Issue 17 - Just the Two of Us by WeddingDay magazine

WEDDINGDay

ISSUE No. 017

- Just the two of us -

ditorial

WD’s editor Josanne Cassar

It’s that time of year again when we look forward to the Weddings Fair, which is synonymous with our Autumn/ Winter issue. Of course the only thing not co-operating is the weather, which is as far from Autumn as we can possibly be. However, we should not really be complaining about still basking in warm sunshine as November approaches, because our climate is one of the reasons why Malta is a favourite wedding destination. We have seven different weddings stories for you to read which all took place in different venues: from a palazzo to the Ggantija temples to the Herbert Ganado gardens in Floriana. Whether you opt for a sit-down dinner at a restaurant or a standing reception at one of Malta’s many wedding venues, these weddings will show you how you can make any place uniquely “yours” to reflect your personality and taste. Every bride and groom has a different vision of how they imagine their wedding to be, but whether you are laid-back or prefer to be more formal, there is something for everyone thanks to a wide range of wedding vendors who cater for all styles. We are always pleased to hear that brides have learned about their vendors from WD magazine, basing their decision on recommendation from real couples. This always make our

work in putting the magazine together much more enjoyable, as we try our best to bring the very best weddings where the couple have been completely satisfied by the services provided. A true wedding story was also the inspiration for our photo shoot which features a real-life couple, Francesca and Simon, who were married earlier this year. Their chemistry can be felt in the romantic photos, as they agreed to be models for the day posing for our photographers Katerina and Aleksey at the Westin Dragonara Resort. We hope you will enjoy leafing through the pages of the photo shoot which was kindly sponsored by Mdina Glass, Xus Malta and Cefai Formal Wear. As usual, a great thanks goes to our amazing creative team Jessica Moritz our creative director, Daniela Cassar make-up artist, Hairoscope, Flower Arts, Wedding Bells, Bali Stuff and Daniela Azzopardi who made the cake. See you in 2017!

Josanne

on the cover Simon Aquilina & Francesca Theuma• 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 • info@weddingdaymalta.com

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· S T. PAT R I C K 2017 · S T Y L E : M A R I A

contents - Autumn/ Winter Issue 2016 -

16 Just the Two of Us 36 Kyle & Amy

46 Ann & Mark 58 James & Rebecca

68 Andrew & Stefania 76 Adrian & Mandy

82 Charmaine & Godwin 90 William & Alison

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WD speaks to Debbie Cassar from Romano Cassar Florists 4. What challenges do you face as a bridal flower artist? Our top priority is to make the bride as relaxed as possible throughout the process, especially on the day of the celebration. As a team of full time florists we take all the necessary measures and organisational practices to ensure top quality service with a smile. We follow the couples’ instructions carefully, thus managing to bring their floral vision to life on that special day.

1. How long have you been in the floral design industry and what would you say has been a memorable milestone for the company? We are one of Malta’s oldest companies in the flower business, dating back to the 50s when our founder began growing small quantities of flowers to sell in local markets. A memorable milestone has definitely been the exporting of these flowers overseas, notably to Covent Garden in the UK. Since then we have experienced growth on a larger scale, having built a strong affiliation with some of the best companies in Holland. As a result of this, we have the ability to import, grow in our nurseries and deliver all around the island. Our rebranded and renovated interiors are also very memorable milestones. 2. As floral artists, what are the key qualities you make sure to include in a wedding bouquet? Our approach is very personal and attention is given to every detail. We take the time to sit down and discuss the couple’s needs and preferences before beginning the job. The qualities we make sure to include are a mixture of their characters and preferences all blended into one bouquet; a reflection of their unity. 3. Where do you get your inspiration from? Our primary source of inspiration is definitely the couple themselves. After years of experience one begins to easily extract the personal style of every couple by sitting down for a chat. We also make sure to keep up to date with current foreign inspirations which enables us to be very creative when creating the personal mood board for every client.

5. What is your favourite part about your job? My favourite part of the job has to be the moment my client’s face lights up as she sees her finished bouquet for the very first time. This is a very rewarding moment for us as we can notice the appreciation of our hard work.

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· S T. PAT R I C K 2017 · S T Y L E : M I C A E L A

ust the two of us Photography by Katerina Vella-Rykabkova assisted by Aleksey Leonov

The graceful, sweeping staircase at Quadro restaurant within the grounds of the Westin Dragonara Resort is the perfect backdrop to introduce our real-life couple Simon Aquilina and Francesca Theuma. Although they are already married, they are still basically newlyweds, and kindly took time from their hectic schedules as doctors to be our models for this issue. In fact, Katerina was their actual wedding photographer and, as we later learned, two other members of the photo shoot team were also involved in their wedding, namely Daniela our make-up artist as well as our wedding stylist Johanna Zammit. The staff at the Westin went out of their way to provide their venue for the WD shoot at very short notice, for which we will be forever grateful. As it turned out the understated, yet luxurious ambience in their lobby was just right for what we had in mind - a romantic, elegant set up using hues of golden amber, black and dusky pink. The outdoor shots speak for themselves, with one of the best views a photographer can ever hope for. Quadro restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interior was also used for some very striking shots, namely the model languidly sitting in the window sill with the striped wallpaper

as background, as well as the shots of the couple gazing out of the wooden apertures which frame the window. Wedding photography is all about the detail and here both Katerina, assisted by Aleksey, have shown how you can use the features at any location to come up with some very original photos. For this issue, our creative team surpassed themselves in the way they used their imagination, coming up with various set ups which were simply magical. Framed by the gilt-edged mirror, our table for two was decorated with purple, pink and fuchsia flowers provided by Joseph Baldacchino from Flower Arts. Using a large vase, as well as smaller, dainty holders, the profusion of deep, rich colours contrasted beautifully with the burnished gold of the mirror. The bridal bouquet forms a bold distinct splash of vivid colours against the delicate pale gold dress. Working in tandem with Joe was Johanna from Bali Stuff, an experienced wedding stylist who needs no introduction. Johanna is well-known for her decor expertise, and watching her in action is mesmerizing: she always brings boxes and boxes of accessories and fabric with her and manages to conjecture up a dream setting with flair and panache.

gold & black details for a regal sweetheart table

The SETTING Purple tinted glasses, a gold tablecloth, sequined cushions, candle holders, black dinner plates, silver cutlery and linen napkins were used to come up with two different set-ups: one for day time, and the other for the evening with the glowing candles adding even further to the mystical atmosphere. Johanna also brought some interesting transparent chairs which can be used for any colour scheme and set up as they are versatile.

WDâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;|â&#x20AC;&#x201A;21

HAIR & MAKE-UP For the make-up, Daniela started with Francesca’s striking brown eyes. After an eyeshadow primer, she then applied chocolate brown on the lid and then gold eye shadow towards the inner corner. Black eyeshadow on the outer corner using a blending brush, creates the sideways “V” shape. A small amount of loose gold glitter is patted on top of the gold eye shadow. Black gel liner was used and a brown pencil on lower lash. A smoky effect was achieved by smudging the chocolate brown eye shadow. Highlighter on the brow bone was applied for extra glow. The cheeks were contoured with bronzer and highlight with peach blusher. Waterproof mascara is recommended for brides and a nude colour long-lasting lipstick was used to keep focus on the eyes.

Joe Briffa from Hairoscope used Francesca’s very thick bob-length hair to create this very stylish up style, which is softened with waves in the front. He didn’t want a very severe look so although the hair is gathered into an elegant chignon at the back, it is still quite soft in the way it is framed around Francesca’s delicate bone structure. The hairstyle should not only complement one’s features and the dress, but also one’s frame - if you are petite, you need to ensure that the hairstyle is not too overpowering.

THE MODELS A very attractive, typically Mediterranean-looking couple, Francesca and Simon were perfect for this shoot which just oozes romance. Francescaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very petite, slim frame was just right for this stunning gold and ivory wedding gown by WeddingBells which has a beautiful lace tattoo effect on neckline and back. The semi sheer skirt makes this gown very easy to move in yet has all the dreamy effects of a classical gown. The matching Spanish veil completes this gorgeous look. The earrings worn by the bride were provided by ZsaZsa. Simon was fitted out by Cefai Formal Wear in a very classic, black tuxedo, with a white shirt that has buttons which can be replaced according to oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taste - they come in both black and ivory. The cream waistcoat, very pale gold bow tie and black cumberbund completed the look.

WD | 25

THE EVENING SETTING The Nero Lattice lanterns (p. 27), kindly provided by Mdina Glass, matched perfectly with our golden amber colour scheme - as can be seen, they come in various sizes and can be used practically anywhere at a venue to give the soft lighting which only candlelight can provide. Known originally for its glassware, Mdina Glass has over the years branched out into every kind of accessory and decor imaginable, and can give a different look to your wedding venue. The company also makes perfect gifts for couples who wish to give their foreign guests original ‘made in Malta’ products as momentos.

unique black, gold and soft pink cake which picks up on the colour scheme of this photo shoot. There are no “rules” these days that a wedding cake should always be white, so let yourself be inspired and incorporate your favourite colours into your cake. The dusky pink shoes were provided by Fiona from Xus Malta who has a wide range of bridal shoes available, according to your stye and taste. There used to be a time when brides only wore white or cream shoes, but those days are gone, as bridal shoes now come in all sorts of colours depending on how much the bride is willing to experiment with something different!

Our cake for this issue was made by Daniela Azzopardi who took great pains to make this WD | 27

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CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE Creative Director Jessica C. Moritz www.jessmor.com PhotographerS Katerina Vella-Ryabkova photobykaterina@gmail.com • M: +356 99536694 www. katerinavellaphotography.com www.facebook.com/katerinavellaryabkova Aleksey Leonov (assistant) info@onespecialday.eu • M: +356 99599255 www.onespecialday.eu www.facebook.com/onespecialdaymalta SET StyliNG Johanna Zammit of Bali Stuff www.balistuffmalta.com • M: +356 79596209 Floral Design Joseph Baldacchino of Flower Arts www.flowerarts.net • M: +356 9926 0645 Bridal fashion styling Marquita Kemper of WeddingBells T: +356 21224234 • E: weddingbells@sis.net.mt GROOM styling Cefai Formal Wear T: +356 21 419040 • E: cefaiformalwear@gmail.com MAKE-UP Daniela Cassar E: dan1305@go.net.mt • M: +356 99130575 hair Joe Briffa of Hairoscope E: joebriffa16@gmail.com T: +356 21659442 • M: +356 99224750 CAKE Pecan Crunch by Daniela Azzopardi T: +356 7970 5537 • daniela82mt@yahoo.com VENUE The Westin Dragonara Resort events.dragnora@westin.com • T: +356 2374 5521 www.westinmalta.com/weddings

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· S T.· SPAT RICK · STY ED NM IA T. PAT R I2017 C K 2017 · LS ET:YM L EA:CM I ROI A

Kyle Polidano & Amy Cutajar 30th July 2016 photos: Elliot Nichol

Amy and Kyle met at University but as they tell us, Facebook helped to give a nudge to their relationship. “I was reading for a B.Ed in Mathematics and Kyle was reading for a B.Ed in Physical Education. After two years I decided to look up Kyle’s Facebook profile. He accepted my friend request and we started chatting. At the time he had no idea who I was! He didn’t notice my presence in the course even after two years. We joke about this a lot and his excuse is that he was concentrating too much on his studies,” Amy tells us. Kyle popped the question three years later at Palazzo Parisio, going down on one knee after dinner, in true romantic fashion. “I knew Kyle was the right one because we had a lot of things in common. We both love teaching and children; we also like sports and we started playing tennis together; I love being around him, in fact, we used to meet every single day.” Amy has a very close relationship with her mother Jaquelline, and they enjoyed shopping for wedding dresses together.

Buying the dress was quite easy because Amy always knew she wanted a mermaid dress from the Pronovias range. The one she chose was the second dress she tried on and she instantly fell in love with it. It was exactly her size and she loved the tattoo effect, the back detail and the fact that the skirt was plain. Amy opted for only two bridesmaids, flower girl and a page boy. “One of my bridesmaids ( Jahel) is my best friend from University and the other one (Noella) is my brother’s girlfriend. I have a lot of friends but I decided to choose the closest ones. I never liked the idea of having a lot of bridesmaids.” “I got the bridesmaids dresses from a boutique in Rabat. The bridesmaids’ dresses were the same style but different colours. One was dusty pink and the other one was peach. I never liked the idea of bridesmaids wearing identical dresses and we chose the dresses according to their complexion.”

The usher was Kyle’s brother-in-law who came all the way from Canada. The best man was Kyle’s childhood friend who is from England. The wedding Mass was at San Pawl tat-Targa Church in Naxxar which was a natural choice since the venue was Palazzo Parisio. Amy says, “I have always liked the idea of a garden wedding. Kyle’s mum works as a wedding planner at Palazzo, so that helped too. Jayne Polidano took care of the set-up of the bistro tables, bars, pasta station, band and it looked beautiful.” The cake had a cascade of fresh flowers artistically arranged by Joseph from Flower Arts. The peach and pink flowers matched the bridesmaids’ dresses in keeping with the colour scheme.

“On the day I was very relaxed, but I got butterflies when I was walking down aisle. I burst into tears when we exchanged the rings, and that was the best part of the wedding,“ Amy recalls. “A funny mishap occurred as we signed the papers. I had bought a nice pen to be used to sign the papers after the Mass. But the best man forgot to give us the pen and we ended up signing the papers with a shiny green pen in front of our guests!” The couple decided to opt for a smallish wedding (by Maltese standards) of only 200 people. “We loved the feeling of being surrounded by our closest family and friends. Everyone really enjoyed the dancing thanks to our band. It was the most beautiful day of our lives. I wish I could do it all over again. A small tip for future brides, always buy an extra pair of comfortable shoes. I thought I would be fine with my heels, but I ended dancing barefoot.”

Here at WeddingDay we are always happy to provide ideas and inspiration for future brides and in fact Amy tells us she got lots of deals from our magazine. “I find out about Joseph from Flower Arts as well as our photographer Elliot Nichol from WD magazine. Joseph is a very creative man, the bouquets were beautiful and the cake decoration was amazing. Elliot is a very good photographer, he made us feel at ease and the photos were sent to me in less than a week after my wedding. The photos are natural and full of emotions….I keep going through them.” Instead of souvenirs, Amy and Kyle preferred to give a donation to The Arnaud Guesry Foundation. The Arnaud Guesry Foundation is an NGO which provides residential care for orphaned children in Madagascar. A small bag of perlini was given as a token.

ive the dream, live the magic make it reality

Mark Leonard & Ann Dingli 21st May 2016 photos: Fran Stivala

Ann is Maltese, Mark is English and one of the many things they have in common is their love of Malta. So it was almost a given that they would tie the knot here. “We met through a mutual friend, at Notting Hill carnival in London. We were instantly comfortable with each other and moved in together after nine months. Things kept getting better so we decided to get married,” the couple tells us. It is immediately apparent from the style of their wedding that Ann and Mark are low-key people who like to keep things simple. This was also reflected in the proposal. “We spent the night in a B&B in Chipping Norton, had a lovely dinner in a local restaurant and Mark proposed when we got back to our room. It was just the right amount of romantic – it was very us.” When Ann describes her wedding preparations it is clear that she is probably the direct opposite of a Bridezilla. Everything was quite relaxed, starting with the purchase of her wedding dress.

WD | 46

“I bought it from a shop in London, and although it was not exactly what I was looking for, it spoke to me. I had a time limit and this one felt very good. Also my friend said she got goose pimples when I put it on. That’s what you’re going for as a bride.” The V-necked dress, with a deep V-neck at the back, was elegantly cinched at the waist and had a flowing skirt. Ann kept hair and make-up simple, to fit her personality and concentrated on making the day special by simply enjoying it with her fiancé. While large, glamorous weddings have their attraction, there is a lot to be said for couples who like to keep things simple. There is a certain aura about Ann and Mark’s photos, so wonderfully captured by wedding photographer Fran Stivala. The tender glances and the sheer happiness on their faces are very touching, and the intimacy of their small wedding made it a true celebration with family and close friends. About 50 people came from the UK to help them celebrate, with one guest coming all the way from Hong Kong.

“We had the most basic venue imaginable, Herbert Ganado Gardens in Floriana. There was no water or electricity, no shelter. There were a lot of things to think about. It has the best view in Malta. It’s gorgeous but not perfect – a bit like us.” The couple opted for a civil ceremony where they wrote their own vows, and shared the day with the people they love. They were not going for any particular theme, they just wanted to “be themselves” and they certainly managed. It was probably this laid-back approach which ensured that everything went according to plan, with no hiccups. The amazing romantic setting was all they needed really, and all the other ingredients fell into place without much effort. Ann says that the one thing she was praying for was that the catering staff would not quit on them because it was such a difficult venue!

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“We had various suppliers and we brought everything together ourselves. The set up was created by the groom and best men and the caterers.” There is a lot to be said for choosing a venue with a spectacular view because you will not need to add much decor. White chairs and tables for the wedding dinner and a wooden gazebo draped with sheer white curtains created just the right effect they were going for. Candles in mason jars lit up the venue as the day turned to twilight, which added even further to the magical atmosphere. For musical entertainment, Ann and Mark opted for a string quartet followed by a DJ later on in the evening. Ann arrived in an Aston Martin DB6, owned by a friend Even the wedding cake was extremely minimalist – which is not very typical for Maltese weddings. The couple also made their own souvenirs: teabags with loose tea from Fortnum and Mason.

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James Farrugia & Rebecca Anastasi 10th October 2015 photos: Tonio Lombardi

James described how he met Rebecca at a quiz night, “as one does of course”, he says wryly. “At the time a sort of pub quiz was held every Thursday night and I used to attend religiously along with some friends At the same time some other friends also decided to give it a go and, knowing that I’m a big trivia nerd, wanted to challenge my team (they had grown tired of my bragging and wanted to teach me a lesson). These same friends recruited Becky to corner the film and literature questions. We both lost to another team. But I (eventually) gained a girlfriend.” When it came to the proposal, James said he was mostly concerned about the ring, wanting to find Rebecca something a bit special. “I knew of an art-decostyle ring, which once belonged to her grandmother, which she absolutely adored. Being also aware of the sometimes dodgy origins of precious stones I had to make sure that the ring supplier was certified freetrade. After much searching, I came across a website that allows you to customize engagement rings. I chose a lovely blue sapphire set on a vintage-looking band which I hoped would remind her of that other ring she loved so much.”

“As for the proposal itself, it was a simple affair: a weekend break was booked; a bottle of champagne cunningly stowed in my bag. After a day by the pool, I figured that she’d be dozy enough to accept my proposal. So back in the room, I dropped on the old knee, champagne swiftly consumed…” As can be seen by the relaxed, smiling photos, there was nothing ‘stiff ’ or formal about this wedding and this was reflected in their choices throughout. Rebecca’s major criteria for buying her dress was the comfort factor. “I wanted something comfortable! When I tried it on I knew it was the right one as I realized I would be able to eat and drink as much as I wanted in that dress.” The bridesmaids’ black floor-length dresses came from Monsoon, one of the best shops around for original dresses and for the bride looking for that something different for her bridal party. “My mum and I trawled around the high street to find the dresses. When we found something which fit the style I had in mind for the wedding, and which I knew would suit everyone, we arranged to have all the girls meet and try the dress on to see if they approved. Luckily they all loved it!”

WD | 59

James says that the ring business proved to be logistically challenging since the American company he had chosen did not deliver to Malta; so he recruited his great friend, Stefan, who lived in the UK, to help him pull it off and he delivered with aplomb. “Thus the interview was successfully passed and I offered him the full-time position of best man which he accepted.” Becky’s past experience in managing events and James’ input, served them well when it came to planning the wedding. “We also had a very clear idea of what we wanted and of the potential pitfalls so we were very careful with the budget (which we had prepared before) and with stripping away any needless additional details which many couples seem to fall for. We were extremely lucky because all of our suppliers were extremely professional and understood the look and feel we were going for.”

James agrees: “We were firmly on the same wavelength about the wedding, both insisting on something small and intimate, and an absolute aversion to the video, and other traditional choices. The decision-making process was actually very smooth and I still cannot figure out why so many couples find it a stressful experience. I think the only decision I took solo was the hiring of the musicians due to some contacts I had.” The couple were married at St Aloysius Chapel followed by a sit-down dinner at a restaurant with a beautiful view and impeccable service. An intimate and informal atmosphere was created within a 5-star environment. This was followed by an after-party with lots of laughter and dancing. Becky said that they always knew they wanted a sit down meal. “Food was a very important consideration. We had a 3-course meal plus the wedding cake. The staff and management at the venue were also very helpful and provided a vegetarian menu which we offered our vegetarian guests.”

WD | 62

The flavour of cake can sometimes present a dilemma so this couple decided to have something for everyone, with each tier made in a different flavour: chocolate, red velvet, almond and lemon. As always happens when a couple does not allow themselves to be influenced by “what everyone else is doing” this wedding had Rebecca and James’ individuality stamped all over it. “It was right for us. We wanted to have a good time surrounded by our family and friends. And, most importantly, we didn’t want it to be formal: we didn’t want to spend the whole day moving systematically from person to person but we wanted the atmosphere to be more relaxed and laid-back. We decided from the start that we wanted it to be on the smaller side: we set a limit of 100 people (50 invites) and decided not to invite work colleagues. The style of the wedding also reflected this: from the bouquets to the table settings, and hairstyles. Nothing was stiff.

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The lovely bouquets by Floreal looked like they had been picked out from the fields and the hairstyles allowed the hair to move naturally. For me, this was the most important thing in terms of styling the wedding. Simple, elegant, vintage were key words,” says Rebecca. In keeping with the vintage feel, a friend even lent them an old Volkswagen beetle to use. Describing her feelings on the day of the wedding Rebecca said it “felt like Christmas”. “I knew that we had a weekend at the hotel afterwards and a honeymoon in Japan to look forward to, so I couldn’t wait to start this next step in our adventure together. It was never about the day. The wedding day was just a great opportunity to get everyone together and share memorable moments with the people in their lives.” Meanwhile, James said he was little bit nervous on the morning of the wedding “but Stefan handled that by cracking me up with his jokes. Also a sip or two of whisky does miracles. By the time I got to the chapel, I must say I felt quite loose”.

Becky adds, “I think our laid-back attitude helped – things are bound to go wrong if you’re so focused on everything being ‘perfect’, whatever that word means. The most important thing is to enjoy the day together, surrounded by your family and friends. So many couples find the day, and the lead up to that day, incredibly stressful. It’s such a shame! Seeing our closest friends and family all together in one place was wonderful. The most amazing thing is that many of them came from abroad to help us celebrate that day and it was truly moving to be able to share our day with them.” James cannot resist one last joke: “The priest was horribly drunk and thought he was supposed to officiate a baptism – he kept going, “where is the baby?”. No, in reality it couldn’t have been any smoother.” Instead of souvenirs the couple made a donation to the Hospice movement.

Andrew Pace & Stefania Galea 5th June 2016 photos: Mark Cassar

You’ve all heard of love at first sight….but in this case, it was not like that. “Andrew and I first met at St. Aloysius’ Sixth Form yet we showed no interest in each other in the first two years. I was the timid student with flowery accessories in her hair and determined to obtain good grades, whereas he was the rebel with shoulder-length hair who strolled the school corridors in long leather jackets. “It was during a birthday celebration of a common friend, in November 2007, that we actually spoke; that was the beginning of our journey, first as best friends and a year later as a couple. I feel blessed to have met Andrew at a relatively young age and to be married to my best friend. We somehow always felt that the relationship would lead to marriage; the actual proposal came almost six years after we started dating.” The proposal could not have been more romantic as it took place on a boat on Lake Bled, in Slovenia: “Upon arriving to Lake Bled, Andrew insisted that we should rent a private boat. I could tell

that he seemed more nervous than usual yet I did not suspect a proposal. After rowing the boat close to the Bled Island, he knelt down on one knee (on a now-rocking-rowing-boat) and asked me to marry him. Without hesitation I, of course, said Yes. The moments that followed were filled with smiles, joy, laughter and cheering from tourists on nearby boats. The ring itself is also special to me as it was purposely designed by Andrew. “ For her wedding dress, Stefania turned to wedding specialists WeddingBells in Valletta. “I had always hoped for a mermaid-dress silhouette. I tried on a few styles to make sure I would choose a flattering style for my frame. I wanted a feminine, elegant and simple dress with some lace and sparkle. My wedding dress was the second one I tried on and immediately knew that ‘she’ was the one. I tried on others yet none of them made me feel the way she did – feminine and special. I wanted a dress that reflected my character. Marquita Kemper and the staff at WeddingBells were really helpful and understanding.” WD | 69

Stefania involved her friends Talitha and Joanne by asking them to do her hair and make-up, making them part of her big day. “My special girlfriends Lara, Nikita and Ramona were my bridesmaids. They were wonderful and very supportive throughout the entire process; the best bridesmaids I could have asked for. Having them by my side, along with my mother, sister, mother-in-law and sister-in-law, made the preparations and actual day even more special. I had strawberry jam jars and cards made for each girl to ask them to be my bridesmaids.” When it came to choosing their attire, Stefania wanted to make sure they were happy, “Their opinion and comfort was very important to me so I kept them in the loop on everything and took their taste and preference into consideration. They all agreed to the choice of dress and the hot pink colour. They were very supportive throughout.” The best men were Andrew’s brother Kyle and Andrew’s best friend Steven. “Both were great, so Andrew was in good hands too.” A long courtship has its advantages because you get to really know a person, and Stefania said that since both she and Andrew are not very fussy people, they make decisions easily. “Having similar expectations and tastes made the planning and preparation easy (although I know that he agreed to some things just to make me happy).

We had everything booked by October 2014 and reviewed everything again in the last month and a half. Few things wedding-related were done in the months in between. The focus then was on completing my Masters.” When a couple is easygoing, planning a wedding does not have to be stressful. Recalling the months of preparations, Stefania says they were a series of fun experiences which they shared together, especially the food tasting. Mass was held at the beautiful church, St. Catherine of Italy, Valletta. “One of the highlights of the day was crossing Castille Square with my parents, sister and bridesmaids to reach the Church, and later with Andrew and the bridesmaids to go to the Upper Barrakka Gardens.” Certainly, walking the historic streets of Valletta in a wedding dress must rank as one of the top experiences a bride can ever imagine. When it came to the venue, the couple fell in love with the Xara Lodge as soon as they stepped into it. “We had never had an event there before. Our wedding co-ordinator AnneMarie McAlistair was brilliant and made the entire process easy, enjoyable and stress-free. Our florist also worked his magic to decorate it to our liking with lanterns, flowers and flower-path in the main hall and candles. The ambience lighting also added to the young, elegant and fun atmosphere that we wanted on the day.

This was further enhanced by the enthusiastic and rhythmic, jazzy melodies of the 11-piece band – the Big Band Brothers. We are truly grateful to all the vendors and fantastic photographer – for understanding our vision and for being part of our day. We appreciate all the detail.” Stefania says she learned about about all these suppliers from past editions of Weddingday magazine. “So WeddingDay magazine also played an important part in choosing the vendors.” Apart from the venue and the stunning views, the delicious food prepared by ‘Infinitely Xara’ also drew Stefania and Andrew to the Xara Lodge. “Having quality and varied food items was a priority for us. AnneMarie kindly and patiently sat with us during four food tastings.” When it came to the cake they wanted something that reflected them as a couple and the chosen theme of the wedding – simple, young, elegant and fun. The cake consisted of two square tiers and a round one, each of which was covered in lace and pearls. Flowers matching the bridesmaids’ dresses were chosen for the top. Due to weather forecasts that predicted rain and a minor thunderstorm for the wedding day, Stefania admits she was very nervous and worried in the last week. It did rain in the morning but the sky cleared when they arrived in Valletta.

“I was excited for the first dance and the surprise dance by my sister, bridesmaids and girlfriends, which was choreographed by a dear friend, Marco Calleja. Another dear friend, Francesca ‘Chess’ Galea, sang two songs for us. Andrew surprised me by singing the entire song to me during our first dance; it was a special moment.” On the day, the couple’s wedding organizer from The Wedding Organisers’ team by Jurgen Briffa ensured that everything went as smoothly as possible. A wedding organizer is a great idea for any couple who not only needs to have someone to help out in the run-up to the wedding, but also to ensure there is someone reliable taking care of things on the day. With The Wedding Organizers by Jurgen Briffa, your mind will definitely be at rest, allowing you to relax and enjoy your day. Describing the wedding, the couple say it was “a magical and unforgettable day for us, shared with family, friends and colleagues. Above all, the beginning of a new journey together. We would like to thank our families and friends for sharing our joy and being part of our lives.” Instead of souvenirs the couple decided to make a donation to Puttinu Cares: “The thought of perhaps making someone ‘happier’ for a while is rewarding.”

Adrian Mifsud & Mandy Schembri 28th May 2016 photos: Inigo Taylor

They say the workplace is a great place to meet someone and in Adrian and Mandy’s case that is certainly true. “Adrian and I both work at the same company. At first we used to work in separate departments but now we literally work side by side and our desks are next to each other. Before we ever started dating, every time I used to meet Adrian at the office or during company events he used to make every effort to speak to me. One Sunday morning, Adrian messaged me on Facebook to meet up as he didn’t even have my mobile number. I agreed, and we ended up spending the whole day together. First, we went to the beach then for a very nice lunch and in the evening we ended up going to a club. During our relationship we had lots of ups and downs but we always managed to get through them in some way or another. It was at that moment that we realized that we were meant for each other and that we could never be apart.” Adrian proposed to Mandy on the Christmas Eve of 2014 during a very romantic dinner at one of Valletta’s lovely restaurants. “After dinner, he kept asking me to have coffee outside on the terrace but seeing that it was December and very cold I was very reluctant to do so. As we were walking out, Adrian told me to go on the steps of the Royal Opera House. He then went down on one knee and opened this white box with a gorgeous diamond ring in it. Needless to say I was shocked and WD | 77

very surprised and couldn’t believe it was finally happening. Obviously my answer was a YES and to my surprise when he put the ring on my finger, it fit perfectly.” Mandy knew exactly what style she wanted for her gown. “I was looking for a mermaid style wedding dress to which I could add my personal touches. I thought the process of choosing my wedding dress was going to be quite lengthy and difficult seeing that I am very picky about what to wear. However, I chose the dress on one single afternoon with my mother and wedding planner. I went to a couple of bridal shops and tried on several dresses but whenever I put on this particular dress I could see that everyone’s eyes would light up, even the shop assistants. That was when I realized that it was “the dress”.” Mandy decided to have a wedding planner for her wedding. The Maid of Honour knew Bernice Bugeja from Love is…. as she was involved in her own wedding. “From our very first meeting with Bernice, we “clicked” and she immediately knew what we wanted and tried her best to make us happy. Our major request was that our wedding needed to be something fun and very enchanting.”

WeddingDay’s official make-up artist, Daniela Cassar did the make up for Mandy and her bridal party, much to their complete satisfaction. The couple were married at the Basilica of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Senglea. There was one very minor hitch, which Mandy took in her stride. “When I arrived at the church, our wedding planner came to tell me that the Mass ceremony that was being held right before ours was slightly over running. So the driver decided to take me for another ride through the city I grew up in, Senglea. Needless to say, I got a lot of people waving and looking which got me quite excited.” Admitting to a lot of butterflies as her father walked her down the aisle, Mandy describes how beautiful the ceremony was, adding that “during our wedding Mass, the Archpriest delivered a meaningful sermon with a funny twist as he knew us both personally.” This was followed by a reception at an old palazzo, which they chose because it looked very “fairytale” like and exclusive.

“For our first dance, Adrian and I chose U2’s ‘Song for Someone’ as we are both massive fans of the band and we had just been to their concert in Stockholm a few months before. Both Adrian and I choreographed our dance and we managed to do it perfectly on the BIG day. As soon as our first dance was over, we had a lovely fireworks display which was a surprise for all our guests. We used the exellent services of BG Malta Fireworks Display – Bernard Cauchi.” Mandy found the kind of wedding cake she wanted on Pinterest which matched their colour scheme perfectly. “Thankfully, our caterers managed to do a very good job in replicating it. Together with our florist they did an exceptional job in decorating our cake table and it was exactly how we wanted it. ” The couple opted not to have souvenirs: “We decided to give a donation instead of souvenirs as we believe that money is better spent on good causes. We are good friends with Bjorn from ALS Malta so we decided to contribute towards his good cause. ALS Malta provided us with a Certificate and Donation Tags. We added a small ivory organza bag filled with ivory and blush perlini to match our colour scheme.”

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

Charmaine Portelli & Godwin Sultana 26th September 2015 photos: George Saguna

It is not often that we get to hear the groom’s side of the wedding story. But Godwin is very eloquent in the way he describes to WD all about how the two of them met: “It was an ordinary summer evening much like the one before, or those of previous years past. Until that moment when a special person waltzed into my life, conquered my world and let me conquer hers. The one night my habitual punctuality paid off, as this instigated the introduction of my future wife through a mutual friend. Two people on a complex journey to find themselves, but ended up finding each other instead. The place was Marsalforn, Gozo, in a small bar that now holds a special place in our hearts and in our world.” “After a long courtship to find ourselves, each other, and each other in ourselves we were blessed by the greatest gift one could ever hope for and so much more. A sign that our paths, our souls, were destined to intertwine in the most brilliant dance.”

WD | 83

Charmaine on her part describes the proposal as a breathtaking moment, “he formally got on one knee and proposed to both myself and our daughter. A moment, filled with many emotions which I will treasure forever.” Initially, Charmaine was looking for a satin ball gown, but couldn’t find what she wanted. “When I saw this ball gown I loved it instantly, but still wanted a modern satin dress. So ultimately I ended up with both. I felt comfortable and I loved the neckline which was really my style. All those who were with me felt the same way about the dress too. With regards to the dress that a designer made for me, I saw it when it was ready, on the day and I simply loved it!” The groom and ushers were smartly dressed in classic cut tuxedos from Cefai Formal Wear.

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The couple were married at Marija Bambina Parish Church followed by a sit-down dinner at a restaurant in Gozo, which is a very popular tradition on our sister island. “I wanted to ensure that all our guests had a good selection to choose from and that they would leave satisfied. We hope we managed to achieve this.” She describes the cake as being quite simple, but adorned with fresh orchids. “I tried to keep everything as elegant and classy as possible and I based a lot of the decor on lots of fresh flowers provided by Floreal, who are excellent florists.” Even little Ana had a floral head-dress made from fresh flowers just for her. The delicate invitations were specially hand-made by an invitation specialist.

A mixture of colour and black & white photos capturing moments from the couple’s relationship made this a true celebration of their love for each other, as they traced the years they have spent together. Charmaine says she was quite relaxed on the day and probably even a little tired as well from all the preparations. “Everything went rather smoothly. What I remember most was that Ana was lying on the floor at church and sharing her smarties with everyone.” “Everything was magical but the best part was surely when we exchanged vows and when Ana who was two and a half years sang the happy birthday song to her daddy who turned 40 the day before. It was a surprise and Godwin’s face lit up and all the guests started applauding and many cried as well.”

William Borg & Alison Xuereb 2nd July 2016 photos: Max Xuereb

It is not often that a couple gets married at a World Heritage site, but Alison and William decided to take the plunge and were overjoyed when permission was granted for them to have their reception at the historic Ggantija temples. This couple met during the summer break while they were both at University reading for a degree in dentistry. William surprised Alison with his proposal while they were on holiday in Croatia, walking through Plitvice National Park, surrounded by stunning lakes and waterfalls. Alison says that choosing her wedding dress was a wonderful experience which she shared with her mother, Elsie. “I always knew I wanted a fitted mermaid dress and was so happy when I found this ivory gown covered in French lace with buttons down the back and a thin satin belt embellished with beads and crystals and matching veil. A lace, crystal and pearl headdress and simple earrings, along with ivory peep-toe shoes completed the look. My bouquet by Flower Arts consisted of beautiful flowWD | 90

ers in shades of white with touches of purple in the orchids – my favourite flower.” The dresses for the bridal party were expertly made by a seamstress in lilac silk ombre with a crystal embellished belt. They had small bouquets in shades of lilac and cream which complemented their dresses perfectly. William and the men all wore black evening tails by Cefai Formal Wear. William wore an ivory waistcoat and bow tie, with the rest of the group wearing cravettes or bow ties matching the bridesmaids’ dresses. As a born and bred Gozitan, Alison had always imagined getting married in Gozo and William agreed. “The ceremony was held at the Gozo Cathedral. which was decorated with simple flower arrangements based on white flowers and foliage with a modern twist. Joseph Baldacchino from Flower Arts did an amazing job of setting up a beautiful display of glass vases of varying shapes and sizes, filled with roses, hydrangeas, gypsophila, orchids and peonies,

as well as floating candles. The pews were decorated with a simple white bow and a sprig of gypsophila. Our friend Anne-Marie Agius sung beautifully, which was another special touch.” After the church ceremony the couple organised a champagne reception on the bastions before moving on to the venue. “We did not wish to have a conventional wedding hall and the idea of being surrounded by more of Gozo’s beautiful heritage was intriguing, so we contacted the site curator at Ggantija temples after having been told that private functions are occasionally allowed. After several meetings and an 8-page long contract, we were granted permission against many regulations. Needless to say we were both thrilled!” To help organize the wedding, the couple turned to Brian Sultana, a wedding organizer based in Gozo, who took care of every little detail and ensured that everything went smoothly on the day. Having an experienced organizer such as Brian, especially with such a special venue, meant that the couple

had peace of mind and that everything would be in place. With his guidance and commitment, Alison and William had that extra unique quality they were looking for. “The venue is magnificent in itself, so we focused mainly on highlighting its beauty. One of the main ways we achieved this was through different lighting techniques. Pathways were illuminated with fairy lights, surrounding trees and fields were lit in shades of blue and purple and general lighting was warm white. The temple itself was illuminated in neutral colours and the monogram, designed by the bride’s father, Joseph, was projected onto one of the megaliths. Light spheres added to the atmosphere in rocky areas around the paths. Bistro tables were set up along the pathways and low sofas and pouffes were set up around low tables to allow for seating areas. The guest book table was shabby chic and was set up with two large glass vases of ‘perlini’, as well as a small flower arrangement and a framed “thank you” message.” Apart from finger food, the catering included a sushi table, a coffee table and an ice-cream cart. The wine bar included on-the-spot freshly-made mozzarella di bufala and a beautiful selection of fine French

and Italian wines were served. The five tier white wedding cake was decorated very simply with fresh flowers. “We chose different flavours for the tiers – almond, baci and red velvet. White balloons were distributed to guests in place of confetti, and the effect was magical. Fireworks were also set off before the first dance.” While Alison was at the hairdresser’s on her big day, William, her father, the organisers and caterers were having a tough time with the weather. “It turned out that July was as unpredictable as the previous winter, and we were kept on tenterhooks until the last second. It was actually drizzling when I walked into church. I’ll never forget the sheer relief I felt when I looked outside after the ceremony and I whispered to William, ‘Oh my God, it’s finally sunny!’” Looking back on the day, Alison recalls the moment she saw William at the Church, “as soon as we held hands the butterflies disappeared”, and their first dance. “We danced to “You’re the Inspiration” by Chicago. I’m not very much into dancing and, despite William trying to calm me down, this was something I was very apprehensive about. However, as it turned out, I enjoyed it tremendously!”

WeddingDay

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The Infinitely Xara

MFCC WEDDINGS& EVENTS EXHIBITION 3rd - 6th November

Let your fairy tale begin... At Infinitely Xara we believe that each wedding we host is unique and truly special - a celebration of love and the beginning of a new life together. It is this very same certainty that has allowed us to help celebrate hundreds of weddings over the years, keeping firmly in mind that this day is entirely and exclusively all about you, our brides and grooms We greatly look forward to seeing you at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MFCC Weddings & Events Exhibition, at our Infinitely Xara stand (41C), where members of our team will show you the endless possibilities of making your dreams a reality.

Please contact us on +356 22 567 567 or 79 493 064 or email weddings@xaracollection.com

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