146 I IWD Weddings Abroad I Malta
Gemma & Keith’s Maltese Wedding With Sarah Young The Wedding Planner
Malta I IWD Weddings Abroad I 147 Sarah Young Wedding Planner www.weddingplannermalta.com
M
alta has no less than 365 churches
No wedding comes without a beautiful story,
weather and European cuisine were drawcards
scattered over the island, all steeped
and 4 years ago Gemma and Keith began theirs
for Irish and Australians alike.
in a wonderful history of religion,
on the sands of Australia’s Gold Coast.
politics and power. A stunning example of incredible Roman Catholic architecture is The
With a Maltese-English heritage and a passport
Parish Church of Balluta.
overflowing with visas from around the world, Gemma was no ordinary Aussie girl. She would require no ordinary wedding.
The Mediterranean Sea, fabulous weather and European cuisine were drawcards for Irish and Australians alike
Eternal gratitude goes out to Sarah Young, providing support from inception until the end
Luckily Keith was well aware of what he was decidedly throwing himself into by marrying this vivacious woman, and so the international
Being too busy with work to oversee the
planning began.
details, enter the incredible Maltese wedding planner without whom they would have been
Instead of the obvious choices, Australia or
lost! Eternal gratitude goes out to Sarah
Ireland, Gemma and Keith preferred their
Young, providing support from inception until
Spectacular archways form an entry to an event
wedding to be a complete experience for all 67
the end. Sarah was only ever an email away
that you will never forget, and provided the
guests from across the globe.
and every request was answered with options.
perfect setting for Gemma Catania and Keith
And Malta is a fabulous “halfway” mark
Her knowledge of Malta and her expertise in
Callanan to exchange their wedding vows.
between the two countries, however, more
organising weddings took all the stress out of
importantly the Mediterranean Sea, fabulous
the organising.
148 I IWD Weddings Abroad I Malta
With help from Sarah and her team, sightseeing
Keith also had reason to thank his own
The understated, vintage style dress with ivory
bus trips, evening cruises, hens and bucks
groomsmen for making sure he made it down
coloured lace touches made it back in plenty
events were arranged effortlessly for the guests
the aisle without an issue. His two brothers,
of time. Gold Coast designer Ann Wilson had
and the bridal party.
Gemma and the girls
Niall and Eanna Callanan were joined by Niall
painstakingly ensured the perfect fit and
indulged in Spa treatments, and cocktails in
Dolan and Brian Gilligan, and it must be said
Gemma could not have been a more stunning
the evening. Keith explained the finer points of
they were all looking extremely handsome in
bride.
golf to the men folk, followed by a little mischief
suits from a local suit hire company.
exploring the nightlife - with the groom battling a steady headache the morning after. With so many activities to choose from on Malta it was hard to keep track of everyone. The over excited bride decided she would certainly be able to indulge in a quick Scuba Dive on the morning before the wedding, surely it couldn’t be a bad idea, the weather was perfect. A
After the Catholic ceremony at the church of
Impeccably prepared vintage automobiles delivered the bridal party soon after and all were greeted with champagne, a string quartet
Balluta, guests were transported to a garden villa, where an elegant reception awaited. Impeccably
prepared
vintage
automobiles
delivered the bridal party soon after and all were greeted with champagne, a string quartet and relentless requests from photographers to capture every moment.
quick thinking sister and bridesmaid convinced Gemma that breakfast and make-up would take
Suitably
exhausted
from
the
evenings
up most of her morning. The Bridesmaids were
There was a last minute rush to have the all
celebrations, reconnections were made the
sisters, Zena Groom and Simone Catania, along
important wedding dress pressed in time,
following evening at the Irish Pub in St Julian’s.
with close girlfriends, Daniela Sivevski and
but even this momentary panic proved to be
A two piece Irish band gave the adventure a
Sara Forbes. The girls joined forces and held
unwarranted with a word of advice from the
finishing touch, providing a lead in to Irish folk
the over adventurous bride on dry land and
locals on where to send it for a professional fast
songs… ending sweetly, as they do, in the “wee
prevented any last minute catastrophes – Keith
turnaround.
hours” of the morning.
is still in their debt!