Confeti Spring 2016

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SPRING 2016

Fairytale

FASHION PRINCESS GOWNS FROM

GaliaLahav Flower FLORALPower FINISHING TOUCHES

LoveStories IDEAS AND INSPIRATION FROM OUR READERS’ OWN

REAL WEDDINGS

Picture Perfect

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ...BECAUSE MEMORIES MATTER

WHERE WILL

I do

YOU

SAY

WE ROUND UP THE TOP WEDDING VENUES

Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicated wedding bible

by r e c om m en d at ion & ap p oi n tm en t P u erto ba n Ăşs , M a r be ll a

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de l af ue n t e f i n e j e w e l l e r y .com

by r ec om m en d at ion & ap p oi n tm en t P u erto ba n Ăşs , M a r be ll a

951 508 084

de l af u e n t e f i n e j e w e l l e r y .com

SPECTACULAR 180潞 PANORAMIC SEA VIEWS

FUSION OF INTERNATIONAL AND MODERN CUISINE

I do JUST SAY

For further information about our wedding packages, please contact us:

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s u n b o r n g i b r a lta r wedding show 21 – 22 march from 11:00 a place to find yo u r d r e a m w e d d i n g

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SPRING 2016

Fairytale

FASHION PRINCESS GOWNS FROM

GaliaLahav Flower FLORALPower FINISHING TOUCHES

LoveStories IDEAS AND INSPIRATION FROM OUR READERS’ OWN

REAL WEDDINGS

Picture Perfect

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ...BECAUSE MEMORIES MATTER

WHERE WILL

I do

YOU SAY

WE ROUND UP THE TOP WEDDING VENUES

Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicated wedding bible

Cover Photo: galialahav.com

Staff

PUBLISHER Andy Clark andy@iconpublishing.es

2016

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

Cover Stories 15 Flower Power From wedding cakes to decorations and headdresses – flowers are always winning accessories!

30 Fairytale Fashion Introducing the stunning new ‘Bohemian Dreams’ collection from Galia Lahav.

54 Love Stories We bring you ten of our readers’ real weddings for ideas, inspiration and that all-important advice on planning your big day.

82 Where will you say ‘I do’ From beachside banquets to private garden parties, we bring you some of the prettiest and most exclusive wedding venues on the coast.

96 Picture Perfect We round up some of the best wedding photographers on the coast.

Fashion 20 The Secret Garden

Details 90 The Toastmaster

The gorgeous Spring Bridal Collection from Glamour Hunter.

38 Designer Profile We take a sneak peak at the latest collection from Julie Vino and find out how her career in bridal fashion began.

Beauty 44 Bridal Beauty Guide

Local celebrant and toastmaster, Allan Davies explains his all-important role as the Master of Ceremonies.

92 Ask The Expert Natasha Johnson is here to answer all of your wedding worries and doubts and help your wedding planning be as stress-free as possible!

94 My Wife Won’t Let Me Padre Peter has returned to takes us back to the days when wives called all the shots!

Make sure your skin is perfect on your big day with expert beauty preparation tips.

CONFETI’s Address Book

46 Red Carpet Looks Confeti’s resident beauty girl, Jess Miles brings us make-up inspiration from the flawless faces at the Oscars.

50 The Hair Flair Reflections’ expert hair stylist, Paul Mac-Fariane offers us some stunning styles for wedding hair with flair!

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CREATIVE TEAM Constanza Martínez constanza@iconpublishing.es Alma Roda Ros alma@iconpublishing.es FEATURES EDITOR Natalie Rose Kern natalie@iconpublishing.es HEAD OF COMMERCIAL Avi Hassidoff avi@iconpublishing.es ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Karen Ånenson EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Charlotte Jacques charlotte@iconpublishing.es EDITORIAL TEAM India Baltran, Eleanor McKenzie CONTRIBUITORS Natasha Johnson, Padre Peter, Nicola McGeorge

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

The best professionals, specialists and services

enquiries@iconpublishing.es

Love, Love, Love... You!

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

A special mention to our amazing readers and clients, for all of the lovely messages we have received.

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.

www.confetimagazine.com

· 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 & Spa · Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n · 29602 · Marbella · Spain (+34) 952 820 900 · puenteromano.com · weddings@puenteromano.com

Romance blossoms in Spring…

S

pring is sprung and it’s our favourite time of year in the CONFETI office as we enter the build-up to wedding season and the excitement and anticipation of new collections, upcoming weddings, floral fashion and the sights and scents of love blossoming all around us along with the spring flowers.

Romance is alive and well and this season it’s taken on a beautifully bohemian demeanor, from its glorious gowns inspired by fairy tales, for mystical beauty that evokes fairies, princesses and far away lands to the fashion for hair, which follows the boho trend, with nods to floral crowns, diamanté tiaras and pretty fantasy hairpieces for theatrical glamour.

With bridal fashion from Galia Lahav, we bring you some of the most feminine and romantic looks this spring.

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We travel the length and breadth of the Costa del Sol (and beyond!) to bring you the top wedding venues around – whether you fancy a relaxed beach wedding, a private garden party, a lavish banquet – or even a celebration on board a super yacht!

We’ve rounded up this season’s hottest bridal bits and bobs; from table dressings and decorations to bouquets and bling!

Pink, petals and princess prettiness reign in this gorgeous spring issue... Enjoy!

The Confeti Team

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ONFETI loves...

Cheese heaven

If you are more savoury than sweet, this gorgeous “cheese cake” is the perfect alternative to a tradition wedding cake!

From Claire and Lenny ‘Real Wedding’ Page 68 Photo by radkahorvath.com

Flower power

Complete your spring-inspired look with one of these gorgeous flower-crowns and feel like a true princess on your special day! Have your beautiful bouquet, accessories and decorations created by the lovely team at Flor Valentin, here for all your floral needs! florvalentin.es

This gorgeous white wedding cake with pink roses and greenery is a beautiful example of the hard work that goes into all things created by Sweet Things by Fi, sweetthingsbyfi.com Photo by Joseba Sandoval, josebasandoval.com

Truly scrumptious creations

Visit one of the Coast’s talented cake designers such as Cake Couture and Marbella Cake Design, for a wedding cake that is guaranteed to wow your guests! cakecouturemarbella.com marbellacakedesign.com

Less is more!

Flowers can be used almost anywhere and brighten up even the simplest of things, transforming your classic white wedding into a floral fairy-tale!

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ONFETI loves...

Flamingos in love

This funky flamingo wedding cake was created

by Custom Cakes by Lynsey for Katie and Thomas. Read all about their wonderful wedding day in our Real Weddings!

Pretty in pink

We adore this beautiful butterfly jewellery from De La Fuente, the prettiest pink accessory that will keep you sparkling all day long! delafuentefinejewellery.com

Sweet tooth

Everything about this adorable teacup cupcake with its sweet delicate details and mini macaroon on the side…it’s just too cute to eat! sweetthingsbyfi.com 16 CONFETI

A Work Of Art

A unique collaboration of ‘Lila Hand Crafted Accessories’ and a exclusive shoe-clip ‘Aurora’ design

by Freya Rose freyarose.com

Flor ValentĂ­n C.C. Centro Idea Ctra. de Mijas km 3,6 ES - 29650 Mijas - SPAIN

Let Flor Valentin design the bouquet you always dreamt of!

Photos by Anna Gazda - limelight.pl

www.florvalentin.es

janne@florvalentin.es

T: +34 951 311 086 M: +34 669 061 234

Diamond Jewellery

by De La Fuente, delafuentefinejewellery.com

Adelaide Bracelet by Rue Gembon, ruegembon.com

Theme your Day

B lush Blush Spring is the season that marks the beginning of many blooms, just like a wedding marks the beginning of a new life together, and what better colour to theme the most romantic day of your life than one that represents compassion, love and nurturing.

Matching Garter by Anna Marguerite, etsy.com

Crystal Flower Stud

by Freedom at Topshop, topshop.com 

Get some Cake inspiration from Award-winning bakers The Cake Guys, thecakeguys.com

Bouquet of roses from Flor Valentin, florvalentin.es

Shoes by Valentino, valentino.com

Bridesmaid Dresses by Kennedy Blue, kennedyblue.com

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Lipstick and Lipgloss

by MAC, maccosmetics.com

Stunning blush princess gown from Galia Lahav Fall 2016 Collection galialahav.com

Secret The

Garden

Glamour Hunter’s gorgeous Spring Bridal Collection is romantic, delicate and whimsical, inspired by fairytales, fantasy and glamorous girlish dreams...

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Dresses by: Glamour Hunter Luxury Couture Styling and organisation: Idilia Spain Floral design: AM Flowers Design, Marbella Photography by: Nani de Perez Models: Diana Margun, Melani Gellert, El Li Hair: Julija Karpenko Gurcka Make-Up: Lena Tanevska Jewellery by: Luz Jewels Cake design by: La Vie a Sucre glamourhunter.net 26 CONFETI

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SHOWCASING THE FINEST IN BRIDAL DESIGN

Rolling Out THE WHITE CARPET 15-17 MAY 2016 BATTERSEA PARK LONDON

May 2016 promises to be a sensational month for bridal wear in London when the top international names in everything for brides will unveil their 2017 collections at the renowned White Gallery London. This is a top-end bridal show and there really will be some sensational sights.

W H I T E G A L L E R Y . C O M

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Š JESSICA DURRANT

*White Gallery London is open to trade buyers only and not members of the general public

Designers are looking to folklore for boho chic and architecture for new approaches to silhouettes

T

o start with, a roster of trendsetting labels will join the most influential designers, led by Brit-pack stars Alan Hannah, Sassi Holford and Stephanie Allin, when White Gallery London opens its doors at Battersea Evolution from 15-17 May 2016 for industry professionals.

What can visitors expect? Well, the venue has been stylishly redesigned to include a spectacular mezzanine floor where guests can relax in the White Gallery Buyers’ Lounge.

It’s a rest area with a difference!

Swarovski have taken over the reception area where incandescent displays of sparkling crystals by celebrity designers and famous names will dazzle you. Not to mention the fact the entire display of crystals and pearls is worth thousands of pounds.

Not just anyone is invited to exhibit at the White gallery; you have to fulfil some very strict criteria. So, the lineup of talent from across the globe is pretty impressive and you can ooh and aaah over bridal gowns and all the accessories that have come from Australia, America, the Far and Middle East as well as just about everywhere in Europe.

And, just to give you a taster of who those top names are, the industry leaders include Raimon Bundo, Gemy, Catherine Deane, Yolan Cris, Immaculada Garcia, Jack Sullivan, Jesus Peiro, Anne Barge and Karen Willis Holmes. Also, making a first time appearance, are Olvi’s Lace and Kobus Dippenaar. Olvi’s Lace from designer Olga Yermalova will be showcasing her stretch lace collection, which just happens to be favoured by many red-carpet celebrities. Kobus, from South Africa, is debuting his famous Anna Georgina line, so those are two new collections to look forward to.

Shoes are an essential part of the outfit but it can be quite a challenge to find that ‘just right’ pair on the high street. London designer Harriet Wilde has a sensational range of styles, most of which can be worn at other occasions after the wedding. Her signature trims on the heels, whether in ivory satin, metallic leather or soft kid suede, make the bride’s feet a stunning view from behind. Plus, she does matching handbags.

Islington based Emmy London’s showcase of wedding shoes is like walking into a Baroque wardrobe of refined detail and the trimmings on her current Cancello collection are taken from the ornate foliage detailing on Italian wrought iron gates. This designer’s shoes are definitely operatic!

Alan Hannah and wife Marguerite have been in the business for 25 years.

Marguerite is the designer and is one of the most respected in England today. She has won a ‘designer of the year’ award on several occasions and has a significant impact on bridal style across the globe, so it will be interesting to see what this fashion house has in store for bridesto-be at the White Gallery this year. Some of you may be familiar with her other two lines - MiaMia and Rita Mae. No doubt the company will be showing some of their “Devoted Jewellery” range as well.

Spanish exhibitor, Inmaculada Garcia has her atelier in Barcelona and is renowned for her girly, romantic dresses. And no wonder she started studying pattern and design at the age of 16 and opened her first bridal-wear shop at the age of 21. That’s a remarkable achievement.

Other favourites included Gemy, the label created by designer Gemy Maalouf. Her lines are always on-trend and she loves the creative process that often produces something very original.

She likes a challenge and admits that this usually comes from using a variety of fabrics in new ways, plus her attention to trimmings that often include lace, beading and feathers is a trademark of her style.

If you’re looking for something out of this world, then how about a dress from the other side of it. Australian designer Jack Sullivan is the son of famed bridal couturier Wendy Sullivan. Although he only launched his line in 2012 he has already become an international name with his playful mix of tradition and modernity.

What sort of looks can you expect to be in vogue for 2017? Well, according to advance information, it appears that some designers are drawing inspiration from the iconic looks of past decades and reinterpreting them for the 21st century bride, whilst others are looking to folklore for boho chic and architecture for new approaches to silhouette. Let’s hope they didn’t look at The Gherkin!

And there will be so much more: lush fabrics, stunning accessories and every kind of dazzling adornment a wedding party could require. What a lovely way to spend a day or two in May.

Old favourites who are returning this year are the quintessentially English Nicki McFarlane who dresses all the most stylish flower girls and page boys. Bridal shoes are always a big draw and Freya Rose is joining other shoe specialists including Harriet Wilde, Charlotte Mills and Emmy London.

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Bohemian Dreams

In a universe where fantasy romance and bohemian fairy tales collide, Galia Lahav creates a world of bridal couture unlike any we have ever seen before. Through the stories and fables of the past, Galia delves into our childhood dreams of eternal love and magic as she presents to you her new collection.

It’s a mystical collection, as daring and adventurous as the heroes of the tales it draws its inspiration from, with phenomenal corsetry, intricate lace details, and enchanted tulle skirts. It’s both romantic and classic combined, but most of all it’s something new for the eye.

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www.galialahav.com CONFETI 37

D esigner P rofile

Julie Vino The creative and artistic Julie Vino studied fashion design in one of the top academic institutes, which led to an internship in Canada and Israel’s leading fashion houses. She has now been established for five years with her own brand of beautiful bridal and evening wear in Jaffa-Tel-Aviv.

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With her dedication to detail and passion for fashion, Julie is able to create unique and one-of-a-kind gowns. Searching all over the world to find the best fabrics and highest quality tailoring, her dresses sculpture the body to enhance a slim and feminine look. Julie’s range is the perfect combination of classic style with a modern touch.

“

While growing up and discovering fashion, I realised this would be the field where I could bring forth my passion for beauty, my creative talent and my unique stylistic vision

”

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When did you become involved in fashion design?

I have always been artistic from a very young age. As I was growing up, I started to become more and more interested in fashion and then I realise that I can study to become a fashion designer and make my dreams come true.

Why did you specialise in bridal gowns?

During my studies I did an internship with a bridal designer and fell in love with the industry instantly. Soon after my graduation I opened my own bridal fashion house.

How would you describe your personal style?

I always try to highlight the most beautiful aspects of the female figure and emphasise femininity.

I choose lavish fabrics which I decompose and create a whole new texture. I also love symmetry and always find new ways to incorporate symmetric elements in my designs.

What is your biggest achievement to date?

I feel that my biggest achievement in life is being a mother and raising my family.

Which bridal trends do you predict will be popular in 2016?

Dropped shoulders, Slits of all sorts; side slits, front slits and back slits, and high definition fabrics that are high tech and make the dress look perfect on the body.

Where do you find inspiration for your gowns?

I seek inspiration from different sources for each collection.

For my latest collection I drew inspiration from the Island of Santorini in Greece, which is one of the most beautiful and romantic places on earth.

Tell us about your average working day?

I spend every morning with my family, eating breakfast and getting ready to go to school and work. I then go to the studio and go over the day’s schedule to make sure production is running smoothly.

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Later I’ll meet with my fabric suppliers or buyers from around the world as well as some of the brides that come to our flagship boutique. Depending on the season, I might be working on new designs. I also like to go over the international operations and keep myself up to date on fashion trends.

What are you working on at the moment?

At the moment I am working on expanding my evening collection to a full collection that will be presented twice a year during fashion week. The line will be called Black Label by Julie Vino and will be composed of cocktail dresses and evening gowns that carry my signature look.

What can a bride expect from purchasing one of your dresses?

The bride should expect to wear a gown made from the finest fabrics. She should also expect to look like the very best version of herself.

How do your gowns stand out from other bridal labels?

My designs differ in style. The designs are unique and the fabrics are of the highest quality.

I keep up with the hottest fashion trends and ensure that my designs make the brides not only look beautiful, but feel that way too!

What type of dress would you recommend for a destination wedding?

I would recommend a light and airy dress that will allow you to feel comfortable. I always give brides a few options when It comes to a destination wedding gown. My personal favourite is a two-part dress with two different skirts; one for the reception and one for the ceremony.

www.julievino.com 42 CONFETI

In this issue, Reflections head beauty therapist, Cristina Camacho shares her bridal beauty preparation tips. Known for creating bespoke, skin-specific facials, she is truly passionate about treating skin, (her own skin is flawless - a true testament to her skills.) After over a decade in the beauty business, Cristina’s expert insight will help you look and feel your best on the big day.

PRE-WEDDING

Bridal Beauty Guide

Let’s Face Facts When it comes to wedding skincare, there’s no such thing as starting too soon! If you really want to get your skin in top form, you’ll need to start a smart skincare routine about a year in advance. I would also recommend booking in monthly facials to really refresh your skin.

This is a great way for a professional to look at your skin and help you to understand what your skin needs. I would suggest starting your facials at least six months before the big day, definitely not at the last minute as you could have a small breakout.

For my brides I love the Germaine de Capuccini Time Expert Lift (IN) Facial Therapy,€119, which produces visible results from the first treatment. Its unique approach works on the three essential factors of skin rejuvenation: vertical lifting, lateral lifting and volume.

Nail It Remember choosing your nail shape is an important starting point and can flatter the fingers and the nail design. The first thing that you should consider when choosing your nail colour is how you will be matching it to your make-up, gown and bouquet. If you are doing a bold eye or lip colour with your make-up, I would suggest matching your fingers and toes with a more subtle hue.

If you are a biter, I would suggest weekly manicures at least 6-8 weeks before your wedding

day. Use Morgan Taylor’s Go Ahead And Grow €15 which is a healthy base support for weak and damaged nails.

For normal nails that need a tidy up and help with growth, then one or two manicures before the big day manicure should be enough to keep nails and cuticles in check.

To be on the safe side, book in your final manicure only one or two days before the wedding to avoid any wear and tear.

Trend wise, 2016 will be seeing more refined, lady-like nails, signalling a more minimalist approach. I was drooling over the half-moon manicure, also known as the “reverse-French”, spotted at the Marchesa Bridal Collection 2016.

The natural nail was accented by a subtle moon that made just enough of a statement.

Half Moon Manicure - Basic Manicure €35 Gelish €45 Let’s Make-up I love make-up trends as much as anyone, but on your wedding day I prefer a more natural approach.

You do not want to be cringing at your wedding photos because you decided to over contour Kim Kardashian style.

I tend to use professional brands such as Kryolan or Ben NYE as they are known for their long lasting properties that can withstand sweating or humid conditions, so do check that your artist is using products that will stay in place all day.

I would ALWAYS advise booking a trial before hand with your makeup artist. Even if you know exactly what you want, remember your idea of a bronze smokey eye could be completely different to the makeup artist’s idea. In addition to this, you should make sure you are not allergic to any products that they use. It only takes one ingredient, one time, to bring you up in red blotches and you do not want that happening just before you walk down the aisle.

* All treatments and products mentioned are available at Reflections 44 CONFETI

Just remember that you should still look like yourself, just a more polished version – make-up should be used to enhance your beauty not mask it.

Reflections Hair Nails & Skin Care specialise in bridal hair and beauty Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucía, + 34 902 325 324 + 34 952 906 524 reflectionsmarbella.com

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Dr. Kai O. Kaye - Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgeon • Full Member of the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery SEGPRE • Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery EBOPRAS • Full Member of the German Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery DGPRÄC • Member of the Colegio de Medicos de Malaga (No.29/2909452)

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Av. Ramon y Cajal, 7 - 29600 Marbella 0034 951 775 518 - Mob : 670 770 455 info@oceanclinic.net - www. oceanclinic.net CONFETI 45

REEDT

CARP

MAKE-UP LOOKS

fashionista in you

for the

Our resident beauty girl, Jess Miles, offers us her top tips for looking flawless on your big day, with make-up inspiration from the red carpet!

The 2015 Oscars proved to be quite exciting for the world of fashion and make-up. Red carpet events can be a brilliant source of inspiration if you ever find yourself at a dead end when deciding which look you think will best suit you for your big day.

Here I have picked 3 of my favourite looks and how to achieve them in the hope that some of you budding brides will be able to gain some fantastic new ideas.

01

Emma Stone AT THE OSCARS 2015

Emma’s make-up in this particular look is absolutely flawless; she is embracing her porcelain skin tone and working with it instead of trying to cover it with fake tan, which is a mistake a lot of paler women make. The colours that have been used complement each other wonderfully and her peach coloured lipstick is not too intense, which is perfect if you are going for a more natural approach. I think this kind of look is fantastic for a wedding.

HOW TO ACHIEVE THIS LOOK: A full coverage foundation is key for this look and is what makes it look so flawless.

Clinique’s ‘beyond perfecting foundation and concealer’ is a very good full coverage foundation without suffocating your skin.

Tartes Amazonian clay full coverage airbrush foundation powder is also very good to use over the top of a liquid or crème foundation, or even on its own if you don’t need much colour correction.

To achieve the flirty peachy lips, try out JULIE from NARS. It is a lovely creamy lip colour with good staying power that won’t need touching up every 5 minutes throughout your big day.

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The Beauty Sp t Where Beauty Begins...

Offering customized Bridal Pamper Packages and Wedding Makeup by consultation

Manicure & Pedicure 路 CND Shellac 路 Acrylic nails Waxing & Threading Selection of Luxury MONU Facials Occasion and Bridal Makeup

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03

RED

CAR Mak

e-up

PET Loo

ks

URBAN DECAY LAST CALL

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Lopez

AT THE OSCARS 2015

AT THE OSCARS 2015

This make-up look is just stunning. The gold-toned eye shadow and perfect highlighting is so complementary to Jennifer’s skin tone. This look is all about the glow and warmth of the colours that have been used and it isn’t too heavy for a wedding day.

The thing I love the most about this make-up look is how pretty Jennifer’s eyes look. I love that she has incorporated pink into her eyes as a lot of people tend to shy away from bolder colours when it comes to eye shadows, especially on your wedding day, but here you can see how classy and beautiful a subtle pink can look.

HOW TO ACHIEVE THIS LOOK: The main thing that will completely bring this look together is a good pigmented highlighter.

The best one in my opinion is The Balm Cosmetics MaryLou Manizer.

HOW TO ACHIEVE THIS LOOK: The main focus for this look is the eyes; Jennifer has gone for a colour wash over the entire eyelid and taken it underneath her lower lash line for even more definition. These eye shadows are very similar to what Jennifer is wearing and would look beautiful on any bride.

MAC STAR VIOLET

Rather than being purple or iridescent, this highlighter has a golden shimmer to it. It would work perfectly on someone with a darker skin tone.

02

Another necessity for this look is a sexy gold eye shadow and the Lorac Unzipped Gold palette couldn’t be any more suited.

The variation of different gold shadows is perfect to find which shade suits your skin tone best.

They are also very pigmented making the colour beautiful and bold.

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Want the wedding day hairstyle of your dreams? This issue, Reflections very own Paul MacFarlane, who specialises in bespoke bridal hairdressing, shares his wedding-day hair wisdom with you.

HAIR

Flair

Reflections Hair Nails & Skin Care specialise in bridal hair and beauty – Reflections Hair Nails & Skin Care Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucia, Marbella + 34 902 325 324 + 34 952 906 524 reflectionsmarbella.com

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‘ There is nothing more romantic than soft curls on a bride.’

I

have always loved bridal as I feel it’s an honour to be asked to be part of someone’s wedding. With over 25 years of working in the hair industry, (God that makes me feel old,) I have picked up a few tips on how to make sure your hair looks flawless on your big day.

Build a hair relationship

First things first, make sure you have booked a stylist who is experienced in bridal. If you are having a destination wedding then you need to go one step further and find a hairdresser who is skilled at doing bridal hair in a hot climate. When dealing with hot, humid temperatures you need to use specific products and techniques to make sure the hairstyle looks perfect all day long.

It’s in the details

The neckline of your dress defines everything - it’s best to work your hairstyle around this so that you have a seamless look on the day.

For example, if you have a high necked gown you should opt to wear your hair down. Hair up would look too Edwardian. If you have a simple wedding dress, this

Let’s face it

the look. I mean, there are not many times in your life when you can wear a vintage, diamond encrusted hair comb, so you might as well make the most of it.

A good stylist will take into account your face shape. Yes, it’s not just makeup artists with their contouring skills who can change a face shape, we hair wizards can do it too. We can make a face appear longer or shorter just by moving a section of hair.

If you have a harder, more angular face I would suggest opting for something soft and feminine - but if you have soft features you could go for something a little more crazy. If you have a round face, I’d recommend creating texture and bounce to help slim down the face and break up the shape.

Other techniques are to give height to help lengthen and elongate the face, or to add a side swept long fringe as this can work to break up the roundness and flatter the shape. A definite no no would be to go for a super straight or sleek do as this can make the face appear even rounder.

When styling a square face it’s important to think of ways to add softness. I would add texture, waves and curls to add femininity or maybe include a side parting to break up the width of the face.

Steer away wearing all your hair up in a tight style as this is likely to draw attention to the wider jaw line.

What a classic

It’s all about you

Bring the accessories that you plan on wearing so your stylist can experiment with them.

I am all for using accessories in bridal hairstyles as it not only makes the bride feel special but finishes

TOP TIP

To get your lo ck possible, star s in the best condition t having month ly Ola salon treatmen ts about six m plex before your w onths edding. Olapl ex is the first hair treatment to do what it sa ys on the tin. It works fro m have been blow the inside out and I n away by the results.

Once your ha ir is done, do not worry about to uch ups, just go and enjoy your day.

Try consulting more than one stylist for your trial run so that you find the best person for you. Never be scared to tell a stylist to take it down and try another look until you are happy.

When something goes awry on the wedding day, it’s usually because the bride was reticent. Speak up—just remember to say please.

Wash and dry your hair beforehand to avoid spending the majority of your trial getting a blow dry. Don’t bring a huge group of friends with you. Ask just your mother or your Maid of Honour; too many voices can create chaos .

allows you to go crazy with the hair.

However if it’s a mad design then the opposite applies, you need to keep the hair simple so it doesn’t distract from the gown.

I would always advise a bride to really think about it before deciding to go for anything too trend-led. Yes, we all love the current multi-braid up dos but what are they going to look like in 15 years time when you look back at your wedding day photos? You can add touches of current trends but it’s worth bearing in mind that you’ll have to live with photos from your wedding for the rest of your life, so it’s best to avoid statement looks and opt for something more classic. Classic will always be in style.

Bridesmaids should never out do the bride. Your day will come ladies, but today is not it! Maids should have a more simple, played down version of the bride’s do. I know many brides like to give maids free rein on their gowns, hair and makeup etc, but I think this never ends well. Take my advice, tell your stylist how you would like your maids to look and then let him/her deal with any stroppy ladies. We enjoy this task, I promise!

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The Rise of the

Wedding Planner

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Inspiration

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T ha i SIVE EXCLU THE KNOT

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Interview with Leading Bridal Designer

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Spain, Gibraltar and wedding bible The Balearics’ dedicat s’ dedicated Spain, Gibraltar and The Balea ed wedding bible rics’ dedicated wedding d The Balearic an r lta ra Spain, Gib Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicated wedding bible

Spain, G

Elegant Asian Affair

davidtoms-weddings.com

davidtoms-weddings.com

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

Jake and Laufey

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 astronomical phone (much to send me a plane ticket friends on the the annoyance of his America trip,) and suddenly South holiday became our own romantic

celebrated

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 at the eternally their timeless nuptials

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

stylish 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, and, of course, the ceremony. 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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44 CONFETI

48 CONFET I

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

davidtoms-weddings.com 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 Melan first being the Surprises for our guests, and our night.

The two day mendhi ie marri celeb second day ed in a elega was a selves, leisure ration were ‘wow’ factors starting day at family, friend surrounde nt the Crowne Plaza s with flamenco dancing, speeches Estepona d by their and son, with 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 Marbe the Real Estate secto lla, in 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 confid ante. 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 TREASURE day of an amazing MOM we We knew wanted to D ENTS cruise holida get everyo beautiful It is hard … together ne all ring. It was y, with a to select and for our ful surpri just one moment a and wond neare deare se erst from our st to be wedding even start and before we could as each a initiation day and every planning into marrie part of our 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 colour 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 together and blue Spani for two whole days ultima embellished sh fans, with our ding everyt tely made our wednames ever wishe hing we could have d for and more.

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Real Weddings

Always & Forever

After years of denying their love for one another, Manouk and Michael finally enjoyed the wedding of their dreams in the beautiful and peaceful setting of Cortijo Bravo.

The Start Of An Adventure Michael is my best friend’s brother so we have known each other as friends for a long time. The sparks first began when we were in our early teens… Michael asked me out on a date and from then it has been one big adventure. Who knew that 15 and a half years later we would be where we are today!

Party Town I used to work in Sotogrande for my father, so I have some lovely childhood memories in Spain. We lived there for 3 wonderful years before moving back to Holland.

I recently revisited for a holiday and instantly fell in love with it all over again! The weather, food, ambience - it is all amazing! As well as this, Spain is also known 54 CONFETI

to be a great party scene, which is exactly what we wanted for our wedding!

The Perfect Setting We needed a venue that could accommodate us and all of our 50 guests for the weekend, which made Cortijo Bravo the perfect location.

This aside, the beautiful style and relaxed feel of the hotel made us fall in

love with the place as soon as we arrived.

It was surrounded by olive and lemon trees making it really private and peaceful, and the garden and swimming pool were such lovely features.

The staff were very attentive and friendly, which was

really important and meant so much to us.

Happy Faces We wanted our own style, which would be laid back and full of happiness! We chose to have natural colours of white, olive green and wood. We didn’t want the event to be too formal, in-stead we wanted everyone to have that fantastic holiday feeling!

We decided on a small wedding to celebrate our love with the people closest to us.

For us, it didn’t matter if every accessory fitted or if something was a bit out of place. It had to be re-laxed and easy, full of happy faces and everyone enjoying

themselves on this special day which is exactly how it was.

All About The Food We had a lot of food! Maybe too much! We started with breakfast in pyjamas; one for the men and a separate one for the women.

Our guests spent the rest of the morning relaxing by the pool and slowly getting ready. We then surprised them with a lovely lunch all together on the beach.

The ceremony started after this, followed by the speeches which we listened to whilst enjoying delicious tapas. We didn’t want to have a cake so we skipped that part, which looking back was a pretty good decision as I don’t think there was much more room for cake! For dinner we had a traditional paella, which was amazing!

background music was just magical… We had so much fun having our photos taken together and the party at the end was amazing, we were all up dancing until 4.30 in the morning!

The whole weekend was a dream come true that we will never forget.

If I Had To Do It Again…

I probably wouldn’t have ordered so much tapas during the speeches. We ordered 8 for each person! This was maybe a little too much…

Word of Advice Start visiting venues way in advance.

We started 1 year before, which we

thought would give us plenty of time, but even then a lot of the places were already booked up. It is also a good idea to stay a night at the venue before you decide for sure because you get a chance to see things you might have missed. For example, we looked at one place which turned out to have a big fly problem. They might not bother you for an hour or so but if they’re bugging you the whole day, you’re going to get fed up.

It is also so important to find a good company to take your photographs and video. It’s so special to be able to enjoy your beautiful day long after it is over.

Sarah Howard was our singer for the night. She sang during the ceremony and speeches - it was absolutely beautiful!

Happy Snapping We chose to have our photographs and video taken by Salvador Blanco at Evergreen.

The whole crew were so professional and really friendly on the day of the wedding.

We decided to have a drone for our movie. The results for the video and the photos are AMAZING! We really recommend Salvador and his team, they are fantastic. The quality of everything we have received is outstanding and our trailer video was way above our expectations.

We are so happy to have our beautiful day filmed on video and captured in so many beautiful images for us to keep forever!

Moments To Treasure We have so many wonderful memories from the day. The speeches gave by our friends and family were so special and the ceremony with beautiful

Address Book Venue: Cortijo Bravo, Malaga-Velez, hotelcortijobravo.com Wedding Planner: Olaya Caterer: Cortijo Bravo, hotelcortijobravo.com Flowers: Olaya Hair & Make-up: Lorraine Romain princess-bride.co.uk Photographer: Salvador Blanco (Evergreen Photo & Films), evergreenmalaga.com Music: Sarah Howard, sarahhoward.co.uk Minister: Natasha Johnson

CONFETI 55

Real Weddings

Undeniable CHEMISTRY Hannah and Ian crossed the border of Gibraltar to celebrate their beach wedding at the stunning Salduna in Benamara.

56 CONFETI

Day One We met on my first day at work.

The newcomers were given a presentation by Ian and there was an instant connection between us.

When we started seeing each other, we tried to keep it quiet for around a year before telling anybody. Well, we thought so anyway… When we eventually shared our news it turned out that a lot of people had already guessed there was something going on!

Across The Border We live in Gibraltar, so it was natural for us to consider Spain as a wedding location. The idea of a beach blessing and celebration sounded like heaven to me and Spain had so many amazing venues with this to offer. We were completely spoilt for choice!

Sand and Sea Salduna Beach was the ideal venue for Ian and I. Right on the beach, it provided the perfect combination of a relaxed beach-setting for a beautiful ceremony whilst being super chic at the same.

Sometimes beach wedding venues can have quite a rustic style, which isn’t what we wanted. We decided to keep it a bit fancy instead.

Pretty In Pink Before we started planning the wedding we had no idea what kind of style we would be going for, but as soon as we started looking into everything we knew exactly what we wanted almost instantly!

I found my wedding dress online from a shop in China.

I fell in love and ordered it without a second thought. Later realising there was a huge possibility I could

have been in for complete disaster, having not seen the dress in real life! Luckily for me, my dream dress arrived and it was exactly as I had imagined it to be.

Our colour theme was pink. We thought this would look really pretty against the backdrop of blue sea and golden sand. We had a few different shades of pink running through the decorations, bridesmaid dresses and flowers.

Our flowers were hydrangeas on the tables and in secret garden and then roses for the bouquets. They were absolutely beautiful!

Ian’s sister, Lynsey, is really creative and artistic so she was in charge of the decor. She did an amazing job.

Many of the decorations were homemade, including shell candles and hand painted signs. We had so many compliments on how beautiful the venue looked.

Cake Please!

I am a complete cake-oholic so for me, the wedding cake was definitely one of the best bits! My friend Fiona, at Sweet Things by Fi, is the most talented wedding cake designer. Ever since I’ve known her we have always spoken about “when you make my wedding cake…”, so planning it together and then having my beautiful cake on the day really was like a dream come true.

We had four tiers, which included chocolate biscuit cake, raspberry and vanilla, dulce de leche with white chocolate.

It was incredible. I wish I could order one every week!

Snap Happy We chose Sheila Roberts to be our wedding photographer. Looking through her portfolio, we loved

the style of her photos and after we received the images from our engagement shoot we knew straight away that we had made the right decision.

Sheila is so lovely to work with and captured our day perfectly. Now we can re-live it any time we want! I don’t think we will ever get tired of looking at them!

Singing and Dancing My friend Natalia sang for us, which was very special to me. Natalia sang ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ while I walked down the aisle with my Dad, and then ‘Wonderful World’ as I walked back up with Ian. Another favourite moment was the performance from Quike Navarro playing House Violin. He was the highlight of the night for many of our guests. He’s such a vibrant and talented performer and had everyone up jumping about. It was fantastic!

If I could do it again…

I would have asked for someone to video the speeches. Ian, my dad and Jonas, the best man, all did amazing speeches and we would love to be able to watch them again.

Word of Advice Be sure to enjoy planning your wedding. The day itself passes by so quickly but there is so much fun to be had in the run up as well.

You’re planning a day filled with your favourite people and choosing all of your favourite things – what’s not to enjoy about that?!

Address Book Venue: Salduna Beach, Benamara. saldunabeach.com Caterer: Salduna Beach Wedding Cake: Sweet Things by Fi, sweetthingsbyfi.com Flowers: Reviva Weddings, reviva-weddings.com Photographer: Sheila Roberts, sheilarobertsphotography.com Music: DJ Fuller, fullerdj.com Entertainment: Electric Violin - Quike Navarro, houseviolin.com Spanish Guitar - Luis Fonseca Fernandez Singer - Natalia Massetti

CONFETI 57

Real Weddings

A Colourful

Fairytale Adam and Maja shared their magical wedding in the beautiful and romantic setting of El Cortijo de Los Caballos.

From then to now Adam and I met 11 years ago when we were 18 and 19 years of age. We met in one of the lectures we shared in our first semester studying Marine Biology at Plymouth University. Every week Adam would hang around outside the lecture theatre either ‘tying his shoe laces’ or pretending to make a phone call in hope that we would bump into each other. It wasn’t look before we got together and from then on it has been one big adventure!

The Perfect Location We chose Spain as we wanted a destination wedding with a difference, that was also easily accessible for our friends and family who mostly live in the UK. One day at work a friend was telling me about a wedding she went to in Marbella and I instantly fell in love with the venue she mentioned, El Cortijo de Los Caballos. At this point we weren’t even engaged, so when Adam proposed we both knew we wanted a destination wedding and I had the perfect idea!

As well as this, my family used to spend a lot of time on holiday in Spain when my brother and I were kids so we have lots of lovely family memories there. We also both love the Spanish culture, food and people!

Where The Magic Happens We wanted a venue that would give our wedding an intimate feel, yet still be able to hold a lot of guests as we knew we would have almost 100 people attend.

We also wanted the wedding to be more than just an evening event as we both live and work abroad in Switzerland as teachers and 58 CONFETI

wanted to use this time to catch up and spend quality time with our closest friends and family.

El Cortijo de Los Caballos was perfect as we were able to book it for a week and it accommodated up to 30 people so our family and friends could stay there with us.

The venue was drop-dead gorgeous. It had so much charm and offered the intimate feel we had wanted. We fell in love with the rustic style and the idea of getting married in a beautiful tropical garden under a tree perfection! The pool was huge and made a gorgeous feature for people to dip their feet in while it was hot!

Attention To Detail We wanted a rustic style to match the venue and lots of colour splashed everywhere. We had a fantastic wedding planner, Rachel, who was brilliant and so creative.

We left a lot of the final design and decision making to Rachel as we loved the photos of what she had created in her previous weddings.

For the flowers we chose coral and pink. We had rustic boxes of flowers on every table that matched my head-garland which I loved and was approved by my Swedish family as it is traditional to wear flower crowns at Midsommar. The isle was also scattered with brightly coloured rose petals.

best behaviour. We encouraged people to wear shorts and flip flips if they wanted to and, on that note, Adam and the groomsmen looked amazing in their shorts!

As colour was a big part of the theme, each groomsman wore a different coloured pair of chino shorts with a white shirt and bow tie. They looked adorable!

My dress was a “Blush” by Hayley Paige, quite bohemian and floaty.

I had 7 bridesmaids of different ages and body shapes so finding the right dress was tricky! I wanted them all to be comfortable as I knew it would be very warm, so we chose the dresses together and decided on a navy blue chiffon, lace dress with a lacy low back.

They looked stunning! They all had braids in their hair with messy buns and small flowers.

Décor-wise, we wanted lots of lights and lanterns. The dance floor was covered by a roof of glittering fairy lights and gorgeous lanterns lit up each walkway. It was truly magical!

As mentioned earlier, we wanted an intimate feel which is exactly what was created for our beautiful garden ceremony. We also wanted the wedding to be casual and didn’t want people to feel as though they had to be on their

Special Touches We wanted a relaxed atmosphere so thought that a sit-down BBQ would be perfect - the food would be fresh, vibrant and people could eat as much as they wanted! For dessert we had an ice cream van drive into the venue playing songs and giving out ice cream. It was such a fun and unique touch that really surprised our guests!

The cake was made by my mum who is Swedish so baked a traditional Scandinavian wedding

cake, kranskaka. It was simple and rustic and was decorated beautifully, with the help of my best friend Megan, with flowers to match mine.

We searched high and low for a traditional Spanish band to come and play for us before we finally found ‘Latino Turner’, a 5-piece band who played traditional Spanish and Latino music. We thought it would be silly to have an English cover since we were in Spain and it was the best decision we could have made. They were so full of life and energy, they instantly got everyone salsa dancing!

For those who wanted a rest from dancing, we had a Moroccan chill out area decorated with beautiful cushions and Shisha pipes. This was such a lovely touch as it allowed for people to ‘chill out’ and still very much be a part of the wedding. The lanterns made it look so magical and the photos have turned out beautiful.

Other special touches included an instant photo booth with props which was hilarious! A tequila bar - need I say no more?! Oh, and the bridesmaids all had different coloured Balinese sun umbrellas which, as well as being practical, looked super cool in the photos!

Captured Perfectly Rachel recommended quite a few photographers so we spent a long time looking through their websites. We wanted someone who took natural photographs where people looked relaxed without posing, as if they didn’t know the photo was being taken.

We loved Salvador Blanco and his team’s work. It wasn’t long after finding his site that we were sure we wanted him as our wedding photographer. We were drawn in by the sample videos as we really wanted a video made and loved his style.

Address Book Venue: El Cortijo de Los Caballos, elcortijodeloscaballos.com Wedding Planner: Rachel McFadden, weddingvenuesinspain.com Caterer: Sana Catering, sanacateringmarbella.com We had reception drinks at a beautiful cocktail bar next to the pool whilst the sun was setting.

The atmosphere was so perfect we decided to have our speeches there and Adam’s speech was a favourite moment for me.

He made the most beautiful dedication to our family, friends and to us. There literally wasn’t a dry eye to be seen (including Adam’s) - this was truly special.

The whole day went so well and it ended up with everyone on the

dance floor and eventually in the pool, partying until the early hours of the morning!

If I had to do it again I would change…

Nothing!

Word of Advice Follow your heart and do what you as a couple want to do. Don’t try to please everyone. Getting married is for you to show and share your love with one another and make that commitment

Wedding Cake: Mummy Panayi Flowers: Rachel McFadden, weddingvenuesinspain.com Wedding Dress: Blush by Hayley Paige Photographer: Salvador Blanco (Evergreen Photo & Films), www.evergreenmalaga.com Music: Latino Turner, facebook.com/latino.turner

to each other for life. We do recommend to get organised early - spreadsheets were our life savers!

Having a destination wedding was also a great idea as it was so different to any other wedding anyone had been to. Being able to have a wedding planner was such a bonus as well, and a huge help! Especially on the day when we didn’t have to do any of the running around and could just relax until the wedding started!

We have now received all of our wedding images - there are literally thousands! They are beautiful and capture the day perfectly. There are so many funny photos which we love and Salvador managed to get a shot of every guest that attended.

Tear Jerkers Choosing a favourite moment is so difficult as the whole day was like a dream - we did not stop smiling! The moment I walked down the isle towards Adam is a memory that will stick with us forever. The ceremony was really emotional, there was such electricity and love in the air.

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Real Weddings

Floating Celebration AT LA SALA

Ana and George brought Scottish traditions to Gibraltar for their perfect winter wedding at La Sala Gibraltar situated on Sunborn Yacht Hotel.

Romance In Marbella George first came to Marbella in 1984 and has always loved it. The both of us first met over there at a dinner party organised by his friend at Silks Restaurant in Puerto Banús.

Just to think, that dinner was the very beginning of the rest of our lives together!

Out At Sea In October we attending CONFETI’s wedding show at the Sunborn in Gibraltar. After this, we knew straight away that we would marry there in La Sala. The wedding show was a fantastic event! I highly recommend it to any future bride. There was so much going on and it inspired us in so many ways. We were able to find out about so many brilliant wedding companies. Not to mention the stunning dresses we got to see, which were out of this world! Even

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if you’re not planning on getting married any time soon, you will enjoy a wonderful evening with great people. The guys at Confeti really know how to put on a show!

La Sala Restaurant at the Sunborn Hotel in Gibraltar was the perfect, most romantic setting we could have chosen for our dream wedding.

The Super Yacht George always promised me we would get married on a yacht and it would appear that no lies were told… 31 years later we married at the beautiful La Sala onboard the “Sunborn super yacht” in Gibraltar.

La Sala offered everything that we could have possibly wanted for our wedding day. Every facility they had was five-star. The suites we stayed in and the service from La Sala were

exceptional. The whole experience felt so luxurious.

White Wedding The ceremony was intimate with just our closest friends and family, which is exactly how we wanted it to be - the perfect setting, surrounded by such special people. Our wedding planner, Mónica from Hour Weddings, was an absolutely star.

She arranged everything including our beautiful flowers and decor, with the help of our fantastic decorator, Sara. Our flowers were traditional white roses which were displayed almost everywhere you looked.

Each seat was decorated with an elegant white bow and at the beginning and end of the aisle were small bare trees with fairy lights decorated around the branches which gave the place a romantic, winter feel.

Mónica was with us from the beginning till the very end. She worked so hard and put in so much effort to make sure we had a day we would never forget. I cannot thank her and Sara enough.

Highlights La Sala catered the exceptional food for the whole evening. The meal was excellent, supplied by La Sala Gibraltar and their extremely talented chef. Everything about it from the quality and taste to the presentation was first class. Every dish that came out was absolutely delicious. I can’t fault them one bit.

For the music we hired Sonovox from San Pedro de Alcántara.

They had the full kit, top quality lighting and great music. They were superb and kept the party going all night long!

Capture The Love For our photographer we chose Julia Roder, recommended to us by our friend Andy Clark. There was not one moment that we thought we had made the wrong decision. Julia is such a talented photographer. She was fantastic to work with and very professional on the day. We are thrilled with the results, they have turned out so beautifully and capture each special moment so perfectly. We will treasure them always.

The Best Bits Everything about the wedding was just perfect. The Hotel could accommodate for everyone so we were able to have all of our guests stay with us on the boat.

If I had to do it again I would change…

Not one thing.

Word of Advice To anyone getting married in Spain, take a trip to this spectacular super yacht venue, visit La Sala and see it all for yourself! It is the dream wedding location.

And we never would have found it without attending CONFETI’s wonderful wedding show - they have so much to offer for anyone planning their special day.

From the both of us, we would like to thank Fabri and all of the brilliant staff at La Sala and also a special thank you to Olivier for everything. It truly was the perfect wedding.

Address Book Get married on a £120 million Super Yacht at the exclusive

Venue: La Sala at Sunborn Gibraltar, sunborn.com Wedding Planner: Mónica at Hour Weddings, hourweddings.com

For enquiries or reservations contact - +350 20016 870 reservations@lasalagibraltar.com www.lasalagibraltar.com

Catering: La Sala, lasalagibraltar.com Wedding Cake: Hour Weddings, hourweddings.com Flowers: Hour Weddings, hourweddings.com Wedding Dress: Tracy Gray’s (Glasgow Scotland) Hair & Make-up: Mari Carmen, & Dora Photographer: Julia Roder, juliaroder.com Music: Sonovox (San Pedro Alcántara), sonovox.es

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Real Weddings

Two Hearts BECOME

One

Anna and David returned to Marbella for a week they would never forget! They celebrated their Catholic wedding in the beautiful church of San Pedro and then danced the night away in the romantic and stunning beach setting of TikiTano.

The First Chapter We have a few versions… Dave and I met when we were teenagers aged 17 in our local nightclub, however the full story of how it happened and who asked who out first still differs to this day!

A Home Away From Home My parents have an apartment in Guadalmina, so it feels like a second home to us. We like to visit a few times a year and we have celebrated other family events there in the past, such as my grandmother’s 90th birthday and my cousin’s wedding.

We had always planned to have our wedding day in Spain and we are so happy that it all worked out so perfectly.

Dream Come True In the Summer of 2007, I was invited along to view wedding venues with

my cousin, who was getting married at the time. One of the venues we visited was Tikitano Restaurant in Guadalmansa. From the moment we arrived, I knew I had to marry there! The location couldn’t have been any more perfect. Settled right on the beachfront with spectacular views all the way out to Gibraltar and an excellent reputation for food and service, it is the ideal location for a Spanish Summer wedding. We chose to have the ceremony in San Pedro church, which is situated in the main Plaza at the top of the town.

For years we had walked past this church on our holidays in Spain and always dreamed of getting married there.

Beautiful Scenery I wanted to have a casual vibe on the day, which would be a Catholic ceremony in the church. For my

wedding dress, I chose a Suzanne Neville gown that was structured on top and floaty at the bottom.

I knew from the moment I tried it on that it was the dress for me. It was so comfortable to wear and perfect for both the sunny Spanish weather and a church ceremony.

The groom, groomsmen and my bridesmaids were all dressed in navy. The bridesmaids wore light, floaty dresses and gypsophila flowers in their hair.

We decided on pink and cream bouquets of flowers with lots of greenery to stand out against the navy. The men wore suits and waistcoats rather than jackets, to add to the casual theme.

We had our make-up done by the lovely Lyndsey Cavanagh

and our hair by Alex Harrocks at Flying Scissors. They were both such a pleasure to work with and kept us all calm and laughing the whole time we were getting ready.

There wasn’t much need for décor in TikiTano as the view and surroundings just spoke for themselves - they were breathtaking! We had round vases with simple pink and white flowers as centrepieces on all the tables and everything else was white.

For our marriage ceremony in the church, we had a wonderful violinist, Naria playing all our favourite classical tunes and an Irish priest, Father Kevin O’Boyle who conducted the ceremony and made it really personal for us. After the ceremony, we all gathered in El Vecino Bar on the plaza and enjoyed a few drinks while we waited for the buses to arrive and take us to the reception. This was a lovely part of the day because we were able to greet all of our guests in a more relaxed atmosphere.

One Big Party Whenever we were asked about our theme for the day, we would always stress that the enjoyment of our guests was the most important thing to us, especially as so many had travelled a long way to celebrate our wedding week with us. This is why we chose TikiTano as a venue and I really have to applaud Wanda and Halyna and all the staff for their attention to detail and exceptional service on the day. Nothing was too much to ask and everything ran so smoothly.

On our arrival, there were two chefs set up cooking a giant paella, as well as trays and trays of canapés being brought around for the cocktail hour. For our wedding meal, we had chicken Caesar salad to start, followed by the

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choice of Sole and Scallops in a Champagne sauce or Fillet Steak and Pepper sauce. To finish off was a scrumptious chocolate brownie.

The food was exceptional and our guests were so impressed. We can’t wait to go back next time we are over to try the food again!

Dave loves Batman so we had each table named after a different character and my bridesmaids had a special cake topper made with Dave dressed as Batman and

myself as Wonder Woman! As a midnight snack, we had TikiTano’s special pizzas and the chefs made a fabulous “cake” of fresh cheese served with bread and crackers.

The very first thing we book after the venue was our Dj, Ian Preston. He has an excellent reputation on the Costa del Sol for getting the crowd going and making sure the dance floor is never empty. He acted as our MC and played background music during the cocktails and dinner and then carried on with his set until the

early hours. Ian is an exceptional entertainer and I would definitely recommend him to any bride and groom. We chose not to have a traditional first dance so instead, Ian launched into the music whilst we were cutting the cake and everyone was up on on their feel dancing! It was so lovely to share that moment with all of our guests and he made a party of the whole day!

Captured Perfectly We chose Jeremy Standley for our photogapher. His reputation and work speaks for itself. We first came across him in CONFETI Magazine and we admired several photographs he had won awards for. After going through nearly every shot he has ever taken on his blog, we were so excited that he was available for our big day!

All Over Again I really can’t think of anything that I would have changed. Although, there was a heatwave at the time and it was so hot so I guess a cool breeze would have been welcome!

Word Of Advice Our advice for other couples getting married is simple. Keep things exactly as you want them and don’t just do things because they are the norm or are expected of you. Look after your guests with food, drink and entertainment and everything else will fall into place. Oh, and relax and enjoy every moment because it will all be over so quickly.

Address book:

Jeremy has a very artistic and casual style to his images. We were adamant that we didn’t want to spend too much time taking photos and to make the most of our time with our guests on the day and Jeremy was perfect for this. We had all of our group shots done in ten minutes and our creative portraits finished in fifteen. The final shots were so beautiful, they took our breath away. The scenery and his photography skills combined were a match made in heaven and his style of photography allowed us to relive the day moment by moment. The mood and and story of our wedding was captured perfectly.

Reception Venue: Restaurant TikiTano, tikitano.com

Moments to cherish It is so hard to pick a favourite moment. The whole week in San Pedro was just the best week of our lives. From our joint Hen and Stag party in Puerto Banús, to the final night’s sing-song in the Hogan Stand!

Every bit was amazing and we wish we could do it all again.

Flowers: Karen at Deseos, Puerto Banús, deseosflorist.com

We really have to give a special mention to Ross, Maggie, Alan and all the staff at the Hogan Stand Irish Pub in San Pedro, which served as a base for all of our guests for the week. Their service, entertainment and food were out of this world. We held a party here the night after the wedding and they provided live music and food platters. It was as good a night as our wedding and we sang and danced the night away!

After-ceremony Drinks: El Vecino Bar, elvecino.es After-wedding Party: The Hogan Stand, San Pedro, thehoganstand.net Photographer: Jeremy Standley, jeremystandley.com Hair: Alex Harrocks at Alex Bridal, facebook.com/Alex-Bridal Make-up: Lyndsey Cavanagh, lyndseycavanagh.com

DJ/Music/MC: DJ Ian Preston, ianprestonentertainment.com Wedding dress: Suzanne Neville from Kadee Bride, Ireland, kadee.ie Travel Agent: Tom Crowley, clubhousegolftours.com

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Real Weddings

A Date With

Destiny

Sarah and Ross had crossed paths a number of times, but it wasn’t until a trip to Tenerife that they finally met eyes and created their happily ever after…

Who’d Have Known…

Although we both lived in Dubai, Ross and I surprisingly met in Tenerife… We went to the same University, worked 2 hours from one another, went to the same bars on the weekends and lived about 15 minutes from each other, yet we had to travel 5 hours to a different country before we finally met!

Sunshine Lovers We both really love Spain. It’s so picturesque. With me being a geologist, I absolutely love the mountains and the Spanish countryside is just beautiful.

As well as this, the weather

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obviously was a big factor.

We really wanted guaranteed sunshine for our big day. As I’m sure you can imagine, it is near impossible to predict the weather in Ireland!

The Dream Location We heard about Hotel Convento de La Magdelena from a representative we met at a wedding show in Dublin. He showed us some images and we fell in love with it at the very first sight! It was exactly what we wanted for our wedding venue; rustic, remote and located right in the beautiful Spanish mountains.

Colour Me Autumn I chose an Autumn theme for the wedding day. My dress was a beautiful custom-made grecian style dress with chiffon and lace. My bridesmaids’ dresses were the same style as mine but in deep purple. We used all the colours of the season to create our theme; yellows, orange, purple, red, etc. I hand-made the majority of the decorations myself, such as the table centres and place cards. Of course, as with everything, I had help from my wonderful bridesmaids!

Details The hotel served fantastic food for the day event. So much so that all of our guests are still raving about it to this day!

Our wedding cake was made by Susan from Wedding Cakes In Spain. We all decided on a toptier of delicious lemon sponge and then a variety of different flavoured cupcakes, all of which were gluten free for the select few coeliac guests.

The music I organised myself.

I spent about two months organising a playlist that would last the whole night and it was

a brilliant success - everyone loved it!

Pretty As A Picture I chose Owen Ferrell as our photographer and he was absolutely brilliant. I received the final images from him the other day and they are just beautiful. I couldn’t be happier with how they have turned out.

Owen was fantastic help with

everything on the day and he went above and beyond our expectations and what we paid him for. He even sourced some make-up artists for me when I was having difficulty! I would recommend him in a heartbeat to anyone!

Magical Moments I know it sounds cliché, but I loved the first time I saw Ross

standing at the altar. I was quite nervous whilst I was getting ready and then as I was about to walk down the aisle… but as soon as I saw him there with a big smile on his face, all my nerves just flew away.

If I Had To Do It Again…

I would change nothing! Not a single thing! On the day, we had to change a few bits round that

we had hoped to do, but even those changes turned out to be better than the original plan!

Word Of Advice Don’t get bogged down in everything. If you can’t have something or another thing falls through last minute, don’t worry about it. Something else will come along and you’ll be surprised that most of the time, the new way is even more wonderful than the old!

Address Book: Venue: Hotel Convento De La Magdalena, hotellamagdalena.com Caterer: Hotel Convento De La Magdalena Wedding Cake: Susan Archer, weddingcakesinspain.co.uk Wedding Dress: Sarah Foy, sarahfoycouture.com Hair & Make-up: Lorraine Romain, princess-bride.co.uk Photographer: Owen Farrell, owenfarrellphotography.com

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Real Weddings candlelit tables and ivy growing on the old stone walls. The food was exceptional and the staff were so polite, friendly and welcoming. Most of them have worked there for years too, which is always a good sign with restaurants.

As if we didn’t have enough reasons to marry there, the night we first visited Restaurant 34, it turned out to be the fireworks night of the annual Virgin Del Carmen festival. On our wedding night, Eamonn surprises me by recreating our magical evening and organised a special firework display over the restaurant.

Me & You

Just us Two

Anne was swept off her feet by Eamonn’s romantic, rose petal proposal and since that wonderful day they have spent years planning and perfecting the wedding of their dreams, which they celebrated together in the beautiful Spanish town of Nerja.

Romance In Roses Eamonn and I met in 2005 on a night out in our home town and within the year we had moved in together. For our engagement, Eamonn secretly built a beautiful white bench-swing for our garden.

He decorated it with red roses and scattered petals all up the path leading to the swing. When I turned around to sit down, he was down on one knee!

After getting engaged, we spent three years trying to decided the type of wedding day we wanted to have. We almost chose to have a conventional Irish wedding, but in the end we went with our hearts and eloped to Spain. We planned the wedding over 4 months and enjoyed the most wonderful and unforgettable time together.

The Charming Town of Nerja A few years ago, we travelled to Nerja for a family wedding and fell in love with the place. It is so picturesque with its narrow cobbled streets, breathtaking views and the

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beautiful church settled right in the heart of the town….not to mention, the weather, amazing food and the locals, who were all so friendly.

Another factor that really influenced our decision was our wedding planner, Sonya Casey. We were adamant that the whole experience was to be as relaxed and stress-free as possible and after we attended a wedding organised by Sonya, we knew she would make that happen and the choice was simple! Her help was invaluable. She has a real can-do attitude and is always approachable, prompt and very professional.

Table For Two We stayed at Hotel Carabeo in one of their gorgeous suites with breathtaking views of the ocean.

Our wedding dinner for two was held at their beautiful Restaurant 34 overlooking the sea. Eamonn and I visited this restaurant during a previous trip to Nerja and enjoyed the most lovely meal whilst we watched the sun go down. The setting was so romantic, with

Simple, Classic And Elegant I wore a beautiful dress designer by a Turkish designer, Tarik Ediz.

My bouquet was made up of ivory vendetta roses intercalated with astilbe and my hair was decorated with flowers to match. My beautysuperstars, both based in Nerja, were absolutely fantastic. Walli and Ron were my hair stylists and Beauty by Katie did my make-up, tan and nails. I was delighted with everything and can highly recommend them both.

Intimate Photography For our photographer we chose Owen Farrell, an Irish man based in Marbella. Our wedding planner, Sonya, had given us a selection of photographers to choose from and when we found Owen’s website and scrolled through a number of his fabulous images, we quickly knew that his style of photography was exactly what we were looking for.

We had various email conversations and Skype calls with Owen during the run up to the wedding, of which he really listened to and on the day he was able to supply us with everything we had wished for. Owen is a wonderful photographer and he really captured the essence of the day for us to share with our family and friends back home.

We are delighted with the results and everyone we had shown them to has commented on how exceptionally brilliant and different they are. He made such a big effort and even got his feet wet taking some great shots on the beach!

With it being just the two of us, the overall experience was very calm and relaxed. Most of the time we

spent with Owen, we hardily knew he was there…in fact, at times we had no idea where he was!

So we were able to really relax and enjoy our special time together.

the Seas, which we fantastic and we highly recommend.

Looking Back The entire day was completely stress-free and we were both so relaxed knowing everything was so well organised by our Planner, Sonya.

We arrived on the Sunday prior to our Friday wedding, giving us only one day to enjoy Nerja after the wedding.

If we were to do it all again we would have stayed there another week before our cruise.

The walk through cobbled streets on the way to the church and up the aisle together was so special, as was the firework display during dinner.

Everything went so smoothly for our wedding that we wouldn’t want to change anything else, we loved it all.

We really enjoyed our first breakfast as a married couple, in the sunshine on our private terrace in Hotel Carabeo looking out at sea.

For our honeymoon, we cruised the mediterranean on Allure of

If I had to do it again…

The only thing we would change is that we would have stayed in Nerja a little longer.

Word of Advice If you are getting married abroad, it is essential to book a wedding planner.

Don’t spend your time worrying about pleasing others, instead follow your heart and concentrate on making your day one that you will treasure forever. I found that the more quiet time you spend together as a couple, the more special your day will be.

Address Book: Venue: Restaurant 34 at Hotel Carabeo, hotelcarabeo.com Wedding Planner: Sonya Casey, nerjaweddingsbysonya.com Flowers: Mari Florists, mariflorists@hotmail.com Wedding Dress: Tarik Ediz, tarikediz.com Hair: Walli and Ron, walliron@hotmail.com Make-up: Beauty by Katie, beautybykatie@hotmail.com Photographer: Owen Farrell, info@owenfarrellphotography.com Guitarist: Patrick Hernon, patstrings.com

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Real Weddings

What Memories

Are Made Of Claire and Lenny chose the relaxed surroundings of Benahavís to make their lifelong promises.

It started with a splash We first met at university in 2006 when Lenny teased me about my questionable fashion sense. I knew even on our first date - when I accidentally spilt my entire glass of wine over his dinner -- that he was the one. I thought he would never pop the question, however, in July 2014 he FINALLY got down on one knee whilst we were at a look-out over Niagara Falls.

Within a couple of months we had set the date for May 2015 and started the planning process. Just prior to the wedding we had the most incredible news; we were expecting our first child. William joined us for our very special day even if he was the size of a kidney bean at the time. We welcomed 68 CONFETI

him into the world in January and he has transformed our lives in ways we never thought possible.

Viva España As my parents have an apartment very close to the wedding venue, we knew the area and its special charm well. It was important to both of us that we had a connection to where we decided to get married. Having visited options both at home and away, when we viewed Casa del Rio for the first time we knew instantly that this was our venue. Set in a beautiful hillside village in the south of Spain, the idyllic villa tucked away amongst the most wonderfully kept gardens was the gem we were searching for.

The sun was shining and all the flowers were in bloom. Once seen, we could picture our dream wedding happening only here.

The Perfect Union We officially married in Gibraltar two days prior to the wedding.

This was so special for us as we had our immediate family with us. A little forward planning was required to do this, but it was wonderful and allowed us to extend our wedding experience.

We could not recommend a wedding abroad highly enough.

Rachel Rose Weddings took away the stress of all the organisation.

Without them, we would not have realized our dream wedding.

Dress to impress Having originally wanted a 1920s style dress, I actually fell in love with a Grecian inspired dress with a hint of 1920s-inspired beading on the shoulders. It was important to have a lightweight dress for the day, as I didn’t want to be restricted.

I went with the loose 1920s theme for my hair. I wanted an up do but didn’t want it too formal or structured. A vintage hair slide provided a focal point as we aimed for a soft silhouette with minimal accessories. For my makeup I wanted a soft bridal glow so my makeup artist Ella created a dewy finish using creamy textures. She added a glossy finish on the lip to complement the soft smoke on the

Address book:

eyes and a delicate winged liner to accentuate their almond shape.

Wedding planner: Rachel Rose Weddings weddingvenuesinspain.com

My bridesmaids were all different shapes and sizes, so as such we needed something that would suit everyone. I fell in love with a knee length dress from Hobbs, which hit the mark and provided all the girls with wonderfully feminine silhouettes. The chiffon across the shoulders and décolletage created interest and elegance.

A rural retreat As we were getting married in the spring I chose muted colours for flowers and bridesmaids dresses.

I wanted the wedding to blend effortlessly with the setting. The garden was so incredible I didn’t want strong colours to detract from the beautiful simplicity of the surroundings.

To complement the beautiful surroundings, we had a ‘garden’ theme. Wild flower planters were used for centrepieces and the table plan, and watering cans and wheelbarrows were added for extra flourishes. There was a very rustic feel to the overall style and dressing of the venue. Spanish lace and seasonal fruit added finishing touches.

Photographer: Radka Horvath radkahorvath.com Dress: Maggie Sotteromaggiesottero.com Makeup: Ella Ogilvie ellameganmakeup.com Hair: Carly Aplin Flowers: Flor Valentin florvalentin.es Lets get the party started The food was outstanding; Sana Catering easily catered for diverse dietary requirements and helped keep our little baby secret by keeping my wine glass suitably topped up with grape juice.

Cake: Rachel Rose Weddings

We chose Q band as we wanted a live band to get our guests up on their feet for the entire evening. They were terrific and even allowed guests to become additional band members in the small hours of the morning.

Venue: Casa del Rio, Benhavís casadelrio-tramores.com

I didn’t specify the type of flowers we wished to use, simply the colours.

We left the choice up to the florist and wedding planner, although we asked for seasonal varieties.

The composition of the bouquets, centrepieces, aisle ends and table plans were simply exquisite.

Caught on camera Our photographer Radka Horvath was amazing. My husband was dreading the staged photographs but she made us feel completely at ease. We were over the moon with the quality of the photos.

When I was looking for the perfect wedding favours, I couldn’t find exactly what I had in mind. I sourced miniature terracotta plant pots, which were custom painted by my very talented mum. During the speeches we used these to toast with.

Moments to Cherish One of my favourite moments was when we escaped from the wedding for a stolen moment on the roof terrace. It was incredible being husband and wife, looking down on our guests and feeling so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family.

Caterer: SanaCatering sanacateringmarbella.com Minister: Ian Giles Music: Luis Fonseca and Q Band

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Real Weddings

Endless Love Miguel and Macarena decided against all the traditions of a typical wedding. Instead, they created a unique and magical affair of their own and celebrated their love with a beautiful beach ceremony, surrounded by the people closest to their hearts.

How It Began We first met through my aunt and Miguel’s father, who were in a relationship themselves at the time.

Magic in Málaga Málaga is so special to us... It is the city where we first met and where we have lived and created our life together.

Beachy Paradise We chose the perfect location right by the sea, giving us the opportunity to have our ceremony on the beach. As well as being really reasonably priced, the venue offered such a beautiful ambience and so many different possibilities so that we could play around with our ideas when it came to décor and styling.

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for us as we had decided on who we wanted to use for our food before we had chosen a venue.

A Casual Affair When it came to our style, we were very clear that we didn’t want to have the traditional wedding dress and suit.

Instead, we wanted to have something special according to our own unique style. We wanted our guests to dress to their own desire, without following any rules or regulations.

They had to be comfortable and smart, but not too smart.

The decorations and flowers were left to our very knowledgable and talented wedding planner, Isabel Molero from MysEventos.

We knew we were in safe hands leaving it all to her and that they would make everything extraordinary.

A Break From Tradition We knew exactly what type of catering we wanted for our wedding. As mentioned before, we didn’t want to stick to traditions and we didn’t want everything to scream out“wedding!!” so when it came to the catering we decided on something more casual as appose to a seating arrangement and sit-down meal. People were free to move around as much as they liked and talk to everyone they wanted to.

One of our priorities when organising the wedding was the music. We had a band playing 80’s and 90’s music, which I loved. This was one of our biggest things that we really wanted to have on our wedding day.

Capture The Magic When it came to a photographer, our wedding planner gave us a few options to choose from. We were looking through portfolio after portfolio and in the end chose the photographer that we thought took the most special images - Daniel Díaz.

Daniel managed to captured the most magical moments during our wedding. We are so happy with the final results. Every single photograph we have been sent is wonderful.

Never Ending Memories There are so many favourite moments… when we saw each other for the first time once we were dressed and ready to get married; arriving at the ceremony in the wedding car; the emotional moments during the ceremony;

everyone climbing up on stage with the band; mojitos!; handing my bouquet of flowers to my sister and most of all, the happiness of our guests.

If I had to do it again…

There isn’t much I would change.

Everything was marvellous and the ambience was fantastic! If I have to say one thing, it could maybe have been a bit longer.

Word of Advice It is essential to have a wedding planner and I can really recommend Isabel Molero from MysEventos.

She helped us organise absolutely everything for our big day!

They take away all of the stress and problems (and arguments with your future life partner!) and make all of the preparation and organisation a complete joy. Your wedding day is so special and unique and it is so important everyone and everything around you is positive and revitalised.

Address Book: Wedding Dress: Yolancris Flower Bouquet: Zen Málaga Flowers for Venue Decoration: Floristeria La Buganvilla Photographer: Daniel Diaz Venue: Albala Beach

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IttoHad be

You

Katy and Thomas mixed Spanish charm and quirky details to create their own unique personal day Teachers Pet Believe it or not Thomas was my tutor. I had a slight career change back in 2011 when left my job in London as a Programme Manager to start training as a nurse back home in Glasgow. I had not studied biology since I was 16 and felt I needed the help of a private tutor.

Thomas answered my ad.....and well, the rest is history.

It was meant to be We had initially hoped to get married in Benalmádena Pueblo, however, this fell through due to there being such a high demand for the church there. We had already sent our save the dates out when we got news of this, but thankfully our wedding planner, Kathy, managed to secure Cortijo de los Caballos for us. It ticked all of the boxes, onsite accommodation, rustic Spanish charm and it was close to a quaint church in a beautifully picturesque village DIY Details We fell in love with Mad Men in the run up to the wedding and we both wanted to integrate the Palm Springs Mid-century Modern feel into our big day. This was reflected in the vibrant mintygreen colour of the bridesmaids dresses, the black dinner suits of the groom and groomsmen, the stationery which had a 1960s style font taken from a cocktail menu and we even carried the flamingo icon from our stationery right through to our cake topper.

I made a lot of my decor myself as I was a bit anal about bringing this vision to life. I brought my own gold spray paint over to Spain and hand spray painted pineapples gold for decoration

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and also did the same with over 60 apples, which we used as name holders. I loved the iconic mid-century sunburst, so Thomas’s dad, Tommy, who is a joiner by trade and genius with all things handy, made us a massive wooden sunburst to decorate our cake stand table too.

Wonder in white For my dress I wanted more of a classical feel to it. I wanted give a nod to Spanish wedding traditions and the lace on my gown and the veil reflected this. I wore my veil over my face going into the church as a mark of respect. Being Catholic, this was important to both of us, (and to our very traditional Catholic grannies on both sides.)

Make-up is extremely important to me. I suffer from eczema and have very sensitive skin on my face, so

as most brides can imagine, getting this right and feeling amazing on your wedding day, was pretty high up the ladder for me.

Unfortunately I had a number of unsuccessful trials with several make-up artists on the coast before I was put in contact with Nicola McGeorge and I knew, before I’d even seen any of her work, from speaking to her on the phone, that she completely got it. Nicola is THE most amazing make-up artist that I have ever met. She is a master of her craft and lives and breathes makeup. She genuinely wanted me to look as good as I did and this came across in the relationship that we built in the lead up to the wedding. She even gave me recipes for juices that would help my skin. To say that I was delighted with the outcome would be an understatement.

For some old world charm We were married in the cutest little church, Parroquia Corazón de Maria in Cancelada. Although we had loved some of the impressive and ornate cathedrals like the one in Málaga and Estepona, the church in Cancelada was more intimate. It was the perfect size for our wedding party and there was something humbling about its modesty. We also brought our own priest, Father Kenny Campbell, over from Glasgow which definitely made the wedding extremely special. Father Kenny has been involved in lots of special family ceremonies - both happy and sad - and having him over in Spain really meant the world to us.

During the ceremony the fantastic Musiboda, a string trio, played some of the most gorgeous hymns

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and classic songs such as SaintSaens’ The Swan, Cavatina and Schubert’s Ave Maria. We arranged for them to play during dinner too and their versions of some modern classics were equally as impressive.

After all the classical music, we wanted the evening party to be a proper good knees up so we booked a couple of young DJ’s from Puerto Banús to get the party going.

Getting Snappy We came across our photographer Angela Holden Davies while she was working for our wedding and events planner. When we met with her to discuss our requirements, we were particularly struck by her enthusiasm, and especially her determination for us to have the ceremony we wanted, with little of the intrusion and formal ‘posings’ that so many wedding photographers insist on today. She was keen to allow us to express ourselves naturally and at ease, whilst she recorded the event for posterity.

We ultimately employed her because we were particularly impressed with the candid ‘adhoc’ and informal style of her photographic shoots. We also fell in love with her bubbly, vibrant personality and relaxed manner, which in turn helped put us at both at ease, allowing us and our guests to enjoy our big day together, resulting in the special photographs we can both enjoy for the rest of our lives.

Everlasting Memories My favourite moment was walking down the aisle in the church and seeing all my friends and family for the first time over there in Spain and of course seeing Thomas at the altar.

He looked nervous, but he was also beaming. We both couldn’t stop smiling.

Thomas says that his favourite moment was, “seeing my fiancée for the first time in her wedding dress.

She blew me away.”

Address Book: Wedding planner: Kathy Greenwald JK Wedding Planners jkweddingplanners.com Photographer: Angela - Holden Davies holden-davies.photography Dress: Watters watters.com Makeup: Nicola McGeorge Hair: Golden Tarts goldentarts.com Church: Parroquia Corazon de Maria Cancelada Priest : Father Kenny Campbell (St Barbaras Muirhead) Venue: elcortijodeloscaballos elcortijodeloscaballos.com Cake: Custom Cakes by Lynsey customcakes.biz Music: Musibodas classicalmusicweddings.weebly.com 74 CONFETI

Photo by www.YourWeddingMoments.com

Photo by nanideperez.com

Wedding PARTY Perfection

Marbella Parties will transform your venue into a unique and personalised setting,

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orn in Canada and raised in Marbella, Silvia Kessels is, without a doubt, one of the finest party people in town! – which is no mean feat in a town where partying is the primary pastime! From large extravagant affairs, to small, private functions, Silvia has planned, organised and held some of the most spectacular events in Marbella and is known for her meticulous preparation, keen eye for detail and, of course, her discretion.

finishing touches, ensuring that linens are pressed, lanterns are hung and balloons are blown so that your big day exceeds your expectations.

Established in 1999, Marbella Parties creates bespoke weddings and personalised parties that are painstakingly tailored to the client’s wishes. And this is where Silvia has excelled. From grand affairs in sumptuous villas to beachside bashes or laidback lounge-style canopies erected in secret hideaways, Marbella Parties ensures that every detail is carefully considered and each party is custom-made to the clients demands, transforming plain marquees into fairy-tale settings and bringing a sprinkling of magic to every event that they touch.

More than simply party or wedding planners and coordinators, Marbella Parties has an abundance of equipment - from tables and chairs to fairy lights, fabrics and decorations, which can all be hired for your event! In addition to its variety of products and equipment, Silvia’s ample experience and considerable wealth of contacts, which ranges from vintage car hire to balloons and caterers, means that the team works seamlessly with other businesses and services to create the party of your dreams.

Discretion is of the utmost importance to Silvia and her diligent, tightknit team, who work around the clock to perfect

From beautiful Indian Sikh weddings to traditional church affairs and grand, majestic extravaganzas, Marbella Parties has coordinated, decorated and

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organised some of the most impressive weddings on the coast. For this hardworking and duteous team, attention to detail is paramount and Silvia goes to any length to ensure that her clients’ dreams are realised. From theming decorations, lighting and styling, to venues, transport, catering and cakes, Silvia’s personal service extends beyond planning and suggestions, offering products, services, staff and advice – from local knowledge to the weather report!

Boasting the most attentive service and customised care on the coast, Marbella Parties is the one-stop shop for all of your party requirements. No event is too extravagant nor minor for this focused and helpful local company that has fashioned some of the most spectacular private events on the Costa del Sol.

Whether you’re after a fairy tale princess wedding or a contemporarily chic affair, Marbella Parties will transform your venue into a unique and personalised setting, to reflect your style, personality and wedding theme so that your event is as distinctive as you are and your wedding is full of character and soul… and an unforgettable affair that will undoubtedly be the very best day of your life!

Tel. +34 609 574 555 info@marbellaparties.com www.marbellaparties.com

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

We make your dreams come true For further information please contact DYANA DESSAR SIMMONS UK: +44 (0) 2033711766 Spain: +34 670636063 Gibraltar: +350 54029417 Photos by David Toms

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

Antony Wolfson Lead Resident Entertainer for

The Marriott Hotel Group the 5-Star celebrity Hotel Los Monteros, The Alanda Club Marbella La Cabane Beach Club Elvis Presley, and #1 Rock’N’Roll Artist worldwide by premier music brand ReverbNation

Known and Highly Acclaimed by those that knew and worked with rated

Now Available for private bookings www.antonywolfsonmusic.com

B &F eautiful ouquets

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he wedding bouquet is one of the most representative and artistic features of a wedding.

A design and floral inspiration that will capture the eyes of all your guests, the wedding bouquet is essential for every ceremony and Virginia Florista is here to help you design yours to perfection. At Virginia Florista they allow their imagination to run wild! These florists use all the senses to ensure that your floral dreams are realised.

Whether shabby-chic, classic white, sweet and delicate or vibrant and fun, Virginia Florists will beautifully arrange your fresh flowers in a personalised bouquet, adapted to any style of your choosing.

loral inesse

Founded in 2009 by designer and floral master, Virginia González, Virginia Florista is driven by a groundbreaking concept that unites the custom and customdesign, creating a whole new niche in the floral design industry.

Each client is guaranteed a superior experience where you can expect an incomparable range of couture floral services, including a number of exceptional hand-crafted decorations.

Not only passionate and dedicated, Virginia Gonzalez is known for her hallmark of authenticity and unique style and originality, ensuring that your event is a true work of art. No matter what your style, Virginia Florista takes the art of floral decoration to a new level. Virginia

Virginia González

and her talented team combine their experience and outstanding service to create the very best floral arrangements, whilst working within your timeframe and budget.

Innovative concepts, skilled artistry and attention to detail – this is the winning combination that has established VG Florista as Marbella’s leading company in floral design. virginiaflorista.com

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hilst getting married legally in Spain can be an arduous process that involves the customary piles of paperwork, photocopies and form-filling-in one has come to accept as part of life in Spain, at only 45 minutes from Marbella, Gibraltar offers a straightforward process for non-nationals wanting to get married.

Whether you want a civil or church ceremony, a legal wedding in Gibraltar is made easy with no residency requirement and simple documentation presentation.

Although Gibraltar isn’t necessarily the first place you think of when dreaming of your glamorous European wedding, it’s far simpler and easier to wed in Gibraltar in comparison to its complicated Spanish neighbour.

BOAT When John Lennon and Yoko Ono decided to wed in 1969, Gibraltar was the only location in Europe that would marry the couple quickly and without fuss.

Having failed to get married in Paris a few days earlier, and after unsuccessful attempts to wed in Germany and other European destinations, John Lennon and Yoko Ono chartered an airplane to Gibraltar and were married and back on the runway, returning to Paris within hours.

Much remains the same today, but now Gibraltar law requires couples to spend the night in Gibraltar (either before or after the wedding) and at least two days on the rock in order for the marriage to be legal.

Why Gibraltar? * Whistle-stop affair The commute over the bo rde between Spain and Gibralt r ar relatively quick and hassle is -free. * No Residency Requ ired - but you do need to be on Gibraltar soil for a period of at lea st 2 days to receive your special ma rriage license. * England Abroad Don’t let its proximity to Sp ain fool you; Gibraltar is English speaking with English customs and currency. * No ‘lost in translation ’!

The language barrier can be quite daunting when dealing wit h Spanish regulations and beaurocac y.

Gibrspoken is English. * Money, money, mone y!

The currency is the pound sterling so if you’re coming from the UK, it makes the financial asp ect even simpler!

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For many years, Gibraltar offered nothing but the charmingly quaint hotels that are reminiscent of English seaside towns, but with the arrival of the Sunborn super yacht in 2014, accommodation in Gibraltar has just got glamorous, stylish and whole lot more appealing.

The floating hotel is a stunning new addition to the rock. Affording all the luxuries and commodities of a five-star hotel, plus a stunning casino onboard that oozes old-school glamour as well as the fashionable La Sala restaurant and bar, which are by far the most in vogue spots to party on the rock.

In fact, La Sala is fast becoming one of the hottest wedding locations on the coast and bookings for summer weddings are filling up fast and furiously!

It’s not the hottest spot on the rock for no reason; La Sala has everything you would expect from a hip and fashionable eatery – plus it’s gorgeous. Drop dead gorgeous.

Located on the first floor of the super yacht, La Sala is slick, chic and stylish. Its contemporary décor boasts gorgeous nautical features combined with polished chrome and a great deal of glass, affording natural light throughout and a warm and inviting ambiance.

La Sala’s modern international menu offers some superb choices for wedding meals and La Sala’s attentive wedding planners will talk you through every element of your wedding celebration, from starters and cheese platters to decorations, music and entertainment. It’s fun, it’s friendly, it’s fashionable… La Sala offers exceptional service, varied cuisine and sumptuous surroundings in an unparalleled location. With a gorgeous decked terrace, which is a stunning spot to soak up the sun in the afternoon or to congregate and stargaze at night, La Sala is romantic yet fashionable and caters to all tastes and preferences.

It oozes glamour and its superb location on the stunning Sunborn hotel means that you can party all night and then wander upstairs to your lavish hotel room on the super yacht that offers breathtaking sea views.

If Gibraltar has won you over with the simplicity and ease of its marriage regulations, then La Sala will certainly seal the deal with its impeccable service, décor and location. For a wedding with that real ‘wow’ factor, why not celebrate on one of the most luxurious super yachts in the world and enjoy La Sala’s style and sophistication on their only floating restaurant where style meets comfort in an extraordinary setting.

Book your wedding now for celebrations at La Sala onboard the lavish Sunborn super yacht for an unforgettable party.

The efficient and experienced team at La Sala will cater to your every desire...all you need to do is show up and enjoy!

+350 200 16879 lasalagibraltar.com

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ocated a mere five minutes from the hustle bustle of the centre of Marbella town, discover a hidden oasis of calm and tranquility, and step into a secret world! Pretty Andalucian patios, tropical gardens with waterfall, spacious terraces with stunning sea views, stylish interior banqueting salown, The Courtyard is the perfect setting for your wedding.

Not only does The Courtyard boast an enviable location and picturesque setting but the venue’s in-house wedding planner will work with you to help you with every element involved to achieve your perfect wedding. She will offer you suggestions and help you with every aspect of your big day from floral and decorative design, fabulous wedding menus, photography, music, guest accommodation and the legal obligations that must be

fulfilled when getting married abroad.

Not only is her local knowledge and list of contacts invaluable, but her passion and dedication will inspire and enthrall you so that ‘wedding stress’ is transformed into excitement and rapture.

The Courtyard’s wedding planner is skilled, patient and has boundless ideas so that whether you are after a church wedding and on-site blessing or simply a fabulous celebration party, she will deliver the event that your heart desires.

The Courtyard Marbella offers two large spaces in which to entertain (or be entertained!). The Starlight Salon with it’s unique retractable ceiling, elegant chandeliers, glorious open fireplace and numerous French windows that open onto the magnificent second space; the Sol y Luna Terrace, which has stunning

sea views for outside entertaining.

The inner dining room can seat up to 100 guests and the outside terrace can seat up to 150 guests.

You can also have an outdoor blessing ceremony in The Courtyard’s secret garden, The Jardines del Mar, under an open-air wedding pergola with guests seated in the garden. This delightful garden with cascading waterfall is ideal for a champagne and canapé reception to get the party started.

The Courtyard is full of rustic charm and has been restored with taste and elegance so that it is both charming and comfortable and it provides the ultimate backdrop for the wedding of your dreams.

+34 952 867 084 -+34 689 992 163 thecourtyardmarbella.com 84 CONFETI

Beaching

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ocated on a gorgeous stretch of Sotogrande’s long sandy beaches, Trocadero is a paradise of relaxation and elegance by the sea that combines perfect gastronomy, leisure, relaxation and style. The décor is beautifully colonial, with dark woods, flowing white linen curtains and animal hides. Trocadero’s colonial style fuses late 19th and early 20th century English décor and furnishings with inspiration from the parts of Africa where the colonies were located, using local builders and materials. Trocadero Sotogrande transports us back to that era, recreating the ambience of a typical English home in colonial Africa with Victorian-style furniture, puffs, fans hanging from crafted wooden ceilings, imitation animal furs on Kilim and natural fibre rugs and rustic wooden items, all of which are accompanied by tribal motifs.

It’s lavish, comfortable and stylish.

Venture outside and you will find an

exquisite beachside swimming pool around which lanterns, cushions, parasols and reclining chairs are scattered in decadent luxury. Palm trees line the beach and upon arrival you may just believe that you’ve stumbled upon paradise…and you have – but it gets better!

Trocadero’s cuisine is superb and its restaurant is a breathtakingly refreshing taste of the world, combining Mediterranean dishes that use environmentally friendly, locally sourced ingredients, with nods to Asian cuisine, creating a varied and tantalizing menu that will enrapture even the most discerning of palates.

Dining at Trocadero is a unique experience their wedding planner will ensure that the menu that you choose for your wedding will be handpicked by you from a great variety of delicious dishes incorporating local produce

and seasonal ingredients. Of course, Trocadero’s splendid selection of wines accompany each gastronomic menu… and then there are the cocktails… in fact, everything that your heart desires you may well find at Trocadero.

Surrounded by the beach, the stunning natural landscape, pools, terraces, and chill-out areas, Trocadero is blissfully chilled and laidback. It might afford every luxury and lavish commodity that you could dream of, but Trocadero’s beautifully bohemian atmosphere means that you feel comfortable, welcomed and relaxed.

From sea views and swimming pools to the finest cuisine and heavenly gastronomy, Trocadero is the ideal place for relaxation and celebration in a laidback and lofty setting. Boasting hammocks, beds and comfy chill-out areas, there is nowhere better to watch the sun set over the Mediterranean and dance and dine under the stars…

+34 678 45 60 47 trocaderosotogrande.com CONFETI 85

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Beachside

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or an exclusive beachside wedding like no other, the stunning Del Mar, located on the Paseo Marítimo, beachfront promenade of the illustrious Puente Romano Hotel, offers tranquility and sophistication in the most stunning of settings.

The hotel’s reputation for excellence, unparalleled customer service, picturesque location and finest cuisine have firmly set Del Mar on the map as one of the optimum spots to tie the knot on the shores of the Mediterranean.

The hotel’s sumptuous beach club offers an interior bar and restaurant with modern light décor, where natural materials add to the relaxed atmosphere.

The large shaded deck, which

is situated right on the sand, allows guests to enjoy dining and dancing on the decking before whipping off their shoes to sink their toes into the sand or sea for a blissfully romantic end to the day. Large day beds line the shore in a relaxed and informal setting and, although the ambiance may be laidback, the waiter service on the beach is assiduous.

The Del Mar kitchen has a diverse menu, which is an eclectic mix of Oriental and Southern Spanish gastronomy featuring a tantalising variety of freshly caught fish served in many exciting dishes such as sushi, ceviche, tartar or even the more traditional Andalusian styles, like chargrilled sardines, which

are always a firm favourite. A wide variety of salads and meats from the grill complete Del Mar’s exceptional menu and the diversity of options for wedding menus is inexhaustible.

The outstanding team of wedding planners at the Puente Romano Hotel comprises individuals who are meticulous and thorough in their attention to detail and bespoke service, which is inspired and original, offering you new and fresh ideas so that your wedding is as individual as you are.

Del Mar’s beautiful setting combines traditional beachside elegance with chic contemporary design features to create a wedding venue that oozes class and sophistication in one of the

most fashionable stretches of beach in Spain. With Africa on the horizon and the rock of Gibraltar to the west, this breathtaking beach club offers a New England elegance combined with a Mediterranean warmth and charisma, and a mesmerising sunset that would be hard to beat anywhere in the world.

A haven for sophisticated beachgoers, fashionable romantics and chic socialites, Del Mar is the seaside setting where luxury and indulgence converge on the sand to create a stylish wedding venue and a match made in heaven.

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ituated in the lush, tropical gardens, of the Puente Romano Hotel, the beautiful Patio of the Swans is without a doubt one of the most picturesque and exclusive settings for a Marbella wedding.

The five-star hotel, which is situated on the prestigious Golden Mile is famous for its abundant gardens and stunning scenery, and it offers a truly magical and enchanting backdrop for an intimate wedding in absolute privacy and magnificence.

With verdant vegetation, colourful flowers in bloom, meandering streams, fountains and scenic wooden bridges that traverse the charming springs of water, the gardens of the Puente Romano offer an oasis of serenity and privacy, where you can entertain, dance, drink and dine in absolute seclusion and contentment.

river where the resident swans live.

Cocktails and dinner are served amidst the lush tropical gardens next to the ceremony area and the whole affair affords a beautifully decadent afternoon and evening of celebrations in the sunshine and shade of the parasols and trees.

For a private and peaceful wedding in the most lavish of settings and with the best possible service, then look no further than the exclusivity of the Patio of the Swans and discover your own Secret Garden.

The stunning Patio of the Swans is the ultimate location for an intimate wedding of up to 75 people. This spot is idyllic for a pretty ceremony in which the bride appears through a delicate winding path next to the

Tel. +34 952 820 900
 puenteromano.com 88 CONFETI

Sophistication La Cabane Located to the east of Marbella, where trendy bars and beach clubs give way to long stretches of golden sandy beaches and gorgeous, wild sand dunes, you’ll find Los Monteros Golf and Spa Resort, one of the most stylish and chic hotels on the coast. The stunning 5* hotel offers the very best facilities to make your wedding day a special and unique celebration and it will be an unforgettable experience for the bride and groom and wedding guests alike.

The Royal Room The first is the Royal Room; a fabulous banquet room, exquisitely designed for entertaining and for lavish and sumptuous affairs.

The hotel’s team of wedding professionals provides everything from bespoke menus that can be adapted to any food intolerance, to table decorations and flower arrangements can all be handpicked and selected in keeping with the theme of the wedding.

Las Cabane The second venue is the spectacular La Cabane beach club. This affords the most stunning setting in which to

celebrate a wedding on the shores of the Mediterranean.

La Cabane’s stylish contemporary design and fashionably minimalist décor sits beautifully in its gorgeous beachside surroundings. La Cabane is a modern, whitewashed paradise with pretty pool, seafront terrace and cabanas with white billowing curtains against the most dramatic seaside landscape.

La Cabane offers an exquisite personal service so that the wedding celebration is tailored down to the very last detail, including adjusting the décor, menus and seating arrangements as you wish. The classy beach club’s enviable location with wide, open beachfront space and exceptional views is the ultimate spot for a civil ceremony in the open air.

La Luna La Cabane’s setting also boasts a completely dazzling, indoor private function area offers many possible entertainment options, including an open bar and a disco.

With two delightful venues, both located within the confines of the magnificent 5* hotel, Los Monteros offers an exquisite setting for a beachfront wedding all year round.

Photos by: Nani & Antonio de Pérez

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Celebrant and toastmaster of twenty years, Allan Davies gives us the lowdown on the allimportant ‘Toast’ and explains why his role as Master of Ceremonies is so very important to ensure everything runs beautifully on your big day.

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here are few things that a happy couple leave to chance with regards to their wedding/blessing arrangements. Indeed, with the help and assistance of a good wedding planner, all should go according to plan fulfilling a couple’s dream of the perfect day.

However, it’s not the actual service where things are prone to go awry!

Sometimes when the couple and the guests retire to the reception area for the post service meal/banquet, the speeches, the thank yous and the eventual all out celebrations, this is the time that perhaps a professional guiding hand is needed.

As a Celebrant and toastmaster of almost twenty years, I’ve been involved and seen a lot of fantastic wedding/blessing events, happy and perfect for the couple, all the

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…AND AFTER THE CEREMONY…

a Toast!

planning has paid off. However, it’s after when planning cannot foresee the unexpected and unrehearsed happenings that the perfect can turn into a not so perfect ending.

It’s ok when the wedding party numbers are small, but when you start hitting the 40+ guest numbers, right up to 200 as I myself recently officiated at, the unpredictable can happen. That’s where the services of an experienced professional can be a wedding day life saver in the form of the ‘reception toastmaster’ or in some cases MC (master of ceremonies).

A good wedding planner can arrange just about everything you need; the DJ/band, the hotel, photographer, restaurant/caterer, flower arranger, cake maker… these all have their tasks, but the toastmaster’s duties are also a speciality service, which can be an

important addition on the day.

There are a number of tasks associated with this service and I always offer and supply information with regard to these duties and how they can enhance your day.

are carried out discretely and with minimum fuss. The toastmaster can be the unobtrusive focal point, steady, reassuring, dependable while everyone else can enjoy the reception and more knowing that someone is always there to help.

For almost half of my blessings over the past years, I have been employed in this service whereby post ceremony, the transition takes place as I consolidate and become the person that has all the notes, the familiarity, connection, background, timings and all the information I need to keep the reception flowing and in order to make sure everyone has a trouble free time.

But most importantly, the happy couple, like many before them, can continue in the knowledge that everything has and will continue to run smoothly for the duration of their special day with their friendly and competent toastmaster there for their every need, bringing a total professional and unique service for the perfect ending.

Announcements, instructions, actions and information, delivered in the right spirit, can keep the party going and raise the atmosphere of the reception enjoyment to another level, especially if all tasks

Allan Davies Celebrant Services Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies adcelebrant@outlook.com adcelebrantservices.com

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

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Expert

Photo by Anna Gazda Photography

ASK THE

Natasha Johnson is an experienced Humanist Wedding Celebrant, writer and blogger on all things related to weddings, in particular wedding ceremonies.

In this issue we’re looking at whether the groom always has to stand on the right during a wedding ceremony, how to give step-parents or step-siblings a special role during your ceremony and what to do when you have too many potential bridesmaids on your wedding day. CONFETI’s Ask The Expert, writer and celebrant Natasha Johnson is here to answer all of your wedding worries and doubts and help your wedding planning be as stress-free as possible!

01

I am very close to my dad, however I am also really close to my step-dad who helped to raise me too. I would like them to both be involved in my ceremony, but what role can I give my step-dad without overshadowing my dad’s role of walking me down the aisle?

they used to be, with families being made up of step-parents, step-siblings, half siblings and many other family dynamics.

Therefore, so that weddings, and ceremonies in particular, can be as much of a family occasion as possible, and bearing in mind that it is about the couple getting married, more and more couples are having to think of new ways to involve all of those people who are special to them.

Lyndsey, getting married August, 2016

One way of having a special person involved in your ceremony is by asking them to do a reading for you. It is a real honour for anyone to be asked to do a reading and most

We are certainly living in a time where our family structures are much more varied than 92 CONFETI

people feel very privileged and fortunate to be asked to do one.

And, if you are only planning on having one reading then you can guarantee that it will make the one chosen person feel even more special.

If you’re planning on having a symbolic ritual like a candle ceremony or sand ceremony, then as is quite common to invite family members to help out with ritual. So this might be a perfect solution for involving someone special in your ceremony.

You could also think about other roles, such as a ring-bearing role.

Nowadays, best men don’t have

to present both rings and it’s quite common for best men to present one ring and then another chosen person to present the other, such as a step-father or a best friend.

It is now quite usual and popular for brides to designate their own person to be the bearer of their ring, so this could be a wonderful option for your step-dad.

There are other roles too, such as making your stepdad an usher or groomsman, or a master of ceremonies if he is confident enough. All of these roles would be very complementary to the role that your father has and will not overshadow him in any way.

ASK THE

Expert

03

Is it absolutely necessary for the

groom always to stand on the right and the bride to the left of him? It may sound silly but I feel like my left side is my best side and I really would prefer standing to the right with my partner to my left. Is there any reason why we can’t do this?

02

My fiancé and I are both from really big families, which we both are quite close to and I am struggling to narrow down my bridesmaids. I currently have a list of twelve bridesmaids and he is struggling to choose a best man. How many is too many?

Miranda, getting married April 2017 To be honest, there isn’t really a right or wrong number of how many bridesmaids you should have on your wedding day. But, logistically and financially speaking, it can all start to add up and may be a bit of a challenge if you start reaching the double figure numbers. However, if your finances and the space that you have can manage twelve plus bridesmaids then there is nothing to stop you.

One question that you might want to ask yourself is ‘why are you actually having bridesmaids?’

Now, this might seem like a strange question at first, but sometimes when you think about the role of bridesmaids and whether or not having them will work for you on your wedding day, it may help you with your decision making.

These other questions may be useful to you too;

Who do actually want to be with you on your wedding morning?

Are you giving someone the role of a bridesmaid to avoid upsetting them/to avoid offending others/or to please others?

Can you have help on your wedding morning without actually having designated bridesmaids?

Debbie, getting married October 2016

a challenge for a bride, even at the altar when the bride was already promised to someone else. And so the groom-tobe needed to be ready for any challenges! This way of standing stuck and become part of ceremony culture. Most people still stand like this nowadays, purely because they aren’t aware of any other ways to stand, or don’t realize they can stand in a different way.

This is a tradition that is a very entrenched one and has been around as long as marriages and weddings have been going!

Apparently, the reason behind it comes from the notion that the groom had to stand on the right with his bride-to-be on his left in order to keep his sword hand, his right hand, free. Way, way back in the days of suitors and rivalries some keen and determined men would make

The best thing to do is to check with the celebrant marrying you, especially in the case of a religious ceremony, to make sure that your wishes are not in conflict with any religious requirements. But, if you are not having a religious ceremony, there generally there are no legal requirements about how you choose to stand; left or right, facing each other, next to each other, it’s entirely up to you!

Some couples find themselves in a situation where deciding who to have as part of their wedding party becomes too stressful or political and do away with their wedding party altogether!

However, if you still feel that having bridesmaids is really important to you, then try to narrow down your list to those who your heart truly tells you that you want to have as a bridesmaid.

Then for those who didn’t ‘make the cut’, you can allocate different roles and jobs to them, which will see them still getting to help you on your big day, but not necessarily doing it as part of your wedding party. You can give people roles pre-wedding, such as organizing the bridal shower or hen party, and on the wedding day itself, you can let someone do a reading at your ceremony, or to be an unofficial usher or wedding planner. Sometimes giving people special ‘unofficial’ roles is just as lovely as giving them a traditional wedding role.

CONFETI 93

My Wife won’t let me!

94 CONFETI

W

hen Fred Leigh (d 1924) wrote “There was I, waiting at the church” , the excuse that the groom gave in a note sent to the prospective bride was regarded as being exceedingly comic by his Music Hall audience.

Throughout history wives have often sturdily controlled errant husbands.

Many a man there, prospective bigamist or not, like “Rumpole of the Bailey” deferred to “she-who-mustbe obeyed”. Throughout history wives have often sturdily controlled errant husbands. Some wives have been particularly powerful. Take, for example, Matilda of Flanders.

Standing at a mere 1.2 metres (4ft 2ins), she was the grand-daughter of Robert II “The Pious” of France, and a descendant of Alfred the Great of England.

When she was asked whether or not she would marry her cousin several-times-removed William “The Bastard”, Duke of Normandy, she replied haughtily in mediæval French “No way!” William’s response was to ride to her father’s court in Flanders, pull her hair and soundly thrash her before riding home. (This form of courtship is not to be recommended today).

This did the trick. She fell madly in love with him. But the pope forbade the match on the grounds of consanguinity. The couple fought the ban, founded abbeys, and were finally given permission.

They married in 1062. It was the beginning of a long and successful marriage, despite one or two hiccoughs, usually caused by the children (what changes?).

In 1066 Matilda gave William a ship called the “Mora” in which he sailed to England to defeat King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. She thus became Queen of England, and was greatly admired for her skill in assisting her husband in governing both his realms. She also excelled at planning and staging celebrations at Christmas and Easter; an ideal party hostess!

Matilda, however, was not the only mediæval wife to show her mettle.

In 1129 a certain Melisande, daughter of the King of Jerusalem and his Armenian wife, married Fulk V, Count of Anjou. Two years later they became joint rulers of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Fulk made the great mistake of ignoring his co-ruler. In retaliation she started an affair with his greatest rival, a man called Hugh. Fulk then made a greater mistake by declaring war on her (husbands and husbands-to-be should take notice!).

She soundly trounced him on the battlefield, with the result that the historian William of Tyre was able to report that Fulk thereafter “never tried to initiate anything, even in trivial matters, without her foreknowledge”. After his death she became regent for their son, Baldwin, before gradually sidelining him altogether. He eventually complained to the High Court of the kingdom, and the realm was divided between them.

She didn’t cease to meddle, however, and eventually the frustrated Baldwin took to the field and defeated her in battle.The two were reconciled, and until her death she remained his closest adviser.

Not all marital stories have such a happy ending, of course. In 1308, at the age of 14, Isabella “The Fair”

of France, married the handsome Edward II of England. It was a grand affair, but fortune was not smiling on the couple. Arriving back in England, Edward handed over some choice jewels from Isabella’s dowry to his favourite, Piers Gaveston. It soon became apparent that Edward preferred Piers’s company to that of his beautiful wife. This greatly annoyed the fair lady, who began to realise that a certain amount of hanky-panky was going on.

Allying herself to a number of barons who also looked with some disfavour upon the king’s cavortings, she seized Piers and cut off his head before parading it around as a warning to others.

....She seized Piers and cut off his head before parading it around as a warning to others.

This, however, had little effect upon a certain Hugh Despenser, who swiftly conquered the king’s affections and, with his father, another Hugh, began to amass wealth and estates. This upset the barons, and when the king gave him the castle at Wallingford, which he had previously given to Isabella, she decided that enough was enough. With her friend Roger Mortimer she went to war against Edward and defeated him near Neath in Wales. She seized Hugh, whom the chronicler Froissart described as “a sodomite”, and also captured his father, who she hanged in 1326. Hugh himself was not so lucky.

In full view of Isabella and Roger, who were having lunch at the time, his genitals were cut off and burnt in front of him, whilst his entrails were

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

slowly drawn out, before his head was cut off and his body cut into four parts. The following year she and Roger imprisoned Edward in Berkeley Castle where he expired as the result of a red hot poker being introduced into that aperture where the sun never shines. By this time Isabella had earned the sobriquet of “The She Wolf of France”!

Isabella had earned the sobriquet of “The She Wolf of France”!

Her namesake, Isabella of Castile and Leon, was an altogether different kettle of fish who, with her husband Fernando, united Spain.

Theirs was a true love match which withstood the test of time.

Their daughter Catherine married Henry VIII of England, remaining, true to her upbringing, a faithful wife to that ungrateful and bloodthirsty tyrant until her dying day. It was Isabella, during the Reconquista, who organised the first field hospitals for her troops.

She was a patron of scholars and artists, and encouraged Christopher Columbus in his voyages to the “New World”.

When he returned with some of the natives as slaves, she insisted that they should be freed and returned to America. She and her husband were granted the title “Catholic Monarchs” by the Pope in recognition of their efforts to expel the Moors and establish a truly Catholic kingdom. This resulted in the expulsion of both Muslims and Jews from Spain, which had a deleterious effect upon the country’s subsequent history. But this was not something which Queen Isabella could have foreseen.

There are many other great wives and mothers dotted throughout history; Hatshepsut and Tomyris to name but two seldom heard of, whilst women like Boudicca, and even Margaret Thatcher, are the stuff of legend!

CONFETI 95

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Wedding photography for me is more than just a profession, it is a skilled craft, which of course requires technical ability and artistic flair, but it also demands that I develop a sensitive connection with the people I photograph.

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Not only for the beautiful locations, but also because the wedding photos are chock full of genuine emotion. You get to spend your day capturing happiness, laughter, joy, excitement, and all those beautiful feelings. It’s amazing how the photos can tell a really great story. There are romantic characters, scenes, action, emotions, and even themes. The photos can capture the essence of the couple, sometimes in just one frame. Moreover, in this profession we meet incredible people and our clients may become our friends. For me, this is one of the most valuable jobs in the world, because by putting my creativity into photos I make others happy, and I also get to show the simplicity and wonder of love in all my images.

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Agata Jensen “

My style is candid and journalistic.

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As years go by, I want my clients to look back at their images and feel emotionally connected to them as reflections of their most precious day and be able to relive their wedding over and over again.

However, classic portraits of the family, friends and newlyweds are also very important and although they only take around twenty percent of all the wedding

photographs, they are the ones that will probably decorate my clients’ walls. I love creating those beautiful portraits that will stand the test of time. I always look for the most beautiful light and work mostly outdoors to take advantage of the stunning surroundings we have here in southern Spain. I love being a wedding photographer because being a part of couples’ wedding is such an honour, and being able to capture couples sharing most intimate and spontaneous moments of love is intensely fulfilling for me.

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Since I was a child I knew I wanted to become a photographer, even when there was no camera around at home. It wasn’t until I was 18 years old that I was able to buy my first camera. Over time this passion developed and became my job.

Looking at life through the lens is something really exciting. I love to establish a beautiful relationship with my clients. I always try to get them involved in what I’m doing.

For me, photography it is not only a question of taking pictures in a proper way, it is much more.

What I really enjoy most in my work is thinking about how my clients are going to feel when they see their photos for the very first time that is priceless.

I define my photography style as very natural and relaxed. I don´t like to force the situation at all. I am interested in the individuals and in the couple’s story together.

That’s what I love to show in my photography

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(Stills from wedding videos) 98 CONFETI

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I’m not what you would call a conventional wedding photographer. I come from an art and design background and got into photography because I’m fascinated by people and love capturing situations in photographic images. I treasure the value of memories and that’s why photographing a wedding has so much meaning for me.

I’m inspired by true love and love seeing the unique relationship between the two individuals at the centre of the wedding. I also see a lot of charm in all our human vulnerability and try to capture that as well. I enjoy collaborating

with couples who share my values and my passion for the beauty of genuine emotions, and I like to bring my free spirit and open mindedness to every celebration of love.

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I love being a wedding photographer because I get to spend my working days surrounded by people in LOVE! Weddings are full of love and it´s a very special experience for me to share with my clients the biggest and most special day of their lives.

Plus, there’s the great atmosphere, stunning locations and wonderful, fun guests! I love being a wedding photographer for all of these reasons and more. I also find the day when my clients receive their

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I describe myself as a woman of images rather than words, so I let my photography speak for itself and only add “I love what I do.

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My style of photography is strongly influence by fashion and photojournalism. I always want to capture those spontaneous moments that are the opposite of the traditional, static couple and group portraits that were typical of decades past. What I love about being a wedding photographer is that I’m able to be part of one of the most important days in the life of any couple. I’m inspired by the happiness all around me from the guests have a great time to the beaming faces of the bride and groom. It’s such a privilege to be a wedding photographer and whilst it’s a lot of fun, I always keep my responsibility to the couple at the forefront of my mind.

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CONFETI 103

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C o n fe ti w as fo r e v e ry th m y fi rs t p o in t o f c a ll in g w e d d It s d ir e c to in g re la te ry d. fe a tu re s w w a s in v a lu b le a n d th

s e rv ic e s

th er s fr W e re si d e in d lo ng su m m le b ra te . l ho lid ay an o ho sc y er ch o ic e to ce ev ct fe er s in th e p ) e s! ye ar e U K , 4 ar ea ai n w as th p th S m o so fr ” o ut he re ! ( 27 ily in g ce le b ra tio n. st s fly in b ec o m e “f am w ith 90 g ue d b e a g re at ul th o 20 sh Fr ie nd s ha ve it ay s M st d in ne r in is h g ue s m ar rie d to o ur S p an p re w ed d in g a C ha rlo tt e g et ed d ith w ad p tio n o ay S tr al ia !

19 th M b ea ch re ce U S A an d A us ce Th ur sd ay ua re )w ith a en sq th ei r m e f m o ng ” co ra o ng tio ns b eg in ni el la ( o ff w b ar ne M “ Th e ce le b ra e in vi lla . th s te ce le b ra d en s o f o ur th en m ar rie hi te p ar ty to ty in th e g ar w La C al a, sh e ar a p l is el w ay d re a fa e S at ur nd M ay w ith in E lv iri a , th ep sa ke o f al is es o n 22 fin d an e, t o nl y as a ke g no i, et m ar ria nf o C g e in o have fo r a co ve ra u p p li e rs w h s co ns id er ed e e th b f to o ll ve a lo ys!

W e w o ul d th a n k y o u to s d re a m d a e tt o b ut as a b ig rl n a tio h ra C b r le th e ce to g e th e a rd to b ri nogm you. h o s d e rk o w g fr ar d to he ar in W e lo o k fo rw

“

Luna Sie brasse

g et i’s w ed d in te nd ed C o nf at e w er b o In O ct he G ib ra lta r. T S un b o rn in e th at w o sh s ti c

n ta o w w a s a fa it to w e d d in g s h re c o m m e n d ly h ig h I t! n e ev m ar ry W e ch o se to . e d ri b re at C o nf et i a n y fu tu d th e te am

ib ra lta r an at la S al a G e w ay ev en er y st ep o f th ev us ed lp he o rs fo r us ed d in g ve nd o rg an is in g w na George & A

every bride-to-be must read this if they want to have the best day ever!

Great magazine,

Allynne Love

“

”

We booked o u r e n ti re w e d d in g , fr o m ve n u e , c a k e , p h o to g ra p h e r, fl o ri s t e ve n o u r fi re w o rk s th ro u g h C o n fe ti d ir e c to ry ! and w ou ld n’ t

Danielle Jack son

“

Co nfe

CONFETI is delighted to receive such positive feedback. Knowing that we have played a part in bringing the magic to your big day makes our day!

ss I hav e fou nd thr oug h Co nfe ti def init ely live d up to my exp ect atio ns wh en pla nni ng my spe cia l day .

Th an k yo u so m uc h to Co nf et i m ag az in e

“

fo r b ei ng m y ab so lu te sa vi ou r in p re p ar at io n fo r m y w ed d in g !! !

Th an ks to so

We got married at Puro Beach

e m y we dd in g pl an ni ng so m uc h ea sie r, co ul d n’

”

t ha ve d on e it w ith ou t yo u!

Gabriela Moral es

after one meeting with Confeti, we let them organise our entire wedding. We

and

to co nt ac t an d b oo k al l th e se rv ic es th at I ne ed ed .

It’ s m ad I

”

Amanda Davies

m e gr ea t ar tic le s (a nd es pe ci al ly re ad in g th ro ug h ot he r pe op le ’s re al we dd in g st or ie s) I w as ab le

106 CONFETI

”

ti ma gaz ine is a mu st for eve ry brid e plan ning a wed ding here in the Cos ta Del Sol. I hav e foun d it to be fant asti c for up-t o-da te wed ding dres s des igns for mys elf and my brid esm aids .

E ver y pro duc t and bus ine

” “

ha ve ch an ge d on e of th em (m ay be G yp sy Ki ng s) !

”

“

”

s K in d R eg ar d k ja to Debbie S

e re e x tr e m e many e ly u s e fu l in c h o o s and supp li e rs . in g

ended up with a fantastic two day affair and could not fault one thing. Have since recommended others marrying there to do the same thing.

Nikki and Simon Astley

”

SHOWCASING THE FINEST IN BRIDAL DESIGN 15-17 MAY 2016 BATTERSEA PARK LONDON

W H I T E G A L L E R Y . C O M

© JESSICA DURRANT

*White Gallery London is open to trade buyers only and not members of the general public

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