CONFETI AUTUMN 2012
Real Wedding
EXCLUSIVE
You Shall Be
MARRIED CHILDREN
SPECIAL
Blessed Our Celebrant Guide
Interview with Leading Bridal Designer
Stephanie Allin with
Expert Tips for a Child Friendly Wedding
Catwalk Inspiration 2O13
TREND ALERT
Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicated wedding bible
la sala
EDITOR’S LETTER
Welcome to Confeti
W
ith many of you now planning your 2013 wedding, we have ensured that this issue is packed full of big day inspiration. Whether it’s real life weddings that you can steal ideas from or maybe our theme your day suggestions will hit the right note. Still struggling to find your dream dress? Our ‘White Hot’ runway report is packed with show stopping gowns or perhaps the 2O13 trends, set by the fashion forward White Gallery London will help you on your way. Now that your aisle style is sorted let’s move onto those all important vows. Turn to page 80 for everything you
need to know regarding legalities and different types of ceremonies, plus, most importantly, we introduce you to our recommended celebrants, who are blessed with the honour of making your personal ceremony a day to be remembered. With children now playing a greater role in weddings than ever before and many couples wishing to make their day as child-friendly as possible, we have picked the brains of our local experts, who have shared their tips on how to avoid any unwanted tears and tantrums and make everything run as smoothly as possible. The best part is that we have been able to jam pack the feature with ‘oh
Nicola Nicola McGeorge info@iconpublishing.es
4 CONFETI
so cute’ snaps of the little cherubs, now if this doesn’t pull on your heart strings nothing will. Calling all you Gaelic gals, we will be heading over to your shores for the Wedding Journal Show, Dublin in September. Here the team will be on hand at stand D11 to offer advice and recommendations, oh, and of course offer you a copy of Confeti. If you are lucky enough to actually reside in España, then please come and see us at the Marbella De Boda in October. We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed creating it.
“Where dreams do come true”
Av. Alfonso Hohenlohe . Ctra. de Cádiz km 178 . 29602 Marbella . Spain Mob. +34 676 482 388 . info@xquisitmarbella.com . www.xquisitmarbella.com
limelight.pl
AUTUMN 2012
CONFETI
CONTENTS
Image © Sarah Gawler Sophia gown by Elizabeth Todd Styling by Hannah Gooch at The Ebury Collection Hair & Makeup Elbie Van Eeden Location Fetcham Park
Staff
PUBLISHER Andy Clark andy@iconpublishing.es
Features, advice, tips, ideas and suggestions to help arrange THE PERFECT WEDDING IN SPAIN, GIBRALTAR OR THE BALEARICS
COVER
STORIES 24 The Show Stopper 2013 trends from the White Gallery London
30 Grand Designs Exclusive interview with Stephanie Allin
47 Love Stories
Our favourite fairy-tales over the past twelve months
Fashion
9 Confeti Loves
What’s hot in the world of bridal
18 White Hot
Chic looks straight from the runway
22 Hats Off To You Meet the new name in millinery
Beauty
38 Skin Deep 72 Doing It For The Kids
Creating a child-friendly wedding
80 You Shall Be Blessed
Our guide to wedding celebrants 6 CONFETI
Experts Richard Ward & Ariane Poole solve your hair and beauty dilemmas
42 Get Your Glow On Local beauty banter
Details
69 Eat Me
The latest cake news
70 Simply Xquisit
All your wedding needs under one roof
86 Don’t Rush The Ush
Giles Brown shares his tips on usher etiquette
Confeti’s Notebook
91 Bridal Buzz
The latest news from the wedding scene
96 Confeti’s
Address Book The best professionals, specialists and services
Chic 98 Geek Meet the surprise style icon
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Annalisa Turner-Sterling Gabriel Moya Gonzalez (Spanish) DESIGNER Constanza Martinez constanza@iconpublishing.es EDITOR Nicola McGeorge info@iconpublishing.es CONTRIBUTORS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Ariane Poole, Christie Holland, Giles Brown, Natasha Johnson, Richard Ward, Anna Gazda, Jeremy Standley, Pierre Richardson, Ruth Jones, Scott del Amo, Simon Andrews, Talia Giraudo. Confeti is published quarterly by: Icon Publishing S.L. Depósito Legal: MA 1559-2010 CIF: B93035210 All enquiries, please call: +34 600 812 418 or email enquiries@iconpublishing.es The views and opinions expressed by contributors to Confeti may not represent the views and opinions of the publishers. Icon Publishing takes no responsibility for claims made in advertisements or advertorials in this magazine. No part of Confeti may be reproduced or copied in any way without the prior written consent of Icon Publishing.
www.confetimagazine.com
C
The Fashion Fixer
ONFETI loves...
What is not to love about the latest Amanda Wakeley Sposa collection? The designer has stayed true to her style with luxurious fabrics, impeccable cuts and modern yet timeless silhouettes. amandawakeley.com
Walk The Walk
Have a metallic moment this season with Aruna Seths’ Kimberley Ivory Satin All Swarovski Peep Toes. This expertly crafted style will lend every look instant glamour, while extra padding creates cashmere like comfort. £1,450 arunaseth.com
Step Back In Time
This Art Deco style side headpiece created using Swarovski elements is versatile enough to work with most hairstyles. £195 ivoryandcotiaras.co.uk
limelight.pl
It’s All About Choo
Jimmy Choo now offers the same full range of services to brides as it does for celebrities. This includes Champagne shopping days for bridal parties, shoe re-colouring - both before the ceremony to match the dress, and after the ceremony to ensure the newlywed can wear her special shoes again. jimmychoo.com
Getting To The Art Of It
We couldn’t imagine a more unique keepsake than fashion student Vic Riches’ romantic illustrations of your big day. She’ll sketch at your ceremony and reception, then use your photos for additional drawings. From £4OO vicriches@gmail.com
Keep Them Sweet
Cake designers are upping their game. Brides can now incorporate elements of their dress into their wedding cake or sweet table, as seen here by the talented Fiona Dodson. sweetthingsbyfi.com
Works A Treat
How adorable are these gorgeous personalised wedding sweetie jars! Their practical size makes them ideal to add to your table setting whilst the funky gift tags, printed with your very own newly married surname, adds a special touch. €4.59 notonthehighstreet.com
Top Three Bridal Beauty Products Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Éclat
Essies’s Mademoiselle nail varnish Benefit Cosmetic’s Dallas bronzer
CONFETI 9
ONFETI loves...
STAR
PHOTO jmgstudio.es
C
OUR
All Swept Up
Lavish were the talented team behind this stunning brides hair do. “Mia has thick frizzy hair, with this type of hair it has to be worked on from wet, with no short cuts,” explained Diana. “Once professionally blow dried, I sectioned a triangle on top as Mia wanted it pulled back at the sides, with some height on top. I backcombed this into place, leaving the rest of her hair free. I finished off by creating movement and big curls to complete her Lavish look.” hairandmakeupbylavish.com
Designer Love
Fashion designer, Richard Nicoll’s has released his first capsule collection of bridal wear for Topshop; the seven dresses comprising of long and short options reflect Nicoll´s signature fuss-free femininity and easy, wearable coolness. This lace sleeved short creation is ideal for a relaxed, destination wedding and an absolute steal at a mere £170. If you are opting for statetopshop.com ment earrings, look no further than these Art Deco inspired creations from Accessorize. The gold chain detailing oozes 1920’s glamour whilst the beautiful hanging beads and sparkling silver embellishments add just the right amount of glitz. €15.90 accessorize.com
Dripping In Diamonds
Stick To I Do
Having trouble finding your something blue? Maybe these will help. Just peel and stick to the arch of your wedding shoes and when you kneel down during the ceremony, they will bring a smile to the congregation! ellajamesliving.co.uk
Blooming Original
Here is a little inspiration for accessorizing your husband-to-be. Why not jazz up your buttonholes by opting for this stylish pink cala lily and green aspidistra leaf by Flor Valentin, they do say real men wear pink! €10 florvalentin.es
Forget Me Not
Bespoken For
These charming and unusual favours are personalised with your name and your wedding date, best of all they enable your guests to forget you not by growing their own beautiful flowers. £1.60 each weddinginateapcup.co.uk
British accessory designer Anya Hindmarch is known for her incredible attention to detail and fabulous personalisation services. Her new Marano Glitter Clutch is more than just a highly desirable evening bag; the rectangular clasp serves as a blank canvas for your own unique message, what could be more perfect than your wedding date. £45O anyahindmarch.com 10 CONFETI
Back This Winner We all know statement back dresses are featuring heavily on the runways this season but why not try something a little different. This back jewel is the perfect addition to a simple dress ensuring all eyes are on you as you walk down the aisle. wallis.co.uk
TikiTano Weddings - you dream, we realize...
FREE on site wedding planners • Wedding Packages start from €99 per person incl. cocktail, dinner, drinks & decoration • All our Wedding Packages incl. wedding night at one of Marbella´s 5 star hotels TikiTano Beach Restaurant & Lounge Urb. Guadalmansa Ctra. N-340, Km 164 29680 Estepona, Málaga
TikiTano Beach Restaurant & Lounge
Tel: (+34) 952 79 84 49 email: info@tikitano.com website: www.tikitano.com
TikiTano_Spain
Theme your day
Orange Pom Pom, small 6” £3 paperpoms.co.uk
‘Polka Dot Heaven,’ complete with handmade Gerberas and edible glitter €25O deliciouscakesandtreats.com
Fire opal rings with diamond in platinum, oval petals and cushion-cut knot ring. tiffany.com
Zesty
FEELING
Vermillion strapless bias-cut ballgown with hand-rolled floral and floating Chantilly lace detail. verawang.com
Laser cut invitation intricatecreations.co.uk
jeremystandley.com
Nothing embraces the flavour of the Mediterranean more than the colour orange. Adding vibrancy and energy to a wedding, orange is anything but subtle. From rustic burnt orange to zesty tangerine, there are a whole host of options to brighten up your big day.
Orange and blossom wedding cake inspired by Andalucian orange groves and designed for an eco chic wedding. sweetthingsbyfi.com
India bouquet containing, aspidistra, beargrass, hypericum and roses. €125 florvalentin.es
Burnt Orange Ava £31.50 indigodaisyweddings.co.uk
Anise Shoe £85 dune.co.uk
Orchid Kiss Invitations £4.30 each madewithlovedesigns.co.uk
12 CONFETI
‘Flowers and butterflies two tier cake €360 weddingcakesspain.com
Oh I do like to be beside
the seaside...
A beach wedding is a popular theme for a less formal occasion; easy to create and personalise with unique touches. Here are a few different ideas to give you a little inspiration. andreasholm.com Lovers at Sea Tags. £1O weddinginateacup.co.uk
Shell Clutch Bag. £7.50 marksandspencer.com
Three Tiered Silver and White Shell Wedding Cake. POA sweetthingsbyfi.com
Wreath of Seashells. €30-50 florvalentin.es
Auger Indo Pacific Shells, (tag not included). £2.5O dorsetgifts.com
Seashell Themed Top Tier and Cupcakes. €200 weddingcakesinspain.co.uk Destination Wedding Gown from the 2O13 ‘Around The World’ Anoushka G collection. anoushkag.com
Photo courtesy of White Gallery London 14 CONFETI
Liana Butterfly Ballerinas in Ivory Satin. £385 arunaseth.com
Mini Wedding Windmills. £5.50 weddingmall.co.uk
Fashion
Photo courtesy of Victorio Kyrokidez CONFETI 17
WHITE Hot See the latest collections straight from the runway
I
f bingo wings are an issue, then a glam cover up could be the answer to your prayers. Options are plentiful and practical this season and we love how this look harkens back to a different and somewhat more demure era.
COVER UP Designers, left to right: Rosa Clara at Barcelona Bridal WeeK, Terri Fox at White Gallery London, Oscar de la Renta, Ines Di Santo, Pronovias, Ian Stuart at White Gallery London
BOWDACIOUS
F
or the brides who subscribe to the ‘bigger is better’ mantra, then this trend is for you. Bows are everywhere and they’re oversized, theatrical and dramatic. We simply adore Oscar de la Renta’s take on this craze.
Designers, left to right: Oscar de la Renta, Stewart Parvin at White Gallery London, Rosa Clara at Barcelona Bridal Week, Alan Hannah at White Gallery London, Monique Luillier 18 18 CONFETI
GLOW IN GOLD
A
s an alternative to ivory or white why not try incorporating antique tones of gold to add a vintage feel to your gown. Gold was de rigueur on the runway, from full on block colour to delicate gold detailing.
Designers, left to right: Marchesa, David Fielden, Terri Fox at White Gallery London, Alan Hannah at White Gallery London, Anne Barge
SEXY BACK
D
on’t let the back of your gown be an afterthought, it will be on display for most of the ceremony, so make it a priority. Wedding dress designers have turned their focus on the back this season with everything from sheer back panels embroidered with sequins or pearls to pretty back straps, bows, ruffles and ruching.
Designers, left to right: Pronovia, Ines Di Santo, Johanna Hehir at White Gallery London, Angel Riviera, Anoushka G at White Gallery London CONFETI 19
DOING THE SPLITS
T
hank Miss Jolie for this one; yes it’s all about showing a little leg with a sexy split. This subtle design twist allows you to show a little skin but is still appropriate for a church ceremony.
Designers, left to right: Oscar de la Renta, Alan Hannah at White Gallery London, Anoushka G at White Gallery London, Yolan Cris, Pronovias
OUR
FEATHERED
FRIENDS
W
ith many designers still obsessed with heavily embellishing their gowns, we knew it wouldn’t be long before they started pulling out the feathers. This dreamy style is a throwback to the roaring 20’s; elegant yet flirty at the same time.
Designers, left to right: Anouskha G at House of Fraser, Pronovias, Anoushka G at White Gallery London, Marchesa 20 CONFETI
Hat Tricks
Bridal Millinery Piece: Sarah Elizabeth Terry Hair and Make-up: Sarah Terry Model: Joanna Felton Photographer: Aga Tomaszek
22 CONFETI
I
n our last issue, our Ed mentioned she was on the lookout for show stopping hats for the numerous weddings she would be attending this year, hence when we came across this uber talented designer, we just had to share our new found secret with you. In this exclusive interview and photo shoot for Confeti, we learn all about Sarah Terry and her collection of contemporary, bespoke millinery for weddings, fashion shows and other special events. Sarah Terry designs and creates unique and individual millinery pieces offering exclusive headwear for all occasions. Sarah also works as a professional make-up artist and body painter and has previously styled an array of high end fashion shoots which have provided her with a strong artistic background. She creates pieces not only using sinamay, feathers and silk flowers but also beads of all kinds, vintage jewellery pieces, crystal rhinestones as well as fabric’s and lace to enhance the elegance of the overall design. Her primary focus is to transform jewellery pieces into headwear by molding sinamay fabrics into shapes to create a base, which is then encrusted with a mix media of beads and crystal rhinestones, along with feather fringes as decoration. All of Sarah’s fascinators come with elastic cords, a unique alternative to using an Alice band or comb which can often
Tesoro £65
be uncomfortable and unstable. Elastic cords aid you to adjust the fascinator to the size you wish making them much more practical and secure, ideal if you wish to wear them all day for a wedding or formal event. The elastic cord also disappears into the hair line and can be adjusted to sit on different sections of the head; this offers you the opportunity to create many hairstyles with one single piece. If you are attending a variety of weddings over the summer season, the same fascinator can work in a variety of ways making your purchase extremely costeffective. All Sarah’s pieces have a vintage twist combined with a contemporary fashion forward feel, making them stylish and
addition to your wedding attire. Sarah can customize any piece with colour schemes and adornments to complement the design of your dress. All pieces are bespoke so by selecting a Sarah Terry original creation you can guarantee your headwear will be truly unique, making them perfect for your something new! Confeti recently had the opportunity to exclusively talk to the talented designer and learn about the inspiration behind her work, the process and her advice for brides-to-be.
Confeti: Hi Sarah, so let’s start at the beginning, what do you love about designing millinery?
Jade £45
Pearl drop £95
Purple kissed feather £85
Dove on a wing £225
current. The vintage trend is one that has taken the bridal industry by storm and is here to stay. Each piece is built to be worn flat to the head creating a sophisticated, eye catching
ST: I really love the fine art that goes into millinery, using a mix media of materials to create an aesthetic piece. I love the art of creating different shapes with sinimay, using lace, silk flowers and feather art; turning a mix
Berry blossom £65
media of different types of feathers into an art piece.
Confeti: If a bride to be came to you wanting a bespoke piece, talk us through the entire process from the initial meeting to her receiving her bespoke millinery. ST: First I would ensure the bride already has her dress, so that we can design a piece to complement this. Then I would ask the client what her budget is so i can go over expenses. Next I would arrange a meeting with the client, find out exactly what she is looking for and ask her to show me images of bridal pieces she likes for inspiration, I would also show her images, and then together we would construct a design. After I had an idea in my mind we would discuss what materials would work with the dedicated budget. Throughout the creation process, I take pictures and send to the bride to ensure she is happy with the evolution of the design. Confeti: What advice do you have for brides-to-be when looking for millinery? ST: I would advise the bride-to-be to have an idea of what hairstyle she wants for her big day so as to understand what style shape and size she would like their millinery piece to be. Finally I would advise the bride to look through bridal headwear magazines for inspiration. Sarah Terry +34 7962348374
Rose £45
CONFETI 23
W hite Gallery L ondon Review
VISION IN
White
Confeti editor, Nicola McGeorge headed overseas to see first-hand the upcoming trends for 2013. The White Gallery London, of which Confeti is a media partner, boasts over 60 top bridal names, all showcasing their latest collections within the beautiful surroundings of Battersea Park.
Confeti at the White Gallery London
A
fter a three hour flight, a one hour train journey and thankfully a complimentary shuttle bus from Sloane Square I was not in the best of moods when I finally arrived at the show. However, my demeanour was quickly lifted when greeted by the opening exhibit of candy dresses and ac24 CONFETI
cessories.This needed to be seen to be believed. Leading bridal wear designers had given in to sweet temptation to dream up confectionery inspired couture creations, made from the nation’s favourite sweet treats. Designers included Freya Rose, Ian Stuart, Halo & Co., Harriet Wilde and Stephanie Allin.
Ian Stuart had created a short, fun dress from a mountain of marshmallows in cotton candy and banana pastel tones that portrayed cartoon kitsch, whilst Halo & Co. opted for a truly flamboyant extravaganza of exploding liquorish swirls and jewelled Catherine wheels framing a quintessential British icon, the top hat. What a fantastic start! As the catwalk shows were staggered throughout the day, I used this period to visit the various exhibitors, getting up close and personal with the gowns. 2O13 brides you are going to be in for a treat. There was so much innova-
tion, flair and talent; it really was a whirlwind tour of beautiful bridal style. A few obvious inspirations jumped out at me including oodles of long lace sleeves, something tells me the Royal Wedding last year may have been the catalyst behind this refined twist on wedding glamour. Another key trend was button detailing à la Pippa’s bridesmaid dress, whilst the strong emphasis on intricate, delicate back detailing, made me think of Bella Swan’s infamous gown from the most recent installment of The Twilight Saga.
Sadoni
Victoria Kyriakides
Fa vo ur ite m om en ts ;
da nc in g fro nt row to ‘su per ca lif ra gi lis tic ex pia lid ocio us ’ at th e Ian St ua rt sh ow , try in g on Ar un a Se th ’s Sw ar ov sk i em be lli sh ed sh oes , ne ar ly ea tin g th e cu pc ak e sh ap ed ba th tre at s fro m Ni kk i Mc Fa rla ne , sp ott in g sev en tee n bu ye rs fro m Jap an all wa nt in g to try on go wn s fro m th e Al an Ha nn ah sta nd an d see in g th e fir st de liv ery of Co nf eti ma ga zi ne s be in g sn ap ped up be for e th e fir st sh ow ha d ev en sta rte d. Anoushka G
Joanna Heir
Terri Fox CONFETI 25
W hite Gallery L ondon Review Catwalk Review
Micro Trend The braid is still going strong, for an elegant twist opt for a plaited bun as seen at Anoushka G.
DAY
1
Everything from the vintage garden for dining in to the beautiful floral displays oozed high end glamour. However, why did I keep getting offered free cupcakes, doesn’t anyone realise I am supposed to be on a diet? So, what happened when I got home, yes, you guessed it, there was a cupcake in my goodie bag. What did I do? I ate it of course. With my diet now in ruins, I ate everything in sight on day two, which made the show all the more pleasurable. Day one got off to a glittering start with four stunning designer catwalk shows. Opening the schedule in his own inimitable style was Royal couturier Stewart Parvin. Simple silhouettes, minimal fuss and attention to detail produced a collection which made a strong style statement. Inspiration was provided by song titles spanning several decades including ‘Penny Lane,’ a short bustier style; ‘Crazy for You,’ a stunningly simple and elegant textured column; to ‘Wild Horses’ and ‘Avalon,’ both with fitted bodices and huge full skirts. The Ian Stuart show soon followed, he, as always, added a touch of high drama with his Supernova Bridal Collection. Accompanied by operatic arias, his full and flamboyant dresses wowed the audience with their breath-taking beauty. Layers of silk, tulle and lace were embellished with flowers, oversized bows, ruching and draping to create a star-studded collection of dresses that are sure to set the standard for the season to come. Most dramatic of all was a dress of epic proportions featuring festoons of floral print and a flower embellished parasol. The afternoon began with Alan Hannah, a show with a distinct retro influence, where paired down silhouettes harking back to the fabulous fifties and early sixties made an appearance. Sleek, long lines reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s style contrasted with fuller, more structured styles echoing the swagger and sway of Grace Kelly. Ornate lace, sinuous satin bows and carefully considered crystal beading provided subtle and well thought out detailing. Stealing the show was an ice white strapless column of embellished flowers finished with swathes of organza tulle.
26 CONFETI
Drawing the first day of the catwalk shows to a close was Anoushka G who took the audience on a glittering tour with her Around the World Collection calling at some of the most glamorous locations for inspiration. Fluid lines, a delicate pastel colour palette and a proliferation of delicate beads, flower motifs and detailing hinted at ports of call including South America, Japan, New York, 1920’s’ London and Venice.
Catwalk Review
DAY
2
Continuing to delight on day two, the first catwalk of the day saw Stephanie Allin present a lively, upbeat show with a guest appearance from Natalie Lowe from the BBCs Strictly Come Dancing who added great movement to the collection. Deceptively simple beaded lace comprised with bias cut satin to create perfect elegant columns punctuated with details highlighting the shoulders and waist. A clever use of gloss and matt saw a play on textures, adding further interest and subtle contrast whilst bolero style lace jackets and hints of delicate pastel colours in lilac, oyster, peach and old rose brought an extra contemporary dimension to the designs. In the afternoon, the British Talents show opened with Johanna Hehir who focused on a long, sleek silhou-
Alan Hannah ette defined by a clever use of pleating and intricate lace with fine bead detailing. Mia Mia’s simple, paired down look was complemented by intricate shoulder detailing and a clever use of ruffles and ruching. Hollywood Dreams/Chic by Hollywood Dreams presented a classically inspired collection featuring fitted bodices and contrasting billowing skirts highlighted by layering and asymmetric detailing. Hazaar of London’s designs delighted with their understated style statement and unique twist on traditional bridal wear which saw adaptable dresses with removable over and underskirts, transforming the brides look from day to evening. Blue Bridalwear’s modern retro range hinted at the 50’s and 60’s. Strong simple shapes in crisp clean fabrics contrasted with boxy lace jackets and Jackie O style bows. Highlights of Naomi Neoh’s collection included structured bodices giving way to floaty volu-
Micro Trend Embrace your feminine side and opt for elegant gloves.
Alan Hannah
W hite Gallery L ondon Review
minous layered skirts. Madeline Isaac-James added a tailored twist to some of her designs with neat collars and cuffs framing billowing sleeves, whilst soft lace trains added fluidity and movement. A selection from The Vintage Wedding Dress Company saw soft draping, antique lace and a number of romantic empire line styles. Closing the show was Terry Fox who played with colour introducing the audience to baroque inspired pieces featuring structured corsets and full skirts embellished with rock-style jewels in delicate gold, pistachio green and pastel pink.
Vivien Sheriff
The final show for 2012, International Flavours, commenced with Lusan Mandongus/Annasul Y showing a serene collection of intricate crystal encrusted soft lace gowns with structured strapless styles and flirty fishtail skirts. Elizabeth Stuart brought an infusion of colour with delicate honey tones and layers of organza petals and handkerchief hems adding body and movement. Sanyukta Shrestha’s simple lace coat dress embodied the long and lean silhouette whilst the showstopper came from an intricately pleated creation using original 1980’s
28 CONFETI
Victoria Kyriakides showed a comprehensive understanding of clever pattern cutting with layer upon layer of origami style shapes, pleats and ruffles, creating a very fashion forward collection further enhanced by paper origami gladiator inspired headdresses. The Yolan Cris look was defined by a dramatic use of trims and embellishments; heavily beaded fringes, ornate lace and macramé, festoons of beaded tulle and an abundance of flowers were all combined to create the final effect. Closing the catwalk was Victorio & Lucchino Novias/Raimon Bundo with an eclectic collection, which included a dramatic flamenco-inspired style in soft panelled satin edged in delicate lace and a design featuring a computerised graphic organza print. All in all it was an amazing experience and I am counting down the days till the next show.
:
ag contained
My goodie b
Micro Trend Flowers were everywhere, from adorning bridal updo’s to a pot plant in Ian Stuart’s goodie bag.
newspaper, with the design visible through layers of pleated organza and tulle. Kisui’s designs boasted intricate seaming detailing combined with soft textured jacquard fabrics producing a pure and understated contemporary collection .
ecklace Pandora N tch tenius Clu es W va it R s ng ri ar E ards es Polly Edw d chocolat an s w lo al Marshm Cupcakes Champers
Ian Stuart
Sanyukta Shrestha
Your Wedding inSpain You set the date.... we take care of the rest!
Your Complete Wedding from just €5.100 (approx. £4.400) for 40 persons, including: Wedding Details: Wedding Planner Church wedding or Seafront Blessing Bridal Flowers Hair & Make-up Photography Bridal Transport DJ Welcome Cocktail with Canapés Free pre-wedding stay* Taster meal Accommodation discounts*
Wedding Banquet: 3 course meal Free flowing wine & beer Wedding Cake Cava for speeches Wedding Planner Tea & Coffee Flower table centres Chair covers & ribbons Menus & table plan
... plus all the trimmings ! *Conditions apply.
Bespoke weddings are also available at our new beach venue Luna Beach Club. Contact our wedding coordinator Claire Mitchell for details: Tel: (+34) 952 579 410 Email: weddings@sunsetbeachclub.com
www.sunsetbeachclub.com Benalmádena Costa, Málaga, Spain
Seafront blessing
Banquet Room
ite Honeymoon Su
Designer P rofile
What Dreams ARE MADE Of... Stephanie Allin is one of the UK’s leading bridal fashion designers. In this exclusive interview with Nicola McGeorge, Stephanie shares her top bridal buying tips, her love of all things Welsh and her adoration for footballer and style icon David Beckham.
30 30 CONFETI
I studied...
Fashion and Textiles at Ravensbourne University and went on to work for many well known fashion brands in London. After I had started my family, I decided I wanted to move back to Wales and knew that pattern cutting and dress making were my strengths; 20 years ago I sold my first bridal collection to Harrods and it just went from there.
I am best known...
for advocating the most important element of a bridal dress, the ‘fit’. I believe a bride should radiate on her big day and her dress should be so comfortable and easy to wear that she doesn’t need to give it a second thought!
My latest collection was...
inspired by the romance of beautiful Morocco. Morocco is an oasis of variety and colours, from the beautiful tiled Riad courtyards to the tapestry of the Mosques and the old palace ruins. I really enjoyed incorporating the soft pinks, nudes, blues and golds into this year’s collection. Morocco is calm, inviting and pulsates traditional undertones much like our 2013 Night and Day collection.
My biggest I decided to achievement to specialise in date is... These days my shop in London. bridal because... opening It is something I have always brides are... I strongly believe bridal designwanted to do and we have been ing is the best job in the world! I knew that I had to work towards my strengths and designing well made, luxurious clothing is what I am good at! Being a bridal designer brings you great joy because you’re creating not just any dress but a dress the bride is going to treasure for the rest of her life.
open for three years now and I can’t imagine not having it! I am also really proud to represent the UK in other areas of Europe and America where our stockists are constantly growing.
aspiring more than ever to be unique. This is sometimes easier said than done as ultimately, most girls still want the traditional elements of a wedding dress but with a modern twist. This is the reason I create various pieces enabling brides to change their look throughout the day including jewelled shrugs and detachable skirts. CONFETI 31
I get my main inspiration from... brides. I love being in either of my shops and chatting with brides and finding out how they feel and what they want. I also keep very up to date with fashion and this definitely filters through to my designs with the use of colours and shapes.
We currently have...
two Stephanie Allin boutiques, one in Mumbles, South Wales and another in Marylebone, London. The Mumbles boutique is a great creative environment to be in as the showroom is on the ground floor and all of our seamstresses’ handmake the dresses on the first floor. The flagship store in Marylebone offers brides an equally good haven, a mixture of beautiful printed 32 32 CONFETI
wallpaper combined with a chaise longue covered in gorgeous fabric and vintage furniture gives the boutique a glamorous and luxurious feel. We’ve made our stores homely, private and comfortable so brides can spend time relaxing in the store and choosing their gown.
Every day is...
different and this is why I love doing my job. My day majorly depends on the time of year. In January and February I love spending time in my shops then come March I begin to research my new collection. I then design and make the collection though April and launch it in May. During the summer we work on our photo shoot before we gear up for our trade show in New York and this year Paris too. I also find time to fit in visits to my stockists for designer weekends in the UK and abroad, plus various industry awards and events. At the end of all of that, I also like to squeeze in some family time too.
My future ambitions are...
to continue expanding internationally and in the UK. This year will also see the launch of my eveningwear line and a six piece luxury collection. The luxury range will be exclusive to my London shop and available at the end of the year. My evening and occasion wear collection will be launched around the same time and available in my Mumbles and London boutiques. We are really looking forward to branching into evening wear.
My favourite bride has to be...
Queen Victoria as she was the first bride to wear a traditional white
wedding dress and popularised what we now consider to be a wedding dress. My best dressed bride however would have to be Mia Farrow when she married Frank Sinatra with her quirky Vidal Sassoon crop and lace mini dress.
My favourite Stephanie Allin celebrity bride so far is...
Irish actress Amy Huberman who married Irish rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll. She has been an inspiration to so many Irish brides (and British brides too). Unfortunately, we can’t talk about any current brides yet, you will have to wait and see!
The Stephanie Allin bride is...
a lady who loves delicate, vintage bridal dresses with soft corsetry and an impeccable fit. Our gowns are both fashionable yet traditional with a modern fashion forward twist. The typical Stephanie Allin bride is someone who seeks out quality, we only use luxurious fabrics and all of our lace comes from France or Italy. Our dresses are hand-made in Wales by a close-knit team of specialist bridal
artisans. I’m a big advocate for dresses that suit all bridal shapes. Our bride is someone who loves fashion but is not its slave.
I would love to dress...
Katherine Jenkins and Catherine-Zeta Jones, as being Welsh I’m a tiny bit biased. I love classic natural beauties such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton. Our Stephanie
Gina Kopac Real designer Bride graphy.co.uk oto ph Photo - silverton
CONFETI 33
Allin ‘Kelly’ dress is a great representation of a timeless gown. Inspired and named after Grace Kelly but at heart it is a modern dress which even includes pockets!!
For a destination wedding...
I don’t think a bride should change her style but she must be practical and comfortable on her big day. I suggest a bride wears something that isn’t too restricting and I also suggest a cotton petticoat for nice cool legs! 34 CONFETI
When choosing People would your dress... be surprised the choice can be overwhelming. that... I believe a bride should only invite people she really trusts and who will give her an honest opinion about her and not themselves. A bride should think about their style and what suits them but be willing to try on other designs they may initially rule out. Leave yourself plenty of time, do your research beforehand and only visit the appropriate shops. Do not get pressured into buying anything and most importantly, once you have found your dress, stop looking.
my favourite holiday is skiing! I am not one for lying on the beach. I much prefer to be on the slopes!
My fantasy top five front row runway guests would be... Coco Chanel, she’s a genius. Viviene Westwood as she is my
idol. Victoria and David Beckham; I admire Victoria’s transformation and I just admire David Beckham full stop! My final guest would be Kate Middleton as she is just such a great style icon.
A bride’s perfect dress would be...
a fitting gown that makes her feel a million dollars and enables her to twirl into the night!
stephanieallin.net
For you…
the star of the day, the bride…
Let us design the bouquet you always dreamt of! Flor Valentin your florist on the coast.
Centro Idea Ctra. de Mijas km 3,6 29650 Mijas Malaga, España Web: www.florvalentin.es / Email: janne@florvalentin.es Photo: Jeremy Standley
Tel: +34 951 311 086 / Mobile: +34 669 061 234
Exceptional Moments WEDDINGS 路 C E LE BR AT I O N S 路 H ON E Y MOO N S
For further information: +34 952 77 03 00 / reservasdonpepe@melia.com
Beauty CONFETI 37
Making Waves nothing like a hair disaster to upset a “There’s bride on her big day. Here’s my advice on how to ensure your hair style is just right for your beach wedding.
”
Award-winning celebrity hairdresser RICHARD WARD is one of the industry’s leading lights, and the media’s ‘most wanted’ hairdresser. Richard and his colleague James Pryce were responsible for Catherine Middleton’s hair on her wedding day.
Should a beach bride go with an on-trend look for her hair, or opt for a more classic style? If you are able to visit a bridal expert at the location, then there is no reason why you can’t opt for a more on-trend style. You can go for a classic look but beaches tend to be less formal so a half up, half down look would work well. I’d still suggest that you visit a UK hairdresser to talk over your dress and ideas and get them to help you practice the look in the salon. This way you will feel comfortable either doing it yourself or having some photos taken so you can talk it over with the expert in the country you’re marrying in. What are your tips for beating the frizz in the heat? You can either do this with products or with an in-salon treatment. The big news in salons is the Brazilian Keratin Smoothing Treatments (leading brands include KeraStraight and Keratin Smoothing Complex,) that will leave your hair frizz free for up to four months. It’s the perfect pre-honeymoon treatment as you don’t need to worry about spending ages on your hair when it gets wet. From a product point of view, you need an anti-humidity blocker hairspray that will ensure the hair doesn’t loose its moisture but holds the look. Alternatively, use a serum to tame the ends but only apply to the middle and ends of the hair.
Image Courtesy of stephanieallin.net 38 CONFETI
What about hair extensions for beach brides, yes or no? Definitely, it doesn’t have to be permanent though. You can opt for clip-ins or a weft for a one-day instant look that can easily be removed that night or the following morning. If you opt for extensions then I’d recommend you have your extensions applied at least two weeks before the day so you are aware of the maintenance and aftercare. They do take time to get used to so don’t be tempted to have them applied the day before! What are your top three hair tips for beach brides? • Practice your style with a hair dresser before you go • Chose a style that compliments your dress • Have a back up plan should any thing go wrong! What are your top 3 must-have hair products for beach brides? • Use a humidity product to ensure frizz is kept at bay. My Seasons Summer Protect Treatment Programme contains a de-humidifying spritz which is perfect for hot weather and beach weddings. • A travel brush/comb for last minute touch ups. • An intensive conditioner for prep the night before, try my Couture Hair Clay Mineral Masque (£23). To book an appointment at the Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa, call 020 7730 1222 or visit richardward.com
plastic surgery aesthetic medicine dental aesthetics Oral & maxillOfacial surgery
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)
WINNER of ESSENTIAL MARBELLA
AWARDS
2010 & 2011
Av. Ramon y Cajal, 7 - 29600 Marbella 0034 951 775 518 - Mob : 670 770 455 info@oceanclinic.net - www. oceanclinic.net
Celebrity makeup artist ARIANE POOLE, whose clients have included everyone from Penelope Cruz to Uma Thurman, answers your bridal dilemmas.
Photo courtesy of ozlemsuer.com
Beauty Crush
40 CONFETI
How can a destination bride know what shade of foundation is best for her? Most brides getting married abroad want to have golden bronze skin for their wedding day. This however could mean that your traditional foundation is the wrong colour for your skin on the day of the wedding. If you have been lying in the sun or enjoyed a spray tan, your skin will be darker than normal. A good way to alter your foundation to match your skin tone is to add a liquid bronzer, mix it in with your foundation to achieve the correct colour. Alternatively, a powder bronzer can also be used following your foundation. My Ariane Poole Concealer Palate is also useful in this situation as it contains three shades ideal for achieving an exact match. What advice do you have for a destination brides who want to have a healthy tan but doesn’t want to expose their face to the sun unprotected? Always use a high spf! I would always suggest a false tan over a real one prior to your wedding as you don’t want to be burnt to a crisp on your wedding day.
Even the slightest burn is hard to disguise with make-up. When you burn your skin, it radiates heat, so when you apply make-up on top it will just melt off. It’s much better to be safe than sorry and you can purchase some brilliant fake tanning products these days. How can you get the most out of a pre-wedding make-up session? I would always advise brides to take a picture along to their pre wedding make-up session of a celebrity whose make-up you like as it will give the make-up artist a much clearer idea of your vision. For example, if a client brings along a picture of Kim Kardashian, (which happens a lot,) I know she wants her eyes emphasized. If you are just having a make-up lesson, make sure you learn as much as you can. Let the makeup artist show you, but ensure you physically apply the make-up yourself. You don’t want to just watch and then struggle when you try to achieve the look yourself on your special day. Ariane is available for bridal make-up master classes. For more information go to arianepoole.com
Because you’re beautiful!
+ Breast Augmentation
+ Liposuction
+ Breast Uplift
+ Facial Injections
+ Breast Reduction
+ Face Lifts
+ Tummy Tuck
+ Eyebag Removal
+ Buttock Augmentation
+ Rhinoplasty
Book your FREE consultation
Cosmetic surgery procedures for Brides To Be
(+34) 952 895 088 in English (+34) 662 936 058 en EspaĂąol Dr. Marco Vricella is Director of the Aesthetic Surgery unit at HC Marbella Private Hospital.
Cosmetic Surgery
|
Gibraltar
e: info@ariamedicalgroup.com
www.ariamedicalgroup.com
|
Marbella
|
Madrid
Local Beauty Bites
pierrerichardsonphotography.com
Pretty Perfect
Diana and Jessica of Lavish Hair & Make-Up talk us through one of their favourite bridal looks of the season. THE HAIR Diana - Our bride, Michelle, wanted her romantic wedding theme to continue through to her hair and make-up. As I am something of a perfectionist, I corrected her hair colour a few days before the wedding, using two different shades of blonde foils. As Michelle’s hair is very fine, and also taking the heat into consideration, we opted for an up style. On the day itself, we started with wet hair. Normally if a stylist is putting hair up, we prefer to work with dry hair, however I had to work really hard on the roots to achieve lift which is why I opted to start with
it wet. This was followed by heated rollers, which meant I didn’t need to back comb very much as her hair then fell into plenty of romantic curls, ideal for holding the tiara in place. THE MAKE-UP Jessica - Michelle wanted a very natural, sun kissed look. We decided on a full set of lashes to bring out her eyes, which I applied on the day of the wedding to make sure that they looked fresh. For foundation, I opted for Dior Airflash, one of my favourite products. It gave Michelle the makeup free feel that
she was after, yet it still offered great coverage whilst leaving a flawless finish. For Michelle’s eyes, I chose soft colours; light gold for the shine, beige with a light brown in the middle of the lid and a highlighter just under the eyebrow. I darkened the brows to give more definition and created a natural flush on her cheeks using a soft Chanel blusher. The perfect pout was created using Dior Crystal in light pink with a plain Dior lip pump on top. To complement the false lashes, I added a tiny bit of waterproof mascara on the bottom
Well Made up Photos by jeremystandley.com 42 CONFETI
I must admit, I always have a tissue ready at this point. Thank god for waterproof mascara.” In addition to providing her clients with beautiful hair and make-up for weddings, she also helps to bring out a woman’s beauty for other occasions including anniversaries, special dinners, portraits and events. “My training is constant in order to keep at the top of my game, with
THE UNVEILING We both loved Michelle’s total look, the dress, hair, make-up and flowers were beautiful, all coming to together to create the perfect look. She was so delighted that Lavish offer a dressing and finish service, enabling us to stay until the very end, ensuring her day was extra special. +34 622 192 507 hairandmakeupbylavish.com
this high definition make-up offers a flawless, smooth and natural finish and requires no touch up’s, whatever the weather, making it ideal for a destination wedding.
Professional wedding make-up and hair specialist, Kathryn Parr works her magic throughout the south coast of Spain, the UK and Ireland.
One of the most booked wedding hair and make-up technicians on the coast, Kathryn is extremely passionate about what she does. “I offer all my clients an unsurpassed level of service and professionalism from their first email to the most important day of all,” she explained. “The most amazing part for me, is when the family and friends see the bride for the first time in her wedding dress,
eyelashes. I finished our bride’s soft and romantic look with Clinique Dusting Powder to set everything in place.
frequent trips to the internationally acclaimed London School of Hair and Make up to further my goals and professional standards.” Kathryn works with an array of luxury products including MAC, Armani, Bobbi Brown, Guerlain, NARS, Fudge and Schwarzkopf, all personally selected to offer the finest results. This year Kathryn is also pleased to introduce Airbase;
Kathryn has had the pleasure of transforming an array of brides from all around Europe. “Everyone was commenting on how fabulous my hair and make-up was,” exclaimed Sinead, a thankful Irish bride, “I felt beautiful; looking at the pictures they say it all. So many brides out there who are as nervous as I was and cannot decide on hairstyles – there is no need to worry, Kathryn is a real professional who will give you an honest opinion and have your hair and make-up looking perfect.” That is one of the great advantages of entrusting Kathryn with your hair and make-up, her endless experience guarantees you complete peace of mind as you can rest assured that she will only select styles and products which will leave you feeling like true royalty. Spain + 34 607 717 523 UK +44 7875 447721 kathrynparr.com kathrynparr.co.uk
DROP A DRESS SIZE
before your
BIG DAY
E .
veryone wants to look their best on their wedding day and sometimes that means shifting that few extra pounds. The Lipo Room’s Universal Contour Wrap is the ideal way to tackle those stubborn inches that the gym just can’t shift. This scientifically proven treatment guarantees a loss of at least 6 inches in just 2 hours, making it the perfect pre-wedding solution. The Universal Contour Wrap doesn’t just deliver exceptional inch loss; the unique clay formula and special wrapping techniques also tighten and tone your body while exfoliating and cleansing the skin ensuring not only do you look fantastic your also feel great. Developed by Dr Richard Strem, the treatment involves being wrapped in 25-30 elasticated bandages that have been pre-soaked in a warm, mineral-rich clay solution. It takes less than 45 minutes to be measured and wrapped, this is
44 CONFETI
then followed by a short power plate workout to get your metabolism moving. After the work out all you have to do is relax and let the bandages sculpt and tone your body while the minerals are absorbed into your skin and the clay draws out toxins to leave you feeling and looking your best. Unlike other inch loss treatments the Universal Contour Wrap doesn’t rely on dehydration to get results. In fact to maximize your personal results you’re encouraged to drink plenty of water after treatments to continue the inch loss, detox and cleansing process. The Universal Contour Wrap continues working long after you’ve stepped out of the doors of The Lipo Room. After you’ve been wrapped, the special clay solution remains in the pores of the skin so the detoxification and tightening process can continue for three to four days, giving further inch loss. While inch loss is substantially noticeable after
just one treatment to experience the full benefits a course of wraps is recommended and these should be taken a minimum of 7-10 days apart. If you are looking to tone up before your wedding, aim to commence your treatments a month prior to the big day. Inch loss is cumulative and the average overall loss is around 25 inches after just three treatments.
is known as ‘passive exercise’ bypassing the signals normally delivered from the brain that activate the muscles during exercise. This signal finds the nerves and provides an interrupted current that contracts the muscles and then relaxes them. By combining the Arasys and The Universal Contour Wrap dropping a dress size prior to your wedding is within easy reach.
In addition to the Universal Contour Wrap, The Lipo Room also offer the Arasys inch loss system; an excellent component for the wrap to increase your overall inch loss. Arasys is a handmade electronic device created and manufactured by the co-inventor of the first pacemaker, Gerry Pollock. This high intensity inch loss treatment provides the equivalent of over 330 sit-ups in a 17-minute treatment reducing hips, thighs, buttocks and stomach. It is the best all round body toning system with proven results. The Arasys creates what
Now that you are feeling slim and toned why not speak to The Lipo Room’s head hair stylist, Charlie Kathleen Coyle to complete your bridal makeover. With eight years’ experience and having previously worked for Tony and Guy, Charlie offers everything from highlights to colour correction, restyling and up do’s. Whether you are looking for a head-turning change or a simple trim, Charlie will ensure you walk out of the door feeling a million dollars. Lipo Room +34 952 906 688
davidtoms-weddings.com
Real Weddings
luckygirlphotography.com
CONFETI 47
Real Weddings
Darling Buds OF MAY Kara and Gary hosted their romantic ceremony and glamorous reception at Sala Beach.
OUR LOVE STORY I met Gary in Marbella when I was 17, initially my twin sister Charley hated him but I was besotted. Despite Charley’s many failed attempts to keep us apart, we became a couple and he even moved in with us. Gary and I went on to have two beautiful boys and decided to settle in Marbella. We finally decided to get married for a series of reasons. After ten years together, introducing each other as boyfriend and girlfriend was getting a little embarrassing and not very romantic. Also we wanted our children to grow up with their parents in a strong relationship and I wanted to share their name. We chose to get married this year, as Archie, our eldest, was starting junior school and we wanted to have everything completed before he began. When it came to the venue we didn’t even discuss other options; it was always Sala Beach. We wanted Charley to plan the wedding, as my twin sister and my maid of honour, I knew she would ensure everything was more than perfect but with her dedication to her job, I knew it we held it somewhere else she would never have the time to organise it!
THE BIG DAY On the day of the wedding, the weather was incredible, so hot. We had been been concerned as earlier in the week it was set to rain and we contemplated a last minute 48 CONFETI
marquee but thankfully there was no need. The opposite actually! Our limo was 20 minutes late so my poor guests had to sit in the heat, luckily Charley had sorted out fans to keep them cool, a touch everyone was extremely grateful for. Never forgetting anything, Charley had even bought pashminas for the evening in case the temperature dropped; that girl thinks of everything! We had always wanted the wedding to exude a completely relaxed atmosphere and thankfully with the wonderful beach location, we achieved just that. To complement this, the groomsmen didn’t wear ties and had an open collar. My two boys didn’t even end up wearing their jackets as they were so hot; such a shame as they looked so cute in them! We decided to follow the American approach for our ceremony; my bridesmaids walked down the aisle
before me, accompanied by their groomsmen, and then took their place at either side of the alter. The harpist Anna Lenkowska Sargeant sung Pie Jesus Ava Maria as I walked down the aisle and Lizzie Marriage conducted a wonderful ceremony, everyone was so emotional, including myself. I was so grateful we had selected Anna as
her performance really emphasised the love and deep feelings Gary and I have for each other. I was so overwhelmed throughout the entire experience and I hadn’t located my Uncle (whom I am very close to) in the crowd; he had flown from England especially for the wedding, so when Lizzy asked us to say something special to each other,
instead of saying something deep and meaningful I said “love you babe, do you know where my uncle is?” You could say Gary wasn’t exactly blown away by my speech, quite understandably! Charley was sobbing throughout the whole service; I think the release of everything was too much for her. Archie my son performed his duties perfectly, he is a very shy boy but he stood up in front of everyone and handed the rings over. Gary and I had tears of pride at this moment and we both felt very blessed to have such a beautiful family.
of humour on the day was amazing and completely put me at ease. He also made my mum look wonderful, she didn’t look that good on her wedding day! Plus he made all my bridesmaids feel stunning, which was very important to me. He is truly an artist and I am going to continue to stalk him for years to come. If he thinks he has rid of me now the day is over, he’s got another think coming!
We did order some rice butterflies for my guests to throw as we walked back up the aisle but unfortunately they didn’t arrive in time, which I was a little disappointed about as I think they would have looked wonderful in the pictures. However, Lara who had organised and supplied all the decorations, quickly rushed to her boutique and supplied some purple and while confetti, saving the day!
My dress was a long, fitted Pronovias gown with a magnificent veil. I had told Gary my dress was very ‘Big Fat Gypsy Weddings’ as I know that isn’t his preferred style. He told me after the wedding he thought I was late because the bridesmaids were trying to carry my dress and fit it through the door! I think he was very pleasantly surprised when I turned up in a fitted gown. When we had a moment to talk after the ceremony, he told me he knew I would look beautiful, but not that beautiful! He always knows the right things to say!
ALL ABOUT THE GIRLS
PURPLE REIGN
For the girls we channelled a Grecian vibe with the hair and the dresses; Jonathan Yeadon, our hairdresser from Reflections, ensured everyone was perfect. Just his presence and incredible sense
Our colour scheme throughout was royal purple, I had initially started with tangerine however when we went shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses, the girls found one in royal purple that they adored, so, wanting them to feel comfortable, I changed
CONFETI 49
the colour scheme. However the girls then changed their mind on the dress AGAIN after I had bought it, but I had already ordered the invitations and flowers so decided to stick with the purple theme. Janne, from Flor Valentin provided my flowers, they were amazing, and everything I could have ever hoped for. She took my ideas and transformed them into reality; I would recommend her to anyone looking to get married, she really does make all your dreams come true.
Kara’s Address Book Bride’s Dress: Pronovias pronovias.es Shoes: Jimmy Choo jimmychoo.com Ring Cushion, Jewellery: Olivier Laudus olivierlaudus.com
SALA SPECTACLE We opted for a buffet as I wanted to continue the relaxed ambience. The food was incredible, the next day my friends and I sat discussing it and wishing we could eat it all over again. I turned vegan two weeks before the wedding, much to Charley’s annoyance, so unfortunately there was a lot of the food I couldn’t eat, but the wonderful chefs were exceptionally accommodating and made me a tofu curry and stir-fry. The cupcakes were also to die for. As vegan, I shouldn’t eat cake but with myths hanging over the importance of the first bite, I took the plunge and had a taste. Charley had another little surprise for us; a gingerbread bride and groom, which although wasn’t something I would have thought of, I loved it because it was very ‘Charley’.
TREASURED MOMENTS Gary and I danced to Heaven by DJ Sammy for our first dance; the song has a lot of meaning for us because when we first met we would dance to the up-tempo version on the dance floor in nightclubs. Charley and Penny joined us on the floor, as did both mothers. The emotion of that moment brought me to tears, and I remember leaning over and kissing Charley. To us, that moment symbolized her giving me to Gary, finally and officially, which of course then made us both cry even more. Charley and I have such a bond. We are both headstrong and opinionated, and because she was so focused on making the wedding perfect for me, we argued a fair amount throughout the run up to the big day, so for that reason I am glad it has passed. I am so delighted with the way the pictures (and the video) turned out, they always say your pictures are the only part of your wedding 50 50 CONFETI
Bridesmaids’ Dresses, Mother of the Bride’s Dress, Groom and Groomsmen Suits, Children’s Suits: Santos y Eva santosyevanovios.com Venue: Sala Beach salabeach.com Flowers: Flor Valentin florvalentin.es Hair: Jonathan Yeadon at Reflections reflectionsmarbella.com you can physically keep forever and I am so delighted we opted for Gary Tapp to capture our special day. He and the videographer, Rebecca, were incredible. Rebecca treated it as it was her own wedding and even stayed longer to ensure she had all the shots she wanted. My favourite photo has to be the one of Gary and I strolling along the paseo holding the boys hands. We didn’t even realise that Gary Tapp was there, subsequently when I saw the photo I burst into tears, again.
KEEPING WITH TRADITION By the time Gary and I had our pictures taken, he was slightly inebriated and kept standing on my dress! We had decided we weren’t going to drink very much as we didn’t want to start married life hungover but because the limo was late, Gary got a little restless and had a drink so I had to try and catch up. However I think I started too late as by the time it
came to 11pm, my eyes were closing. Jenny, one of my bridesmaids, kept telling me funny stories to try and stop me yawning! Wanting to keep with the American tradition and depart before our guests, we left just after 11pm and headed home. The rest of the party continued in our absence and all the guests and bridesmaids made their way to Linekers in their dresses and suits!
Harpist: Anna Lenkowska Sargeant harpmarbella.com Photographer and Videographer: Gary Tapp yourweddingmoments.com
PRODUCTION
&
DJs & Groups Stages & Dancefloors Event Management Sound & Lighting Audiovisuals Decoration Chillout Furniture
CATERING
Private Parties Cocktail Receptions Luxury Private Dining Weddings Corporate Catering Chef at Home Bar at Home
www.chezvous.es 路 info@chezvous.es +34 667 341 809
Real Weddings
A Love so True
El Oceano Beach Hotel offered the ultimate romantic backdrop for Holly and Paul’s timeless bash.
THE STORY BEGINS
HOME SWEET HOME…
Paul and I met several years ago; our mums have been friends for many years and had tried to set us up on numerous occasions but never succeeded. With Paul being a mechanic, he was my point of contact when I had problems with my car, however it wasn’t until the second time he came around to fix my vehicle that our eyes met. My mum wanted to thank Paul for everything he had done to help me so we went for dinner and from that day forward we have been inseparable. A year later, Paul decided to take me on a surprise trip to Tarifa, we had a lovely weekend away and it was there he popped the famous question. I immediately burst into tears and stood speechless. It had always been a family joke that Paul would never get married or fall in love; therefore I was more than ecstatic when I saw him bend down on one knee with my beautiful ring. We decided to start planning straight away as Paul has a big family and we wanted to ensure everybody would able to attend the wedding. We determined that one year would be plenty of time to sort everything out.
We both moved to Spain many years ago and have made a wonderful life for ourselves, so we thought where better to get married than our home town. We have beautiful sunshine and glorious beaches and it offered us a great opportunity to show all our family where we live.
52 CONFETI
I decided on the El Oceano Beach Hotel as we often visit their pool to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. I have always wanted a wedding
on the beach and El Oceano ticked all the boxes. We opted for the blessing to take place on the stunning Waterfront terrace followed by a cocktail hour around the Polynesian pool. The reception was also to be held on the terrace which by then would be transformed into a sumptuous dining area overlooking the sea, a more impressive place to dine would be hard to imagine. The proceedings would include top class live entertainment by the resident pianist and vocalist, the one and only Johnny Baker who would also become the Master of Ceremonies, plus guest acts and the amazing Quike Navarro on the electric house violin to get the party started.
A RED HOT AFFAIR I wanted a traditional wedding, everything from the way we were dressed to the order of ceremonies. My main concern was the smooth running of the day and that the guests enjoyed themselves as many of them had travelled far to attend our wedding. Our colour theme was red and ivory and I opted for roses for my flowers. I knew I didn’t want a typical Scouse wedding or anything too ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding,’ so I was very careful when accessorizing to ensure tradition and simplicity exuded from the entire occasion. My only sparkly touch was a few low key diamantes in my flowers and petals on the tables.
Holly’s Address Book
When I met with my florist, I thought it was going to be a simple procedure as I knew exactly what I wanted; red roses! However when she presented me with a book containing ten different shades of red roses, I began to realise it was a little more complicated than I had expected! Being my fussy self, I wanted everything to match, so I ended up taking my bridesmaid’s dress into the shop so we could pick an exact match. To continue the theme throughout, I selected invitations featuring red roses and my table plan was embellished with a large red rose in the top corner.
Bride’s Dress: santosyevanovios.com Wedding Shoes: Sparkling Decoration Bridesmaid’s Dresses: hobbs.co.uk Hair: Jonathan at Reflections reflectionsmarbella.com Make-Up: Estrella Hair and Beauty Groom’s Suit: johnemonk.co.uk Wedding Cake: weddingcakesinspain.co.uk
For our wedding attire, Paul, my father and the groomsmen all wore matching grey suits with tails. Paul also wore ivory neckwear and a red buttonhole to match my dress and our flowers, whilst the remaining groomsmen wore red neckwear to match the bridesmaid dresses and ivory buttonholes to match the flowers. When it came to my dress, I managed to narrow it down to two options; a slim fitting Spanish style dress covered in lace embroidery and a classic English style dress with a long train. After having tried both dresses on a variety of times, I opted for the English style dress as I felt more comfortable in it. I needed something to complete my ensemble so I selected a veil to add that that final ‘je ne sais quoi.’
Flowers: flowersinconline.com Decorations: partypeoplemarbella.com Celebrant: marriageweddingservices.com Venue: oceanohotel.com
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED I think my favourite moment was walking down the aisle with my dad knowing how proud he was and seeing Paul looking as handsome as ever at the altar. I was extremely emotional and my stomach was filled with butterflies; nothing has ever felt that amazing.
Photographer: davidtomsphotography.com
We decided to venture onto the beach to have our pictures taken; it was unbelievably surreal, the waves were splashing up the beach and the wind was blowing in my hair, I felt like I was in a movie. What more could a girl ask for?
CONFETI 53
Real Weddings
ALL THINGS
Bright & Beautiful
Vibrant pops of colorful hues and a beach side venue were the ideal combination for Lisa and Helal’s vibrant celebration.
EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON Myself and Helal had been together for 14 years when we visited The Sunset Beach Club in Benalmadena, Spain. Little did we know that on that trip we would make one of the biggest decisions of our lives. As fate would have it, we stumbled across a blessing being set up on the promenade across from the hotel. It was such a beautiful, romantic setting with the sun and the sea that it stirred something in Helal and when we came back to Ireland he proposed to me. Although I hadn’t ever entertained the thought of getting married in Spain, I agreed with him that it was the ideal place to say our vows. I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about the weather and there was something about a blue sky and the blue sea that just screamed perfect to me, plus we could combine it with a big family holiday. We knew there would be around ten children attending the wedding and as The Sunset Beach Club is very child friendly I knew it was the ideal choice. Next I needed a planner so I contacted Kerry from Celebrations in Spain. I had heard great things about her and knew that she had very high standards. This was important to me as it meant I could trust any of her recommendations for other wedding vendors and I just knew I would be in good hands. I am a bit of 54 CONFETI
a perfectionist and to be able to trust someone else with my wedding was a big deal for me.
RAINBOW BRIGHT We wanted a relaxed fun wedding, where family and friends could come and enjoy themselves and sample great food, plenty of drink and celebrate our special day with us. We wanted plenty of colour as Helal is from Bangladesh so this would inject touches of his culture into our wedding. We decided on a scheme of pink, purple and orange as these colours are vibrant and fun.
The bridesmaids wore fuchsia chiffon dresses while I wore an ivory lace dress. We all carried bouquets of pink and orange mini gerberas and purple lisanthus. The hotel did a great job decorating the room with pink, orange and purple balloons as well as chair sashes, which gave it that relaxed fun feel we were after. The men wore grey lightweight suits which we had hired and brought to Spain with us while the pageboys wore linen shirts and shorts and funky white converse trainers.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT This is where the Sunset Beach Club really excelled. Helal is a chef and is very fussy, meaning the food was always going to be a very important factor in our wedding, however, I need not have worried. The food was delicious and there wasn’t a dry glass in the house. They really took care of our guests and treated them in the same way in which we would have treated them in our own home.
Lisa’s Address Book Wedding Dress and Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Bridal Corner bridalcorner.ie Hair: venushairdesign.es
ALL A FLUTTER My uncle made our wedding cake in Ireland so we brought it over with us. He had also made my Mum and Dad’s wedding cake, which made it all the more special to me. It was decorated with pink, orange and purple butterflies. My Mum passed away in 2007 and had always said to me that she would come back as a butterfly, so we had opted for the butterfly decor to represent her and to keep her with us on our wedding day.
SPECIAL MOMENTS I booked flamenco dancers as a surprise for everyone. Nobody knew about it until they came in and start banging on the wooden floors which really created a wow factor. Another highlight was when our photographer, Bob Long, took us to a local park for our
romantic photographs. As he was snapping away about six or seven teenage boys passed by on Segways and all started
humming the ‘Here Comes the Bride’ tune. It was totally out of the blue and really put a smile on my face.
Make-Up: Sharon Crutchley Suits: Protocol protocolformen.com Wedding Planner: Celebrations in Spain celebrationsinspain.com Venue: The Sunset Beach Club sunsetbeachclub.com Wedding Cake: morningfresh.ie Flowers: Bunches Florist bunchesspain.com Flamenco Dancers: Dani Romero Flamenco Group, Nerja DJ: Ian Preston ianprestonentertainment.com Celebrant: Padre Peter padrepeter1@gmail.com Photographer: Bob Long spanishweddingphotos.com
CONFETI 55
Real Weddings
Forever Yours Lush botanical gardens set the scene for Sarah and Nick’s family orientated wedding in Gibraltar.
IT STARTED WITH A KISS Nick and I met through mutual friends in Gibraltar in the summer of 2009. Although he is a ‘local’ his family had relocated to the UK and he was set to join them. We managed to build up a friendship over email and after he moved I visited him whenever I was in the UK. Six months later Nick turned up on my doorstep and declared that he was moving back to Gibraltar to be with me, he was always the romantic! The following Christmas we visited the magical Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and Nick arranged for us to soar 60 meters in the air over London on the giant observation wheel. When we reached the top he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
A WISH COME TRUE For years I have known that I wanted get married in The Alameda, Botanical Gardens in Gibraltar. Years ago I went to a charity function there and the
56 CONFETI
theatre had been decorated with twinkling lights and looked so beautiful. Over Christmas my mum had been given the news that her ongoing illness was taking a turn for the worse, so we decided to move the wedding forward in order to give us the best chance of having all our family and friends there on our special day. This gave me only five months to plan a wedding from start to finish and I really didn’t want to give up on my dream day. I knew I needed some help and this is where Emily from Tarifa Weddings stepped in. The first time we met she asked about my vision, I knew I wanted traditional parts and an initial ‘WOW’ factor but with an evening of drinking and relaxed fun. Within an hour she was showing me pictures of exactly what she could put together, it was like she was pulling the ideas straight from my mind. Emily was such an easy person to work with; throughout the whole process, every time I had any problems she put my mind at rest and resolved any issues immediately. We finally
agreed on the Alameda Theatre for the ceremony and the colonial style Rock Hotel for our wedding breakfast.
STANDOUT STYLE When it came to picking colours and outfits for the wedding I caved into Nick’s demand for red. He is a huge Manchester United fan and insisted on having a red theme for the day. I managed to tone this down to dark red bridesmaid dresses and dark red touches throughout the day. However, I didn’t really know what style of wedding I wanted until I found ‘the dress’. The gown I wore on my big day was one the sales assistant asked me to try on; I hadn’t even picked it out. It was nothing like I imagined I would choose, but I’ll never forget the look on my bridesmaids’ and on my mum’s face when I walked out in it. It was a princess dress and ultimately dictated the theme for the rest of our wedding. We incorporated sparkles from my dress into everything from the bridesmaid dresses to Nick’s cravat. As the gardens are full with so many wonderful flowers and our outfits all had so much sparkle I tried to keep our flowers and cake simple.
I had the idea that I wanted a simple cake but with diamond broaches as toppers. These were to be given to friends and family as keepsakes at the end of the night. Many people turned their noses up at the idea as it was difficult to imagine but everyone agreed that the cake was something spectacular and it fitted in beautifully with the day. I expect that for most brides their wedding day is a very stressful time but because I had Emily and her team I wasn’t worried about a thing. Everything was taken care of and I could concentrate on making treasured memories with my family. Throughout the whole day Emily really went above and beyond my expectations and we will both always be very grateful for all she did for us.
GOLDEN MOMENTS As Nick is a drummer and many of his friends are musicians, music was always going to play a big part in our day. When one of his closest friends decided to write a song for our first dance we knew that it would be very special and unique. However, I didn’t realize how emotional it would be and all three of us just about managed to hold the tears until the dance was over.
Sarah’s Address Book Wedding Outfits: Couture Bride & Groom couturebrideandgroom.co.uk Wedding Shoes: Gina, London gina.com Photographer & Videographer: John Green johnpv.com Beauty Treatments: Atlantic Suites Spa atlanticsuiteshealthclub.gi Cake: Kelvin & Mandy Cake Creations cake-creation.webgarden.com Flowers: Stephanie Florist stephanieflorist.gi Wedding Ceremony & Reception: The Alameda Theatre, Botanical Gardens gibraltargardens.gi Wedding Breakfast: The Rock Hotel rockhotelgibraltar.com Invitations: Special Day Direct specialdaydirect.co.uk Wedding Planner: Tarifa Weddings tarifaweddings.com CONFETI 57
Real Weddings
My First, My Last,
My Everything
Emma and Mick soared to the top of the rock for their playful party at the Mons Calpe Suite.
UP IN THE AIR When it came to planning our wedding we knew we wanted to get married abroad. We considered a variety of locations, however, there were always complications; residential requirements, long flights etc. Deciding to search, ‘easy legalities,’ was what brought Gibraltar to our attention. Budget airlines and good hotel deals for our guests ticked many of our boxes and when we saw the photos of the Mons Calpe Suite we were sold. Where else can you spend your wedding day looking out over the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic, Gibraltar, Morocco and Spain in such a gorgeous, modern and exclusive venue? We really did feel on top of the world, and our guests said they felt like VIP’s. We kept our venue as a surprise to the majority of our guests and they were all amazed when the cable car took them to the top of the rock. It is such an amazing venue and was worth every penny.
58 CONFETI
Emma’s Address Book Bride’s Dress: blissweddingservices.co.uk Jewellery: jonrichard.com Hair: Jasmine Carlin Make-Up: Phoenix Faces Flowers: silkblooms.co.uk Wedding Cake: sweetthingsbyfi.com Caricaturist: Alfredo experienceboxspain.com Wedding Planner: medweddings.com Videographer: johnpv.com
STANDOUT STYLE
Photography: luckygirlphotography.com
I adored my ‘Adorae’ dress by Sottero and Midgley, however it was the complete opposite to what I set out to buy. I had originally wanted a lace A-line dress with straps and I ended up with a tight fitting strapless satin dress. On the day I felt like a million dollars, although I couldn’t breathe! Our colour scheme from the start was ivory, orange and silver. I knew very early on that I wanted orange bridesmaid dresses. I was looking for a particular shade and a certain style, however I couldn’t find any off the rack, hence I decided to have them made. I sourced some gorgeous silk chiffon with a matching lining and then found a local dressmaker who made the dresses for me based on pictures and drawings I had sent to her. Our flower girl’s dress was by Pearce II Fionda at Debenhams, it had lots of little gems sewn onto the fabric to tie in with the embellishments on my dress. Mick didn’t want to dress up in a morning suit and cravat; he is too trendy for that! It took a lot of persuasion for him to even wear a tie. In the end I got my way and ran out the day before we left for Gibraltar to buy him one. For his outfit we finally decided on a waistcoat and trousers. Mick is not a long sleeved shirt or a shoe man, so he chose a rolled sleeve shirt, and wore his trademark shoes, Converse All Stars pumps.
Ceremony: gibraltargardens.gi Reception: monscalpesuite.com
A SPRITZ OF GLITZ When it came to flowers, I knew I wanted my favourite flower, orchids. In the end we opted for artificial, as orchids are very delicate and I feared they would wilt in the heat. I also wanted to be able to use them for our party at home and to be able to keep them as a reminder of our day.
work and she was so accommodating. I have a gluten and wheat intolerance and she was more than happy to use a wheat free recipe. In the flesh Fiona’s cakes are even more amazing than in the pictures and it completely surpassed my expectations, the detail of the sugar orchids were particularly amazing, and the gluten free cake was delicious!
Instead of favours we decided to hire a caricaturist, this was the best decision I have ever made. There were no moments of boredom waiting for food as Alfredo entertained everyone with his talented artwork, plus the uproars of laughter once the pictures were revealed were an added bonus. We hired him for three hours and he managed to draw all 40 of our guests in that time.
I’LL NEVER FORGET
Keeping with our unique vision, I decided on cupcakes, instead of a traditional tiered cake. I selected Sweet Things by Fi as I adore her
The Suite’s iPod and Bose sound system was ideal for playing our favourite songs during the reception.
Our second to last dance was Rule the World by Take That, followed by Never Forget also by Take That, as you can tell I’m a big fan! The band were a big part of my childhood and my wedding wouldn’t be my wedding without Take That filling the room. One of the reasons I chose Never Forget was because it is always played at the end of the band’s concerts and I had a vision of all our family and friends dancing along at the end of our wedding. Well, I wasn’t disappointed, it was a fantastic moment. CONFETI 59
Real Weddings
Beauty
The Beach
Sonia and Alexis chose the relaxed surroundings of the world renowned Nikki Beach Marbella to make their lifelong promises.
IT STARTED WITH A SIGN Alexis and I met eight years ago when he started his post graduate studies at the Sorbonne University in Seville. Although he was born and raised in France, his parents are originally from my home town, Carmona near Seville. We become friends in the autumn of 2004 when we were introduced by a mutual friend. The very first night we met, we clicked and ended up talking until dawn and exchanging phone numbers, but it wasn´t until a week later when we both happened to text each other at the same time on the same day suggesting getting together. The coincidence of the messages felt like a sign and our love story began.
A SEA OF WHITE When it came to planning our big day we decided on a destination wedding and looked at 60 CONFETI
a castle in France. However we soon changed our mind deciding that we wanted the sea to play an important part in our wedding day. Next we searched the Algarve in Portugal before finally looking at the Andalucían coast. When we first laid our eyes on Nikki Beach we fell in love with it; the décor, the ambiance and the proximity to the sea was exactly what we had been looking for. The minute we walked through the door, both of us pictured ourselves getting married by candlelight with all our friends and family all dressed in white.
WHEN ONLY LOUBOUTINS WILL DO Nikki Beach suited our vision for a formal, relaxed wedding and we stuck to that theme throughout. We opted for touches of blue and purple to highlight the water and carried this through into our flowers selecting violet
special mention should also be saved for the event team at Nikki Beach who assisted seamlessly and whose experience of such events gave us great confidence and peace of mind. Our ceremony was carried out by a friend of the family and also featured readings about our life together read by those closest to us which made it all the more special. We also personalized the menu injecting influences from Alexis´ home country such as foie gras, champagne and macaroons. When it came to thanking our guests we wanted something unique so I decided to give all the ladies perfume jars and Alexis invited the men to a Havana cigar hand rolled by a Cuban lady who came over especially from Ibiza.
MOMENTS TO CHERISH
hydrangeas and white roses, as well as our cake. Alexis wore a white Ermenegildo Zegna suit, and I chose a Pronovias gown. Entitled ‘Princess,’ it was adorned with Swarovski crystals and ostrich feathers and fell from below the bust in an empire style. I can imagine brides usually find their dress first and shoes to match but I did things the other way around.
After spotting a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, I knew I had to wear them as I walked down the aisle. Although the shop did not have them in stock I did not let this stop me and even flew to Madrid to purchase the last pair in my size in the whole of Spain. What can I say, I’m a shoe girl!
SHARE THE LOVE Romance Bodas, our wedding planner ensured everything was carried out with ease; they assisted throughout the entire wedding process seeing to everything from the flowers and music to the lighting and the cake ensuring that Alexis and I could relax and enjoy the day without the slightest of worries. A
One of my favourite moments was prior to the wedding when I was getting ready with my mum, my aunt and my friends. We spent the whole time giggling, laughing and crying, I was filled with nervous and excited emotions thinking about the day ahead. It was really special to have that time together and something I will always remember. After dinner I changed into a salon dress rather than commencing the dancing with a waltz we danced a tango. As soon as we finished our last step Alexis surprised me with a huge display of the most beautiful fireworks, a moment I will treasure forever.
Sonia’s Address Book Bride’s Dress: Pronovias pronovias.es Shoes: Christian Louboutin christinanlouboutin.com Hairdresser: peluqueriatoro.com Make-Up: Carmen Joyner carmenjoyner.com Groom’s Suit: Ermenegildo Zegna zegna.com Wedding Planner and Wedding Designer: Romance Bodas; romancebodas.es Venue: Nikki Beach Marbella nikkibeach.com/marbella Photographer: Nanide Perez nanideperez.com CONFETI 61
Real Weddings
WHAT MEMORIES
Are Made Of
A children’s choir, classical colour scheme and handmade details added an enchanting aura to Charlotte and Tom’s evening do.
PERFECT FOR A GRAND AFFAIR We have always considered Spain a home from home, thus when Tom and I started to plan our wedding it was the obvious choice. We viewed a few venues prior to visiting the Don Carlos, but as soon as walked through the gardens we knew it was the one. It had so much to offer in terms of the mature tropical gardens, the exclusive beach club and the intimate dance area. We wanted to be near the beach without having a ‘beach wedding’ so the option of getting married in the gardens seemed ideal. Another ‘sign’ that swayed our decision was the fact that there was a stone monkey scratching his head in the middle of the ponds, quite ironic when Tom’s nickname is Monkey!
A CLASSICAL ROMANCE I wanted a very traditional wedding but with a few Spanish twists. I didn’t want a beach wedding feel and insisted that the dress code was black tie, looking back on the day this was one of the best decisions I made as everyone looked so smart. My colour scheme was pastel and ivory colours, which helped to achieve the enchanting feel I was after. The look and style really began with my dress. As soon as it was lifted over my head, at the Hayley Dennison Bridal Collection boutique, I just adored it. Over the
62 CONFETI
to get rid of all the flowers and just have gypsophila. My bouquet was a beautiful big ball of gyp, while the bridesmaids had gypsophila with ballet pink peonies and ivory vendetta roses. For the table centres we decided on huge balls of my favourite flower on stands. Janne at Flor Valentin did an amazing job and everyone commented that the flowers we’re absolutely stunning. Our ceremony was conducted by Paul Gill who I felt genuinely cared about our day. He was very flexible and nothing was too much trouble, he really was a delight to work with.
DO ME A FAVOUR
following ten months I worked with the designer Cymberline, Hayley and her seamstress to create a completely bespoke dress. I teamed this with a full length veil, as this is very Spanish, trimmed with the most beautiful delicate lace. For Tom and the Groomsmen’s suits, we opted for dark grey tails and white waistcoats, then to add a touch of fun the groomsmen had white bow ties while Tom and his best man had white cravats, they looked fabulous! I chose Ebony Rose dresses for my bridesmaids; however I changed the colours used to ballet pink and ivory. The dresses had a corset back to match my dress and a very fluffy, fairy-like feel, just like my gown.
THE FINER DETAILS I fell in love with Fiona from Sweet Things By Fi for her passion for cake making and her personality, and I really trusted that she would do me proud. I wanted a very classic feel but also for the cake to incorporate the lace details of my dress. Not only were Fi’s decorative skills second to none, but the cake itself tasted exquisite. Fi also worked with my florist to make a gypsophila base for the cake, ‘the icing on the cake’ for me. I found my dream flower, gypsophila, when I started to look at different floral arrangements where it was typically used as a filler. I knew straight away that I wanted
I put so much effort into the finishing touches, I know you only get one chance with your wedding day and wanted to include as much as I could without it becoming flashy or showy. I created my own sweet station which opened with the evening disco. I bought old fashioned sweet jars and filled them with sweets from the local market. I also made my own ‘recovery packs’ for the guests to take home which included a tea bag, alka seltzer, ear plugs and chewing gum. I also provided slippers for the guests which were an absolute hit with the women, and men! They were kept in an old chest by the dance floor with a sign saying ‘for tired feet.’ My mum and I sewed the slipper bags with ballet pink ribbon and dried vendetta roses. Finally, ladies were also given a pashminas in case they got a little chilly during the evening.
Charlotte’s Address Book Bride’s Dress: Cymbeline bridalcollectionharrogate.co.uk Shoes: Harriett Wilde bridalcollectionharrogate.co.uk Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Ebony Rose sugaredalmondsbridalwear.co.uk Groom’s Suit: Harrogate Suit Hire harrogatesuithire.co.uk Hair: Jonathan at Reflections reflectionsmarbella.com Make-Up: Liza Mayne domayne.net Venue: Don Carlos Leisure Resort and Spa hoteldoncarlos.com Wedding Cake: Sweet Things by Fi sweetthingsbyfi.com
MY FAVOURITE MOMENTS I have always wanted a children’s choir for my ceremony but this proved to be a challenge in Spain. However, I finally came across Susan McGill and her choir from the Sotogrande International School. All of the songs they sung were significant to my family, Tom and I. They were absolute stars and brought a tear to everybody’s eyes. We also loved arriving at our reception to Thomas Henry singing ‘That’s Amore’ and I will never forget our first dance on the island in the middle of the pool to ‘Hey Jude,’ while the guest joined in with a sing along. Perfect end to a perfect day.
Florist: Flor Valentin florvalentin.es Celebrant: Paul Gill costadelsolminister.com Choir: Sotogrande International School Reception Entertainment : Los Tres Amigos Evening Entertainment : Thomas Henry and The Costadellics Sound and Lighting: Romance Bodas romancebodas.com Videographer: Danny at Emotion Moments emotionmoments.es Photographer: David Toms davidtoms-weddings.com
CONFETI 63
Real Weddings
COASTAL Alina and Rolf made the most of their I do’s with a wedding weekend by the sea
RIDING THE WAVE
Rolf proposed to me on Boracay Island in the Philippines. I had fallen asleep in the sun and was woken by him inviting me to go swimming. I begrudgingly agreed, as the sea was quite choppy. He suggested that we swim out to a deserted beach we could see in the distance, by now I really thought he was crazy. It was a long and difficult swim and by the time we made it to the beach, I literally crawled onto the shore. Then, suddenly, Rolf got down on one knee and proposed to me in Russian. I think I was mostly impressed that he had managed to keep hold of the ring during our swim! As I am Russian and Rolf is Dutch, it was a hard task deciding where we should get married. We finally settled on somewhere in the middle, Spain. I had spent some time there when I was younger, so it seemed the perfect choice. As our guests would be travelling from all over the world, we opted for a three day wedding commencing at the Kempinski Hotel, with the main event taking place at the exquisite Tikitano Beach Restaurant and the after party at the renowned Nikki Beach.
64 CONFETI
SOMETHING BLUE
My dress was created by avantgarde designer Özlem Suer. I had to slim down 11 kilograms to fit into it, which I managed to do in just over a month, by not really eating and upping my exercise regime to three hours a day. Don’t try this at home! Our colour scheme was navy blue and cream, so my adult bridesmaids wore long bohemian style navy dresses, whilst my little sister and the flower girls looked adorable in white and gold with tiny navy blue flower bags. Rolf wore a designer suit with shorts and long socks, (this was our little private joke.) Everybody assumed this was either a typical Dutch or Russian tradition but really it was just crazy and original, kind of like us.
THE PERFECT UNION
Although my mother was very hands on throughout the process, we decided we needed the assistance of a professional wedding planner. We selected, Party People, one of the coast’s most established event companies, to organise our venues, decor and entertainment and oversee the event itself.
Alina’s Address Book Wedding Planning & Design: Dianna of Party People partypeoplemarbella.com Venue: Tikitano Restauant tikitano.com Bride’s Dress: ozlemsuer.com Bridesmaids’ Dresses: monsoon.co.uk Photographer and Videographer: deperez.com Celebrant: Pastor Kurt Flowers: L&N Diseño Floral Alameda disenofloralmarbella.com Wedding Cake: David & Marketa’s Chocolate Manufacturer chocolatemanufacture.net Entertainment: Arranged by Party People:
make the entire experience more personal and meaningful and we symbolised our union by releasing balloons into the air.
PRINTS CHARMING
We decorated the venue with 2O enlarged photographs of us and a mini movie, produced by the fantastic De Perez team, played on various monitors during the evening. This talented duo also created a slideshow of old images showing Rolf and I during our childhood, coupled with photos from our recent photo shoot in Tarifa. Our menus featured a photograph of us kissing underwater and as a special wedding gift for Rolf, Nani de Perez shot a boudoir style photo session with me. Ï have always wanted a wedding by the water and our wedding designer, Dianna helped me to realise my dream at Tikitano. The ceremony was held on the pier; as our families have diverse religious beliefs, (a mixture of Jewish,
Christian and Catholic,) we selected a spiritual ceremony rather than a religious one. However, we introduced a multitude of different elements including, the smashing of the glass and the Chuppah. I also wrote my own vows to
All of our linen was created especially for our wedding by Dianna, a a bespoke cream satin base with navy crushed silk over cloths and cream silk napkins decorated with a wide navy bow. Again, we decided to stay away from tradition by seating our guests at long tables, while we sat on a huge circular table positioned in the middle of the room. Delicate curtains cascaded from the high ceiling,
Ceremony: Harpist Anna Lenkowska Sargeant, harpmarbella.com Cocktail Hour: Wandering Minstrels, Saxophonist, Magician Band: The Legal Aliens Dancers: Marisa & Nicolas DJ: Russell Soden, Terra Blues whilst blue up lighters adorned the surrounding trees. A ‘chill out’ area was created for those who wanted to get away from the mayhem, with white sofas, navy blue embroidered cushions, throws and plenty of candles.
LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU
A magical firework display kicked off our entertainment, followed by The Legal Aliens, a new band managed by Party People. For the finale, DJ Russell Soden from Terra Blues hit the decks. The younger crowd stayed until 5am and literally danced the night away, it was so warm by the end of the evening the rice they had thrown onto me during the ceremony had boiled!
CONFETI 65
Details
Photography - limelight.pl Cake - sweetthingsbyfi.com Styling - reviva-weddings.com
CONFETI 67
TheonIcing the Cake
Unveiling the latest ideas from traditional tiers to mouthwatering miniatures … Now let the bake off begin!
Where Fashion meets Foundant: Nowadays
many couples are opting for bright colors over more traditional muted palettes. In addition this is also a brilliant way to establish a fully-integrated theme for the entire reception. Whether the colour comes from ombré detailing or the arrangement of sugar flowers, the key is to not be shy and let your true colours shine. For this four tier creation, Delicious Cakes and Treats decided to keep the traditional white base accessorized with regal red patterns. Tel: +34 666 584 132 deliciouscakesandtreats.com
Simply Kosher: A kosher cake must fall within the Jewish
Dietary Laws, always available to adhere to her clients’ expectations, Fiona, owner of Sweet Things By Fi, didn’t hesitate to provide a wedding cake with kosher ingredients approved by the London Beth Din. This lemon and lemon curd flavoured masterpiece was delicately embellished with cascading nude, blush, ivory and white sugar roses all created by Fiona in conjunction with the couples requirements. Tel +34 697 228 088 sweetthingsbyfi.com Cake Flowers provided by: Virginia Florista Photography: Mireia Cordomi
It’s all in the Details:
Wedding Cakes Spain recently created this masterpiece featuring individual layers of rich chocolate fudge; carrot cake and lemon drizzle. The bridal couple wished to include olive leaves within their cake to incorporate the Spanish theme so Debbie merged a ‘Tile’ in the style of the Alhambra utilising applique lace blossom, detailing from the bridal gown along with swags of olive and Acanthus leaves, as well as orange blossom; jasmine and miniature oranges. The couples monogram was then integrated into the central tier, further enhancing the individuality of the design. Tel: +34 952 964 103 weddingcakesspain.com
The Bigger the Better
Who said size doesn´t matter? Well it does now. Big cakes are in and becoming THE wedding reception show stopper. Omaya of Cake Couture has outdone herself with this edible lace and airbrushed silver seven tier cake; her biggest to date measuring an incredible 1.10 meters high and weighing an impressive 50kg. Let´s hope the wedding party was hungry! Tel: +34 693 379 397 cakecouturemarbella.com
CONFETI 69
Simply
Photos by deperez.com
XquisiT
XquisiT Marbella, the recently opened luxury boutique in Marbella, showcases everything you need to say ‘I do’ in style.
H
aving bonded over their distinctive creative flair, coupled with a wealth of experience, this talented quartet decided to join forces to offer all your wedding day and special event or party needs under one roof. Xquisit brings together the creativity, expertise and commitment of a group of professionals from different fields; the floral design of L&N Lidueña & Nicolás, the creative bakery of DeliDelicius, the photography and films of
70 CONFETI
De Pérez and the design and planning of exclusive weddings and events of Caprichia. Located on the prestigious Golden Mile, this wedding showroom needs to be seen to be believed. Quaint, charming, delicate, enchanting and beautiful are all words that spring to mind when you walk through the door. A haven of inspiring ideas; this one stop wedding shop has obviously been created with much love, care and attention.
Be prepared to be dazzled by show stopping floral decorations that take your breath away, personalized sweets and cakes which can only be described as true works of art, captivating photography and films that provoke emotions and of course expert advice and assistance for the design, planning and coordination of extraordinary weddings and events, both private and corporate. Let’s meet the team…
DELIDELICIUS Originally from a graphic design background, baking cakes was just a hobby. However talent such as this will always come to the fore. Now a fulltime career, DeliDelicius designs are completely bespoke focusing on breathtaking intricate craftsmanship combined with totally indulgent cakes. “When I accept a commission to create a cake, you can be sure it will be a unique, exquisite and of course a deli-
cious tasting masterpiece, that will make your wedding or celebration forever memorable. This year I have received many requests to incorporate the lace of the bride’s dress into the design, adding an elegant appeal. Mostly I work with neutrals and pale pastel colour schemes; however my quirky bird embellished cake has been equally as popular, it’s fun and kitsch which adds a nice factor to a wedding. With dessert tables becoming more main stream we wanted to up our game and are working on our own version which will take the dessert table to another level. Volumes, textures and unparalleled decor will take centre stage. My ultimate goal is to create a five senses cake which is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.”
L&N LIDUEÑA & NICOLÁS L&N fuse tradition with modernism, mixing unusual materials such as wood and metal with the most delicate of flowers to produce amazing, innovative designs guaranteed to wow your guests. Not many companies are capable of achieving the standard that L&N set, from huge floral butterflies hanging from the ceiling to solid floral arches to say your vows under, the sky really is the limit. “An advantage I have is that I can usually determine the bride’s vision very quickly, this helps when making their dreams a reality. Our aim is to create floral decor that reflects the individual’s tastes adding a personal, charming touch to the wedding. When working with brides-to-be, I always think about the whole wedding before making my suggestions. For example, a recent bride asked for a certain colour scheme which although would have looked beautiful, I just felt it wouldn’t do her justice. She had red hair and pale skin, and I knew by adding corals to the arrangements it would complement her colouring. She agreed to my suggestion and was overwhelmed with the results. At the moment I love working with pure floral arrangements, no greenery at all, think perfect balls of compact flowers. I always prefer to work with seasonal flowers and I believe our respect for flowers shines through in everything we do.”
DE PEREZ PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMS This dymanic duo, specialise in wedding photography and videography, aiming to capture your wedding day in a modern, fresh and stylish way. Passionate about the latest technology, they work with everything from underwater equipment to wireless mics. Offering more than just your standard package, you can opt for pre and post shoots, including dedicated beach, boudoir or engagement photo experiences. “We recently worked with a couple the week prior to their wedding, where we arranged a photo shoot on the beach and a movie for them to show to guests on their big day. This included a ‘trash the dress’ style shoot underwater, the results were spectacular. Another of our passions is the actual albums that we offer. We are particularly fussy and have had to search worldwide to find the standard we were after. On the day itself our aim is to capture the happy atmosphere without causing a distraction to the family or guests, so that they can enjoy the day to the full.”
CAPRICHIA Offering a full design and planning service for luxury, couture destination weddings and events, Caprichia’s love for her work is evident in everything that she does, “I am passionate about what I do and I am a perfectionist. I provide full commitment and availability to my clients, with whom I develop a close relationship over the preparation time, prior to their wedding, which is very often maintained afterward. I enjoy casual luxury and I identify with classy and elegant aesthetics and traditions, peppered with a modern twist. I take pride in my attention to detail, in regards to the designing, planning and execution of the day, and aim to provide the bride and groom with a bespoke personal treat and the needed tools to make their wedding preparation a joyful and stress-free experience, putting their mind at peace. The services which we offer at this showroom are unlimited. A wide portfolio of exclusive venues, first line musicians and artists, delicate stationery, quality catering and an endless range of details 1OO% customised, will make the difference to any event.” XquisiT has already become synonymous with the design of beautiful, elegant celebrations that truly reflect each couple. xquisitmarbella.com CONFETI 71
jeremystandley.com
CHILD S PLAY
T
imes are changing and nowadays, it has become much more acceptable to invite and include children in your wedding. Ever since Kate Middleton walked down the aisle accompanied by three young royals, the concept of ‘adults only’ weddings has faded into the background. In addition, more couples are opting to get married after having children and incorporating them into the event can make the whole experience even more memorable. Whether they are your children, nieces, nephews or your friend’s kids, if you want children to participate in your ceremony there are an array of options available past the traditional flower girl and ring bearer. An usher is an ideal role for teen and pre-
72 CONFETI
By Christie Holland
teen boys, just because they are a little shorter than some of the guests’ doesn’t mean they can’t escort them to their seats. Including children allows them to feel as though they are a part of something big, just make sure they know how to properly seat guests and that they ask people if they are with the bride or groom. Offering your son or daughter the option to recite a reading during the ceremony is a brilliant way to enable them to feel involved. It is usually a good idea to choose a short passage that can easily be written down on a note card. Make sure you select the passage with your child so they feel like it was a decision they assisted with. If you are featuring a unity candle within the ceremony another option is to invite your children to come up to the altar with you to help light the
jeremystandley.com
pierrerichardsonphotography.com
flame. This shows your children that they are included in the union and that your love for them has not changed. As well as being beautifully symbolic, this can help some children who are struggling with their parents remarriage feel a part of the nuptials. Nothing will bring a tear to the eye quite like seeing a young flower girl gently toss petals down the aisle or watching a nervous ring bearer pass over the rings to the groom. However, kids are kids and if you’ve decided to include children in your wedding day and attend as guests, we would suggest that you be prepared to make your wedding day as accommodating for the them as for the adults. Hiring a trusted babysitter will make yours and your fellow guests’ lives a lot easier; why not set aside a supervised room with children’s activities allowing the parents to rest assured their pre-
cious babies are safe and happy. When it comes to dinner, foie gras and beef wellington is guaranteed to excite even the finest epicureans but I can’t image it will go down so well with the younger generation. Discuss your options with your caterer; most will be more than happy to provide you with a kid friendly menu which will also serve as a cost-saver for you. So, while the adults are munching on a more sophisticated fare, the kids will be content nibbling on chicken fingers and French fries.
owenfarrellphotography.com bodakids.es
One thing to remember, while your niece might forget a line in her reading or your son might get distracted walking down the aisle, kids are constantly equipped with smiles, giggles, laughter and carefree innocence; involving them in your special day will create magical memories and a bond that will last a lifetime.
Here Confeti’s wedding experts share their pearls of wisdom and a few special memories involving little ‘uns.
bodakids.es
During the ceremonies children tend to be pretty well behaved. Babies can cry, but given that weddings are only around 20-45 mins here, it is not really long enough for them to get bored. The weather should be taken into consideration, if it is hot I always recommend battery operated fans and not to over dress the children. Bridesmaids dresses in particular, can have loads of layers of lace which are very warm for the kids. I am often asked whether a children’s table at the reception a good idea. This all depends on the group. If they know each other and are of an age where they can feed themselves then yes. If they don’t know each other or are smaller kids they are better off eating with their parents. Once they have
My favourite photograph is an image I took of a young bridesmaid dropping her bouquet at a wedding in Granada. I literally turned and took the image. It was one of those blink and you miss it moments. It won a nice award so well worth it. I love kids at weddings, making an effort to connect with them is always important, especially with the bridal party. I always try to get as many images of children fairly
quickly and early on, as often in Spain they may want to jump in the nearest pool after the ceremony.
eaten they tend to get up and play anyway.
The children DO need to be entertained during
the meal. Sunset beach offer the kids clubs exclusively allowing them to go and play whilst the adults finish their meal. Other helpful ideas would be to have packs of colouring books and toys that they can play with. Balloons on the tables also give them extra entertainment. We also offer the ‘candy bar’ which is basically a designated area laden with sweet which we open just after the meal – super popular.
Kerry Vear-Smyth, Wedding Co-ordinator at Sunset Beach Club sunsetbeachclub.com bodakids.es
When working with children I live with the motto, ‘what happens, happens.’ They bring that
charming and often humorous innocence to a wedding which I love.
Jeremy Standley, Photographer jeremystandley.com CONFETI 73
It is always a nice idea to have a selection of desserts especially for the children. They can be kept in the same style and colour scheme of the wedding and are a great source of entertainment for the children. Sweet trees are very popular at the moment, as are cake pops, candy cakes and vintage sweeties. A nice idea is
to replicate the wedding cake with mini versions for the children for their dessert, this makes them feel very special.
My toffee apples, which I can provide in a range of different colours have helped create some fantastic, fun wedding images with the children munching away on them.
Omaya Bellavoine, Cake Artist cakecouturemarbella.com
jeremystandley.com
bodakids.es
pierrerichardsonphotography.com
bodakids.es 74 CONFETI
My favourite memory involving children at a wedding has to be when the groom’s nine year old daughter was due to give a reading in church. As soon as she was standing at the lectern, she obviously became overwhelmed and burst into tears, before running back to her seat. Later on that evening, she stood up during the meal without anyone asking her to and delivered a word perfect reading of the poem she had written. I’ll
never forget her Dad’s proud face as tears ran down his cheeks. I would advise against sending children down the aisle if they are under four years old. I am constantly having to field little ones as they try and run in the opposite direction. If there are lots of children coming as guests it is really worth putting on some entertainment for them such as a clown or bouncy castle as it keeps them happy and keeps the parents even happier.
We work with a guy who blows gigantic bubbles that the children can stand inside, they absolutely love it. If your child can’t swim it is really worth employing a nanny for the evening just to follow them around and make sure they don’t fall into a pool. If the wedding is at a hotel, the nanny can sit with them in their room once they go to bed and I would always advise against given them too much Coca Cola.
jeremystandley.com
The best thing about children at weddings is that they always surprise you. We had a candy bar at a wedding and two very enterprising little girls decided to treat it like a shop and sold bags of sweets to the guests who had all had a few drinks by then. They
then gave all the money they had earned to charity. Why do I like working with children? Because that’s what weddings should be all about, a celebration of family.
Having three kids of my own, I’ve learned that each child is
an individual and what works well with one is not necessarily the best thing for another. I often try
Heather Sadtler, Wedding Planner, fiestasol.com
to capture a natural look on film by encouraging them to forget the camera is there. Get them doing what comes naturally to them; playing, mucking/goofing around, football, hopscotch, catch, whatever animates them. With some children, a direct interview-style technique can often provoke real insight or hilariously candidness. You never quite know what to expect! yourweddingmoments.com owenfarrellphotography.com
Jasper Hawker, Videographer scottdelamoweddings.com
pierrerichardsonphotography.com CONFETI 75
thoroughlygorgeous.com
thoroughlygorge
ous.com
My favourite moment is when I connect with a child. Some take a bit longer than others to smile back at you, but when they do and you can get some communication started it’s great, then you know you will be getting lots of lovely shots of them all day. What is
and settled to start taking photos of them. It is a supreme waste of time to try and force a child to do anything when they are not ready. I would advise with when mixing photography and children, to be quick, take your chances, don’t force a situation.
they will be in a stressful situation where mum and dad are not giving them 100% attention so you have to wait until they are comfortable
When it comes to entertainment, it depends on the age group, for the little ones supervised bouncy castles always work well, face painting also although it does stain dresses so it’s not so popular with parents. For older kids I saw a magician this season and he was great, he managed to keep eight
the secret to my great images of children? Well, the first thing that comes to mind is respect. If they are at a wedding .com
thoroughlygorgeous
children sat at their tables for over an hour, they were mesmerized, and if children are sat still for a while it’s got to be a winner. Oh, and bubbles, children love them and photographers love them too! My advice for couples who have a lot of children at their wedding is to keep them busy and supervised. It makes very little difference on the overall budget and a huge difference to parents that would like to enjoy the wedding day fully. Your guests will love you for it. Talia Giraudo, Photographer thoroughlygorgeous.com
thoroughlygorgeous.com
76 CONFETI
In the normal course of events, children can be used as flower girls, bridesmaids, page boys, even as best men or ‘givers away’ (this is particularly so where they are children of one or both the happy couple) Also, carefully schooled, they can read (at one ceremony there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as a little cherub read ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’, and on another occasion at a ceremony on a cliff top in Mojácar I was deafened by the lad standing next to me who appeared to feel that he had a duty to reach the Moroccan coast with his glad tidings of great joy). If it is a particularly religious ceremony they can, of course, read a prayer or two, they can also present the ‘Gifts’ (paten and chalice).
At some weddings the rings are presented on a cushion; a nice touch. At one rehearsal the page boy due to carry the cushion eaves-dropped most attentively as I mentioned to the best man that a simple bow was all that was necessary to affix the rings to the cushion, so that they could be released by a single pull. Came
the ceremony, the little limb of Satan sat smiling at me from the first row as he had carefully double-knotted each ring... Padre Peter, Celebrant padrepeter@gmail.com
Creative Wedding Planning Confeti interviews Nigel Davis, director of Chez Vous, a one stop event solution specialist team, whose prestigious clients include Richard Branson, Prince Bahar Jefrey of Brunei and Princess Beatrice.
Why do you think a planner is a necessity for a destination wedding? It’s not just the language barrier that causes problems for foreign couples getting married in Spain, the cultural differences are the cause of many headaches, let me tell you. For example, British couples tend to be used to snapping their fingers and things get done. In Spain everything is much more laid back and this can be very frustrating if you do not know how to deal with it. You need someone on the ground that can act as a buffer, keep all parties calm and get the job done. A good planner will also make sure you keep to your original budget, if a couple decides to add on extras further down the line, the planner will juggle things around to make sure the budget is still met. 78 CONFETI
Another important factor is that things will go wrong; they always do in any event. For example, if the saxophonist from the band you have booked pulls out at the last minute, how would a bride-to-be, who doesn’t live in the country, be able to replace them at a moment’s notice? A planner will have a little black book and be able to find a replacement straight away without the bride being any the wiser. A good wedding planner will always be able to cover up any problems and the client will never know that the day was anything but perfect.
Tell us about a little more about Chez Vous? We have been working in the events industry for over 7 years in Spain. Previously and individually we have a wealth of knowledge behind us, pooling experience from a variety of different backgrounds from sound engineer for artists including The Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams, Marillion, The Prodigy and Pink Floyd to events organisers for companies like Microsoft. Our personalised touch is our hallmark, we work with passion, dedication, and every event is created as a bespoke offering to our clients. You also work with other events planners? Of course, this is a large part of what we do and I am happy to say that we have formed great relationships with many of the leading planners on the Coast. We can support them by offering equipment and personnel hire including AV Hire, stage and dance floor hire, bars, chill out areas, furniture hire, waiters, chefs and lots more. Why do you invest so much time into lighting? It’s a personal favourite at Chez Vous and an area we excel in. So many people overlook the power of lighting when planning a special event. Fused in the correct way it can add a magical atmosphere to any occasion. Lighting is something which makes the most impact whether it is for a stage, a garden setting or even a mountain side! We have in stock an enormous amount of lighting equipment from lighting for theatres, rock concerts, disco lights, rope lights, robotic lights, lasers, lighting for trees and plants and many lit decorative items.
You also specialise in sound, music and entertainment? Yes, it is often neglected or noticed for the wrong reasons! Sound always seems simple, but in reality it can be difficult to get it right. We have a specialist sound department who will propose a professional sound system that suits the requirements, the size of venue and of course, your budget. They offer sound for ceremonies, dinners, speeches and larger speakers with or without a sound technician. Also available is tech support for bands and performers from overseas. With weddings in particular, their success is judged on the end of the night, this is why we focus a lot on great entertainment. We have a handpicked team of DJs, groups and acts to really make your event go off with a bang. We can organise dancing horses, traditional Spanish Tuna bands, tango shows, Brazilian dancers, Caribbean drums, jazz bands, flamenco, Cafe Del Mar style music, you name it…we can supply it. We can of course fly bands in from the UK, however there is a multitude of unknown talent right here on the coast, set them up with the right stage and music and they could match an act worth five times their price. Are you offering anything new this year? We are adding some exciting new venues to our books, hidden cortijos, breathtaking villas; one place in particular even has its own bullring. On the lighting side we have a new range of wireless LED lights; they are very powerful with a battery life of between 8-20 hours and can be controlled via Wi-Fi. This has now opened a new world of pos-
sibilities and with our supplier we are designing 2.5m helium balloons with LED’s inside to fly above the event area changing colour. Our at home catering is also going from strength to strength, we have many VIP clients who want to show off their homes with an intimate party. We provide a chef, bespoke menu, subtle lighting, world class entertainment and then tidy the house up, leaving it just as we found it. What do you particularly enjoy about your job? I love meeting with different people from all walks of life, it makes every day different from the last. I love creative challenges and the harder a client pushes me the better. I have a particular high end wedding this month, where the bride has said to me, “Nigel you have a lot to live up to, my expectations are very high and if you let me down my Dad will be after you, so I hope you can run fast.” I love this as it makes me rise to the challenge and try to beat her expectations. For me the best part of a wedding is the evening, this is when the magic starts. Once it turns to dusk, you get to see all our hard work come to life with the lighting and entertainment. Only then will your guests be able to really appreciate the beautiful setting you have chosen. Plus, the emotions from the day start to settle, everyone relaxes and then the party really begins. chezvous.es
CONFETI 79
Blessed
jeremystandley.com
YOU SHALL BE
80 CONFETI
A legal marriage in Spain may not be as straightforward as one would like, but for those who choose the option of having a simple legal ceremony in their home town followed by a ‘blessing’ in Spain, which is treated as their actual ceremony, the Spanish wedding of your dreams will be easier to have than you think.
W
e needn’t brag about the virtues of marrying in Spain, but we will anyway for anyone still in doubt of the endless possibilities for a perfect wedding here. With diverse, jaw-dropping landscapes, stunning venues, fabulous weather and an army of professional wedding suppliers to help you with your wedding journey, you can’t really go wrong. However, with such perfection there has to be at least one hitch, which can come in the form of the ceremony itself. Spain is a notoriously bureaucratic country and the red tape, form filling and excessive stamping is in no way diminished for the act of marriage. There are some areas in Spain where it is possible to have a legal ceremony but for the vast majority it is not an option and even where there is a possibility the bureaucracy can be so stifling that the actual process for arranging a legal ceremony can take as long as six months to a year! The general rule of thumb is that only those participating in Catholic
ceremonies will be legally married and those who qualify as residents in Spain can in theory have a Spanish civil ceremony. So what is the solution for the masses of couples who are not residents in Spain and do not want a religious ceremony but are still looking for a highly personalised and romantic wedding ceremony abroad? The answer is a ‘blessing.’ Although, the word ‘blessing’ itself is slightly misleading because the great majority of blessings that take place in Spain are nonreligious, the idea behind it is that in addition to a very simple civil ceremony that you must have to legalize your marriage, you have another ceremony that you treat as your true wedding ceremony, the ceremony that reflects your ideas, your personalities and your wishes, in the venue of your dreams surrounded by your family and friends.
HOW DOES IT WORK? You can either have a civil ceremony before or after your blessing in Spain, it really does not matter, as long as it is done at some
THE VERY REVEREND DR PETER MILN As a “worker priest”, I have had to exercise a ministry amongst people of all faiths or none. At one point I was an Open University tutor in “World Religions”, and I can therefore incorporate different traditions and customs into my services. (Recently we included Coptic Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism!) As a TA Chaplain, and Head of a Catering School, I also quickly realised the need for a sense of humour! What I aim at in conducting wedding celebrations is perhaps best summed up by one couple: A belated thank you in making our wedding day one we will never forget! The service was beautiful and all of our guests have said one of the most moving ceremonies they have ever been to! Without doubt, your personality and sense of humour made Paul and I at ease
and ensured our guests enjoyed the marriage blessing as much as we did! As the law currently stands, I can only give a “blessing” rather than a legal ceremony (as I could when an Anglican minister in England), but for many couples the ceremony that I perform is far more valid than the dry legal formality undertaken in some civic registry. I also issue a rather fetching certificate! Why these ceremonies have such meaning is that the couples are fully engaged in the drafting. I give them a template upon which they work. I then build on this and add that “je ne sais quoi” to makes it truly unique! (Speaking of which I recently conducted a whole ceremony in French, and very often people like a dash of Spanish!) I converted to Orthodoxy and
point. For ease, many couples choose to have a very low-key civil ceremony in their home country, usually with their two witnesses or for those who are marrying in mainland Spain there is the option of crossing over to Gibraltar and having the civil ceremony there during your wedding period. With the legalities taken care of, you can then concentrate on your blessing and working with your celebrant to create the ceremony that you wish for. Blessings generally are the same in structure to civil weddings but are much more personalised because you can have more of an input than you can with a civil ceremony, for example writing or choosing your own vows. As there are no legal restrictions you can do what you want, wherever you want to, which has many advantages in terms of location. Plus, the many wonderful celebrants who conduct such ceremonies are people who take their work seriously and see your ceremony with them as your actual wedding, because to all intents and purposes, that is what it truly is.
The Very Reverend Dr Peter Miln is “just fantastic
and guests are still raving about the ceremony. My mum said it was one of the most romantic ceremonies she had ever seen.”
WeddingsOnline.ie
was ordained as a priest in that communion; but I am now retired; and care little for what the hierarchy thinks. If the Church is going anywhere, we have to meet people on their own ground. Equally, I am quite happy if people want no mention of God (I am sure that she doesn’t mind!) The ceremony can still be deeply spiritual and uplifting. (I then wear a ruff and gown like Cervantes, rather than vestments!) In addition, I work closely with other experts, like photographers, to ensure that each occasion is memorable and stress free.
spanishweddingphotos.com
padrepeter1@gmail.com CONFETI 81
LIZ WILKINSON Liz Wilkinson is a humanist celebrant able to perform nonreligious weddings, vow renewal, baby naming and commitment ceremonies here on the Costa del Sol. I have been performing ceremonies for a couple of years now, mainly for friends, friends of friends and via other recommendations. I thoroughly enjoy being part of a couples’ special day. So, after receiving amazing feedback from happy couples, I have decided to offer my services full time. I have a University Degree in Communication Studies and Journalism, which involved public speaking. I run a successful business in the Costa del Sol with my husband, in the village of Benalmadena Pueblo, which specialises in Holiday accommodation. In the winter months, more unusually, I am a Ski Instructor flying to various resorts to teach my clients. This also involves a lot of public speaking, organising, designing and delivering lessons.
Throughout history, in countries, all over the world, ceremonies have been used to mark important events in peoples’ lives. At a humanist ceremony the couple have the opportunity to declare publicly their love for each other and their aspirations for their future together. They can make this commitment among their family and friends in a meaningful and significant ceremony. It illuminates important values and beliefs while giving expression to two peoples’ personalities without the need for religion. Humanist ceremonies are extremely flexible. Together, with the couple, I design a totally bespoke ceremony, which truly reflects how the couple feels. Any readings, vows, music or requests (however bizarre!) can be incorporated to make a truly beautiful and meaningful day.
Whether a couple prefers a traditional style wedding in an olive grove, a relaxed wedding with personal vows and readings on a boat or a ceremony on the beach in scuba diving gear, there are no boundaries. As a humanist celebrant it is an honour to guide couples through the process of designing their dream ceremony to begin their lives together. ceremoniesinspain.com
NATASHA JOHNSON Natasha Johnson performs personalised, non-religious wedding ceremonies in Spain for couples who want to add creative control and individual input into their special day. I have always used my voice professionally for as long as I can remember. Starting as a local radio newsreader and moving on to being a national radio reporter, I was used to reporting on news stories, which were not usually the nicest stories one has to cover. So, now in my role as a Humanist Wedding Celebrant, I get to use my voice in a much more positive, uplifting and romantic way. Not only do I craft and design non-religious ceremonies for each couple, but I also work with them to
82 CONFETI
create their perfect ceremony. We now live in a time where we have much more freedom of expression and freedom of choice over our everyday lives, and I believe the same should be applied to your wedding day. Every couple should be married in exactly the way that they feel reflects them. They should say the vows they want to say and hear the words they want to hear. They can forget tradition or respect tradition, mix old with new, add some humour and fun, a little romance, whatever they want to help celebrate their wed-
ding day in their own unique and meaningful way. That is the beauty of a Humanist ceremony, and it is my honour and pleasure to be able to guide couples through this amazing process and see them start their married life in the way of their choosing. malagaminister.com
CONFETI 83
yourweddingmoments.com
PAUL GILL Paul Gill offers tailor made celebrant services all along the Costa del Sol.
For over fifty years I have worked as a lay preacher conducting hundreds of services including wedding ceremonies, baby naming, funerals and remembrances throughout Britain. Having recently moved to the Costa del Sol and retired from my work as an Osteopath/Physiotherapist I have decided to fully concentrate on what I enjoy most; public speaking and carrying out wedding ceremonies. I pride myself on ensuring everyone involved feels relaxed and comfortable and that the ceremonies I offer are personal to the clients. Every wedding is unique and I am totally adaptable. Some of my clients wish for their service to be very religious and others only desire a light reference. Prior to the ceremony I will meet and discuss all the options with the couple and
together we can create an entirely bespoke service including all their desired elements. Nowadays many couples wish to write their own vows, include a reading or make reference to a loved one. The advantage of a ´blessing´ in Spain is that the options are endless and we really can incorporate anything! When it comes to clothing attire, I am more than happy to adapt to my clients´ needs and can perform my duties in a clerical collar, a suit and tie or even a kilt for Scottish weddings! So if you are looking for a celebrant who will listen to your ideas and use these to create the ceremony of your choice then you have found the right person. costadelsolminister.com
KURT KETTNER-BOROUGH Ordained Wedding Minister Kurt Kettner-Borough is available for wedding blessings throughout Southern Spain.
I came to Spain in the early 80´s to study Spanish guitar (yes, I also play at weddings) and ended up settling in Granada. I was captivated by the regions poetic ambiance; listening to flamenco in the caves, concerts in the Alhambra and enjoying beautiful nights out with friends. Nowadays my wife, Melanie, and I are pastors of Puerto Banús Christian Church in Marbella. We still maintain a link to Granada in the means of an old house we are restoring situated in a village in one of its national parks and our dream is to start a retreat centre. I approach a wedding blessing in much the same way as a musical composition. It must be original,
natural, flow, have great rhythm with breathing space, personality, draw out emotions of laughter, awe and wonder, some room for improvisation, inspire, make a lasting impact and reflect the dreams and desires of the bride and groom as the primary composers. Whether you want a ‘religious’ or ‘non-religious’ ceremony, marriage accommodates both. It is my privilege and joy to meet new, fascinating individuals and to be part of bringing them together in the awesome rite of marriage. Viva the Wedding Blessing! weddingministerspain.com
daperez.com 84 CONFETI
confetti ad copy.pdf
1
3/7/12
3:21 PM
Humanist non religious Ceremonies
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Designing and presenting personalised Wedding Ceremonies to ensure you have a beautiful memorable day.
Liz Wilkinson liz@ceremoniesinspain.com tel. (+34) 690 255 747 / 952 44 89 16 www.ceremoniesinspain.com
GILES BROWN gets down on one knee...and may need some help to get back up again.
I
know that you are probably sick and tired of sporting metaphors, what with Euro 2012 and the Olympics having taken place over the summer, but I’m going to use one more. And, being the rugger bugger that I am, this one comes from the noble game. If the best man is the Johnny Wilkinson of the wedding team – the star performer who gets all the attention – then the ushers are the forwards, the unsung heroes who perform heroically at the sharp and often brutal end of the wedding and are well versed in the Dark Arts of getting the job done. The ushers are chosen by the groom and his best man and are usually brothers, close relatives or friends (which covers just about anyone!) As a general guide it is recommended that you need an usher for every 50 guests, somewhat like the number of stewards when Norwich play Fulham, (traditionally not the most violent of football clashes.) The ushers are the responsibility of the best man, who ensures they know their duties, but compared to the white knuckle ride that that the best man has to undergo, with
86 CONFETI
Don’t Rush the Ush!
the dangers of lost rings and embarrassing disclosers during the speech, the ushers have it easy. I speak from good experience, as I had the honour of being an usher at a beautiful wedding near Granada at the beginning of summer. So here are a few good pointers. Firstly, get a head usher, preferably a big bloke who will politely but firmly ask guests to take their places with minimum of fuss. My head ‘ush’ was Wayne, a large West Indian who flew in from JoBurg and whose nickname is ‘Big Daddy’. No argument there then. As backup, another of the wedding party was Mark Smith, better known to many as ‘Rhino’ from the TV series Gladiators and who was on hand to help. Needless to say, myself and fellow ush Mo, a Dutch based Persian antiques dealer, where assigned less strenuous duties. The main one of these is travel arrangements. As an ush it’s a good idea to check out the route to the
venue and the layout as well, so that you know how to direct people there and what to expect when you get there. My main duty was getting the guests on the specially laid on coach from the hotel to the venue. This involved a spot of guest wrangling, getting them from the bar onto the bus, as well as some comedy roll calling to make sure everyone was on board. One couple still managed to miss the bus – as they were waiting by the pool bar, so it might be an idea to do a final ‘mine sweep’
Head ‘U sh’ aka ‘Bi g Dadd
y’
of the hotel grounds to make sure no one is lurking in black tie by the Jacuzzi. At the venue itself, you may have to escort some guest personally to their seats and make sure that no one is loitering outside for a last minute smoke before the bride arrives. You’ll also hand out the buttonholes, the order of service and make sure that everyone has their mobiles turned off as well as let guests know if flash photography or the throwing of confetti is allowed in or near the venue. With the ceremony over, the ushers will let guests know where the reception is, and will also be expected to help rounding up guests for the wedding photographs. And that’s pretty much it. As an “ush” you should think of yourself as Jeeves, calmly and discreetly ironing out any last-minute creases and adding greatly to the smooth running of the day. Although in my case, with my Ray Bans, Black Tie and shaved head, I looked more like a combination of Telly Savalas, bodyguard and Bond Villain! Happy Ushing!!!!
REAFFIRMING
Your Bond
Vow renewal ceremonies are a growing trend, seducing couples of all ages. Natasha Johnson explains why this is the ultimate romantic gesture.
88 CONFETI
T
here is no doubt that wedding ceremonies are by far the most popular ceremonies that take place every year. In recent months there has been a growing trend in married couples renewing their wedding vows in Spain. There was a time when people thought that the renewal of vows was something that was done when a couple had experienced difficult times and chose to renew their vows in order to start afresh. This may be the case for some, but for the vast majority of couples, renewing their vows signifies marking a wedding anniversary or simply celebrating the commitment that they have made to each other. Singer Mariah Carey and her husband, funny man Nick Cannon have taken this trend to a new extreme by deciding to renew their vows every year on their wedding anniversary! As a Humanist Wedding Celebrant, I have seen a whole range of remarkable vow renewal ceremonies. One couple I performed a ceremony for a few years ago, were celebrating ten years of marriage. They had met when one of them had an interview at the others’ office and ten weeks later they were married! They had very few family and friends at
their wedding and so wanted to use their ten-year anniversary to reaffirm their vows in front of all of their friends and relatives. Last year, I performed a ceremony for a couple who had only been married for three years, but again had not had many people present at their original ceremony. So they took the opportunity of a family holiday in Spain to renew their vows and celebrate with all their loved ones. There really are no rules for when to have a vow renewal ceremony. It does not have to mark a specific anniversary or date or be for any particular reason. I have performed ceremonies to celebrate seven years of marriage, twentytwo years of marriage and just recently, one year! It’s about the couple making a decision to have a vow renewal ceremony because they feel it is something they want to do and because they feel it is the right time to do it. Couples often select a location to renew their vows that has personal meaning to them. Last year the aforementioned, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon chose to renew their vows in hospital following the birth of their twins. “We(‘ve) got the minister coming in, so this gown will not be a wedding gown, but a hospital gown,” explained the proud father.
The celebration needn’t be a wallet buster but something that simply allows you to renew your vows in a way that is special to you. The real meaning of a vow renewal is for a couple to take time out to remember the very reasons and the emotions they felt when they made their original commitment and to celebrate that commitment. If you have had children along the way, it can also be really special to include them in the celebrations, and renew your commitment not just to your partner but to your children too. Here are some of the most common reasons for a vow renewal ceremony; * You only got married in a civil/ registry office ceremony before, and now want a ceremony, which has more meaning and sentiment. * Your first wedding had some element of disaster and you want to recreate a nicer day. * You didn’t have much money for your first wedding and you want a more elaborate wedding celebration.
* You got married with only a few people present and you’d like to say your wedding vows in front of your friends. * You’ve had some difficult times in your relationship, and would now like to reaffirm your commitment to one another. * You think it would be romantic. * Or simply you want to celebrate your marriage and have a good old knees up, too! Whatever the reason for a vow renewal ceremony, the main thing to remember is that it is your way to express your love, commitment and respect for your partner in the manner of your choosing. Sometimes, we take our relationships for granted and forget the beautiful things that being in a partnership has created. Sometimes we forget how inspiring our partners are to us, and forget about the little, silly things that made us fall in love with them in the first place. A vow renewal ceremony can help us to remember. Above all, marriage is an achievement and something to be proud of and celebrated whenever you can, how ever long you’ve been married!
CONFETI 89
limelig
ht.pl
CONFETI 91
Bridal Buzz Look no further to discover the latest news, hottest trends and leading wedding companies in Spain.
A
Sandoval Photography
s one of the most famous boutique wedding photographers in Spain, Joseba Sandoval of Sandoval Studios Photography inspires other artists to reach new heights. His portfolio is every photo fanatic’s dream, full of mind blowing fine-art imagery that will have you gazing in adoration. Recently Confeti had the opportunity to meet this talented artist and find out a little more about his remarkable work.
Hi Joseba, thank you for taking the time to speak with us, can you tell us a little bit about yourself. Of course! I live in Málaga, Costa del Sol, but I travel all over Spain for my work. In 2010, I joined the WPJA and UNIONWEP, two of the best wedding photojournalist associations in the world, I wanted to take that next step in my career and I felt this was the way to do it. So, can we steal some of your secrets! What is your favourite camera and lens? I have Canon 5D II’s, and I shoot almost everything with a 35mm or 85 mm lens. Previously I had always used a 24-70 mm and a 70-200mm but it didn’t really help me translate how I wanted the photos to look. So I researched the lenses used by the photographers that I admire the most and went from there. Not many photographers bring a 85 1.2 lens, but for me, it is perfect for weddings. The most important factor in a wedding is that everyone and everything looks beautiful and those two lenses help me achieve that. On average, how many weddings do you photograph per year? It varies, but I would say about thirty.
What adjectives would you use to describe your photographic style? I have a hard time describing my own photos, but I know what I want them to look like: raw, vivid, true and full of life. I try to bring an artful approach to documentary photography. What advice would you give couples who are planning their own wedding? I think the most important thing is to plan your wedding exactly as you want it, without feeling like you HAVE to do anything. I suggest couples focus on the part of the wedding that is most important to them, and eliminate everything they don’t care about. The most genuine and sincere weddings that I’ve photographed have been some of the most untraditional ones that would probably look like a disaster if you tried to plan it out on paper, but you really don’t need a perfect schedule to have a good time. I always remind couples before we take portraits that if they really feel it, then their connection with each other is going to show in the photos. If they fake it, the camera will see it, and there shouldn’t be anything fake or forced about a wedding. What things do you say or do to put your clients at ease in front of the camera?
92 CONFETI
I really just treat my clients like my friends. I’m not a salesman, so I don’t try to give anyone a sales pitch. Once people know that you are sincere, and that you genuinely care about them, they naturally open up to you. Can you share with us one way you market your business? By being nice to people, because when people like you, they will naturally promote you. What makes you give yourself a mental high five? Mar, my partner, and I both love to travel. We feel very anxious when we haven’t been on a plane for a couple months. We love Malaga, but going somewhere new together is a real perk. When we are on the road we feel very at ease, even when things can become chaotic, like they often do when you are traveling. Once we get to wherever we are going, becoming a part of a destination wedding is another fun challenge of our job. Connecting with people is a big part of being a documentary shooter, and to do that with a new set of strangers every weekend is really exciting. And finally, what would you like to be doing in five years? Shooting a mix of weddings and documentary stories. info@sandovalstudios.com sandovalstudios.com
The Ultimate Wedding Service Provider
D
o you want one company who can organise all your wedding requirements? Are you searching for someone who can arrange everything from flights to paperwork? Then look no further than WCS Bespoke. Initially set up as a luxury property management and concierge company, WCS Bespoke have continued to develop their service portfolio since conception offering the organisation and delivery of weddings. Founder Clare Westwood believes her attention to detail, understanding of clients’ needs and requirements combined with her outstanding organisational skills and passion and drive for perfection at every stage is what makes WCS Bespoke stand out as the ultimate and most comprehensive wedding service provider. In addition to the traditional legalities, venue, lighting, décor, florists, entertainment etc. WCS Bespoke also specialise in comprehensive destination management services, thus taking care of all of the pre and post wedding requirements of not only the bride and groom, but also the family and guests too. This is where having an established and well respected high end property management, concierge, rentals and maid service business as part of their service portfolio comes into play. Within this business they can book flights, arrange accommodation, transport, logistics, keep the guests entertained with excursions, parties, events, pampering, yacht charters, sports and recreation, catering etc, the list is endless. WCS Bespoke only work with the best and most trusted suppliers and contractors in the
area; tried and tested on numerous occasions to ensure that end to end coordination and delivery is absolutely guaranteed. They have years of experience, delivering a Northern European standard within a Southern European environment and are fully aware of the importance of smoothing over any complications that this brings, especially when working with high end clients. Furthermore WCS Bespoke can go that one step further and take care of every single detail of your honeymoon. Imagine a luxury vehicle collecting you from the airport and transporting you to your private 24 hour a day catered luxury villa. Enjoy a blissful full body massage on your balcony overlooking the ocean or head out to sea aboard your private yacht. By relying on their outstanding organisational skills and natural
flair to pull teams together to deliver excellence at every stage, WCS Bespoke pride themselves on delivering an event that you will remember with fondness for years to come. Imagine not having the stress of assisting your guests with arranging their flights or ensuring your venue cooperates with
your florist. WCS Bespoke take the stress out for your wedding; just leaving the happy ever after. WCS Bespoke +34 956 61 04 74 +34 607 49 48 02 wcsbespoke.com
CONFETI 93
When Only the Best
T
will Do
here are so many elements you must consider when planning your wedding, the ceremony, the reception, accommodation for the guests, a honeymoon suite... How easy would it be if you could incorporate all these factors into one; now you can. Choosing to marry in a villa enables you to not only enjoy a private celebration but also offers total exclusivity for you and your guests. Villa weddings offer a level of privacy no other venue can provide, allowing you to create an entirely bespoke event. Contrary to popular belief, villas don’t just serve as residences for tourists; they can also serve as a whimsical place to tie the knot. One of the main advantages of choosing a villa like Candella is the variety of suppliers available to you; often with hotels or cortijo’s you are limited when it comes to caterers, florists or entertainment as the venue works with a selected array of companies, however if you opt to rent a private villa the options are endless. The beauty of the villa permits you to select a level of décor to suit your vision and budget. In the case of Villa Candella the natural surroundings provide an enchanting base for floral arrangements, lighting and decorative touches.
94 CONFETI
“I can’t afford a private villa for my wedding,” I hear you ponder; that’s where you are wrong. A villa can be a very wallet-friendly option as not only are you getting a wedding and reception venue, you are also gaining accommodation for yourself and your guests. Villa Candella offers accommodation for up to 20 people facilitating you to rent out designated rooms to your guests therefore contributing to the overall cost to hire this indulgent residence. This also eliminates the need for transportation between the ceremony, reception and hotel, resulting in another cost saving element. In addition to the financial benefits, the luxury of having your closest family and friends staying adjacent to you is an advantage money can’t buy; the perfect reason to turn your wedding celebration into a weekend event or holiday. Imagine sampling cocktails and catching up with your relatives in the evening sun prior to the big day and then celebrating with a family BBQ around the heated swimming pool the following afternoon, reliving the previous day’s events; the possibilities really are infinite. If you have families joining you on your wedding celebration, the main guest wing, known as the
tower, is ideal for keeping the little ones together. Five bedrooms and three floors offer optimum space for youngsters to run free in their own mini abode. Alternatively if your wedding is an adults-only occasion the separate living space offers an fantastic opportunity for the bridal party to stay together and prepare (equipped with champagne,) for the main event. A maid service and security is also on hand for couples wanting that VIP touch. For the wedding itself why not opt to host the ceremony within the exquisite gardens taking advantage of the Mediterranean sun before moving your guests to the terrace and courtyard or the outside bar for pre-dinner champagne and canapés whilst you sample the picturesque photographic locations including a breath-taking viewing platform, ideal for catching those moments to remember. The outdoor dining area provides a wonderful setting for the wedding breakfast allowing your guests to pour out into the garden for an evening of dancing under the stars. Villa Candella is nestled in the area of El Madroñal, one of the Costa del Sol’s best kept secrets; a green, rural region surrounded by nature. Located on the Ronda road in the district of Benahavis and perched 400 metres above sea level with commanding views of the coast below, El Madroñal lies on a vast plot of pine and cork forest adjacent to the ultra-exclusive La Zagaleta estate. Villa Madronal truly offers you an amazing setting to say “I do.” madronalrentals.com
DIRECTORY
SPAIN & GIBRALTAR Cakes Cake Couture: +34 693 379 397; cakecouturemarbella.com
Padre Peter: padrepeter1@gmail.com Paul Gill: +34 7740 949 698 costadelsolminister.com
Debbie Sheridan: +34 952 964 103 weddingcakesspain.com
Reverend Alan Maude: +34 952 808 605 alanmaude@googlemail.com
Delidelicius: +34 647 355 266 delidelicius.blogspot.com
Entertainment Anna Lenkowska Sargeant: +34 952 77 88 22 / +34 629 22 55 13; harpmarbella.com
Delicious Cakes and Treats: +34 666 584 132; deliciouscakesandtreats.com Sweet Things by Fi: +34 697 228 088; sweetthingsbyfi.com Catering Chez Vous:+34 697 931 786; chezvous.es FiestaSol: +34 952 898 746; fiestasol.com Celebrants Humanist Wedding Celebrant: malagaminister.com Kurt Kettner-Borough: +34 952 817 099/ +34 637 408 194 weddingministerspain.com Liz Wilkinson: +34 952 448 916/+34 690 255 747 ceremoniesinspain.com 96 CONFETI
Olivier Laudus London: +44 208 374 1239; olivierlaudus.com Florists Gibral Flora:+350 20042655; gibral-flora.gi Flor Valentin: +34 669 061 234; florvalentin.es Lidue単a & Nicolas: +34 952 820 069/ +34 655 554 346 disenofloralmarbella.com
DJ Nigel Davies:+34 697 931786 chezvous.es
Stephanie Florist: +35 020 041 688; stephanieflorist.gi
Musibodas: +34 660 75 32 46; classicalmusicweddings.weebly.com
General Fireworks: +34 955 716 335; pirotecniablancapaloma.es
Paul Martin / Mr Success: +34 971 572 295 /+34 602 436 751 michaelbubletribute.es franksinatratributesinger.co.uk Sabering: +34 952 815 398 +34 607 942 167; nermans.com Fashion & Accessories Anthony Diamonds: +34 952 588 795 +34 609 529 633; anthonys-diamonds.com Browns: brownsfashion.com Net-A-Porter: net-a-porter.com
Gibraltar Tourist Board: +44 2078 360 777; visitgibraltar.gi Health & Beauty Aria Medical Group: +34 952 895 088 /+34 671 639 353; ariamedicalgroup.com
Lipo Room: + 34 952 906 688 Ocean Clinic: +34 951 775 518; oceanclinic.net Reflections: +34 902 325 324; reflectionsmarbella.com Photography Boda Kids: +34 952 109 287; bodakids.es Deperez: 615 314 446; deperez.com Jeremy Standley: +34 607 717 565; jeremystandley.com Sandoval Photography: +34 668 841 636 sandovalstudios.com Scott Del Amo: +34 617 826 334; scottdelamoweddings.com Simon Andrews: +34 951 190 478; simon-andrews.com Talia Giraudo: + 34 605 275 407; thoroughlygorgeous.com
Dr. Manuel Ortiz Abello:+34 658 022 251; drmanuelortizabello.com
Sound & Lighting Chez Vous:+34 697 931 786; chezvous.es
Kathryn Parr: +34 607 717 523/ +44 7875 447 721 kathrynparr.com
Stationery Made With Love: +44 1457 838 838; madewithlovedesigns.co.uk
Lavish Hair and Makeup: +34 622 192 507 / +34 645 342 549; hairandmakeupbylavish.com
Wedding Boutique Xquisit Marbella: +34 676 482 388 xquisitmarbella.com
Fifty-Five: +350 200 79655; fifty-five.gi Gran Meliá Don Pepe: +34 902 144 440; gran-melia-don-pepe.com Holiday World Resort: +34 952 579 757; holidayworld.es La Sala Private Dining Room; +34 952 812 836; lasalabanus.com Madronal Rentals: madronalrentals.com Mons Calpe Suite: +350 200 79 478; monscalpesuite.com Nikki Beach Marbella: +34 952 83 62 39; nikkibeach.com Restaurant Mijas Playa: +34 952 493 749; mijasplayarestaurant.com Sala Beach: +34 952 813 882; salabeach.com Small World Café: +34 952 771 046; smallworldcafe.com
Caprichia Marbella:+34 676 482 388; caprichia.com Casaos Conmigo: +34 696 689 191; casaosconmigo.com Chez Vous:+34 697 931 786; chezvous.es Fiesta Sol: +34 952 898 746; fiestasol.com Granada Weddings: +34 958 521 875; granadaweddings.com Party People: +34 952 812 580; partypeoplemarbella.com Sala Events: salaevents.com Tarifa Weddings:+34 687 659 574; tarifaweddings.com WCS Bespoke: +34 956 61 04 74 +34 607 49 48 02; wcsbespoke.com Venues Cortijo Del Marques:+34 958 34 00 77 / +34 678 334 884; cortijodelmarques.com El Oceano Beach Hotel: +34 952 587 550; oceanohotel.com
29th-30th September 2012, City West Complex, Dublin, Ireland The Wedding Journal Show showcases Ireland’s largest collection of wedding dresses from international and Irish designers and local bridal boutiques as well as all suppliers for all other aspects of your day including venues, honeymoons, cakes, stationary and cars. With over 1,000 exhibitors and 40,000 visitors attending shows, this is Ireland’s biggest wedding show. Make sure you head to stand D11to catch up with the Confeti team who will be on hand to assist with everything from advice and recommendations to queries and questions. weddingjournalonline.com
The Rock Hotel: +350 20073000 +350 20073513; rockhotelgibraltar.com
After the success of the last show, the Marbella De Boda will be back bigger and better then ever. Meet with local experts and find you perfect wedding vendors at this one of a kind wedding show. Enjoy a breathtaking catwalk show, stunning floral ideas, the finest venues, the lastest bridal accessories and much more. Make sure you pay a visit to the Confeti stand and collect your complimentary copy of the only wedding bible on the Coast. marbellacongresos.com
Videography Becky Sharpe: +34 617 134 806; beckysharpe.co.uk
Wedding Planners Alhambra Weddings: +34 958 592 680; alhambraweddings.com
Wedding events not to be missed! The Wedding Journal
Marbella De Boda
Villa Del Mar: +34 952 822 211; marbellaclub.com
Wedding Lists Patricia Darch Interiors: +34 956 615 350; interiorsinspain.com
Diary
Sunset Beach Club Hotel: +34 952 579 400; sunsetbeachclub.com
TikiTano: +34 952 798 449; tikitano.com
Image courtesy of Terry Fox
DATES FOR YOUR
Boda Kids: +34 952 109 287; bodakids.es Scott Del Amo: +34 617 826 334; scottdelamoweddings.com
MALLORCA Entertainment Paul Martin / Mr Success: +34 971 572 295 +34 602 436 751 michaelbubletribute.es franksinatratributesinger.co.uk Rony B: +34 971 699 602 +34 609 633 912; mallorca-partyband.com Photography Jeremy Standley: +34 607 717 565; jeremystandley.com Scott Del Amo: +34 617 826 334; scottdelamoweddings.com
5-7 October 2O12, Palacio de Ferias y Congresos
The National Wedding Show
September 28-30 2012, London Earls Court, London, UK October 5-7 2012, Birmingham NEC, Birmingham, UK The National Wedding Show is back and better than ever before! Combining over 250 handpicked exhibitors and the UK’s largest collection of wedding dresses under one roof, the show offers everything you could need for your big day. From stunning cakes to show stopping flowers and beautiful venues to bespoke dresses, there is something for every bride and every budget. nationalweddingshow.co.uk
The Luxury Wedding Show
October 20-21 2012, Somerset House, London The Luxury Wedding Show covers every aspect of planning your big day, from designer gowns and accessories through to top venues, honeymoon destinations, florists and photographers. The Luxury Wedding Show London is an exquisite and unique experience for those looking for something luxuriously special… Champagne, catwalk shows, a premium goody bag, personal advice, and inspiration from over 100 of the most influential wedding experts. theluxuryweddingshowlondon.co.uk
Wedding Planners Gloria Events: +34 971 623 013; gloria-events.com Venues Restaurante Maxime:+34 971 837 579 / +34 605 138 145; maximevalldor.com Videography Scott Del Amo: +34 617 826 334; scottdelamoweddings.com CONFETI 97
LoveLove Love
This
ROYAL WEDDING
W
hile the eyes of the world were fixated on Facebook’s stock, Harvard graduate Priscilla Chan only had eyes for its founder, her longtime boyfriend Mark Zuckerberg, when they married in an intimate ceremony earlier this year. With a wealth that most can only dream of we would have expected this couple’s nuptials to have been reminiscent of a Posh and Becks style lavish affair, instead the low key couple decided to dine on budget friendly sushi and get hitched in their back garden. However the laser cut floral gown adorned with matte sequins the bride selected for her big day caught the world’s eye. Not since Kate Middleton’s Sarah Burton creation has a gown attracted as much media attention as Pricilla’s Claire Pettibone design; not least because of its $4,700 price tag (almost budget for a big style billionaire,) or for the fact that the bride chose a little known designer for her big day but the real surprise was that Ms Pettibone had no idea the Facebook creator’s new wife had selected one of her designs until her husband pointed out a photo of the bride! “I kind of found out about it the same way everyone else did,”
98 CONFETI
the designer exclaimed. “We had gone to Disneyland for my daughter’s fifth birthday, so we came home and my husband checked the news and he saw that Mark got married, he looked at the story and said, ‘Honey, honey this is your dress.’” “It’s not our top seller,” Ms. Pettibone announced, referring to the ‘Sky Between the Branches,’ frock, one of 40 in her bridal collection, “(but) I love that she chose that dress, I think it’s perfect for her. It has an understated quality that suited the intimacy of the event, but it still had detail and sparkle and beautiful elements about it. She’s educated and independent and chose something, I feel, that really suited her and her personality.” Since the wedding, Ms. Pettibone said traffic to her website has skyrocketed and retailers are demanding samples to show prospective brides. “There is nothing like a celebrity bride to lift your profile,” Ms. Pettibone said. The moment Priscilla changed her relationship status the aspiring paediatrician became the unlikely bridal style icon of the year. The subtle but intricate and romantic nature of Claire’s gowns perfectly complimented the couple’s private ceremony. With their backyard as the setting and friends and family gathered to celebrate their union, Priscilla embodied the ethereal spirit of a Claire Pettibone bride in a day that will be celebrated and fondly remembered forever. clairepettibone.com