letter from the editor This summer issue is packed with reasons why Malta is such a great place for a destination wedding. We have carefully selected a variety of weddings which took place at different venues and at incredible locations as a kind of picture postcard of our beautiful island. Although we have called this issue ‘Destination Malta’, in order to promote our country to foreign couples, we have still kept in mind the Maltese couples who would never dream of having their wedding anywhere but here. And it’s not just because they want their family and friends around, it’s also because around every corner, when you least expect it, you will find a pocket of history, a spectacular church or an amazing view. At WD magazine we pride ourselves in offering readers that something which is always a little bit different. Each wedding offers a contrast in styles – from the traditional to the adventurous, from the laid-back to the more formal. The only thing which remains constant is the excellent photography for which WD has already become known. We have been overwhelmed by your demand for the magazine, so much so that as a thank you to our readers we carried a competition in our May issue, courtesy of Kempinski San Lawrenz for which we received numerous entries (our winner Claire Bezzina is pictured below). The response was so great we knew we just had to offer a second competition in this issue, just turn to page 78 for more details. Enjoy your summer, and don’t forget to take WD with you to the beach – it makes a great read!
Josanne
Mojo Publishing Limited • Flat 3, Il-Gardina, Constitution Street, Mosta, MST 9051 • info@weddingdaymalta.com
contents July 2012
14 Beach-Chic IDEAS
28 DESTINATION Malta
31 The WEDDING PLANNER!
14
28
32
40
56
64
32 An old Palazzo Roisin & Aidan
40 The Azure Window Ellen & Aaron
48 On The Beach Anna & Owen
56 The Cathedral Diandra & Matthew
64 A Historical Setting Charlene & Reuben
73 The BRIDE makeover
on the cover:
Katerina Vella-Rjabkova
design & photography by Jessica C. Moritz printed at Bestprint, Qrendi published quarterly by Mojo Publishing Limited Disclaimer: MOJO Publishing Limited cannot be held liable for any artwork which is provided by the client. The client will bear full responsibility for the accuracy of the text and for any possible breach of copyright in the photos, text, or fonts being used.
31
48 8 73
THE BOHO BRIDE read our 14-page feature about the perfect relaxed ambiance of a beach styled wedding
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BOHEMIAN
GLAM
Everyone loves the idea of a beach wedding and for this summer issue we made it happen at one of Malta’s most exquisite, untouched beaches, Riviera Martinique. Bohemian Glam means mixing natural elements with man-made ones, often of a more glamorous nature. The colours of this shoot were inspired by the colours that the beach takes on at sunset. Tangerine tango also happens to be the pantone colour of the year. Together with our ingenious stylist Elaine Zarb from Elegant Impressions, florist Joseph Baldacchino from Flower Arts magically transformed a stretch of beach into a dreamy world of luxurious colours which twinkled in the late afternoon sun. Sunbathing tourists and locals stared in astonishment as they watched them work their magic, and many assumed that an actual wedding was about to take place! Joseph created the flower decorations on the arch there and then, while Elaine and her husband Patrick came up with many original ideas which we hope will give you lots of inspiration. Our lovely, enchanting model Katerina Vella-Rjabkova is actually a wedding photographer herself, but was persuaded to step in front of the camera with amazing results. She turned out to be a ‘natural’ and at times often seemed like a mermaid emerging from the sea.
The Bouquet: A burst of colour is created with different hues of brilliant red, fuschia pink and subtle peach using roses, craspedia, gloriosia, coral flowers and succulents
The Arch: Decorated with with twigs, coral, roses and gloriosia and set off by lanterns, with tea candles lit in stylish glass candle holders to give a romantic glow
Moroccan Lanterns: Available from Flower Arts
WD | 12
WD | 13
The Dresses This page: a light chiffon bridal gown with delicate flower and crystal details on the bodice. The A-line shaped skirt is carefully designed to give maximum comfort. Right page: A stunning bridal gown with crystal straps. This stone-studded empire cut dress in chiffon is as understated as it is dramatic.
WD | 14
Tableau A low tableau was set up, with a white cotton tablecloth and scattered cushions in royal blue, gold and crimson red instead of chairs. For centrepieces, metallic and glass containers were used with succulents and colourful flowers inside them. The use of metallic and glass was also seen in the tableware, with blue glass plates and glasses, and gold cutlery. Small bowls containing seashells and pebbles completed the beach side theme.
WD | 16
Teepee A teepee, the ultimate accessory in a bohemian world, was also set up with gold-dipped poles and accessorised with parasols and a paper lantern. Cake Glorianne from Cuppy Cakes came up with this innovative double decker cake, covered with bronze frosting and decorated with brown leaves. The cake stand is decorated with beads to reflect the boho look.
Crystal tea light holders Charms (used on glasses) Yellow paper lantern & parasols Wedding bubbles from: Charming Diva Cushions Cut glass decanters (used as vases) Pewter chalices Tent Silver cake stand (filled with shells) all available for rental from: Elegant Impressions
Hairstylist Marie Claire added soft natural-looking extensions to give Katerina more volume and length while a braid across her forehead gives her that hippy chick feel. Make-up artist Daniela Cassar, using Eva Garden products, went for brown eyeshadow, black eyeliner and bronze for the cheeks to give her a summery look. Coral lip cream was used for the lips. The large designer earrings are available from WeddingBells
WD | 20
WD Contributors Creative Director & Photographer Jessica C. Moritz
Floral Design
www.jessmor.com • T: 27415406 • M: 79947271
Joseph Baldacchino of Flower Arts www.flowerarts.net • M: 9926 0645
Concept & SET Styling
MAKE-UP
Elaine Zarb of Elegant Impressions www.elegantimpressions.eu M: 99831213
Daniela Cassar E: dan1305@go.net.mt • M: 99130575 sponsored by EVAGARDEN
Bridal fashion styling
hair
Marquita Kemper of WeddingBells T: 21224234 • E: weddingbells@sis.net.mt Arch made for photo shoot Daniel Daniel Mercieca M: 79705280
Marie Claire Lombardi 34 Palm Street, Paola T: 21822928
Cake Glorianne Gerada cuppycakecupcakes@gmail.com • M: 9924 8681
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DESTINATION MALTA ‌.everything you have always wanted for your dream wedding is here
Living on an island like we do, we tend to take the proximity to the crystal clear sea, our ancient history, unique culture and laidback island life for granted. It is only when we see it through the eyes of our foreign visitors that we are often awakened from our slumber and take a closer look at our beautiful country with fresh eyes. Because, the truth is, if you are looking for the perfect destination wedding, then Malta has it all. Let’s start with the formalities: the paperwork to get married, whether in a civil ceremony or at one of our many breathtaking churches, is relatively straightforward. As we are an English-speaking country, you won’t have to worry about speaking our native language (although we love it when you try!), and there is no need for you to have an interpreter by your side as you visit suppliers. Most of all, however, are the endless options when it comes to venues. Whether you are looking for a Palazzo steeped in history, a modern five star hotel near the water’s edge, an intimate restaurant with lovely views, or a stunning beach location, you will find just what you are looking for.
The smaller, equally picturesque islands of Gozo and Comino offer many other possibilities. Couples from all over the world have come to get married here – from New York to Hong Kong, from Germany to Japan, and of course, from the various parts of the United Kingdom with which Malta has such a strong connection. It does not matter whether just the two of you have come to get married here, or whether you are bringing a party of family and close friends with you to help you celebrate, Malta and its very professional wedding industry can give you expert advice and create the wedding of your dreams for you. There is also an endless list of activities to do while on the island so that your wedding trip can also be a real vacation for you and your guests.
So, welcome to the exotic wedding destination you have always wanted. Welcome to beautiful Malta!
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The wedding planner
Josanne Cassar interviews wedding planner Anna Spiteri Borg from Malta Event Design about the advantages of leaving your wedding preparations in the hands of an expert
Anna got into the wedding planning business when she had an “ah ha” moment while surfing on the Internet one hot summer night. “I had been going down a completely different career path which was really great but not ideal for me. Then I came across a beautiful blog by an American wedding florist and it just hit me. When I was young I used to spend lot of time at my mother’s wedding floral shop and never missed one of her weddings; I just loved it. I decided to read for a diploma in wedding planning and event management with the Wedding Planner School in Bristol and that was that. I’m happy to say I have certainly made the right decision. I love my job.” One of the advantages of being in the wedding business, Anna points out, is that she is always working with really genuine happy people who truly care for each other. Because her work puts her in touch with a lot of foreign couples, it is exciting to learn about different cultures. “There is nothing I enjoy more than watching the smiling faces of the happy couple and their guests enjoying themselves in a beautiful venue that has been designed for them.” Entrusting your wedding in the hands of someone else requires a leap of faith. “Wedding planning is a matter of trust between the bride, the planner and all the suppliers involved. It is all about listening to what my clients want. When planning a wedding it is very important that it reflects the couple’s personality; thus I never try to “shoe–horn” clients into an existing service or towards what I want for them. Each wedding we plan has its own personal touch,” Anna says.
The main challenge a couple faces when planning their wedding abroad is keeping the budget down and finding the time to plan the whole wedding. “As all couples eventually find out, planning a wedding can be very stressful and by hiring a local wedding planner they are lifting a lot of the pressure off thus lessening the stress on their relationship. A wedding planner should know what things should cost, how to secure deals and how to maximise on her client’s budget. I save them time – basically, I cut out all the research for them. I only recommend service providers that I trust, offer value for money and who I believe offer a service that cares about the couple that is getting married.” Anna points out that she is very transparent in the way she works and does not work on commission. “I source what is right for the couple and charge accordingly to the service. Discounts or any financial incentives offered are passed on directly to my clients. A truly bespoke impartial service makes me different from other planners and I assemble the right team for each client from scratch.”
Anna’s advice: • •
• • •
Create your own wedding - plan only the type of wedding you can afford. Start by setting yourselves a budget and then stick to it. Prioritise – Make a list of priorities with your fiance. Don’t waste time getting carried away with details until you have settled on the key elements; where and when you’ll be married and how much you can afford to spend. Compromise – Be sensitive to the desires of each other and your families; be a good listener even if you eventually reject their ideas. Be organised - Set timelines for stress free planning. Wedding-free zone – Schedule time for yourselves and dedicate days or evenings with your partner where wedding talk is banned. This will help you remember why you are getting married.
Malta is….an old Palazzo
Roisin O’Huadhaigh & Aidan Cleary
WEDDINGDAY: 6 September 2010
“We were both studying civil engineering at University together. However, it took us until the start of the second year to pluck up the courage to speak to each other and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Aidan proposed on the top of the Empire State building in New York. It was our first time in New York and it was just before Christmas which made it the most magical place to get engaged. The icing on the cake was being brought to Tiffany’s on 5th Avenue the next day to choose the perfect ring,” Roisin tells us. Having decided that they wanted “something a bit different from the norm”, Roisin and Aidan decided to get married abroad. The only trouble was choosing a country. “We’d never thought about Malta as a wedding destination until we saw a picture of this old Palazzo at a wedding fair in Dublin and we just knew straight away that’s where we wanted to have our wedding. It looked enchanting in the photos and when we got there in person it took our breath away. We just loved the fact that we could have the whole wedding reception outside in the garden under the stars, which would never have been an option at home in Ireland.”
WD | 34
When it came to her choice of dress Roisin didn’t really have a style in mind, but only knew that it would have to be lightweight to be suitable for the warm weather in Malta. “After trying on many dresses, I narrowed it down to three. I found myself dreaming about one of them in particular, and when I brought my Mum and sisters to see the dresses, they all chose that same one.” Aware that their guests would not be used to such warm weather, they gave each of them a fan to help cope with the heat of the day. The fans were presented in an elegant display box, and they placed a sticker on each with their names and wedding date. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Charles Carabott at the Balluta Parish Church which overlooks the bay. The stained glass windows provided a spectacular backdrop to the couple as they said their vows.
“Sharing our special day with seventy close friends and family that made the trip to Malta with us, made it a very intimate and memorable experience.” Roisin and Aiden had brought a cherub statue with them from Ireland and they asked the Palazzo to integrate it into the cake display. The cherub stood on the first tier and held up the top tier. The cake was displayed on its own in the magnificent Gold Room so when it was time to cut the cake, it was the centre of attraction. “As we couldn’t bring any remaining cake back to Ireland with us, we asked the Palazzo to place a slice of cake in a little cupcake box for each of our guests, which they received at the end of the night.” As the cherub suggests, this couple decided that ‘Love’ would be their main theme. “Our table names were all song titles that contained the word ‘love’. The flowers on the pews in the church were arranged in the shape of a heart. In terms of the overall feel of the wedding we tried to keep it simple and elegant. WD | 38
DRAMA! make your cake the centre of ATTRACTION!
Style Book Photography: Jessica C. Moritz & Karin Von Voigtlander Rings: Tiffany & Co. Church: Balluta Bay, St. Julian’s Hotel: Le Meridien, St. Julian’s
WD | 40
“We wanted our wedding day to be timeless. We didn’t want anything fussy as that wouldn’t have suited our personalities. Both the church and venue were absolutely beautiful to start with so we didn’t need to add much additional detail and we just let them speak for themselves.” Their first dance was a waltz that they had choreographed especially for the day to the song ‘Moon River’, which was a surprise for all of their guests. Something else which was unexpected was that the nearby Naxxar church was all lit up for the festa, and could be seen from the venue. “We’d like to thank all those involved in making our wedding day the most perfect day imaginable, and one that we will remember and cherish forever. Thanks to both our extremely talented photographers Jess and Karin, we get to re-live each moment through the amazing photos.” The next day Roisin and Aidan had a photo shoot taken at some of Malta’s most breathtaking locations. Karin Von Voigtlander is a New York-city based photographer who specialises in shooting weddings at the most spectacular destinations. The couple rounded off their special day with an overnight stay at the elegant Le Meridien Hotel.
Ellen Cabacungan and Aaron Freeman
Malta is....picturesque islands WEDDINGDAY: 1 July 2010
If you have ever dreamt of a wedding at a unique location by the sea, then take inspiration from Ellen and Aaron’s special day which was brought to life thanks to wedding planners Anna Spiteri Borg and her husband Marvik from Malta Event Design. But first, what made this couple choose Malta? “We knew we wanted a very small ceremony and decided to get married while we were attending a dear friend’s wedding in Spain. We had never been to the Mediterranean but chose Malta because it was Englishspeaking, had simple legal requirements for couples getting married abroad, and primarily because it looked beautiful from the pictures we saw online. We especially loved the mix of ancient and modern limestone architecture and the exotic landscape. We knew we wanted an outdoor ceremony by the sea, and ideally near cliffs. Our wedding planners at Malta Event Design suggested the perfect location and got us a special permit to be the first couple married there. We had no idea just how unique and impressive Gozo and Dwejra Bay were until we arrived a couple of days before the ceremony. We were completely in awe of the venue overlooking the Ta’ Cenc cliffs and the Azure Window and still can’t believe we were fortunate enough to get married in the most spectacular place we’ve ever visited.”
WD | 42
The wedding planner arranged for them to get ready at an old, authentic Gozitan farmhouse, and the Mayor of Gharb performed the civil ceremony on site. Anna and Marvik stood in as the witnesses and as a sign of the couple’s new life together, doves were let loose into the brilliant blue skies. Following the ceremony, they had a traditional Maltese brindisi, and a fisherman in a typical Maltese fishing boat, known as a ‘dghajsa’, took them to a hired yacht so they could go snorkelling in Comino’s Blue Lagoon. They watched the sunset over the cliffs and had a candlelit dinner aboard the boat in the bay at Mgarr Ix-Xini. Ellen and Aaron met at work, when they were each holding down an extra job at a college bar in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Ellen explains, “We never really spoke to each other until I had been working there for close to a year and wanted to learn how to bar tend. Aaron was the head bartender at the time so one of the owners said he should be the one to train me. After several lessons we started spending time together outside the bar and that was that!” “The spring before we got married, we went to Ocracoke, a small island off the coast of North Carolina that we love and visit every year. We rented scooters and rode them to a sandy inlet we discovered several years ago, and that is where Aaron proposed.” Ellen was not your typical bride who spends hours and hours trying on wedding dresses. Finding the right dress had to be scheduled in between their travelling through Europe for three weeks. “I needed a dress that would easily fit into our luggage and I wanted it to be simple and lightweight for our small outdoor ceremony. All the wedding dresses I tried were too heavy and ornate, so I actually ended up with a bridesmaid’s dress that I ordered in white. I probably waited too long to go dress shopping because it arrived just in time for alterations and I wasn’t actually sure I liked it until I picked it up from the dressmaker just a day or two before we left for our trip.”
“We were really delighted by the warmth of all the Maltese people we encountered and by a number of small touches our wedding planners surprised us with.”
WD | 44
DRAMATIC NATURE! Malta is the ideal destination Gozo youwedding to if youprovides want your NATURE! with be breathtaking set against a historic Gozo provides you backdrops! backdrop! with breathtaking backdrops!
Style Book Photography: Jessica C. Moritz Wedding planners & concept: Anna Spiteri Borg of Malta Event Design Civil ceremony: performed by the Mayor of Gharb Location: Dwejra, Gozo
WD | 48
Ironically enough, it was the fact that both of them knew something about the wedding industry which inspired them to do something “completely different” when it came to their own wedding day. “In college, I had worked at a wedding chapel and Aaron and worked as a wedding videographer, so we had both seen our share of weddings and wanted to do something unique and intimate so we could focus on the meaning of the ceremony itself. Getting married abroad, just the two of us, also allowed us to have a relaxed reception closer to home where we could enjoy more time celebrating with friends and family.” “Simply being together in such a striking place that’s so different from home made the day special. It truly was the best day of our lives and couldn’t have been more perfect; we even saw shooting stars from the boat that evening!”
The Maltese Islands; history, culture, amazing backdrops, exquisite Mediterranean dining .... the perfect event destination Give your guests the gift of an experience they will never forget!
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www.maltaeventdesign.com info@maltaeventdesign.com 00356 79020507
Malta is….unique beaches
Anna Abela and Owen Sammut
WEDDINGDAY: 16 July 2011
Anna and Owen met about eight years ago, starting off as really close friends and eventually becoming best friends. “We just spent every free minute together; we had such a good relationship that we didn’t want to take it further as if it didn’t work out we were scared we would ruin what we had”, says Owen. “Anna moved to Ireland for three years and we missed each other like mad; when she used to visit Malta we would spend every second together making the most of it, but just as best buddies”. When Anna split up with her then boyfriend in Ireland, Owen decided to give it a shot and begged her to try and take their relationship to the next level. “We did and it was mad love from that moment on. We had never felt anything like that before; we tried long distance but it wasn’t successful, as one of us was either coming to Malta or the other coming to Ireland every month. So Anna quit her job and moved back here. It all went very fast from there and we wasted no time. Two years and a half have passed, and since then, we got engaged, married, bought a house and our little princess will soon be with us.”
“We were especially grateful that Anna’s Dad could make it as he wasn’t doing very well back then.”
WD | 52
Anna and Owen both wanted a wedding which was different and which would stand out from the rest. A 1950s theme on a relaxed beach – you cannot get any more “different” than that! Maltese couples are becoming more adventurous with their style of weddings, and while you still get quite a few who opt for tradition, once in a while you do meet a couple who are daring enough to break away from the norm. They instantly fell in love with the venue. The service was excellent and when it came to the catering they had help from Owen’s best man who is a chef. “Even our cake had a beach theme as Anna loves watching ‘Cake Boss’ and had seen the cake we chose on one of his TV shows. The sand-coloured cake is decorated with real seashells and corals. The theme was bohemian beach: colourful and chilled out, which basically describes the two of them. The vibrant orange of the bridesmaids’ dresses and the different hues of oranges and reds of the tropical flowers, set against the blue skies and the aquamarine sea created a striking contrast which simply represents what a Maltese summer is all about. The artistic Johanna Zammit from Bali Stuff was responsible for styling the venue and creating the set up of the whole place. “She did a splendid job and we couldn’t have asked for anyone better. As a couple we consider ourselves to be ‘different’ and would have never opted for the ballroom type of wedding. We wanted something that we could always remember and for our friends and family to mark this day in their memories.”
GIRLS! GIRLS!
have some fun posing funonposing withhave yoursome friends the with your friends on the PIER! PIER!
Style Book Photography: George Saguna Church: Mgarr Parish Set-up & Design: Johanna Zammit from Bali Stuff
WD | 56
The ceremony took place at the lovely Mgarr Church located in a typical old Maltese village. Anna bought both her dresses from the Internet: “I had a long dress and later changed into a short dress. I always knew I wanted a short cute little white dress so that was an easy one. As for the first long dress I just knew it was the one when I saw it. I just went for it and got it from the Internet and I was really satisfied.” When they look back at their relationship which led to this glorious beach wedding, Anna and Owen realize they have a lot to be grateful for: “Having our family and friends around us was very special. But there was also a moment when we were just looking at each other and knowing that finally we have both found what we had been looking for. We could understand it even more as we both knew how many previous relationships hadn’t worked out for us.”
A wave of bridal ideas.... Contact: Johanna Zammit @ Balistuff Naxxar Road, Naxxar Tel: 21574913 Mob: 79596209 Email: jayzed@maltanet.net www.balistuffmalta.com Facebook: balistuff weddings
Matthew Dimech & Diandra Galea
Malta is....majestic churches
WEDDINGDAY: 14 April 2012
A chat on the Internet and an exchange of phone numbers followed by a text message was all it took for Matthew and Diandra to start dating. “Since he was living in the area, he saw my message and phoned me, so we decided to meet up in a pub near by where he was going with his friends”, says Diandra. They liked each other immediately, and from that day onwards they were a couple. It was Matthew who brought up the prospect of marriage on several occasions and he was very understanding when Diandra felt she was not yet ready. “One fine day I felt that this was the right time and the right moment. I knew what I wanted so I went ahead and told him that I was ready. He proposed a few days later.” When it came to her dress, Diandra ended up going for a very different style to her original idea. “When I saw my dress for the first time I was breathless, I couldn’t even say a word, I just smiled and as soon as I tried it on I just fell in love with it, that was it!” The dress was a champagne colour with Swarovski crystals and handmade lace.
WD | 58
The couple decided to get married at the beautiful Mdina Cathedral. For their Cinderella wedding theme Diandra and Matthew paid attention to every single detail and were helped to achieve their vision thanks to Dylan Bezzina from I Do Events. Apart from helping them to co-ordinate everything on the day, and arranging for the fireworks, Dylan’s company was invaluable with ensuring everything went according to plan during the church rehearsal. He also gave them ideas for the layout of the venue and the lighting, as well as how to decorate the pool. “Since we are both perfectionists, details are very important to us because you might not see that small detail but in the end that is what will make the whole wedding perfect. I also decided that an ice sculpture would complete the theme so once again I already knew what I wanted: a carriage coach. This was created especially for us and was a “first” for Paul Kind from Ice Cool Exhibits. When we told him what we wanted he said he needed time to think about it, but on the same day he phoned us back and said he could do it!”
WD | 60
“Having our son, who is a part of us, present at our wedding gave us such happiness and fullfilment as a family�.
From the first day Diandra started to visit venues she knew she wanted it in an old Palazzo which would give her both a beautiful interior as well as amazing views from the outside. “We wanted a very peaceful setting which would be perfect for our fireworks. We also focused on extra lighting which was based on red and champagne colours to create a romantic atmosphere.” For their catering they found what they wanted with C. Camilleri & Sons Ltd. “I was very pleased with their services because they did their very best to satisfy every small detail we wanted. The cake was very special to us, as I designed it myself. I always imagined my cake to be elaborate and full of details. We had a five tier cake full of roses handmade one by one and which were delicious to eat. And once again hats off to Camilleri catering who made our magnificent dream cake a reality.”
ICE COOL EXHIBITS
is a new concept to Malta providing a staggering array of ice exhibits for all manner of events. From small items such as ‘ice shot glasses’ to huge projects such as a fully functional ‘Ice Bars’, highly skilled craftsmen can turn your vision into an awe inspiring reality. For more information call 99036901 or email icecoolexhibits@onvol.net
Style Book Photography: Jessica C. Moritz Hair: Marie Claire Lombardi Church: Mdina Cathedral Flowers: Flower Arts Cake design & Catering: C. Camilleri & Sons Event Design & Co-ordination: Dylan Bezzina of I Do Events Ice sculpture: Ice Cool Exhibits Honeymoon Night: Radisson, Golden Sands
For the souvenirs Matthew had the original idea of giving guests bottles of wine from grapes which were grown especially for them. The wine was bottled under the name of ‘Rouge’ with the wedding date printed on the label. On the back were printed the following words which Diandra and Matthew wrote together: “These grapes where hand picked, symbolizing the faith and trust between the grower and the vine. Grown with care and passion and more often with patience. Gently vinified with respect to the land it was grown. Tastes like our love; pure, complex and warm. This wine is reflection of our marriage, maturing year after year. We will look to all the good times together, for there are more wonders that we will find in each, as time passes by.” After the wedding, the couple spent a few nights at the Radisson Golden Sands.
Charlene Vassallo & Reuben Vella
Malta is….historical venues
WEDDINGDAY: 10 March 2012
Although they are both rugby players, Charlene only met Reuben when she went to watch her brother play with the national team in Messina, where Reuben was also playing. “Love struck at midnight under the Messina clock and since then six years have passed”, says Charlene. The proposal came as a big surprise. “In 2010 we went for a holiday in Rome and we loved the city immediately. As a surprise Reuben had planned to take me to the bridge known as Ponte Milvio where lockets are locked to the bridge and the key thrown in the Tevere - a symbol to show the everlasting love between us. The following year, as a graduation present, Reuben booked another trip to Rome. When we arrived we went for lunch and Reuben seemed very agitated with sweat running down
his face. He told me that after lunch we should visit Ponte Milvio again to check our locket. And then came the biggest surprise of my life; there we were looking for our locket which we obviously could not find since there were thousands of others. Reuben then told me, “we have two options, we can either make another locket or else we can get married”. It was at that moment that he took a ring out of his pocket and I was shouting like crazy. I couldn’t believe it!” The majestic beauty of the Mosta Dome, their parish church, was the setting for their wedding Mass. The church has a special meaning for the Vassallo family who is from Mosta. It was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and large candles along the pews.
“Everything was co-ordinated so well and we enjoyed every minute of it.”
WD | 68
Charlene’s gown was inspired by the dress worn by Nicole Ritchie, which was made especially for her by a dressmaker. “I always wanted a long-sleeved dress. The big skirt was also a requirement since I have always thought that’s what makes a wedding dress different from any other dress. I had a long trail veil, which I loved and which gave it that princess feel. “We hired the ushers’ suits from Cefai Formal Wear. The groom’s suit was bought from Catania Carlo Pignatelli. Reuben wanted something different and in fact he chose a navy blue suit which inspired us to have the page boys in matching little soldiers’ outfits”. The choice of a March wedding day meant that the couple was restricted with the choice of venue for their reception, because they didn’t want to take risks with the weather. It turned out to be a wise move because on the day Malta was hit by a very bad storm. “With the help of CaterMax we were able to choose the most suitable venue, the Casino Maltese and we loved it immediately. We knew that a lot of work had to be done in order to show the beauty of the place”. Originally used as the treasury of the knights of St. John, today the exclusive Casino Maltese retains most of its original 16th Century features. The reception hall is large and decorated with antique paintings. The ballroom is decorated with beautiful parquet flooring, carved wooden balconies and crystal chandeliers. The Princess Room is named after the Queen Elisabeth’s visit to the club when she was still a princess.
The couple wanted a winter feel to the place but with a touch of spring, and this theme was left in the expert hands of the professionals. “The venue was lit up beautifully by Nexos and decorated beyond our expectations. The cake area was filled with kissing balls and white doves in white cages, while the oyster bar had a white tree lit with fairy lights to look like glowing crystals.” The wedding was spread over the entire five stories of the Casino Maltese, with each floor having a different concept and colour scheme ranging from all white carpeting to a bluish violet light. It took Nexos two full days to build the structure which would support and hold the 800 kilos of light overlooking the main courtyard. Little strips of light and dimmers were used to change the lighting as the afternoon turned into evening with members of the Nexos staff on sight to adjust the lights accordingly, creating just the right atmosphere. Because this is such a historical building, great care was taken to only use small fittings and cables, and where possible, utilising whatever was already on site. “This is such a beautiful venue that all we did was enhance it; our only difficulty was how to conceal everything so that nothing unsightly would show,” explains lighting designer, Ismael Portelli. LED strips were placed within the white wrought iron balconies with suffused light purple lighting to blend in with the ambiance.
WD | 70
Perfection is not a detail ,
but detail makes perfection ...
Leonardo Da Vinci
299/301, Lumen, Triq Mer˙ba, Fgura FGR1836. Tel: 2180 0144 Mob: 7980 0144, 9940 6234, 9949 8226 Fax: 2169 2124 Email: info@nexoslighting.com
www.nexoslighting.com
Style Book Photography: Jessica C. Moritz Shoes: Jimmy Choo Ushers’ Suits: Cefai Formal Wear Church: The Rotunda, Mosta Lighting & Design: Nexos Lighting Cake design & Catering: Catermax
WD | 72
The catering by Catermax also exceeded their expectations. “We would like to thank Keith Gatt at CATERMAX for the mouthwatering food, Ronnie Caruana for abiding to our wishes for the cake to match our invites and also for creating a cake which in its simplicity still had a certain grandeur”. Indeed, this cake was the ‘piece de resistance’ with its six tiers and real flowers in between each tier. “The service couldn’t have been any better; they offered us a lot of help and also listened to our wishes We wanted a few particular things in the cuisine since we love fish as well as Indian food, so the menu reflected our exact wishes and on the day it was all so much better than we had ever imagined. Last but not least, special thanks goes to my brother Chris Vassallo who fully committed himself to co-ordinating the event and also tried to fulfill all our wishes on the day”. Charlene and Reuben decided that instead of souvenirs they would give a donation to the Puttinu Cares Foundation. For their honeymoon the couple went for a weekend to Paris, and had intended to go to India in October. But something unexpected has made them change their plans, “We are not going since I am 13 weeks pregnant!” says Charlene her voice full of joy with this great news.
WWW.PRONOVIAS.COM THE WORLD’S LEADING BRIDAL HOUSE OFFERING A VAST SELECTION OF BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL WEDDING GOWNS AND COCKTAIL DRESSES THAT ARE CREATED USING THE FINEST MATERIAL AND WITH ATTENTION TO THE TINIEST DETAIL. VIEW THE PRONOVIAS 2012 COLLECTION AT OUR STORE AT THE STRAND - GZIRA PRONOVIAS@BIGBON.COM.MT T: 2388 9380
The Bride
MAKE-OVER
Sarah Mercieca gets the WeddingDay pampering treatment!
We continue our makeover series with our real bride Sarah who, by the time this issue comes out, will have already walked down the aisle. Excited about the makeover, Sarah assures us that she is “quite open” to new ideas about what our experts in hair, make-up and style of dress are going to suggest to her.
THE VENUE - OLIVE GARDENS, Mdina Thanks to C. Camilleri & Sons who manage Olive gardens, we captured Sarah’s transformation at this unique venue with its spacious main lounge, sumptuously furnished on an antique theme with elegant armchairs, an old-fashioned fireplace and a piano. What really makes this venue stand out, however, is its location which offers incredible views of Mdina from its quiet beautifully kept garden. The olive groves from which it takes its name are offset by colourful bougainvillea flowers and a charming pool area. For an appointment contact Edmond Bonett on 2147 2255 or ebonett@camillerigroup.com
WD | 75
Alison’s tip: Even your body build can make a difference in the choice of hairstyle.
Mateja’s tip: Good make up should not look like you have a lot going on.
THE MAKE-UP by Mateja Camilleri
THE HAIRSTYLE by Alison Chetcuti from Scissors Tango “Although Sarah has fine hair, it’s not frizzy so today’s humidity is not really a problem Because she is petite she can really take any style as she has a small face. I will be using tongs to create volume and then hairspray in between heating her hair with the tongs to give the curls more hold. I’ve decided to give her a soft look with hair falling over the shoulder on one side. Everything is held together with lots of pins. With her highlights the waves look will much nicer and the contrast of her hair colour is very striking. I’ve done some back combing and spray to create volume and I’ve given Sarah an intricate design at the back which is not too fussy.” Alison points out that when a bride is going to wear a tiara, as in this case, it affects the hairstyle. The texture of the hair is also important as with fine hair you cannot have a tiara which is too heavy or ornate.
Contact: Alison Chetcuti at Scissors Tango, Mosta Tel: 7959 5283
“The make up I have chosen is for a day wedding with nude eyes and darker lips because Sarah has very nice lips. She has quite good, youthful skin and although Sarah says she has some pigmentation and has sensitive skin, she takes care of it daily with proper products and sun block.” Sarah is 34, but she does not look it – Matjea points out that when it comes to make up for ‘older brides’, less is more. “I’ve used beige on the eyelids and eyebrow bone, then white, champagne and gold in the corners of the eyes to shape the socket. The brown-green eye pencil is cream so that it stays on longer followed by some eye shadow to give her a smoky eye.” Mateja’s secret when it comes to false eyelashes is that she cuts the false ones in half and only applies them to the outer part of the eye; this gives fullness, while still looking natural. “I’ve applied the foundation after I’ve done the eyes to prevent it from becoming dirty. It needs to be applied down to the neck to match the decollete. I’ve highlighted under her eyes to cover her dark circles. Finally, I’ve applied fuchsia pink lipstick with gloss over it to match the bouquet and lip liner all around to last longer.”
Contact: Mateja Camilleri Official make-up artist for Ilsien in-Nisa email: camill_m@yahoo.com mobile: 99262576
THE DRESS – PRONOVIAS
THE FLOWERS - Lisa Parnis from floral art
The team at Pronovias chose this dress for Sarah because she is so petite that they knew it would suit her small frame. The belt at the waist also helps to accentuate her figure and to make her legs seem longer. The elegant and feminine gown is from the Diciembre line. It’s made in rebrode lace with soutage applications and is perfect for someone like Sarah who wants to emphasize her curves in a delicate and sensual way. This dress has strapless transparency, showing the stylish inner neckline. The waist is fitted by a grosgrain lace belt with a centre brooch in silver and white tone. The mermaid line is defined by the soutage and lace applications. It is suitable for brides who love garments with lace but at the same time want a classic, delicate look.
“For this photo shoot, I created a round bouquet with aqua, red passion and Tenga Venga roses with a touch of pink Eustoma tied together with a satin ribbon and crystal bracelet. It is summery and colourful, and I kept it small since Sarah is a petite bride.”
PRONOVIAS, The Strand, Gzira, Phone: 23889380
Contact: floral art (ask for Lisa) Email: Floralartmalta@gmail.com or info@floralart.com.mt Mobile: 99881133
SARAH’S VERDICT “This was such a nice treat as I’ve been stressing a lot about the wedding, and it’s nice to be fussed over. I’ve learned a lot today, for example, that I should use more fluid foundation under the eyes, and the false eyelashes ‘trick’ is very good. I like the shimmer in blusher which give me a more vibrant look. I also like the hair, as it feels very safe and I’m sure it would last throughout the wedding; I would definitely chose this style. I would never have thought of using gold eye shadow for daytime, but I really like it; I never imagined it could look so soft. Personally, I would not have gone for this type of dress but now that I see it on, it seems to work really on me.. I like the fact that the lace is in two layers and the bit of tulle at the top of the bodice softens it. Well done to Pronovias for choosing it.”
travels & WDYOU WIN!
BERLIN, L.A., BUDAPEST, MORDIALLIAC - AUSTRALIA, VIENNA... WEDDINGDAY IS TRAVELLING AND WITH YOUR HELP IT’S GOING AROUND THE WORLD!
Take WD on your holiday, snap a photo, send it to us and WIN a photo session with photographer KATERINA Vella-Rjabkova. Send your photo of WD and the name of the location to info@weddingdaymalta.com. The most creative and imaginative photo will win. The winner will have to answer a simple question. Deadline: 1 September 2012
GIVING BACK
Contact information YMCA Valletta 178 Merchants Street Valletta T: 2124 0680 E: info@ymcahomeless.org
Donations instead of souvenirs
Many couples these days are deciding not to give out wedding souvenirs to their guests, preferring to donate money to a charity of their choice instead. One such couple is well-known comedian Daniel Chircop and Fiorella Attard (pictured on left) who are getting married in a few weeks, on 14 July. Julie Smith from YMCA contacted us with their heartwarming story. “Daniel has been a great supporter of YMCA for some time, and the comedy team Zoo, of which he forms part, have generously donated time, both personal and professional to us. They are always willing to help out and for Daniel and Fiorella to make this most generous offer from such a personal and major event in their lives is a gesture of support above and beyond. Thanking them hardly seems sufficient and we at YMCA survive because of people like them.” We spoke to Daniela and Fiorella to ask them why they made this decision: “To be quite honest we weren’t sure whether we wanted souvenirs or not as it is something which is traditional. But then we decided to have the photo booth at the venue so that our guests will still have something to remember our special day. That’s when we decided to also help out YMCA with a donation. We choose YMCA as we’ve been working with this organization for quite some years, and after every Zoo show we encourage people to donate some money to these volunteers. We also chose YMCA since it’s not one of the most publicized charitable organizations and therefore every little helps.” The YMCA Homeless Shelter in Valletta is at the moment home to 26 individuals, most of whom are women and children.
Advice for thE groom Joseph Cefai gives you some tips about choosing the right trousers Every jacket has a trouser or two that goes with it; we can dress anyone from newborns to men up to a size 60” waist. Trousers come in different fits, some with 2 pleats or 1 pleat and otherswith a plain front. They also come in short, regular or long which does not only depend on the length of the leg but also on the rise of the trousers. For the younger generation who prefer a low rise we can still ensure that the trousers will sit below the waist and still look elegant. Most of our trousers have two buckles at the side of the waist and can be adjusted up to three sizes. The proper length of the trousers at the back should hit the heel of the shoe and should break in the front. We always recommend that the socks should match the trousers. Evening trousers come with a satin strip at the side while morning trousers do not. For morning you can use traditinal grey pinstripe trousers. Our company provides suspenders to hold and keep the trousers in the desired place. With them you can adjust the length of the trousers by opening the side buckles at the waist and adjusting the length 1/2” shorter or longer. It is highly recommended that you try your trousers on at least one day before the event, so any alterations can be made, if needed.
WHERE TO GET A FREE COPY OF
WEDDINGDAY MAGAZINE Valletta The Public Registry Evans Building, Merchants Street Wedding Bells, Coliseum Arcades, Zachary Street
Zebbug Aesthetic Xcells, Vjal il-Helsien Niu, Central Business Centre, Triq l-Imdina
Floriana Hamilton Travel, Floriana
Siggiewi Once Upon Wedding, 49 Triq il-Gdida
St Julian’s Qormi Wedding specialist - Westin Dragonara Il-Gojjell, Main Street Wedding specialist - Intercontinental Hotel C. Camilleri & Sons, M. Borg Gauci Street, Tal-Handaq Wedding specialist - Radisson Blu The Villa, Balluta Bay Rabat Mr James International at Golden Tulip Vivaldi Local Council, 8, Triq l-Isptar Wedding specialist - Le Meridien Wedding specialist - The Hilton Mdina Xara Palace Hotel, Misrah il-Kunsill San Gwann Village Inkspot, Triq is-Santwarju B’Kara Metro Stationery, Naxxar Road Custom Lab, Ltd. Olaf Gollcher Street, Ta’ Paris Floral Art, Lisa Parnis Coleiro Oreana Stationery & Bazaar, L. Casolani Street, Ta’ Paris Sliema Monsoon, Bisazza Street Trading Post, Gorg Borg Olivier Street Markers, Dingli Street Inglott, Triq Manwel Dimech Marion Mizzi Salon, The Palace, High Street Estetika, Dingli Street Gzira Pronovias, The Strand Ta’ Xbiex Persona, 42, Marina Court, Sir Ugo Mifsud Street Pembroke Promark, 187, Patri Indri Vella Street Tunin’ Entertainment, 46 Triq Mikiel Ang Grima
Mosta Cefai Formal Wear, Independence Avenue Body Solutions By Mark, Triq ta’ Mlit Charming Diva, Constitution Street Scissors Tango, Constitution Street Catermax, Vassallo Group, Valley Road Iklin Royal Travel, Triq Geronimo Abos Naxxar Villa Arrigo, San Pawl Tat-Targa I Do Events, Triq il-Hamrija Marmiton cafe, Labour Avenue Bali Stuff (near Gharghur roundabout), Naxxar Road
Please check our Facebook page where this distribution list will be available for download. We will update the list regularly. Should you have trouble finding the magazine in your area, kindly contact us on Facebook, on info@weddingdaymalta.com or by calling 9942 5985.
You can also view a virtual version of the magazine online by following this link http://issuu.com/WEDDINGDAY
Santa Lucia Drago stationery/ sub-post office, 6 Centru Civiku Luqa Malta Event Design, Wesghat Dun Joe M. Camilleri Paola Tennis Club Kordin Victoriosa Lawn Tennis Club (VLTC) Marie Claire Hairdresser, 34 Palm Street Fgura Nexos, Triq il-Merhba Flower Arts, 46 Mystic Rose, Censu Busuttil Street Boo & Co, 45 Triq San Mikiel Qrendi Bestmark, Triq Rokku Buhagiar Zurrieq Tonna Stationery, 4, St Catherine Street Christianne stationery, Misrah Mattia Preti Marsascala Vivienne Health & Beauty Salon, Triq il-Qalliet Marsaxlokk Old Trafford, Triq l-Arznell Bugibba Charles’ Stationary, Pioneer Road Qawra Boutique Claudia, Triq il-Maskli Ghajn Tuffieha Mr James International, SAS Radisson, Golden Sands Gozo Public Registry, Europe Street, Victoria Cefai Formal Wear, St Bert Street, Xewkija Ta’ Frenc Restaurant, l/o Marsalforn Kempinski Hotel, San Lawrenz Bookworm, Republic Street, Victoria Elegant Impressions, 8th September Avenue, Xaghra Ta’ Cenc Hotel, Sannat Pen & Pencil, Independence Avenue, Ghajnsielem Terence Stationery, 15/16 13th December Avenue, Nadur
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