professional wedding planner who helped us take care of all the little details that needed attention.

This saved us a lot of time and aggravation. We were in constant communication and she showed us different options and styles. We felt like we virtually were in sunny Spain the whole time and not in rainy England.

Simple sophistication As a same sex couple we decided not to go for matching suits, instead I wore a black suit and skinny tie, and John was in a navy suit version of the same. We kept our main ceremony simple. We chose not to have a bridal party and accompanied each other down the aisle.

A delicious affair Our wedding ceremony was followed by a cocktail party, where our guests were offered hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while being entertained by a Spanish flamenco guitarist. This was followed by a seated plated dinner, which contained four courses: leek soup, a vegetable and goat’s cheese salad and the main entrée, which included a fish, meat, or vegetable option, followed by dessert. During dinner a DJ entertained our guests with some soft music that became more upbeat as the wedding party started. We had a traditional tiered

cake for our cake cutting ceremony, but also decided to offer cupcakes, so that our guests had something to snack on as they danced the night away. The food was excellent and we tasted every single dish with the chef beforehand to make sure that everyone would enjoy their meals.

The Small Things Your wedding day goes by so quickly, but photos will capture the essence of your special day and those memories for years to come; for this reason we thought it was important to hire a professional wedding photographer.

We were very happy with our wedding photos. It was hard to choose the ones we wanted to print as there were so many great ones.

We really appreciated all the little details and efforts made to capture everything. In addition, we filmed a video that captured the story of how we met, and to our surprise it has already had around 50,000 views on YouTube.

Magic moments There were so many special moments, but I do have some favorites. One of them was getting ready on the morning of the wedding and having our friends and family

There was a lot of expectation as our ceremony was the first same-sex wedding on the property. The hotel staff were very courteous, making everyone feel welcome. The key for success is to have organisation and to make sure that the transition between ambiences is flawless. We were lucky that our wedding planner and staff guided us through effortlessly. We are already planning an anniversary reunion with our family and guests shortly, as everyone loved the hotel.

Thanks H10 Estepona Palace for everything!

Address Book Wedding planner: Maria Sachez (Comercial bodas y Eventos – H10 Estepona Palace) Wedding Venue: H10 Estepona Palace, H10hotels.com Photographer: Ksusha Photography, Fotovideomarbella.com CONFETI 75

Real Weddings

Scottish

Señorita Lucy-Anne and Joe combined Scottish flair with traditional Spanish elegance for an unforgettable wedding under the Spanish sun.

Spooky Encounter Joe and I met at a Halloween party many years ago. We were introduced by my cousin, Joe’s best friend and we dated for five years before Joe asked me to marry him. We had just bought a house, which needed a total renovation. Joe got down on one knee in the middle of the practically derelict living room on the weekend that we bought it. It was very sweet. We bought the house on a Friday, he proposed on the Saturday and nine months later we were married.

favourite restaurant in the Marbella vicinity. The food is phenomenal, the staff could not be more attentive and the stunning outside terraces are to die for!

We wanted to create a classic Spanish wedding theme: family, food and serenity. The idea was for our guests to feel completely

Porque España?

Spain has always been a really special place for us both and we had our first holiday together in Puerto Banús. My parents have a house in Aloha Pueblo in Nueva Andalucía and I spent many summers there and have always felt so relaxed and at home. The unhurried and easy-going Spanish way of life, culture and family traditions have always been very appealing to us and we liked the idea of our closest friends and family coming together in a laid-back Andalusian setting with amazing food and great wine!

Traditional beauty We got married in a traditional Catholic ceremony in the Inglesia de la Encarnacion in Marbella Old Town. We both love the old town of Marbella, with its cobbled streets, charming squares and pretty architecture, as it feels like you are in the heart of Spain here.

For us, this is what holidays here are all about; wandering ‘round the winding streets and soaking up the atmosphere - we wanted our guests to experience a little bit of this as well.

Spanish Sun The reception was held in the exquisite Villa Tiberio – my 76 CONFETI

relaxed and at ease during the meal and speeches, so we held the reception outside as the Spanish sun was setting over the amazing venue - it really was a picturesque scene.

My dress was made by the Spanish designer, Pepe Botella.

His designs are really striking and different. In keeping with the Catholic tradition, it was important for me to have my shoulders covered for the ceremony, which

gave the overall look a really classic appearance. I decided to compliment the dress with a beautiful cascading bouquet in pastel shades, which finished off the look perfectly.

I felt extremely calm on the lead up to my wedding and I wanted this ease and effortlessness to be reflected in my overall appearance.

A family affair A unique and memorable moment for us was when I walked down the aisle with my dad. My cousin, who had introduced us, was standing there as an usher, Joe’s brother as his best man, my mum and brother were watching us and my youngest brother was playing the oboe. Family is so important to us, so to have everyone involved was really appropriate and special. My brother played ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ from the

soundtrack of The Mission as I walked in. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

My best friend and chief bridesmaid is a trained opera singer and she sang one of my favourite pieces of music, ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’. It was one of the highlights of the day and definitely brought a tear to my eye.

Al fresco dining delights The food was all served al fresco and tied in very nicely with our relaxed Mediterranean feel.

Antipasti platters were served to allow our guests to share and chat to each other - a really nice way for people to get to know one another. This was followed by a choice of lamb or monkfish.

Traditionally Spanish weddings don’t have a decorated wedding cake so we decided to follow this rule. Rather than an iced cake,

Villa Tiberio created a gorgeous tiered tiramisu, which was served as dessert. As we were cutting the cake, our guests all spontaneously sang ‘That’s Amore’ by Frank Sinatra to us. It was an amazing moment to look around and see everyone there together for us, singing about love!

Picture perfect My make-up was applied by the fabulous Marbella-based artist, Liza Mayne. Liza teaches at the beauty academy next to my parents’ house and had been recommended to me by her students. She’s truly a fantastic make-up artist who really listens to what her clients want. She gave me excellent advice without being overbearing or pushy and she really knows what she’s doing.

Liza managed to create a vintage and classic make-up look without going over the top as I’m a true believer in natural beauty and

I was thrilled with the job she did. Both the bridesmaids and I received so many compliments throughout the day and we were all delighted.

I think it’s important to feel your best on your wedding day. You want to look back and know that it was the happiest day of your life and I think looking good on the outside gives you a little more confidence on the inside - especially when everyone is looking at you all day! For that reason, the make-up artist is really important as it has to be someone you can communicate with. Liza listened to what I wanted and then altered it to suit my face shape, theme and style. The last thing you want on your wedding day is to be unhappy with how you look.

You need a team there who can give good advice but still help you remain comfortable and calm.

CONFETI 77

Real Weddings

Address Book Videographer: Paco Montagut pacomontagut.com Photographer: David Toms Davidtomsphotography.com Venue: Villa Tiberio, villatiberio.com Dress: Christiecouture.co.uk Accessories: Peep Botella Pepebotella.co.uk Florist: Deseosflorist.com DJ/ host Ian Preston: Ianprestonentertainment.com

If you had to do it all over again, what would you change?

Nothing! I loved it all!

Relax and smile The best advice I could give to anyone getting married is; don’t stress!

The Wonder of You The best moment for me was when Joe and I were doing our first dance. It meant that all the formalities of the day were done.

I looked around the room and saw all of our friends and family 78 CONFETI

gathered there singing along to our song: ‘The Wonder of You’ by Elvis Presley. They had travelled all the way to Spain from Scotland just for us – it was an amazing feeling to have that kind of love and support.

I was so relaxed about the whole wedding and all of the planning. I made it my mission to enjoy every moment on the lead up to my day because I knew I’d never experience these precious moments again. I never sweated the small stuff and left big decisions to the professionals.

Fabulous Finca with sea views just 5 minutes from Marbella centre, now available for hire as a private venue for weddings and events.

A hidden oasis of peace and tranquillity.

Leave behind the hustle and bustle of the town and step into a secret world. Pretty Andalucian patios, tropical gardens with waterfall, spacious dining terrace with sea views and an elegant interior banqueting salon, the perfect setting for weddings & events.

“Exclusively yours!�

For more information on holding your wedding at The Courtyard Marbella please contact us: Tel. 689 992 163 | Ctra de Ojen 28klm, Marbella enquiries@thecourtyardmarbella.com

thecourtyardmarbella.com Adv. Confeti magazine_14x21_final.indd 1

12/02/2015 12:55:18

WEDDING

fun

Sun

IN THE

Breentje and Brego chose Hacienda La Herriza in Gaucin to hold a wedding weekend with a difference. No formal dinners, clothes or dances – this was a weekend of tapas, pool parties, funky dancing and laughter in the sunshine.

Hola España!

Even though we have no roots in Spain (I am Belgian and Brego is Dutch) we have always loved Spain and have spent many long weekends and holidays there enjoying tapas, sangria, the relaxed atmosphere and sun.

When we started planning our wedding day we knew we wanted that holiday vibe with sun and sangria, so we decided to have a small wedding but to make it a long weekend away with our best friends and closest family, instead of a one-day party in Holland.

Location Location…

Our biggest challenge was finding the perfect location. We wanted a private venue that could sleep all of our 60 guests for three nights and that would allow us all the freedom we wanted to party and chill every day of our wedding weekend. We looked at many different options; castles in 80 CONFETI

France, hotels in Italy and fincas in Spain before visiting Hacienda La Herriza in Gaucin, a 90 minute drive from Málaga.

It was exactly what we were looking for. Big enough to sleep everyone in private houses and rooms and remote so that we were able to do whatever we wanted and make as much noise as we pleased without disturbing other guests - and no curfew! It had a big garden, with spectacular views over Europe’s largest cork forest for our ceremony, a swimming pool for lounging during the day and a typical courtyard for our wedding party - all within walking distance from the accommodation.

Party Planning Being a film producer, organising and producing is what I do for a living so I didn’t want a wedding planner. I planned and researched

everything myself and we went to Málaga a few times for tastings, décor and photography meetings.

We wanted a very non-traditional wedding; no seated lunch and dinners, no strict dress codes - just relaxed and fun! We had tapas, drinks and pool parties during the day, BBQs, karaoke and dancing at night from Friday until Sunday. The staff at La Herriza were brilliant! So accommodating and inviting and we were delighted with the stunning location and impeccable service.

The hotel’s proprietor, David Rodriguez de la Huerga, boasts a name that would not have disgraced a Conquistador, but this particular Spaniard was educated at an English public school, and so not only speaks the language impeccably, but also understands the foibles and eccentricities which may be found

amongst his British guests. Not that his expertise is confined to the British and Spanish. Swedes, Belgians, Indians, French, Dutch, Germans, a veritable United Nations has made its way to his welcoming doors, there to discover just what it is that makes the place so special.

A Touch of Magic We hired Marbella Parties for all décor, they tailor-made white lounge furniture and created a colourful Moroccan theme and a beach club vibe throughout the whole weekend. They also arranged hundreds of candles, lights and lanterns throughout the venue, for that magical ‘1001 Nights’ look. They even had someone on standby at all times to relight the candles. It was such great service!

Quirky Details Our wedding invitation was a big flamenco poster. We had

a Spanish tapas night with friends and we all dressed up in traditional Spanish clothing and flamenco attire and took some fun photos that night. We then printed loads of posters and put them up at Málaga airport, where our guests were picked up by minibuses. We put up posters along the roads winding up to the gates of La Herriza, so all of the locals were wondering what this party was and who these strange looking flamenco artists were!

Our party favours were giant water pistols, cava and water bottles with the flamenco poster on them and personalised glasses for the pool parties. For the ladies we had Spanish fans for the heat and jewellery with little butterflies; we asked the guests to wear them in their hair or on their wrists, as butterflies were a big symbol at our ceremony.

A Special Moment The most emotional moment was releasing beautiful Monarc butterflies, in honour of Brego’s dad who passed away and could not celebrate with us. We released 50 big butterflies at the end of our ceremony to symbolise life.

Most of them flew away after a few hours, but one of them flew around in the gardens until we left on Tuesday. We like to think it was Brego’s dad keeping an eye on us and enjoying the celebrations.

Now every time we see a Monarc butterfly it reminds us of this special moment.

First Dance Fun One of our friends is a famous choreographer from New York, her wedding gift was an original opening dance of almost seven minutes. A music producer friend

made a mix of classics from Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer and other old songs. We are both lousy dancers and didn’t want a classic opening dance. I’m very short and Brego is over two metres tall, so dancing was going to look funny anyway!

We ended up having the best time doing this silly dance. Needless to say we danced and partied until the early hours of the next day, with everyone ending up in the pool in their wedding outfits.

It was, without a doubt, the best weekend of our lives!

most outlandish of requests with the same professionalism and aplomb that they apply to the more “normal” affairs. Not that they would admit that there is ever anything

outlandish or abnormal about their guests. As Gertrude Stein might well have remarked, in their eyes, “a guest is a guest is a guest” – particularly if she’s a bride!

We would love to thank David and his wonderful staff, who form a team able to cope with even the

Address Book Dress Romonakeveza.com Suit:Hugo Boss Venue:Hacienda La Herriza in Gaucin, Laherriza.com Photographer: Jeremy Standley Jeremystandley.com Décor and styling: Marbella Parties, Marbellaparties.com CONFETI 81

ALL OVER

THE WORLD

After 12 years of travelling the world, living and working together, Rosie and Craig finally tied the knot on the Costa del Sol and, despite a rocky build-up, they eventually had the best day of their lives.

Young love Rosie and I were at school together in Bristol and started dating when we both moved to the same university in 2001.

We graduated and headed back to Bristol after we both qualified as teachers and bought a house together. Rosie and I have travelled all over the world together, spent three years living and teaching in Beijing and we’re currently living in Qatar.

After 12 years together and having had so many amazing trips and visited some incredible places, a proposal was expected everywhere we went. At a New Year’s Eve party in Sri Lanka, Rosie finally vented her frustration at the fact I had not proposed little did she know I had already bought the ring and had a champagne breakfast planned for the next day, ready to pop the question!

Spanish holiday We’ve always loved Spain and I have holidayed there since I was a toddler. My parents, sister and grandma all live there and Rosie and I have always loved our time in Spain with them, so it was an obvious choice. Also, as we live internationally, we liked the idea of inviting our friends for a destination wedding where they could combine a bit of a holiday with our big day.

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Deadline disaster Tikitano was not our original selection for the venue. We had visited the area the previous April and had booked an exclusive beach club in Guadalmina.

Ten days before the big day, our Wedding Planner rang and said there was ‘a problem’ - the building was being renovated and was unfinished! Two days before the wedding we visited the venue and it was still a building site. There were no walls, windows, light fittings, the floor was unfinished, the kitchens horrendously dirty - basically everything was terrible. Thankfully our amazing wedding planner Lisa Franco, of Bella Weddings in Spain, negotiated with the newly managed and renovated Tikitano Beach restaurant and they were

able to accommodate us at this very late stage. They pulled out all the stops at short notice and even matched our previously chosen menu, as I had already printed off the 100+ menus. They were absolutely fantastic!

Stunning simplicity Rosie’s dress was a stunning backless design with diamanté and lace decoration on the front - she looked amazing! The bridesmaids wore long royal blue dresses from Mango and they all look beautiful. We kept the flowers nice and simple with one stunning arrangement at the altar, bouquets and orchid buttonholes.

Being a design teacher I was able to use my skills and produced all the stationery, table decorations and travel themed the venue.

This meant that our décor was totally personalised and how we imagined.

Postcards and airmail Our theme was ‘travel’ and we chose airmail stationery for our colour scheme, which stood out really well. We had a postcard design for our ‘save the date’, a flight boarding pass for the wedding invitations, wooden luggage tags for the place settings and wooden globes for the table numbers. The theme fitted in perfectly with the beach setting, especially the fans I created with the order of service printed on them, as the sun was scorching!

Tapas and cupcakes For the food, we had Spanish

photographer. We are so pleased with his work.

tapas as starters followed by a succulent pork fillet. For dessert we had cupcakes and swapped the traditional wedding cake for a cheese tower, which was served later in the evening with crackers and other snacks.

A family affair The ceremony music was a bit of a family affair; Rosie’s uncle and cousin played Heartbeats by Jose Gonzalez on the piano as we walked down the aisle - a very special moment. We then had my sister Zoe Louise, a professional singer on the Costa del Sol, sing Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know as we signed the register.

After the wedding breakfast, DJ Mark Barrow of Costa del Party was fantastic. We had designed a set list, which changed in genre sections each hour, it worked really well. Zoe Louise then grabbed the mic and it was a big

anthem finish, which absolutely brought the house down, it was amazing.

Friendly photography We called upon my good friend, Heywood Similon, as he recently moved into the wedding photography market and was therefore an obvious choice.

He made us feel relaxed and comfortable - which is handy as I hate being photographed. I ordered him to put the camera down after the first dance and he became a guest rather than our

Best day ever I know everyone loves their wedding day and thinks it’s the best wedding ever, but they are wrong - because ours was the best wedding ever! Everything was amazing; the weather was perfect, our registrar, Kevin Williams, was excellent, the food was great and the party afterwards was a riot. We couldn’t have asked for a better day and there are too many great memories to list.

If I had to do it again I would change…having ever set foot inside our first chosen venue. It ruined the build up to our wedding and led to some very tense and worrying times.

Wedding planner perfection Definitely get yourself a wedding planner; it was with mild trepidation that I agreed to have a planner, but Lisa was excellent and was worth her weight in gold when things started to go wrong.

I did a lot of the pre-planning and organisation myself from where we live in Qatar, but having Lisa as feet-on-the-ground in Spain made things so much easier, especially on the day of the wedding itself when she took over and made everything run like clockwork.

Address Book Wedding planner: Lisa Franco BellaWeddingsInSpain.com Photographer: Heywood Similon - 0034 673 447 660 Music: Singer Zoe Louise ZoeLouise.com DJ/Equipment hire: Mark Borrow - CostaDelParty.com Cupcakes: Margie’s Cakery 0034 637 981 270 Venue: Tikitano, Estepona Tikitano.com Minister: Kevin Williams Flowers: Deseos DeseosFlorist.com Dress: bought at Anne Harding in Bristol, designer: Essence

CONFETI 83

CONFETI’S Turkish

Honeymoon

Turk

ey

A

t the exact point at which Europe and Asia meet and the glorious epicentre of the former Ottoman Empire once stood, you will find Istanbul.

With a population of over 14 million, Istanbul is the sixth largest city in the world and is split by the beautiful Bosphorus Strait, between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. The geographical dimensions of this place alone are enough to make you quite dizzy but the real magic of this city lies 84 CONFETI

in its rich history, ornate buildings and underground party scene.

Istanbul is not necessarily a city that you associate with hills but the entire metropolis is built on various hillsides, affording the most spectacular views across the cityscape of countless minarets and domes belonging to the mosques that are scattered throughout the city. The Old City or Sultanahmet, filled with historic landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, ancient Turkish

hammams and the Grand Bazaar, is connected to the New (think trendy rooftop bars including the GQ Bar) via the picturesque Galata Bridge.

The city is the ultimate joining of two separate entities – the ancient with the modern, Christianity with Islam, Europe and Asia – so what better place to celebrate the union of you and your new husband or wife on honeymoon? It’s an enchanting city where memories are made and last forever.

CONFETI 85

Y

ou could easily be tricked into thinking you have stepped inside the doors of an über trendy bar when entering the Georges Hotel. Exposed brickwork, atmospheric golden lighting and a huge oak bar all feature in the hotel’s foyer, as well as the most luxurious of aromas – a sort of rich, woody fragrance.

Despite appearances, you are in the right place – Georges Hotel Galata – one of the most stylish boutique hotels within the city of Istanbul.

In a hip city such as Istanbul, you can imagine how high the bar

86 CONFETI

has been set in terms of designer hotels. So what is so different about Georges Hotel?

The first stand-out feature is the impressive rooftop terrace. With the most jaw dropping of views over the whole city and across the Galata Strait to Asia, all guests are invited to soak up the vistas with a welcome drink on the rooftop as soon as they arrive.

Cold, homemade lemonade in one hand, city guide in the other, it really makes for the most fabulous of arrivals to the area. Breakfast is also served on the roof terrace, so you can enjoy the impressive views while sipping traditional Turkish tea and enjoying a freshly baked pastry every morning for the duration of your stay.

Nothing is too much trouble for the friendly team employed at the Hotel.

From the best restaurant recommendations to arranging breakfast in bed (it is your honeymoon, after all!), the hotel offers the pinnacle of service.

We Loved: Our bathroom - a glass and marble cube stocked with L’Occitane toiletries.

The Nespresso machine at our minibar.

The Hotel’s Pillow Menu, which has a selection of seven different pillow types to choose from!

T

his fabulous group of hotels caters for whatever vibe you are looking for. Stylishly designed and located in the most popular areas of the city, each offers something slightly different but all have one factor in common – five star service.

We stayed in the House Hotel Galatasaray, a four-storey mansion townhouse built in the 1850s, but given a modern day luxurious spin with its beautiful white and gold chandeliers and a glass pod next to the bed, which just happens to be your hotel shower.

One of the hotel’s best features is its top floor lounge/

bar, decked out with vintage leather chesterfield sofas, an open fire and a view across the mesmerizing cityscape of Istanbul. After a day pounding the streets of the city from one mosque to another, there is nothing better than chilling out here with a cool glass of Turkish Raki and a good book.

We Loved: The Penthouse Suite with its high ceilings that reach up into the eaves of the building.

The location – if you’re a ‘foodie’, you’ll be perfectly placed for some of the city’s best eateries.

The gold and silver ceramic birds that are fixed onto the white panelled walls of each room – they add a special something.

CONFETI 87

Bosphorus

A

city as large and exciting as Istanbul will always tend to be multi-faceted and no stay in the metropolis is complete without a stint in one of the hotels located alongside the beautiful Bosphorus Strait.

The Four Seasons at the Bosphorus offers impeccable attention to detail and, coupled with its position overlooking one of the most breathtaking waterways in the world, would make any honeymoon break unforgettable.

The Bosphorus is positioned outside the congested Old Town of the city, in which all the most famous Istanbul landmarks are found, so it

88 CONFETI

is peaceful and tranquil but, most importantly, offers a dramatically different side to your honeymoon break in the Turkish city.

The hotel is a former Sultan’s palace so the majestic building offers hotel rooms and suites that are very spacious, with the addition of numerous and diverse restaurants and shops within the public areas. The grandeur of the former palace seeps out of every corner of the hotel, most notably in the impressive foyer which is decorated with the most stunning fresh flowers each day.

The spa here is another element of the hotel, which vows to wow. The traditional

We Loved:

Turkish hammam will have you scrubbed and glowing by the time you leave your treatment.

The combination of this ancient spa ritual that has evolved over thousands of years with the luxurious setting of the Four

Seasons makes for a magical experience post-wedding.

The Four Seasons Bosphorus also offers fantastic wedding packages, catering for all sizes and styles of celebrations.

The Atik Pasha Terrace is a stunning outdoor setting for al fresco summer weddings under the stars while the Bosphorus Ballroom is a stylish, versatile space for smaller, more intimate weddings. With an impressive history of hosting weddings, you would be in the safest of hands for your wedding and honeymoon alike.

The water taxis that are moored at the front of the hotel, transporting guests across to the Asian side of the city as well as along the Strait if you prefer a more leisurely romantic riverside cruise.

Waking up and looking out of the hotel window across the Bosphorus strait and catching a glimpse of dolphins leaping through the water – quite enchanting!

CONFETI 89

Sultanahmet

90 CONFETI

F

or unparalleled opulence and that five star experience all within the heart of the historic Old Town of Istanbul, look no further than the Four Seasons at Sultanahmet. The distinctly different Four Seasons located in the Sultanahmet is surrounded by some of the most important landmarks from the Byzantine and

Ottoman eras and this mystique feeling of the city’s magical history breathes into the hotel itself.

The A’YA Lounge, a unique openair terrace, has a magnificent view of the famous Haghia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Lit up with lanterns and decorated with sofas, there is nothing more charming than spending an evening here with your new husband or wife.

We Loved: Again the Four Seasons Sultanahmet offers full wedding planning services and caters for more unusual wedding requests, whether you desire a henna night or bridal shower, a picnic in the

hotel grounds or a cruise along the Bosphorus. The wedding team at the Four Seasons can make your wedding dreams a reality in this magical city.

The 65 luxury hotel rooms and suites are housed in a century-old neoclassical Turkish prison. The building encircles a manicured

courtyard where birds sing and the fragrant herb garden exudes an enticing smell. It’s an intimate enclave in the heart of the city.

CONFETI 91

ConfetiNews Wedding

Weekend Extravaganza The first ever Confeti Wedding Show will be held on the 3rd and 4th of October on the opulent Sunborn Hotel, Gibraltar’s fivestar yacht hotel.

From wedding dress designers, jewellers and florists to DJs, photographers, wedding planners and cake makers, we will have the best wedding experts on the Coast at hand with information, samples and ideas to bring your own wedding to life.

The vendors at the fair will represent every aspect of the bridal industry, so whether you’re after your dream dress, location or even a wedding cake then look no further than this fantastic wedding exposition.

For two days in October, the grand ballroom of the Sunborn hotel will play host to the best names in the wedding industry and we look forward to welcoming you for a weekend of fun and entertainment, including a spectacular bridal catwalk show, live music performances,

make-up master-class and a vast array of services available for both brides and grooms.

Whether you’re planning your dream wedding on the Costa del Sol or in Gibraltar, the Confeti Wedding Fair is the ultimate spot to pick up ideas, tips, samples – and even a goodie bag to take

home! You will enjoy all this and much more onboard the super luxurious Sunborn Hotel, where you can relax over a cocktail or meal or soak up the sun in their fabulous sky lounge.

Stands are filling up rapidly so if you’ve got a business that you’ d like to showcase, get in touch

with our team to become part of this fantastic wedding weekend extravaganza.

To request an invitation to the show or to enquire about exhibiting, please email us at enquiries@iconpublishing.es

Tahini Sushi Bar Following the success of its flagship restaurant in Puerto Portals in Mallorca, Tahini Marbella launched here on the Coast quite recently. Tahini, which specialises in exquisite Japanese cuisine, is now also hosting weddings at its stylishly decorated venue.

Located on the elegant Paseo Maritimo and overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, Tahini offers an extensive terrace for al fresco dining during the summer months. Inside, the restaurant is decorated with a city-urban ambience, featuring a large open kitchen and contemporary art and sculptures throughout.

92 CONFETI

The dedicated team of staff is on hand at all times and aims to deliver the very best for you and your wedding party for a celebration that is unique and memorable.

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Cake Couture: +34 693 379

Marbella Cake Design: +34 634 302 514; marbellacakedesign.com Sweet Things by Fi: +34 697 228 088; sweetthingsbyfi.com Catering

BWS: +34 952 373 233 Cortijo Catering Events: +34 952 887 795 cortijocateringevents.com Chez Vous: +34 618 470 339; chezvous.es FiestaSol: +34 952 898 746; fiestasol.com

Browns: brownsfashion.com David Fielden: davidfielden.co.uk

Diamond Occasion 1st Floor, ICC Building, Gibraltar +350 200 68633 Diamond-occasion.com Freya Rose: freyarose.com Monique Lhuillier: moniquelhuillier.com Net-A-Porter: net-a-porter.com Olivier Laudus London: +44 208 374 1239; olivierlaudus.com

Celebrants

AM Gallery: +34 951 38 10 11/ +34 692 09 23 71 amgallerymarbella.com

Humanist Wedding Celebrant: malagaminister.com Kurt Kettner-Borough: +34 952 817 099/ +34 637 408 194 weddingministerspain.com

Padre Peter: padrepeter1@gmail.com Entertainment 1DJ1 Disco Tech & Events: 1dj1.com D & Co Live: +44 (0) 2033711766 +34 670 636 063; dandcolive.com

94 CONFETI

Aruna Seth: +44 (0)208 773 7859; arunaseth.com

Purple Pepper: +44 (0)203 371 1766 +34 670 636 063; purplepeppercatering.com

Costa Church: + 34 952 808 605, costachurch.com

‘The ‘Natalia’ Dress from Stephanie Allin Couture, stephanieallin.net

Anthony Diamonds: +34 952 588 795/+34 609 529 633; anthonys-diamonds.com

Florists

Gibral Flora:+350 20042655; gibral-flora.gi

Flor Valentin:+34 669 061 234; florvalentin.es Stephanie Florist: +35 020 041 688; stephanieflorist.gi The Flower Shop : +35 020 040 488; theflowershop.gi Zoe Strutton: +34 952 907 986; flowersinconline.com General

DJ Dave Hixson: davehixson.com

Balloon Chic Marbella +34 661 724 963 Balloonchicmarbella@gmail.com

DJ Nigel Davies:+34 697 931786 chezvous.es

Fireworks: +34 955 716 335; pirotecniablancapaloma.es

DJ Ryan Fuller: +34 674 882 402/ +44 772 935 2287

Gibraltar Botanic Gardens: + 350 20072639; gibraltargardens.gi

Gibraltar Tourist Board: +44 2078 360 777; visitgibraltar.gi

Photography

Hot Of The Press: +34 952 930 392; hotpgreen.com

Agata Jensen: +34 633 921 231; agatajensen.com

Limo Hire Marbella: +34 662 064 065; limohiremarbella.com

Blaise Photography: +34 661 590 968 /+44 844 414 8367; blaisephotography.com

Simply Shuttles: +34 951 279 117; simply-shuttles.com Health & Beauty Aphrodite Beauty: +350 200 62422, aphroditebeauty.gib@ hotmail.com Eli Lynch Professional Makeup and Hair Stylist: +34 651 518 935 Golden Tarts: +34 952 811 820; goldentarts.com Luscious Lashes: +34 634 276 302 Lavish Hair and Makeup: +34 622 192 507 / +34 645 342 549; hairandmakeupbylavish.com

Liza Mayne: +34 677 633 987: domayne.net Maximum Beauty: +34 680 450 839, maximumbeauty-marbella.com Naomi Phoenix Faces: phoenixfaces@icloud.com

Nicola McGeorge, +34 665 361 964 info@nicolamcgeorge.com

Boda Kids: +34 952 109 287; bodakids.es Elite Booths: +44 0581 010 496 eliteboothsuk.com

For further information please contact Dyana Dessar Simmons UK: +44 (0) 2033711766 Spain: +34 670636063 Gibraltar: +350 54029417

Eloy Muñoz: +34 689 427 029; eloyymunoz.es Evergreen Photo & Films: +34 656 26 50 25 evergreenmalaga.com

dyana@theweddingscompany.co.uk www.spanishweddingscompany.com

Jeremy Standley: +34 607 717 565; jeremystandley.com Julia Roder: +34 678 521 108; juliaroder.com

We make your dreams come true

Jon Segui: +350 540 21289 jonseguiphotography.com John Green: +350 560 00190 johnpv.com

Nani & Antonio de Perez: +34 615 314 446 / 615 252 174; antoniodeperez.com vimeo.com/antoniodeperez deperez.com

Ocean Clinic: +34 951 775 518; oceanclinic.net

Nieves Arturo Photography +34 673 196 434 Nievesyarturo.es

Reflections: +34 902 325 324; reflectionsmarbella.com

Olliver Photography: olliverphotography.com

Stephanie’s Beautiful Beginnings, +350 54012896 +350 54015841 stephaniesbb@outlook.com

Owen Farell: +34 670 664 341 / +35 387 268 2832; owenfarellphotography.com

The House Haidressing PinoGolf de Don Carlos, Coto de los Dolores, Local 28, Elviria +34 952 835 317 Thehousehairdressing.com

WEDDINGS RENEWAL OF VOWS ANNIVERSARIES SAME SEX WEDDINGS AND CELEBRATIONS BIRTHDAYS BLESSINGS BAR/BAT MITZVAHS

Photo by David Toms

Hacienda

La Herriza Hotel Boutique Rural - Gaucín

Sol Wedding: +34 952 934 478; solwedding.com Sheila Roberts Photography: sheilarobertsphotography.com

www.olliverphotography.com CONFETI 95

DIRECTORY Talia Giraudo: + 34 605 275 407; thoroughlygorgeous.com Tunde & Loredan Serban: +34 633 092 739 Sound & Lighting Name in Lights: +34 640 628 641 nameinlights.eu Chez Vous: +34 618 470 339; chezvous.es Stationery

The Weddings Company: +44 (0)203 371 1766; spanishweddingscompany.com WCS Bespoke: +34 956 61 04 74 +34 607 49 48 02; wcsbespoke.com Venues

Gran Hotel Elba Estepona, hoteleselba.com El Cortijo del Estrecho: +34 956 679 897; elcortijodelestrecho.com

Le Papillon: +34 952 834 113; restaurantepapillon.com Mons Calpe Suite: +350 200 79 478; monscalpesuite.com Mosaik: +34 952 929 467; reservas@mosaikmarbella.com mosaikmarbella.com Nikki Beach Marbella: +34 952 83 62 39; nikkibeach.com PYR Hotel: +34 952 817 353; hotelpyr.com

Estrella del Mar Beach Club: +34 951 053 990 beachclubestrelladelmar.com

Sunborn Hotel: 350 200 16000 sunbornhotels.com/gibraltar

Wedding Lists

Cortijo Catering Events, +34 952 887 795 cortijocateringevents.com

Sunset Beach Club Hotel: +34 952 579 400; sunsetbeachclub.com

Patricia Darch Interiors: Gibraltar: +350 216 77776; Sotogrande: +34 956 615 350; patriciadarch.com

Cortijo Del Marques:+34 958 34 00 77 / +34 678 334 884; cortijodelmarques.com

Tamisa Golf Hotel: +34 952 585 988; hoteltamisagolf.com

Zankyou: +44 8458 677 856; zankyou.com

The Courtyard Marbella: thecourtyardmarbella.com

The Caleta Palace: +350 200 76501; caletahotel.com

Wedding Planners

Del Mar: +34 952 820 900 puenteromano.com

The Rock Hotel:+ 350 20 073 000 rockhotelgibraltar.com

El Oceano Beach Hotel: +34 952 587 550; oceanohotel.com

TikiTano: +34 952 798 449; tikitano.com

Gran MeliĂĄ Don Pepe: +34 902 144 440; gran-melia-don-pepe.com

Villa Del Mar: +34 952 822 211; marbellaclub.com

H10 Estepona Palace: +34 952 790 040; h10hotels.com

Videography

Made With Love: +44 1457 838 838; madewithlovedesigns.co.uk Save My Date: +34 620 33 72 87; savemydate.es

Bella Weddings:+34 692 848 201 bellaweddingsinspain.com Chez Vous: +34 618 470 339; chezvous.es Fiesta Sol: +34 952 898 746; fiestasol.com Events Boutique of Marina Grishko: +34 633 288 143 grishko.org Granada Weddings: +34 958 521 875; granadaweddings.com Hour Weddings: +350 580 09685 hourweddings.com Med Weddings: +350 580 08355; medweddings.com MysEventos: +34 952 604 020, myseventos.com Orchid Events 49: +350 200 71335; orchidevents49@gmail.com

Party People: +34 952 812 580; partypeoplemarbella.com Tarifa Weddings:+34 687 659 574; tarifaweddings.com White Wedding Days: +34 600 946 118; whiteweddingdays.com

96 CONFETI

Hacienda La Herriza: +34 951 068 200; laherriza.com Hacienda Las Fuentes: +34 952 584 248 / +34 677 530 633 haciendalasfuentes.es Holiday World Resort: +34 952 579 757; holidayworld.es

Kempinski Hotel BahĂ­a Marbella Estepona: +34 952 809 500, kempinski.com/marbella La Cartuja de Cazalla: +34 951 193 446 / +34 617 271 024 La Sala Private Dining Room; +34 952 812 836; lasalabanus.com La Meridiana del Alabardero: +34 952 776 190; +34 618 236 778 lameridiana.es

BodaKids: +34 952 109 287; bodakids.com Nani de Perez: +34 615 314 446 / 615 252 174; antoniodeperez.com Sol Wedding: +34 952 934 478; solwedding.com Wedding Boutique Hour Wedding Boutique: +350 58 009 685; hourweddings.com Manila Novias: +34 952 778 707 / +34 686 268 177; manilanovias.es elisamarbella@hotmail.com Santos y Eva Novias: +34 952 900 189; santosyevanovias.com

Every last

detail...

On the shores of the Mediterranean, with views to Gibraltar and Africa, surrounded by a tropical landscape, a place to forge memories and to realise dreams, a promise from us to you, to make your special day truly magical, a day which you will never forget with all you have ever dreamed of....

Join us at the Kempinski Hotel BahĂ­a for a personalised viewing of our wedding and reception locations - we cater for all weddings. By appointment only. +34 952 809 500 | reservation.estepona@kempinski.com | kempinski.com/marbella Ctra. De Cadiz Km.159 | 29680 Estepona | MĂĄlaga | Spain

LoveLove Love

This 2015

heralds the year of the carefree bride. Women are no longer preoccupied with flawlessly positioned wedding dresses, which are structured in shape and pristine in style. Loose, unpretentious designs are becoming hugely popular for the bride who is comfortable with her own style, unworried about breaking the strict rules of what the ‘perfect big day dress’ should look like.

Understated elegance has been at the heart of Emma Hunt London for seventeen years. The brand has recently launched a new collection, which features the softest silks, antique-style lace and georgette frills.

We are particularly in love with this bias cut satin gown with low back and beautiful feather appliqué tulle overlay.

Emmahunt.co.uk

98 CONFETI

· barefoot and black-tie ceremonies on the shores of the Mediterranean · · spectacular views · 5 star service · exquisite cuisine · Kosher facilities · · luxury accommodation · expert in-house wedding planner ·

Puente Romano Beach Resort 5*GL · Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n · 29602 · Marbella · Spain (+34) 952 820 900 · puenteromano.com · weddings@puenteromano.com