Zodiac Flowers:
Serena & Alex’s
SIGN?
The Magic of theMaldives
SPEECH
The Sparkling
WHAT’S YOUR
ETIQUETTE:
Getting it Right
BIG DISNEY DAY REAL HONEYMOON:
JULIA KONTOGRUNI
Exclusive Interview
Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicated wedding bible
La Sala Gibraltar Restaurant & Bar is now officially the home for all wedding celebrations, whether it’s the engagement party, the rehearsal dinner, the ceremony or the big day itself. An occasion like no other, in a venue like no other.
For more information about our wedding packages please call our private event coordinator Oliver Medina +34 665 24 63 30 or email: oliver@salagroupholdings.com ¡ www.lasalagibraltar.com
Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicated wedding bible
Cover Photo: Galia Lahav’s Florence by Night collection. galialahav.com
Staff PUBLISHER Andy Clark andy@iconpublishing.es
blammo-biamo.com
EDITOR Sinéad Cameron sinead@iconpublishing.es
Spring 2018
FEATURES EDITOR Charli Scott enquiries@iconpublishing.es
Features, advice, tips, ideas and suggestions to help arrange THE PERFECT WEDDING IN SPAIN AND GIBRALTAR
Fashion & Beauty 8 Confeti Loves
Original ideas for your wedding
10 Theme Your Day
Spring Pastel Palettes!
12 Aisle Style -
Morilee’s Muse takes over New York
14 Designer Profile
Exclusive interview with Julia Kontogruni
22 The Finest in Bridal Design London Bridal Week and White Gallery shows
24 Nothing Fancy...Just Love Styled photoshoot by Nora Photography
28 Trend Alert!
Romantic Ruffles
30 Flourishing Spring
By Galia Lahav Couture Bridal
36 The Ultimate Proposal
Beauty & Relax at Villa Padierna
38 Whimsical Wedding Style
by Reflection’s Paul MacFarlane
Real Weddings 42 Celebrity Wedding of the Season
86 Speech Etiquette 101
Writer’s block? CONFETI offers a helping hand
88 DIY Tip of the Season Make your own confetti
102 Flowers & Star Signs
Renowned British astrologer, Russell Grant. tells you which blooms are your best match
Honeymoon 90 Heaven on Earth
Details
92 Essentials Guide
wedding photographers BALANCE
84 Your Day, Your Way
Sunshine Weddings have just what you are looking for
EDITORIAL TEAM Eleanor McKenzie, KJ Elsdon India Baltran. CONTRIBUITORS Natasha Johnson, Padre Peter, Nicola McGeorge, Paul MacFarlane
All enquiries, please call: +34 600 812 418 or email enquiries@iconpublishing.es
Tennis ace Serena Williams and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian
20 CONFETI talks to...
CREATIVE TEAM Constanza Martínez constanza@iconpublishing.es
in the Anantara Maldives
104 CONFETI’s
Address Book
The best professionals, specialists and services
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.
106 Love, Love,
Love This
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Royal Wedding
confetimagazine.com www.confetimagazine.com
Whether you dream of your wedding on the beach at the sunset, high in the mountains, or overlooking a valley dotted with vineyards, we will help you make your wedding dreams reality. Our team of professionals will handle every detail to ensure your day runs seamlessly and is one to be remembered.
SPAIN, ITALY, PORTUGAL, FRANCE, MALTA, ISRAEL... ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! /optimumweddingscompany @optimum_weddings /optimumweddings
dyana@optimumweddings.com
¡ www.optimumweddings.com
O
ur first issue of 2018 is finally here and what a treat we have in store for all you future brides and grooms! This year is set to be as busy as ever for weddings on the Costa del Sol, with more and more of you choosing sunny Spain to celebrate your special nuptials! Just like a Spring day, CONFETI is full of fresh new wedding inspiration as we move into this romantic, colourful season. Our front cover is the perfect representation of a heavenly Spring wedding day, featuring a dreamy image from Galia Lahav’s Florence by Night collection. As always, we have the latest in bridal fashion, so be sure to check out our must-read Aisle Style, as well as an exclusive interview for this season’s Designer Profile and a rather ravishing ruffle trend! This Spring we are focusing on helping couples to book their perfect honeymoon. We have found a little slice of heaven on earth in the Anantara Resort, Maldives. Of course, everywhere in the Maldives is considered a paradise and honeymoon-worthy, but this resort was like nowhere else. So, for everything you need to know and even a breakdown on what to pack, CONFETI includes your ultimate honeymoon guide! Like the rest of the world, we couldn’t contain our excitement at the thought of this year’s Royal Wedding! We give you the lowdown on what we know so far about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as an insight into another lavish celebrity wedding. Of course, our very own Real Weddings that take place right here, as usual, give our readers first-hand advice. From speech advice to DIY Tips, we hope you enjoy our blooming Spring issue and that CONFETI helps planning your special day that little bit easier! Until next season…
The Confeti Team
Galia Lahav Collection Fall 2018 galialahav.com 6 CONFETI
MUSE BY BERTA CONFETI 7
We LOVE the ongoing trend of fabulous dessert tables. Not only do they look amazing, they surely taste incredible and provide something to suit everyones sweet tooth. Photo by Balance Photography
C
My Flower Room is a modern floral design company based in the UK. They specialise in luxury, floral gifts presented in gorgeous hat boxes! Handcrafted with care using the highest quality preserved roses that last up to a year or even longer. Completely customisable, these are the perfect gift for bridesmaids or even a special wedding day gift for the bride! myflowerroom.co.uk
ONFETI loves...
Spring 2018
When you share a cupcake, you share love! Photo by Balance Photography
Glamorous mirrored tables are a wedding decor look we can’t get enough of! Photo by Love Hunters Brand ‘George’ have a perfect selection of bride and bride tribe essentials, from hen do swim suits to cute PJ Sleepover sets! For everything you need shop online at George at Asda. global.george.com
C
onfeti has searched far and wide for some swoonworthy wedding inspiration this season. We particularly love lavish outdoor wedding set-ups and why not - we’re in Spain after all! Involving drapes, mirrors, candles and metallic hints on a beautiful outdoor backdrop, what more could you want? From wedding day gifts for her to some hen do, bride tribe must-haves, Confeti loves bringing you these dreamy and unique ideas.
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CONFETI adores this shimmering bridal gown, from the latest collection by Jenny Packham. jennypackham.com
Foot jewels are becoming increasingly popular. Ideal if you are planning to walk down a sandy beach aisle but want to jazz up your toes. Photo by Nani De Perez
HAIR SALON & BEAUTY SOLUTIONS
WEDDING PACKAGES AVA I L A B L E
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel. 951 518 680 marbella@thebardou.com
Playas del Duque Puerto Banús salon.thebardou.com/marbella
Theme your Day
Photo by Balance Photography
dollhousebridesmaids.com
Photo by Balance Photography
Spring Pastel Palettes!
Photo by Nani De Perez
Photo by Love Hunters
W
ith its symbolism of a new beginning, Spring is an excellent season for celebrating love. Pastel hues work well for weddings at any time of the year, however the soft and pretty tones are particularly perfect as we come into the Spring season. If you and your partner are struggling to choose a colour scheme, pastels are a great way to go. Your hubby-to-be wants blue, you want blush, so why not throw in some lavender, lemon and mint and have an array of glorious colour on your wedding day? Everybody’s happy! Having an extensive colour palette means the possibilities are limitless, you can mix and match your décor, cake and flowers without having to stick to one colour. Check out some of CONFETI’s inspiration on pretty pastels - we’re sure you’ll love it as much as we do!
Photo by Balance Photography 10 CONFETI
Flowers by Flor Valentin
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Aisle Style
MORILEE’S MUSE
Takes Over New York
A
s one of the world’s leading brands of bridalwear, Morilee prides itself on making brides’ dreams come to life and here at Confeti we pride ourselves on bringing you the latest in bridal fashion! So, fasionistas, Confeti presents our Spring Aisle Style, the latest collection from Morilee by Madeline Gardner, ‘The Muse’ which made its runway debut at New York Bridal Market. We love bringing you the current trends, hot off the catwalk and The Muse collection certainly didn’t disappoint! With the flattering lines and versatility of gowns, there is something to suit every bride. We are huge fans of the New York
based designer, having conducted an exclusive interview with her last year. Recognised for her beautiful ballgowns and dreamy detailing, Madeline Gardner presented a collection full of fun and flirty pieces, featuring gowns adorned with feathers, corseted bodices, lovely laces and unique floral details. On trend white tassel earrings complimented the look, with natural, bohemian style plaits taking care of the hairstyle. Complete with a floral runway, you can almost picture how perfect a Spring bride would look in these creations. As the collection name entails, this season Madeline was inspired by her real brides. We adore this; in fact, Moreliee by Madeline Gardner is one of the few bridal fashion houses that also offers plus
sized wedding dresses. These are available to view online, so all you ladies, no matter what shape are size, really are the muses behind the wonderful gowns. Madeline stated about her recent ‘The Muse’ collection : “’I’ve created my collection for all of the strong, individual brides that inspire me each and every day. The incredible women that wear my dresses have always driven all of my emotion, originality, and passion. Every detail of these gowns, from the embroidery designs to the lace patterns and special beading, is with you in mind. The beauty of a powerful woman transforms into the perfect gown. For all that these heroines of today have dared to be, I dare to be too with each of these designs.”
Photographer Credit: Dan Lecca 12 CONFETI
CONFETI 13
Designer Profile
Julia Kontogruni Bridal Fashion That Sparkles
14 CONFETI
Every bride wants to put on a show for her wedding day and the best way to achieve that fairytale look is to choose a designer who isn’t afraid of making a splash. We like to think that this is the reason behind the success of Julia Kontogruni, a fashion house which has what it takes to make even the shyest and most retiring woman look like a dream on her wedding day. Specialising in fully boned corsets, elaborately embellished with hand-beaded Swarovski crystals and pearls, a Julia Kontogruni bride is guaranteed
a perfect fit. The gleam and glitter of Austrian crystals turns fabulous gowns into jewels.
I knew that being a fashion designer was my calling when... I have always wanted to do this - it was my dream. However, my parents had totally different ambitions about my future, so I took the decision to prove them I can be successful without giving up my dreams and, when the brand was founded, I named it after my mother, Julia Kontogruni.
CONFETI 15
Designer Profile
“
THE GLEAM AND GLITTER OF AUSTRIAN CRYSTALS TURNS FABULOUS GOWNS INTO JEWELS.
”
Trends that I feel will be popular in 2018...can be
recognised in our couture line which manifests itself in innovative constructions, fully handmade details and embellishments. We rely on big, lavish dresses and elegant and romantic gowns as well.
I find the inspiration for my gowns from...the happiness that our dresses provide to our brides and the emotion they feel on their wedding day, which they share with us. That’s what inspires me to seek and find the beauty in each little thing in my everyday life.
I specialised in bridal gowns because...of the opportunity to give life to women’s fantasies on their most special day - the wedding day. This makes me feel free to create, to put my feelings and emotions into each dress and gives me satisfaction.
My personal style is...we want each of our dresses to be unique, with a personal and recognisable style. We use our own production processes with a lot of needlework and apply strong control. It’s the handmade materials that give that specific look to the dresses. My biggest achievement to date...besides the competitions and awards that we have worked hard for, is the independence which I have in the creation of the gowns. This is very important for every artist.
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CONFETI 17
Designer Profile
My average working day is...I can’t really relate to this definition, because when you are following your dreams, you’re not actually working.
At the moment I’m working on... our 2019 couture line ‘Corona Borealis’ which will be introduced at the upcoming expo, Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week 2018. There we are also going to show some Julia Kontogruni 2019 collection styles so that our lovely customers could have a hint about what we are preparing for them. I would like to wish the readers of your wonderful magazine to follow their dreams like I am following mine and to put our dreams together so that we can experience an unforgettable wedding day. Kremena Gineva: Owner and Head Designer at Julia Kontogruni
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juliakontogruni.com
“Turn to page to read our editorial ”
Luxury Photography for Weddings, Events & Celebrations
“Turn page to read our editiorial”
www.BPweddingsmarbella.com
ES: 952 937 162
ES: 952 937 162 ES:+34 +34634634 ES: 965965 999 999 UK:+44 +447773 7773 UK: 769769 864 864
www.BPweddingsmarbella.com contact@BPphotosmarbella.com contact@BPphotosmarbella.com
balancephotoinsta balancephotoinsta @BPphotosmarbella @BPphotosmarbella
A Passion for
BALANCE PHOTOGRAPHY
CONFETI talks to wedding photographers BALANCE about passion for weddings, photographic influences and how to make the camera-shy couples feel at ease. What makes your photography so unique? We feel that all photography is unique and, like art, everyone has a different perception of what makes a beautiful photo. For us, it’s bringing imagination to life, capturing the emotion and telling a story through the image. Oliver and I are a professional husband and wife team whose relationship blossomed over our love and passion for photography. All our ideas are our own and we prefer to set trends rather than follow them. We offer packages with either one or two photographers, as both Oliver and I are professionals. It works well when we cover weddings together as it allows us to tell a beautiful story of the day, i.e. one of us can be with the groom and one with the bride, we can use multi angle shooting and get more coverage, but we also realise that for smaller gatherings, two photographers may not always be required. So we also offer packages with one photographer. When working at weddings we consider every detail and take our personal presentation into consideration at weddings to ensure we dress to blend in with the wedding guests. We view every wedding as unique and tailor our services to each 20 CONFETI
couple’s requirements. We provide our couples with a form in order to have a clear understanding of their preferences. This enables us to optimise their photographic coverage and ensure their personal story is documented and tailored to their needs. We only take on a set number of weddings per year to maintain our quality standards and to ensure we maintain our love and passion for photography. Consequently, we are not “hard sell”. After each wedding, we personally spend around 35 / 40 hours processing the images, adding final touches such as removal of distracting objects, such as fire exit signs, along with retouching for the bride and groom. We believe with digital photography retouching goes hand in hand as our cameras are so sharp that some areas need to be softened, e.g. skin, blemishes and dark circles. Especially now, when selfies and phone filters are so popular, people are not used to seeing themselves in an HD equivalent. Our retouching is subtle and brings the couple back to looking as they actually did. Despite the saying “the camera never lies” it actually can. When capturing photos naturally, unlike posed photos, people may not always be in the best light, so
it’s essential to consider this in post-production to ensure that the unflattering light is corrected. We also have an extensive range of lighting and equipment for various weather contingencies and are skilled in low lighting situations.
Our retouching is subtle and brings the couple back to looking as they actually did.
How do you put couples that are camera shy at ease on their wedding day? So many beautiful moments are captured discreetly, as we are equipped with the correct lenses to ensure that we are not intrusive. Many of our brides have been in tears once they have received their photos, because they have
been overwhelmed by all the moments we have captured without them being aware. For the group photos, Oliver’s musical theatre and acting background comes into play. He likes to keep the situation lighthearted and enjoyable throughout, bringing out peoples’ natural laughs and smiles.
“We enjoy bringing imagination to life, capturing the emotion and telling a story through the image.”
We often get complimented on how much this helps the couple relax. Some of our couples who are not particular fans of having their photo taken tend to enjoy participating in some fun bridal party photos. Having a giggle with their friends in a few unconventional photos can make them more at ease and less aware of the photo being taken. Our ‘kisses for a £1’ photo is a great example of this. What do you particularly like about wedding photography? We love the thought that our photos will be passed down through generations and that
grandchildren will be looking through the photos we took.This is something we do not take lightly and feel honoured to be part of each and every wedding we have ever covered. Tell us the story behind Brooke and Elisabeth’s photos? Brooke and Elisabeth had two weddings; one in London and one in the Maldives. They had invested a lot in us and we wanted to create something extra special for them. This photo was actually taken before the Maldives ceremony as they had already performed their legal wedding at
the Bentley Hotel in Kensington, London, so the Maldives was their wedding blessing. We planned the underwater photo by drawing a sketch initially. We realised that of course, the bride would not want to actually drape her dress into the water so we took with us a piece of organza silk to drape from the boat to give the illusion of her dress floating and being in the water. When we planned the photo we pictured clear blue sky and calm water. However, on the day the weather was stormy and the waves were rolling in!
I planned this photo, but it was a team effort as it was my husband Oliver who captured it. He had to wait patiently while the salt water kept going in his eye as he had the camera half underwater and half out (obviously we had our underwater housing on the camera). Visibility for him was tricky. Due to the waves, I ended up wading through the water in my dress that I had planned to wear for the ceremony to keep the boat from moving (I had brought a swimsuit to change into, but there was no time!). Many Maldivian staff members also jumped in with me to assist. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to get the shot! On the way to the ceremony, which was set on a private Island about a half an hour boat journey away, I dried off in time for their beautiful ceremony. It was a gorgeous and relaxed celebration, with one of the guests arriving in a dressing gown! We will always have very special memories of their day.
BPweddingsmarbella.com
CONFETI 21
THE FINEST IN
Bridal W
Design
hite Gallery is the exclusive destination for the finest bridal designers to showcase their latest collections to luxury bridal retailers and the press. Launched in 2009, the show is now in its ninth year and has firmly established itself as one of the highlights of the wedding calendar.
of the world’s leading designers together to showcase their newest collections to some of the best bridal retailers and wedding press in the UK. Being co-located alongside London Bridal Week really makes this an unmissable event, where retailers can shop at a range of price points and enjoy a unique buying experience all under one roof.”
This year it took place at the award-winning exhibition space - Excel London - one of the best exhibition locations in the UK. For the first time, White Gallery was exclusively co-located alongside London Bridal Week, meaning retailers and wedding press experienced the intimate and luxurious environment of White Gallery, alongside one of the UK’s largest buying events for British and international retailers. London Bridal Week is set to become the first bridal ‘super-show’ in the UK, and will replace The London Bridal Show, previously held at Olympia. It is a perfect fusion of large-scale trade fair, fashion show, and educational seminar programme.
Synonymous with high end design, prestige and exclusivity, White Gallery offers a trade shopping experience of the highest standard and is like no other buying event in the UK. The show is carefully curated and designers must all pass a rigorous vetting process to be featured at the event,
Cassandra Roberts, Head of Content and Marketing explains “We are delighted to bring some
22 CONFETI
meaning only the best UK and international designs took part. Retailers explored the best designers in a wonderful luxury shopping environment, making White Gallery a truly unique experience. Amongst the exhibitors at White Gallery we found names such as Eliza Jane Howell, Stephanie Allin, David Fielden, Charlie Brear, Alan Hannah, Sassi Holford and Rachel Simpson all showcasing their latest designs to fabulous retailers and the UK’s most prestigious wedding and lifestyle press. Sassi Holford, Alan Hannah, Savin and Morilee hosted private shows to selected members of the press and bridal retailers. Followed by designer previews from Anny Lin, Brian Chen, Catriona Garforth, Charlotte Balbier, Eliza Jane Howell, Hazaar of London, Ivory & Co Bridal and more. The successful Bridal Retail Success Academy offered thought-provoking and inspiring lessons from the best industry professionals, discussing how to run a thriving bridal business. It is the ideal place to get the support and advice you need to feel confident and ready for the next financial year. CONFETI 23
Nothing
Lo v e
fancy... just
Photographer: Nora Photography Concept and Planning: Laura at Reviva Weddings Styling and Florals: Claire at Butler & White Weddings Hair and Make-up: Louise Hill Hair and Make-up Models: Diego Guerrroro, Jana Van de Berg, Katrina Lim and Hector Chillout, wooden table and chairs: Teepee Decoracion Chillout Dress: Rosa Clara Jewellery: Black Desert Jewellery Stationery: Reviva Weddings Cake: Sweet Things by Fi
24 CONFETI
T
he inspiration for this styled shoot came from Laura at Reviva Weddings who was approached before Christmas by Nora, a talented photographer recently settled here in Marbella. Nora loved Laura’s style and wanted to shoot a Spanish style wedding for her portfolio. Coincidently Claire, from Butler & White Weddings, also contacted Laura shortly afterwards reaching out to work together and Laura had a lightbulb moment to gather this creative team together to create a styled shoot. Laura quickly put all the details together, finding models, dresses, hair and
CONFETI 25
26 CONFETI
make-up stylists and props. Nora was left in charge to find our rather hunky groom, Diego! Claire was assigned to the styling and florals and what an amazing job she did; with such energy and passion for what she creates, you will agree the end results are stunning.
decided to move the shoot forward by a day. Everyone involved was so helpful and pulled together at the last minute to make it happen. Jana and Katrina were our models for the day and had their hair and make-up done by Louise Hill. Jana was wearing a Rosa Clara Walram dress from their collection.
It was a bit touch and go with the weather so eventually we
Jewellery was supplied by Black Desert Jewellery and
the stationery was created by Laura at Reviva Weddings. The furniture and chill-out area, along with the impressive teepee structure for the ceremony area, was kindly lent by Eliana at Decoracion Chillout. It was a successful day, despite it being a bit windy and everyone involved loved the results.
Claire and Laura have teamed up to offer a styled shoot aimed at photographers wishing to add Spanish styled weddings to their portfolios to attract their ideal clients and shoot weddings in Europe. You can find out more about their first styled shoot for photographers on: theandalucianlakeworkshop.com
CONFETI 27
Trend Alert!
Pnina Tornai 28 CONFETI
Madeline Gardner
Blammo Biamo
Viktor and Rolf
Y
ou’re newly engaged and love is certainly in the air. The search for your wedding dress is on, and if you want to match your dress to your current romantic, cloud nine feeling, then a ruffled dress is sure to be a perfect fit. This season’s trend alert, ideal for a blossoming spring season, is ruffles! Confeti can’t get enough of these delicious layering effect gowns, which are sure to make you a bride to remember. Whether you opt for a princess or mermaid style, we just adore the drama of a cascading wedding dress. So, take a look at some of our favourite trends and be swept away by the romantic ruffles!
Pnina Tornai CONFETI 29
F lourishing Spring B R I D A L FA S H I O N
FLORENCE BY NIGHT GALIA LAHAV COUTURE BRIDAL
T
he CONFETI team has completely fallen head over heels in love with the latest collection from ever growing bridal fashion house Galia Lahav. The blossoming gowns are the perfect vision of a fresh, Spring bride. We were also thrilled to discover that this campaign was shot in Spain’s very own Canary Islands! Here is a little from the Galia team about their inspirations.
30 CONFETI
DESIGNERS GALIA LAHAV AND SHARON SEVER PHOTOGRAPHER Greg Swales @gregswales art VIDEOGRAPHER Saar Mizrahi @saar_mizrahi_ Video Editor Shahar Beeri @shaharbeeri Styling Sara Bascunan @sarabascunan and Lai Onyxay @lai_onyxay HMUA Sara Navarro @saranavarromakeup Art Cristina Ramos @cristinaramosatelier Models Maja Mayskar @majamayskar and Veridiana Ferreira @ver1diana CONFETI 31
“This season, the desire to imagine the intangible of the five senses, ‘envisioning the invisible’, challenged us to delve deeper into the world of scents and perfumery, rhythm and melody, to create the perfect fragrance and sound to life.
32 CONFETI
Imagine how a scent could take on a life of its own; from dreamy, sweet smells, to floral and herbal notes, and even more androgynous musks. Partnering a high-level of finery and craftsmanship with the sentimentality and personalisation of a woman’s signature scent, Galia Lahav Couture Bridal Fall 2018 is rooted in the notion that no two women are alike, each requiring their own unique scent and style.
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34 CONFETI
This notion and a bride’s desire to express her individuality in her daily life with her scent, and through fashion on her wedding day, ushered in new approaches to gossamer tulles, fine laces and intricate embroidery, woven into our interpretation of how the world of scents would come to life in our latest collection: Florence by Night.� www.galialahav.com
CONFETI 35
THE ULTIMATE PROPOSAL
Beauty & Relax THE WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
Villa Padierna Thermas is located in Carratraca, a charming villa in the hearth of the Malaga province. This five starts hotel has a hidden gem, a historic thermal bath dated back to the Roman period.
T
hroughout history, the thermal waters of Carratraca have been known for their medical properties that supply important benefits in health, beauty and detox treatments. These medical waters contain sulphur, calcium and magnesium and they are famous for having the most powerful anti-free radical and antioxidant properties that exist. This place, unique in Europe, is the perfect location to find the balance between body and mind. Surrounded by a breathtaking nature, you will feel the real peace. We all know that the weeks before the wedding are the most stressful. If you want to find the
36 CONFETI
This place, unique in Europe, is the perfect location to find the balance between body and mind. calm, relax yourself and enjoy the previous days as a pleasant experience, here two proposals. A BEAUTY BACHELORETTE DAY If one of your friends is getting married and you want to surprise her with a different bachelorette day, this is the plan. A Beauty Day with the bride and her best friends. The philosophy is simple: to create a calm atmosphere to get ready for the Big Day. Supervised by a professional that will customized your date, the program includes a thermal guided circuit, waters treatments, a jet shower experience and a group aqua gym class, all of them with the unparalleled minero medicinal waters. The package even comes with a Facial Lifting Concept.
After a day of pampering, you will discover the healthy cuisine of Chef Andrés Ruiz, let’s taste his tasteful detox juices or his signature menu based on local and organics products. An exclusive and unforgettable way to celebrate the days before. THE BRIDE-TO-BE RITUAL – 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS All brides want to be perfect on the most important day of their lives, but the weeks before are intense and exhausting. With The Bride-to-be Ritual, we propose a recovery plan. The goal it to get back the energy, purify your body and relax your mind before the W Day. The Ritual has been designed by our professional team to fully disconnect and to enjoy the pleasure of peace in a unique environment. Each program includes a healthy diet, combined with thermal water therapies, techniques for relaxation and specialized skin treatments. All of them are personalized and adapted to the needs of each person. The mineral-medicinal waters have organic substances and metals with an important antioxidant effect in our body. They also stimulate the activity of liver cells causing a detoxifying effect in your organism and your skin. If you are a Bride-to-be that wants to look splendid on your wedding day, let’s our professionals take care of you. villapadiernapalacehotel.com
CONFETI 37
W
Want the wedding day hairstyle of your dreams? Reflections very own Paul MacFarlane, who specialises in bespoke bridal hairdressing, shares his W-Day wisdom with you. In this issue Paul takes us through the biggest wedding hair trends for Spring/ Summer 2018.
himsical edding Style
It’s all coming undone This year it is all about freeflowing locks and undone up-dos. Brides are steering away from sleek, structured looks, opting instead for styles which feel fresh, contemporary and unfussy, a cool alternative to the traditional chignon. Ask your hairstylist to give your hair some extra texture by either teasing or adding in waves before pulling it back. Allowing strands to loosely hang and frame the face will give the look a pretty, effortless vibe. My must-have product for this kind of style is Redken Powder Grip €12,00 Gone is the season of straight hair: Marchesa, Reem Acra and Jenny Packham all sported soft waves. To get this look spritz Redken Fashion Waves 07, €16,88, a medium control sea salt spray, all over the head to create grit and grip before curling the hair. Take 1 ¼ inch sections and twisted them around a 1 ¼ inch curling iron in opposite directions to create those perfectly messy curls. Continuing with messier, more romantic styles, the bun has also been brought up to date; think a ballerina bun that a girl could
Galia Lahav
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achieve herself at home. Pull the hair back into a low bun and rake your hands through it for a bit of a natural airy, texture, while finishing with Redken’s Triple Take Spray, €14,25. Top off with a floral embellishment,
All tied up Plaits were seen at Ines Di Santo and I particularly loved the rumpled, fuzzy plait with a veil loosely attached, seen at Temperley London. Ponytails were also all over the catwalk. Oscar de la Renta opted for a casual ponytail, with delicate pieces framing the face, delicately wrapped at the base. The models at Galia Lahav rocked a pseudo sectioned ponytail set off by statement ties while at Marchesa, low ponytails were finished off with a velvet bow wrapped around the elastic band. If you want to try a low ponytail on your own big day (or for a pre-wedding party), make sure to leave some loose strands to frame your face. The final look is totally chic but still relaxed and the perfect complement to an ornate wedding dress
If a more carefree hair style is not your thing, soft Hollywood waves with side partings are having a moment and are ideal for evening weddings or for brides that want to add a dash of glam to the situation. Always classic but with an edge of 40s glamour, dress your waves up with a diamanté hair slide.
Photo by Nani de Perez
Red carpet glam
Colourwise, balayage is everywhere, but you need to create a bridal look which works with this colour technique, not against it. A sleek up do is a big no-no; all you will see is a dark base and a blonde bun. With the huge variety of hair extensions now available there really is an option for everyone. When working with hair extensions on your wedding day I would recommend that you go for a half up, half down style. This looks absolutely gorgeous with long, thick hair. Steer away from an all up look as it may be hard for your stylist to disguise all the bonds.
Pretty details 2018 is, without a doubt, the year of the hair accessory. Seen storming the runways all over the place at fashion week, vintage style hair combs have never been more chic. Veils are now taking a bit of a back seat. No one wants to it have a veil draped over their face anymore, so it is usually plonked at the back instead and ends up hiding most of the hairstyle the hairstylist has spent hours perfecting. Another problem with veils is that the hairdresser usually fits it, and then the bride has to take it out herself after the ceremony, which is when it tends to all go wrong. Fresh flowers are another stunning way to accessorise the hair. The gypsophila crowns that featured at the Reem Acra showcase showed the continuing popularity of floral garlands, a trend that extends to the floral patterns now seen on wedding dresses. White orchids were the flower of choice at Lela Rose, where hairstylists attached them to bits of wire and draped them behind the ears and along twisted chignons.
Always remember... Whatever style you decide to wear on your wedding day, you must try not to go too out of your comfort zone. If you ALWAYS wear your hair down, don’t suddenly then decide to wear an up do on the biggest day of your life. You are not going to feel comfortable and you are not going to feel like you. On your wedding day you should look like yourself, just a more polished version.
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Real Wedding of the Season
Tennis ace Serena Williams and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian tied the knot in a lavish, fairytale wedding in New Orleans. An unforgettable affair, laden with celebrity guests, this unique wedding is one we wont be forgetting for a long time. Confeti has all details from this star studded event!
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The sports stars and internet moguls wedding was held at the Contemporary Arts Centre in New Orleans, a romantic affair which had a French ball-themed, beauty and the beast style decor, complete with a dome style arch of gold flowers at the end of the aisle and even ‘Tale as old as time’ for their choreographed first dance. The invitations were even in keeping with the theme, elaborate white and gold boxes complete with fairytale like scrolls inside and finished with ‘Tale as old as time’ inscribed on the top of the box.The couple chose to celebrate on November 16th, as a way to honour the birthday of Alexis late mother. Venus Williams,
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Serena’s sister served as bridesmaid and the couples 2 month old daughter, Alexis ‘Olympia’ Ohanian Jr, was also a big part of their special day, with the mother of the bride carrying her granddaughter down the aisle, we’re sure this was a beautiful moment. The tennis star looked 44 CONFETI
incredible in her stunning £2.6 million Sarah Burton for Alexander Mcqueen dress, which boasted a humungous ball gown skirt, complete with XIV Karats jewellery worth $3.5million in total. Her bridal look was completed by a bouquet of classic white roses and an on trend bridal cape. Serena said to Vogue ‘I flew to London to meet
with Sarah and ended up falling in love with the ball gown silhouette, which is completely the opposite of what I ever thought I would choose for myself. I loved the idea of doing a really spectacular ball gown, and it has turned out to be such an incredibly special piece.’ The groom wore a dapper suit from Armani, consisting of a velvet midnight blue jacket, grey trousers and bow tie. Like Serena, he also changed after the ceremony, later sporting a traditional jacket with shawl collar. The bridesmaids wore custom gowns from one of Confeti’s favourite bridal designers, Galia Lahav, with one of the
bridesmaids carrying Serena’s beloved Yorkshire terrier Chip, down the aisle in his very own tiny tuxedo, he even made it into some of the official wedding portraits! The bash had some of the biggest A-list celebrities in attendance. Beyonce, Kim Kardashian West, Anna Wintour, Ciara, Eva Longoria, Kelly Rowland to name a few, all arrived for cocktails before taking their seats in the ceremony space. A short video was played that told the story of Serena and Alexis’s relationship on TV’s encased in gold frames above the aisle. CONFETI 45
The ceremony had almost a fashion show feel, with sofas instead of chairs and everything facing the aisle instead of the altar. The pair chose to write their own heart felt vows before being announced man and wife to a rapturous applause. Up next was the formal family portraits held in the Arts Centre’s Black box theatre, while guests made their way out onto the street for cocktails. Once the photos had wrapped up, a second line parade then led everyone back inside where the band was playing’ Be Our Guest’ and an around-the-worldthemed dinner was served by Creative Edge Parties. Guests found their seats at four long tables, named 46 CONFETI
after Serena’s Grand Slam wins. The newlyweds entered and Serena debuted her second dress of the evening, a show stopping heavily beaded and feathered number by Versace. It took a team of five embroiderers to create the masterpiece and Donatella Versace told Vogue ‘They worked nonstop to make sure the tiniest details were perfectly taken care of, for a total of 1,500 hours.’ The couple sat on throne like chairs, fit for a King and Queen! As for the fairytale decor, the couples wedding planner Jennifer Zabinski, spoke about the couple wanting to incorporate
Disney and an opulent royal ball vibe, but without being to stuffy and keeping it modern. They achieved this with an overall different and unique aesthetic including blue and yellow flowers, chandeliers encased in gold birdcages hanging from the ceiling and black lamé table linens. No details were spared, from the ornate white and gold wedding cake, dessert bar even a gatorade recovery bar for those guests needing a pick me up! One of Confeti’s favourite details had to be the hanging desserts, with doughnuts stations being hung from the ceilings for
no doubt, the delighted guests! From photo booths to Trophy wedding favours, nothing was left un seen too. The initial ceremony space was transformed into a chic lounge for the after party. Serena made yet another change into a short, fitting Versace dress complete with bejewelled Nike trainers! Comfort is key brides! With DJ Mike Wise on the turntables playing lots of old school 90’s rap and surprise performance from band New Edition, we are sure that everyone danced the night away.
“ Possibly one of the biggest surprises, even to Serena and organised by her new husband, has to be the revealing of a jaw dropping, illuminated, white carousel! ”
Possibly one of the biggest surprises, even to Serena and organised by her new husband, has to be the revealing of a jaw dropping, illuminated, white carousel! Needless to say, it sounds as though the couple pulled out all the stops and will be one of the most unique celebrity weddings of all time! If only we hadn’t lost our invite… CONFETI 47
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and then he asked me to marry him - my response was a mixture of laughter and tears, and of course, I said ‘Yes!’.
EXCLUSIVE
Real Weddings
ANNEV DREW
Bhavesh and Rajvi enjoyed a magical
MEANT TO BE…
We were young, crazy and care free at 17 years old. We knew of each other through friends and in the few times we would bump into each other I would sometimes get a wink and a smile and he would get a little wave back. Who would have known that 17 years later, I would be married to him!
Let the Best Dress Win
Bhavesh and I met again after some years at a fitness centre and we recognised each other straight away. We started to meet up as friends and realised that we shared the same interests however our friendship drifted slowly
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jake and Laufey
when Jake Our love story began in a queue struck up a conversation Sadly for the cashpoint in London! had as he the timing was terrible, ‘Boys just booked a three-month HowOnly’ trip to South America. complete with ever we kept in touch, bills until Jake astronomical phone (much to send me a plane ticket friends on the the annoyance of his America trip,) and suddenly South holiday became our own romantic
celebrated
at the eternally their timeless nuptials
three day celebration filled with
apart and we became quite busy in our own lives but we would call each other now and again over the years just to catch up until one day we decided to meet, enjoying each others company so greatly we began to spend more and more time together before falling completely and utterly in love.
ings
Wedding Dress: Caroline Castigliano
Bridesmaid Dresses:
Reiss
Suit: Reiss Venue: Villa del Mar, Marbella Club Hotel
stylish Villa del Mar.
Photographer: beckysharpe.co.uk
the rest of our and the beginning of in a restaurant lives. Jake proposed a few months in Paris in 2010 then twins hence later I fell pregnant with put on hold our wedding plans got for a little while.
davidtoms-weddings.com 60 CONFETI
davidtoms-weddings.com
because he loved me and he just wanted to say thank you for being such an amazing girlfriend and so I still had no clue what he was about to do. It was after dinner when Bhavesh suggested that we go for a walk on the beach. As we walked towards the sea, I was holding on to him and walking with precaution as it was dark with only the moonlight to guide us, and the deck that led to the rocks above the shore had large enough gaps for my stilettos to become wedged in! When we arrived at the beach, the moonlight hit the waves that were rolling onto the sand - we just stood there in awe of the scenery. We held each other tight and reminisced about the amazing times we had been through together over all the years we had known each other. He then suddenly said, ‘Can you see that?’ I turned around to see what he was pointing at, and as I looked down, a light shone on to the rocks where there was a sign that read, ‘Marry Me?’. I then turned back around to see that Bhavesh had got down on one knee! He told me that he wanted to spend the rest of his life and more with me
was sun, My vision for our wedding I really sea, flowers and glamour. outside, either wanted to get married suron a beach or somewhere in the blooms rounded by beautiful
idea of Initially I had a very different thought years earlier I sunshine. About three how I wanted my wedding, were relaxed Jake and I (newly engaged) I wanted more of a hippy beach as soon as I walking down the Marbella drink at feel to everything but go for a changed. front and decided to saw the venue everything restaurant. perfect but The Marbella Club beach The entire wedding was through the most sentiWe then had a little walk I would have to say the knew the speeches hotel grounds and I instantly of mental moments were that I had found the destination villa, and, of course, the ceremony. private and friends my dreams. The hotel’s Seeing all of our family and holds all that they had Villa del Mar is beautiful together and knowing 1950’s. I could the world of its charm from the all flown in from across parties that they all visualise all the glamorous was amazing. The fact in the past and as much as we that took place there enjoyed themselves my wedding; on the cake. that’s how I visualised did was truly the icing timeless. classic, glamorous and
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Would you like
We went back to our table where we finished off our champagne, when Bhavesh told me he had another surprise for me! What could possibly be better than this? I thought he may have booked us in for a spa day or he would take me shopping… No. He had booked us both in for a skydive! Fancy being proposed to and then kicked out of a helicopter at 12000 ft... romantic at first, daringly devilish to end.
fun, family and friendship.
went to Cuba and that was where Bhavesh proposed to me. We were on a tiny island off the south coast of Cuba and on our last night on the island (we were due to fly to Varadero the next day to continue our holiday), Bhavesh had booked us a table at a restaurant. When we arrived, I was surprised to see that he had arranged for us to dine in a private cabana that was beautifully decorated with candles, flowers and white curtains that were softly blowing in the breeze. During our meal, we were serenaded with beautiful Spanish love songs. At this point he told me that he did this for me
Real Wedd
Two years later, we had been well acquainted with each other’s family and friends and we had been on a few holidays together and we were definitely ready to take the next step in our relationship. It was just a case of him popping the question. Last September we
Address Book
At the Water’s Edge
Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicat ed wedding bible
ALL I EVER WANTED AND MORE…
The wedding planning begun almost immediately after we had returned back to the UK. I had always dreamt of an outdoors wedding, with beautiful scenery and romance. I already knew that this would be the theme throughout. We decided to marry in Spain as we both travelled there often. Spain has always been a destination close to home and close to my heart... the ambience, the people, the laidback attitude, the weather and climate.... we had to get married in Spain!
True Blue
davidtoms-weddings.com morning, the blessing ceremony in the afternoon followed by cocktails and the reception party into the night. All were outdoors, the weather was amazing and all this infused with the surroundings and the ‘buzz’ our guests came with made it truly the best wedding, I myself, had ever been to, and I still can’t believe that it was my own. I knew I wanted a traditional Hindu wedding with a twist of vintage and regal attire. Dianna from Party People and the team at Beau Rivaaaj ensured that the setting was just that and the planning was impeccable. The mandap was decorated with beautiful fabrics and hanging ornaments. It looked exquisite with traditional but subtle colours. The large pillars surrounding the amphitheatre were draped with beautiful images of Lord Ganesh. For the blessing ceremony, Dianna had stripped away the colours and left a beautiful plain white chuppah that was complemented by the surroundings of the Roman Stone amphitheatre. The ivory and soft pink flowers paired with our outfits made a perfect combination against the sunlight and the greenery.
I wanted a wedding with a difAfter the sounds of the Spanference and I loved the idea of ish guitar and a few champagne davidtoms-weddings.com our closest friends and family all cocktails later, guests were coming to celebrate our wedding ushered to the reception on the davidtoms-weddings.com abroad and also enjoying a holioutdoor terrace surrounded by day at the same time. We decided olive trees with suspended Chito have a three day event, with the nese lanterns and wicker hearts. Michael and Melan first being the Surprises for our guests, and our night. The two day mendhi ie marri celeb second day ed in a elega was a selves, leisure ration were ‘wow’ factors starting day at family, friend surrounde nt the Crowne Plaza s with flamenco dancing, speeches Estepona d by their and son, with Dexter. golf and spa in the morning, and performances from our loved a pool party in the afternoon and ones to large glow sticks on our a dinner in the evening and the entrance, a live bongo player over last day wasOUR our big a UK DJ spinning the best beats dayY… STOR - with the Vedic Hindu Micha ceremony and then a firework finale. el and I in the met throug ing and h workliving in Marbe the Real Estate secto lla, in years ago. r about 8 CONFETI 61 property I was working for developer a for a renow and Micha el company. ned Real Estate He was professiona charming, polite and l, kind way about him, had a very of misch with a hint ief After a few in those blue eyes. each other, years of not seeing each other we bumped into again and meet up decided for coffee to tea, and or hence forth in my case good friend became s. We were ing for differe worknt comp then and anies by we chat, laugh would meet up to woes over , tell each other our a ner. Micha bit of lunch or dinel board and was my sound ing confid ante. enjoyed each others We really everything company, plicated. was easy and uncom OUR VISIO One day shortly after one of my Spain holdsN… birthdays, my age and the in our hearts a very special (not telling of cours wedd as we have place e) we met normal and all the ladies ing date, given lived here up both to for many turned out kissed’ and things changed, as real treat our son to be ‘we Dexter was years and and also was born. Michael and Melan proved to a an excell Costa del born in the ent be ie Sol Hospi friends and memento for our sion was tal. Our vito share family. Michael our and this proposed special time wedding 2 month later, on OUR MOST with our s the last loved ones. in our lives TREASURE day of an amazing MOM we We knew wanted to D ENTS cruise holida get everyo beautiful It is hard … together ne all ring. It was y, with a to select and for our ful surpri just one moment a and wond neare deare se erst from our st to be wedding even start and before we could as each a initiation day and every planning into marrie part of our I was pregn perfect. the wedd minute was addition, d life and However ing, for some ant. when the churc , who had in yet had the h and Julie- I entered not soprano our darlin pleasure, to meet singer beganAnn our g son. Ave Maria singing my heart also dedic melted. We chose She ated Villa Tiberi ing the recep a song to us location o as our duras tion dinne created such wond it is decorated with a very speci r, which for Micha fountains. erful gardens and al memo el ry A simple the funnie and myself. I think scheme colour of st mome nt when my pale blue just off-white and mother was had to be was select Flamenco perfectly complemened, which dance and doing her cided he simple and Dexter deted our could elegant grandmothe n´t be withou adorned vision. We t his the main r, ‘Abu’ for moment table with crystals even one so and blue her on the he decided to join place cards chose invitations, dance floor! and a stunn all, having seating Above ing plan in the everyone cherish The pale same hues. we love together and blue Spani for two whole days ultima embellished sh fans, with our ding everyt tely made our wednames ever wishe hing we could have d for and more.
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With a View
Amr and Dani’s wedding day was illuminated by panoramic views, a stunning sunset, starry night and fireworks. Try and try again
A midas touch
Three years ago we planned a trip to NYC and Amr missed his flight. Unknown to me, he planned to propose during a carriage ride around Central Park with a hidden photographer. After this failed Amr had to come up with another idea and FAST! He knew that I really love everything about Christmas, so he thought what better way to propose than in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree? I was totally in shock and this even lasted though the special meal that Amr had arranged, so he ended up having to eat all my food himself.
We booked the best of the best wedding planners, Dyana Dessar Simmons and her team. Both Dyana and Sara have incredible personalities and we simply clicked. They are both welltravelled and shared the same vision as us about the kind of wedding we wanted, seeking perfection in every step. Communication was superb and the trust was there from day one.
From near and far We decided on Spain for our celebration because basically we needed a location in the middle for all our guests. Amr is Canadian with Egyptian origins and I am European. Amr’s family have also vacationed in Málaga for the last few years, so we decided on Southern Spain for our wedding day. Our guests loved their holiday here and I am sure many will be visiting again.
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Most of our guests still mention how professional Dyana and her team were during the wedding and how they managed to blend in with the background, yes still be everywhere at once. I also must mention how much fun they are, they are such good company to be around. Water’s edge We decided on La Cabane Beach Club at the Los Monteros Hotel for our wedding venue. With its location on the shores of the Mediterranean, La Cabane is one of the most elegant and exclusive places on the Costa del Sol. Its magnificent panoramic views and its functional and modern design made it the ideal place for our special day.
Surrounded by love I got ready for my wedding day surrounded by my closest family and friends in the stunning bridal suite at Los Monteros. My dress was designed in Dubai; I chose a sweetheart neckline with sheer sleeves which sat off the shoulder. Petals were appliquéd to the organza skirt of the gown which gave an effect of ruffles. For my hair I wanted a half updo with height at the crown and voluminous waves. A delicate tiara and full-length veil finished off the look. For the make-up Nicola McGeorge created flawless glowing skin with a soft smoky eye and nude lip. Time to blush For the flowers we wanted something elegant and classic. The table décor was particularly spectacular: tall vases placed on circular mirrors were filled with white and soft blush blooms. Blush candles, tea lights and small vases of white roses were placed around the vases to give a real ‘wow’ factor. Ceremony remix The ceremony had a totally romantic air to it. I walked down the aisle right next to the pool on my father’s arm, with the sea as the backdrop. This setting had not been done before at La Cabane and it was everything that we wanted. The ceremony was led by Kurt Kettner Borough which he personalised for us. We especially loved the part CONFETI 51
Real Weddings
where we got to tell each other what we loved about each other in front of our family and friends. Let’s tuck in The La Cabane team modified their catering to suit our taste – well, anyone’s taste, the food was that good. Excellent cuisine was very important to us and we had an abundance of it. We decided on food stations to create a less formal vibe and there was everything
you could think of: lobster, fish, every possible meat, fresh salads and vegetables. It was a taste sensation. The big picture Jeremy Standley was highly recommended and we were extremely happy with his work and professionalism. We absolutely love our photos - how could you not?
Our favourite moments... Amr said that he thought I was a beautiful vision walking down the aisle to meet him. The fireworks, which were coordinated with the music, were definitely a highlight. We loved seeing our guests enjoying the food stations we had set up for them. The whole wedding felt like people were having a great time rather than attending a formal event. The band was out of this world and made sure the dance
floor was packed all night. We must also mention our electric violinist, Quike Navarro who was electrifying. He threw himself into the party and everyone went wild. Honestly, it was one of the best days of our lives.
ADDRESS BOOK Wedding Planner: Dyana Dessar Simmons, optimumweddings.com Venue: La Cabana @ monteros.com Make-up: Nicola McGeorge Flowers: virginiaflorista.com Minister: Kurt Kettner Borough Music: Show 4 You Band by Paul Maxwell Photographer:Jeremy Standley, jeremystandley.com
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Centro Idea. Ctra. De Mijas km 3,6. 29650 Mijas – Málaga + 34 669 061 234 | +34 951 311 086 | janne@florvalentin.es
WE ARE A DANISH FLOWER SHOP AND FLORAL DESIGN FIRM IN COSTA DEL SOL. OUR SHOP IS LOCATED BETWEEN FUENGIROLA AND MIJAS BUT WE SERVE WEDDINGS AND EVENTS ALL OVER SOUTHERN SPAIN. CALL US TO DISCUSS YOUR EVENT OR ORDER FLOWERS FOR YOUR OCCASION ON OUR WEBPAGE WITH SECURE PAYMENT. WE WILL BE THRILLED TO HELP MAKING YOUR DAY MAGICAL.
Real Weddings
First Comes
Love
The grand getaway In February 2016 Dermot treated me to a weekend to Krakow, Poland and one morning he persuaded me to take a horse and carriage ride during which he popped the question. With the excitement of the diamond and the laughter I forgot to answer – not that he needed one! After deciding to tie the knot in Spain we arranged a short trip to meet our wedding planners, Sunshine Weddings and view potential venues. They took us to see two chapels – one which we fell in love with. The Church of the Immaculate Conception was everything that we had imagined and hoped for. This was followed by a viewing of El Oceano in Mijas. I remember on our way in I pulled Dermot back and told him to remember it wouldn’t look as good as it did in the photos. I was wrong! It was even more beautiful in reality. Soon after deciding the wedding would take place abroad we made the decision to employ the services of a wedding planner. This would make life easier, considering that we were both working full-time and
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Natasha and Dermot married in a glam modern affair tied together with cheery pops of pink and blue.
had a toddler to care for. From the first email Sunshine Weddings completely understood what we were after and no question was too silly and the responses were so quick and friendly. With a few changes days before the wedding, including three guests not able to make it, the team handled all the issues with ease. As a bride I can safely say that the reassurance and help they provided on the day of our wedding is something for which I will never be able to thank them enough. Express your style When shopping for my wedding dress I brought along my auntie and mum as I knew they would give me an honest opinion on what suited me best. In I went to the shop knowing exactly what I wanted with a photo of the dress I was after. Eleven dresses later I soon realised the style I was after was not the style for me! I remember going home that evening and feeling nervous yet excited that I had just purchased the most important dress in my life.
For the bridesmaids, I wanted a light fabric and, of course, their dresses to be of a similar style to mine, with the back being the main attraction. I ordered one of their dresses on a whim and although I loved it, I felt there was something missing. I took the gowns to the local dressmaker who added fabric to the front and instantly changed the dresses, making them feel more personal to me. Regarding the men, styling them was the most difficult task. From the start I knew that suits or even blazers were a no-go due to the heat. After many possible outfit
ideas we settled on blue chinos to match the bridesmaids, linen ivory shirts and navy plimsolls. With the men it was definitely a case of ‘less is more’ and they looked great on the day of the wedding, along with their buttonholes to match the bouquets. Close and personal Outside the chapel we had a small bay tree and a sign that Shona, our florist, made for our son to hold, welcoming our guests to his mummy and daddy’s wedding. With my bridesmaids’ dresses being blue we decided a pale pink would complement beautifully. I wanted the whole wedding to
look relaxed and effortless, so we decided on a rose bouquet for myself and just a plain gyp bouquet for the bridesmaids. Although we chose a destination wedding it was very important that we married in a chapel just like a wedding at home and that my family friend, Fr. Thomas McHugh conducted the wedding. Although the chapel was quite large the mass itself was very intimate and personal to us – just how we wanted it. Father Thomas made the ceremony flow with ease while also making it humorous and meaningful.
Exceptional entertainment From the moment we got engaged I knew I wanted the music at my wedding to be just a man and his guitar and this is exactly what we had. One night Dermot contacted a friend and asked if he would be interested in coming out to Mijas with us and performing the music at our wedding and he instantly agreed. At the champagne reception Paddy sang along with his guitar while my daddy joined him with his Djembe drum (he is currently a drummer in a band). I remember sitting that day looking around the wedding reception while the two of them played side by side and thinking there was no feeling like it.
Yes, dreams can come true From the beginning of the day to the end I can safely say every minute of the day was incredible. Although there were times, leading up to the wedding, where we felt the stress of having a wedding in another country, without a doubt it all paid off. Getting married abroad allowed us to have a week-long holiday with all our friends and family, something that we will never get the chance to do again. The wedding week also allowed us to create lifelong memories with our son. We did try to identify our favourite moment of the day, but it was simply impossible, as everything was utter perfection.
ADDRESS BOOK Wedding planner: Sunshine Weddings sunshineweddings.com Dress: Perfect Day perfectdayni.com Hair and Make-up: Ella Megan ellameganmakeup.com Flowers: Bunches Flowers bunchesspain.com Minister: Fr. Thomas McHugh Music: Paddy Collins Cake: Cakelicious Venue: El Oceano Beach Hotel oceanohotel.com Video: Paco Montagut pacomontagut.com Photographer: Hummingbird Photography CONFETI 55
Real Weddings
The PERFECT
Wedding
Mary and Marc’s story hasn’t been without its setbacks and dramas, but when they made that final decision to tie the knot, they knew exactly where to look – Marbella, of course! We met in my hometown Ballyjamesduff in 2008 on a night out and the rest is history. In 2009 Marc was involved in a car accident that left him with a spinal injury; in most cases this would put a relationship to the test, but it just made us grow stronger. A quote that describes it perfectly says, “The couples that are meant to be are the ones who go through everything that is meant to tear them apart and come out even stronger.” Spanish setting Since I think it’s every girl’s dream for the sun to shine on their wedding day we knew that we would probably end up looking overseas for our perfect wedding venue. I had visited Marbella before and loved it, so we decided to go to Spain for our wedding, knowing that it was a comparatively short flight from Ireland and accessibility for Marc would be excellent. Of course, given Marc’s condition, it was very important that the venue answered our needs. We contacted Laura at Reviva Weddings. She was very honest, telling us that she had never previously planned a wedding for someone in a
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wheelchair, but that she was up for the challenge, so we discussed the different venues options and what was possible with a wheelchair. We flew to Marbella and visited the different venues Laura had narrowed down for us. We had seven places to view in one week and the last on our list was the Gran Melia Don Pepe. We already liked two other venues we had seen, so we were on the verge of cancelling our visit, but Laura convinced us to give it a try. When we arrived at the
Don Pepe, Marc and I just looked at each other and we knew it was the one. We loved the decor, the pool area and amazing location looking out over the beach but, most of all, it was suitable and accessible for Marc.
She’s got the look For my dress, I wanted something light because of the weather. It was also important that it would be suitable around the wheelchair, so this ruled out ballgowns and long trains. I found a dress in Frilly Frocks in Drogheda. I went there four times to try on the dress, but I knew I had to make up my mind when the owner joked that she would give me a loyalty card the next time I came back. So, I said yes to my Eliza Jane (Howell, of course!) My bridesmaids wore navy coloured dresses from Coast, which fitted perfectly with my navy with blush pinks and gold colour scheme. I follow Laura on Instagram and Facebook, so I had seen her style and decoration for weddings. I just told her about my colours and asked her to do what she thought suited the venue and church best and she did an amazing job! We wanted a traditional wedding, so we got married in Encarnacion Church in Orange Square in Marbella. It truly is the most beautiful church I have ever seen.
A traditional sit down As all our guests were from Ireland, they love their traditional sit-down meal. I didn’t even have to ask the hotel for this - when I told them we were Irish, they just laughed and said, “Extra mash and veg?” But I did want to have some sort of Spanish food as well, so we incorporated tapas into the canapés, with cava for the ladies and beer for the lads. Our cake was made by Sue and was so pretty. We also had a doughnut wall arranged by Laura. Everybody loved it! For the special touch, I really wanted a selfie mirror, which Tristan arranged for us. We chose The Rivermen for music and they played a wide selection of all types of music. It’s all about the image Choosing the right photographer and videographer is so important! It really is the one facet of the day in which cutting corners is unwise, because in the end all that’s going to be left of your day are the photos and videos. With
the help of Laura, we chose Salvador from Evergreen Photography. His pictures were amazing and he really did his best to get every shot possible. Favourite moments From start to finish everything was perfect and more than we could ever have dreamt of. A very funny moment, which still makes Laura and me laugh is during our food tasting Marc got so drunk that all he cared about was that the open bar was going to be open all night. It is now known as the 16-hour open bar moment! One of Marc’s favourite moments was on the morning of the wedding; going for a haircut and shave with his dad and brother and, after that, for breakfast and beers. For me it was getting ready with my mum and bridesmaid, a really special time. There were lots of tears of joy and happiness but also nervousness - but the moment I will never forget is walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing my groom waiting for me with tears in his eyes, while ‘The Voyage’ by Christy Moore played in the background. I wish I could turn back time to do it all over again.
Words of advice Before the wedding everyone told us to enjoy the lead up to the wedding and every moment of the day because it would be over before we knew it. I wish I had listened to this advice more, because it’s so true. I actually miss all the planning and the decisions, the emailing back and forth - every minute of it!
ADDRESS BOOK Venue: Melia Don Pepe Hotel Wedding Planner: Laura Reviva Weddings Caterer: Melia Don Pepe Wedding Cake: Wedding Cakes in Spain Flowers: Virginia Florist Wedding Dress: Eliza Jane dress from Frilly Frocks in Drogheda Hair & Make-up: Louise Hill Photographer: Salvador Evergreen Videographer: Salvador Evergreen Music: The Rivermen Entertainment: Magic Mirror Tristan Harper
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Real Weddings
Planned to
Perfection Michael and wedding planner Amy drew inspiration from the venue and crafted a charming garden wedding with soft hues and homespun details. Modern Romance We met in Thailand while I was on holiday with my family and Michael was with friends on a stag do. Our first date wasn’t exactly a glamorous affair - in fact it was at a beach bar over a couple of Changs and a pot of Pringles! Michael proposed in Spain and it was totally unexpected. We had spent the day searching for a restaurant with a beautiful view. I had wondered why he was making such a big deal about it, as he knows he could take me out for a curry or a pizza and I would be happy. I suggested the La Quinta Golf Club to calm him down, as our restaurant search had been unsuccessful. We both loved going there for a glass of wine, as it has beautiful views from the veranda, and that’s where he proposed. It was perfect. Letting nature play a part We both agreed we wanted to get married in a traditional Spanish villa and both love botanicals 58 CONFETI
and greenery, so were hoping for an outside ceremony. We viewed five villas before we drove into Benahavis along the quaint streets, surrounded by the beautiful hills and basked in the sunshine. It felt really special. We found the villa nestled in the hills; the location of Casa
del Rio was perfect for us, close to the beautiful village of Benahavis, secluded and private, the views of the hills and a running lake which was totally relaxing. Michael could see the excitement on my face, and I could see the relief on his - we had found it! Time to select a date, show him my Pinterest boards and celebrate.
All hail the veil I wanted a dress that I could feel comfortable in, a bohemian and relaxed style to match our venue. I chose a Sally Eagle while at a trunk show in a London boutique. I loved my veil, it made me feel like a proper bride, and I got my shoes in the Topshop sale.
sister-in-law curled my hair, as I wanted a natural tousled look to complement the boho style of the day. I had planned to put my hair up for the evening, and had brought a beautiful gold leaf hair clip, but with the celebrations in full swing I totally forgot to make the change!
My bridesmaids’ dresses were from ReWritten. Anyone looking for a more stylish and flattering style should check them outl they have an edgy showroom in London, and the team was amazing. I had flower crowns made by FolkeyDokey, which completed my bride squad’s look - they all looked HOT!
Something old My parents are separated but still good friends and, about 10 minutes before the ceremony, I had a moment with them in the room to catch my breath and they gave me a gift. They had had my mum’s diamond engagement ring made into earrings and a necklace, which I wore on the day and now treasure. I am sentimental and a big softie at heart, so I also had a picture of my grandparents as a locket I carried in my bouquet. I had one made for my sister-in-law’s bouquet too, which had a picture of Michael’s mum and his nan. We also had pictures of them on a table during our ceremony with a memory candle and scattered white feathers in their memory.
Michael had his suit custom made by tailors Clements and Church. It cost nearly as much as the dress, but he looked so dapper! He wanted something unique and stylish and it even had our wedding date and venue embroidered inside. Get glowing My make-up artist Nicola McGeorge recommended some great salons for my bridal treatments and I had a Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusion Booster Facial at Pure Skin boutique the day before, which gave my skin a red-carpet glow and some much-needed hydration (as I had been in Spain a week before indulging in G&T’s and bubbles!) Nicola was so professional and put me at ease the moment I met her for my trial. I left it in her capable hands to create my natural make-up for the day, with a smoky eye. My
Please be seated We both knew the ceremony was going to be emotional, every time I played my walking down the aisle song (‘Moon River’, my grandparent’s song) we both welled up. We are not religious so wanted a more personal approach to celebrate our love. We booked Rock my Reception to play acoustic guitar during the signing of the register and chose The Pogues ‘Love Me Till The End’. We had a more upbeat song to walk back down
ADDRESS BOOK Photographer: Pedro Bellido pedrobellido.com the aisle (Sonnentanz’s ‘Sun Don’t Shine’) to get the party started. I will never forget the applause when they announced us as “Mr. and Mrs. Hughes” with the sun beaming down on us - it was like something out of a film. Bottoms up We had sangria and homemade lemonade when guests arrived at Casa del Rio. After the ceremony our guests enjoyed cava, beer and canapés, which were delicious. We had a ‘bubbles bar’ for guests to add fresh fruit and cordials to their cava and a ‘hydration station’ with water and lemonade throughout the day. During our wedding breakfast Sana Catering served a barbecue and then we had a dessert bar, which consisted of our favourite sweet treats; mini Eton Mess, Cheesecake, Profiteroles etc. Just after midnight we had slices of Pizza (my favourite) and Sliders, which was a great cure for our hangovers the following day! The day after our wedding we invited all our guests back to
Dress: Sally Eagle Make-up: Nicola McGeorge Flowers: Janne @florvalentin.es Minister: Michelle from Ceremonies in Spain Catering: Sana Catering sanacateringmarbella.com Videographer: Charles Mori Music: Rock my Reception; DJ Sam Asplen; Sister Sax Venue: Casa del Rio, tramores.com the villa for our ‘just married’ pool party where Sana Catering served Tapas and Paella to complement our sangria and cava bar. My favourite moment The ceremony was by far my favourite moment, finally being able to call Michael my husband surrounded by our closest family and friends. It was a whirlwind, and we were both buzzing for the whole weekend! CONFETI 59
Real Weddings
Once in a
Lifetime Nathalie and Manuel crafted their ‘nature meets glamour’ nuptials around a refined palette of grey. Capture the moment Manuel and I went on a lastminute holiday to Gran Canaria in May 2016. Manuel asked if I wanted to go to the animal park and I said “Yes!” He is against animal enclosures and had refused to go to any animal parks before. This was a once in lifetime opportunity and I was not going to refuse. I absolutely love animals, especially dolphins. After watching the bird show and just before going to see the dolphin show, Manuel arranged for the park workers to take photos of us in front of the beautiful view. As soon as the photo was taken I started to walk away but Manuel held my hand tight and grabbed my other hand. He then proposed to me - it was the happiest day of my life Taking a risk We searched high and low for a wedding location and we were 100 per cent sure that we wanted to get married abroad. We started off with Jamaica then Mexico and finally Spain. Spain seemed to be the perfect place for us, as it is a Spanish speaking country, making things easier for my family and friends. 60 CONFETI
Manuel and I put a deposit down on our venue, Villa Bermeja in Casares just by looking at photos. It was a huge risk, but I could picture my dream wedding being held there. Six months later Manuel and I went to see Villa Bermeja for the first time in person and fell in love with it. Your essential planner As I was looking for a wedding location in Spain on Google, Sunshine Weddings Spain popped up. I clicked on the website and I never looked back. I’m so glad I made that decision and have no regrets whatsoever.
I read many bridal magazines and they all say “not everything will go to plan” but with Sunshine Weddings Spain everything did! There was not a single error on our day. How did they do that magic? Scott was so caring and supportive throughout the year of planning. He was an absolute star and made us feel relaxed throughout the whole process. If there was anything we had to talk about, Scott would book a Skype call with us.
Laidback luxe I always dreamed of a princess wedding, so I ensured that I bought a princess dress from Stella York. My colour theme was light grey and ivory/white and I wanted everyone to look formal but also be comfortable due to the hot weather. My bridesmaids wore light grey dresses from David’s Bridal in London. All bridesmaids chose their own style of dress but in the same colour. I wanted to ensure that all the bridesmaids felt happy in their dresses. Manuel wore dark grey trousers, waistcoat, white shirt and a light grey tie, while the groomsmen wore light grey trousers, white shirts and light grey ties. For my hair I finally decided on a half up-half down style with waves. Pinterest helped me so much as I had no idea what I wanted. Alex Harrocks, my hair stylist, managed to sort my hair out and I felt extremely comfortable on the day. Regarding make-up, I really had no idea what I wanted. On the trial day with Nicola McGeorge, I simply told her that I wanted to look like a princess but not like a different person. I wanted to be ME. I clearly didn’t make any
sense, but she knew exactly what I was talking about. How? I don’t know. Nicola knew exactly what she was doing; I am an extremely picky person and do not like others doing my make-up but with Nicola it was a different story. She also stayed at my wedding for the rest of the day to re-touch my face. She ensured that my husband, family members and I looked perfect throughout the day. Nicola is blessed with amazing hands and her work is spectacular. She made my dreams come true. One love Our table names all referenced songs by Bob Marley. Manuel and I went to Jamaica and absolutely loved it to the extent that we really wanted to get married there but, as it was impossible for all our family to fly out there, we decided to bring Jamaica to our tables. A silver lining My colour theme was light grey and ivory/white because I wanted our wedding to look simple, elegant and beautiful at the same time. Sometimes simplicity is the best way forward. The flowers were ivory/white roses, gyp for a slight touch of greenery, white lillies were used for the gazebo and white lisianthus. Our table plan was on a mirror with a silvery grey border. To create a romantic atmosphere fairy lights were placed all around trees and villa.
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Real Weddings Make it memorable Our wedding ceremony was held in the amazing garden at Villa Bermeja. The vows were a true reality check for both of us and Manuel got a little overwhelmed and emotional, seeing all his family members and friends together in one special place for us. As I started to walk down the aisle with my father, I suddenly felt at ease as I knew I was going to be beside my beautiful Manuel again. The ceremony went on for about 30 minutes. Padre Peter was amazing and ensured that we were both okay at all times. The ceremony was mainly in English but with a touch of Spanish every now and then. Manuel said his vows in Spanish and I spoke mine in English. As both of our families are Colombian and speak Spanish, we thought it was only right to speak Spanish in our ceremony too.
wedding; this included signing the marriage certificate, lighting our candles and reading the prayers. It was the most beautiful experience ever. It’s very difficult to express how incredible it all was. Works of art A great friend whose mother lives in Sevilla, brought abanicos (hand fans) in many different colours for my guests. Each abanico was hand painted with flowers. This is very traditional and is usually given to women in Spanish weddings. I really wanted guests to make use of things given to them at the wedding so ordered personalised wooden place names for everyone. These place names were in glittery grey and could be used as magnets. Guests happily took their names back to London and I love seeing the place names on their fridges.
Face the music With the support of our wedding planners, we were able to find an extremely talented violinist called Quike Navarro. He was absolutely amazing. I’ve always loved the sound of the violin and dreamed of playing it myself, however, it didn’t really happen. Quike played the most amazing current songs (e.g. ‘Despacito’ by Daddy Yankee and ‘Bailando’ by Enrique Inglesias) during the cocktail hour which got everyone moving to the beat. Latinos sure do know how to party!
A lasting impression Manuel is not really into photography, while I really appreciate it. We absolutely loved Jeremy Standley’s approach. Our photos are beautiful memories of special moments rather than the usual stiff poses. Some photographers can be quite demanding and stop make-up artists and hairdressers from doing their job properly to capture an image. This did not happen with Jeremy at all and everyone was at ease. He is a great photographer.
ADDRESS BOOK
Making the cut Our wedding videographer was Antonio De Perez. I’m not sure how but he did a fantastic job with our wedding video. I cried throughout the whole thing. It was absolutely beautiful and such an amazing feeling to be able to re-live our special day. Antonio got on so well with my family from the moment he arrived. He was very loving and caring. He is possibly the most relaxed and hardworking videographer ever, who produces amazing results.
We believed it was very important for all members of our immediate family to have an input in our
Wedding Planner: Sunshine Weddings Spain sunshineweddings.com Dress: Stella York dress from Aurora Brides Make-up: Nicola McGeorge Hair: Alex and Ella Flowers: deseosflorist.com Minister: Padre Peter Catering: fiestasol.com Drinks: BWS bwsdrinksdistribution.com Violin: Quike Navarro houseviolin.com Music: DJ Pedro Videographer: Antonio De Perez Venue: Villa Bermeja @ sunshine weddings.com Photographer: Jeremy Standley jeremystandley.com 62 CONFETI
We will never forget... The ceremony was extremely special for both of us. Seeing our family and friends in one place filled our hearts with joy. We released a total of 30 balloons for very important people who we’ve recently lost. Ten balloons were for our little stillborn nephew Angelo, 10 balloons were for my grandmother Eleanor and 10 balloons were for Manuel’s uncle Stephen. We would have loved to have them there on our special day, so we dedicated a little moment to them and sent them balloons instead. After dinner, we then moved to the dance floor area and from that moment on my guests did not stop dancing. We had Salsa, Salsa Choque, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton, Cumbia, Dance-Pop, Disco, Pop and much more. This moment was priceless because everyone was so happy. I wish I could re-live the day.
Real Weddings
A Day unlike any other An offbeat venue and rich colour palette filled Dan and Dipali’s celebration with the perfect mix of modern details and nods to tradition. Reel talk Dan’s proposal was amazing. He had arranged a surprise birthday party for me and hired a cottage near the Cotswolds. I had absolutely no idea! That evening, Dan put on a video which he had prepared, which was a mixture of pictures from our time together and video messages from friends around the world. Dan then proposed to me. None of the party guests knew this was coming, so everyone was surprised. Let the planning begin A few weeks after the proposal, we started discussing what type of wedding we wanted and narrowed it down to having an outdoor wedding at a lovely villa in Spain. We realised that it’s very difficult to plan a wedding in another country, especially when you don’t have any contacts, or even speak the language. We therefore knew it would be wise to seek advice from a wedding planner. We came across Dyana from The Weddings Company and wrote an email to her explaining who we were, what we wanted and asked whether she could help us. We received a detailed and personal reply the following day and booked a Skype chat with her. From the moment of our first (of many) Skype chats, we realised she is exactly the kind of planner we wanted. She was so knowledgeable, she knew so much more about Indian weddings than we did and she really put us at ease. We knew within moments that we definitely wanted Dyana to be in charge. Seamless design For the wedding dress I chose a simple Indian lehenga and included crocheted lace - the chunni also matched our colour theme. For the reception I chose a flamboyant but comfortable dress in blue and gold, again matching the colour theme. Dan chose a simple and casual outfit for himself: a blue shirt, white 64
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trousers, and dark blue shoes. I had to convince him to not turn up in shorts. Behind the scenes I wanted to have two different hair and make-up styles, one for the Indian wedding ceremony in the afternoon and one for the evening reception. Pooja Shah was one of my bridesmaids and she looked after my hair and make-up. For the Indian ceremony she created a loose, boho up-do, accessorised with a lace hairpiece that matched my outfit. For the evening I wore my hair down with an elegant, statement hair accessory. For the make-up, I chose a natural look, a light blush pink eye shadow for the Indian ceremony and a darker eye shadow for the evening. Let’s get crafty I am a graphic designer so typically my first stage of planning was to create a mood board and about five Pinterest boards. There were many things I wanted to make or design for the wedding. I was aiming for a bohemian yet elegant look with blush pink, blue and gold colours. Alongside this, I am a bit of a Scrabble fanatic and used to enter Scrabble competitions. This was a huge part of my childhood, so I wanted to incorporate this into our theme. We wanted to have flowers that would last, so we chose to not buy real ones. Instead, I made my own flower roses for my bouquet, and smaller versions for my bridesmaids. As the bouquets were to be a keepsake, I added a personal touch to them, by incorporating parts of my old Indian outfit from my teens. Each bridesmaid’s bouquet featured her name using wooden scrabble letters. I made the buttonholes for the groomsmen, the groom, and both the dads using paper flowers and scrabble letters. Each buttonhole
was tied with lace, which brought the whole look together. We chose a simple mandap using some handmade flowers for decoration, keeping it looking clean and effortless. It’s time to say I do The Hindu ceremony was conducted by Soham Archarya from the UK and took place in the
gardens of the villa. Once all the guests were seated, Dan walked down the aisle accompanied by his mother, father, brother and sister. Dan’s family were welcomed at the entrance of the mandap by my parents and Dan was officially invited in. A few ceremonial rituals were performed with Dan and my parents, before Soham blew the horn to signify the arrival of the bride.
At this point, the entrance song was played - ‘I Get To Love You’ by Ruelle. This song is one of my favourites and the lyrics were spot on and so fitting. The ceremony lasted a little over an hour, and was conducted beautifully, with Soham really engaging the audience, and explaining to all each part of the ceremony, its purpose and meaning. Keeping it personal We printed out Polaroid style photos of us over the years with friends and family and hung them onto the garden railings for the guests to view. Decorations on each table included slices of wood and mason jars with tea lights. Our parents helped to make heart shaped confetti out of the leftover paper from the paper flowers, which was scattered on all the tables, along with some random scrabble letters. For the lighting, we wanted it to be bright and colourful. Fairy lights were wrapped around the trees and lantern lights scattered
ADDRESS BOOK Wedding Planner: Dyana Simmons optimumweddings.com Make-up: Pooja Shah & Devang Shah Hair: Pooja Shah Priest: Soham Archarya Flowers: Dipali Cake: Kirsty Wedding favours: Chundun Haria near the top table and above the dance floor. A dance floor comprising twinkling lights added to the ambience. Made to last It was a truly magical day. Seeing our close friends and
family all in one place celebrating our wedding, meant so much to us and really made the day so special. So many people travelled from around the world, some of whom we hadn’t seen in a long time. It was such a shame that it had to end.
Venue: Villa Africa, villa-africa.com Photographer: Daniela Caballero, danielacaballero.es
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inding orever Emma and Niall’s ultra-chic minimalist theme with bursts of sunshine yellow was a clear winner. Road to the altar We met at university, where Niall claims I stalked him in the library. That is not entirely accurate! He proposed at my local beach, Benone Beach, after we had dinner in the Ramore wine bar in Portrush, which is one of our favourites. He had been trying to propose for a few months but every time he suggested a walk to the beach he said I invited my parents, so he pleaded with me on this occasion not to invite them. That made me a little suspicious but also excited. Of course, I said “Yes!” straight away. A Mediterranean marriage Niall has been going to Marbella on holiday since he was a child, as his parents have an apartment there and then we started going together. We love the Old Town, the Church of the Incarnation, Orange Square and our favourite restaurant, Bistro Paloma. We just love the Coast and thought it would make a perfect wedding location. We decided to hold our reception at El Oceano in Mijas Costa. It is a stunning setting; the views are beautiful at sunset and the location has an elegant, lively feel. One of my earliest memories 66 CONFETI
of El Oceano dates back to 2010, when I recall sipping Piña Coladas and just admiring the gorgeous surroundings. Simply the best Carla Mazzeo of Tucco Events and Unique Affairs was perfect. She totally understood my vision and helped to make it happen. I chose Carla and her team because, from the moment I saw the website and read Carla’s reply to my enquiry, I knew she would understand the type of event I wanted to create - and she did. Carla was simply brilliant. Guests at the wedding commented on how efficient she was when they met her on the day. Je t’aime I love everything French, so my dress and shoes were obviously both French. My dress was by a designer called Rime Arodaky and the make was Sewell. I loved it and wearing it was a real pleasure too. Everyone tells me they thought I had had it specially made because it was so me. It was also perfect for dancing the night away, which I certainly did. My shoes were Christian Louboutin – very bright and reminded me of the circus. I bought them in Brown Thomas in Dublin when shopping with
ADDRESS BOOK Wedding Planner: Tucco Weddings and Unique Affairs, tucco.es Dress: Sewell Make-up: Nicola McGeorge Hair: Diana Barker, didiand.com Minister: Father Raymond Venue: El Oceano, oceanohotel.com Cake: Cakes by Allyson Violin: Quike Navarro Singer: Thomas John Henry Photographer: Nani de Perez, nanideperez.com my mum, sister and my Italian mama and I will love them forever. The groom’s style was bowtie, waistcoat and navy suit. He looked very dapper indeed; I think that is the first time Niall has ever worn a bow-tie.
be the best in the business. My husband doesn’t like having his photo taken but he really enjoyed the whole process. At one point Nani was prancing barefoot on the beach and making my dad move all the furniture around the hotel room to get a good shot of my dress and shoes.
I like natural make-up, so I chose make-up artist Nicola George who waved a magic wand to make me look flawless (despite the flaws beneath). For the hair I wanted Hollywood glamour style hair and Diana from Didiand helped to make my vision a reality. Thank you, ladies! Infused with colour Theme wise the table names were French - French places, food, designers etc. For the colour palette I opted for black and white (with some gold and yellow). I would say my theme was modern rather than traditional. My flowers were real showstoppers: Sunflowers with rigid black bows and no greenery! They were lovely. Love of the craic We were married in the Church of the Incarnation in Marbella’s Casco Antiguo. It was so beautiful. Dad and I walked down the aisle to Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D’, which I love, on Spanish guitar. Father Raymond (who was Irish,
Allyson consisting of chocolate, lemon drizzle, white chocolate and raspberry. Delicious.
which made me laugh) was our celebrant. He was so nice and even recommended a good place for the guests to go and have a Guinness - he obviously knew his audience! A taste sensation For food we had canapés and drinks to start. Everyone tells me how delicious the mini-burgers were, which is just as well as I didn’t have the chance to enjoy one. For the wedding breakfast we had a Filo Pastry Tart as a starter, Chicken for the main course and Chocolate Fondant for dessert. Our wedding cake was a three-tier black and white cake from Cakes by
Let the good times roll The entertainment by house violinist Quike Navarro was brilliant and, bless him, he played for a few extra hours. He really got the party started. Then Thomas John Henry kept the party going by playing the best selection of 70s and 80s dance I’ve ever heard. I didn’t sit down the whole evening.
Magic moments When everyone left dad and I had a glass of champagne in a 1920s style champagne glass before leaving for the church. The room went quiet for the first time all morning and we just stood, toasted and listened to the sea. I also loved my time with my Mum and Carol while they helped get me ready and into my dress. What else did I love? The Old Town after the church, chatting and mingling, the canapés and dancing at El Oceano, the speeches and - well, basically all of it!
Strike a pose Nani de Perez, our photographer, was out of this world. The photographs are stunning and she made us feel so comfortable. My mum and Carla Mazzeo chose Nani and I think she has to CONFETI 67
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Everlasting Love
Sarah and Marcus met when they were children, but not even the fact that he was a friend of Sarah’s brother could keep them apart – and then, a few years on, there was just the small matter of where they would hold their wedding ceremony. Playmates We met as kids, when I was 10 and Marcus 15 – he was one of my brother’s best friends and I fancied him straight away. We got together when I was 16 and then again, a few years later, but we lived in different cities and things often got in the way. Eventually, a few years ago when I was living in London and Marcus was in Leeds, I came home to Leeds for Christmas. Marcus was out with a few mutual friends and invited me out for a drink - later that week we went out and the rest is history. We had a longdistance relationship for the next six months, while I still lived in London, then I decided to make the move back to Leeds to be with him. We got engaged a year later in Marrakech and then had our little boy, Theo, in October 2016 before getting married in Marbella in September 2017. Superb setting Spain as a wedding destination was an obvious choice for us. I have been coming here on holiday since I was a baby. My parents bought a home here when I was just a few months old, so I spent every holiday here with all my siblings. Then, as a teen, I used to come with my friends every summer – and so did Marcus. Now, as adults, we spend much of our time here, staying at my parent’s house, having family holidays with Theo and holidaying with our friends. Spain has so many happy memories for us it was a natural choice.
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I had a very clear vision in my head of what I wanted – there had to be water, so getting married by a swimming pool or the sea was a must and we both wanted to get married overlooking the sea but not directly on the beach. This seemed like an awful lot of boxes to tick, yet Orange Beach Club nailed it effortlessly. We both love daytime partying at beach clubs and wanted somewhere that had an Ibiza-esque vibe and, funnily enough, despite coming to Marbella for the last 33 years, neither of us had ever heard of Orange Beach Club. It was our wedding planner Ivett who introduced us to the venue and, as soon as we saw it, we knew it was the one. Miles of style I chose an Inbal Dror dress that I had seen on Pinterest and immediately fallen in love with. I wanted a backless dress, in lace, tight fitting with a mermaid train and this dress was exactly that. The lace style looks quite Spanish too, which appealed to me. I wanted to continue the theme of lace and bows with the bridesmaids’ dresses and found some beautiful white broderie anglaise dresses with a very pale blue ribbon and bow. The bridesmaids - our four nieces - ranged in age from two to 12, so it wasn’t that easy to find them all dresses and
shoes that matched! The groom was wearing a light blue suit and all the ushers were wearing navy blazers and white chinos, so the page boys – our five-year old nephews and 10-month-old son, Theo – wore the same light blue shirts, white chinos and brown loafers. Very chic and very cute! I gave the bridesmaids light peach bows for their hair, to match the blush coloured rose petals down the aisle and arrangements in the chuppah and in my bouquet. The colour scheme accidentally ended up being a blend of white, light blue and peachy blush - a random mix that worked amazingly! I even had bright orange nails, which looked amazing against my tan, blush bouquet and white dress. I did my make-up myself – I felt very strongly that I wanted to look myself and natural, not overly made up - and I trusted my hair to Eva, who was recommended to me by Ivett. She gave me what I wanted and from the minute I met her for my hair trial, I trusted
her; she had the most warm and lovely manner and was so keen to make sure I ended up with the exact look that I wanted. On the day she ended up doing so much more than my hair, helping me into my dress, driving me from my hotel villa to the beach club and generally making sure that everything went smoothly during the photos, etc. She was amazing. Don’t stop ‘til you get enough! From the start we decided that the whole wedding had to have a fun, party vibe to it and I think we definitely achieved that! We decided to hold the drinks reception before the ceremony as it’s nice for everyone to have a few drinks and canapés and feel as relaxed as possible when sitting down to the ceremony. We held this in the garden area, which was stunning. The guests were then led down the garden path to the beach club, where the ceremony and chuppah had been set up overlooking the sea, right in front of the beach. It looked stunning, with a white aisle covered in blush rose petals leading to the chuppah right in front of the beach and was even better than the vision I had in my head! The ceremony was so emotional yet had a lovely relaxed atmosphere. The bridesmaids and page boys, as well as my mum and Marcus’s parents all walked down the aisle to our song, ‘Wings’ by Birdy. This was followed by Marcus carrying our son Theo (who was 10 months old at the time), which made
quite a few people cry. I then walked down the aisle with my dad to John Legend and Sam Smith’s ’Lay Me Down’ and Marcus met us halfway down the aisle - which was a very special and touching moment for us. Our Rabbi, Thomas Salamon was amazing – he gave us the relaxed vibe we wanted, providing all the traditional Jewish touches, yet keeping it very personal and meaningful and said some lovely words about us. After the ceremony, as the sun set over the beach, our guests made CONFETI 69
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their way towards the pool where all the tables and the dancefloor had been set up around the pool, which was lit by lanterns. Meanwhile, our fantastic wedding photographer took us to the beach for photos while our guests enjoyed their starters. Food frenzy The meal was so hard to choose – we did the food tasting with Marcus’s and my parents a few months before and had been blown away by the food. In the end we chose a delicious Salmon Tartare with Pineapple Salsa, followed by a traditional Salmorejo Soup, which is one of our favourite dishes. Main course was a delicious Cod with Creamy Mashed Potato and Basil Oil, while the dessert (my favourite) was a Dark and White Chocolate Duo. In between courses guests were given Lemon and Mojito Sorbets. We had a few special touches, as we really wanted to create a proper party atmosphere. After the ceremony, which ended as the sun set, we came out to the dinner tables around the pool dancing to Bruno Mars’s ‘24k Magic’ played by the band, with everyone standing up and dancing. That set the tone for the rest of the dinner and party. We went straight into Israeli dancing before dinner. The band was amazing and really got the party going, playing all our requests (we specifically requested that they stay away from any cheesy songs).
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Cocktail music In between the amazing speeches from my dad, Marcus and his best man (my cousin Nikki who does double duty as Marcus’s best friend), we sent trays of shots around – Tequila, Sambuca and Baileys. We danced our first dance to a 90s R&B tune, ‘All My Life’ by Kci and Jojo and, as we started to dance, a huge display of fireworks went off above us all – this was a big WOW moment that left everyone speechless! Everyone joined us then on the dancefloor and we partied away, to the amazing band, Costadelics who played huge tunes - everything from Beyonce to Prince. At midnight we cut the cake, which had been designed for us by Alyson Thomas. Our wedding invitations were a grey and white marble design with gold print and the cake perfectly reflected this. I had actually seen the design in Confeti Magazine! Each tier was a different flavour: vanilla cream and raspberry; chocolate and orange and lemon curd. We then continued the party in the cave until about 4am – we had transformed it into a nightclub, with pink lighting, a DJ and a bar. The DJ played all our favourite songs - a real mix of current, funky house, old school R&B and Ibiza anthems. There is a pool inside the cave – very cool and, inevitably, the groom ended up being thrown in the pool at the very end of the night!
Wedding album For our photographer we chose Nani De Perez. She was recommended by our wedding planner and she truly couldn’t have been better. Her whole team listened to our requests for natural fun and atmospheric shots and they were a pleasure to have at the wedding – you never noticed them being in the way, yet they captured every moment. We were absolutely thrilled when we got the photos back – they were more incredible than we had ever hoped they would be. It was impossible to whittle them down into an album, as there were just too many good shots! As far as the day went, there really were too many wonderful moments to choose just a couple - a cliché, but so true! As I was about to walk down the steps that led to the aisle with my dad I could hear the whole crowd cheering – which I realised was a reaction to Marcus and Theo walking down the aisle - and that really made me emotional and excited all at the same time! From the second I walked down the steps I had the biggest smile on my face and it didn’t drop once – the ceremony was the most wonderful moment, as we stood together under the chuppah with both our sets of parents and Theo. The whole night was exactly what we wanted and actually surpassed our expectations. It was a perfect blend of emotional moments
and incredibly fun partying. The fireworks going off above us and everyone gasping in amazement as we danced our first dance was a moment I will never forget. Our advice future couples Choose a wedding planner that you can trust – Ivett grasped immediately exactly what we wanted and wouldn’t stop until she got it. She was so on the ball and kept us organized. It’s not easy to plan
a wedding in a different country when you have a newborn baby! On the day we trusted her completely to make sure that everything went smoothly. The timing of everything is so crucial, so make sure there is someone on the day who can be in charge of that. Aside from that, just make sure you are present in every single moment and don’t stress at all on the day - just enjoy it!
ADDRESS BOOK Venue: Orange Beach Club, Don Carlos Hotel Wedding Planner: Ivett Hart Marbella Entertainments Wedding Cake: Alyson Thomas Flowers: Virginia Florista Wedding Dress: By Inbal Dror, from Morgan Davies Bridal (London) Hair: Eva Bessenyei Photographer: Nani De Perez Videographer: Nani De Perez Entertainment: Costadelics, Marbella Entertainments Rabbi: Thomas Salamon (London)
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Finding Forever Jackie and James enjoyed an intimate celebration with touches of blue. A physical attraction James and I met in 2012 - he was my gym eye-candy! He proposed to me four years later during a weekend visit to Gleneagles Hotel. I thought we were going for a spa break, so it was a total surprise when he went down on one knee in the hotel room before dinner. He had designed the ring himself and it was exactly what I would have chosen myself. In safe hands We decided to keep our Marbella wedding intimate, inviting only our immediate family and closest friends. This was made possible by our decision to have a big reception back in Aberdeen for 200 guests. I got in touch with event planners Sunshine Weddings and was immediately drawn in by Scott’s enthusiasm and years of experience. It soon became clear that he could help us create the special day we had in mind.
Scott and his team helped immensely, not only with planning the wedding but advising on hotels for us and our guests and other activities to enterian us pre and post the wedding day. We fell in love with TikiTano Beach Restaurant which is situated in one of the most beautiful locations on the Costa del Sol with uninterrupted views of Gibraltar and Africa, and a frontline beach setting. After deciding on the venue for our celebration we needed to find a hotel suitable for ourselves and all our guests to stay. Scott took us to see the Amare Beach Hotel and we were blown away. After a full refurbishment the hotel was now modern and sleek, just what we were looking for. Being located in the centre of old town Marbella, right on the beach, meant it
was perfect for the guests to explore the surrounding area. Timeless elegance I tried on around 30 wedding dresses until I found the perfect dress for me. It was very simple, elegant with a diamante waistband - exactly what I wanted. I purchased it at Anna Lihz Bridal Couture, since I met the ladies at a wedding show and, after visiting their shop, fell in love with them; they couldn’t do enough for us. I also bought my bridesmaids’ dresses from there. All three were made to measure and perfect. Lorraine from Princess Brides looked after my hair and make-up - it was absolutely amazing. I wanted big hair but my make-up to be kept natural with a smoky eye. The final look was gorgeous. Feeling blue My theme was simple, elegance in the palette of white and royal blue. Our ceremony area was draped in white linen with flowers, the chairs were styled with white flamingo style bows and hand fans and parasols were supplied for the guests. The flowers
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and my groom standing waiting for me to walk down the aisle was an amazing feeling. I also loved seeing all the guests interacting and people who had only met in the previous few days laughing and dancing together.
ADDRESS BOOK Wedding Planner: Sunshine Weddings Spain sunshineweddings.com Venue: TikiTano tikitano.com Dress: Anna Lihz Bridal Couture annalizh.co.uk were designed by Deseos who also arranged our centerpieces. The table plan and name cards were supplied by Michelle from Gorgeous Events Decoration and the LED Giant Balloons were from Balloon Man Spain which really added to the atmosphere when they were lit at dusk. A family affair We kept our venue a secret and the first time the guests saw TikiTano was when they stepped off the coach for the wedding. They were then piped into the venue by a piper playing ‘Flower of Scotland’. This was very significant to me as it was played at my father’s funeral and I wanted him to be a part of my special day. Family is extremely important to us, so they all played a part in our day:
my sister and niece were my bridesmaids, my brother-in-law gave me away while my nephew delivered the ‘father of the bride’ speech. Both had very important roles and wore matching kilts. James’s brother wore a navy suit too, as he was our compere. The ceremony took place outside, in front of the beautifully manicured gardens and was performed by Lizzie Marriage. She was lovely; so helpful and brilliant on the day. We lit a candle in memory of those who were in heaven and our mothers lit candles during the ceremony to symbolize our lives. All our guests remarked that they really enjoyed the ceremony. Sip sip hooray For my arrival we had booked Nano, the Spanish guitarist, who continued to play during
the cocktail hour. After dinner I had a saxophone player called Damien and singer/DJ Kmiss. I provided paper fans, tissues (for happy tears), bubbles (for after the ceremony) and flipflops for the ladies. Favours were wine charms on the tables for the ladies and mini hip flasks for the men. As a surprise I got my husband a three-litre flask filled with his favourite whisky. Simply gorgeous Our photographer was Talia from Thoroughly Gorgeous. Talia was amazing and even came back at sunset for additional photos. We are very pleased with the results. Magic moments I struggle to choose a favourite moment as the whole day was so special. Coming around the corner to see all the guests seated
Hair and Make-up: @ Lorraine Princess-Bride.co.uk Bouquets and buttonholes: The Higher Calling highercallingflowersevents.com Florist: deseosflorist.com Minister: Lizzie Marriage marriageweddingservices.com Bagpiper: Leslie Thomson Spanish guitarist: Nano DJ and Singer: Kmiss Saxophone player: Damien Balloons: balloonmanspain.com Photographer: Talia @ thoroughlygorgeous.com
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Kissing Colleagues Yasmin and Alex enjoyed an old-fashioned office romance, after which the search was on to find the perfect venue for their wedding.
The IT factor Alex and my relationship turned out to be a complete whirlwind romance! I started a job at Alex’s family’s business, an IT company in London. Within a few short weeks and some office nights out we were head over heels in love. Alex proposed after six months, I said “Yes” and we married a year later. Alex’s family have a home in Marbella, so we often holiday in Spain and it is where we got engaged so it felt like the natural choice. Of course, the gorgeous weather and fantastic venues had nothing to do with it! Perfect place Puente Romano is the venue that just keeps on giving. it’s like a mini village and the beachside venue is stunning; it’s in two sections, separated by a path which suits a ceremony, cocktail hour and then wedding dinner perfectly. It has an open-air feel which, for a summer wedding, was ideal. I wanted to keep everything simple and classic, so we opted for white flowers throughout the wedding, soft grey flowing dresses for the bridesmaids and all the men in tuxedos. Inside the reception we 74 CONFETI
asked a party planner to dress the areas in soft lighting and huge white balloons, which was just enough without looking overly stuffy.
Martinis, along with an array of canapés, including the renowned local Jamón Iberico. Throughout this we had asked Quike Navarro’s String Quartet to play, which was fabulous.
The best possible taste Puente Romano provided a comprehensive tasting evening a couple of months before the big day for my family and me. In my opinion this was the best part of planning the wedding! It was a fantastic evening and we made our choices with confidence. During our cocktail hour we served various cocktails including Whiskey Sours and Pornstar
For the formal dinner we served Lobster-Filled Squid Ink Ravioli and an Orange and Mint Sorbet between courses, before the Fillet of Beef with Red Wine Jus. Dessert was a mouthwatering Blackberry and Lime Meringue Tart. We chose Cake Couture to make our cake; customers can choose from a huge range of flavours, so you can
really make it whatever you desire. Special touches included a Magic Mirror photobooth which was great fun and a saxophonist to accompany the DJ which got everyone dancing. At the end of the evening our guests released fire lanterns, which was a sweet touch. In true Marbella style we named the tables after designer brands which was a bit of fun: table names included Hermes, Chanel and Valentino. Photo finish We chose Nani de Perez as our photographer and she
was incredible. She is such a lovely woman and really cared about capturing our most beautiful moments. The selection of photos blew my mind, from candid laughs to formal group photos, she really did tick every box. She and her team worked with the natural light to ensure you could see in the photos and video how beautiful a day it was. I’ve shown my wedding video to anyone willing to watch it and everyone comments on how well edited it is. It’s like a feature film! Highlights It was such a great day that it’s difficult to isolate individual moments, but mingling with our guests during the cocktail hour while high on life and love was one high spot. Also, dancing with our loved ones for hours on end and - although I cried all the way through my self-penned vows - looking back this is one of my favourite parts of the day, I’m so glad I put my fear of public speaking aside to say how I truly felt!
What would be your advice for future couples getting married? Ensuring you and your new husband or wife allow for a few minutes alone during the hectic day to reflect on what a momentous moment this is in your life.
ADDRESS BOOK Venue: Puente Romano Beach Resort and Spa Wedding Planner: Tara Lorimer Caterer: Puente Romano Beach Resort and Spa Wedding Cake: Cake Couture Flowers: Flores De Reading Wedding Dress: Sophia Tolli Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin Groom’s Suit & shoes: D2Squared Bridal Jewellery: Boodles Hair: Golden Tarts Photographer: Nani de Perez Videographer: Antonio Perez Entertainment: Quike Navarro String Quartet
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Having met in Gibraltar, Marisa and Colin knew that they wouldn’t have to travel too far to find the ideal wedding venue. Rock solid romance We met almost eight years ago. Gibraltar is a small place, so everyone tends to know each other and we had already completed a summer placement at a local law firm together; however, it wasn’t until some years later that the magic happened. We met on a
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summer’s night while we were both out with friends. Colin was a true gentleman and offered to walk me home before we exchanged numbers. A week later he flew to London to start his final year of studies and we kept in touch. The rest is history!
Finding the perfect venue We wanted our wedding day to reflect our characters and felt that the venue should be a very big part of this. We went to visit Faín Viejo in Arcos de la Frontera with our parents and fell in love with the place. Our decision was made that day and we cancelled viewings for other venues which we had lined up. Faín Viejo has a special charm, is full of history and beauty and seems almost like a place from a fairytale. We remember visiting the place the first time; Ana, the owner, showed us around and we loved the amazing outside areas. The
donkeys and potbellied pigs roaming in the garden gave the place that extra rustic feel which we were looking for.
where possible, from their own garden. This was the final icing on the cake for us, as we are both massive foodies.
We love the outdoors and had our hearts set on a blessing in a garden and, in this respect, Faín Viejo ticked all the boxes. We both have big families so needed to make sure the venue we chose catered for the number of guests we would be inviting. The exquisite vineyard in the gardens also made for a remarkable backdrop and the best part was that the wine we would be drinking and serving on our big day would be wine made from those same grapes; home grown and homemade, two things we both appreciate. The catering would be provided by the staff at Faín Viejo and, even better, every request we made or idea we had they were happy to accommodate. Plus, the food would all be made from locally sourced produce and,
Keeping it rustic We knew from the outset that we wanted a relaxed, rustic wedding, something that would reflect both of our personalities. For my dress I decided to go to Madrid and, in a typical stroke of luck, found it in the first boutique I visited. I’ve always been a very decisive person and know exactly what I want. However, I also asked for some tailoring to be undertaken so it would be exactly how I wanted - flowing and with an open back. I also opted to wear a flower crown instead of a traditional veil, to showcase the type of person that I am.
their photographs and videos were amazing. They captured the feeling, emotion and magic of the day perfectly and they were the first and only company we approached. After meeting Marcos, we knew that we would be using them and, suffice to say, we are extremely happy with the results and will be forever grateful to them for sharing our special day with us and capturing all the important moments perfectly.
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a colourful person who sometimes lives with the fairies! I bought the bridesmaids’ dresses on a trip to the UK – just five minutes before the shop closed on my last day there! With the help of my sister Christina – who was my maid of honour - I grabbed four dresses and dashed to the till. The flower-girls’ dresses
and shoes were from Monsoon and I also chose the colours of those. Colin and I would discuss everything with each other, but I am lucky that Colin is a very laidback person and let me take the reins. The décor was all made by hand. Christina, my mum and I really went to town with getting everything ready with the help of the bridesmaids and some other family members. I had thought it all through and had ordered and prepared everything. The day before I was able simply to give instructions, as I knew exactly where everything would go and all of the family, including the best men, helped out to get everything ready for the big day. Spanish cuisine The chef at Faín Viejo is incredible and the quality and selection they offer is outstanding. For the sitdown dinner
we decided to opt for a Warm Caramelised Pear with Roquefort, a Cold Beetroot Soup with Mascarpone and Almond Flakes and a Carrillada with Apple Purée for the main course. The main wedding cake was also prepared by Faín Viejo and we chose a light Sponge with Cream and Strawberries. My mum also surprised us with a two-tier fruit cake which had a tailormade campervan and surfboard on the top for décor - we own a campervan and Colin is a surfer, so she really outdid herself. We are both cheese lovers and had a cheese table with Crackers, Nuts and Fresh Fruit, plus a sweetie bar and a cigar bar for the men. I am a lover of G&Ts and came up with a menu for the Gin and Tonic Bar; each drink was named after a festival we had been to. They went down a treat. The flowers were prepared by Flor Arcos. Patricia was attentive to all of my requests from the desired colours and flowers to the tiniest details and she truly did an amazing job, including the flower crowns which she made by hand. During the ceremony we had a violinist playing music and then opted for a DJ for the dancing after dinner. Our DJ was Tim Perera, a friend and local DJ in Gibraltar. Tim plays a lot of disco funk on vinyl and he prepared a fantastic selection for the night which had everyone boogieing till 7.30am. Photo finish We had friends who had used Love Hunters before and we both thought that
Favourite moments We both loved every minute of the day and agree that if we had to do it again, we wouldn’t change a single thing. It was the best day of pour lives. One piece of advice we would like to pass on to brides and grooms-to-be would be to enjoy every single moment and relax. As my friend Rosie told me, if something does go wrong, don’t worry as the only person who will notice that it hasn’t gone as planned is you.
ADDRESS BOOK Venue & Caterer: Faín Viejo Flowers: Flor Arcos Wedding Dress: Lunas de Boda in Madrid Hair & Make-up: Peluqueria Stylo Photographer: The Love Hunters Videographer: The Love Hunters Music: DJ Tim Perera Entertainment: Enrique the Violinist
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On the Beach Teenage sweethearts Carly and Jack had attended several overseas weddings which gave them plenty of inspiration as to how they wanted their own big day to be.
Wedding dreams – and themes We wanted something timeless, so we tried to keep colours to a minimum and mainly stuck to whites, crystals, blush and a touch of silver.
Sweet 15 We’re both 29 years-old now but met when we were 15, so you could say we are teenage sweethearts. We met through friends on a blind date on Valentine’s Day, started going out seriously when we were 17 and have been together ever since. We stayed together through college and university - and here we are today! We knew from the start that Spain would be our destination of choice. Jack had been to weddings abroad before and loved them. A big factor was how intimate they are and how close the wedding group becomes over the week as everyone is on holiday and in a party mood. The wedding then feels like an
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event rather than just one day and everyone you love is there to be part of the experience. Best of both worlds We wanted to be on the beach but also to have a traditional Spanish wedding so Kath, our wedding planner, who was absolutely
amazing and we cannot recommend highly enough, made it happen. We booked La Virginia, the Spanish chapel in the hills for the ceremony and then headed down to Salduna Beach for the reception - it was absolutely perfect. Watching the sun set and waves roll in was just incredible.
We had a set threecourse wedding breakfast: Tomato Tatin to start, Argentinian Steak for the main course and Chocolate Fondant for pudding. Our cake was incredible and consisted of four tiers with a decorative flower ball design on top to create the illusion of a fifth and we had alternate layers of traditional Victoria sponge and raspberry. Getting the party started One thing that we really wanted was for our first dance to be outside and for all the guests to have sparklers and, even though
the Salduna Beach management wasn’t too keen, Kath made this happen. We had background music throughout dinner and then a DJ in the evening, which worked really well for our guests. Happy with the snaps We chose Nani and Antonio De Perez as our wedding photographer and videographer.
We were amazed by how the photographs caught the special moments of our day. We are still waiting for our wedding video but are very excited to see what Antonio has created. Best bits Our favourite moment was the ceremony at La Virginia; the setting was beautiful and my brother wrote a speech that will be remembered forever.
Our advice for future couples Make sure you have the right wedding planner. I would look for an independent like we did with Kathy Greenwald at JK Wedding Planners. Kath new everyone and was great at negotiating rates, listening to what WE wanted and, most of all,
making it happen. Also, make sure all guests are in the same hotel, everyone gets to know each other and can be more relaxed on the wedding day.
ADDRESS BOOK Venue: La Virginia Chapel (ceremony), Salduna Beach Club (reception). Wedding Planner: Kathy Greenwald, JK Wedding Planners. Caterer: Salduna Beach. Photographer: Nani de Perez. Videographer: Antonio De Perez.
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Real Weddings
Hacienda Days Never knock the concept of the blind date – it was the catalyst that started the ball rolling for Elin and Joachim! Having found each other, all they needed was to plan their wedding – and first on the list was some sun. Shared interests We met on a blind date set up by a friend of Joachim’s brother. She told us if anything went sour we could always talk about our common interest in animal welfare or our neighbourhood, as we happened to live just a few blocks apart in Oslo. We had already ‘spied’ on each other via Facebook and neither of us was disappointed, as the date went very well. Everything was relaxed and we enjoyed each other’s company. One date turned into many more and we loved hanging out, grabbing a coffee, walking in the city parks, browsing museums or watching movies. A few years later we were a family with an adopted dog, baby boy, station wagon and a house with a white picket fence. Sunny places For several years we spent our holidays with family and friends on the Costa del Sol and we love the climate, food and all the lovely places. We had always dreamed of an overseas wedding with sunny weather and a holiday feel, so it was an easy choice when planning our wedding. Our incredible wedding planner, Jeanette Taylor from Marbella Wedding Angels took us to several different venues and saved the Hacienda la Herriza until last. We knew it was the perfect venue as soon as we saw it. High up in the beautiful Andalusian mountains, surrounded by farmland and cork trees was this beautiful Spanish finca which could easily pass in a movie set for Zorro. Cobblestone stairs led down to a courtyard with a fountain and orange trees and the main building had a restaurant, bar and lots of space for a wedding, not to mention enough apartments to accommodate our whole wedding party. We invited them for a weekend and it was the perfect venue as we had it all to ourselves.
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A touch of style My dress that I chose was Petunia from Costura by Pronovias and it was the first dress I tried on. It was a dream of tulle and lace and perfect for the bohemian vibe that I wanted to create, not to mention the warm weather. My bridesmaids were in light peach dresses from JJsHouse and my maid of honour wore a dress from the Conscious Exclusive collection at H&M. They chose their own style to suit their individual shapes. In contrast with the green surroundings we went for a colour scheme of pale pink and peach with a hint of gold and turquoise. My bridal bouquet had different textures and lengths of flowers such as peonies, roses, astilbe and eucalyptus. The table centrepieces were a mix of gold and turquoise crystal vases with the same colours as the bouquet, including olive and eucalyptus leaves placed on a wooden base with tealights to give a rustic and natural feel. The wedding ceremony area had hanging jars with flowers and a heart for the tree decoration. The food of love The food at Hacienda la Herriza was outstanding. The canapés at the reception were delicious and our guests had an array to choose from while sipping white sangría. The wedding menu started with Gratinated Crêpes of Honeyed Aubergine and Courgette with Walnuts. The main course was Supreme of Chicken Roulade with Blue Cheese and Serrano Ham. For dessert we had a sparkling Profiterole tower with Fondant Belgian Chocolate – delicious! Everything was served with efficiency and excellence by the staff, who never failed to top up people’s glasses throughout the night. The beautiful wedding cake was made by Louise from Lou’s cakealicious and had hand crafted flowers which looked so natural and each tier had different flavours, such as
Raspberry/White Chocolate at the bottom, Dark Chocolate Sponge with Chocolate Chips in the middle and Red Velvet on the top. At the ceremony my stepdad walked me up the isle to a cello/ piano version of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Love Me Like You Do’ by Brooklyn Duo. It was a magical moment when I saw Joachim and our eyes met. My heart burst and it was the most wonderful feeling. Our minister Natasha Johnson made everyone feel welcome and she did everything possible to make it special for us. We included our family and friends in the ceremony. Joachim’s two brothers played ‘The Lovesong’ by Halvdan Sivertsen, a famous Norwegian artist. My bridesmaid Kristin read a poem of the Apache Wedding Song and our two-year-old boy brought us the rings to a round of applause. The recession music
was ‘Over the Rainbow’ by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, a Hawaiian song as we both love the islands and it’s where Joachim proposed, so it was a lovely end to the ceremony. Photo finish We instantly felt the connection with Julia Roder and fell in love with her style and the way she focuses on light and details in pictures. She was with us the whole day and, thanks to her, we have so many fantastic captures of all our fondest moments. She even helped us create an alternative wedding photo of us being chased by dinosaurs, as my husband is a huge Jurassic Park fan. Our guests were thrilled to run down the hill and scream in agony! Treasured memories We will never forget our little boy running up to us to give us our rings when we said our “I do’s” and became husband and wife. We also enjoyed the almost five hours dinner at the courtyard in the afternoon sun and, later, under the stars listening to the many speeches given by our close friends and family. It was lovely and very personal. I loved the first dance under the stars surrounded by everyone swinging and swaying along to our song ‘Better Today’ by Coffey Anderson. Absolute Perfection We had the wedding of our dreams and wouldn’t change anything! We planned our day for 18 months and it exceeded our dreams and expectations. Without Jeanette, we would have totally forgotten to hand out cigars, sparklers, menu cards etc. but
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Real Weddings
in the end it didn’t matter as we were living in the moment, everything was taken care of and everyone was enjoying themselves. Words of advice Definitely hire a local wedding planner! As we live in Norway we needed an efficient planner, which we found in Jeanette and Marbella Wedding Angels. The team dealt with the numerous wedding suppliers, making arrangements with the venue and so on. Another piece of advice is to have the wedding celebration over a weekend so the guests can relax and get to know each other before the big day. We kept the cost down by choosing a venue located in a sparsely populated area and the bonus was no time limit for our wedding party and we kept going until 8a.m! Most importantly, make sure to relax, breathe and take it all in. It’s a magical day filled with so much love and special moments so enjoy it all. Everyone is there to celebrate with you and is happy to help out if needed, so let go of control and have fun!
ADDRESS BOOK Venue: Hacienda La Herriza, laherriza.com Wedding Planner: Jeanette Taylor, marbellaweddingangels.com Caterer: Hacienda La Herriza Wedding Cake: Louise, fb: @Lous-cakealicious Flowers: Virginia Florista, virginiaflorista.com Wedding Dress: Petunia from the Costura by Pronovias Hair: La Vida by Vera / hairdressermarbella.com Photographer: Julia Roder, juliaroder.com Music: DJ Miguel, costadelsoldj.com Minister: Natasha Johnson / malagaminister.com
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Unique & Luxurious Photography & Film by
www.antoniodeperez.com www.nanideperez.com nanideperez@gmail.com
YOUR DAY,
Your Way
S
truggling to find a venue which will allow you carte blanche creativity to build the wedding of your dreams? Locating the ideal convertible space for your celebration can be a formidable task; however Sunshine Weddings may have just what you are looking for. This Finca in Marbella offers up an opportunity to add in a nod to your personality as a couple and create your wedding reception masterpiece.
One of the most naturally stunning venues in Andalucia where you can still see the remains of the foundry, this beautiful country estate offers scenic views from virtually every area of the expansive grounds. Your wedding is a landmark event marking the most special day of your life and why wouldn’t you want to put your own stamp on it? If you are looking for free rein to bring the vision you have for your wedding to life, then Finca Marbella may be the answer, Set in the mountains just outside Marbella with breathtaking views across the surrounding countryside, the Finca is steeped in history. Being one of the first foundries in Spain and built in 84 CONFETI
is where Sunshine Weddings can offer a helping hand. They know what it takes to create the wedding of your wildest imagination. So, from the first stages of planning to the big day itself, the dedicated team will work with you to create the wedding you want. They’ll help you realise your vision and give your celebration that extra special touch
1837, what better way to celebrate your historic occasion than at a venue which blends tradition with contemporary design? Your celebration will have just the right touch of elegant sophistication and romantic allure.
When you can take control and do anything your heart desires, it can be somewhat overwhelming. Without any constraints it can be difficult to know where to start! This is where Sunshine Weddings can offer a helping hand.
‘’Finca Marbella is the perfect place to celebrate your wedding in the sunshine,” explains Scott Gibbons, Senior Planner of Sunshine Weddings. “One of the most naturally stunning venues in Andalucia where you can still see the remains of the foundry, this beautiful country estate offers scenic views from virtually every area of the expansive grounds. The spectacular centenary palm trees, avocado plantation, exotic fruit and citrus plants surround the property, offering infinite options for customization, which means you get to build your very own
dream day and make it come to life from scratch.” The venue features a unique layout, with distinct spaces that can be used separately or together for seated gatherings and celebrations for 100 to 400, alfresco style. With a skeleton in place, you can transform the blank canvas into whatever you dream it to be. Creative types can run wild, as Sunshine Weddings can accommodate almost any request. You can let your imagination run wild and the added bonus is a one-off look, which isn’t replicated by the next couple using the same venue. When you can take control and do anything your heart desires, it can be somewhat overwhelming. Without any constraints it can be difficult to know where to start! This
“The layout of this venue allows you to create different settings and environments for your guests to enjoy,” says Scott. “The possibilities for ceremony locations are endless and we are happy to accommodate any special requests. With many hotels and villas now imposing restrictions, it was important to us to have somewhere that was exclusive to our couples for the entire day, where they could carry on the party until the early hours of the morning. Finca Marbella is one of the few show-stopping blank canvas wedding venues on the Coast that you can style to your heart’s content, making your wedding day one of a kind.”
For more information on this Finca in Marbella please contact: Sunshine Weddings T: (+ 44) 203 826 7207 / (+ 34) 679 743 986 www.SunshineWeddings.com
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General Rules of Thumb
Speech
ETIQUETTE 101 Wedding speech etiquette has changed over the years; with couples bringing in their own modern traditions, there really is no right or wrong. The speeches are possibly the one aspect the couple won’t have total control over and occasionally they may be nervous about what might be said. Go easy on them because planning a wedding is tough enough as it is! In case you were wondering what the typical traditions are or require a bit of help with writer’s block, Confeti can offer a helping hand.
-Traditionally the order of speeches are as follows: father of the bride, followed by the groom and concluding with the best man. Modern couples are choosing to have other participants such as the bride, maids of honour, stepdads etc. Slot them in when you feel it’s appropriate. -Usually, the speeches are made after the main course and before dessert. However, if you’re having more speeches than the norm you could always slot them in between each course of the wedding dinner. -Generally, try not to make them too long so people don’t start to get distracted and stay clear off offensive language or totally inappropriate stories especially if these involve of ex-girlfriends or ex-boyfriends! Being totally sloshed and struggling to get words out can be a moment you will live to regret, so save the shots until after the speech. -A quick search online if you’re stuck for words can provide you with some beautiful quotes. Remember, though - the most sincere, touching speeches come from the heart. Speak calmly and clearly, try not to waffle, mumble or panic, we recommend a few practise sessions at home before the big day. - Start preparing your speeches well in advance to make sure you don’t miss anything or anyone out. It’s also handy to have several copies in case one goes astray. You might consider keeping a back-up version on your phone, although the romance will be slightly lost if you’re reduced to reading from your mobile on the wedding day!
Father of the Bride Etiquette
The first speaker and the wedding’s warm-up man! You’re in charge of making everyone feel welcome and kicking off the newlyweds’ union with a bang, so no pressure, dads.
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- Talk about how pleased you are to have got to know the groom and how happy you are that he and your daughter are wed. Perhaps share some of your experiences with him. Also mention your happiness on getting to know his family (even if it may not be truthful!) - Your speech should be short and sweet - aim for about six minutes. Don’t mention anything about the cost if you’ve contributed for the big day. - Conclude with a toast to the bride and groom. Most toasts are traditionally for health and happiness for the bride and groom, however many fathers choose their own special words.
Groom Etiquette
Usually the groom has the most ‘to do’s’ but it’s important that the heart of the speech doesn’t get lost. Make everyone in the room feel special and, most importantly, your new wife! - Start with thanking your father-in-law for his kind words. Next move on to both sets of parents; thank your own for a lifetime of care (advice, washing, personal taxi over the years etc.) and your in-laws for raising such a fabulous daughter (if you want to earn extra brownie points!) Feel free to share a humorous story or two. - Now for the thank yous; a heartfelt mention for all the wedding party, such as bridesmaids and ushers, is a must. If the party isn’t too big try to add a personal touch and mention everyone by name. Don’t be tempted to thank every single person involved such as the caterers, venue etc. as they have received a cheque for their services and you can personally thank them in your own time. - Take a moment to mention any important guests who are unable to attend or be there.
- Thank the guests for attending; some guests may have travelled a long way to make it, so let them know it’s appreciated. The main ‘thank yous’ are the groom’s job, so don’t get carried away.
- Of course, the centrepiece of your speech, its absolute core, should be explaining how happy you are to have married your wife. This is your one chance in life where you’re legitimately allowed to shout about how beautiful and fabulous she is! Share cute or funny stories and keep it sincere and conclude with a toast to your new wife.
- Remind guests how wonderful your daughter is! Feel free to share funny stories or proud moments from her childhood and/or adult life.
- Round up your speech with something creative, perhaps something about love that all your guests can relate too and try not to make it longer than eight minutes.
Best Man Etiquette
Photo by Balance Photography
We know the best man speech is expected to be the comedy highlight of the night, but there’s no way better to bring a tear to the eye than some heartfelt bromance! There are also a few etiquette details to think about. - Your speech generally involves a witty description of the groom with humorous anecdotes, stories of how you became friends and funny one-liners, but it should also be a thoughtful acknowledgement of a sincere friendship. Don’t be embarrassed to let out your feelings for the groom! - Remember to compliment the groom’s choice of bride! Share some positive words about her or the experiences you’ve had together with them as a couple. - For extra points, comment on how great the day has been so far and how well the bride and groom scrub up. - Keep all humour grandma friendly! Remember there may be kids on the guest list and in-jokes may not be followed by everyone.
Photo by Balance Photography
- No matter how great you feel your material might be, keep the speech under 10 minutes. As a toast to the bride and groom has previously been done by the father of the bride, a better way to wrap things up is by announcing a toast to ‘Mr and Mrs (newlyweds’ surname)’. Then, in true best man style, etiquette states you are entitled to a large drink. BOTTOMS UP!
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DIY
Make Your Own
Confetti! TIP OF THE SEASON
No one loves confetti more than the Confeti Magazine team! What better time to make your own wedding confetti than in spring, when wonderful flowers are starting to blossom? This DIY tip is ideal for budget savvy brides. It is so simple and inexpensive. All you need is a bit of free time. Natural confetti is the way to go, as most venues don’t allow the paper version. This is totally biodegradable, natural and eco-friendly. Perfect! Here’s how you get started.
Step One
Step Two
Gather your Petals
Drying your Petals
Have a wander around the garden and see which flowers catch your eye. You can even try local parks or your neighbour’s garden, family members’ gardens or anywhere that you may find blossoms growing, although of course you must check that the flowers are okay to be picked! Failing this, bunches of flowers are usually available to pick up cheaply from local supermarkets. The cost of buying roses from the supermarket versus buying biodegradable confetti still works out at a better price. Keep in mind your wedding colours and remember that, once dried out, petals tend to darken in colour and shrink in size, so the bigger the petal, the better!
Air-drying - if time is on your side, then this method is for you. Carefully pluck off the petals from your flowers and keep to one side. Place some tissue or kitchen roll on top of a baking tray and then spread out your petals. Its helps if they’re not touching. Leave them somewhere warm, such as an airing cupboard, to dry out, et voila - in a few days, you will have your beautiful dried petals! Repeat this process until you have the required amount.
Final Step Oven drying- if you want a quicker process, you can also dry petals in your oven. Place on a low temperature at approximately 50˚C (don’t use a fan oven as your petals will fly everywhere!) and place them on a baking tray covered with baking paper. Keep an eye on them but your first batch of petals should be dry within around 20 minutes. Quick and easy!
Store your petals in a container that will keep them dry, such as glass jars. On your wedding day you can place your confetti in hamper baskets and ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen to go around with them before your big confetti moment! Or, if you’re feeling really crafty, select some quality paper from your nearest craft store, in the colour scheme of your choice and make some simple cones. There you have it - your solution to inexpensive, biodegradable confetti! You can thank us later.
Photo Photo by by Balance Balance Photography Photography 88 CONFETI
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Heaven
on Earth HONEYMOONS IN THE ANANTARA MALDIVES
Turquoise, crystal clear waters, pristine white sand and unrivalled luxury; the Maldives are the ideal choice for honeymooners. With its picturesque beaches and a magical underwater world, there really is nowhere else quite like these tropical islands for the perfect getaway with your loved one. With so many islands (approximately 100 are now luxury resorts) the question is, which one do you choose? Well look no further, Confeti has done all the research for you and found a little slice of heaven on earth in the Maldives.
We present to you, from the world renowned Anantara group, their beautiful Maldives resorts, a paradise of chic simplicity in a tropical setting complete with soft white sand and azure waters. Nestled amongst beautiful tropical islands on the equator, the Anantara Maldives are made up of three islands, set on a lagoon. Anantara Veli, Naladhu and Dhigu. Veli is the most popular amongst couples, due to its ‘adults only’ policy and impressive overwater bungalows. Whether it’s a honeymoon, anniversary or just a couples holiday, Anantara Veli is the perfect destination for a special occasion.
Our Editor Sinead was lucky enough to honeymoon recently at the Anantara Veli, and here she gives the full lowdown on this breathtaking island! It has always been a dream of mine to travel to the Maldives. For myself and my husband Joshua, after hearing so many rave reviews and with its world famous five-star reputation, it was easy to decide that the Anantara resorts were the perfect place for our honeymoon and it ticked all the boxes. From the extensive and varied restaurants, activities and not to mention the jaw-dropping
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“ BEING LED DOWN THE PIERS TO OUR BUNGALOW, I FELT LIKE I WAS WALKING OVER AN AQUARIUM! THE WATER WAS SO CLEAR AND FULL OF CORAL, THAT THERE WAS AN ABUNDANCE OF COLOURFUL FISH BENEATH US, SOMETHING OF WHICH I COULD NEVER GET ENOUGH.” setting, we knew that Anantara Veli was the one for us! So, we booked and counted down the days. We were both in need of a relaxing break; let’s face it, weddings wouldn’t be weddings if there weren’t at times stressful, and we couldn’t wait to kick back and rest. Right from the start, the Anantara Veli staff couldn’t have been more helpful, organising several activities, answering any queries we had and arranging the 35-minute speedboat transfer from the airport to the island. Touching down at Male airport, we stepped off the plane and lapped up the amazing sunshine and heat that welcomed us. Feeling slightly jet-lagged, it was a joy to be pleasantly greeted by the
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Anantara staff with huge smiles and refreshments, before being led to our impressive speedboat. I have to say, I was blown away by how incredibly turquoise the sea was! And, after a quick boat ride, we arrived at our destination and were truly speechless. What can only be described as a lush, tropical paradise set in the middle of the Indian Ocean, we were both blown away by the setting. In my opinion, photos can’t do it justice. I had never seen a place more stunning and we’re a couple that has travelled extensively. The staff greeted us with traditional Maldivian music of singing and drums before being whisked away to our own private over-sea bungalow. I didn’t know where to look first. With so much beauty, it was hard to take it all in.
Being led down the piers to our bungalow, I felt like I was walking over an aquarium! The water was so clear and full of coral, that there was an abundance of colourful fish beneath us, something of which I could never get enough. In fact, over the duration of our stay, just by glancing into the lagoon beneath our bungalow, we saw turtles, manta rays, octopus and even sharks. Don’t worry, they were harmless!
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After a speedy check in and two bottles of champagne and a fruit platter having been delivered to our room, we felt in total bliss and were really enjoying the five-star treatment. Our bungalow was a luxury haven, equipped with everything you could need - even wifi - completely private and with views to die for. I especially loved the bathroom, where you can look into the sea below. Nothing beats showering while watching fish swim underneath you! For me, I was straight out on our terrace,
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soaking up the scorching sun (a helpful tip, high factor sun-cream is a must here as it’s so close to the equator) for my husband Josh, it was straight to the Aqua Fanatics Centre to pick us up some snorkels! Joshua and I chose the halfboard option, which included a sumptuous buffet breakfast with live cooking stations and an evening meal from one of the many fantastic restaurants. The choice was ours either to dine
a la carte each night, or try the themed buffets provided through the resort every night. This was the option that suited us the best, so only lunch and alcohol weren’t included and it allowed us to do things at our own pace. One of the factors that we loved about Anantara Veli, before we even got there, was the varied selection of restaurants - we both love food! Needless to say, we weren’t disappointed. Guests can enjoy some of the finest cuisine from across the globe, ranging from
Thai, Japanese, Italian, a Grill and beach BBQ’s of freshly caught delights, our stomachs were fully satisfied for our entire stay with some of the best food we have ever eaten. Washed down with lots of yummy cocktails, I might add! One of the special experiences offered by Anantara, is something called Dining by Design, a signature Anantara experience that offers guests the freedom to dine outside the restaurants
“ I ESPECIALLY LOVED THE BATHROOM, WHERE YOU CAN LOOK INTO THE SEA BELOW. NOTHING BEATS SHOWERING WHILE WATCHING FISH SWIM UNDERNEATH YOU!”
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for a unique experience. I chose to arrange this as a surprise for my husband Joshua on our second evening there. It was a truly magical evening. You can create a perfect culinary journey with a menu limited only by your own desires. I opted for the private island, dinner under the stars. This entails you choosing your very own menu, including preferred drinks and being whisked away by speedboat to a private island. Is there anything more perfect for a honeymoon
“CAN THIS GET ANY BETTER?” WELL, AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT DID! THE STAFF HAD ORGANISED A WONDERFUL ITINERARY FOR THE DURATION OF OUR STAY, BALANCING OUT SOME DOWN TIME WITH EACH OTHER ALONGSIDE ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCES.”
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experience? We had a private chef and personal waiter and the whole island to ourselves. We watched the waves and the sunset, before tucking into our delicious dinner under the stars with our toes in the sand. Absolute bliss. I would recommend this to anyone hoping to stay at the Anantara, it was seamless from start to finish. So far, we couldn’t fault anything, the ambience and atmosphere among guests
and staff radiated genuine happiness and positivity. After only a couple of days we felt totally relaxed and thought, “Can this get any better?” Well, as a matter of fact, it did! The staff had organised a wonderful itinerary for the duration of our stay, balancing out some down time with each other alongside once in a lifetime experiences. In our forthcoming Summer issue, I will continue to tell our readers about the adventures we experienced while staying at
Anantara Maldives. Stay tuned for our turtle snorkelling trip in the middle of the Indian Ocean, lavish spa massages, honeymoon love heart ceremony, cocktail evenings and picnics on the beach! What more could you possibly want from a honeymoon? Book your perfect stay at Anantara now! anantara.com/maldives/
Maldives Facts CURRENCY The most frequently used currency is the US dollar. The Maldives has its own currency, the Rufiyaa (MVR) but the Anantara resort accepts credit cards from American Express, Visa and MasterCard. TIME ZONE GMT +5 hours CLIMATE The Maldives enjoy a year-round warm tropical climate with temperatures ranging between 23°C and 32°C. Two distinct seasons are experienced: expect intermittent rain showers between May and October, followed by the dry season from November to April. INTERESTING... The Maldives consists of 1,192 coral islands (about 200 of which are inhabited) grouped in a double chain of 26 atolls, along the northsouth direction. With an average ground-level elevation of 1.5 meters (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is the world’s lowest country, with
even its highest natural point being the lowest high-point of any country in the world at 2.4 meters IMPORTANT ... Visitors should realise that the Maldives is a strictly Muslim nation, and obeying local laws and traditions is a necessity. Alcohol is strictly prohibited everywhere except resorts. So even though it’s your honeymoon, don’t try to pop a celebratory bottle of champers into your suitcase. All suitcases are scanned upon arrival and any alcohol is confiscated - unfortunately I’m talking from experience! The national tree of Maldives is the coconut palm. The national flower of Maldives is the pinkrose (Rosa Polyantha). The national bird of Maldives is the white-breasted waterhen. The national animal of Maldives is the yellowfin tuna. Maldives is one of the safest travel destinations on the planet – the island resorts, specifically, since they are largely isolated.
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Honeymoon ESSENTIALS GUIDE
After reading our article on honeymooning at the Anantara in the Maldives, we’re sure that we’ve got you in the mood for a little honeymoon prep! This should be your much-deserved time to relax after the wedding and to spend some quality time with your loved one. Your first holiday together as husband and wife can be so exciting, whether you’ve off globetrotting or choosing to
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sip cocktails on a peaceful beach. When it comes to what will no doubt be the trip of a lifetime, it doesn’t hurt to be little organised when it comes to packing, to ensure no stressful last minute panic dashing to the nearest pharmacy or beachwear store. CONFETI has compiled a honeymoon essentials guide, so rest assured that you will have the honeymoon of your dreams!
notonthehighstreet.com
global.george.com
Carry-on Bag:
Checked Luggage:
Useful tips:
Airline boarding passes, any other travel information, Passports (check beforehand that they are in date), Insurance Information, Visas, Currency, Bank and Credit Cards, Hotel or other reservation information. Phone, plus charger and headphones, travel adaptor Books/ Kindle Sunglasses Travel Pillow for any long-haul flights Valuables Camera Any emergency contact details, prescription medicine and painkillers or travel sickness pills Small clear toiletry bag with your preferred toiletries and make up (wipes, toothbrush, small deodorant etc.) and possibly a change of clothes A cute travel diary to help you document every single memory!
All toiletries required: deodorant, cosmetics, make-up, hairspray, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, face wash, face wipes, moisturisers, dry shampoo, shower gel, razors and shaving cream, perfume, cologne, contact lens solution, nail varnish and remover etc.
Tie a coloured ribbon around your suitcase handle to be able to identify it. Invest in a padlock and ensure your contact details are added on a luggage tag, just in case. We love these adorable Mr and Mrs luggage tags.
All electricals such as hairdryer, straighteners, curling tongs, mini speaker etc. Travel Adaptors, phone chargers, camera chargers and spare batteries or film, memory cards Sun-cream and after-sun. Make sure you have suitable factors! Extras such as: nail file, nail clippers and scissors, tweezers, plasters, mosquito spray, antihistamines
Always ensure your liquids are concealed within a plastic bag or toiletry bag in case of any spillages Weigh your suitcase beforehand to avoid any extra charges Keep all your travel documents and information together in a handy travel wallet
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Carry a spare carrier bag for laundry
Clothes and shoes - depending on your destination. Most common items: summery daywear, beachwear, bikinis, swimsuits, swimming trunks, sleepwear, underwear and lingerie, accessories (such as jewellery, clutch bags, belts) evening wear, light jackets or pashmina, flip flops, other footwear depending on your destination.
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Beach bag, sunhat and caps, sunglasses
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The Naked Dress
A
naked bridal jumpsuit exists and we’re a little lost for words! While sexy wedding gowns are nothing new, this is the first naked bridal jumpsuit we’ve ever seen and it’s rather revealing! Celebrities have been rocking the semi-naked jumpsuit look for years now on tour, red carpets and concerts, with the likes of J Lo and Beyonce being queens of the look. But is it really fitting for a bride? Behind the risky, sheer design, is Spanish bridal house, Pronovias from Barcelona, who posted a snap of the jumpsuit on Instagram, thanking model and actress Cristi Pedroche for commissioning them to create this unique design. Although she wore the bodysuit not to her wedding, but to a party, what do our readers think? Is this look too daring for a bride or a trend waiting to happen?
Confeti News
The mesh illusion bodysuit is embellished with delicate Chantilly lace and beaded with more than 200 crystals, strategically placed to protect one’s modesty! According to Pronovias, it took the brand’s creative director Moreau Herve and his team over 244 hours to make. Well, Pronovias you have certainly succeeded in grabbing our attention! Cristi also shared some snaps of the jumpsuit that she wore on New Year’s Eve underneath a huge red satin gown, on Instagram. Share your thoughts with us! Would you wear the naked bridal jumpsuit? Get in touch on our Facebook or Instagram: @confetimagazine to let us know your thoughts!
Elegance, Comfort and Luxury
L
ocated in the picturesque mountain village of Benahavis, 15 minutes from Puerto Banús, Gran Hotel Benahavis provides the most peaceful, scenic surroundings and a wide range of luxury amenities. The spectacular views make the perfect backdrop for your photographs and the versatility of the venue is perfect to host any kind of celebration. Los Molinos, is a 5,300 ft2, two-floor event room in the heart of a natural and romantic setting with a beautiful terrace and a spectacular swimming pool surrounded by gardens. Gran Hotel Benahavís offers a special and personalised service to organise your big day thanks to their experienced and creative team and to the flexibility of their interior and exterior spaces. granhotelbenahavis.com
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Monday - Friday 10:00 - 21:00
Saturday 11:00 - 18:00
The Beauty Sp t Where Beauty Begins...
Offering customized Bridal Pamper Packages and Wedding Makeup by consultation
Manicure & Pedicure · CND Shellac · Acrylic nails Waxing & Threading Selection of Luxury MONU Facials Occasion and Bridal Makeup
+34 675 01 63 51 thebeautyspotmarbella@gmail.com Avd de la Isla Verde,Urb Benamara Dos Hermanos. Edf Costa Del Sol Group, Estepona
WhichBlooms suit your
Sign of the ZODIAC? If you’re still trying to decide which flowers are best suited for your wedding day, why not take it from the stars? Confeti is very privileged to have a special guide from world renowned British astrologer, Russell Grant. Take a look to see which blooms are the best match.
Aries Flowers
Go for reds and bold colours for the strong-minded Arian. Include Asters, symbol of love and patience, to balance their impetuosity. Assorted eye-catching Gerbera Daisies or Poppies, Geraniums and Hollyhocks are good Aries flowers. The Aries bridal bouquet should include vibrant colours or blood red Roses for enduring passion, contrasting with white Orchids.
Taurus Flowers
Choose flowers that match the season for Taurus, who is always in tune with nature. Bouquets should be unfussy with colours of the countryside including earthy hues of green. Daffodils, Violets, Primulas and Daisies are good Taurus flowers. Choose rustic wedding centrepiece arrangements with flowers that look like they’ve been picked just moments ago especially for the occasion.
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Photo by Balance Photography
Gemini Flowers
Plenty of colour and variety should please the breezy Gemini. Use an assortment of flowers of various colours to add layers of meaning to floral arrangements. Include Aster for trust, Gardenia for joy and Forget-me-nots for friendship. Lilacs and Azaleas are also good Gemini flowers. Add yellow Tulips to reflect their cheerful spirit.
Cancer Flowers
Freshly gathered Spray Roses in reds and pinks will melt the sensitive Cancerian’s heart. They will also love the Freesia’s fragrance and delicate blooms. Verbena, White Lilies, Iris, Morning Glories and Cow Parsley are great additions to Cancerian flower arrangements. Include pink Orchids in the bridal bouquet for affection and joy.
Photo by Love Hunters
Photo by Nani De Perez
Sagittarius Flowers
Leo Flowers
Pair exotic with standard flowers for the Leo. Focus on rich colours and large flowers in oversize arrangements to give fullness and variety to floral displays. Oriental Lilies and flowers with large blooms such as Sunflowers and Hydrangeas are perfect for Leo. Dahlias, Honeysuckle and Asters are also good Leo flowers.
Virgo Flowers
Avoid the ornate and overelaborate when choosing flowers for Virgo. Bouquets and vase arrangements should look natural with shades of green and brown. Opt for simple compositions in earth-based tones. Asters, Narcissus and Chrysanthemums are good Virgo flowers. Daisies and wild flowers would add a garden touch to the Virgo’s wedding bouquet.
Libra Flowers
Select flagrant flowers in geometric designs to please the Libran’s sense of balance. Go for pastels and pinks, pale yellows and peach. Match flower shapes so nothing looks out of place. Wedding floral arrangements should include the theme of the event in the design. Daisies, Hydrangeas, Posies and Larkspur are good Libran flowers.
Scorpio Flowers
For Scorpio, arrange flowers in a tight cluster with plenty of greenery and other décor to bring a touch of elegance to the arrangement. Or go for a simple design with Scorpio’s favourite flowers in mind. These might be Black Magic Roses, Rhododendrons, Gardenias, Heather or Anemones. Include Queen Anne’s Lace in the Scorpio’s wedding bouquet.
Carnation is the birth flower of the Sagittarius. Go for interesting and different for this adventurous sign. Abstract floral arrangements that include random flower combinations will appeal, as will anything that’s funky and fun. Pinks, Carnations, Peonies and Larkspur are good Sagittarius flowers. Combine shades of purple and pink in creative ways for the Sagittarius wedding bouquet.
Capricorn Flowers
Keep it traditional and you won’t go far wrong when choosing flower bouquets and arrangements for Capricorn. Tree branches with blossoms or berries along with long grasses and vines should be incorporated into the design. Include Heather for luck. Pansies, Camelias, Sweet Peas and Love-lies-bleeding are good Capricorn flowers.
Aquarius Flowers
‘Unique’ and ‘different’ are words to remember when thinking about the sign of Aquarius. A bouquet made especially with the Aquarian in mind needs to be one of a kind. Use a water bowl centrepiece with floating candles to add a modern touch to wedding celebrations. Orchids, Gladiolus, Birds of Paradise and Freesias are good Aquarius flowers.
Pisces Flowers
Pisceans love to have flowers gracing their tables and windowsills. Include non-floral items to the Piscean’s bouquets and flower arrangements to add a personal or romantic touch. Add ribbons, ornaments or butterflies. Pink Peony and Baby’s Breath would make an ideal wedding bouquet. Larkspur, Lilacs, Poppies and Orchids are also good Piscean flowers. Photo by Balance Photography
Flowers ny Virginia Florist Photo by Nani De Perez CONFETI 103
D irec tory CAKES Alyson’s Cakes +34 646435771 Alysonscakes@gmail.com Cake Couture +34 693 379 397, marbellacake@gmail.com, cakecouturemarbella.com Marbella Cake Design +34 693 864 959, mcdesign100@yahoo.com, marbellacakedesign.com CATERERS Beers Wines & Spirits SL +34 952 373 233, info@bwsdrinksdistribution.com, bwsdrinksdistribution.com Sana Catering +34 639 626 096, toni@sanacateringmarbella. com, sanacateringmarbella.com CELEBRANTS Humanist Wedding Celebrant info@malagaminister.com, malagaminister.com Padre Peter padrepeter1@gmail.com ENTERTAINMENT Chica DJs +34 661 155 174, bookchicadjs@gmail.com, chicadjs.com DJ Ryan Fuller +34 674 882 402, fullerdj.com fullerdeehay@gmail.com, DJ Sky Fly +34 635 341 872, info@skyfly.es, skyfly.es Irie J +34 674 636 584, +44 7881 637 551, iriej.com sandielenton1@icloud.com,
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Flor Valentin +34 669 061 234, florvalentin.es
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HEALTHY & BEAUTY
Nani & Antonio de Perez nanideperez@gmail.com, nanideperez.com antoniodeperez.com
El Gamonal Carretera de Ronda, s/n, San Pedro Alcántara, +34 634 682 057 / 952 789 921 eventos@elgamonal.es elgamonal.es
Nora Photography +34 633 436 866 info@nora-photography.com nora-photography.com
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The Courtyard Marbella +34 952 867 084/ 689 992 163, info@thecourtyardmarbella.com, thecourtyardmarbella.com Villa Del Mar, Marbella Club +34 952 822 211, marbellaclub.com El Oceano Beach Hotel +34 952 587 550, info@oceanohotel.com, oceanohotel.com Olivia’s La Cala +34 952 494 935, info@oliviaslacala.com, oliviaslacala.com Puente Romano +34 952 820 900, hotel@puenteromano.com, puenteromano.com La Sala Gibraltar +350 20016870, info@lasalagibraltar.com, lasalagibraltar.com La Sala Private Dining Room +34 952 812 836, lasalabanus.com Sunborn Hotel +350 20016000, info@sunborngibraltar.com, sunbornhotels.com/gibraltar Sunset Beach Club Hotel +34 952 579 400, info@sunsetbeachclub.com, sunsetbeachclub.com Tahini +34 952 902 936, tahinisushibar.com Trocadero Sotogrande +34 956 795 012, recepcion@ trocaderosotogrande.com, trocaderosotogrande.com Villa Padierna +34 902 200 676, info@ villapadiernapalacehotel.com, villapadiernapalacehotel.com
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HARRY AND MEGHAN
a Royal Love Story! The world was sent into a frenzy last November, when Prince Harry and Suits actress Meghan Markle announced that they were engaged. Confeti just ‘loves loves loves’ a Royal Wedding, as does most of the globe! We’re sure millions will be tuning in to swoon at this special occasion. An unlikely couple, but we couldn’t be more excited to watch this dynamic duo tie the knot. Having recently revealed some eagerly- awaited details, we just had to share them with our readers. But first, let’s take a look at what we know so far - their fairytale story (involving a real prince!) from the beginning. Prince Harry, known as the cheeky chappy of the Royal Family and an active singleton, first met Meghan Markle after being set up by a mutual friend in early July 2016. Despite his global fame, Markle didn’t have a lot of preconceived ideas about Prince Harry before they met, she explained, “Because I’m from the States, you don’t grow up with the same understanding of the Royal family”. The two hit it off immediately, with Prince Harry even going on to say that he knew Meghan was the one from “the very first time we met”. Sigh! Prince Harry managed to persuade Meghan to accompany him on a trip to Africa soon after and describes a whirlwind romance where they had chance to be by themselves, something that was crucial for them to get to know each other. After four months of keeping it quiet, the news was finally leaked on October 31st 2016 by the Sunday Express. 106 CONFETI
It wasn’t all plain sailing however, as Harry confirmed the relationship with Markle in a formal statement, in which he also had to plead to the press and trolls on social media to stop the wave of harassment that had been directed at his girlfriend. They were both taken aback by the media scrutiny but remained strong.
They celebrated with a photoshoot and formal interview which they shared with eager fans all over the world. The proposal was apparently a cosy night in, while the couple were roasting a chicken. Harry took the traditional approach of getting the blessing of Meghan’s parents first.
After several public appearances, trips abroad together and even a long-distance relationship while Meghan continued to film Suits, it was inevitable that a proposal would likely be on the cards, especially after the couple received the seal of approval from the likes of the Queen, Prince William and Kate Middleton. After shutting down her lifestyle website ‘The Tig’ Meghan confessed to Vanity Fair, “We’re a couple. We’re in love”.
Of course, we all couldn’t wait to get a glimpse of the ring - and what a stunner it is. Prince Harry designed the ring himself and had it made by the Queen’s personal jewellers. The trilogy diamond ring features three diamonds representing the past, present and future, all of which have incredible sentimental value to Harry. Two of the gems are from his late mother Diana’s personal collection and the third is from Botswana, where the couple holidayed at the start of their relationship.
Finally, after much speculation and anticipation, the couple announced their engagement in November 2017.
The all-important details! Kensington Palace has confirmed that the wedding will take place on the 19th of May 2018.
Meghan has been married before, so there was a question mark over whether they would have a church wedding. However, the Archbishop of Canterbury said in a statement that Harry and Meghan have “chosen to make their vows before God”. Kensington Palace has also confirmed that they will in fact be marrying in St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The most recent announcements were made in a very modern manner and revealed by Kensington Palace’s official Twitter account. The Royal Family are really keeping up with the times! The following statements were made in a series of tweets: “The wedding service will begin at 12 noon at St George’s Chapel. The Dean of Windsor will conduct the service and The Archbishop of Canterbury will officiate as the couple make their vows. At 1pm the couple, now married, will undertake a Carriage Procession from St George’s Chapel through Windsor Town returning to Windsor Castle along the Long Walk. They hope this short journey will provide an opportunity for more people to come together around Windsor and to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day. Following the service, there will be a reception at St George’s Hall for the couple and the guests from the congregation.” So the main thing now of course is - the dress! We predict that Meghan will go for something classic and whimsical but with a modern twist. Only time will tell and all will be revealed in only a couple of months, giving us enough time to buy a hat. We just love Spring weddings!
UNIQUE VENUE FOR CELEBRATIONS COSY INTIMATE WEDDINGS PRE & AFTER WEDDINGS FOR LARGE GROUPS (UP TO 350 PAX) AFTER CHURCH RECEPTION (2mins from encarnacion church)
AUTHENTIC SPANISH FEEL, IN THE HEART OF MARBELLA
CASA PALACIO DATED 1502 Different areas to accomodate your celebration: open terrace, secret garden, patio andaluz or our cozy interior
Varied, original and creative menus... From a tapas buffet to a seated dinner. we are NOT JUST A VENUE We bring food from our farm and local farms, set the tables, get fresh flowers, prepare a dessert buffet or cheese tables next to our brandy bar. We will even arrange the music and entertainment for you!
Plaza Altamirano nr 3, 29601 MARBELLA OLD TOWN Tel: +34 619 466 767 www.thefarm-marbella.com
· B A R E F O OT A N D B L A C K-T I E C E R E M O N I E S O N T H E S H O R E S O F T H E M E D I T E R R A N E A N · · spectacular views · 5 star service · exquisite cuisine · Kosher Services · Indian Weddings · luxury accommodation · expert in-house wedding planner ·
Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa · Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n · 29602 · Marbella · Spain (+34) 952 820 900 · puenteromano.com · weddings@puenteromano.com