SPAIN’S
AUTUMN issUe - 2011
WEDDING Guide VillA
La GLorieta Fit for a princess
irish Bars in MarBeLLa
Pippa O’Connors Hen
cereMoNy
options a wEEkEnd
in Marbella! see inside
BeNAhAVis Jewel of Andalucia
EvErything
you nEEd for your perfect
PLan your wEdding wEEk
industry Secrets your expert guide to marrying in Spain
Relax it’s just a movie!
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The specialisT forphotos your
edding Wabroad photos
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Photography: David Toms - Design: gregkor.com - 7.11
GeT yoUr 10% discounT preSenTinG ThiS AdverT! · viSiT oUr webSiTe solwedding.com for More inforMATion
w
e are specialists in wedding photography, videography and luxury car hire. based in
Marbella on the Costa del Sol, we are a small team of perfectionists dedicated, to making your wedding abroad effortless and the most memorable day of your life. Sol Wedding offers its professional services to couples planning to marry in Spain, portugal, Gibraltar and also extends its services to weddings in the UK, ireland or france. At Sol wedding, we offer first-hand experience, sound expertise and state-ofthe-art equipment to ensure your wedding day is one to be cherished and remembered forever!
Urb. Albamar Golf 6 - 4 · Avenida del Sol · 29649 Mijas Costa · Málaga · Spain T: (+34) 952 93 44 78 · M: (34) 678 486 069 · info@solwedding.com
Vis i t o ur n ew we b s it e w w w.solwed d i ng.com
Editor’s letter Dear Readers, Welcome to spain’s Wedding guide, your ultimate A to Z directory for planning your wedding in spain. You will have a lot of shopping to do in your home country before travelling to spain, but it is the shopping for suppliers at the spanish end that we aim to make easier for you through the articles and information featuring in this magazine. Cover pHotoGrapHy Gary tapp
StaFF EDITOR Sue Danker sue@spainsweddingguide.com T: +34 622 087 222 PRODucTIOn & DEsIgn Gregory Korvin greg@spainsweddingguide.com www.gregkor.com T: +34 606 347 361 AccOmmODATIOn & TRAnsPORT
As the contributors to this magazine are all actively working in the wedding industry, we are on the ground at real weddings all year which means we can bring you up to the minute advice that will hopefully smooth the path for you and help you to avoid any pitfalls along the way. All of our featured advertisers have worked successfully in the wedding industry here for many years and come with glowing references. They are very happy to assist you with your plans and in contacting them directly, mentioning spain’s Wedding guide you will receive our VIP treatment. If you are now shopping for your 2012 wedding, we have some great deals available, and we are particularly excited about the addition of benahavis which features on pages 24 and 25. The stunning Villa La glorieta is a must see for those of you looking for the wow factor featured on pages 18 & 19. We have included real wedding stories from this year which will hopefully bring you some lovely ideas for your big day.
Howard Danker info@talk2howard.com Tel: +34 622 100 077
congratulations, you are now on the road to planning your perfect wedding in spain.
IRIsh OffIcE Jenny Stanford jenny@spainsweddingguide.com T:+353 86 2346963 cOnTRIbuTORs greg Korvin
Sue Danker sue@spainsweddingguide.com
Ronan maguire David Toms gary Tapp
www.spainsweddingguide.com i 3
Spain remains a predominantly Catholic country and for those of you who are lucky enough to want a catholic wedding ceremony, then your path has been made simple for you are entitled to a fully legal ceremony, in the church, with no need to visit a registry office separately.
Ceremony options Due to an international aGreement witHin tHe CatHoliC CHurCH, any catholic worldwide, is entitled to marry in a church in another country, provided the correct paperwork and procedures have been adhered to. Once the ceremony is finished, the paperwork from the church may be taken to the Registro civil, which will be the civil registrar closest to the church where you marry. It is there that an internationally recognised marriage certificate can be obtai4 i Spain’S wedding guide
ned with no fee and only a few short forms to be filled out. This is usually issued either immediately or within a couple of weeks from application. If one of you is catholic and the other is not, then it is still possible to have a catholic ceremony, but depending on the church and the strictness of the parish priest, conditions may be imposed for example communion may not be allowed. You should give the church or your wedding planner as much information about your religious background at the time of booking the church. These ceremonies
usually take place after 4pm, as the priests usually retire for siesta, where in many cases they actually go back to bed and many don’t like to allow ceremonies before 5pm! fees for a catholic church wedding can vary from one parish to another. most parishes require a donation or have a set fee of usually around ₏270. You should always ask when booking about the availability of an English speaking priest, as this could be an additional cost if one is not available in the parish where you are marrying.
A Civil Ceremony in Spain
Same Sex Marriages
As a general rule of thumb, the law in spain states that a couple must live in spain and be registered on the “Padron�, or voting register for two years prior to the wedding date to be allowed to marry in the civil registry. This means that for most couples, this is not an option, but there are alternatives. some wedding venues located in smaller towns have allowed the couples to register as residents in their hotel for example, and then they have used a rental agreement from the hotel to register with townhall and book their civil wedding. monda castle close to marbella is one such venue. many venues are now working closely with their local town halls, and it is likely that in our January issue, we will announce a list of new venues where civil ceremonies may be held without the two year residency stipulation.
same sex marriages are allowed in most parts of spain, however the same residency conditions apply as they do to heterosexual marriages, and so most couples in this case opt for either the gibraltar or blessing ceremony options. Although same sex legal partnerships have been allowed in the united Kingdom for some time, they were only introduced in Ireland in march 2010. Danny Ryan and fergal Johnston described their wedding in benalmadena in march 2011, as the best of both worlds. having originally booked their legal civil wedding in the uK, they transferred the legalities to Ireland with the introduction of the new civil Partnership laws. As Irelands first same sex couple to avail of this new legislation, they received great media attention, and a generous gift from renowned Dublin tailor Louis copeland of two suits which they wore for their civil ceremony in Ireland.
Blessing Ceremonies blessing ceremonies are a popular choice with up to fifty percent of couples choosing to marry in spain using this option. They are generally held outdoors in the grounds of a venue or on the beach, and may be religious or non-religious, just as the couple requires. They are popular for Jewish weddings where a rabbi can marry the couple outside under a chuppa, or a humanist or registry style ceremony can be tailor made with couples making promises and writing their own vows which are very personal and beautiful ceremonies.
Gibraltar Civil Wedding Ceremonies gibraltar can offer the perfect solution if you want a wedding in spain but would like to make your ceremony legal on the day, without having a separate church or blessing ceremony. gibraltar weddings are favoured by smaller weddings, divorced couples and older couples. In some cases, couples visit gibraltar the morning of their wedding with two witnesses, and return to spain to have an outdoor blessing ceremony in their venue with a larger group of guests. There are many stunning venues on offer in spain that are within a one hour drive of gibraltar. A civil marriage without residential qualifications is possible in gibraltar, by special Licence granted by the governor of gibraltar. A provisional booking can be made at any time, and will be held until 10.30 a.m. on the day immediately before that date. for example, if a booking is made 6 i Spain’S wedding guide
for Thursday 3rd of may it will be held until 10.30 am on Wednesday 2nd may. You must obtain your licence at least the day before your ceremony before 10.30am, but this step can take place any time within three months prior to your wedding. You will need to prove to the marriage Registrar that you and your spouse are free to marry, by producing the appropriate legal documents from your own country to prove that you are legally single at the time of marrying. When you have completed the paperwork you will be asked to pay the fees due which are as follows: governors special Licence £67.50, ceremony £34, certificates £3.50 each. A further charge of between £10-£20 may be payable for the services of a gibraltar commissioner for Oaths. All fees are payable in pounds sterling or gibraltar pounds.
Popular venues for this style of wedding in marbella include the El fuerte miramar hotel and the El fuerte Estepona hotel, both offering stunning views of the mediterranean and with private spaces available away from the public. most venues will offer a blessing ceremony package which will include a gazebo or floral archway, chairs with white chair covers and a red carpet for an average price of €500. A minister or priest will need to be hired at an additional charge usually ranging from €300 to €600. There are a few lucky venues such as the blue bay Resort in marbella that have chapels build onsite where you can have a blessing ceremony in a proper chapel which are usually former churches.
FUERTE weDDinG experience Weddings From
e50
per person
Hotel Fuerte miramar spa marbella
Hotel Fuerte estepona suites **** Catering for 50 to 200 guests Large modern hotel apartments from €65 per night Kids club available Close to 3 historic churches Beautiful gardens and beach for wedding ceremonies
• 10% discount for weddings from november to April, and from Sunday to Thursday • Start you honeymoon with a gift of 2 nights in bed & breakfast basis in Fuerte rompido Suites • One room for free for each 15 rooms served by your guests
Rafael Trujillo Morales Departamento de Grupos Groups Department grupos@fuertehoteles.com www.fuertehoteles.com Tel.: (+34) 952 920 018 Fax.: (+34) 952 860 034
Catering from 40 to 150 guests Walking distance of Marbella Old Town and Sea Front Walking distance to churches Terrace overlooking the sea for wedding ceremonies Beach club for day after BBQs Outdoor dining overlooking pool and sea Hotel rooms from €65 per night Kids club available
wedding of Donna & Paul
donna and paul from meath were married this year on the 1st of July in marbella. donna met paul in a local nightclub in meath back in 2006, where according to his best man´s speech he took immediate interest and quickly asked donna out on a date. after their first date in a restaurant, it was clear that love was blossoming. PhoTogrAPhy jereMy sTANley
8 i Spain’S wedding guide
Donna & Paul say I Do in the historical Encarnacíon church in Marbella old town. DOnnA’s PAREnTs OWn An APARTmEnT In sPAIn and the couple became regular visitors developing a great fondness for marbella. It was on one of these trips that Paul surprised Donna by proposing in a restaurant overlooking the sea, and Paul was relieved when she said “yes”. Donna knew exactly what she wanted for her wedding day when she went to look at churches and venues and hired spanish Dream Weddings to help her with the process. The couple wanted a great central location, nice views, good food and friendly staff. They visited five venues on their first viewing trip, they sent their parents on a second viewing trip, and on their third viewing trip, they were brought to the El fuerte mi-
ramar hotel in central marbella which was a new venue on the list offered by their wedding planners. from the start, impressions of the hotel were wonderful. They had previously settled on the five star Don carlos hotel, but the issue was as is the case with many spanish hotels, that the chef would not cater for a choice of main course on the day, which was very important to Donna and Paul. The El fuerte miramar immediately agreed to everything that the couple wanted in terms of menu and service, and from the menu tasting to the wedding day, staff were truly efficient, friendly and mannerly, and the quality and amount of food served on the day was magnificent.
The proximity of the hotel to the historic Encarnacion church, where they held their ceremony in marbella´s Old Town, meant that their guests could walk from the hotel to the church and back, eliminating the need for buses. Everyone loved the church, with its ornate gold alter and chandeliers. music in the church was provided compliments of two of the brides best friends who sang the most beautiful harmonies accompanied by the local church organist. On arrival back to the hotel guests were met with a champagne reception with an array of hot and hold canapés, cooked and presented to perfection.
This welcome reception took place on the east terrace of the hotel in the shade overlooking the mediterranean with traditional spanish musicians playing throughout. guests then moved to the pool area where the couple made a grand entrance into dinner with music from Johnny Tristram, once of this years X factor hopefuls and one of the costa del sol´s finest solo musicians. With the sea as a backdrop the night continued with more fine food, chocolate fountains and cup cakes. As the sun set, a beautiful 3 piece flamenco group got the guests and the bride and groom on their feet to learn some traditional steps and shake off
some of their dinner. more live music followed and the guests retired inside after midnight to dance the night away with the wonderful DJ Rob. Donna and Paul have waited until January to honeymoon in south Africa, but enjoyed a complimentary stay from the El fuerte group in their sister hotel fuerte Estepona suites. Asked if they would change a thing the couple commented, “Our wedding ceremony was beautiful and went off without a hitch. Everyone loved the church. The reception was fantastic. The amount of food & drink took everyone by surpri surprise and the wedding planner sue ue and the hotel staff were amazing, we would not change one thing”.
www.spainsweddingguide.com i 9
Add golf to your special day m the Costa del Sol is still without question europe’s number one golfing destination, a fact that tends to be overlook by almost every blushing bride and groom.
ronan Maguire owner Director ronan Maguire golf sl Mobile: 0034 618546108 www.golfthecosta.com www.liveandplay.eu www.claretgolf.com www.dendanskegolfhojskole.com
10 i S p a i n ’ S w e d d i n g g u i d e
ind you, this is hardly surprising when you consider the sheer volume of decisions both the wedding party and their planner have to make. from wedding cakes to bridal cars, receptions, flowers, ceremonies, in-laws, friends, food, drinks… the list just goes on and on, so why on earth would the happy couple even consider golf, or stop for one second to marvel at the magnificent golf infrastructure and the immense range of choice on offer for golfers visiting the costa del sol. however, just because the bride and groom are inundated and overwhelmed by the whole occasion, this doesn’t mean for one second that many of their guests, guests who have made long and arduous journeys to attend the special day, it’s more than likely that the lure of ‘costa golf ’ will be something in the forefront of their minds. In fact, for many golfers attending, denying them the opportunity to partake in their passion whilst visiting Europe’s golfing mecca is tantamount to torture and not something one should inflict on the golfers who are there to support and to ‘enjoy’ the happy occasion. The average wedding sees anywhere between fifty and two hundred people travelling to the costa del sol and many of these guests are interested in playing golf when here. This is something that should be considered in advance by the bride and groom,
as due to availability, it is often too late to organise this when everyone descends on the coast. Everything is possible if the request goes in on time, golfers don’t even need to bring their clubs anymore, all can be provided on arrival. Transfers to and from the golf course, golf clubs, post round food and beverages, all of these touches can be added and personalised if the request is made on time and booked in advance. Adding a golf event to your already special day, simply pre-empts peoples wishes and ticks the box for all of the golfers in your party. This doesn’t have to cost anything… Of course the bride and groom can offer the ultimate and pay in advance, but the norm would be to organise a day, at a much reduced price and golfers pay for themselves. gOLf the cOsTA (www.golfthecosta.com) have been operating and organising golf events on the costa del sol for almost five years now and have created a good working relationship with almost every club on the coast. All of the required services are in place and if golf is something you are thinking of including for your guests, gtc would be very happy to organise this on your behalf. for further information, please contact Ronan - ronan@golfthecosta.com or call 0034 618546108 and Ronan will be delighted to put it all together for you.
There is always a sense of tranquillity by the sea and couples looking to marry in spain are often searching for a more relaxed, less formal atmosphere. our most memorable weddings have taken place by the sea, with the sound of the waves breaking while guests dine al fresco, and the picturesque Mediterranean sky changing from clear blue, to pink and finishing with a beautiful sunset. PhoTogrAPhy DAViD ToMs
Magical Marbella BeaCH weddingS
I
f you are shopping for your wedding, chances are that you have been to many weddings in the past year, or are due to attend many in the same year as your own wedding, as your friends of the same age are all taking the plunge. Weddings at home although a lot of fun, are described by couples as being more of the same, a function room with carpet, average food and wine, and band, a DJ and a finishing time far earlier than they would like.
beachside weddings in spain are magical, and with the sea as your backdrop, natural outdoor beauty and flexible finishing times, your guests will leave with a lasting memory of your wedding that sets it apart from all others they have attended. casual photos on the beach, fireworks reflecting on the sea, sending wish lanterns into the sea, chinese sky Lanterns, are all added extras to finish the perfect beachside wedding.
Specialists in Weddings and Private Parties There are so many venues to choose from, your beachside location will often be dictated by your budget and there is certainly great value for money on offer now. We have recently added Le Papillon Restaurant located on the beach in East marbella near Elviria, to our list of recommended venues. This restaurant has elegant, colonial style décor, and offers two great outdoor terraces and a stylish dining room which can hold up to 100 guests. As the restaurant is English owned, the menus on offer for weddings consist of food that you will recognise and feel comfortable with, and their chef is always happy to help you create your own unique wedding menu. With menus starting at only €40 per adult, we highly recommend that you take a look and add Le Papillon to the top of your venue shopping list. In addition, their nearby heritage Resort offers accommodation so you can book your reception, and house your guests all while dealing with one central point of contact. Another great favourite of ours is Tikitano Restaurant, located on the beach between san Pedro and Estepona. Although the setting is by a public beach, it is in a largely residential area without hotels and the beach is generally quiet and feels very private. The restaurant itself is Polynesian in style, with high straw roofs and glass curtains which can be pulled back leaving the entire restaurant airy with views everywhere to the sea. Tikitano has the added advantage of owning the surrounding private gardens which include a pond area and a small tower ruin which adds to the romance and is a great setting for your photos. The quality of the food and service is five star at Tikitano. menus start at €100 and packages can be negotiated depending on your requirements.
This stunning beachside restaurant has elegant, colonial style décor, ocean views and beautiful, breathtaking mountain views. Le Papillon has a stylish dining room and glass conservatory. There is a log fire for the winter months and the glass terraces enable weddings and special events to take place at the beach restaurant all year round. We can cater for up to 100 guests for wedding receptions and private parties and for the evening events we can cater for 150 people at this fabulous restaurant. Accomodation can be arranged at Heritage Resorts for your wedding party.
Le PaPiLLon RestauRant & Beach cLuB Urbanización Marbesa · Carretera de Cádiz Km. 193 29604 Marbella · Málaga · Spain T: (+34) 952 834 113
www.restaurantepapillon.com www.spainsweddingguide.com
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i recently bumped in to irish model pippa o Connor in the new play wright Bar and restaurant in elviria where she was celebrating her hen party with a group of close friends including celebrity Virginia macari.
irish Style P
ippa and the girls had planned a few hours of pampering at halo, but when Pippa explained her schedule to me, it was partying and not pampering that was on the menu. The girls had chosen the perfect week to visit marbella, as the beach clubs were hosting their annual launch parties and they managed to fit in a visit to nikki beach and Ocean club. Their night in the Play Wright included dinner, followed by dancing as there is live music on 7 nights a week here. This is a great location for bringing your wedding guests for pre and post wedding celebrations, the food is heavenly, the staff are very friendly and on occasion they join in with the entertainers creating an electric atmosphere. We wish Pippa and brian many congratulations on the occasion of their wedding and hope to see them back in marbella soon.
The longer established big sister of the Play Wright is beckitts Restaurant located in central marbella. Owned by chef marc Quinlan, the menu offers the best steak and rack of lamb available which is refreshing as many of the spanish restaurants simply don’t get it when it comes to cooking meat. John Dory is another speciality and the 14 i S p a i n ’ S w e d d i n g g u i d e
Venues
most interesting food I have ever been offered here was tempura shark which was surprisingly delicate and tasty. beckitts is hugely popular with groups in the days surrounding the wedding. Its central location and large outdoor terrace make it an easy meeting point for wedding guests. They are also very accommodating and will allow music to be played and have been known to keep the bar open into the small hours especially for wedding parties. many Irish travelling to spain, particularly some of the older guests will ask for their nearest Irish bar, and in marbella they will not be left disappointed. We call it, “headquarters”, and find that in general, a crowd will find their nearest Irish bar and use it as base camp for their entire holiday. close to beckitts, and housed in the old but popular skol apartment block, you will find the famous claddagh Irish bar. This is a large bar with live music, sport and great prices. Daragh manages the bar and is a perfect host for groups of thirsty wedding guests. Just a short walk away is another of marbella’s finest Irish bars, callaghan’s, owned and run by Jenna callaghan from cork.
This is a great favourite with gAA fans and shows all major sporting fixtures. They have a large terrace area and will pre book your wedding parties, and food is available daytime and evenings by request. callaghans is a great favourite for their all day breakfast, and the occasional “lock in!”. If your wedding is located in the san Pedro or Estepona direction, The hogan stand is another great venue to use as your wedding week hQ. They have a music licence with live friday, saturday and sunday nights, and any other night by request. With screens throughout the bar, you will be able to watch all your sporting fixtures including rugby and gaelic. The bar offers a food menu, and their restaurant, Oscars, next door offers a lovely setting for a more formal event such as a rehearsal dinner. Keeping your guests happy without becoming their focal point for tourist information is very important. hanging out in an Irish bar, means that the staff are usually Irish but living locally, and can be a great source of information for your guests. The prices are generally reasonable and the food is what they are used to from home.
l a r g e
o u t d o o r
t e r r a C e
Hogan Stand Party Food
€5
per person
Celebrate your wedding parties, hen and stag parties, or simply join us to watCh all your favourite sporting events • In the heart of San Pedro, The Hogan Stand is great bar for party nights with live music Wednesday to Sunday • Close to Blue Bay Resort Hotel, Sisu Boutique Hotel and Hotel Guadalmina • 5 Minutes drive from Puerto Banus Oscars Restaurant next door offers a more formal dining experience with prime Irish fillet steak and rack of lamb on the menu. For reservations call 0034 952 786231 or email thehoganstand@live.com www.thehoganstand.net or find us on facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hogan-Stand-San-Pedro
Wedding
week plans
Spanish weddings are not just wedding days, they are more often “wedding weeks”, with you and your guests celebrating over the course of seven days.
I
f you are organised and book your wedding well in advance, giving guests sufficient notice, means they can make your wedding their main sun holiday, visiting for one or even two weeks. sending our a save the Date card, even before you have finalised all of your arrangements, can allow your guests time to avail of early booking deals on flights and accommodation, and will ensure that they don’t go ahead and book their main summer holiday before hearing about your wedding.
It is a wonderful experience to holiday with your closest family and friends. It is very useful to plan certain events long before you travel as huge groups may not be catered for if you simply turn up at a restaurant or bar. If you can possibly find the time in the middle of your planning, work out an itinerary for the week, basing it on your guest’s arrival times and the location of where they are all staying. The trick is to make is as easy as possible for them.
The Village Inn
This doesn’t mean that the bride and groom have to attend all of the events, but the guests know where to go and the atmosphere remains lovely and relaxed during their holiday. Outdoor bbQs or hog roast parties are very popular, for the day after the wedding. some venues like the hotel Tamisa golf and the El fuerte hotel offer a package which includes the wedding and a bbQ the day after. both of these locations offer great rates on accommodation, making life very easy for your guests.
G.T. Mckenna For all your after and before wedding Barbecues, come to G.T.Mckenna, your Irish family Butcher
We can provide Steaks, burgers, sausages, chops, ribs All plain or in one of our special sauces BBQ, Sweet & Sour, Curry and Mint All freshly prepared
Join us for a fun evening of BBQ and Flamenco Large Typical Andalucian Square
Near Elviria and 10 minutes by taxi from central Marbella
Catering for up to 150 guests For your reservation call +34 952 835731
or email your reservation to sue@spanishdreamweddings.com
Tel/fax: +34 952 930 351 C.C. Los Jarales 3, Calahonda Km.197 www.gtmckenna.com
As villa weddings are increasing in popularity, pre and post wedding parties are often hosted at the villa and the trick for these is planning your suppliers well in advance. Delegation is key as a bride and groom should not have to bother with anything domestic during their wedding week, and aunties and mums are great helpers and most will love to be involved. A shopping list can be drawn up and
emailed in advance, for collection on arrival. for example, The Irish butchers located in calahonda, offers a special bbQ pack which includes a range of meats and sauces, and depending on your location they will also deliver. Drinks are very cheap to buy in the supermarket, but items like beer kegs with taps, ice machines and glasses can all be hired quite easily. Other activities that can be arranged
Where your dream wedding becomes a reality
can include night club VIP bookings, trips to water parks, and beach club bookings in the likes of nikki beach or buddha beach in Puerto banus. Throw in a wedding website, where your guests can download all of this information in advance, and you will have a wonderful wedding week, stress free, that you will remember for the rest of your life.
Tamisa Hotel Tamisa Golf
Your Dream WeDDinG aT THe Tamisa HoTeL The Tamisa is a small, cosy Hotel set in magical peaceful surroundings. The adjacent golf course provides an awesome backdrop, the perfect venue for your wedding.
Hotel Tamisa Golf Camino Viejo de Coin Km 3.3 mijas Costa, 29649, m谩laga, sPain Tel: +34 952 585 988 Fax: +34 952 663 893
Visit our new website for more details www.hoteltamisagolf.com www.spainsweddingguide.com i 17
gregkor.com -08.11
W e d d i n g s 路 Pa r t i e s 路 s P e c i a l e v e n t s
our professional team of experienced staff will ensure that every detail is attended to, allowing you to relax and enjoy your Wedding Day.
Villa
La Glorieta
Villa La glorieta is without doubt the most opulent villa we have had the pleasure of working with to date. PhoTogrAPhy gAry TAPP AfTER An InVITATIOn fROm ThE OWnERs TO AcT As ThEIR EXcLusIVE WEDDIng PARTnERs, we were inspired to show the venue at its best and arranged a photo shoot with the cooperation of a wonderful team of professionals which included our model cristina, hair and make up by halo hair and beauty, and vintage couture bridal wear by barbara Webber.
Located near Puerto banus and marbella, this private resort offers facilities to be rivalled by nearby five star hotels, and can be hired exclusively for weddings and events. Offering accommodation for up to twenty guests, every concierge service imaginable can be arranged, and for guests requiring extra security, the villa is equipped with camera systems which can be viewed on the clients phone. With simple but dramatic elegance, the interior of the house is decorated with elaborate furnishings set against a largely neutral background. The dining room is perfect for hosting a pre wedding dinner, and former us celebrity chef mikey will design any menu desired to perfection.
18 i S p a i n ’ S w e d d i n g g u i d e
If Buckingham Palace was not available for Kate and William, and they dreamed of a Spanish wedding, we have no doubt that
La Glorieta
Villa weddings
they would have chosen Villa La Glorieta. They wouldn’t be the first royals to stay here, but we cannot divulge client names!
A second house on the property boasts a moorish style spa with plunge pool and steam room. Outside bbQs can be prepared in the outdoor kitchen and served on the terrace. The second lawn area is cleverly designed on a slope, which leads down to a large swimming pool, and can be transformed into an outdoor cinema at nighttimes. A large cinema screen lowers from behind the pool which adds dramatic effect and parties have often finished with guests in the pool watching mTV, or simply curling up on the lawn watching a bogart movie. The basement houses an indoor cinema, a bodega and a pool table with bar. An elevator can take you to the top floor where a private apartment leads to a rooftop terrace where private but spectacular views of marbella can be enjoyed.
The perfectly manicured lawn area is flat and ideal for banquets of up to 250 guests seated. for those seeking shelter from the sun, the main sitting room area pictured above offers both modern décor and decadent upholstery where guests can mingle in a cooler atmosphere.
We couldn’t recommend this property more if you are in search of an exclusive five star wedding in a private location, away from the hustle and bustle of busy hotels.
shoot styling: sue Danker +34 622 087 222, Photography: gary Tapp info@yourweddingmoments.com, hair and make up: halo hair and beauty info@halosalons.com +34 952 865 796, model: cristina at Target models, Dress & Accessories: Vintage couture by barbara Webber for hire or purchase through spanish Dream Weddings.
Pricing is available on request and visits to the villa should be booked through sue at spanish Dream Weddings, sue@spanishdreamweddings.com, +34 951 775 770 www.spainsweddingguide.com i 19
Diary
of a wedding planner spain is a wonderful place to get married, and with only a two and a half hour plane journey from ireland to Malaga, it offers sunshine, beautiful venues and a holiday atmosphere for your wedding that is hard to beat. i have met some couples who started out wonder ing if a wedding planner was really necessary; after all, a lot of information is available on the internet.
h
ere is a story that may convince you to hire a wedding planner, if only to give you peace of mind should anything go wrong. On a hot, sticky August morning, I set out for a mijas wedding. my first stop was to the brides hotel in Torremolinos to see if she was okay and make sure that the hair and makeup team had arrived. I then set off to mijas, to meet the decoration team and make sure that the restaurant set up was all in order. Ticking off my checklist as I went along, I got that nervous feeling that I always get on wedding days when things are running smoothly, always wondering at the back of my mind “have I forgotten something”. The restaurant was perfect so I headed back to Torremolinos to meet the florist and deliver the bridal flowers. At about 2pm, the girls were almost ready and the guests were assembling in the hotel lobby to board the coach for the 20 minute journey to mijas. my colleague was posted at the church to meet musicians and greet the guests as they arrived, I was en route now to marbella to collect my good friend fr claudio who had agreed to officiate the service as a special favour, and howard was with guests to board the coach with them. The ceremony was due to begin at 3pm, right in the
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middle of siesta time. It was about 38 degrees, and all of mijas with the exception of our wedding was asleep. As I approached mijas, I called mary at the church to check that the parish priest had arrived and had the papers for the wedding. It was now 2.30pm and the guests were on the way. “Is everything in order up there”, I asked her, fully expecting a yes. “sue” she said nervously, “the church is open but the lights are off, and there is no sign of the parish priest”. “give it another five minutes and call me again, he is probably on the way”. five minutes later, the bride is also in the car on the way, mary called, “sue, still no sign and now the guests have arrived and they are inside the church in the dark”. “Run down to his house and bang the door down, he must have gotten the times mixed up”. Damit, now I was panicked. I arrived with fr claudio at 2.45pm, and he explained that without the proper vestments which were locked away in the church, that he would not be allowed to perform the wedding. he phoned the bishops office to seek special permission and a copy of the papers. At this point, the bridal car was driving up the hill towards the church. 2.55pm, “Oh god, what to do”. I remember looking down and seeing fr claudio’s shoes and thinking I may
throw up on them at any minute. I ran to the photographer’s car and told him to distract the bride by taking lots of photos. I then roared at howard and mary to split up and knock on every single door in the village until we found the parish priest. I had to inform the groom who was now pacing up and down inside the church with a red face and shaking hands. At 3.15pm, the tiny parish priest appeared running with papers in his hands and entered the side door of the church. I calmly walked the bride to the front door , queued the music and sent her off up the aisle like lightening. The priest had been asleep, thinking the ceremony was at 4pm. One of the locals who cleaned for him and managed to enter his house and wake him up. The bride didn’t know anything until the speeches later that night, and the groom thanked me for the small beta blocker I had given him from my little bag of tricks to stop the shaking. I can´t say we have seen it all, because we are in spain, and they sometimes do things that simply don’t make sense. however, our experience means that as your wedding planners, in the event of a crisis, we will make sure we sort it out and the bride will be the very last to know!
Wedding & Event SpecialiStS
MEntiOn SPainS WEDDing guiDE anD rECEiVE a 10% DiSCOunt!
YOur WEDDing · YOur DESign · Our ExPEriEnCE · Exclusive bespoke weddings throughout the Costa del Sol · Private Villa Wedding Specialists · Marbella and Dublin Offices
www.spanishdreamweddings.com
· Catering & Decoration Services
Call Marbella: +34 951 775 770 Dublin +353 86 2646963 info@spanishdreamweddings.com
Owen farrell phOtOgraphy artistic wedding phOtOgraphy marbella spain
Owen is an artistic and creative wedding phOtOgrapher Originally frOm dublin, Owen is based full time in marbella available tO shOOt weddings all Over spain, ireland & internatiOnal lOcatiOns spain 0034 670664341
ireland 00353872682832
info@owenfarrellphotography.com
www.owenfarrellphotography.com/blog www.owenfarrellphotography.com
Choosing your entertainment WE ADVIsE ThAT bEfORE YOu shOP fOR YOuR EnTERTAInmEnT, consider the theme and atmosphere you hope to achieve and follow this through your whole day. continuity is key, so try to avoid gaps in your day where without music, or the day could go flat. If you are on a budget, look at your
guest list and see if there are any talented guests that could contribute to your wedding day by offering their musical talents as their wedding gift. choose well recommended musicians and visit them if possible when you are here in spain to see them play and check out their references online. All of the entertainers featured in the-
se pages have worked in the wedding industry here in spain and come with excellent references. mention this magazine when booking and you will receive a €50 discount! halo hair and Beauty Tel:+34 952 865 796 info@halosalons.com www.halosalons.com
The Frank and dean Show bringS claSS elegance and Fun To every evenT! Martin Joseph and Dave Lee’s elegant, romantic style and amazing vocal performance will add a touch of sheer class to your wedding day! Martin and Dave have become the number one choice to perform at weddings in Southern Spain. Their delivery of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin has to be seen and heard to be believed! With a seamless blend of romance and swing, combined with the ability to deliver an electrifying dance set to fill the floor from start to finish, Martin and Dave are the preferred choice of wedding planners and events organisers for weddings in Spain, the UK and Ireland.
Call: +34 678 952 270 or +34 666 405 819 info@frankanddeano.com • www.frankanddeano.com
MUSIBODAS Exquisite selection of Live Classic Music for Weddings and Events
A touch of luxury and elegance to your Event. LIVE MUSIC for the Ceremony and the Reception.
Classical Music for Weddings & Events Costa del Sol - Mรกlaga laura@quintetoiberclasico.com http://classicalmusicweddings.weebly.com T: +34 660 75 32 46 Laura Sรกnchez
Benahavís lies in one of the most privileged locations in the south of Spain, surrounded by the peaks of the Sierra Blanca mountain, next to the Sierra de ronda and in the heart of the Costa del Sol. Benahavís is a real paradise of nature, and only a few kilometres from marbella and fifteen minutes from the famous puerto Banus. the town of Benahavís is a typical andalusian white village with winding streets and is a famous gastronomic hub of the south. PhoTogrAPhy gAry TAPP
Benahavis Benahavis has something to offer every for type of wedding. catholic ceremonies can take place in the village church of Our Lady of the Rosary. A retired English speaking priest who lives in the village is happy to conduct ceremonies for foreign couples. for blessing ceremonies, there a few options depending on what the size of the wedding is. for example, the moorish style Amanhavis hotel has a pretty courtyard or roof terrace for blessing ceremonies for up to forty guests. for something completely different, in the centre of town a perfectly manicured park contains a small ruin and an amphitheatre, both offering a unique setting for your blessing 24 i S p a i n ’ S w e d d i n g g u i d e
ceremony and all that is asked for is a small donation to the town hall to assist in the maintenance of this beautiful location. The gran hotel in the centre of town is built in a cortijo style and has 95 spacious bedrooms. It can cater for weddings and functions from 30 to 400 guests. Options for celebrating a wedding ceremony in the hotel include their outdoor shaded courtyard, or for evening ceremonies, their pool area has great views of the entire village and mountains. A welcome cocktail can be held on a terrace or in the gardens, and the meal can be held indoors in their banqueting room or for smaller weddings on one of the terraces or in
the molino Restaurant. With prices from €45 per person, and room rates from €70 per room, this venue comes highly recommended by spanish Dream Weddings for 2012. A wedding week package can be arranged, which can include activities such as the famous “River Run”, pre wedding dinners in the town square, football matches on the local astro park, golf lessons with the village pro golfer, beach trips to bora bora and heaven beach, and Irish nights in the spanish Arch. If you are looking for something a little bit different for your wedding, at a great price and full of class, then this quaint little village will give you a wedding to remember.
The Spanish Arch TrAdITIonAL IrISh BAr
home from home in Benahavis Village
All sports shown LIVE! Football rugby & G.A.A ‘A taste of home’ Full menu from June The Spanish Arch Open Tuesday to friday 5pm till close Saturday - Sunday 11am till close T: +34 622 320 338 Calle Monte Mayor, 1 Benahavis (bottom of main street next to Ruffino’s Restaurant)
Live music on Saturday nights Poker “Texas Thursdays” from 8pm. Pool table. Breakfast at weekends Taking party bookings. www.spainsweddingguide.com i 25
Accommodation when you are shopping around for your ideal wedding venue in Spain, at the back of your mind you should always consider your guests, and what they will look for during their stay in Spain. after all, your wedding will not be complete without your family and friends in attendance and you need to think about where they will stay, making it as cost effective and convenient as possible in order to encourage them to make the trip.
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options
Y
our guests will either come for a long weekend, or make your wedding the excuse for their main family holiday, visiting for one or even two weeks. As weddings usually take place in mid to high season, it is important to advise your guests to book their accommodation early. using your wedding planner where possible, it is advisable to block book a number of rooms either in your venue or close to your venue, with a specially discounted rate. hotels will usually allow you to book thirty or forty rooms, and will give you a release date after which time the rooms will be placed back on their system for public sale.
some of the smaller hotels will offer you the facility to book all of their rooms and therefore take over the hotel which offers you great flexibility when it comes to making noise and arranging pre and post wedding parties. The hotel Tamisa golf in mijas is a great example and is hugely popular for this reason. A small hotel with 22 bedrooms, many weddings book out the hotel entirely for three nights at a great rate of â‚Ź90 per night b&b for a standard double room. They can also book 2 bedroom apartments for families in the next door complex which means that all of your guests whatever their needs can be catered for.
You should always advise your guests to book either through your assigned agent or with the hotels directly, as many of the large online hotel booking agents have gone out of business in the last few years. We always advise that you offer your guests a few choices of accommodation that will suit all budgets. It is also important to consider those guests who will be travelling with children, and any guests who may carry a disability who would have special requirements. Apartments that are listed on large websites such as www.
ownersdirect.co.uk can offer great deals as you are booking with the owner direct and therefore avoiding any agent’s fees. however, the proximity to the resort of wedding venue can often be misleading in these listings, and guests can find themselves taking taxis in and out each evening adding to their costs which you really want to avoid if possible. The best we can recommend is that you do your research and either via your wedding planner or a local agent, that you assign a local representative to manage the accommo-
dation side of your spanish wedding, and give their contract details to all of your guests which will avoid a lot of additional stress for the bride and groom. A wedding website is also highly recommended and all of the accommodation listings that you have negotiated or are recommending, can be put on your website. This website address can then be printed on save the date cards and invitations and this will avoid situations where your guests keep contacting you for information on accommodation and wedding details.
for hotel and apartment bookings and wedding guest group management contact howard danker at www.talk2howard.com, info@talk2howard.com or call +34 622 100 077
Our guests are our main focus, and we are available throughout the booking process and during your holiday, offering total peace of mind and relaxation.
hoWArD DANker Director
www.talk2howard.com is a holiday rental company based in Marbella. established on the costa del sol since 2007, howard takes great satisfaction in offering the personal touch
email your requirements to info@talk2howard.com or call direct to 0034 622100077
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talk2howard.com We provide a Wide selection of exclusive holiday rentals from marbella to nerja, such as apartments, townhouses, penthouses and villas. Anything from smaller apartments to large and unique villas. At Talk2howard, your guest list can be managed to ensure that guests are placed in suitable accommodation, and our representatives on the ground are available should problems arise with bookings before or during your stay. On our website, www.talk2howard. com you can find the accommodation you are looking to rent near beaches,
golf courses, and in quieter rural areas. We have rental properties in the centre of marbella, on the golden mile, in san Pedro de AlcĂĄntara, in benahavis and in the buzz of Puerto banus, in benalmadena, fuengirola right down to the Old Town of nerja. The properties we include are private luxury villas, townhouses, apartments large and small and a good range of prices. We can also arrange group bookings with most of the major hotels on the costa del sol. This company can cater for all your travel needs while in spain offering services including transport, golf trips, excursions and cruises from malaga.
Townhouse for rent
PenTHouSe for renT Penthouse for rent In central marBella 3 Bedrooms, 3 bathrooms modern style www.talk2howard.com Panoramic 360 views of marbella 5 minutes walk to the beach Ideal for honeymoons or wedding groups suitable to hold small wedding dinners up to 40 people on terraces
Home
from Home in the Sun
3 Bedroom - 4 Bathroom townhouse modern with fantastic roof terrace with BBQ and hot tub two sitting room areas & comfortable terrace off main sitting room Irish sky chanells including rte & tV3
ref:00125
www.talk2howard.com
Santa Maria - Elviria This lovely Two bedroom ground floor aparTmenT is air conditioned and very spacious as it was originally a three bedroom property. The property is 10 years old, located on one of the best developments on the Costa. Complex is security gated and is set in well maintained tropical gardens with water feature and wildlife. The apartment benefits from a large sunny private garden (south west facing), and terrace of 50 sq mts. A large underground parking space, access by elevator to apartment. There is an alarm system for added security. There are several swimming pools with sunbeds and showers.
Property to rent Within walking distance, are local shops and several restaurants. Santa Maria golf and country club attached to this complex offers an excellent 18 hole golf course, tennis courts and two bowling greens where equipment maybe hired and professional tuition available. The uniqueness of this beautiful apartment is that it was specially designed by the disabled owner which meets the needs of all disabled clients. Special features include an ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower with seat, an electric bed and reclining armchair - all doors are 90 cms wide.
Ref:000115 Tel: +34 622 100 077 Email: info@talk2howard.com
www.talk2howard.com
Ciara & Paul on the 19th of September 2010, Ciara Coyle and paul Hogan sealed their love in the beautiful church of el Salvador in nerja. PhoTogrAPhy kris McgUirk
flowers were delivered to the boys and then to the girls and and in no time at all the bridal car had arrived to take ciara and her father to the church.
wedding
bridal preparations took place in a stunning villa called casa mya. The atmosphere was very relaxed (as the boys were getting ready elsewhere!), and the girls enjoyed the great sea view while they prepared hair and make up and sipped cava.
ciara´s bouquet was of simple ivory roses in a hand tied cluster, tied with the teal ribbon she had provided to coordinate with the bridesmaids dresses.
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Wedding Banquet Courgette Risotto, mushrooms and mascarpone with roasted king prawns and mild tarragon cream **** Melon with Parma Ham **** Fillet Beef with dauphiness potato, asparagus and carrot with red wine gravy **** Dessert Wedding Cake
ciara´s bridesmaids had organised beautiful ivory and teal feather pew bows which they arranged to tie on just before the mass began. unfortunately, the parish priest was suffering with a very bad flu, and a grumpy head, and demanded that they
were instantly removed. In addition he demanded a last minute meeting with the wedding planner, warning that if he smelled any alcohol off the couple, that he had the authority not to marry them. bE WAR nED fuTuRE nERJA bRIDEs!
guests were whisked back to the beautiful hotel La Viñuela, to a cocktail reception in the gardens which overlook the La Viñuela resovoir in Velez, just outside nerja.
Recently distinguished as Best Rural Hotel in the province of Malaga 2006, the hotel La Viñuela is one of the maximum exponents of the considered ‘Hotels with charm’ of Andalusia. The Hotel is located in a natural environment of unequal beauty, next to the Lake La Viñuela, with wonderfull views as well to the Nature Reserve of Almijara and Sierra Tejeda, with their most important montain La Maroma. Since 1999 we have carried out succesfully the celebrations of weddings in our reception rooms, which have been chosen for lots of couples to celebrate one of the most important day in their lives: THE DAY OF THEIR WEDDING. We have several facilities for the celebration of the events, together with the unequalled beauty of the building and the details of the decoration. Furthermore we have a private parking and 15.000 square meters of gardens, where there is the possibility to celebrate the bleassing with the collaboration of the Town Hall from La Viñuela.
gregkor.com -08.11
HOTEL LA VIÑUELA
Carretera de Vélez-Málaga Alhama, 29712 La Viñuela, Málaga, Costa del Sol, Andalucía (Spain) Telf. +34 952 519193 Fax +34 952 519282 comercial@hotelvinuela.com www.hotelvinuela.com
www.spainsweddingguide.com i 31
Whatthe bride said linda and Des who married on the 21st of May this year in Mijas, met on Friday 13 oct 2006 in 4 Dame lane, Dublin.
“Hi Sue, I wanted to drop you a note to say thank-you for making our wedding day the perfect day for us. From the moment we met you we knew we wanted to work with you to organise our wedding day. And that first day you showed us our dream venue - the villa was just perfect for us. We fell in love with it’s Spanish charm and beautiful gardens immediately. You also helped us find the perfect church for us, just the right size, with beautiful views and a lovely little Spanish village a minute’s walk away where we all went for a drink after the ceremony. On the day the villa looked absolutely beautiful, the courtyard was set up beautifully for our intimate welcome reception and our evening meal in the garden. The caterers were amazing. From first thing the morning of the wedding they were buzzing around getting everything set up and on arrival back after the mass their friendly team of staff were on hand to provide glasses of Cava, Canapés and smiles to all our guests as they arrived. Thanks for the hundreds of jobs you did in the background which happened without us even having to think about it - our marriage paperwork and licence, arranging a lovely priest to marry us, making all the payments on the day, giving us contact details of wholesalers for our next day BBQ, printing table plans, organising coaches and numerous tastings for us!!! Also thanks for organising Tiko to come up on the day and do our hair - he did a wonderful job while charming us throughout the morning. Our day would not have been complete without David Toms, who not only is the most amazing photographer; he also offered us advice throughout the day which helped keep us both calm and smiling all day long. Thank-you for recommending David, we are grateful to have had his with us on the day. We could not have had the perfect day we both imagined without your help and support. You gave us some many great ideas and recommendations, you worked so hard to find exactly what we wanted and you answered my unimaginable number of questions. Thank-you so much for working with us to make our day the perfect day for us, Linda and Des
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StyliSh Modern Salon in Central Marbella halosalons.com
“Bridal perfection guaranteed”
We can provide you with a hair and beauty program to help you glow on your wedding day. This Irish owned and managed salon will keep a wedding file for you and your guests, including all necessary hair and beauty treatments. We offer Marbella´s best stylists to create stunning bridal hair, and our make up artists offer modern techniques using only the best brands of make up.
Full servIces avaIlaBle IncludIng: • Hair styling and coloring • Hair extensions • skin and body treatments • nails including shellac sInce 2005 Our experience is your peace of mind
www.facebook.com/halo
Call for an apointment +34 952 865 796 info@halosalons.com · www.halosalons.com
Security abroad
Spain is a wonderful place to visit, but as always when on holidays and in an unfamiliar place, it is advisable to operate with a little more caution than usual when it comes to minding your belongings and looking after yourself on a night out. Having witnessed first hand a number of crimes happen to our client’s guests during the course of their stay, the following tips may help to keep you safe, or deal better with situations if they arise:
• Always carry your passport with you. This is law in spain. • If a crime happens, contact your countries embassy or consulate immediately. • If you or a guest is arrested, you are entitled to ask for a translator in a police station. • You are entitled to one phone call if arrested. make sure to call somebody within reach of the location where you have been taken. • Keep your handbag on your knee when stopping at bars and restaurants. • girls are used to watching their drinks and taking taxis in groups, we advise men to do the same. When on holidays and drinking a bit more than usual, people can get into tricky situations, and without the language these situations can escalate easily. If you run into trouble and need assistance, you can call spanish Dream Weddings and we will recommend a course of action and put you in touch with the appropriate authorities.
Spence Clarke & Co ChArtered ACCountAntS
Established in marbella 1985
As you can see, we have been here many years, the fact we are still here implies we pretty much know what we are doing!
So, if you have any questions concerning tax in spain, whether for property ownership, business or just living in spain, please come and see us. Let our wedding gift to you be our expertise. For all questions concerning spanish tax matters, please contact michael egan on: michael@spenceclarke.com or phone: +34 952 82 2943 Check us out at: www.spenceclarke.com
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10 minutes from Puerto banus and marbella
VILLA LA GLORIETA ExcLusIVE REsORT - mARbELLA
An extraordinary location to celebrate saying “I do” The beautiful Villa La Glorieta can be “Exclusively Yours” for your wedding day. We offer elegant setting for just you, your family and guests.
OuT dOOr FaciliTieS a large outdoor swimming pool large outdoor cinema. Tennis court.
The Villa offers full services to your comfort and convenience with personalized services in a romantic and unforgettable setting. We offer services for everything from catering, flowers, cakes, music, photography, videography, full service menu, audio/visual needs and much more. ServiceS available include: • daily change of linen and house keeping • Full laundry Service • dry cleaning • Professional private chef • butler • nanny services • Massage Therapy • beauty Therapies • Personal trainer • Security - basic to presidential-level security • Helicopter Service • boat services • airport Transfer
indOOr FaciliTieS air conditioning in all rooms SOund Music system adSl and WiFi for internet use The property has 14 plasma Tv’s an indoor cinema wired to three satellite dishes offers a full range of european/asian/arabic and russian channels. all the rooms have internal intercom and phone access.
SecuriTY SYSTeMS The two properties have separate alarm systems and is fully covered by security cameras viewed from any Tv within the house. There are security gates which can be connected to the tenant’s phone, allowing easy access and allowing user to view the cameras at all times
Our exclusive wedding partners Spanish Dream Weddings are available by appointment to show you this wonderful location and discuss your individual wedding requirements. Prices are only available on application due to the personal and exclusive nature of this venue. Call Sue Danker on +34 622 087 222 or email sue@spanishdreamweddings.com
Situated in Central Marbella under The Skol Apartments
The Claddagh Irish Bar
“Where wedding parties like to meet” • Sport on 4 large screen TVs • Showing all GAA, Rugby, Soccer, Golf etc •Live Music Every Night • Host pre and post wedding parties • Finger food for group bookings • Cocktails and a great pint of Guinness
Visit www.thecladdaghirishbar.com · info@thecladdaghirishbar.com or call Daragh Roche on +34 952 779 537