WEDDINGDAY AUTUMN/ WINTER ISSUE No. 20
winter wonderland Rich hues &
fairytale lights
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WD’s editor Josanne Cassar The months have flown by and Autumn is here, bringing with it our last issue for the year. It is always a great experience for us to seek out and source the best weddings which took place in Malta over the last season. When people ask us what it takes to get your wedding featured in WD, we always reply with the same answer: creative, innovative high quality photography and an interesting wedding story. We love when you tell us about how you met, about the preparations and even an anecdote or two about things which did not go quite right on the day. Ultimately, all couples agree that they can look back and laugh at the mishaps, because in the end the important thing is that this is their special day, allowing them to celebrate their union with their friends and loved ones. We have seven wonderful weddings in this issue, including several where the couples come from different cultures, which are always very inspirational because they bring a different slant to traditional Maltese weddings.
Love knows no boundaries, and when you fall for someone from a different country, a wedding becomes even more special since it brings so much diversity together. At WD we have always publicized Malta as a wedding destination, and are proud to say that we have played our part in actively promoting this part of the wedding industry - with such a variety of venues to choose from, every couple is bound to find what suits their tastes and reflects their personality. Some say that marrying your childhood sweetheart is no longer that common, but in fact we have two couples who met in their early teens and who have had long courtships before tying the knot. We are sure you will enjoy their charming stories. Tradition, family, romance and the thrills of wedding preparation. All this and more in this issue of WD!
Josanne on the cover Jade Amber Muscat• design by Jessica C. Moritz • printed at Bestprint, Qrendi • published by Mojo Publishing Disclaimer: MOJO Publishing 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. Mojo Publishing • Flat 3, Il-Gardina, Constitution Street, Mosta, MST 9051 • M: +356 99 425985 • josannecassar@icloud.com
contents - Autmn/ Winter Issue 2017 -
08 Winter Wonderland
08
18 Rich hues & fairytale lights 30 Antony & Rachael
40 Robert & Rania 48 Danielle & Christopher
18
30
40
48
56
64
72
78
56 Daniel & Laura 64 Analise & Christian
72 Nicholas & Lauren 78 Michelle & Ben
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Winter wonderland
s WD’ mn u t u a ot o h s r cove . 20 No
Photography by Katerina Vella-Rykabkova
We had long been looking forward to our autumn photo shoot to see how the newly-refurbished Phoenicia had turned out and we were not disappointed. One of Malta’s oldest hotels has had a complete re-vamp, retaining its elegant Olde Worlde charm while undergoing a transformation not only in its interior design but also in its outdoor pool area. For this shoot, our creative designer Jessica Moritz came up with a theme which meshes the ruby hues of winter berries with golden tones and green garlands. Magical fairytale lights, a classic creamcolour Beaufort and our stunning model looking effortlessly beautiful in an exquisite one-off gown, all came together to bring you this utterly enchanting set up. In this photo shoot there are hints of the coming Christmas season, a tribute to the richness of autumn colours and yet in the outdoor shots, we can still see the last lingering rays of the October sun on what turned out to be a truly gorgeous day. We have been so lucky with the weather ever since summer was “officially” over, and in fact, at the time of writing, people are still enjoying their last dips in the sea while the rest of Europe is already shivering with cold. Blessed with such year-long gorgeous weather, we can truly say we are lucky to live on this Mediterranean island and it is not surprising that it continues to be a major attraction for destination weddings.
WD | 11
Exquisite
PLUM red roses, a veiled bride & a vintage car
The Look
use your sheer veil to create original wedding images
The VENUE
THE CAR
The extensive makeover of this landmark hotel from the iconic art deco-era was the perfect setting to round off our last issue for 2017.
In our efforts to always come up with different ideas for our shoot, this time we roped in the help of Wembley Motors who very kindly sponsored this elegant, pristine, convertible Beaufort, which any bride would love to ride in on the way to her wedding. For the couples who arrive at the venue on a wintery, rainy day, this place is perfect as the wedding car can drive right up to the front of the hotel under the sheltered roof, so that their outfits are not spoiled. Our photographer Katerina simply loved the chance to work with such a classic vehicle and enjoyed coming up with creative original ideas which are not your run-of-the-mill wedding poses. The plush upholstery and the vintage look of this wedding car go so perfectly with the entrance to the Phoenicia, that tourists staying at the hotel could not help but stop and snap a few photos. When they saw our model emerging from the hotel to take her place for the first set of photos inside the car, they must have thought it was their lucky day as they whipped out their phones for the perfect scene in front of them.
Design specialists Peter Young and Mary Fox Linton were commissioned to refurbish the whole hotel in whites and azure, while retaining the heritage of this historic venue. The soft furnishings and the use of light coloured furniture have opened up the hotel lounge to more light, while retaining that cosy welcoming feel the Phoenicia is renowned for. We were spoiled for choice, both indoors and outdoors, starting from the sweeping driveway and the trademark gold-framed revolving doors which immediately signify that you are at the Phoenicia, even without looking at the plaque on the wall. Five-star elegance for the discerning tourist coupled with a venue that dreams are made of for those wanting a classic wedding, make this hotel one of the most sought-after on the island and it is no wonder that everyone was so impatient for the Phoenicia to once again open its doors.
The Model Jade Amber Muscat has channelled an Audrey Hepburn look for this shoot with her flawless face and figure, and a sweeping upstyle which sets off her features perfectly. Herself a beautician by profession, Jade has often posed as a model for her employer Diane Nikolic. The DRESS This delicate, exquisite bridal gown in gold and platinum seems to have been made for Jade’s figure and for the look of this shoot. With a plunging neckline and straight skirt, the beautiful chain straps complete this glamorous head-turning gown. And if you feel you cannot carry off the daring décolletage, Marquita from Wedding Bells assure us that the bodice can be custom made to your figure, in a variety of styles to suit any shape. WD | 19
Attention
to intricate DETAILS can make all the difference
THE STYLING & DECOR With every issue we always say that Johanna from Bali Stuff has outdone herself, and this time is no exception. Taking her cue from the elegant setting, she used a beautiful antique mirror decorated with ropes of green garlands, dangling fairy lights and hanging spheres of light in the wonderful Phoenicia ballroom, the scene of so many weddings. Now painted a fresher, brighter colour, it remains versatile enough to decorate for any theme one would wish. The warm brown shades of the varnished hardwood floors prevent the room from looking too stark, and give it just the right ambiance whether for a seated wedding dinner or a stand-up reception. A welcome sign with the couple’s names, different shades of burnished gold and those tiny but very important details which give a venue that extra touch, are all part of Bali Stuff ’s signature style. No matter the theme, no matter the personalities of the couple, Johanna will always deliver, because her imagination and willingness to go the extra mile are unmatched as she has proven time and again with our photo shoots.
THE FLOWERS We are happy to welcome on board Bjorn Borg from Floreal who really pulled out all the stops on this his very first photo shoot for Wedding Day Magazine. He provided us with an assortment of flo-
WD | 24
ral arrangements, both big and small. Working in tandem with Johanna who supplied mason jars, vases, gold frames and gilded cages, Bjorn decorated them with deep red winter berries, fresh flowers and green garlands. Bjorn created no less than four different styles of bridal bouquets to ensure we could use whichever best suited this shoot, in various hues of deepest red, creamy whites and blush pink, nestled in green foliage. Decorative twigs in large vases completed the fairytale winter wonderland feel. Even though our prolonged Indian summer this year doesn’t seem to want to fade away, the overall effect was one which evoked the coming winter season with promises of weddings held in cosy interiors set against a backdrop of subdued lighting.
THE CAKE Our cake-maker Michelle Decilis was briefed on what look we were after and she came up with this incredible three-tiered cake, covered with tiny gold edible decorations. Adorned with fresh flowers and a continuation of the red berries theme at the base of the cake table, this cake can be the centerpiece and focal point of any wedding.
THE INFINITY POOL
The HAIR
Perhaps the most dramatic change at the Phoenicia has been to the outdoor space which has now been turned into an infinity pool with the bastions and views of Marsamxett Harbour making a spectacular backdrop. Imagine taking a swim as you gaze across the waters with the warm yellow of the towering fortifications an always present reminder of the island’s history. Apart from being a unique conversation point for your guests, especially those who come from abroad, this is also a photographer’s dream, as the backdrop is perfect for those wedding photos you will treasure forever. The large outdoor area has been retained allowing for a large summer outdoor wedding venue.
Joseph used Jade’s natural long dark hair plus some additional hairpieces and swept it up in this hairstyle which adds an additional glamour and chicness to the entire look. The effect is softened through the use of soft waves at the front which gives it an almost causally-put together look, although the hair is in fact very structured and will remain in place for hours.
The Make-up Daniela created a dramatic look for Jade’s strong features. She used an airbrush foundation as this gives a flawless look, almost like a second skin. Airbrush stays on for more than ten hours so it is perfect for the bride, as no touch ups will be needed. For the eyes she used warm copper, golds and dark brown tones, to go with the swept-up hair, very natural-looking false eyelashes, dark eyeliner and finished off with plum red lips, and red blusher.
The HEADPIECES For this shoot we used hand-made hair accessories and headpieces from both Pop in (seen in car photos) as well as by Sophia from La Fleur (in indoor photos and near the pool). From the classic pearl tiara to the floral headpieces each gives a different twist to the bride’s look. They make a change from the usual tiaras or hair accessories and are definitely worth experimenting with for the bride who is ready to try something new.
Love at first Sight
The Phoenicia has been planning Malta’s exclusive weddings for seven decades. The Phoenicia, a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World, an establishment loved and celebrated by Maltese society through the decades has recently re-opened its doors following an extensive restoration,
taking The Phoenicia back to its days of glory. Stunning views and garden settings as well as the majestic Grand Ballroom are what makes The Phoenicia a memorable venue for couples to celebrate their love.
You, your family & friends will fall in love with this stunning new wedding venue. weddings@phoeniciamalta.com
www.phoeniciamalta.com
Floreal
BB by Bjorn Borg
Weddings and Events
Flowers for any Occasion. Being Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays or any other occasion Floreal 75/77, Labour Avenue Naxxar, Malta NXR 9023 Contact us on: (+356) 2747 0744/5 E-mail us on : bjorn_floreal@melita.com & florealhome@melita.com
www.florealmalta.com Follow us on Facebook Floreal & Floreal Home
designing something unique and making it unforgettable
AvAilABlE fOr rENT whiTE rATTAN SOfAS, lEAThEr ChillOuT SOfAS, TABlES, ChAirS ANd umBrEllAS
CONTACT: JOhANNA ZAmmiT @ BAli STuff NAxxAr rOAd, NAxxAr T: +356 21574913 • M: +356 79596209 • E: JAyZEd@mAlTANET.NET www.BAliSTuffmAlTA.COm • fACEBOOk: BAliSTuff wEddiNgS
WeddingDay
CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE Creative Director Jessica C. Moritz
Photographer Katerina Vella-Ryabkova photobykaterina@gmail.com • M: +356 99536694 www. katerinavellaphotography.com fb: katerinavellaryabkova SET StyliNG Johanna Zammit of Bali Stuff www.balistuffmalta.com • M: +356 79596209 Bouquet & Flowers Floreal by Bjorn Borg E: bjorn_floreal@melita.com • T:+35627 470744/5 Bridal fashion styling Marquita Kemper of WeddingBells T: +356 21224234 • E: weddingbells@gmail.com MAKE-UP Daniela Cassar E: dannicassar@gmail.com • M: +356 99130575
hair Joe Briffa of Hairoscope E: joebriffa16@gmail.com T: +356 21659442 • M: +356 99224750 hEADPIECES POP IN (near Wedding Bells) LA FLEUR Sophia M: +356 99819184 CAKE Michelle Decelis T: +356 77359929 • fb: MCreativeCakes CAR Wembley Motors E: reservations.wembleys@gmail.com T: +356 21374141 VENUE The Phoenicia Malta E: chrystelle.doublesin@phoeniciamalta.com T: +356 22911061
Antony Collins & Rachael Sykes 28 May 2017 th
photos: Aleksey Leonov www.onespecialday.eu
“We first met at a nightclub in our home town, Bournemouth in October 2009. One of Antony’s friends asked what his ideal girl would be, to which he pointed at me, and eight years later he was lucky enough to marry me!” says Rachael. She explains that their relationship was tested from the start, as she returned to work on cruise ships as a professional dancer. “While most relationships enjoy candlelit dinners to get to know each other, Antony and I had Skype dates. Both of us never really considered being in a long distance relationship, but it worked really well for us; we never missed a call and could talk about anything and everything. When I moved to London a few months later to be with Antony, it felt as if we had never been apart. Marriage was always something that we both wanted, and it felt right to start the next chapter of our lives.”
party with our closest friends. On the Friday night before, after a long week of working and decorating, he planned a meal out for us both to a local French restaurant to celebrate. Just before the taxi arrived Antony asked me to close my eyes as he had a “present”. Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ was playing in the background, and when I opened my eyes, there he was, down on one knee in our living room, surrounded by cardboard boxes, with the most beautiful engagement ring. I was in such shock that I covered my eyes again as I thought I must have been dreaming! I opened my eyes and there he was smiling back at me and asked me the question I had been waiting for. It was the perfect start to the weekend, as we were able to celebrate with our friends and family by having a BBQ in our new garden the following day.” Rachael admits she found it quite difficult to choose ‘The Dress’ especially when she The proposal was charming and romantic: realized while she was at a bridal shop that “We had only just moved into our new house, another bride said ‘yes to the dress’ to the and Antony had organized a housewarming first dress that she had tried on, “and I was
WD | 33
probably on dress number thirty by that point!” Inspired by such designers as Berta, Martina Liana, and Leah Da Gloria, she was looking for a modern take on a traditional wedding dress that was sophisticated and sleek. She finally knew she had found ‘the one’ when she saw a Martina Liana dress which she couldn’t wait to try it on. The detail at the back, the length of the train and the Alencon lace design throughout the dress created a unique wedding dress that left Rachael lost for words. “When I walked out to show my Mum and my friend Kiri they saw how my face had totally changed. Kiri also gave me her veil to try on and it all fitted perfectly, and I had found my something borrowed and something new both in one day. My something old was a necklace my Nana used to wear, which I was besotted with as a child, and it was amazing to feel that I had a part of her there as I walked down the aisle. My something blue was a blue ribbon which I tied around my bouquet that was holding a sixpence coin to bring good luck.” Rachael added, “On the biggest day of my life, I knew I wanted to be surrounded by people who filled the
room with excitement. My bridesmaids, Laura and Katrina, are my best friends from school who I’ve known for over twenty years, and Antony’s cousin Laura who lives in Malta. I presented each of them with a box, and when they opened it the first thing they saw was a scratch card. It was so funny watching them race each other to see who could reveal the message first and it was a great way of asking them to be my bridesmaids.” The bridesmaids wore rose gold sequin, floor length dresses from the Jenny Packham range. Antony’s cousin Laura wore a two-bird style dress in a pale pink silk to complement the other bridesmaids. Tom is one of Antony’s closest friends whom he has known for 14 years and as the Best Man it also helped that he is a great speaker. The family ties to Malta are very strong. Antony’s Nanna is Maltese and she and his grandfather live in Malta along with his uncle, wife and their four children. Antony and Rachael visit the island at least once a year and know the island well. “We had always seen ourselves getting married abroad and with there being a strong family connection we couldn’t ever have imagined getting married anywhere else. The weather at the end of May was per-
fect for the wedding as we wanted to keep it a formal black tie event without it being too uncomfortable.” While they did most of the planning themselves, they point out that it helps to schedule the evening. “We definitely felt the pressure and had to keep to a strict timeline so that everything ran smoothly. Looking back we would recommend having someone for a few hours between the church and the evening reception just to help things along slightly.” “We wanted to personalize our day and make it special for 60 guests, most of whom flew in from the UK. We had a ‘Pimp your Prosecco’ bar, Isabelle Warrington was our caricaturist for the evening, a guestbook table with a ‘love’ balloon sign, and specific beers for the bar. For our wedding ceremony we had organist Richard Caruana and singers Nadine Axisa and Paul Buhagiar who provided music for the church, and who even learnt a hymn that we had requested because it was special to both Antony and I.” Antony, who is very well-organized, was involved from the start and Rachael credits him with making both of their ideas come to life. “This started from the wedding invitations, Maltese bajtra liqueur favours, and finding our photogra-
pher and videographer. He also organized activities with our friends before the wedding which were great for everyone to get to know one another.” There were other interesting details, such as personalised water bottles to give to the guests after the wedding ceremony. For the wedding invitations Rachael hand-tied black bows around the invites and wax seal stamped the envelope with their initials, which added to the black tie formal theme. The traditional Catholic Mass was held at St. Pauls Cathedral, Mdina and by consulting with Father Anthony Cassar beforehand, it made everything more personal. “He spoke to our guests about the readings and how they showed the perfect ingredients to having a successful marriage, which are to share, care, and be fair to each other.” “The Cathedral is simply breathtaking and sits high enough that you can always see it in the distance across Malta. It boasts spectacular views and once inside one of the many features is the marble floor. There was a wonderful atmosphere and our guests also commented on how incredible the music was, as their harmonies were flawless.”
Asked about their choice of theme, this couple said, “We wanted an elegant, sophisticated wedding and have always considered a black tie wedding to be timeless. On one of our visits to Malta, Antony’s Nanna and Grandad showed us their wedding photos and they too had a black tie wedding. To capture the elegance of the Cathedral and our reception venue we had an assortment of white flowers (roses, hydrangeas, peonies) in clear vases for the church and bouquets. We wanted to make the day as personalized as possible, with a custom-made wedding topper and decorations that matched the colour scheme. Two of the many highlights were having a harpist during the meal and a caricaturist in the evening, which our guests loved and were the perfect addition for the size of our party.” Rachael admits that the only time she felt anxious was before they collected their wedding documents, hoping that everything was in order. “This was one of my main worries being abroad as we couldn’t pop back to England if anything was forgotten. However, it was the most straightforward process and once we had those documents in our hands, the excitement began to kick in. After that we spent a lot of time with our guests in the run up to the wedding, which made it so relaxing. However, the day before
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the wedding we were still filling 60 small bottles with Zeppi’s Bajtra Liquor and tying the ‘Drink Me’ tags to each of them. We also put in a last minute practice of our first dance as we added some impressive lifts and dance sequences which definitely put the pressure on!” One incident that caused slight confusion was when Rachael’s parents forgot to get in the wedding car that was pre-arranged, and walked with the guests towards the coach. Antony’s parents managed to catch up with Rachael’s Dad who then walked onto a coach calling for her Mum. “The tourists looked confused as my Dad had walked onto a completely different bus! They soon found each other and managed to get into their cars ready to greet the guests as they arrived at our venue.” Reminiscing about the big day Rachael says, “It was very surreal to have all our family and friends in Malta and to have a wedding that we have talked about for years come to life. We both say that the ceremony was our favorite part of the day as it was filled with so much emotion. We have been told by a
lot of our guests how amazed they were by the celebrations and how they’d pictured a day like this for us.” “We are so pleased that we decided to get married in Malta as it’s been a big part of Antony’s life and it was great to share his experiences with our closest friends and family. The live music that we had from the start of the day to the very end had us and all of our guests in awe. During our reception, Rachel Fabri played an acoustic version of Coldplay Yellow as we walked in, and during our dinner we had Esmeralda Camilleri playing the harp with a list of all our favourite love songs. To end the night, Jasmine Abela accompanied by Clive Micallef on saxophone sang and played all of our requests, which really added something special as we chose each musician separately. Organizing our wedding from abroad had its challenges, especially when it came down to deciding on our entertainment. Both Antony and I love our music and for the evening we wanted to move away from a traditional band and have a night filled with all of our favourite songs. After looking through YouTube we came across Jasmine and reached out to her. We could not have been happier with our choices and we even have her live vocals featuring in our wedding film.”
Robert Bowell & Rania Zouari 1st July 2017
photos: Tonio Lombardi
Paceville has its critics but once in a while it does lead to romance. Rania and Robert met at a bar called Hotch while she was out on a girls’ night. “Suddenly a handsome tall bloke walked in, looking smart in a grey suit. He immediately caught my eye, but not just mine! It was a race against time to see who would be his date for the night. Some of his friends were outside, so he went back out to chat with his friends, and although I`m a non-smoker I pretended I smoked and lit a cigarette just to be out there and get his attention. It worked as he came back in and offered us all a round of shooters. That was the start of an amazing journey. Within a few months of dating, we both knew that we had something special going on and that it would lead to marriage in the near future.”
They moved in together and then, one Friday afternoon Rania came home from work and found lit candles all over the apartment, flowers everywhere and a lovely dinner prepared by Robert with all her favourite food items - oysters, sashimi, lobster and a bottle of champagne. It was the perfect proposal. “What more could I ask for?” The bride knew that she wanted a mermaid silhouette, a long train, lace and a low-cut back which did not take her long to find. “I tried on a couple of dresses, but when I put on this one I just knew it was the one - it ticked all the boxes. The next day, my Mum, sister and best friend joined and we all confirmed that I shouldn’t look any further.”
WD | 43
Her bridesmaids, Emily and Maria are close friends with whom she has been through thick and thin. “I’ve known them both for a long time, and we’ve had our fair share of great nights out, cocktails, dinners and hazy memories. It just felt right that they should be part of this special day. I always had in mind a soft blush colour for their dresses. I wanted something easy on the eyes, yet elegant and sophisticated.” The dresses were made by Noel Muscat, a professional dressmaker. “I had the pleasure of working with him the previous year as I was my sister’s maid of honour. I fell in love with his work, and recommended him to my Mum, my sister, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law Elizabeth. He did a great job on all their dresses!” For his groomsmen, Robert identified the key friends that he had shared great memories with and with whom he was still in touch. “When it came to the best man, I immediately knew it would be Ryan, who happens to be my brother-in-law. I was introduced to him
Because your big day should be exactly like you’ve dreamt all your life‌ nothing short of perfection. Our fully personalised and bespoke approach to planning your wedding celebration ensures that your vision and taste are maintained throughout, your budgets strictly respected and your guests wowed. Mobile: +356 79595145 Email: bernice@weddingplannersmalta.com www.facebook.com/Loveis.WeddingPlannersMalta
soon after meeting Rania and we just clicked immediately. I always had in mind that the best man should be responsible, organized but most of all fun to be around and that’s exactly what Ryan is.” This was a very interesting marriage of different cultures as both the bride and groom have a Maltese parent as a common factor. Rania’s Dad is from Tunisia and her Mum is Maltese while Robert’s Mum is British and his Dad is Maltese. Rania has been living here since she was 7 years old and before that in Jordan as her parents used to work as cabin crew with Royal Jordanian Airlines. “This meant we had a substantial amount of family members that came over from abroad. It was great having them over and we had a blast together at the wedding.” The couple were married at The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul in Mdina followed by a reception at the nearby Bacchus restaurant.
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“We were looking for an outdoor garden wedding, with stunning photographic opportunities and a venue close to the Church. Bacchus offered all the above and much more as the service was impeccable, the food was delicious and the organization was flawless.” The theme for the cake was a subtle and elegant look, accompanied by fresh flowers. The beautiful surroundings set within the fortifications of Mdina did not need much decoration, so the couple opted for a style which was modern with a hint of rustic chic. “Vladimir Cutajar Forte, the Bacchus Banquet Manager ensured that everything worked like clockwork allowing us ample time to enjoy our wedding with everyone there.” Looking back to that day Rania said she felt at ease throughout the whole day. “I did however feel a rush of excitement right before walking down the aisle, but once that was over I was back to my normal self in no time.”
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On his part, Robert was very relaxed, “it felt good being around friends and probably having a drink or two with them helped me calm my nerves, I did however get excited and when I saw my wife to-be walking down the aisle. It was a magical, exceptional moment.” They both agree that the day turned out exactly as they wanted it to be. “Our wedding day was a whirlwind of activity, people and high emotion. We prepared ahead of time and we both wanted to be able to hone in on the special moments in our wedding. What was special about our wedding is that we managed to do exactly that and appreciate the moments, without being carried away with everything else going on. We shared those special moments with our loved ones on the happiest day of our life and what stays with us now are treasured memories that will be cherished forever.”
Danielle Wigg 7&MayC2017hristopher Stutt th
photos: Fran Stivala
Danielle and Christopher met in Caldicot, Wales, where for their first date he made her a Mexican feast. The rest, as they say, is history. She tells us that the proposal came as a complete surprise. “I had no idea that Christopher was going to propose to me. We went for a walk across the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, in Clifton, Bristol and stopped to admire the view across the gorge which looked wonderful with all the twinkly lights in the run up to Christmas. I turned around and Christopher was on one knee. I was absolutely speechless (this has not happened since!). When we walked back across the bridge together, two of our closest friends were hiding and jumped out to surprise me with champagne.”
Danielle says she searched high and low for a romantic and elegant dress and as her search proved fruitless she decided to have it made. She then spent hours looking at magazines, until one day she found what she was looking for. She then turned to a talented seamstress, Jacqui Bajada who made her perfect wedding dress a reality..it even had little pockets. Her maid of honour was a dear cousin, Edwina Farrugia Bajada. “Our mothers were pregnant at the same time and we spent the first few years of our lives in London eating chocolate buttons together. Over the years we have always been close and when it came to choosing my bridesmaid I knew exactly who I wanted and was delighted when she accepted. I am blessed with wonderful cousins and
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one of my other cousin’s son, Rajeev Sah Frendo, who I love dearly and our Best Man’s son, Dylan Brame, looked adorable as our two page boys.” Christopher’s best man was a dear friend of his, whom he has known for a long time, Leon Brame. “We were both pleased with the choice as he carried out his duties impeccably and gave a fantastic speech. Christopher and I wanted four ushers, so I chose close family members, Mark Micallef and Nathaniel Farrugia. Christopher chose his sister’s fiancé, Daniel Turner and one of our dear friends, James Chinery – so it worked very well.” Danielle explains that her late father and Maltese mother lived in England when she was born but moved to Malta when she was four years old. “I grew up on the island, surrounded by my Maltese family. The idea to get married here was always an option and Christopher was happy too once he knew his family did not mind making the journey. We chose not to have a wedding planner so it was all down to my incredibly wonderful mother. On the day she had huge
help from my two cousins, Romina Frendo and Martin Bajada. Altogether we were around 200 and I can truly say that it was an international gathering, with family and friends who came from Cyprus, England, Wales, the Netherlands, Hungary, Russia and the Philippines.” One thing which Christopher was happy to take care of when it came to the wedding preparations was the wedding souvenir. He was happy to design and sketch the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, because it was on that very spot where he went on one knee and proposed to Danielle. Danielle has always loved Mdina and Christopher fell also in love with both the magnificent church and the beauty of the city. It therefore was a natural choice to choose St Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Mdina for their wedding Mass. The readings for the nuptial mass were chosen by both of them as they felt that it was the most important part of the day. The choice of venue also held a symbolic meaning for Danielle. “There was certainly a special reason why we
chose Palazzo de Piro. I attended St Dorothy’s Senior School and this beautiful building was my school for many years. Both Christopher and I love beautiful architecture so this was perfect. The caterers were Infinitely Xara and we can definitely say that the food was superb. We were very lucky to have the wonderful Annemarie McAllister as our coordinator.” It was the cake, however, which was the piece de resistance. “The cake was a dream! Ivory icing, decorated with sugar paste bows, garlands and roses, very Victoriana! We decided on 5 layers of sumptuous traditional fruit cake and Bacio cake but of course we both wanted to bring some fun into it too. Our dear friend, Mr James Chinery, commissioned Lego figures looking exactly like us to sit on top of the cake. The Lego figures then travelled with us on honeymoon and we had endless fun taking photos of them (in various outfits) as we toured Canada and the East coast of USA.” Every couple goes through a whirlwind of feelings leading up to the big day, as they are caught up in the excitement and preparations. And finally, the day arrives bringing with it even more emotions, especially when remembering loved ones who are no longer with them to share this special oc-
185, Annibale Preca Street, Lija, LJA 1918, Malta. Telephone: 21442530 / 21447564 Mobile: 99424049 / 99884049 Website: www.percius.com Email: info@percius.com
casion. “Everything went smoothly and was an absolute fairytale. The morning of the wedding was very emotional. Both myself and Christopher had lost our fathers in the preceding years and a few tears were shed on the morning of the wedding. Our fathers were remembered during our nuptial mass with two empty chairs, with a single rose on each. It was an absolutely magical day, with a perfect ceremony, beautiful music and three celebrants, including Rev. Dr. Stefan Attard who led our wonderful ceremony and injected humour and blessings into our perfect day.�
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Daniel Chircop & Laura Haber 22 April 2017 nd
photos: Fran Stivala
There are some who might think that being childhood sweethearts is a thing of the past, but Daniel and Laura might just qualify for that title as they met on their first day as new Junior College students. “A mutual friend introduced us and we became friends straight away. Soon after that we started dating and the rest is history.” Eleven years down the line they decided to get married. “We always knew we were going to stay together no matter what, but we wanted to get married as a celebration of our love and as a formal acknowledgement that we are a family no matter what.” Laura describes the proposal as “super romantic”. Daniel had just come home after working a 24-hour shift and they decided to go to Valletta for Independence Day. “We went to the Upper Barraka Gardens and watched the show they put on every year. As soon as the cannons were fired, Daniel got down on one knee and in a shaking voice asked me to marry him. My reply was, “Mhux ovja li ‘yes’” (obviously, yes) which was followed by a lot of joyful tears from
both our parts and a round of applause from the tourists who noticed the proposal. Afterwards, we had an amazing lunch at Rampila Restaurant.” Laura had her heart set on a traditional romantic lace dress, but found the process of finding it very stressful. “I tried on something like 30 dresses at six different shops. I kept trying out all different types of cuts as I didn’t know what suited me. Finally I gave up on a traditional dress and decided to try something different. I tried it on and something clicked. I couldn’t stop moving around and smiling. It felt so me, so unusual and different. And then I looked at my mother who was smiling as much as I was and she said this is it, it’s your dress.” Laura only had one rule for bridesmaids: choose whatever dress you like as long as it comes in purple. It turned out both bridesmaids liked the same dress, and it suited both body types so it was an extremely smooth selection.
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For her make-up Laura chose Analise Trapani from Soshique Beauty Clinic who gave her the flawless, natural look you see here. This beauty clinic specialises in getting brides ready for their big day, offering a wide range of services for all your needs. The wedding Mass was held at Saint Publius Parish Church in Floriana. As it was a traditional church wedding, they did not write their own vows, but as soon as Laura came into the church she found a single red rose on top of the programme, and after the vows, Daniel recited a small poem. For the venue they chose Bacchus Restaurant. “It caught our eye straight away at the weddings fair and then we went to an open day and loved it. We had a group of people with special dietary needs and they were taken care of very well. The cake was what we had asked for: a simple three tier cake with purple ribbon and a very romantic cake topper which we supplied ourselves. It was mainly a pistachio cake together with the traditional almond and Baci cake. The venue and catering were all taken care of by the wonderful team at Bacchus. Vladimir Cutajar-Forte is the best venue manager one could ask for. He handled it like it was the only wedding to take place at Bacchus; we were treated like royalty.�
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Laura and Daniel did not really go for a theme as such, but preferred to base their wedding on a colour scheme using Laura’s favourite colour, purple. They also used lots of flowers. The church and venue were beautifully decorated by Romano Cassar Florists who kept to Laura’s colour scheme, providing wonderfully splashes of colour with their lovely arrangements throughout. “Flowers were a feature on the souvenirs and the cake knife and the flutes were in the shape of a lily. Part of the souvenir was seeds embedded in recycled paper which the invitees could actually plant and wild flowers would grow. The invitations were also printed on recycled paper.” Although it was a sunny evening, with “a bit of ” wind, they decided to walk to the venue from Mdina gate to their venue Bacchus while going around a couple of streets to take a few photos and short video clips. As Mdina is a popular place for wedding photos, Daniel and Laura also met a couple of other newlyweds while walking towards the venue. As any bride will tell you afterwards, it is important to think of comfort, and luckily both the bride and groom were on the same page when it came to their shoes. “As both of us have a thing for Converse shoes, we decided that after we greet the guests at the venue, we would change
into a blue Converse. Daniel’s was a high top, while mine was a low top. The guests who noticed couldn’t believe that we actually changed into Converse shoes – and thanks to these shoes we were able to dance the night away comfortably.” It’s a good thing they did change their shoes as the band at the reception, The Residents, booked through Tunin Entertainment, were a big hit with the guests on the dance floor. Tunin offer a wide selection of musicians, bands and singers to suit your musical tastes and style of reception, including some of Malta’s top names. Describing the day, Laura said, “we decided not to stress too much on the day and to just go with the flow as much as possible. My best friend and witness would tell you that I was a nervous wreck but I couldn’t stop smiling; I was marrying my best friend, what was there to stress about? We had done all the work before so there was not much room for error.” Even when there was a slight hitch it was quickly resolved. One of the bridal cars to take the mother and maid of honour to the church arrived late. Since the bride’s family live within walking distance of the church, they could walk the distance in good time before the bride arrived.
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Then, during the vows, Daniel took the wrong ring. “I corrected him, but when it came to me placing the ring on his finger, I placed it on the wrong hand. We have a bunch of photos of us trying to get the ring off, which took a while.” Laura and Daniel both agree on one thing, “It was the best day of our lives! It was everything we wanted it to be, planned with love, by two people who wanted their day to be special in its own way…and it was. We celebrated our love with family and long-time friends. We danced all night long and enjoyed every minute of it. Our friends wouldn’t let us leave until everyone said their goodbyes, so we ended up being one of the last few people to leave the venue.”
Analise Baldacchino & Christian Caruana 3 June 2017 rd
photos: Keith Darmanin
“We were very young when we met: I was just 14 and Christian was 17. From the very first time we saw each other we never looked back and could never imagine our lives without each other. We are actually both from Floriana, so we got to know each other through friends and met at the festa. You could say we grew up together. We were very lucky to find love at a really young age. We travelled around the world and enjoyed life together and would not want it any other way. Marriage and the wedding was the next big step in our lives,” says Analise. Although there was nothing extraordinary about the proposal, Analise points out that while Christian is a very relaxed person, he is also very romantic. “We were just casually discussing the idea, and he always told me that he wanted to get married in June and, there you are, that was what we did. We adjusted our date according to the vendors we chose.” Analise went to Wedding Bells for her dress, and she is very happy that she did. “I wanted a breathtaking and figure-hugging dress, with a very long train - that
is how I had always imagined my gown. I tried on different dresses, however with the help of the lovely and very helpful staff at Wedding Bells, especially Beverly, I was shown this beautiful exclusive Farage dress. I love the fact that they are all in a separate area in a closet so they feel extra special. These Farage dresses all have the ‘wow’ factor and are very beautifully made. Each one is an exclusive so it’s a unique dress and there is no other one like it in the world. When I tried it on I instantly imagined myself walking down the aisle towards my future husband. I still remember my mother and my sister started crying when they saw me and the entire staff at Wedding Bells were so happy for me. It was exactly what I had in mind - a fitted ivory embellished dress with French lace with a long Spanish veil and a unique headpiece It was a dream dress and I felt like a princess in it, but it was also super comfortable.” The headpiece was also bought from Wedding Bells. “I didn’t want an ordinary tiara, I wanted something different and while I was trying on my dress upstairs my mother and Marquita went down to look for a WD | 67
beautiful headpiece crown. My mother found this beautiful headpiece that we instantly fell in love with. I always looked forward to going to try on the dress every now and then for the fittings, especially at the final stages when things were getting real. They always made sure to make me feel very beautiful with all their suggestions and help!” The shoes Analise chose were covered with Swarovski crystals and gems and the heel was comfortable enough to dance the whole night away. For her bridal party, Analise made sure to include one member from each of her extended family. “I was super happy as they are all close to my heart. I couldn’t imagine getting married without them being with us on our special day. I always thank God for blessing us as one big close family . The expression on the face of my bridal party was priceless when I asked them to be part of our big day, as I asked each of them in a different way.” While the bride chose the colour and style of the bridesmaids’ dresses she wanted their input as well, ensuring that they felt comfortable and ‘themselves’ in it. Each dress had a different design so they were all unique made by a talented tailor. “However for their hair I left it up to them with the help of my hairdresser Amanda Spiteri. They agreed on what they wanted and they were all so beautiful.”
The cute flower girls’ dresses were also from Wedding Bells: “when trying them on they all were so happy; it was always like a dressing up party.” The ushers all wore blue suits with matching tan shoes and a mauve rose matching the bridesmaids. “Christian wore a blue bow and all the other wore a blue tie, and they all looked very handsome.” Being a self-confessed perfectionist, Analise went through every single step of the wedding as well as the menu, as she wanted everything to look like a luxurious fairy tale and as perfect as it could be. “I used to check everything I don’t know how many times. I also used to ask my mother for her opinion as she is like my shadow. So we used to discuss everything. I also took my parents to design our unique invitations and the tags for the Prosecco souvenirs which was one of the most difficult tasks to decide on. I personally think that the invitation gives the first impression of the whole wedding, so I made sure that it would look both luxurious and elegant. My parents were also very welcoming when expecting visitors to the house, as they are both great cooks.” People from Floriana are understandably proud of their home town so it stands to reason that when the bride and groom are both from Floriana, they would get married
at the parish church, with Archpriest Father Richard Borg officiating. “We knew we needed a big venue as we had over 600 guests made up of friends and our large families. The catering was just right and the guests kept telling us how amazing the food was, apart from the atmosphere. There was a live cooking pasta station with a varied menu design, as well as several sweet stations with macaroons, cannolli and cheescakes. The five-tier cake carried the couple’s initials and the logo which was included in all aspects of the wedding. It had fresh flowers on top and a three-tier flower wreath cascading from the ceiling which looked amazing. The cake was placed at the centre of the venue where it became a focal point for the guests. The flowers for the cake as well as the venue and church were by the well-established Romano Cassar Florists who always cater to the couple’s specific requirements and decor. In this wedding, the classic theme chosen by Analise provided them with an array of wonderful flower arrangements which fit the decor perfectly. “When I look back at the photos in years to come I think a classical theme will still look in style. I chose to go for chandeliers and fresh flowers with all the decorations possible to make the venue look more magical, while giving it our personal touch. The whole
place looked like a dream.” “Since I am a control freak, prior the wedding I was anxious and super tired due all the preparations and meetings we had with all the suppliers, however on the day I was relaxed and happy and actually was calming my family down as they were a bit nervous. In Christian’s case, he spent the day with his siblings as his parents are deceased, but the more time was passing, the more anxious he was getting. However, apart from the times I cried my eyes out during the Mass, we were then feeling much more relaxed during the ceremony.” For Analise the excitement started the moment she left her house, “to my surprise there were some of my uncles and aunties and cousins all waiting for us as we don’t live far from church. Our emotions were all over the place. When my parents placed my veil over my face that was when it hit me: you are getting married and your future is just in front of you. It is an indescribable emotion to see the expression of your parents and siblings all so happy and loving. Last but not least was the face of my soon-to-be husband with his heart in his throat trying to hold all his emotions together to stay composed. Maybe I’m too emotional but when I have a wedding these days I always think of the
whirlwind of emotions which the couple and their families are going through.” During the reception the couple performed a surprise wedding dance together with the bridal party. “We started practicing two weeks before the wedding thanks to Janvil who gave us dancing lessons. The experience brought all of us much closer together during our rehearsals.” Janvil, who is also a singer, was the main star of their entertainment together with his live band, who got everyone dancing. “We also had to sing “Xemx” and he was entertaining the guests so much by including them that they were singing along as well. He is a real show man. Kevin Borg, a childhood friend of Christian’s. also sang at the reception, while Chiara sang during the Mass.” Obviously, Analise points out, everyone always believes their wedding is the biggest celebration of their life. “Our faces at the end of the night were hurting as we were smiling so much; after all we had married our childhood sweetheart. We were amazed by the love and support of our family and friends. Our wedding day was the most magical day of our lives, however the best is still yet to come for our future together under God’s blessing so that we will build the next chapter in our lives.”
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Nicholas McClory & Lauren Xuereb 22 July 2017 nd
photos: Tonio Lombardi
Lauren is from Gozo and Nick is from London, two places which could not be more worlds apart. But as it turned out these two had more in common than they could ever have imagined. They met at a pub when Lauren moved to the UK - on her first night out in London, in fact. “Both of our phones died and Nick spent a good portion of the evening asking people for a pen to write down my number. We clicked straight away and even though we didn’t live or work near each other, we soon began meeting several days a week. Nick introduced me to his parents three months after we began dating and that summer he came back to Malta with me for the first time to meet my family.” With similar personalities, this couple share what their friends would call a vibrant sense of humour. “We spent the first few months of our relationship getting to know each other through our shared love of cult movies and pop culture, movie marathons and video games. We moved in together two years after we started dating and purchased our home
in South London a year after that. We spoke about marriage and the importance of it from the very start of our relationship. It was something we both wanted but knew it wasn’t a step taken lightly. We knew marriage was the right thing for us because we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together and start a family.” Nick proposed to Lauren in Gozo during his family’s first visit to the islands. Nick’s parents had rented a villa in Qala during their stay which is close to Lauren’s family home in the nearby village of Ghajnsielem. “His family threw a barbecue at the villa that evening and invited my parents and siblings over. I was so preoccupied with ensuring our families would get along that I didn’t notice Nick’s nerves or that something was about to happen. After dinner, while everyone was still around the table enjoying a drink and having a laugh, Nick pulled up a chair behind me and put his arms around me. As he did this he whispered “will you marry me” in my ear
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and revealed a ring which he was holding in his hand. My reaction was to scream “what is happening?” which caught the attention of everyone around the table and the instant bonding of our parents with cheers of congratulations.” For her dress, Lauren was looking for an embellished ball gown with a lot of detailing, but ended up settling for the complete opposite. “My dress is from Martina Liana’s separates collection - a layered tulle separate skirt and lace strapless top. This look was then brought together with a gold and crystal encrusted belt which complemented my jewellery perfectly. I went looking for my dress with Nick’s Mum, Sharon, and my maid of honour, Diane. I had already tried on three dresses and was about to give up for the day when the sales person helping me brought over the separates. Having nothing to lose, I tried it on. Before walking out, we were talking about popular wedding TV shows and how everyone always cries when they find the dress. We discussed how silly it all looks and probably put on for the TV cameras. Then I walked out of the changing room in the dress and we all instantly began crying. I looked in the mirror and announced this was the dress I would get married in.”
The groom and ushers hired their sharp-looking suits from Cefai’s Formal Wear which is based in Gozo, and which has catered for countless weddings. As Lauren’s family is quite large and it would have been difficult for everyone to travel to London for the big day, it made sense to have a destination wedding in Gozo. “Planning a wedding from abroad isn’t easy and that’s why we needed a wedding planner. We chose Elaine Zarb from Elegant Impressions through recommendations from several friends. Elaine was hands on from day one. She ensured everything happened on schedule and it was pain free for us. She put up with our endless text messages and questions. Then on the day of the wedding she stayed at the venue until the very last guests (us) left at 4am. We gave Elaine several ideas of what we wanted and when we walked into the reception hall, we couldn’t believe our eyes.” This was definitely an international wedding and no less than 70 guests flew in from all over the world, but mainly from the UK as Nick’s dad, Bill, is from Scotland and his mum, Sharon, is from Manchester. Guests also arrived from Australia and family from the USA.
While assuring us that Lauren was no bridezilla, Nick says that Lauren had a definite idea of what she wanted, which didn’t need much input from him. Within two days of being engaged, Lauren had already booked the church, venue, photographer and wedding planner. “I just needed to sit back and turn up to the church on the day.” The couple were married at the Madonna ta’ Loreto Parish Church, Ghajnsielem followed by a reception at a popular wedding venue, the Ivory Suite, formerly known as IlMaxtura. “The day after getting engaged we went on the hunt for a wedding venue. Unfortunately, even though it was two years in advance, most dates in July had already been taken. If I can give any would-be brides any advice, it would be to plan ahead! Having said this, this venue was always on the top of our list and they had one of our chosen dates free. This date was special because it fell on my sister’s 25th wedding anniversary. She and my brother-in-law were married at the same church and had the very first wedding reception at il-Maxtura.”
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The cake consisted of three layers - red velvet, baci and almond cake. Since both of them are avid Star Wars fans, their cake topper was a Star Wars themed silhouette of Han Solo and Princess Leia dancing, with the message May the force be with you Nick and Lauren. “This was the only Star Wars inspired part of the day and to us, the most sentimental.� As their relationship had begun and blossomed in London, the couple decided on a London theme. Each table was named after a tube station or location which meant something to their relationship. They had a photo of themselves taken in front of the tube station signs and locations which were displayed as part of each table centre piece. In a truly innovative twist, these stations and places were then mapped out on a tube map which became the seating chart. Nick and Lauren both say that they were both really laid back on the day. Everything went to plan, well, almost.
On the morning of the wedding while waiting for the bridesmaids to arrive, Lauren fell and almost broke her toe. Then she spent the evening walking in 3 inch heels. The atmosphere, excitement, alcohol and adrenaline on the day kept her going until the next morning when she had to go to the hospital for an X-ray. Lauren and Nick describe their wedding as a day dedicated to them and their relationship. “It celebrated and represented us perfectly. It was also the only day in our lives which we spent with all the people we love and call family - whether blood relations or not, many made an effort to come to Gozo for our big day and break bread in the same room. Not a day goes by that we don’t reminisce on the day and remind ourselves of how lucky we are to have each other and those around us. We only wish we could do it all again!” As a final parting symbolic gesture to the country where they got married, instead of souvenirs, the couple made a donation to Puttinu Cares.
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Michelle Grech & Ben Cundall 16 September 2017 th
photos: Mark Cassar
There are many types of workplaces which bring people together but these days, it is very likely that people can ‘meet’ even though they do not live in the same country. Michelle and Ben met at work, at an iGaming company. Ben worked in the UK office, whilst Michelle worked in the Malta office. “We made each other laugh constantly and instantly. I then moved to the UK where we moved in together within three months and we started talking about marriage very early on. We’d only been together for about eight months before the proposal, but there was never a question or doubt in our minds that it was the right thing to do.” The proposal took place on Ben’s birthday when they were on holiday in Amsterdam. “We were completely alone in a restaurant having a few drinks after a lovely dinner. Ben got down on one knee and proposed – it was exactly how both of us wanted it to be, with just the two of us present.”
For her dress, Michelle wanted something fashion forward, but still sexy, which would completely fit her personality along with the theme of the venue. “I didn’t get that ‘moment’ that everyone talks about when they’ve found the dress. I tried on about 20 dresses and purchased a completely different dress to begin with. Losing sleep over my choice, I called the shop on Monday morning as I couldn’t stop thinking about another dress I had tried on. Luckily both dresses were from the same designer, so they were willing to make the switch. I also completely redesigned the dress I ended up choosing – picking the top of one dress, and the bottom of another. However, it was definitely the right choice in the end. My advice to anyone would be to sleep on the decision before purchasing, and to take photos if the salon allows it.” It wasn’t a difficult decision for Michelle to choose her bridesmaids, “I have four amazing
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best friends with whom I’ve remained extremely close with even though we live in separate countries. My witnesses were also two very close friends, while my maid of honour was my sister. The flower girl was Ben’s niece Felicity and the page boy was my nephew Seth.” Ben likewise had no problem picking his groomsmen and best man as he chose his closest friends. “My best man Mark was an easy choice because he’s always been there for me and Michelle and I knew he would be there for me on the day if I was getting nervous. He’s also a trustworthy person to deliver a speech.” Seeing as they live in the UK, Ben and Michelle agreed to have the wedding in Malta. “Michelle has quite a big family, and a long list of close friends, so getting them to travel to the UK wouldn’t have been ideal. It also helps that weather in Malta is close to perfect 90% of the time,” the couple said. Ben’s extended family as well as close friends were all happy to make the trip to Malta for this special day. “The minute we got engaged, we wanted wedding planner Nikky Borg to organize our wedding. We know Nikky personally as she is Michelle’s father’s partner. We saw
pictures of weddings she has planned in the past and wouldn’t have chosen anyone else to plan our big day. We trusted her blindly to make decisions that we couldn’t make ourselves – like the food tasting, the venue, the set up and so on. Nikky was brilliant from start to finish, the whole day was exactly how we wanted, with lots of bits that came as a surprise too and it was perfect in every way. I would 100% recommend her to anyone and everyone. Ben was a very obliging groom and as he points, “because I trust Michelle’s judgement I mostly just nodded in agreement. We definitely watched a lot of the TV show ‘Say yes to the dress’ and after a few episodes we realised we were definitely on the same page; I wasn’t worried about her walking down the aisle in a black dress.” For the ceremony held at a vineyard, the couple chose a piece of music walking down the aisle which is very close to both of their hearts – ‘Oh my love’ by John Lennon. They also had three readings during the ceremony which explained the love they have for one another. “We loved the fact that the venue was not traditional. We are not a traditional couple, so we wanted a venue that was different, fun and had lots of character. The vineyard
was the perfect place for us. We wanted food that was easy to eat, and not messy! We had a naked cake which went with the whole vibe of the location. Everyone in Malta tends to gravitate to the same venues, so we wanted our venue to stand out, yet still be a casual atmosphere. People could feel comfortable sitting on the grass at the vineyard, and taking off their shoes to dance.” Michelle said she was extremely relaxed throughout this whole process, “until I got in the car, then it became very real to me. Once I saw Ben, I started to relax a bit and the emotions started to kick in.” Ben recalls that he was very excited, and the only thing that he was worried or nervous about was Michelle and their guests enjoying the day. “My speech was a bit scary but after a few drinks it went well. Overall it wasn’t very stressful at all because our friends and family kept us calm.” Looking back they say they are happy that they had all the people they love in one place, and since they live overseas, they don’t see that ever happening again. “Everyone was there for us, which is a feeling that is indescribable. We felt very honoured and very special.”
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The Public Registry Evans Building, Wedding Bells, Coliseum Arcade
Pembroke
Aesthetic Xcells Niu, Central Business Centre
Qawra
Tonna Stationery Christianne stationery A – Z Stationery
Antonio Piscopo Co. Ltd Promark Tunin’ Entertainment Boutique Claudia
Qormi
Romano Cassar Florists The Floral Designer
Qrendi
Camilleriparismode Rabat Local Council
Mdina
St Julian’s
Westin Dragonara Radisson Blu The Villa, Balluta Bay Le Meridien The Hilton
Paola
Eros stationary eCabs
Marsaxlokk
Xara Palace Hotel
Sliema
Monsoon Trading Post
Persona Med-Aesthetic Centre
Papel Stationary & Gifts
Old Trafford
Siggiewi
PACEVILLE
Marsascala
Vivienne Health & Beauty Salon
Santa Lucia
Rabat
San Gwann
Village Inkspot
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Valletta Zebbug
Zurrieq
Gozo
Public Registry,Victoria Bookworm, Victoria Stationery and More, Ghajnsielem Terence Stationery, Nadur Kempinski Hotel, San Lawrenz Ta’ Cenc Hotel, Sannat Ta’ Haqqu stationery, Xaghra Cefai Formal Wear, Xewkija
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