Confeti Autumn 2016

N Sweet Endings

DELIGHTFUL

DESSERTS

Aisle Style AT BARCELONA BRIDAL WEEK

I

AUTUMN 2016

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Your Wedding

Checklist

NURIT HEN

Exclusive Profile

Pets & Weddings YOUR BEST FRIEND

THEME YOUR DAY

Vintage Style MOTHERO FT HE BRIDE - GOOD HAIR DAY-

& THE BIG DAY

Galia Lahav EXCLUSIVE PHOTOSHOOT

AT VILLA DEL MAR

Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicated wedding bible

s u n b o r n g i b r a lta r wedding show 21 – 22 march from 11:00 a place to find yo u r d r e a m w e d d i n g

s u n b o r n g i b r a lta r , o c e a n v i l l a g e m a r i n a p h o n e + 3 5 0 2 0 0 1 6 2 0 0 | s u n b o r n g i b r a lta r . c o m

Autumn 2016

N Sweet Endings

DELIGHTFUL

DESSERTS

Aisle Style AT BARCELONA BRIDAL WEEK

I

AUTUMN 2016

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Your Wedding

Checklist

NURIT HEN

Exclusive Profile

Pets & Weddings YOUR BEST FRIEND

& THE BIG DAY

THEME YOUR DAY

Vintage Style MOTHERO FT HE BRIDE

Galia Lahav EXCLUSIVE

- GOOD HAIR DAY-

PHOTOSHOOT

AT VILLA DEL MAR

Stephanie Allin, Bellissimo Collection

Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicated wedding bible

Features, advice, tips, ideas and suggestions to help arrange THE PERFECT WEDDING IN SPAIN AND GIBRALTAR

Awesome autumnal accessories

12 Theme your Day

Opt for vintage with our style guide

14 Aisle Style

Barcelona Bridal Week

18 Bellisima Bride

Stephanie Allin’s highly acclaimed 2017 Bellissmo Collection.

28 Designer Profile

Exclusive interview with leading Israeli designer Nurit Hen

36 Grace, Grandeour & Galia

Exclusive Photoshoot at Villa del Mar, showcasing Galia Lahav’s latest collections, Le Secret Royal and Gala 2.

47 Beauty The Test Factor

Today’s best bridal cosmetics

48 Mob Rules

Styling the mother of the bride by Reflections’ celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Yeadon

Staff PUBLISHER Andy Clark andy@iconpublishing.es FEATURES EDITOR Sinead Blairs sinead@iconpublishing.es CREATIVE TEAM Constanza Martínez constanza@iconpublishing.es Alma Roda Ros alma@iconpublishing.es

Fashion 10 Confeti Loves

Cover Photo: Photography: Joanna Kustra Model: Dominique Forsström Dress: Galia Lahav Hair & Make up: Ella Megan Ogilvie Venue: Villa del Mar

52 Engagement Sories Update The latest on summer’s proposals

54 Real Weddings

Inspiration from CONFETI brides.

Details 82 Wedding Planner Countdown Keeping the big day on track

86 Hen Party Heaven

Make sure yours is one to remember

88 Wedding Desserts

Sweet alternatives to the traditional wedding cake

94 Pets & Weddings

Include your best friend in your big day

102 CONFETI’s News

Enter CONFETI’s confetti competition!

104 CONFETI’s Address Book

The best professionals, specialists and services

SALES EXECUTIVE Tav Macdougall EDITORIAL TEAM Eleanor McKenzie, KJ Elsdon, India Baltran.

CONTRIBUITORS Natasha Johnson, Padre Peter, Nicola McGeorge, Jonathan Yeadon

All enquiries, please call: +34 600 812 418 or email enquiries@iconpublishing.es The views and opinions expressed by contributors to CONFETI may not represent the views and opinions of the publishers.

Icon Publishing takes no responsibility for claims made in advertisements or advertorials in this magazine. No part of CONFETI may be reproduced or copied in any way without the prior written consent of Icon Publishing.

106 Love, Love, Love This Eva Longoria ties the knot

www.confetimagazine.com

· B A R E F O OT A N D B L A C K-T I E C E R E M O N I E S O N T H E S H O R E S O F T H E M E D I T E R R A N E A N · · spectacular views · 5 star service · exquisite cuisine · Kosher Services · Indian Weddings · luxury accommodation · expert in-house wedding planner ·

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W

ith the sun setting on a blissful summer wedding season, the rich and romantic autumn is upon us with its beautiful colours and is sure to get you in mood for love! We have seen some stunning ceremonies this summer, with more couples than ever choosing the south of Spain as the venue for their destination wedding. If you have recently got engaged and have decided on the sunny Costa del Sol for your special day, then look no further! Our Autumn Issue is brimming with, not only all the information you need to plan your wedding here, but also exclusive photo shoots and inspiration from all over the world.

In this autumn inspired issue, the CONFETI team is excited to bring you an exclusive editorial that took place right here in Marbella at the luxurious Marbella Club’s private villa, Villa del Mar. We were privileged to receive haute couture

gowns from the hottest bridal designer in the world right now, the one and only Galia Lahav, from her two latest collections.

Le Secret Royal and Gala 2. We love the decadent front cover! See pages 36-43 for the rest of the exclusive photos from our simply stunning editorial.

CONFETI has been exploring all aspects of wedding extravagance.

Nowadays there is no limit and the possibilities are endless. Animals, suspended cakes, you name it! Not forgetting, of course, our favourite Real Weddings that have taken place right here on the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar.

For the fashion conscious bride, this autumn we have searched far and wide for fashion inspiration from all over the world. Not only the latest trends straight from the catwalk from Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week but exclusive interviews from Israeli haute couture bridal designer, Nurit Hen.

Jam-packed with all the information you need to plan your big day, helpful tips and advice, we hope our Real Weddings make planning your big day as easy as possible; not to mention the true love stories that are sure to warm your heart on these autumn days.

For the beauty conscious bride, as usual we bring you lots of hair and make-up tips from our industry professionals. See the latest trends from celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Yeadon from Marbella’s Reflections salon.

The Confeti Team

8 CONFETI

We hope our loyal readers and future brides enjoy this issue of CONFETI as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. With its decadent and romantic vibe, the CONFETI team adore autumn weddings and, with a hint of Marbella Vintage chic, what’s not to love?

Stephanie Allin, Bellissimo Collection CONFETI 9

C

ONFETI loves...

Sophia Webster is an award-winning British accessory designer, renowned for her unique and feminine products.

Here at Confeti we have fallen in love with her bridal shoe collection, featuring many musthaves for the bride looking for something different. The butterfly style Chiara (as shown) and Evangeline are just two of our favourites! sophiawebster.com

Confetti Pops are the new craze that have popped onto the wedding scene! These colourful and vibrant new confetti pops from Shropshire Petals offer a modern take on the standard (and slightly dull in comparison) wedding confetti. For the chance to win your very own supply for your special day, see page 102 to enter our competition. shropshirepetals.com

Still searching for your bridal accessories or some stunning jewellery? Check out the beautiful pieces from Armoura Fine Jewellery to complete your bridal look. armoura.com

This colourful wedding set up is what dreams are made of. Crafted right here in Marbella

by Pedro Navarro with décor and planning by Tucco Weddings.

Villa Padierna also makes the perfect setting. Dare to be bold this autumn, with bright, statement wedding flowers. tucco.es 10 CONFETI

Head crowns are an increasingly popular trend among brides, rather than the traditional tiara. Check out the ‘Untamed Petals’ collection from Amanda Judgeny for a selection of beautifully detailed bridal accessories. For our autumn brides, this golden and bronzed leaf headband is ideal. amandajudgeny.com Photography by: The Love Hunters

We love unusual and unique centrepieces this season. Try something different and mix colourful fruit to enhance your flowers, for décor that is sure to be a talking point among guests.

Photography by Nani de Perez. nanideperez.com

Straight off the catwalk, there couldn’t be a more perfect bridal dress for this season.

Carla Ruiz has created the perfect autumnal gown, down to the lavish gold frills and detailed leaves that adorn the body.

We adore it. carlaruiz.com

This Cake Couture creation is the perfect choice if you are planning an autumn wedding. Simply scrumptious and adorned with autumn leaves, this is a great way to co-ordinate your dessert with your wedding theme. Photo by Mireia Cordomi. cakecouturemarbella.com

Here at CONFETI we just love everything about weddings so, this season, ‘Confeti Loves’ features a fusion of some of our favourite new wedding and bridal trends! With a dash of colour, a hint of copper and a seasonal autumnal twist, we hope this gives you some pretty wedding ideas and inspiration.

In keeping with our autumn theme, Tamara Comolli has created these gorgeous jewellery designs.

Confeti especially loves the delicate details of the ring, bracelet and pendant shown from the ‘Pure Gold Symbols’ collection. tamaracomolli.com

CONFETI 11

Manolo Blahnik Shoes

Theme your

Louboutin Wedding Shoes

Day

With autumn now upon us, why not consider a vintage themed wedding?

Its decadent and rich colours combine perfectly with this season. Imagine a beautiful, chic setting that takes you back to a classic era: the vintage bride is inspired by beautiful designs, lace details and, of course, stunning hair styles and make-up. Whether it’s 1920s Gatsby style or 1950s pin-up, a vintage wedding is the perfect choice for those romantic autumn days.

De La Fuente Diamond Ring

Vintage Wedding Bouquet Inspiration

Stephanie Allin Deco Inspiration Rina & Andrew “Real Wedding” Florist: FlorValentin Check page 78

Ruby Woo Mac Lipstick Eliza Jane Howell 12 CONFETI

AISLE

Style

Beautiful, Bridal

Barcelona

T

he city of Barcelona is commonly known as Spain’s bridal capital.

Every year wedding lovers from all around the world are talking about Bridal Fashion Week and hoping to catch a glimpse of the upcoming bridal trends.

After a successful start in New York, Bridal Fashion week made its way to Barcelona, for its 26th Annual Bridal Fashion Week where the biggest internationally

14 CONFETI

“

renowned designers showcased their latest creations and upcoming looks for 2017. It is the only bridal fashion event in the world that combines runway shows and a professional trade fair. This year’s event welcomed more than 16,000 visitors from around the world with a total of 21 bridal designers showcasing their latest collections on the runway.

Our Features Editor, Sinead was fortunate enough to attend Barcelona Bridal Week and was invited to see the Galia Lahav ‘GALA 2’ collection. Here is the inside scoop!

I arrived at the venue and was firstly amazed by how grand it was, set right in the heart of city; Fira Mountjuic was the perfect location for Barcelona’s bridal week. The entrance hall can best be described as lavish and live music was provided by a pianist, who helped to set the right mood.

The strapline for this year’s event ‘Let the Dream Begin’ was featured throughout the venue and, even more impressively, we were served champagne from Juvé & Camps.

For me the dream really did begin when I took my seat for the

preview of Galia Lahav’s latest ready to wear collection ‘GALA 2’.

If you love bridal fashion as much as I do, you will know that Galia Lahav is one of the hottest haute couture bridal designers there is right now, with celebrities and brides all over the world choosing her breathtaking gowns.

The setting for her catwalk show was a bright, floral backdrop with trees lining the sides of the runway.

At the end of the catwalk the quote ‘Natural is Beautiful #GALA’ was printed on the floor. What

can I say? All the dresses were exquisite and the models were flawless.

The whole vibe was very cool and relaxed, with hairstyles featuring loose plaits and minimal makeup. Nature and natural beauty

combined with such incredible gowns worked like a charm.

I caught a glimpse of some other runway shows and the Yolan Cris Fashion Show really stood out, complete with giant disco ball and some cutting-edge bridal dresses.

In true Barcelona Bridal Week style, on the third and final day of fashion shows, Pronovias closed the event with a breathtaking catwalk show of their latest collection. Like the previous year, it was headlined by the famous Super Model Irina Shayk, who looked gorgeous.

�

Until next time, Barcelona!

“If you love bridal fashion as much as I do, you will know that Galia Lahav is one of the hottest haute couture bridal designers there is right now, with celebrities and brides all over the world choosing her breathtaking gowns.

CONFETI 15

l a d i Br tches lu C

E

very bride-to-be’s main focus is finding the all important wedding dress. Once that has been bought, the next step is finding the accessories, shoes, jewellery and veil. One very important item that is often left until the last minute is a bridal clutch bag. Actually, this is one of the most important ‘small’ things because, not only does it need to coordinate with your style of dress and other accessories, it also needs to carry those emergency supplies on your big day.

Whether you’re a bride who loves bling or a vintage pearl, you can’t afford to miss our Clutch Bag Favourites!

The ‘Quirky’ Clutch If you want something different from the norm, look no further than these statement clutch bags.

The ‘Splash the Cash’ Clutch

The ‘Bling’ Clutch

If you’re a designer girl, go for a luxury designer bag to match.

For the bride that wants a bit of sparkle on her special day.

Alexander McQueen

Natasha Couture ‘Ice crystal’

The ‘Vintage’ Clutch

The ‘Feathers & Fringe’ Clutch

Classic pearls for a traditional bride.

So on-trend, delicate and pretty for an elegant bride-to-be.

Jenny Packham

Jenny Packham

0

Clutch

Check list

CONFETI advises all brides to keep a supply of important essentials at your venue, such as hair and make-up supplies - but what are the the most important items to fit in your clutch bag?

Take a look at our checklist!

0 Tissues for the happy tears!

0 Mini sewing kit.

0 Mints. Sharing your first kiss

as a married couple and greeting guests, mints are a must.

0 White Chalk. This is the perfect

16 CONFETI

0 Small comb.

0 Compact mirror.

0 Plasters. Probably the first time you will wear your wedding shoes will be on your wedding day, so plasters may be your saviour!

way to cover up any accidental stains on your dress – if you’re wearing white, of course.

0 Blotting sheets. Great if you’re

0 Cotton buds.

0 Small packet of

pack your whole make-up bag, but include some powder and lipstick.

disposable wipes.

Sophia Webster sophiawebster.com

0

getting married in the heat.

0 Make-up essentials: Don’t 0 Nail file.

18 CONFETI

Bellisima Bride These beautiful gowns by Stephanie Allin effortlessly evoke the spirit of a bygone era while being perfect for the modern bride seeking elegance and impeccable style. The new Bellissimo Collection sets the bar for stunningly romantic bridal wear and is sure to appeal to any woman who appreciates gorgeous fabrics and the finer things in life.

Rosetta

Stephanie Allin, Bellissimo Collection CONFETI 19

Octavia

Stephanie Allin, Bellissimo Collection 20 CONFETI

Vania

Stephanie Allin, Bellissimo Collection

CONFETI 21

22 CONFETI

stephanieallin.net

stephanieallin.net

Vania

Stephanie Allin, Bellissimo Collection CONFETI 23

Choose

CRUZ for your honeymoon

Swimwear

After the wedding comes the honeymoon and you want to look as glamorous poolside in the sun as you did walking down the aisle. Spain’s best known actress and Hollywood box office hit maker Penelope Cruz and her actress sister Monica have teamed up with L’Agent by Agent Provocateur (@l’agentbyap) to create a new line of flattering swimwear that will make your tan pop and keep all eyes on you.

Alexie Designed to

compliment your curves, this sleek bikini will make you feel and look like a poolside princess.

24 CONFETI

Photography: Joanna Kustra Model: Danielle Jade @ Target Models International Hair Hair & & Make Make up: up: Jess Jess MIles MIles from from The Beauty Spot Swimwear: L’Agent by Agent Provocateur

Melita Sexy strapping adds

intriguing interest to this bandeau style bikini top with matching bottoms a scene-stealer wherever you go.

Agata Hipster style bikini

bottoms feature a fun and risquĂŠ touch with the slash-effect cutaway panel on one hip that reveals an enticing glimpse of flesh. And there is a top to match!

Tayler This elegantly sexy

one-piece is perfect for showing off a tanned back and enhancing the shoulder line. It’s a classic look that never goes out of fashion.

lagentbyap.com

CONFETI 25

Wedding

CAPERS Say goodbye to your traditional wedding veil, because the latest trend sweeping aisles around the world is the bridal cape.

Samantha and Jane Cape from Galia Lahav

26 CONFETI

Zuhair Murad

Berta Bridal

Next season’s hottest trend is guaranteed to make you feel superhuman on your wedding day! Choose a graceful, flowing bridal cape to accompany your beautifully designed bridal gown. Surely 2017 will be known as the year of the cape?

Here are some of CONFETI’s favourites.

Pronovias

Anastasia Suyanti Atelier

Yolan Cris

CONFETI 27

D esigner P rofile

N Nurit Hen

28 CONFETI

R

enowned Israeli designer, Nurit Hen has spent her career at the forefront of fashion, starting out designing wedding gowns and evening dresses in 1980 at the age of 22. After 20 years spent designing and manufacturing for different leading brands in Israel, Nurit decided to open her own flagship boutique, selling her unique creations to brides-to-be.

Her collections are well known for their sophisticated look and detailing, giving an exotic, modern look to bridal design and have proved extremely successful globally. Her new collections come out two or three times a year as she gains inspiration from new visions that she wants to bring to life. Nurit explains that she designs each gown not only for a bride’s body, but also for her heart and soul.

Today Nurit Hen is one of the top haute couture luxury brands in Israel. Over the past three years her collections have gained worldwide popularity and today her gowns are in demand internationally.

CONFETI 29

30 CONFETI

I knew that being a fashion designer was my calling when... I was a very young girl. When my older sister enrolled at fashion school I knew that I wanted to work in the industry as well.

I specialize in bridal gowns because...I

believe that the real satisfaction in being part of a bride’s special day is by making her dream dress perfect to walk down the aisle with her significant other.

My personal style is... super casual and very

colourful! Every day I wear a different colour that reflects my mood.

My biggest achievement to date is... Every bride that I dress

is a great achievement but I will never forget one bride who was very insecure about her weight and didn’t believe that she could look beautiful on her wedding day. I decided to make her a customized dress to flatter her body. I will never forget her big smile when she tried on her beautiful gown for the first time. She wept and said that, for the first time in her life, she felt beautiful.

CONFETI 31

“My designs stand out from other labels because each and every gown is an art creation that is hand-made by precise measurements..�

32 CONFETI CONFETI 32

Trends that I feel will be popular... These will

undoubtedly differ from country to country. Since we work with brides from all over the world, we make sure to offer a huge variety of different styles and trends. Our last collection - Royal Couture included 42 dresses that display a huge variety of styles and influences.

I find the inspirations for my gowns from...

different views, art, cultures and people that I meet every day who inspire me.

My average working day is... total immersion from

beginning to end. Even when I sleep I dream about my work.

At the moment I am working on... my next 2017 collection.

CONFETI 33 33 CONFETI

What brides can expect from my gowns is...

unmatched customer service, unique designs, top quality work and a flattering fit.

My designs stand out from other labels because... each gown is an

artistic creation in itself. Every dress is beautifully beaded and constructed so that every bride will walk down the aisle feeling beautiful, confident, and comfortable.

“...Unmatched customer service, unique designs, top quality work and a flattering fit.�

Destination wedding dresses must be... unique, fun and exotic! The style has to reflect the atmosphere of the location where the bride and groom choose to say their vows.

nurit-hen.com 34 CONFETI

www.tucco.es info@tucco.es | +34 680 164 747

36 CONFETI

G

race, randeur& alia

GALIA LAHAV is a bridal haute couture design house, which specialises in the art of creating luxury dresses. Galia has fast become one of the world’s leading haute couture designers; her dresses are extravagant and intricately designed. Famously known for illusion backs, cascading silk tulle skirts and Italian ivory lace, she has created a brand which has become a bridal household name. You can find Galia Lahav gowns in more than 40 stores in Europe, Australia and the United States.

Galia really has defined bridal fashion for women by creating the world’s most wanted dresses.

The CONFETI team was thrilled to be given the opportunity to create our own exclusive editorial for this special Autumn Issue.

We received four stunning Galia Lahav gowns from her two latest collections, Le Secret Royal and Gala 2.

Our photo shoot took place in one of the most breathtaking and picturesque venues in Spain, VILLA DEL MAR, a private property right in the heart of the Marbella Club Hotel.

We hope you love the regal elegance of our Secret Royal photos, combined with the more nature inspired Gala 2 collection. They should be enough to inspire any bride, whether she is aiming for extreme glamour or a more natural look.

Photography: Joanna Kustra Photography Assistants: Alex Koza & Beck Photography Models: Andrea and Dominique Forsström Gowns: Galia Lahav Jewellery: Goto Jewellery & Diamonds Hair & Make up: Ella Megan Ogilvie Venue: Villa del Mar CONFETI 37

“

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.

”

- Roald Dahl

38 CONFETI

Natural is Beautiful CONFETI 39

“To believe in love� is the motto for the new Galia Lahav collection. You will find what you are looking for if you choose to see beyond your set boundaries. Le Secret Royal expresses deep love for couture through extravagant silhouettes, floral design elements and glamorous shades of pink. Inspired by the essence and poise of royal families, Galia has advanced her designs to encompass the unfamiliar and extraordinary.

40 CONFETI

CONFETI 41

The sophisticated floral arrangements along the body of the gowns replicate the sense of strolling through royal flower gardens. Via decorative design and rosy hues, petal details are evident throughout Galia’s creations. These lavish dresses showcase silk tulle embroidery and chantilly lace and are fit for queens. With these new collections, Galia is stating that if you believe in love you will find your magic.

You are a Queen.

www.galialahav.com

Jewellery by:

gotodiamond.it 42 CONFETI

CONFETI 43

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Dr. Kai O. Kaye - Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgeon • Full Member of the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery SEGPRE • Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery EBOPRAS • Full Member of the German Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery DGPRÄC • Member of the Colegio de Medicos de Malaga (No.29/2909452)

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Be Bride Beautiful...

Book your bridal hair & makeup at BARDOU now!

Hen Parties also welcome - we have a super sample pamper package for the bride-to-be and her girlfriends!

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THEBARDOU.COM

Tel. 951 518 680 CONFETI 45

The Beauty Sp t Where Beauty Begins...

Offering customized Bridal Pamper Packages and Wedding Makeup by consultation

Manicure & Pedicure · CND Shellac · Acrylic nails Waxing & Threading Selection of Luxury MONU Facials Occasion and Bridal Makeup

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THE

Test FACTOR The Panel

Beauty expert and pro makeup artist Nicola McGeorge and three brides-to-be share their views on the hottest products to hit the beauty stands.

Nicola McGeorge 35, Beauty expert and Make-up Artist, Marbella

Sinead O’Shea, 25, Personal Trainer, Dublin Jenny Fisher, 29, Lawyer, Manchester

Amy Bennett, 32, PR, London

BENEFIT

Dew The Hoola

Nicola: Hoola is a staple in my kit, the perfect matte bronzer, so I was very interested to review the liquid version. I used Dew the Hoola where the sun would usually hit your face, so forehead, top of the nose, cheeks and chin to create a natural looking tan. For added impact, I swept a light brush of the Hoola Matte Bronzing Powder. I paired this with Benefits Watt’s up, a champagne highlighter, buffing it onto the tops of the cheek and brow bones.

Absolutely gorgeous. If you have paler skin, I would recommend mixing a tiny amount of the bronzer with your favourite foundation for a subtle glow.

Amy : The liquid bronze, to my delight, is smooth and lightweight. The colour is exactly what I look like when I get a sun tan, and it doesn’t have that unnatural bright orange cast that you sometimes get from bronzer. It’s also worth mentioning that the formula is completely matte, so no discoball face! This one gets my seal of approval.

Photo by My Kit Co

MY KIT CO

Brushes & My Magnetic Palette

Nicola: Designed by make-up artist James Molloy, each brush is hand crafted by an expert brush technician with the utmost precision.

I love the whole collection but I am always reaching for My Blending Shadow Large on every single eye look I do. Other favourites include the My Detailing Smudge for smudging eye kohl, it’s also perfect for adding a pinpoint highlight to the inner corner of the eye, while My Expert Line and Define helps create crisp lines when working on lips. Fellow MUAs you MUST invest in a Brush Buddy – total game changer.

Sinead: Brides getting married abroad NEED to get the My Magnetic Palette. I didn’t want to pack my whole make-up kit for my wedding day, so I de-potted the eyeshadows, bronzer, blusher and highlighter I needed to create my wedding day make-up into this compact palette. For people that say good make-up brushes don’t make much difference, try these brushes and let’s see if you still think the same. My make-up looked amazing on my wedding day and the only thing I had changed was the brushes.

MAKE-UP FOR EVER

Pro Sculpting Palette

Nicola: This is a must have, especially for destination brides who want to downsize their make-up kits for travelling abroad. The Pro Sculpting Palette features everything you need to contour and transform your face. These long-lasting, ultra-blendable shades create a flawless, even finish and effortless contour. There are four different colour palettes so you can find one that perfectly matches your skin tone. I used palette 50 Dark for one of my beautiful brides from the Caribbean; she had the most beautiful rich deep skin tone and, honestly, I was able to do most of her make-up with just this one product.

Jenny: Women with deeper tones know the struggle of finding make-up that complements their skin tone, especially when it comes to contouring. Thankfully Make Up For Ever has understood this and came up with a sculpting palette perfect for dark complexions. From left to right, each palette offers a matte highlighting shade, a matte contouring shade, an iridescent highlighting shade and a pop of colour for the apples of the cheeks. I love the formula – it’s creamy without being too greasy or oily. It blends into skin effortlessly and doesn’t look cakey.

CONFETI 47

This issue we are joined

by Reflections celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Yeadon whose A ‘List clientele have included Victoria Beckham and Simon Cowell. Jonathan is loved not only for his mind-blowing colouring skills but his outrageous personality as well.

The

MOB Rules This issue Jonathan shares his tips that will ensure that the motherof-the-bride looks elegant, modern and picture perfect for those all important family wedding photos.

My Girl

Everyone knows that the bride is the most important person on her wedding day; however, many of you still seem to think the next in line is the groom. WRONG. The mother-of-the-bride is 100 per cent the second most important role. It is, of course, a special moment for the MOB (I am loving the gang-boss-lady connotations with this abbreviation - strangely appropriate, don’t you think?)

She is going to see her little girl walk down the aisle and wants everything to be perfect. Some women have been waiting a lifetime for their daughter’s wedding, so you can expect that emotions might run high before the big day.

To say the mother/daughter relationship is complicated would be a gross understatement. I actually think a small amount of rivalry or jealousy is healthy. The mother sees a younger version of herself embarking on a new life, so who wouldn’t be a little wistful?

However, it is imperative not to cross the line. I was working on one particular wedding where the MOB actually pushed a bridesmaid out of my salon chair so I could fix the piece of hair that was apparently not to her liking.

48 CONFETI

High Expectations

Thanks to the Carole Middleton effect, mothers-of-the-bride feel pressured to look good on their daughter’s wedding day.

A recent poll of 1,000 women found a third have attended a wedding where the mother-ofthe bride or groom has broken the golden rule and tried to upstage the bride.

You do want to be noticed, but make sure it is for the right thing. At one of my clients’ weddings the mother-ofthe-bride, who was a typical matriarch, had been barking orders all day. After consuming her body weight in whisky and dry ginger she involved herself in an altercation between guests. Her husband, who had been quiet as a mouse all day, piped up and asked her why she had to get herself involved in everyone else’s business. To which she swung around and punched him straight in the face, knocking him clean out.

Let’s Bond

As hairdressers it’s our job is to give nearly as much attention to the mother-of-the-bride as the bride herself. I always make sure that I involve the mother

whenever I can because, in many cases, she becomes my only ally.

During one particular wedding I don’t even know why I bothered asking the bride her opinion.

Each time she would turn to her mother and ask what she thought and then I would get a nod or head shake from Her Highness.

On many occasions the bride simply doesn’t know what she wants, so the mother has to step in to help guide her or we will would still be faffing around.

Leave It to The Pro

If possible, have your hair done by a professional, this way you know it is going to last. You are going to be the centre of attention so, yes, you need to look your best, but now is not the time to try a radical new hairstyle - to be confident you need to be comfortable.

Before even thinking about your hairstyle, I always advise finding your outfit first. Next it’s the shoes, hat and bag and they will need to complement each other in order to pull the whole look together. Only once you have decided what you are wearing on your head can you think about the hairstyle.

Hats Off to You

The hairstyle itself needs to work around the hair accessory, not the

other way round. How many times have you seen someone get their hair done in a beautiful style only to realise there is nowhere to put the hat? Another thing you need to think about is what the hair will look like when the hat is removed. I don’t care if you have spent two grand on it or if it’s a bespoke Philip Treacy, at some point during the day it’s going to have to come off and you DO NOT want to be remembered as the MOB with hat hair. I will let you into a little secret of mine: you can’t beat a few Velcro rollers in the crown of your hat. All you have to do in the evening is remove them and your hair will still have that much needed volume. Now remember. this will only work with a hat with a crown, as you need somewhere to hide the rollers. If you have opted for a fascinator then unless you are Scouser ( who can of course totally get away with their rollers being on display), it’s not going to work.

Softly Does It

Wedding photos should really be timeless, which means your hair should be too. There’s nothing worse than looking back at photos and saying, “OMG that was SO 1980s!” I like hair that is slightly undone and less structured. The softer your hair, the younger you’ll look. Anything tight or stiff reads instantly matronly.

Photo by David Toms Photography

The A-List MOB!!

Susan Sarandon looks fab, but I think her hair down in that shape makes her look older.

Loved Carole Middleton....

Effortless elegance.

Hilary Clintons hairstyle is way too severe.

My Mum always had a thing about a classic French pleat, she felt it was ageing. Her exact words were, “It makes you look like someone’s mother.”

A Little Passé

Now onto a touchy subject fascinators.

Not my favourite accessory I have to say. Hats are a bold statement of intent, but fascinators are a pale imitation.

It’s high time they were sent to the fashion graveyard. At a pinch I don’t mind the ones that still have a proper hat on them, but when they look like something had landed on your head, well you end up looking like an extra from Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men. Sorry, ladies!

I will leave you with these final words of wisdom; aim to be the second most fabulous lady there.

Never try to outshine the bride.

You don’t want a Pippa moment now, do you?

Reflections Hair Nails & Skin Care specialise in bridal hair and beauty Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucía · + 34 902 325 324 · + 34 952 906 524 · reflectionsmarbella.com

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ONFECTO CONFECTOINFECO T I NFECTI AUTUMN 2012

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Real ding WedIAL

The Rise of the

Wedding Planner

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Inspiration

Spain’s Leading Wedding

T ha i SIVE EXCLU THE KNOT

CYMBERLI THESI CIT ZZY EXCLUSIV Interview wit EXCL Claire A Thoma

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Interview with Leading Bridal Designer

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Let the Best Dress Win

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2O13 ALERT

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

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LASTEST COLLECTIONS

Child Expert Tips for a ng Friendly Weddi

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Cream of the Crop

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Blessed EXCLUSIVE

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Interview with Lea Bridal Designer

AT THE FOREFRONT

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EXCLUSIV

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Spotlight on

Interview with Award Winning Designer

SPRI

WINTER 2012

SUMMER 2012

Spain, Gibraltar and wedding bible The Balearics’ dedicat s’ dedicated Spain, Gibraltar and The Balea ed wedding bible rics’ dedicated wedding d The Balearic an r lta ra Spain, Gib Spain, Gibraltar and The Balearics’ dedicated wedding bible

Spain, G

Elegant Asian Affair

davidtoms-weddings.com

davidtoms-weddings.com

and then he asked me to marry him - my response was a mixture of laughter and tears, and of course, I said ‘Yes!’.

Real Weddings

Bhavesh and Rajvi enjoyed a magical

MEANT TO BE…

We were young, crazy and care free at 17 years old. We knew of each other through friends and in the few times we would bump into each other I would sometimes get a wink and a smile and he would get a little wave back. Who would have known that 17 years later, I would be married to him!

Bhavesh and I met again after some years at a fitness centre and we recognised each other straight away. We started to meet up as friends and realised that we shared the same interests however our friendship drifted slowly

Jake and Laufey

when Jake Our love story began in a queue struck up a conversation Sadly for the cashpoint in London! had as he the timing was terrible, ‘Boys just booked a three-month HowOnly’ trip to South America. complete with ever we kept in touch, bills until Jake astronomical phone (much to send me a plane ticket friends on the the annoyance of his America trip,) and suddenly South holiday became our own romantic

celebrated

fun, family and friendship.

went to Cuba and that was where Bhavesh proposed to me. We were on a tiny island off the south coast of Cuba and on our last night on the island (we were due to fly to Varadero the next day to continue our holiday), Bhavesh had booked us a table at a restaurant. When we arrived, I was surprised to see that he had arranged for us to dine in a private cabana that was beautifully decorated with candles, flowers and white curtains that were softly blowing in the breeze. During our meal, we were serenaded with beautiful Spanish love songs. At this point he told me that he did this for me

Real Wedd

Two years later, we had been well acquainted with each other’s family and friends and we had been on a few holidays together and we were definitely ready to take the next step in our relationship.

It was just a case of him popping the question. Last September we

Address Book

At the Water’s Edge at the eternally their timeless nuptials

three day celebration filled with

apart and we became quite busy in our own lives but we would call each other now and again over the years just to catch up until one day we decided to meet, enjoying each others company so greatly we began to spend more and more time together before falling completely and utterly in love.

ings

Wedding Dress: Caroline Castigliano

Bridesmaid Dresses:

Reiss

Suit: Reiss Venue: Villa del Mar, Marbella Club Hotel

stylish Villa del Mar.

Photographer: beckysharpe.co.uk

the rest of our and the beginning of in a restaurant lives. Jake proposed a few months in Paris in 2010 then twins hence later I fell pregnant with put on hold our wedding plans got for a little while.

davidtoms-weddings.com 60 CONFETI

davidtoms-weddings.com

because he loved me and he just wanted to say thank you for being such an amazing girlfriend and so I still had no clue what he was about to do.

It was after dinner when Bhavesh suggested that we go for a walk on the beach. As we walked towards the sea, I was holding on to him and walking with precaution as it was dark with only the moonlight to guide us, and the deck that led to the rocks above the shore had large enough gaps for my stilettos to become wedged in! When we arrived at the beach, the moonlight hit the waves that were rolling onto the sand - we just stood there in awe of the scenery. We held each other tight and reminisced about the amazing times we had been through together over all the years we had known each other. He then suddenly said, ‘Can you see that?’ I turned around to see what he was pointing at, and as I looked down, a light shone on to the rocks where there was a sign that read, ‘Marry Me?’. I then turned back around to see that Bhavesh had got down on one knee! He told me that he wanted to spend the rest of his life and more with me

was sun, My vision for our wedding I really sea, flowers and glamour. outside, either wanted to get married suron a beach or somewhere in the blooms rounded by beautiful

idea of Initially I had a very different thought years earlier I sunshine. About three how I wanted my wedding, were relaxed Jake and I (newly engaged) I wanted more of a hippy beach as soon as I walking down the Marbella drink at feel to everything but go for a changed. front and decided to saw the venue everything restaurant. perfect but The Marbella Club beach The entire wedding was through the most sentiWe then had a little walk I would have to say the knew the speeches hotel grounds and I instantly of mental moments were that I had found the destination villa, and, of course, the ceremony. private and friends my dreams. The hotel’s Seeing all of our family and holds all that they had Villa del Mar is beautiful together and knowing 1950’s. I could the world of its charm from the all flown in from across parties that they all visualise all the glamorous was amazing. The fact in the past and as much as we that took place there enjoyed themselves my wedding; on the cake. that’s how I visualised did was truly the icing timeless. classic, glamorous and

CONFETI 45

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Would you like

We went back to our table where we finished off our champagne, when Bhavesh told me he had another surprise for me! What could possibly be better than this?

I thought he may have booked us in for a spa day or he would take me shopping… No. He had booked us both in for a skydive!

Fancy being proposed to and then kicked out of a helicopter at 12000 ft... romantic at first, daringly devilish to end.

ALL I EVER WANTED AND MORE…

The wedding planning begun almost immediately after we had returned back to the UK. I had always dreamt of an outdoors wedding, with beautiful scenery and romance. I already knew that this would be the theme throughout. We decided to marry in Spain as we both travelled there often.

Spain has always been a destination close to home and close to my heart... the ambience, the people, the laidback attitude, the weather and climate.... we had to get married in Spain!

True Blue

davidtoms-weddings.com morning, the blessing ceremony in the afternoon followed by cocktails and the reception party into the night. All were outdoors, the weather was amazing and all this infused with the surroundings and the ‘buzz’ our guests came with made it truly the best wedding, I myself, had ever been to, and I still can’t believe that it was my own.

I knew I wanted a traditional Hindu wedding with a twist of vintage and regal attire. Dianna from Party People and the team at Beau Rivaaaj ensured that the setting was just that and the planning was impeccable. The mandap was decorated with beautiful fabrics and hanging ornaments.

It looked exquisite with traditional but subtle colours. The large pillars surrounding the amphitheatre were draped with beautiful images of Lord Ganesh. For the blessing ceremony, Dianna had stripped away the colours and left a beautiful plain white chuppah that was complemented by the surroundings of the Roman Stone amphitheatre. The ivory and soft pink flowers paired with our outfits made a perfect combination against the sunlight and the greenery.

I wanted a wedding with a difAfter the sounds of the Spanference and I loved the idea of ish guitar and a few champagne davidtoms-weddings.com our closest friends and family all cocktails later, guests were coming to celebrate our wedding ushered to the reception on the davidtoms-weddings.com abroad and also enjoying a holioutdoor terrace surrounded by day at the same time. We decided olive trees with suspended Chito have a three day event, with the nese lanterns and wicker hearts.

Michael and Melan first being the Surprises for our guests, and our night.

The two day mendhi ie marri celeb second day ed in a elega was a selves, leisure ration were ‘wow’ factors starting day at family, friend surrounde nt the Crowne Plaza s with flamenco dancing, speeches Estepona d by their and son, with Dexter. golf and spa in the morning, and performances from our loved a pool party in the afternoon and ones to large glow sticks on our a dinner in the evening and the entrance, a live bongo player over last day wasOUR our big a UK DJ spinning the best beats dayY… STOR - with the Vedic Hindu Micha ceremony and then a firework finale. el and I in the met throug ing and h workliving in Marbe the Real Estate secto lla, in years ago. r about 8 CONFETI 61 property I was working for developer a for a renow and Micha el company. ned Real Estate He was professiona charming, polite and l, kind way about him, had a very of misch with a hint ief After a few in those blue eyes. each other, years of not seeing each other we bumped into again and meet up decided for coffee to tea, and or hence forth in my case good friend became s. We were ing for differe worknt comp then and anies by we chat, laugh would meet up to woes over , tell each other our a ner. Micha bit of lunch or dinel board and was my sound ing confid ante. enjoyed each others We really everything company, plicated. was easy and uncom OUR VISIO One day shortly after one of my Spain holdsN… birthdays, my age and the in our hearts a very special (not telling of cours wedd as we have place e) we met normal and all the ladies ing date, given lived here up both to for many turned out kissed’ and things changed, as real treat our son to be ‘we Dexter was years and and also was born. Michael and Melan proved to a an excell Costa del born in the ent be ie Sol Hospi friends and memento for our sion was tal. Our vito share family.

Michael our and this proposed special time wedding 2 month later, on OUR MOST with our s the last loved ones. in our lives TREASURE day of an amazing MOM we We knew wanted to D ENTS cruise holida get everyo beautiful It is hard … together ne all ring. It was y, with a to select and for our ful surpri just one moment a and wond neare deare se erst from our st to be wedding even start and before we could as each a initiation day and every planning into marrie part of our I was pregn perfect. the wedd minute was addition, d life and However ing, for some ant. when the churc , who had in yet had the h and Julie- I entered not soprano our darlin pleasure, to meet singer beganAnn our g son.

Ave Maria singing my heart also dedic melted.

We chose She ated Villa Tiberi ing the recep a song to us location o as our duras tion dinne created such wond it is decorated with a very speci r, which for Micha fountains. erful gardens and al memo el ry A simple the funnie and myself. I think scheme colour of st mome nt when my pale blue just off-white and mother was had to be was select Flamenco perfectly complemened, which dance and doing her cided he simple and Dexter deted our could elegant grandmothe n´t be withou adorned vision. We t his the main r, ‘Abu’ for moment table with crystals even one so and blue her on the he decided to join place cards chose invitations, dance floor! and a stunn all, having seating Above ing plan in the everyone cherish The pale same hues. we love together and blue Spani for two whole days ultima embellished sh fans, with our ding everyt tely made our wednames ever wishe hing we could have d for and more.

your wedding

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CONFETI

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Elle and Jack

Sinead and Josh

You know what they say; after the engagement party, the real work starts! This has certainly been the case for sporty couple, whose proposal story was featured in the previous issue of CONFETI.

make stress-free progress… and they still have 12 months to go until their wedding Joshua and I have been continuing our wedding plans here in Marbella and really enjoying the process! As our wedding isn’t until September 2017, we have time on our side!

It’s great to have time for stressfree wedding planning. We have been consulting with our planner Tara from Fiesta Sol who has been brilliant in sending us local suppliers here in the Costa del Sol. And, I have been reading all the Real Wedding stories in CONFETI, because they are a fantastic source of inspiration.

We have already having chosen the some of important aspects such as the venue, church, planner and photographer (as mentioned in the previous Issue), and we are now trying to decide on the suppliers that we think will suit our vision of our wedding day!

We are looking forward to organising our wedding breakfast menu tasting with Fiesta Sol, which provides catering as well as wedding planning. We can take two guests along with us so it is something to look forward to. It is hopefully scheduled to happen in a few months time and we’ll also go through our decoration ideas on the day. We are currently looking into florists, and with so many fantastic florists here in Marbella we are spoilt for choice!

Another part of the process is compiling a guest list, which we have roughly completed and the next step for us is sending out our ‘Save the Dates invites! We’ve been sourcing entertainment and have chosen DJ Fuller and the string quartet Sehnsucht

52 CONFETI

your Share ent m e engag h us! it w y stor ils ll the deta Mail us a otos to: and ph s@ ie enquir ing.es h s li b u iconp

Agrupaciones. Now we just need to choose a band!

Joshua and I were also informed by our wedding planner Tara, that we have to complete a six- week marriage course to get married in the Catholic church here! This was news to us, so it is definitely worth doing research on legalities if you are planning a church wedding in Spain. Another aspect we weren’t aware of was that fireworks are not allowed during the hot summer months at venues here for safety reasons, unless they are on a beach. So if you’re desperate for fireworks at your wedding in Spain, check whether or not it is possible at your chosen venue.

As I already have my dress from Galia Lahav, I have started looking for my accessories! I have already found the perfect pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, which I got from Browns Bridal on Bond Street.

Joshua is still deciding on his suit, and he’s being very secretive about it! I have chosen my sister Siân as my Maid of Honour along with my two best friends as bridesmaids! Joshua has asked one of his oldest and best friends Nicklas to be his best man and his two brothers are his groomsmen.

That is as far as we’ve got for now, but we are looking forward to organising some of the smaller details and finalising all our suppliers for our Big Day!

We are delighted to report that the pair – who initially bonded over their mutual love of running – have already managed to make some of those important wedding decisions. Naturally, Elle is taking the lead on arrangements and we were delighted to hear that she has already decided on a dress.

“A while ago I purchased a beautiful, timeless Lyn Ashworth gown,” she tells us. “I had no plans to buy my dress so soon, but it was love at first sight.”

Of course, the most direct way to experience the best that Marbella has to offer is to visit in person, so Elle and Jack have already booked their tickets to travel out in October in order to

sample Sana Catering’s food and decide on a menu.

“Preparations have been going well for the last couple of months. Our videographer and photographer have been booked too and Jack and I trying our best to stay organised,” says Elle. “The next task on our list is to book flights for our friends and family, as we are planning to travel together.”

The CONFETI team wishes Elle and Jack all the best for the next few months and hope that their wedding will be everything that they hope for.

The Only Way Is Engaged!

Congratulations to Elliott Wright, who recently announced his engagement to girlfriend of less than a year, Sadie Stuart. TOWIE fans already know Sadie, courtesy of her appearance in The Only Way Is Marbs earlier this year .

We hear that Elliott and Sadie have received good wishes and congratulations from many of the TOWIE cast and we look forward to hearing news of their forthcoming wedding very soon.

Watch this space!

Whether you dream of your wedding on the beach at the sunset, high in the mountains, or overlooking a valley dotted with vineyards, we will help you make your wedding dreams reality. Our team of professionals will handle every detail to ensure your day runs seamlessly and is one to be remembered.

-

Passion for Perfection

info@theweddingscompany.co.uk · www.theweddingscompany.co.uk f TheWeddingsCompany · Instagram @TheWeddingsCompany · Pinterest.com/TheWeddingsComp

Real Weddings

You

ROCK My World There’s something magical about Gibraltar, so it’s not surprising that so many people have chosen to marry there over the years. With its fabulous views and a wide range of companies and events organisers who specialise in weddings, this picturesque British dependency is a very safe choice as a venue for grooms and brides-to-be. When you live there, however, it makes even more sense to make that famous chunk of limestone the centre of your celebrations. It was certainly the first choice of Rock residents Montanna Patterson and Gel Coleman when they had a magical ceremony there recently.

54 CONFETI

Young Romance Montanna and Gel have been a couple for seven years, getting together shortly after Montanna’s 18th birthday. Two years later their daughter, Sapphire, was born while they were living in Spain but, after their parents moved to Gibraltar, Montanna and Gel decided that it would be the ideal place to start a business and raise Sapphire. Fast forward a few years and Gel surprised Montanna with a romantic moonlight proposal. Gel, who has recently purchased one of the oldest bars in Gibraltar, The Cannon (open for business late November) is very proud of Montanna as she now owns a highly successful beauty salon, “Montanna’s Nails & Beauty”.

Having decided that they also wanted Gibraltar to be the main visual focus for their wedding, the challenge was to find somewhere to match that amazing moonlight proposal. At times Gel may have wished that he hadn’t set the bar quite so high, but the young couple’s faith in the Rock paid dividends when they decided that the

world famous St. Michael’s Cave would be the perfect place to say their vows.

From the Caves to the Top of the Rock Of course, obtaining permission to hold a wedding ceremony in a site of significant historical and geological importance is no picnic, but Montanna and Gel were determined to make their dream come true and eventually their wish was granted.

The couple held a ceremony at the Church of Scotland five days before the main event. This was a very small affair, attended only by close family and conducted by the Reverend Ewen Maclean, who delighted Sapphire by making sure that she was part of the ceremony and even presented her with her own ring. A lunch at La Sala

Gibraltar was the perfect accompaniment to the day.

As only the second couple ever to marry in St. Michael’s Cave, Montanna and Gel were determined to make their big day something to remember. All the guests were transported to the venue by coach and, after the service, they were delivered to the cable car and whisked to the Mons Calpe Suite.

Inside the caves, guests were shown to their seats by the two young CONFETI 55

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Ushers, Reed and JJ. The ceremony was again carried out by Ewen Maclean, Reverend of the Church of Scotland of Gibraltar. Everyone agreed that the bridal couple looked wonderful, but Maid of Honour, Rachel and the three bridesmaids, Natalie, Madison and Abigail, also looked beautiful.

The Golden Tarts team had once again done a fabulous job with hair and make-up. Everyone agreed, though that the two flower girls, Sapphire and Poppy, stole the show.

Montanna and Gel chose Bodakids as their videographer and Diane Sutton as their photographer. Diane is

regarded as an old friend, having taken many modelling shots of Montanna in the past and having officiated at both first and second birthday parties for Sapphire.

A Reception with a View With breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, the beautiful

Mons Calpe Suite at the top of the Rock, recently voted the number one wedding venue in Europe, was the perfect place to hold the reception.

The dinner was prepared by Salvador and José who had worked for Gel’s parents for many years at the Mijas Playa restaurant in La Cala.

The chosen colour theme was a sophisticated combination of silver, grey and white. The dining room was beautifully decorated in crystals and chandeliers, with favours for all the guests. A special Treats Table for the children was enormously popular and everyone loved the Memory Table, which featured photographs of relatives who had passed away.

Best Man, Al Curry, gave a wonderful speech, as did Montanna’s father Gary Patterson - Gel’s speech actually made some guests cry!

Gel’s father, Gerry, also showed his expertise as MC. After the dinner and speeches the guests retired to the terrace on the

Address Book roof, while the staff re-arranged the room. They were entertained by the amazing Quike Navarro, who played the electric violin and the lovely singer, Zoe Louise. Five foot tall letters spelling out the word LOVE in lights decorated the terrace, which also housed a Fotobooth, in which guests took photos of themselves wearing a collection of hats. These were later put in a wedding book for Gel and Montanna. The

Molecular Experience, bubbles of different alcoholic drinks which burst on the tongue, were a great success; all the guests loved them.

Party On! When the party returned to the dining room they were entertained by Quike, Zoe Louise

(a well known Marbella singer) and Gibraltar’s top DJ. Guests came from far and wide, a lot of them school friends of Gel and Montanna. The party ended after 3am, with many of the guests saying it was the best wedding they had ever been to. Gel and Montanna spent their wedding night in a suite on The Sunborn.

A special thank you must be said to Sean Actris, the wonderful wedding planner who brought the whole event together brilliantly.

The day after the wedding Izzy and Gerry, Gel’s parents, entertained all the guests in the Sapphire Bar on the Sunborn, where Luke, the manager of

La Sala, made them all feel like VIPs.

Video: Bodakids info@bodakids.es Cocktails: Molecular Experience, Jaime Cifuentes +34 678 472 236 Photobooth: Gavin +346490404 Entertainment: Quike Navarro +34650066718 Hair And Makeup: Golden Tarts Puerto Banús Transport: Bland Travel Jennifer Squire Photography: Diane Sutton +34654013973 Wedding Planner: Sean Acris +35054006863

CONFETI 57

Real Weddings

When Gary Met Sally Romantic fiction is full of tales that recount love at first sight and its consequences.

However, for many couples, love is something that takes a little longer to blossom.

That was certainly the case for Sally and Gary, as this very particular bride recounts.

Gary and I met years ago in a local pub. Gary was a little worse for wear that night and I thought he was an idiot and, anyway, I was dating someone else at the time. We were introduced by mutual friends, but we never thought anything of it until we bumped into each other a couple of months later and Gary asked me out to dinner. There is a big age gap and Gary thought I was older (which was quite cheeky, but you take it as a compliment when you’re young) and I thought he was younger. It was a shock on the first date when we found out that there was a 17 year age gap! Everyone said it wouldn’t work and, of course, my family members were a little worried, as I had only just started my ‘A’ levels. However, it has worked out perfectly and we are soulmates; sorry to sound cheesy, but I couldn’t be without him now.

A Mediterranean Proposal We have eaten at the Kempinski many times and had a gorgeous time. Then, last year, Gary booked Private Dining for the two of us and this is where he proposed, 58 CONFETI

I cried. It was magical and the food was exquisite. We decided that night that this was where we would love to marry.

I work as a TV and radio broadcaster in the UK and US and part of that involves working with fashion, so to say I am crazy about it is an understatement.

Our colour scheme was chosen after my research into a fashion show I was doing and realising a lot of the catwalk shows were in blush/nude pink for 2016.

Not a colour I would probably have chosen but I fell in love and it just all fell into place. Weddings are often predominantly silver but I love rose gold and we thought it went beautifully with the blush pink, we then teamed that with ivory, pearls and lace. Ivory is a very difficult colour to match as some materials are labelled ‘ivory’ when really they’re cream and vice versa.

Say Yes to the Dresses Finding my wedding dress was hard work! I believe this - again is because of my job and having my work head on as well as

listening to my heart. I was so stressed it was ridiculous. I had a mini wedding in the UK for 12 people, due to my dad’s ill health, which meant that he couldn’t fly and so I was lucky enough to wear two dresses. Not my choice but Gary’s; he specifically said I couldn’t wear the same dress twice. It was important that it wasn’t too big for Spain with the heat, but I also wanted something a little different. In the end I

found the perfect dress in a gown by Ezoani and that old cliché ‘you just know’ proved true. I did and, yes, we cried! It was after trying on

what seemed like hundreds of other dresses.

However, being me, I couldn’t stop there and had to put my own spin on it. I found a fabulous dress maker – Legends - and asked the bridesmaids’ dresses company (Light In The Box) to ship me the matching fabric. The pink flowers were then made for my hand, pearls were added and rose gold beads, fabric covered buttons down the back and tulle wrap for around my shoulders and – voila!

- the dress I had always wanted with my unique spin.

Décor Days The flowers we chose were peonies, hydrangeas and roses. I made my own

centrepieces, my bouquet, my bridesmaids’ bouquets, the pearl napkin rings and the place cards which I decorated with pearls. I even sourced my own

sweetie table and all the vases.

In total I had three pallets and 11 suitcases of décor shipped out to Spain. I struggled with finding suitable items for my chosen colour palette as everyone I spoke to in Spain only had silver. I also wanted puddle drop tablecloths in rose chiffon, plus rose gold sequinned tablecloths and I couldn’t find any in the South of Spain to hire. A wedding planner bought all the decorations from me the night of my wedding and they were hired out the following Saturday to another wedding, I cannot wait to see the photos.

I’d seen a chiavari chair and that was it, no going back. I hired

be placed. Luckily I had thought about the pomanders and pompoms and had brought tent pegs with me to bolt them down. The white carpet that I had bought had to be held down with the lanterns; you just can’t book the weather.

I had requested pink cava for cocktail hour and had bought edible gold glitter for the rims of the champagne flutes. Spanish

guitarists serenaded the guests and strawberries dipped in chocolate were also served. these and had the blush pink chair backs specially made with the table cloths and matching napkins. I hand-folded the napkins the day before to make the bow to sit on the gold glass chargers I had also shipped in and then my handmade pearl napkin rings.

Only women received favours at the table and I decided on a blush pink pashmina just in case they were a little chilly in the evening. I wrapped these in gold tissue paper and a small sticker saying, “Thank you, Mr & Mrs B” and our wedding date. As our guests entered the Kempinksi they were given a fan each, a pack of tissues wrapped in pearl card and a flower, confetti pop-up and heel stoppers for their shoes, which stopped the girls sinking into the grass at the ceremony.

That’s Entertainment When our guests arrived at the impressive entrance of the Kempinksi a grand piano was playing and I had made Ferreo Rocher trees for the guests.

The girls then received their goodies and everyone enjoyed the chocolates. My cake was

just to die for and was identical to the picture I had given Omaya from Cake Couture Marbella.

What an incredibly lovely, talented woman. It was mouth-wateringly tasty too!

I had bought 10,000 rose petals to be placed at either side of the aisle but unfortunately, due to the horrendous wind, they couldn’t

During dinner we were entertained

by Quike on violin and Javi on sax and there was not a dry eye in the house. These musicians were truly amazing and are probably still the most talked about part of the wedding. They played until the early hours of the morning, starting softly during dinner and ramping up throughout the night.

We bought lots of toys, play dough and colouring books, crayons and pencils for the kids and had a separate table for them to entertain themselves after dinner. They loved it. The sweetie table also went down a treat, even more so with the adults!

Sound and Vision We hired an LED dance floor, something we had debated for months, but it turned out to be money well spent because it looked wonderful, especially with the gigantic LOVE letters on the edge. This made a huge difference to the pictures as well, so I’m thrilled we didn’t scrimp on this.

I had found a wonderful woman called Lara who decorated our ceremony cabana and the ceiling of the venue with fairy lights and love hearts. It was just magical.

Mark from Costa Del Party was our DJ and MC for the day. Utterly professional, quick to respond, there to help every step of the way, he was so thorough and generally my rock. Our

dance floor was rocking and never empty right the way through until three in the morning. We had to be kicked off that floor!

CONFETI 59

Real Weddings As far as I’m concerned, the photographer is one of the most important components of a wedding. There is a time for cutting costs and pinching pennies but not when it comes to hiring a good photographer. One of my many nicknames is Del Girl, as I will always find a deal, but I knew the photographer had to be right and we wanted the works.

David Toms was brilliant, a real character who worked like a Trojan throughout the day. He had the guests laughing and even knew had to help me into my dress - no joke!

Favourite moments Spending the time with family and very special friends, Quike and Javi’s amazing performance which was just breathtaking and watching the hard work come together.

If I had to do it again I would change...

Cold fireworks were supposed to be booked for our first dance, please check them out, they are just amazing. Unfortunately we couldn’t have them due to the ceiling being too low. I have asked many brides what they would have changed about their day and 90 per cent said they wouldn’t have

bothered to order food at night, or would have requested less. I wouldn’t have had the tapas at midnight. I didn’t realise it was there and when I did, it had gone cold and nobody ate it. That was a waste.

Our advice for future couples You cannot do too much research!

Meet and interview the people you are hiring for your big day. Do not be pushed into anything you do not want to do. Remember it is YOUR day and you will regret it if it is not done the way YOU want. Do not be afraid to say NO. Set a budget. You will doubtless exceed it, but think of where you could save and where you really can’t afford to. If you put the work in you will get the rewards on the day.

Hand over all the stress of the big day to whoever you feel will do the best job. That could be a wedding

planner or a very organised friend. Bridesmaids, best man and ushers are there to help, so delegate jobs to each and every one of them. I handled most of the work but had a wedding planner just for the one day called Tonia.

She really was worth it.

Address Book Venue: Kempinski Hotel Bahia Wedding Planner: Sally Jacks.

Help on the day from Tonia.

Decoration of Cabana and Ceiling: Lara Caterer: Kempinsi Hotel Bahia.

Wedding Cake: Omaya from Cake Couture Marbella.

Flowers: Paco from Susie Florsiteria Wedding Dress: Enzoani, unique touches from Charlotte at Legend Bridal in Blackburn.

Make-up: Liza Hair: Maite Photographer: David Toms Videographer: Sam Raynard.

Reynard Productions.

Music: Mark Borrow, Costa Del Party.

Entertainment: Pianist booked through the Kempinski. Spanish Guitarists.

Watch a trailer of Sally & Gary wedding!

vimeo.com/178711119 60 CONFETI

For a Royal Wedding

Make your special day unforgeeable Widely praised cuisine & stylish rooms for you and your guests Breathtaking views all the way to the coast Perfeccon ll the last detail

+34 952 459 836 | info@cassllodemonda.com www.cassllodemonda.com | hotelcassllodemonda

Real Weddings

Destination :

SPAIN Sinead and Owen met the traditional Irish way - in a bar in Dublin on a Friday night! After five years spent living in Australia - and a move back to Ireland - the search was on for a wedding venue. Having sorted out the logistics, the Costa del Sol was the winner by a clear margin.

Sinead and Owen’s first evening together ended with a shared pizza and they went on a first date a week later. Fast forward eight years and they were planning a wedding. Sinead recalls, “We had been living in Australia for five years and were planning on moving home to Ireland just before our wedding. We wanted guaranteed sunshine and somewhere that was easily accessible from Ireland. My parents had spent a lot of time in Spain over the last few years and we knew they loved it, so between logistics, weather and recommendations, Spain was the ideal choice for us.”

Villa Andalucía Certain that they wanted their wedding to take place in a private villa, the pair were

introduced to the charms of their perfect venue by Optimum Weddings by The Weddings Company.

Sinead says, “We wanted a private 62 CONFETI

villa and this one had the wow factor! We actually made a big leap of faith and booked it based on the recommendation from our wedding planner and the pictures we saw online. We didn’t actually see the venue until almost a year later when we visited Spain, but once we did, we knew we had made the right choice.

What we really liked was the way we were able to control the flow of the day with the venue. We had the drinks ceremony outside at the front of the villa, then swung open the huge wooden doors to allow our guests into the courtyard for the ceremony. After that guests could make their way through the villa for the reception, so it was like each stage of the day had a new venue!”

Colour Coded Sinead opted for a blend of elegant, modern and romantic, which ultimately dictated the colour scheme. Elegant accents of gold, modern monochrome and

blush pink all added a romantic feel. Sinead adds, “Even though we were in Spain we still wanted a formal wedding style. All of the bridesmaids wore black evening dresses. They each chose their own dress, so it was a reflection of their own style. The groomsmen and the father of the bride wore tuxedos with bow ties. Owen wore a blush bow tie to match to my dress - although he obviously didn’t know that at the time!”

Sinead wanted her wedding dress to be different, but without being too weird and wacky.

Eventually she found exactly what

she was looking for on Pinterest and, as fate would have it, the only stockist in Ireland was 15 minutes from her house. “It was romantic, modern and blush all in one. We kept the flowers as simple as possible so as not to detract from the venue. I chose simple bunches of baby’s breath for the boys and the bridesmaids and I carried a white hydrangeas surrounded by baby’s breath.”

International Inspiration After leaving Sydney, Sinead and Owen went travelling for five months to the USA, Canada and Asia and wanted to integrate

Our advice for future couples It really all does come together on the day, and those little things that you stressed so much about don’t matter anymore. The day goes by so fast, you should enjoy it as much as you can.

Take your time before deciding what type of wedding you want. We went to a few other people’s weddings and it helped us to shape what we wanted our wedding to be - how big, where, what we liked, didn’t like, etc. A lot of couples seem to get engaged and rush to book a place straight away, especially in Ireland when you need to book a venue 18 months in advance. But your tastes change over time and the more weddings you’ve been to. So relax and decide together what type of wedding you both want – and not what your friends or family want. that theme into their day. They

used black and white images of their travels on the wedding cake, with a custom made gold cake topper that said ‘Make Memories’.

However, during the ceremony and at the cocktail reception they wanted to pay homage to their chosen destination, so employed the services of a Spanish classical guitarist. “What was great was the mix of traditional Spanish music and modern classics,” recalls Sinead. “I walked down the aisle to the Spanish guitar version of ‘Stand by Me’ by Ben E King. Then for the first dance we decided against the traditional slow love song and went for our favourite party song by American rapper T.I. ‘Whatever You Like’ although we made sure that it was the radio edit!”

Instead of traditional favours Sinead and Owen made donations to the Irish Heart Foundation and the Southern Area Hospice in honour of loved

ones who couldn’t be there to celebrate with them and when it came to the food choices, well that international theme came to the fore once more. “This was extremely important to us. From our first tasting with Goyo we were sure that we had found our perfect company. We had 10 types of canapés and a three-course sit down meal, featuring flavours from all over the world: Seared Tuna with Mango, Gazpacho, Foie Gras, Spring Rolls etc.”

The couple chose Kris McGuirk to record their day, as they especially liked his documentary style of photography, while also wanting plenty of shots with friends and family, as well as the all-important group shot. “The photos turned out better that we could have imagined,” says Sinead.

Favourite moments “Having the wedding in Spain meant all our guests arrived a few days before, so the build up to the wedding, and getting to spend time with everyone in the days leading up to the big day, everyone was so relaxed and in holiday mode.

Our ceremony was informal and I

loved that we incorporated the Spanish arras coins and the communal vows. It

felt like everyone there was a part of the ceremony. Of course, the food was amazing and definitely a highlight. Everyone was talking about it and trying new things.

Getting our photos taken was great, because it got all the groups together for family shots, etc, but then also because we had some time alone, when we had photos taken together.”

“If I had to do it again, I would change...?”

“Well, you can’t control the weather but if I could have, I would have! It rained three times on the day and it was the only time it rained in the entire two weeks we were there.”

Address Book Wedding planner: Dyana Dessar Simmons and Sara Beyer from Opitmum Weddings

by The Weddings Company theweddingscompany.com Photographer: Kris McGuirk krismcguirk.com Music: Spanish Guitar Jeremias de la Rosa for ceremony and cocktail hour / DJ Tristan Harper,weddingdjmarbella.co.uk Cake: Margie Cakery Marbella Makeup: Golden Tarts Puerto Banus Hair: Golden Tarts Puerto Banus Venue: Villa Andalucía Minister: Natasha Johnson malagaminister.com Flowers: Shona from Bunches www.bunchesspain.com Dress: Divine Atelier Bought In The White Gallery In Co.Down Ireland CONFETI 63

Real Weddings

The French-Canadian Connection Sarah and Fabien’s transatlantic romance featured a madly romantic Paris proposal and a Spanish wedding, which was the perfect story for this multicultural pairing.

Fabien is from Paris and I am from Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. In 2007 we both moved to Montreal.

I was there to start my second university degree, while Fabien had just finished his Master’s degree in Paris and wanted to experience a new city. He had debated the merits of both London and Montreal, so I’m lucky he chose Montreal!

Flat Chance Fabien had rented a four-bedroom house and was looking for one more room-mate to rent the final bedroom. He posted a ‘room-mate wanted’ ad online and the timing was perfect, because I was looking for somewhere to live at exactly the same time. I remember showing up for my ‘interview’ and being faced with a panel of three Frenchmen, who were the first actual French people that I had met.

I moved in and the friendship started.

France and French guys were an entirely new experience for me, so it was fun. Fabien and his friends were crazy and hilarious. After a couple of years of friendship and a few different shared apartments we realised how compatible we were. Despite having grown up in different countries, and having different primary languages, we shared similar values and goals for the future. We thought similarly on all those key things such as religion, politics, money, the environment and loved spending our time in similar ways: parties, eating good food at restaurants and hosting large dinner parties, drinking good wine with friends, and being outdoors either in the park or camping. Realising how compatible we were, we decided we should try being more than friends and started a romance.

It was wonderful and after a few years and a couple trips to Paris,

Fabien proposed at the Chateau de Versailles in Paris. The moment was complete with champagne and roses. Any girl would have

found it romantic, but being from Canada I had never dreamed that my proposal would one day happen in Paris. It was perfect.

The Perfect Place Having decided to get married, of course the next stage was deciding where this would happen.

64 CONFETI

Considering that Fabien’s family are in France and mine in Canada, we knew that compromises would have be made regarding venue, since at least half of our guests would have to travel some distance, no matter where we held the wedding.

We had heard that Spain has fantastic food and wine and both Fabien and I love excellent food and wine. I also love the ocean and mountains. In Canada we don’t have a lot of chances to swim in the sea. Therefore we thought that, if we chose a destination wedding for everyone, our friends and family would have more of a chance to bond in a special setting.

Discovering new places together also forges unforgettable memories.

My criteria were a hotel that could be rented exclusively for a small wedding of 60 people - and ideally sleep all of them 60 people and that it should be an isolated place away from crowds of people and traffic noises. Luckily Fuente del Sol has a wonderfully secluded location and, with 14 rooms and five neighbouring villas, could accommodate the entire wedding party. When I saw the

and contrast the navy dresses and ties with peach and pink flowers.

The whole point is I love flowers, so this was one of the most important aspects of the wedding! I knew that I would have to allow for this when setting my wedding budget.

I was inspired by loose, garden-like bouquets with lots of greenery. Janne from Flor Valentin was amazing!

I created Pinterest boards with images I liked and what I specifically liked about each image. Janne took time to look at all of my Pinterest boards and completely understood what I was hoping to see. When

the flowers showed up, everyone was awestruck.

The road to Hotel Fuente del Sol in La Joya was wild, with many tight turns and hills, so it was impressive how she delivered so many arrangements intact.

Aisle Style As far as my dress went I knew I wanted tulle and lace and fell in love with a dress from La Sposa.

Specifically I was after a timeless design and classic silhouette and when I found out the company is Spanish, it all seemed perfect. My two best friends and bridesmaids lived at opposite sides of Canada and we were not going to see each other until the wedding. We used David’s Bridal, a store where you can shop online and they have locations across North America. I wanted a long flowing style to keep it more formal. One of my bridesmaids was pregnant but still willing to travel all the way from the West Coast, so we chose a loose flowing style that would flatter both of the girls.

DIY Décor This was one of our biggest challenges, having opted for a destination wedding, since I wasn’t using a wedding planner. I wanted to be very involved, have control over the décor and be able to personalise the event by being completely hands-on. My friends and family thought I was a bit crazy but I went ahead with my plans. We brought four suitcases over from Canada, two of which were packed full with decorations: 12 metres of fabric for the wedding arch, 50 silver tea light holders, a guestbook, wedding favours, picture frames and signs, 60 peach napkins, two different sets of chair bows (60 organza chair bows for outside and 60 that coordinated with the peach napkins for inside), my table numbers and place cards, marquee letters which I made myself and a wedding cake topper. I am proud to say that only three silver tea light holders broke during the journey! This was my way of personalising my wedding and, although it was a lot of work, it allowed me to be very involved despite having an overseas wedding.

I love peach, pink and coral shades so the colour was an easy choice for me. When the groomsmen were protesting against wearing peach ties, we decided to go with a navy theme for the bridal party,

The one thing I saw on Pinterest and really wanted was the ceiling to be decorated with tulle and lights. I ordered 120 metres of sheer fabric, the hotel rented us the fairy lights and my two

pictures of Hotel Fuente del Sol and experienced the views from the property, I fell in love.

friends spent hours adjusting the fabric and lights until they were perfect.

Happy Day We chose a non-religious, symbolic ceremony because, legally, we could not marry in Spain. We wrote the ceremony ourselves, half was in French and half in English. We chose an MC who spoke both languages.

My mother did a reading about love and marriage during the ceremony to personalise the event. When it came to the wedding breakfast the hotel had fantastic menus to choose from and we were very impressed.

Good food and wine was very important to us so we made sure we splurged on this.

When it came to our musical choices, we weren’t sure what the DJ would play, so we created request lists of both French/European music and American/Global Top 40 tunes.

We really wanted to incorporate both of our countries’ music and made sure to incorporate some fun dance songs from different decades so people of all ages would enjoy it.

At the ceremony, the bridal party walked in to an instrumental version of Christina Perri’s ‘A Thousand Years’, while I walked down the aisle to Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D Major’.

Our first dance was to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’.

The Finest Details I was adamant that I wanted a butter-cream cake, not fondant.

Despite it being 37 degrees Celsius on the day of the wedding, this was possible as the baker did a fantastic job. My requirements were: three cakes of different sizes, with three different textures and patterns of butter-cream icing and each cake had to be a different flavour with different fillings. I didn’t want the perfect, flawless appearance of fondant, I wanted the more rustic appearance – and general deliciousness - of butter-cream!

Favourite Moments Firstly, bringing all of our friends and family from both countries together, because it will probably be the only time that that happens. Being in Spain and

experiencing this beautiful region for a full week with friends I rarely see was incredible. Before the

wedding we spent time in Málaga, exploring the city and the beaches and we also visited Granada.

After the wedding we went back to Málaga to decompress on the beach and to see friends off at the airport before we left for our two week honeymoon in Italy.

Secondly, feeling so loved by our friends and family! Everyone travelled a long way just to be with us and everyone worked so hard to decorate our wedding venue.

Even in 35 degree heat, my friends were up on ladders mounting the lights and fabric on the reception hall ceiling.

Fabien says that his favourite moment was watching me walk down the aisle, while I enjoyed the

time de-stressing and celebrating with friends after the ceremony was over.

Finally, it was just great watching everyone have an amazing time and get along. We had been concerned the group might not be big enough to have a dynamic party, but our fears proved groundless! Everyone was up late dancing, laughing and having a great time. We were also worried about some people not being totally bilingual and hindering the flow of conversation, but everyone talked a lot and got along brilliantly.

“If I had to do it again I would change…”?

I would definitely ask someone to videotape the ceremony and speeches.

Also, I would do more research by looking at more real wedding photos

ahead of time and prepare an informal list of shots that I like and want or at least get a good idea of what I was hoping to achieve.

Address Book Venue & Caterer: Hotel Fuente del Sol Flowers: Janne at Flor Valentin Wedding Dress: La Sposa Entertainment: Our guests. People had created slide-shows, videos of absent friends and our two MCs had organized games between courses. any suppliers yourself, make sure that you ask to see their credentials and request references so you can speak to former clients. Make a list of moments you are hoping to capture and communicate what you are looking for to your photographer.

Our advice for future couples You

should definitely hire a wedding planner! Your life

will be so much easier because they can liaise with suppliers for you, oversee quality control and make sure your day runs seamlessly.

Also, a hair and makeup trial is a must, as is visiting your chosen venue well in advance of the big day.

If you are engaging CONFETI 65

Real Weddings

Pride &Prejudice & PADIERNA

It’s a story old as time; girl meets boy, thinks that he’s loud, arrogant and annoying but – eventually – love blossoms despite all the odds.

Lena and Robert met at a mutual friend’s party in central London, but when they finally decided to tie the knot there was only one place that could meet all their requirements.

“Growing up, Spain has always been a special place for my family and me,” says Lena. “We travelled all over Spain when I was younger but we have always especially loved Marbella. We chose May for our wedding because it tends to be cooler but with plenty of sunshine. Robert has also visited here with friends and loves it.

Marbella has everything we could possibly have wanted in a wedding destination; great weather, delicious food, beautiful natural surroundings and the Spanish people are so hospitable.”

“We also knew we could never have had the wedding of our dreams in London. The weather is always unpredictable and we really wanted an outdoor wedding that was smaller and more intimate. If we had stayed in London, we would have had 400 to 500 guests which would have been a nightmare for us. With that amount of guests, so many elements get compromised. We both wanted to feel that we were surrounded by people we knew and loved, people that actually meant something to us, so for us it was all about the quality of guests, not the quantity.”

Timeless Beauty Scouting for venues can be a long process, but when Lena and Robert entered the grounds of Villa Padierna, they knew that they had found the perfect venue for their wedding. “Villa Padierna is

magical! It is pure luxury and elegance. Robert and I fell in love with it instantly.

There are so many beautiful areas in and around the hotel that our worst problem was deciding which areas to choose for our wedding ceremony, cocktail reception and dinner. We are thrilled with

the venue and how the staff treated us and our wedding guests. We could

not be any happier for how our wedding day turned out. We were in a dream the whole day, the combination of the amphitheatre, the terrace and the beautiful fountains and grand staircases make Villa Padierna a dream wedding venue. It’s timeless.”

66 CONFETI

With the wedding venue secured, the hunt was on to find the perfect wedding dress, a task that Lena took very seriously. “I adore lace so I always knew I would choose a lace wedding dress. I wanted a classic, timeless style and I found my perfect dress in Pronovias, London. It made me feel sexy and fitted perfectly.

Robert gave me the freedom to choose the bridesmaids’ dresses, colours, flowers and all the wedding décor. I wanted to create a dreamy purple paradise. The bridesmaids’ dresses were specially made by a seamstress in London - I wanted a romantic style with an intricate design on the bodices. My sister’s maid of honour dress was from a boutique in Istanbul. Traditionally in my culture, the bride’s sister wears something more elaborate than the bridesmaids.”

Décor Decisions Lena found that having a set idea of what she wanted in her mind helped enormously when making decisions about which providers of services to choose. “We wanted different shades of purple flowers throughout the wedding. We chose Pedro

Navarro, as his previous work was better than anything we had ever seen before. We knew instantly that we wanted him to provide the flowers and décor for our wedding. The

ceremony set-up was breathtaking - flowers in varying shades of purple framing a gazebo also covered in purple material with huge vases of flowers at either end and at the entrance of the amphitheatre. Pink and purple hydrangeas featured heavily in our floral decorations.”

The tables also formed a very important focus for Lena’s ideas.

“Candles, mirrored tables, glass lanterns, huge purple floral centrepieces, a combination of plastic and mirrored charger plates plus white Napoleon chairs all helped to create a purple paradise, which is what I wanted. Pedro delivered this with ease as he is fantastic at what he does. Robert wanted fairy lights on and around the trees in Linares Terrace. I totally agreed with this as they look very

pretty at night and helped to create a romantic, rustic atmosphere.”

Multicultural Traditions Lena and Robert were determined to line up music that reflected their cultural backgrounds, as well as paying tribute to the location of their wedding. “It was a mixture of Arabic, Assyrian, English and Spanish,” explains Lena. “One of our DJs was Robert’s uncle, who flew in especially for our wedding from California and provided all the Arabic and Assyrian music. Our other DJ was Robert’s friend from Dubai who flew in and played all the English and Spanish music.”

“Our cake was made by Sweet Things by Fi, who is based in Gibraltar. The cake consisted of seven tiers, comprising four different flavours: traditional fruit cake, raspberry ripple, carrot cake and lemon curd. We knew at our first meeting with Fi that we would definitely be choosing her to make

our wedding cake. She was warm and friendly and made us feel at ease. The base of the cake was elaborately decorated with an array of flowers that matched the theme of the wedding by Pedro Navarro. We also had a custom-made gold glitter cake topper with our names on to add a more personal touch.”

The couple agreed that one of the central aspects of the wedding day should be the food, therefore a great deal of care was taken when selecting the dishes. Lena recalls, “We chose a selection of hot and cold canapés, which included Prawns Wrapped in Potato and Sweet Chilli, a Sushi and Maki Roll Selection, Salmorejo Tartlets with Tuna, Chicken Skewers with Lime and Beef Skewers with Glazed Shallot. For starters we went for King Prawn Salad with Orange Dressing, the main course was Filet Mignon with Courgette and Potato and the dessert was Chocolate Mousse.

Attention to Detail Lena might have had more ideas about the décor but Robert showed that he also wanted to add to the overall fun. “Firstly he arranged

for disposable wedding cameras to be placed on each table so that our guests could capture the wedding from their perspective - we wanted them

to snap their favourite moments. All cameras were collected at the end of the night so we could develop them. Secondly, Robert decided to do away with the traditional idea of table numbers and instead tables were named after cities that our guests had travelled from: Istanbul, Beirut, Dubai and Toronto, to name just a few. Both of these special touches went down really well with our guests.”

“All aspects of our wedding flowed well because we had an amazing wedding planner who ensured everything ran smoothly and in order. Carla from Tucco was the best and we really enjoyed working with her. She is fantastic at what she does.”

The couple found their photographer, The Love Hunters, via the internet. Robert takes up the story: “We were browsing YouTube, looking for other weddings that had taken place at Villa Padierna when we came across a few good trailers from The Love Hunters (TLH). Twelve videos later we came to the conclusion that they had the videography that best suited our style, look and feel. We then instructed Carla to contact TLH to enquire about a videography and photography package for our

wedding, as well as an engagement shoot six months prior. This enabled us to build a relationship with Marcos and TLH. We are extremely happy with the final result of their work.”

Address Book

Favourite moments Lena: “The ceremony. It was the most important aspect for me.

Having the Archbishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church marry us in such a beautiful setting surrounded by all the people I love was overwhelming and I was so thankful that I got to marry my soul mate. The way Robert was looking at me during the ceremony and when we said our vows, will stay with me forever. It was a dream. I also loved our first dance and all the amazing speeches.”

Wedding Planner: Tucco Events

Robert: “I had three favourite moments. The first was the joining of the two churches (The Assyrian Church of the East and the Syriac Orthodox Church) to bless our wedding. The blessings united different aspects from both churches, all hymns were sung in Aramaic, while English was used during the spoken parts of the service. The final admonition was then spoken in Arabic, Syriac and English. The second was seeing Lena for the first time, walking down the aisle with her father, as her wedding dress was the only part of the wedding I had not been involved in. It was a beautiful moment that I wish I could relive. The third thing was the wedding entrance; for both Assyrian and Arab cultures this is a big celebratory moment, as it is when the couple first enters the reception as man and wife.”

Venue & Caterer : Villa Padierna Palace Hotel

Wedding Cake: Sweet Things by Fi Styling, Decoration and Flowers: Pedro Navarro Wedding Dress: Pronovias Make-up: Doné Khan Hair: Golden Tarts Photographer & Videographer: The Love Hunters Music: Marbella Entertainment for all DJ Equipment, speakers and lighting.

Paul Deriawish (DJ Paul) Entertainment: Paul Diryawish (DJ Paul) Adam Jaso (DJ Adam J) Renee Hutchins (Jazz Trio) Cuarteto Hamilton (String Quartet)

“If I had to do it again I would change…”?

Lena: “I really would not change a thing. But I wish that my mother’s family had been there with us on our special day but unfortunately they were unable to get a visa to travel to Spain. Other than that, it was perfect.”

Robert: “I would have relaxed more on the day, not been stressed by little things.”

Our advice for future couples Lena and Robert say: “Explore, discuss, plan. Our advice is constantly to challenge yourself.

Seek ways to make your wedding truly special while ensuring you work to time, budget and scope. It is important to take into consideration guests’ needs, but at the same time do not let this take over. Guests are what make the wedding truly special and without the love and support from all of them it wouldn’t be as enjoyable.

Get your guest and music lists nailed down as soon as possible because the sooner that is ready the sooner you can order invitations and these take the longest time to arrive, write and post.”

CONFETI 67

Real Weddings

Love Songs

Russian actress Natalia and musician Sergei’s route to the altar might not have been as straightforward as some romances but, in the end, love prevailed.

I was with my friend at Uma2Rman, where Sergei was performing. After the show I decided to greet him and play him the song I had written with my friend; I should confess that it was terrible! We recorded it just using our PC, but Sergei patiently listened to it and invited us to join him for dinner with a group of his friends and colleagues. There was a great atmosphere, really lively and it was only after some time that I realised that everybody had left and we were still talking to Sergei. After that came a long period of coming together before parting again and again. It was very complicated but eventually we both realised that we could not live without each other. I must say that he is a great father and spends a lot of time with his kids and we are very blessed, as we now have our own boy of two years old. Of course, he played a very important role in our wedding.

Picture Perfect We initially wanted to get married in Moscow, but when we arrived for the Russian Film Festival our friends started to insist that Marbella would be an unforgettable destination for our wedding. We were already in love with the place, so the next evening we found ourselves in the house of Tatiana Polikanova, the wedding planner from Events Couture Marbella, discussing our wedding. It was an entirely spontaneous decision that we didn’t regret at all.

There were several venues in the running that were definite contenders; we very much liked a place in Sotogrande, but it turned out to be a real challenge to obtain a licence to allow us to have live music after 10 pm, so we decided to move the celebrations to Marbella. I bought a new dress, since my original choice didn’t suit our new place and we agreed to go for a black and white colour scheme. This sounds ridiculous but, a week before the ceremony, my wedding planner called me and said that the new place had some issues with the Town Hall and could not accommodate us after all. So…back to the drawing board! The whole party was

moved right at the last minute to one of our first two favourites. Luckily the wedding was on a Monday, so

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the place was still available. On the 13th of June all our friends arrived at the beautifully decorated gardens at La Meridiana. In the

end all those difficulties were a positive thing, because they helped me realise that the only thing I truly wanted was to get married to Sergei and I felt

relaxed enough to leave the rest to the professionals.

Boho Bride?

Both of us love Boho style, so we decided to add a pinch of glamour to it and go for monochrome Boho-Chic. We also wanted to have an informal, easy-going atmosphere so this style best reflected our

personalities. I fell in love with a black wedding dress by Anna Chudova,

who is a famous Russian designer – it was absolutely magical and practically weightless. The best thing was that, until I arrived at the ceremony, Sergei had no

idea that I was going to wear black! I made sure that

he had a white shirt and white pants, so I wanted to be in a black gown. However, the plan didn’t work out because, at some point, he decided to change and wear a black shirt and pants. And, of course, once you reach the altar it’s a bit late to protest. For our first dance I chose a short white dress with some black jewellery.

The décor also conformed to our chosen style. The venue of the ceremony was subtly decorated with flowers and crystals so as not to destroy the natural beauty of the place. Later, our huge wedding table was extensively decorated with elaborate floral arrangements: we asked for

two metre hight flower cascades, which looked amazing. We also had hundreds of candles, black and white crystals and our initials. And, of course, we just had to have a black piano!

Visual Feast We decided to go for some Andalusian appetizers and a Mediterranean menu for the dinner. The basic idea of the cake was created by our wedding planner and it was a complete surprise for Sergei. The first layer had a silhouette of Moscow, the third layer had a silhouette of Marbella, while the second contained notes from Sergei’s song, which he wrote for me. Of course, everything just had to be in black and white.

We asked a mutual friend who works as Sergei’s manager to be our DJ and we included a flamenco performance, which resulted in everybody taking to the dance floor. Sergei also performed several songs, while a famous Russian comedian acted as our MC. Baron von

Bossner, a friend of ours, produced limited edition cigars featuring our picture, which we gave as gifts

to all our friends. Another friend of ours, Alex, played sax for us but at the end surprised everybody with a song – it seems that a new talent has been discovered. The whole ambience was very intimate and friendly and, even at 5am, nobody wanted to go home. We sang old Russian songs and had a good laugh. My bridal morning was spent at the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel.

Our photographer was Owen Farrell because we loved his work, finding it very sensual, tasteful and elegant and we are very happy with the results.

We also chose Ivan from Ocena Cinema, a young talented, videographer who created a very

emotional video for us. I have to say that everybody, from the lighting technician to the pastry chef, put so much soul and effort into making our wedding perfect.

Our wedding planner managed to gather a great team together, which made every single moment unforgettable.

My favourite moments were...

When I saw Sergei standing at the altar dressed all in black instead of white – it was a complete surprise!

The ceremony itself. It was emotional and great fun at the same time. Our two year-old son also decided to participate and at some point Sergei decided to hold him with us, which was a very sweet and touching moment.

The flamenco performance which ended with all our guests joining in.

If I had to do it again I would change...

I wouldn’t change a thing! It was perfect exactly the way it was.

Advice for couples thinking of getting married...

Don’t stress - trust your destiny.

Even if something turns out slightly differently from what you had planned, the main thing is that you are getting married to your loved one and this is more important than anything else.

Address Book Venue and Caterer: La Meridiana Wedding Planner: Tatiana Polikanova from Events Couture Marbella Wedding Cake: La Vie A Sucre Flowers: AM Gallery by Alla Margun Wedding dress: Anna Chudova from Russian wedding and fiesta dresses Photography: Owen Farrell Photography Videography: Ocean Cinema Music and Entertainment: Events Couture Marbella

CONFETI 69

Real Weddings

F

amily, riends & un

Organising a wedding inevitably involves a lot of work, but it always helps if the bride and groom are aiming to achieve the same things. When Charlotte and Rob decided that it was time to marry they had a three-point checklist which helped them to keep the celebrations on track.

copies and new issues and it proved invaluable as a sort of inspiration bible.”

“We met many years ago when Charlotte came in to my salon to have her hair done,” says Rob. “We pretty much instantly became very close friends and, along with the rest of the family, spent such amazing days, nights and holidays together.

Over the years we grew closer still and I decided that I couldn’t pretend any longer and had to tell Charlotte how I really felt about her. Thankfully she felt the same way. They say that all the best relationships are built on friendship and I must say that it truly is an amazing thing to be married to your best friend.”

Second Home Charlotte takes up the story of why the couple chose Spain as their ideal wedding destination: “I had practically grown up here and had spent every summer of my childhood in Spain with friends and family. My parents’ villa is a home away from home. Also, my sister got married at home three years ago and I wanted to do the same, but not take anything away from her big day or have people compare

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them. When Mum suggested Spain it automatically felt right and, since it was our second home, my sister and I were both able to get married at home as we wished.

“One of the other reasons, which was a big deciding factor for Rob and me, was the Spanish way of life. We like the family orientated culture because it was so important for our families to be involved in our wedding. We wanted our extended families and friends to be included in our wedding day and the Spanish way of life accommodates this so well. As soon as we had decided on Spain we started the hard work for the dream to happen. During

our time on the Coast I had picked up copies of Confeti, so I kept an eye out for ideas using back

The Right Location “Firstly, we enlisted the help of Louise Roper of Wedding Service Spain who we knew through a mutual friend on the Coast and she soon became a friend rather than just our wedding planner. We then arranged to fly to Spain to meet Lou, who had some venues lined up for us to view. The first place she showed us was the one we chose for our wedding. On paper it was everything I thought I didn’t want, but when you have found the perfect location you just know. I remember walking on to the terrace and seeing this perfect sandy beach with the sun glittering on the sea and just knowing that this is where our reception would be.

“The venue, Aqui Te Quiero

Ver, was run by a Spanish family and offered the most amazing Spanish food. The laid-back atmosphere

also felt just right. I am not one of these people that can visualize how things are going to be, but with this venue I could see my wedding guests sitting on the terrace enjoying the food, drink and view and my flower girls playing on the beach. It was ‘the one’.”

Guiding Principles “Rob and I had come to the conclusion that three words and a phrase should form the core principles of our wedding and these were: family, friends, fun and ‘a Spanish wedding in Spain’. We really didn’t want a typically British wedding in a different location.

Everything we planned was based around these four keys points. Once that was set we were able to fill in the details.

“As far as my wedding dress was concerned, I found myself drawn to gowns that were both plain and dramatic. Keeping it Spanish proved easy, because the dress I

chose was from Pronovias and perfectly suited my ‘plain but dramatic’ idea and had a three and a half metre train.

To set the whole ensemble off I wore a mother of pearl mantilla and, also keeping with the Spanish theme, I chose a bespoke, four metre long veil with heavy lace around the edges. It was beautiful.

“We wanted our colour scheme to be neutral, as we felt the church and the venue spoke for themselves.

The solution? Traditional white, creams and greens for the flowers, incorporating jasmine into the buttonholes and my bouquet. The bridesmaids wore champagne, 1950s inspired clothes, the lace of their dresses and button detailing matching my dress and veil. My most important decision regarding the bridesmaids’ dresses was comfort and that they should like their dresses. They looked beautiful.

I chose proper ‘little girl’ dresses for the three flower girls. Their bows matched the bridesmaids’ dresses and they looked adorable.

As far as the venue went we wanted to keep it as simple as possible - the reason we had chosen it in the first place was because of its rustic charm, so we stuck with that and chose a lace and hessian theme. To add a romantic touch we placed tiki torches all along the beach and the walkways, along with jam jars containing tea lights, that again sported hessian and lace to match the theme. The venue looked beautiful; it was everything I wanted and more.”

Keeping it Spanish “Our ceremony was

conducted by Padre Peter.

What a gentleman! We clicked with him right from the initial meeting and explained that we wanted a Spanish ceremony.

Padre Peter made some interesting and useful suggestions which we were able to team with our own research. Things that we

wanted to incorporate included Rob being walked down the aisle by his mother, our mothers lighting candles so our families became one, the arras and the drinking of Málaga wine. Padre Peter was

so supportive throughout the preparation period and, even more importantly, guided us through our ceremony with love. He

made both Rob and I feel at ease throughout the ceremony and conducted our wedding with joy and laughter. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to marry us.

“Our guests arrived on the Thursday lunchtime and that evening we had hired out a chiringuito in La Cala and had tapas with all of our guests to welcome them to Spain and to our wedding. The Friday was the wedding day - and my birthday. We had a leisurely morning, enjoying a lie-in and a lazy breakfast where we celebrated my birthday. At 1pm birthday celebrations stopped (according to the strict schedule and spreadsheets my mum was keeping) and it was time for hair and make-up. Everyone kept asking me why I was so calm! We had planned the wedding so much and had

a great team of planners and suppliers that I knew everything was taken care of so I could enjoy my big day with my friends and family.”

Magical Touches “Throughout the wedding day there were little special touches.

The most significant as far as I was concerned involved Quike Navarro playing Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ as our guests left the church and then continuing to serenade Rob and I as we stood in the church; my dad - who is Polish – using Presidential Vodka for the toast during his speech instead of champagne; a montage of photos of me growing up being projected when I danced with my dad; cutting the cake and giving the cake top to the next couple we thought would get married; surprising our guests with a choreographed routine to ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams and wearing custom made wedding bands made out of the gold from my grandparents wedding rings.

“We ate the most amazing, home cooked food starting with Pepper

Address Book Wedding planner: Louise Roper at Wedding Service Spain Photographer: Pierre Richardson Videographer: Emotion Moments Music: Quike Navarro, Jackie Brown Band, The Three Tenors, The Four Tops and Motown Magic.

Cake: Omaya at Cake Couture Venue: Aqui Te Quiero Ver and the Garden Bar Rocas Del Mar Minister: Padre Peter Flowers: Earthscent (flowers by Loraine) Dress: Rococo (Melbourne – Derbyshire) Pronovias Make-up: Nicola McGeorge Hair: Anthony Scott and Onion Salad with Caramelized Goats Cheese and Chicken Croquettes, with a choice for mains of Beef in a Red Wine Jus or Sea Bass in a Prawn and Champagne sauce with a dessert consisting of Chocolate Soufflé and Raspberry Cheesecake. I really did have my dream wedding, and what a way to celebrate my birthday!”

Happy Snaps “We chose Pierre Richardson as our photographer. As soon as we met him and saw his work I knew that he was the photographer for us - he was so laid back and such a lovely person. We knew that we would be spending a lot of time with our photographer and therefore had to get on well with him.

On the day, Pierre was supportive, efficient and fun to be with. After the wedding I couldn’t wait to see the

photos. Pierre sent us copies very quickly and I fell in love with all of them. He took so many amazing photos, capturing moments in time that will be memories forever. He just gave us the hard job of having to choose only 50 out of the 100 plus amazing shots for our album!

Favourite Moments Sitting in the car with my Dad outside the church, just him and me, walking down the aisle (no one can prepare you for that!), having everyone we loved in one room, supporting us and partying the night away and being able to call Rob my husband.

The memories that we created will last forever.

“If I had to do it again, I would change…”?

I would make it last longer, so it never had to end! Other than that I wouldn’t change a thing. My day was perfect and I want to do it all over again.

Our dvice for future couples If you don’t live in Spain but are getting married out there, get a wedding planner. There are plenty to choose from, so hire someone who you know you can work closely with. We are lucky that our wedding planner quickly became a friend.

Go with your instincts; you will know when something is right. We also found that Confeti provided us with some great ideas and inspiration.

Enjoy the day and don’t worry about the little things. On the day go with the flow and let things be and you will have an amazing time.

CONFETI 71

Real Weddings

MAGIC in the Mountains Ronan and Michelle’s big day in Benahavís

Where It All Began Ronan and I met in our hometown in Ireland, so in some ways you could say he was ‘the boy next door.’ However, we actually met when I was on a girls’ night out with friends and he was out with his mates celebrating Ireland winning the Six Nations rugby tournament.

A Place In The Sun We have both spent many holidays in Spain and love the climate, the people, the cuisine and the outstanding scenery.

Basically, we both fell in love with Benahavís on our very first visit to the pretty pueblo and just knew that it would provide the perfect setting for our wedding and that our families and friends would enjoy it as well.

The Perfect Setting

Benahavís offers the most spectacular setting and we decided that a venue here would show all our guests another side of the Costa del Sol; one that is more traditionally Spanish.

The mountains behind it, plus the river walks and the incredible restaurants are breathtaking and finding the Gran

Hotel Benahavís with its separate wedding venue Los Molinos was just the icing on the cake.

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Dunia, the hotel’s events manager couldn’t have been more helpful and as we didn’t have a wedding planner we relied on her help a lot.

She gave us excellent support with every aspect of the wedding and all the other staff members were also incredibly friendly and went out of their way to make sure we had a wonderful day. Our wedding ceremony was in the beautiful local church - Iglesia de la Virgen del Rosario in Benahavís. After the ceremony we went to the town park for photographs before going to Gran Hotel Benahavís. Every setting was just perfect and just as we had dreamed it would be.

We’d definitely recommend the Gran Hotel Benahvís to any couples looking for a venue that isn’t right on the coast. Although, it’s worth remembering that Benahavís is only a 5-10 minute drive from the beach.

Styled In Ireland I bought my wedding dress in Ireland. I didn’t want a traditional style and I fell in love with my dress the first time I tried it on.

My bridesmaids chose their own dresses and we simplified that task by buying them all online.

My aunty Eilis is superbly creative with flowers and she made all the bouquets and buttonholes exactly as we wanted them.

Relaxed Is Our Theme Ronan and I didn’t have a theme for our wedding; we just wanted a wedding that was as relaxed as possible. After the ceremony and the photos in the park, we had a wedding cocktail on the

terrace at Los Molinos.

The mountain views were a stunning backdrop and Pepe, a Spanish guitarist, played throughout, add that special touch of Spain to the occasion. He continued

playing during the meal and we also had a children’s entertainer for the kids called Andrea Animación Infantil. She was amazing and the parents were delighted to have time to enjoy themselves. Finally, we had Jorge, a caricaturist, who was a big hit with the guests who all got to take their portraits home. The Gran Hotel Benahavís catered the entire event and also made the most delicious wedding cake.

Capturing The Day

We chose the photographers and videographers Bodakids to take our wedding photos and we were delighted with them. We loved the fact that they were very professional and they never felt intrusive. Actually, I can

of utmost importance to us and we managed to achieve that feeling throughout the wedding day. In the days leading up to it, we rambled the cobbled streets of the village and stopped for coffee or tapas when we felt like it and in the evenings, we had BBQs at our villa. We were definitely not the typically overwrought with wedding stress couple. Everything about the ceremony and the preparations and celebrations was magical and neither of us could choose just one moment that stood out from the rest.

“If I had to do it again I would change…”

Our music. The DJ did not take direction very well (and he needed a lot of direction!!). But it didn’t stop our guests from hitting the dance floor! The open bar may have helped with that!

Our Advice for Future Couples Relax and enjoy every part of it, even the things that go “wrong”!

Address Book Venue, Caterer & Wedding Cake: Gran Hotel Benahavis Wedding Planner: Dunia, Gran Hotel Benahavis

reveal that on the big day these photographers really went the extra mile as they ironed Ronan’s shirt on the morning of the wedding. You can’t ask more than that and we were delighted with all our photos and the video is truly special.

Hair: Vivi Ruiz

The Best Bits Ronan and I were thrilled that we chose to get married abroad and that we had a week long wedding celebration. Staying relaxed was

Entertainment: Pepe (Spanish Guitarist) Jorge, Marbellacaricatures.com (Caricaturist)

Make-up: Laura from Spellbound, Naas, Co. Photographer & Videographer: Bodakids, Bodakids.com

CONFETI 73

Real Weddings

From Training Day to

Wedding day!

Maria and Steve’s journey from the gym to the altar.

A Gym Romance Steve and I are both dedicated gym goers and we’d been training at the same fitness centre for two years before we actually met each other and talked for the first time thanks to some mutual friends. We were together for six years since that evening before finally deciding to get married. We both live in Spain and all our friends are here, so holding the wedding in Spain was a ‘no brainer’ choice for us.

Beside the Sea We did quite an extensive search for a wedding venue but somehow there was always something missing. The Don Carlos

hotel was the last place we visited and we fell in love with the gardens, which we knew would be perfect for the ceremony, and the beach club where the dinner would be held.

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We appreciated the fact that the hotel and grounds had a variety of spaces we could use, so that we weren’t confined to one place all day; we started in the gardens, moved to a terrace for a wedding cocktail and then finished up beside the sea. Stunning!

Simply Styled I chose a Princess dress for my wedding, which is not my usual style, but I wanted something different for my big day. I decided to have just one bridesmaid – my sister. She’s also my best friend and the person I am closest to.

The colour theme was white and pink and we kept decorations to a minimum as we wanted to keep everything simple. The lights, the music and the setting were more important to us and we used lots

of candles to create a romantic ambience.

Natasha Johnson conducted our Humanist Wedding Blessing, which perfectly fitted our beliefs and our desire for simplicity. Her ceremony was exactly what we wanted and not too long either – we didn’t want to bore our guests!

chocolate dessert with ice cream.

We chose the music for every stage of the wedding day and most of it was from the 1980s, an era that both Steve and I, and our guests, love. As a finishing touch, we gave all our guests a small gift of a key ring with dumbbells attached as a reminder that we love the gym and fitness.

Delicious Delicacies

A beautiful wedding album We chose Julia Roder as our wedding photographer. I had worked with Julia on photo shoots before and love her work, plus I had seen how good she is at her job. We were over the moon

Our wedding planner Romance Bodas helped us make sure that every detail came together on the day. We chose a selection of canapés that combined traditional Spanish cuisine with international dishes. Our cake as an amazing confection of white chocolate with orange filling and we also had a

with both our wedding album and the video as they both capture every special moment.

Walking up the aisle My favourite moment of the day was the beginning of the ceremony when I walked to the altar on my father’s arm. It was such a

magical moment to see our friends and families together, and for me to see

Steve waiting for me at the altar.

“If I had to do it again I would change…”?

I wouldn’t change anything.

Everything at the wedding turned out as planned and the entire occasion was just perfect.

My advice for future brides...

It is a very special day in your life and a very beautiful moment. Plan it well and make sure it is just the way you want it to be. I think the music is very important and my advice is to choose all the music you love as it adds something very special to the day; you can even keep the selection as the ‘soundtrack’ of your wedding.

Address Book Venue & Caterer: Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa Wedding Planner: Romance Bodas Wedding Cake: Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa Flowers: Virginia Florista Wedding Dress: Bluethread Bridal Hair : Lisa Marie O Brien Makeup : Danielle Boylan Photographer & Videographer: Julia Roder Music: Romance Bodas Finally, do not be nervous and really enjoy every moment of this momentous event.

CONFETI 75

RUGBY& a Romantic Ranch

Sophie and James’s wedding was made perfect with a little help from their friends.

A students’ night out I met James when we were both at Newcastle University. We are both big rugby fans and we were both on the university’s rugby teams and during our second year we finally got talking to each other on a big night out for all the rugby team members.

Rancho del Ingles We chose Spain for our wedding because a friend of ours owns Rancho del Ingles in Alhaurin de la Torre. We had visited it a few times, but the most memorable one was our friend’s 21st birthday celebrations there. We knew after this party that when we got married we would definitely hold our wedding here. It has such

a relaxed atmosphere and the setting is simply idyllic.

Pool and paella party We also decided on getting married in Spain because we knew that sunshine was pretty much guaranteed. Added to this, the Rancho del Ingles was able to accommodate a pool and paella party the day after the wedding, which meant we didn’t have to change venue. We didn’t hire a wedding planner as such; Cameron, the brother of the owner of Rancho del Ingles, organised everything for us and he was extremely professional. He also speaks fluent Spanish, so I didn’t have to worry about the language barrier when ordering decorations and all the other things needed for the ceremony and dinner after.

Rose gold and sky blue I chose a Watters Wtoo ‘Pippin’ dress finally after trying on what felt like the entire collection.

I was looking for a dress that was girlie and romantic with a Spanish twist. The dress

had a rose gold underlining and it was so comfortable and flattering as well as appropriate for the setting. My

bridesmaids’ dresses were metallic gold and these touches of gold really complemented the beautiful colours of the Rancho del Ingles grounds. James and his groomsmen all wore beautiful blue three-piece suits from Kenneth Cole that were light enough to cope with the heat and very stylish.

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Steak out After the ceremony we offered guests welcome drinks and we had chosen to serve them ‘Hugo’ which is our favourite cocktail from Italy. It’s a blend of prosecco, elderflower cordial, mint leaves and ice. Very refreshing! The food was wonderful. We started with a charcuterie board of an amazing array of meats and cheeses. The main course was a fillet steak with chargrilled red peppers and courgettes, which pleased everyone. To finish, we had a selection of beautifully prepared chocolate desserts.

Beautiful moments

We chose Owen Farrell as our wedding photographer. He was

an excellent choice and we were delighted with the way he captured our wedding day. He isn’t invasive when he works and he took so many ‘real’ shots of our families, our guests and us on the day that we know we’ll have fun looking at them for years to come.

Owen certainly goes above and beyond what

is expected of him and really understands what a couple want for their wedding album. We’re thrilled with ours!

Best moments It’s impossible to pick a ‘best moment’ because the whole week was just wonderful. James and I stayed at the ranch and we had exclusive use for five days. This meant we could have a relaxed time and be surrounded by all the people we love in a perfect setting as well. One highlight was our first dance, which Owen captured perfectly. We danced to “Ain’t Nobody” and we’d had dance lessons in the UK to prepare for this. We were quite nervous because our first dance followed a performance by professional flamenco dancers, so we had a big act to follow. The

paella and pool party the following day was a great success and we had

a saxophone player who added a real zing to the party vibe. It was a great way to extend the wedding celebrations in a less formal way.

“If I had to do it again I would change…”

Absolutely nothing. It was more than James and I could ever have wished for and everyone who we wanted to be there was there!

Address book: Venue: Rancho Del Ingles, Alhaurin de la Torre Wedding Planner: Cameron Taylor Wedding Dress: Watters Wtoo Hair : Alex Horrocks Make-up : Georgina Morris Photographer: Owen Farrell Music: Andy Usher and AUTRIO band CONFETI 77

Real Weddings

Bold & Bright ADVENTURERS

Self-confessed adrenaline junkie Rina is always looking for thrills and excitement so when she met Andrew, her real-life stunt double, it was bound to end at the altar.

Andrew and I met online. My headline was ‘looking for my Indiana Jones’ and, fortunately, he responded. I’m an enthusiastic traveller and adrenaline junkie and my profile pictures were of me bungee jumping, ice climbing, etc. and I think Andrew liked that.

We arranged to meet and Andrew chose a Spanish bar in London, as he’d already gathered I loved everything Spanish, from the music and dancing to the language and we talked for hours. At the end of our first date we were going our separate ways and he tentatively asked whether he’d see me again to which I replied, “You will” and ran off to get my train.

Location, Location, Location Getting married in the UK was never an option for us, as we both love travelling and the sunshine.

We wanted somewhere sunny but close enough to the UK that a lot of people could still come. I had been to Spain several times and thought it was a beautiful country, so the choice wasn’t difficult. We got engaged in Myanmar, arrived home, told the folks and started discussing where we’d like to get married, instantly looking at Spain. We wanted somewhere where everyone could stay on site, was sympathetic to our pithi ceremony (which involves being covered in turmeric), somewhere pretty and preferably somewhere with a view either of the sea or high up on a hill.

When we started looking, Rachel Rose Weddings kept popping up. We watched videos of all her venues and they were stunning, I stalked her a little on Facebook and saw that a brides had already booked their weddings in 2017 with her - 2017? We didn’t want to wait that long! We had got engaged in March, arrived back in the UK in April and ideally wanted to get married that year in the summer. I don’t think I’d realised how far in advance people book the venues. I emailed Rachel to ask whether she had ANY availability at any of her venues this year, she replied and said that she had a cancellation in September at Cortijo De Los 78 CONFETI

Caballos, but we had to let her know within 24 hours if we wanted the venue.

We texted and called our nearest and dearest and asked if we were to get married in a few months time in Spain, could they come.

Surprisingly, most people said yes so we booked the venue! We didn’t think we’d have time to go over and see it before the wedding but after other people told us to go and check it out just in case, we went over for a visit. As soon

as we pulled up to the venue we LOVED it; it was a villa set in the Spanish countryside, beautifully decorated, could sleep up to 30 people, had a giantsized pool and the most stunning tree under which you can get married. We

were walking around the venue gobsmacked, it looked wonderful and had a sweet smell of jasmine in the air. After we left the venue, we couldn’t wait for our wedding, it might have been a last minute booking but couldn’t have been more perfect!

Variations on a Theme As I’m Indian, I wanted elements of an Indian ceremony but not the full five-hour wedding so I had

both a wedding sari to get married in and then a white wedding dress for the evening; you only do it once so why not? The sari

was traditional in colour, red, white and gold and for my wedding dress, I initially wanted a 1950s mid-length tea dress style, but it just didn’t suit me. In the end, my sister, Karein, chose both the winning sari and the wedding

dress. I had tried on a couple of possibles and Karein picked a wild card - it was quite heavy in comparison to what I had been trying on and it was also light gold, I wasn’t sure about it but as soon as I tried it on, we knew that was the one. We decided that we wanted our wedding to be full of colour, so our theme became ‘bright, bold and colourful.’

Andrew wore a bright blue suit with a pink tie and I think it took him longer to decide on a suit then it did for me to find both my sari and dress. I had five bridesmaids and decided that it would be great if they all wore bright, colourful saris for the wedding and then bold coloured dresses in the evening. I wanted them all to look different so each one of them went for a different colour, I wanted them to be comfortable and

Scottish heritages in the ceremony so we had the traditional red and white garlands and then had a hand fastening ceremony in which we used Andrew’s Clark family tartan.

I don’t normally wear much makeup and didn’t want to be caked in it on the day. I still wanted to look like me. Ella was recommended via Rachel and managed to squeeze me in for a trial in London before she went out to Spain.

She instantly understood my look and managed somehow to apply lots of make up but it looked and felt natural. On the day, I couldn’t have asked for anything more, Ella, made me look

amazing, even if I do say so myself and luckily my husband thought it too!

Not only did she have to do hair and make-up for the actual ceremony, but I wanted a different hair style and make-up for the evening when I changed into my dress. Ella was so understood that one bridesmaid dress usually doesn’t fit everyone so I left their dresses to them; as long as they stuck to the colourful brief I was happy.

For the flowers, we asked for mismatched bright and bold flowers and, wow, the bouquets looked amazing!

We left the décor in Rachel’s hands. We had seen photos of her previous weddings and had fallen in love with her work. We explained that we wanted it to be bright, fun and that we wanted to have a travel theme, since travel has been a big part of our lives and we wanted to reflect that. We

started dating in London, moved to Australia, got engaged in Myanmar, married in Spain and were to honeymoon in Japan.

Natasha, the minister, was the reason our ceremony was so beautiful. She sent us various questions to get a feel of how we were as a couple and what we wanted for the ceremony. We didn’t want it to be too sentimental or serious and she delivered; there were laughs but it was still romantic. We got married under a huge tree on the grounds and the aisle had been covered in brightly coloured flower petals, while lights and chandeliers had been hung from the tree. Again, we wanted to combine both our Indian and

calm even when we were pressed for time. I look back at the photos and wish I could look like that every day!

Capturing the Moment Rachel provided us with a list of photographers but, as we only booked with a couple of months notice, everyone was busy. We took it into our own hands and Andrew scoured the internet and found Look Fotografia. We checked out their photos and loved their style, they were very arty and the photos looked stunning. We Skyped Nacho and told him that we loved his arty style and that we wanted to stay away from the sugary type of photos that are often associated with weddings. Nacho and Juan arrived the day before the wedding and came over to the villa to take photos of the pithi ceremony, which was a pleasant surprise as we weren’t expecting them to be there. On the day, they were there early, snapping away throughout the day but not at all intrusive. In fact, I don’t even remember them being there at some points but there are photos to prove they were! As we had a lot to squeeze into one day our portrait photos were done at night, which is quite difficult for a photographer but Nacho and Juan did the most amazing job and we’re over the moon with the photos, especially the one under the tree at night.

CONFETI 79

We also wanted a videographer as we’d heard that the day always goes by in a blur. We contacted Studio Krrusel who were just far too busy to fit us in, we tried to look for another videographer but just preferred Krrusel’s style to anyone else’s. Andrew wrote them a begging email, telling them how much we loved their work etc. and it worked. They didn’t want to let us down and reorganised a few things to fit us in. Again, they were so professional, non-intrusive and captured every single special moment of the day. When the

highlights video arrived it was the best thing we had ever seen, such a great keepsake of the day.

Favourite Moments Everything! I loved the venue, the colours, the cake, the flowers, the ice-cream van, the sparklers, the first dance, seeing everyone we loved in one gorgeous sunny place. It sounds cheesy, but everything was just perfect. It was everything we wanted, stressfree, fun, bright, sunny and we loved that the day ended with most of our guests jumping in the swimming pool in the early hours of the morning.

For our first dance we went with ‘Earth Angel’, a song from the movie Back to the Future but we didn’t want to be that awkward couple on the dance floor, desperately looking for the guests to join them.

To avoid this we went for a couple of dance lessons and the teacher managed to teach us a short and easy routine, as the song is quite slow we wanted to inject some fun

into it and decided that most of the day had been a mix of cultures, so why not apply that to the first dance? We enlisted the help

of 10 friends and family members who were going to become our Bollywood backing dancers.

This, in itself, was quite difficult as they were all in different parts of the country and two of our friends were in Australia. We found a short routine online that we sent to our small dance team to practise.

The first time we managed to get together and practise was at midday on the day of the wedding. We’ll never forget being bent over double, laughing at my two brothers who both have two left feet! After a quick practice, we just had to hope and pray that it would be alright on the night. We didn’t have to worry, our dancers were brilliant and it made it a first dance to remember!

“If I had to do it again I would change…”?

We both agree that we both look back and wouldn’t change a thing. It was exactly how we wanted it to be.

Our Advice for Future Couples

Be clear on what you want but don’t obsess about it.

Focus on the fun and just enjoy the day! It’ll be the most planned day of your life but it flies by, so make sure you enjoy it. You’re not organising the Oscars, it’s your day and should reflect who you really are, so make a note of what you both love in life and try and incorporate that into your wedding somehow.

Address Book Venue: El Cortijo de los Caballos Catering: Sana Catering

Photography: Look Fotographia Videography: Studio Krussel Florist: FlorValentin Hairdresser: Ella Megan Make Up Artist: Ella Megan Minister: Natasha Johnson Music/Entertainment: Luis Fonseca and Alex George Wedding Cake: Sweet things

by Fi Stationery: NulkiNulks

80 CONFETI

Wedding Planner COUNTDOWN 16 to 12 Months Before Start a wedding folder or buy a wedding organiser: start by browsing through CONFETI for all the latest inspiration! Decide with your partner on what type of theme you would like for your wedding day and in which area or country you plan to tie the knot. Start thinking about wedding dress styles.

Set a budget: determine how much you need to spend based on the nature of what you envision for your wedding day, factoring in your family’s contributions and your own.

Choose your wedding party: now that you are engaged, friends and family will start to wonder who will be involved. Choose your Bridesmaids, Maid of Honour, Groomsmen and Best Man.

82 CONFETI

notonthehighstreet.com

Start a guest list: begin to draw up a guest list with your partner.

If you’re trying to keep costs low, keeping to a small guest list might involve making some brutal decisions.

Hire a wedding planner: if you are planning a destination wedding a wedding planner can be extremely helpful. Not only can they offer advice about sourcing suppliers, but they can also help you with legalities. Every bride wants a stressfree wedding and a planner can help you to relax on your big day.

Reserve your date and venues: start viewing venues and decide if you want separate locations for the ceremony and reception. Factor in travel between the two venues and, if you’re hoping to get married in church, make sure that you are aware of all the legal requirements. This is especially important if you are contemplating a wedding abroad! Book your desired choices and set the date.

For Royal Wa edding

Source Suppliers: research all suppliers in the area in which you plan to get married. Again, a wedding planner can be enormously helpful. If you don’t have a planner fear not, there is no harm in doing your own research. Search for florists, entertainment, caterers, photographers, stationery, transport etc. and keep all the information in your binder.

Make your special day unforgeea Widely pra ble ised Breathtaking cuisine & stylish rooms views all the for you and Perfeccon your guests way to the ll the last det coast ail

Whether you dream of your wedding on the beach at the sunset, high in the mountains, or overlooking a valley dotted with vineyards, we will help you make your wedding dreams reality. Our team of professionals will handle every detail to ensure your day runs seamlessly and is one to be remembered.

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Photos

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Gazda

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Nine to 12 Months Before

marbellaparties.com

Purchase your wedding dress and accessories: organise a wedding dress fitting at your chosen bridal store to find your perfect dress. If you act on this 12 months before your wedding you will have plenty of time to oversee any alterations that may be required. Buy your shoes, veil and jewellery as well.

Hire a wedding photographer and videographer: no need to talk specifics - just be sure that the photographer has the right style to suit the type of photos and video you want.

Book the entertainment and other wedding suppliers: secure deposits for your favourite wedding suppliers and book all your entertainment.

Organise your bridesmaids’ dresses: consult with your bridesmaids on what style of dress they will wear on the big day. Choose colour schemes to match your wedding décor and, if you are having them made, get measurements and choose materials.

Photo by: nanideperez.com

Photo by: bodakids.es

Honeymoon ideas: begin to think about where you would like to travel to on your honeymoon.

Look at destinations and visit your local travel agent. Make sure your passports are up to date and find out if you need any medical jabs.

Design your wedding invitations: choose some stationery or find a supplier that you love, map out how you want your invitations to look and what information you would like them to contain.

CONFETI’S

ORIENTAL HONEYMOON TOUR

ailand mui, Th Koh Sa

greeted d, you are you are seate of fresh juices made y with a variet you can then try the

ble unforgetta rewarding, we were After our in Vietnam, experience leave Southeastern the to to extend not ready irresistible Asia. It felt and leap over to the honeymoon ssential honeymoon world’s quinteThailand. destination lines and long coast in azure With two s anchored idyllic island nd is the ideal waters, Thaila ay whether you are tropical getaw or rather more ble s meet white madly socia Lush jungle red by sea reclusive. es, borde sand beach beautiful turquoise with the most ever seen. Like its e, Thailand hue you have ned cuisin of full world renow exotic and is tropical, flavour. the straight to found But let’s go treasure we beach of precious ul blissf the i; nestled on in Koh Samu Chaweng northern na Koh tara Lawa the Anan rt & Spa. Samui Reso nce, hotel entra beautiful e guides From the lelit bridg where a cand ming reception you to a welcoThai hospitality, site pool, you and exqui ing infinity alluring to the stunn the appreciate built in will really of the hotel, natural architecture with its harmony complete gs. surroundin a Anantara, in d As we learnentic honeymoon with its proper roma suite luxury a need to deserves e pool. No e chair private plung perfect loung fight for the when a refreshing is right in your bikini suit ay birthd privacy dip in your bed. With next to your there is a reason Do , created. guaranteed rb signs were Not Distu

Thai on the spot, CONFETI travels to Southeast traditional Asia and finds out ns on offer: optio has become one of the why Vietnam oven baked world’s dream honeymoon dishes, fresh and pastry, warm destination s.s of bread waffles selection l eggs and n,

By Constanza Mtz specificatio an internationa

lies a to your pool suspended Adjacent le wooden comfortab e you will find a lot of lounge wher spending yourselves your time. semifeatures a shower The room oom and outdoor bathrped with a full range ities, and is equip luxury amen artisan and of fabulous exotic fruits including . soaps - is its name - true to dining Tree Tops fairytale fine table set a fantastic, With each rant. restau tree top four individual d and in its own the groun metres above seaside and night the you overlooking experience an truly sky, this is cannot afford loved one r and your little deare may be a d to in to miss. It accustome than we were the streets, but on Vietnam or g fine dining: Snow s, we are talkin with Lemongras ed Fish steam Foam, Mango Relish e one Champagn Rice, paired with ati tion of and Basm eclectic selec of the vast, find in the island), . rare remember wines (a evening to an was this , head sunrise views urant, idyllic For n Kiss Resta down to Oceato the handmade located next y pool. The ceramic infinit t ensures that no e buffe same. Befor breakfast will be the two meals

to your o´n’ means thank you bar station cooks ned salad‘Còm in Vietnamese s, . You will repeat this an air-conditio fruits, green with so, many times that you s, sushi abounding cold meatword may g and have rythin mastered cheeses the pronunciation d coffee…eve in just a couple of days. fresh groun ne.

In any case, it is a phrase that you can imagi you will to t time early conquer it’s abou on in your stay, feast, ally made After that because you won’t be able to what origin htaking breatits experience thank - its people us enough famo for their privileged Thailand obliging nature, kindness and Anantara’s beaches. to enjoy a s youhospitality. location allowh of beach or, after private stretckayakVietnam expedition, e is a country that a 10 minut ted island inspires the deser respect; to explore opposite.

it humbles you.

After a lifetime of occupations and struggles (all of which it honeymoon the dream the

Photo by Pia Arrieta

resisted), Vietnam has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world and, even though it is still possible to see reminders of the the war throughout the whole country, the liveliness and courage of its people remain intact.

In addition to the Vietnamese people’s warm-hearte dness and rich cultural heritage, there is jaw-dropping natural scenery, crazy - but thrilling - cities and delicious, world renowned cuisine, making Vietnam an

is Another of provides Anantara This is the scenarios Design offer. journey with Dining by you to e dining to sit with ultimate privat and butler at your take the time medical history chef marquee a private discuss your fic muscular zone r a romantic service unde . and any speci treated, while need on the beach lcoholic you may healthy, non-aroom is a that m you sip a global touris i, due massage Despite the cocktail. The of itself. Everything Koh Samu ated es, has inund perfect beach luxury in and ers serenity; the e to its pictur world class spas, gently whisp music, the dimly nt seafood and offers a side where soft, ambie , the aroma of floral also ntic room g the island run authe healin candlelit a family truly ng still it is buzzi there are essences; rants, towns e. .

Samui restau unspoiled natur experience and with locals you lose is a mend that , discover whole stay We recom In fact, the dream. Anantara in the island then return yourselves rejuvenating Samui is filled with places and its hidden us Anantara for a Lawana Koh the making. in to the fabulo massage. memories les luxury coup ntara.com aweng.ana taken lawana-ch ents are not Spa treatm tara; therapists lightly in Anan

unmissable destination.

Whether you are planning an exciting adventurous honeymoon , or relaxed long days on dreamy beaches with your loved one, Vietnam will not disappoint.

And did I mention you can have all this on a budget? Believe me, you will start planning your next trip even before heading home!

Photo by Pia Arrieta

Photo by Pia Arrieta

CONFETI

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TI 94 CONFE

84 CONFETI

Broadcast the dates: especially if you’re planning a wedding abroad, you need to give your guests a decent heads-up so they can book flights and accommodation.

For more captivating imagery from Vietnam, watch ACCRA, by Pia Arrieta and Alejandro Valderas CONFETI 85

Groom’s suit: decide on what style and colour you would like for you wedding day. If you are planning to buy a bespoke suit it’s great to do it in advance to be sure you can attend several fittings. It’s also a good idea to start getting your groomsmen measured or hitting the shops to find some matching ensembles.

Catering: if your wedding venue doesn’t offer catering, choose a suitable caterer and organise a tasting and menu. chezvous.es

CONFETI 83

Seven to Six Months Before Choose your wedding rings: go to your preferred jeweller with your partner and organise the measurements and style of your weddings rings.

Send out invitations: now that you have venues, caterers and suppliers confirmed, it is time to finalise and send the invitations, giving guests plenty of time to RSVP. Arrange transportation: consider how you will be moving your friends and family from one venue to another on your big day. Be sure to choose transport that can fit not only you and your partner, but the wedding dress too.

Order wedding favours: if you have decided to give out wedding favours, now is the time to organise them. Also, choose your confetti and welcome favours such as fans or sunglasses for those hot summer weddings.

Start composing a timeline: draw up a schedule of the day and get an idea of what time you would like the wedding breakfast, cake cutting, first dance etc.

Photo by: krismcguirk.com

delafuentefinejewellery.com

Four Months Before Hair and make-up trials: schedule appointments with your chosen hairdresser and make-up artist to decide what look you prefer for your day.

Finalise your ceremony: determine what vows you like to say and if you would like any of your guests to undertake a reading.

Now is also a good time to make sure that the legalities are all complete.

Nicola McGeorge Makeup Artist Photo by: nanideperez.com

Three Months Before Confirm all suppliers: contact all suppliers and make sure everything is on track. Send your day’s schedule to vendors too, since it will offer enough time for tweaks and feedback.

Stag and Hen parties: for most brides and grooms- to-be, the stag and hen do will be a surprise. Make sure you have lots of fun with your friends and, for tips on what to do here in Marbella, see page 88.

Small details: make sure all the smaller details are completed, such as place cards, table plans, menus etc. This can be a fun craft day if you’re trying to keep costs low with a little bit of DIY. Finalise your seating arrangements.

Meet with the photographer: discuss specific shots that you want to create, as well going for a recce to the venue so he or she can gain a better understanding of the setting.

84 CONFETI

Flowers by virginiaflorista.com

Choose your music: what should be played during dinner? During the ceremony? To start the party?

Send preferred songs to your DJ. Of course, most importantly, you should decide on your magical first dance song.

Photo by: nanideperez.com

One Month Before Final preparations: send out final payments - if any are still outstanding - to all suppliers.

Make sure your bar is stocked accordingly now that you have a final headcount. Confirm times for hair and make-up on your

wedding day. Make sure all parties involved in transportation have a copy of directions to the different venues. Start your beauty regime (this applies to the groom also) to ensure you are looking fantastic for your special day.

Week of the wedding Last checks: touch base with all suppliers and wedding planner and organise arrival times.

Pamper: book a spa day to help you relax and be sure to have a manicure and pedicure.

Contact numbers: if you don’t have a wedding planner, make sure your Bridesmaids and Maid of Honour have a contact list for all suppliers and entertainment to make sure everything runs smoothly.

And finally….ENJOY IT! After all the hard work, make sure you relax and enjoy every minute of your special day surrounded by all your loved ones.

Supplying beers, wines and spirits

to your wedding venue

THE ONLY DRAUGHT SUPPLIER ON THE COAST THAT OFFERS A

7 DAY A WEEK DELIVERY SAME DAY DELIVERY even on a Sunday!

T : 952 373 233 - info@bwsdrinksdistribution.com Calle Hemingway, 38. Polígono Industrial Guadalhorce, Málaga

HEN PARTY The Costa del Sol is fast becoming the most popular destination in Spain for hen parties, with hundreds of future brides hitting Marbella and Puerto Banús every year for some fun in the sun.

Just what is it that makes it the country’s bride-to-be capital?

With so many appealing nightclubs, shops and beach clubs, sunny Spain has a great deal to offer. Luxurious and glamorous, you can see why so many hens choose to make Marbella their destination of choice. So, if you happen to be a maid of honour trying to figure out where to start, sit back, relax, grab a Sangria and enjoy our ultimate Marbella Hen Guide!

Stop First

La Sala by the Sea Fancy a day tanning and sipping cocktails with your hens? Then look no further then La Sala by the Sea for the ultimate beach club day. This luxurious establishment is located just a short walk from the marina in Puerto Banús. With its plush, exotic decor, there’s no better way to soak up the sun and relax with your ladies.

Why not book an area? There are several different styles to choose from such as swim-up beds, VIP Jacuzzi Beds and luxury cabanas for up to six people with stunning views of the Mediterranean. Open day and night, La Sala by the Sea offers signature dishes fused with a Thai twist. Enjoy lunch overlooking the sea, then retire to a comfy sun lounger around the pool with music provided by a live DJ. Special Offers La Sala by the Sea currently has a special offer from Monday to Thursday. A Thai Spa Day package that includes lunch, massage, glass of cava, water, fruit plate, towel, face cloth and a single bed by the pool.

The price is only 89.95€ per person.

Once you have worked on your tan for a few hours, how about a a girly lunch? La Sala Restaurant is the place to go; described by the international media as “the hottest table in town” La Sala is beautiful in its simplicity. Tremendous value for money is complemented by unrivalled service - choose one of seven areas to enjoy fine foods and an extensive wine list. La Sala has a special offer ideal for hens, the ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ deal.

Ladies who have lunch in La Sala on weekdays (Monday to Friday) between one and three pm will receive free unlimited cava. Need we say more? La Sala is also a fantastic place to visit for a night out, with live entertainment seven nights a week, as well as a weekly tribute act.

86 CONFETI

Pamper Time at Bardou Salon It hasn’t been open for very long but already Bardou has gained a reputation as being one of Marbella’s top beauty salons. If you want a pre-wedding makeover then you absolutely should have it here! The amazingly talented staff can sort you out with everything from a new hair cut and colour, give you the perfect manicure and pedicure and let you test drive a new make-up look for the big day. You will walk out of there feeling a new person. top Next S

Bardou’s Pop-Up Salon Great news for hen parties who like to have fun: celebrity hairdresser Adee Phelan and The Bardou, Marbella’s ‘super salon’, in collaboration with The Cavalli Club and Sisu, have joined forces to open a pop-up salon for summer at Sisu Boutique Hotel where the team is offering blow dries and make-up – it’s the perfect place to get glammed up before hitting Marbella’s nightlife.

Stop Third

Party Time If you are looking for somewhere to let you hair down then Puerto Banús boasts an endless supply of lively bars, clubs and even shops that stay open until the early hours of the morning.

One of the areas top party venues has to be super-club, Aqwa Mist.

Known for its famous 30 foot waterfall at the entrance, Aqwa Mist does not disappoint. With a jam-packed summer calendar full of exclusive celebrity performances and events, it’s sure to be an unforgettable night for you and your hens. You might even bump into a few celebrities, for in the past A-listers, such as Neyo, Chris Brown and Tinie Tempah have performed there and newly-wed Eva Longoria enjoyed an Aqwa Mist night out too. (See page …for more on Eva Longoria’s wedding). For the clientele requiring the ultimate in privacy there is a Super VIP Room with private bar, dedicated waiter and a rock pool Jacuzzi. The club is open from 1am to 6am weekdays and until 7am at the weekends.

HANDY INFORMATION The nearest airport is Málaga, and the journey by taxi sho uld cost around 80€. Alternatively, you have the option of a public bus, which you can find situated outside T3 arr ivals. It delivers you to the Marbella Bu s Station, takes around 40 minutes an d costs only six to eight Euros.

Marbella is usually ful ly booked, especially on bank ho liday weekends so make sure your adva planning is top notch nce .

Hen ‘Do’ Essentials Luxury floats from Flowts Life, the ultimate pool party must have!

Trending all over the world, order yours from www.flowts.com Bride Squad dressing gowns from asos.com Bride Tribe metallic tattoos from Not on the High Street.

Bride and maid of honour customised beach skirts from Bikini Reef.

CONFETI 87

Photo by: Bodakids.es

Wedding Desserts

G

one are the days when a traditional fruit wedding cake would be the bride and groom’s only choice. These days an increasing number of couples are far more daring when it comes to cakes and desserts. Some even decide not to opt for a cake at all in favour of cupcake tiers or lavish dessert tables, piled high with delicious dishes. The sky is the limit, with cake tiers reaching higher than ever and boundaries being pushed, courtesy of extravagant cakes being suspended from ceilings and even being placed on swings!

Here are our favourite must-haves for any bride and groom with a sweet tooth - the ultimate delicious dessert extravaganza.

The Alternatives: 1

Cheese Cake: More a savoury person?

An actual Cheese Cake is equally yummy!

Not a fan of a classic cake? There are so many other options available that are equally tasty. Try our Top Five cake alternatives!

2

Cupcake Tower: Not only tasty and easy to dish out to guests, but can also be beautifully decorated to match the theme of your wedding.

Cheese cake and cupcakes by Margies Cakery;margiescakery@gmail.com 88 CONFETI

Anneli Marinovich Photography

3

Wedding Pies: Shun cakes altogether and go with a delicious pie. Who doesn’t love a slice of Lemon or Banoffee Pie?

5 4

Profiterole Tower: Also known as a Croquembouche, this French dessert is sure to wow guests.

The Show Stoppers: 2

1

Naked Cake: Massively popular, the unique and rustic look of a naked cake is just as appealing.

Suspended Cake

Want something that not only tastes amazing but looks like a work of art? Why not go for something really daring?

3

Sky High Tiers

Upside Down Cake

Suspended cake by: Cake Couture; cakecouturemarbella.com Photo by: David Toms

4

Cake Swing

Upside down cake by Marbella Cake Design; marbellacakedesign.com Photo by Nanideperez.com

CONFETI 89

The Dessert Table: They say love is sweet, so what better way to feed your loved ones than with delightful treats? A hugely popular trend right now is the dessert table or dessert bar. If you’ve decided to opt for a lavish table, here our top tasty selection:

1 2

Macaroons

Doughnuts Photo by: Bodakids.es

Macaroons by La Vie a Sucre, lavieasucre@gmail.com

3 4

5 90 CONFETI

Meringues

Chocolate Strawberries

Cake Pops

6

Sugared Almonds

www.marbellaflowers.com www.marbellapartyballoons.com

Established in Marbella in 2006, we pride ourselves on providing the best quality flowers for your special day, working alongside you, to create and achieve your dream wedding. From the most flamboyant affair to the most intimate, we can cater for all your requirements.

Over 20 years of experience in the floristry trade 31b Avenida Miguel Cervantes, La Campana, Nva. Andalucia

zoe@flowersinconline.com M: +34 606 278 765

Специализируемся на оформлении свадеб и других мероприятий.

Custom Cakes

The Mrs. Box The whole CONFETI team has fallen in love with these beautiful, one of a kind ring boxes. The Mrs. Box has been creating these fabulous bespoke boxes for two years now and they are fast becoming a must-have item for brides who want to complement their wedding and engagement rings. These gorgeous personalised heirlooms of the future make ideal wedding gifts. The boxes are made from a limited edition, vintage inspired velvet and come in an array of wonderful colours to suit every taste.

Order your ‘Mrs Box’ from their website - they ship worldwide. themrsbox.com

“

We’re not sure when ring boxes became so boring...they weren’t always that way, but somewhere down the line these tiny little harbingers of joy were tossed to the wayside and doomed to spend an eternity feeling overweight and dressed in shabby colors. So we decided to change that.

-MRS. BOX TEAM

All images by Jose Villa with Joel Serrato featuring Lang Antique and Estate Jewelry rings. Style by Mae Mae Co, Grey LIkes Weddings, and Tulipina Design.

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”

You can also choose a monogram for the ultimate personal touch!

Photo by www.YourWeddingMoments.com

Event Coordination & Decoration Since 1999

Everything you need for your Perfect Wedding.

From caterers, flowers, photographers, videographers, venues, ministers, to fairy lights, dance floors, marquees, bands, djs, lights, vehicles, entertainment...

If your wedding needs it, we can provide it.

Silvia Kessels T : +34 609 574 555 info@marbellaparties.com www.marbellaparties.com

PETS and WEDDINGS

O

ne of the loveliest things about weddings today is having man’s (and woman’s) best friend take part in the ceremony. So many couples are choosing to have their beloved pets alongside them on their most important day, especially here in Spain where outdoor ceremonies are so popular. As if walking down the aisle isn’t show-stopping enough, imagine the gasps of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ from your guests as they spot a furry friend walking down the aisle, tail wagging!

As adorable as it is, including your pet in the wedding does require some thought. As most animal lovers know, pets can be unpredictable. Here are some of our tips to follow for pet friendly weddings.

Photo by Kristyn Hogan

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What better way to top off your day than by having your loving, furry companion by your side?

Photo by Cappy Hotchkiss Photography

Does your pet have what it takes? Weddings can be

stressful and overwhelming even for a bride and groom so, if your pet doesn’t adapt well to new environments or is uncomfortable around strangers, this is something to take into consideration. Sociable dogs who are outgoing and friendly often cope better with the attention they are likely to receive.

Decide what part of the ceremony you would like your pet to attend.

Receptions can be a little overwhelming with loud music, maybe even fireworks and possibly an extensive guest list. Ceremonies tend to be more calming and a better environment for animals.

Make sure that the venue you choose for your wedding allows animals.

Many have a ‘no animals’ policy, but more and more outdoor venues here in Spain are

accommodating pets. However, always check first! Ask if there might be a dog friendly space, a quiet area or private room where your pet can get some down time from all the excitement or sleep during the noisy reception?

Tell your bridesmaids or groomsmen of your intentions before the wedding day. Many people

are allergic to dogs, so giving your bridal party and guests plenty of warning will help them prepare if they suffer from allergies. You may also want to give one of your willing bridesmaids or groomsmen the title of pet sitter.

Book a pet sitter. While it’s lovely to have your beloved pooch around, it’s important that you allow yourself time to relax and not worry about them. Why not hire a pet sitter to watch him or her during the ceremony and reception, taking them home before it gets too rowdy? That

way you won’t need to worry about who’s feeding them, if they’ve got enough water or if they’ve managed to get their paws on the wedding cake!

What role is your pet going to play at your wedding? Whether ring

bearer, hound of honour or escorting a flower girl down the aisle, start preparing early for the tasks he or she will have to do.

Practise makes pawfect!

Take a trip to the groomers. Pamper your

pooch to ensure he or she is looking and smelling fresh for the big day – just think of all those fantastic wedding photo opportunities! With so many cute pet accessories available, why not buy a little bow tie for a collar

or floral harness? Try to make it as comfortable for your pet as possible.

Alternative options. If you would love to have a memory of your pet being involved in your wedding day but are more comfortable leaving them at home, why not enlist your photographer to take a few photos of you with them while you’re getting ready? Or maybe they could pose with your accessories, such as the wedding rings or bouquet?

In the end it’s up to you to decide on whether to include your pet in your wedding. It’s a challenge, but what better way to top off your day than by having your loving, furry companion by your side? And I don’t mean the groom!

CONFETI 95

Celebrant and toastmaster of twenty years, Allan Davies gives us the lowdown on the all-important ‘Toast’ and explains why his role as Master of Ceremonies is so very important to ensure everything runs beautifully on your big day.

Which Celebrant?

After so many events and blessings spanning almost 20 years, you would have thought that choosing someone like me as your Celebrant Minister for one of the most important and special days in your life would be a perfect and instant choice!

However, as an experienced Celebrant, I have learned that not only do you have to officiate at a couple’s ceremony and get it right, you may also have to look the part and fit in with what they require.

Whereas some may require a quick and easy solution to carry out their blessing, for most it’s a main part of the big day and everything, including the Minister, has to be right.

For example, how do they want you to look, to dress, to speak, what type of service do they require: secular, religious, unique format, language, props, special needs, requirements, requests? There are a million and one things that a couple and wedding organizer have to think about and decide on and hiring the right Minister for the day

96 CONFETI

is one of them.

My routine is very simple; I try and leave nothing to chance, no oversights, no requests that I am unable to fill. Sounds daunting? Not if you are ready and able to assist and, most importantly, work with your couple at no thought of time to a perfect conclusion.

Like many, I have prided myself for many years on supplying what I would call a bespoke Blessing Service, complete with a script which, I can say hand on heart, has never been repeated twice, therefore every script has been unique to a couple.

On first contact, be it from a wedding planner, website or advertising link, I obtain the couple’s contact details and, as soon as I am able, make arrangements to video call, meet or at least telephone them as way of an introduction and to see and speak with them about exactly what they require, communicating with them in a relaxed, homely atmosphere, gleaning as much information as possible.

I can help list a number of other options which the couple may have not even thought about, like incorporating special features like

lighting candles, 13 coins, banding, sand mixing, ring blessing and, for the myriad other religious and humanist requirements, special rituals which they would never have thought possible but would love.

More importantly, it gives the couple a first chance actually to see and hear me, so at the end of a first consultation I always ask if they are happy to go ahead and use me, the practical fact of which I have been rejected only once since I began.

Another enhancement is that of using and involving a number of guests, be they family, friends, colleagues in the ceremony, inviting them to offer special readings, children, and in some cases pets, producing the rings, the best man and groomsmen assisting, not just as bystanders, but as part of the special day to raise the whole atmosphere, thereby making the day perfect for all. Indeed, I’ve known an eagle owl fly to the altar with a special reading attached and I’ve known a long lost relative stand in the crowd and read a special poem, all to the surprise and joy of the bride and groom.

Travel is another consideration, as some Celebrants like to work locally whereas others, like myself, cover the whole of Spain, though Andalucía is the main and preferred area for most.

sing-along between vows, vibrant, lively and full on.

It’s true that image is also important; does a couple prefer male or female, young or mature, Anglo or other, religious or secular Celebrant?

Celebrants present and incorporate different images, dress codes, basic and technical scripts, theatre experience, are quiet or extrovert.

These are all things for the couple to consider but, for my part, I try and give them whatever they require.

They can choose how I dress, special words, their entry music if required, a PA for amplification in larger gatherings, even language variations and, although I’m rarely caught out with having researched and experienced so much, I still get the odd challenge which makes this job so interesting and worthwhile, and it’s a must always to try and make yourself available for consultation right up to the last day, as no question is too silly to ask or last minute change to make.

So, yes, choosing the right Celebrant can offer so much to a happy couple.

Being flexible, adaptable, trustworthy and, above all else, professional is always a help. Never putting anyone but the couple first and offering them a first class service, a reliable and trustworthy Celebrant should be able to give a couple everything they need on their special day.

At the end of the day, it’s all part of what the service is about: some prefer a quiet ceremony, no “ Travel is another consideration, as guests, no fuss, some Celebrants like to work locally just a simple reading and whereas others, like myself, cover the blessing, a very intimate whole of Spain, though Andalucía is the service on a main and preferred area for most. ” beach, a hilltop, a promenade, a special and personal moment, whereas others favour a full blown, 200 guest entourage with band and

Flor ValentĂ­n C.C. Centro Idea Ctra. de Mijas km 3,6 ES - 29650 Mijas - SPAIN

Let Flor Valentin design the bouquet you always dreamt of!

Photos by Anna Gazda - limelight.pl

www.florvalentin.es

janne@florvalentin.es

T: +34 951 311 086 M: +34 669 061 234

Natasha Johnson is an experienced Humanist Wedding Celebrant, writer and blogger on all things related to weddings, in particular wedding ceremonies. From traditions, to breaking them and everything else in between, if you have a question about your big day, ask our expert!

Photo by Anna Gazda Photography

ASK THE

01

My partner absolutely does not want to wear a wedding ring. I do not mind at all because he has never been a jewellery person and we actually joke that a ring would never look good on his big, chunky fingers! Does he have to have a ring and how can we do our ring exchange without making a big deal of us only having one ring?

Christa & Ian, marrying 2017

98 CONFETI

Expert

Natasha, one of the Coast’s most experienced celebrants, offers her thoughts on some common wedding dilemmas.

It might surprise you to know that quite a lot of men really do not like the idea of wearing a wedding ring, or any type of ring, for that fact! It’s great to know that you are supportive of his decision too, which obviously makes life easier for you. Some brides may worry that their groom’s refusal to wear a ring is a reflection of how they feel about their commitment to them, which I am sure is not the case for all men who make this choice.

There are even some couples who agree that they don’t need wedding rings, so it isn’t always just men who feel like this.

From a legal point of view, there is no advantage in wearing a wedding ring, it is purely a symbolic, physical sign of a married couples’ commitment to each other.

So in not wearing a wedding ring, you are not affecting the validity of your legal marriage in any way.

In terms of your ceremony itself, you can let your registrar or celebrant know that only one of you will be wearing a wedding ring and hopefully he or she will help you to incorporate the exchange into the ceremony so that it doesn’t jar or make it seem odd that only one of you is going to have a wedding ring.

You can even tailor the wording of the ring exchange so that although

only one of you is wearing a ring, you are both making promises to each other with the ring being a symbol of both of your commitment.

Some men choose to have a wedding ring, but prefer to wear it on a necklace, if their objection is to wearing something on their fingers, but if your partner is not into jewellery in any form then this would not be a workable compromise.

It’s great that you are both on the same page regarding his decision and don’t feel for one minute that there is anything strange or noncommittal about only one of you having a ring.

02

Does it really matter if I don’t have bridesmaids?

I am from a huge family and also have a lot of close girlfriends and I’m also very close to my husband-to-be’s sisters. I would not even know where to start in choosing bridesmaids and actually think it would be easier not to have any. Is this a done thing?

- Michelle and Aaron, marrying June 2017 In short, no it really doesn’t matter if you choose not have bridesmaids and yes, it is a done thing! Bridesmaids are a very old tradition that date back

as far as ancient Greek times, when a married friend or relative of the bride-to-be was chosen to be a witness to the marriage proceedings and to make sure that that no impropriety took place before the wedding. The role later developed so that matrons also attended to the bride’s needs and helped to dress her and even make some of the wedding decorations and her bouquet. Then, in time, matrons needed some younger assistants to help out and so the role of bridesmaids developed.

Traditionally, it would be the bride’s unmarried sisters who acted as her bridesmaids, followed by the groom’s unmarried sisters, if the bride didn’t have any.

Nowadays, the role of a bridal party mainly involves helping to get the bride ready on the morning of the wedding and to

assist and support her throughout the day and also to be involved and help organize any prewedding events like hen parties.

Compared to the past roles, the role of a bridesmaid is seen more as an honorary role rather than one with any significant purpose. For this reason, many brides are choosing not to have a bridal party. They can still have a few friends and relatives with them when getting ready, who also give them a hand during the day when needed, but without necessarily giving them a specific title of a bridesmaid. And as most brides now have hair and makeup artists, who will often help the bride to get into her dress and finesse the final look, you wouldn’t necessarily be stuck for help in getting ready if you didn’t have a bridal party.

There is also the issue of cost and having to dress your

bridesmaids and pay for their hair and make-up, which can heavily influence some brides’ decisions about their bridal party. Brides can pick as many bridesmaids as they wish but two to four seems to be an average number. However, if you cannot limit yourself to this number and you are going in to double figures, then perhaps it is time for a re-think of what the role really means and whether you need to include this tradition in your wedding day.

In your case where it is proving too difficult and – possibly - too political to make the right choices then maybe not having a bridal party will be a good choice for you. Your friends and family will still offer their help and support and you may even find it quite nice and relaxing on the morning of your ceremony to have only yourself to worry about! Good luck with whatever decision you make.

If you have a question for Natasha, don’t hesitate to drop her a line at: natashacjohnson@gmail.com CONFETI 99

Padre Peter, cleric for wedding ceremonies and regular contributor to CONFETI Magazine

– 2¼ pence per pound

I

n the 1690s a case came before the Thame magistrates. A man was indicted for sleeping with another man’s wife. During the course of the proceedings it was discovered that he had, in fact, purchased her from her husband at tuppence farthing per pound. And at Bilston, near Wolverhampton, it was recorded that “John, son of Nathan Whitehouse of Tipton, sold his wife to Mr Bracegirdle”. Until 1857, with the establishment of divorce courts in England and Wales it was very difficult to get rid of a wife (whilst the reverse, to get rid of a husband, was unthinkable!). It needed an Act of Parliament to accomplish this, and the cost was

100 CONFETI

prohibitive; in many instances in the region of £20,000 at today’s prices, far more than tuppence farthing per pound!

In poor districts, therefore, the custom arose to sell the unwanted article. After all, a wife was considered a chattel to be bought and sold like any other commodity. Indeed, quite often wives were considered to be worth far less than a prized piece of livestock. In Staffordshire a man called Cupid Hodson (some Cupid!) took his wife to Stafford market with a halter round her neck.

As he was selling merchandise he was charged the relevant market toll for livestock, and proceeded to parade her round

the market place. It was clearly a bad day for selling wives.

Bidding started at a penny, gradually rising to five shillings and six pence (28p). Some wives reached as much as £1, but Cupid had to be content. He handed over his wife, together with the required “Toll Ticket”, and the three principals then repaired to the nearest tavern to seal the bargain.

Both the Church and the State deplored this practice, but to the populace at large it provided a handy means of settling what was often an unhappy state of affairs. As the law stood, whilst it was not strictly legal, the courts by and large turned a blind eye to the practice. Many

such auctions were undertaken by mutual consent. It was not unknown for the wife’s lover to agree a price with the husband before the sale took place. This was far better than the wife and lover simply eloping to vanish into some distant part of the country.

However, as the century progressed the courts took a dimmer and dimmer view of such behaviour, and sentences of six months in prison began to be handed down. This did not entirely put a stop to the custom. James Brice, historian and jurist, noted in 1901 that wife sales were still taking place in his lifetime. Indeed, as late as 1913 a woman testified to a

magistrate’s court in Leeds that she had been sold to one of her husband’s workmates for the sum of £1.

Clearly, given that such a sum had been current many years before, this particular wife had been undervalued. In 1855 a wife was sold at Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds for the princely sum of £25, which caused a considerable degree of amazement as the guide price had been only 25 pence! But this was not the end of the affair. Neighbours sensed that something was amiss, and for three nights kept up a cacophony outside the house of the purchaser and his bride. This was a traditional punishment in rural areas against those who were suspected of sexual misdemeanours.

On the third night the purchaser was burnt in straw effigy outside his house. He eventually gave in and restored his purchased bride to the original husband, whilst at the same time

demanding his money back. It is not recorded whether or not he received it. Other purchasers, however, sometimes did their best to regularise their new situation.

sales lawful, we think it right to inform that, by determination of the courts of law, in a former reign, they were declared illegal and void, and considered (in the light of which religion must view them) a mere pretence to sanction the crime of adultery”.

In 1760 a coal miner named Nicholas Read bought a wife in Gloucester.

But the He then practice was Both the Church and took her to widespread Bath, where and often the State deplored this they were the subject practice, but to the “married” of comment. by “one The Annual populace at large it parson Register for Crey, a provided a handy means of August 1733 lawless settling what was often an reported: minister “Three men there.” This and three unhappy state of affairs. effort on women the part of went to the Nicholas availed little, however, Bell Inn in Edgbaston Street, as he still found himself Birmingham, and made the hauled before the Gloucester following entry in the Toll Book magistrates on a charge of which is kept there:- Samuel adultery. They took a view Whitehouse, of the parish of echoed in a local journal: “As Willenhall, in the county of instances of the sale of wives Stafford, sold his wife, Mary have of late frequently occurred Whitehouse, in the open among the lower classes of market, to Thomas Griffiths, of people who consider such Birmingham. Value, one guinea

(110p). To take her with all her faults.” Some “faulty” wives were not so easily disposed of.

In Canterbury in 1820 the auctioneer refused to auction just such a wife, and so her husband, “a decent looking man”, hired a cattle pen in which to keep her, until he found a willing buyer in the sum of five shillings (25p). One can only hope that the wife was happy with her new lot and that the buyer did not regret his purchase. Some such affairs indeed ended happily. Henry Brydges, 2nd Duke of Chandos, and a Member of Parliament (1708-1771) was dining at the Pelican in Newbury when he heard a commotion outside the dining room window. His Grace was informed that a man was about to sell his wife. Going into the yard, Chandos was struck by the woman’s beauty and gentle manner, and by the husband’s harsh boorishness.

He bought the woman and shortly after made her his duchess. Of such stuff are fairy tales made!

CONFETI 101

Confeti News Instagram Your Big Day

I

f, like so many of our readers, you have been asking when CONFETI would get round to entering the world of Instagram we have some good news. Well, it’s about time we finally decided to dive into the new, fast moving and exciting world of social media’s brightest star!

There are many ways that you can make yourself into an Instagram star via CONFETI’s page. If you’re a bride-to-be and planning your wedding then we would just love to be part of it. We know that it’s a long process (see our Wedding Countdown feature on Page 84 for more on that subject), so why not keep us in the picture as you mail the invitations and book the florist and caterer? We would love to see how you’re getting on as your big day draws near.

Confetti

I

#

We would love to help all of your dreams come true, whether you are aiming for a traditional white wedding, a celebration of Boho Chic or something completely unique.

Of course, we can’t promise to find your perfect partner, but we can certainly fill in a few blanks when it comes to providing all the details of the biggest – and, hopefully, happiest – day of your life. Just post #confetibride – we can’t wait to see what you’ve all been up to!

And that’s it! Winners can choose their own petals and postage and packing is completely free too.

This is the perfect prize for any bride-to-be so don’t forget to enter!

from CONFETI

n these eco-conscious times, brides-to-be are no more keen on non-biodegradable confetti than many venues are on allowing guests to use it.

Bearing this in mind, we were delighted to find this wonderful natural confetti, picked and boxed by those clever people at Shropshire Petals Confetti.

Grown locally in this beautiful county, the petals are feather-light and won’t harm the environment.

Wedding parties can choose from a wide variety of blooms and can also make up a box containing their own choice of pick and mix petals.

102 CONFETI

Maybe you’re a wedding planner, a photogibride rapher, a confet supplier or even plan to make your own wedding stationery or floral arrangements?

You are very welcome to post all your pictures on Instagram and, if you are a bride-to-be, then we can promise that you will find all the inspiration that you need.

Now you can win your own box of Confetti Pops from Shropshire Petals and it’s easy to enter!

All you have to do is: ‘Like’ our Confeti Facebook page: / Confeti Magazine Follow us on Instagram @Confeti Magazine ‘Like’ Shropshire Petals Confetti post Comment on it including your name, your fiancé’s name and the date of your wedding.

Confeti News

To David Toms

C

ONFETI readers will be familiar with the work of David Toms, one of the Coast’s foremost wedding photographers, who is renowned for his indefatigable search for the best shot, even if it means climbing up a tree or balancing on the ledge of a fountain.

David is also a well-known motorbike enthusiast and in July he suffered a major accident that has caused traumatic damage to his spine. According to news from his partner Lori and his family, David is

with Love from CONFETI

making slow but sure progress at the Carlos Haya hospital in MĂĄlaga, and they are hoping that he will be transferred to a specialist spinal unit in Toledo where he can receive the treatment needed for a full recovery.

All the team at CONFETI magazine wish David a speedy and full recovery and our thoughts are with Lori and his family during this difficult time. We are sure that if David puts the same energy into getting better as he devotes to his photography then he will be back behind the lens before long.

Diamond Wedding

A

C

ONFETI magazine would like to give a huge congratulations to John and Anne Cameron who celebrated their Diamond 60th Wedding Anniversary recently here in the south of Spain! John and Anne from England were married on the 7th of July 1956 and chose to celebrate their special anniversary with their family at a beautiful Villa in Ronda called La Cazalla. Family flew in as far from New Zealand so that everyone could be united for a week long celebration! What an amazing example of true love, they even received a letter from the Queen! We wish them all the best and Congratulations on 60 years of Marriage! lacazalladeronda.com

CONFETI 103

DIRECTORY CONFETI’S ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR THE FUTURE BRIDE CAKES

Alyson’s Cakes +34 646435771 Alysonscakes@gmail.com Cake Couture +34 693 379 397, marbellacake@gmail.com, cakecouturemarbella.com Marbella Cake Design +34 693 864 959, mcdesign100@yahoo.com, marbellacakedesign.com

CATERERS

Beers Wines & Spirits SL +34 952 373 233, info@bwsdrinksdistribution.com, bwsdrinksdistribution.com Nueva Kaskada +34 669 230 699, info@nueva-kaskada.com, nuevakaskada.com Sana Catering +34 639 626 096, toni@sanacateringmarbella.com, sanacateringmarbella.com

CELEBRANTS

Allan Davies +34 672 137 547, adcelebrant@outlook.com, adcelebrantservices.com

Anthony’s Diamonds +34 609 529 633/ 952 588 795, diamonds@anthonys-diamonds.com, anthonys-diamonds.com

Humanist Wedding Celebrant info@malagaminister.com, malagaminister.com

Boutique Diva +34 674 402 135, nana@norrbom.com

Padre Peter padrepeter1@gmail.com

De La Fuente +34 951 508 084, info@delafuentefinejewellery.com, delafuentefinejewellery.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Chica DJs +34 661 155 174, bookchicadjs@gmail.com, chicadjs.com DJ Ryan Fller +34 674 882 402, fullerdj.com fullerdeehay@gmail.com, DJ Sky Fly +34 635 341 872, info@skyfly.es, skyfly.es Entire Occasions +07768170617, info@entireoccasions.com

Unique & Luxurious Photography & Film by

www.deperez.com www.antoniodeperez.com www.nanideperez.com nanideperez@gmail.com + 34 615 314 446

VxÄxuÜtÇà fxÜä|vxá ALLAN DAVIES

Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies

(+34) 672 137 547 adcelebrant@outlook.com www.adcelebrantservices.com 104 CONFETI

FASHION & ACCESSORIES

Diamond Occasion +350 200 68633, info@diamond-occasion.com, diamond-occasion.com Glamour Hunter +34 663 117 084, valeriana@glamourhunter.net, glamourhunter.net Confetti Espania Palma, Mallorca www.confetti-espania.com sales@confetti-espania.com

FLORISTS Deseos +34 952 811 301, info@deseosflorist.com, deseosflorist.com

Nicola McGeorge +34 665 361 964, info@nicolamcgeorge.com Ocean Clinic +34 951 775 518, info@oceanclinic.net, oceanclinic.net Reflections +34 902 325 324/ 952 906 524, info@reflectionsmarbella.com, reflectionsmarbella.com Wedding Hair & Make-Up, Anita Greaves +34 678 566 742, hairstylist.anita@gmail.com, marbellahairandmakeup.com

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

Boda Kids +34 952 109 287, info@bodakids.es, bodakids.com Julia Roder +34 678 521 108, julia@juliaroder.com, juliaroder.com Milagros Iglesias Fotografia Fine Art +34 616 717 972, contact@mi-photo.com, mi-photo.com

Flor Valentin +34 669 061 234, florvalentin.es

Nani & Antonio de Perez +34 615 314 446/ 615 252 174, nanideperez@gmail.com, nanideperez.com

Flowers Inc. marbellaflowersandflorist.com +952 907 986, zoe@marbellaflowersandflorist.com

Owen Farrell +34 670664341, info@owenfarrellphotography.com, owenfarrellphotography.com

Stephanie Florist +350 54012896, stephanies@gibtelecom.net, stephanieflorist.com

Pedro Jaen +34 615 655 075/ 952 775 497, fotojaen@gmail.com, pedrojaen.com

Virginia Florista +34 952 898 722, comercial@virginiaflorista.com, virginiaflorista.com

Salvador Blanco, Evergreen Photo & Films +34 656 265 025, info@evergreenmalaga.com, evergreenmalaga.com

HEALTHY & BEAUTY

WEDDING PLANNER

Glow Wellness and Fitness +34 952 040 220/ 952 908 507, glowplayasdelduque.com

Hour Weddings & Events +350 58 009685 /+34 691 145 093 /+44 203 2390184, www.hourweddings.com

The Beauty Spot +34 675 01 63 51, thebeautyspotmarbella@gmail.com

Liza Mayne +34 677 633 987, lizamayne.com

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Photo by Stephanie Allin CONFETI 105

Wedding Bells

forEva

Hollywood A-lister and Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria and fiancé Jose ‘Pepe’ Anto-nio Baston, tied the knot this May in a star-studded wedding ceremony in Mexico.

Eva has a place in our hearts here on the Costa del Sol as, for several years now, she has been traveling to Marbella with the Global Gift Foundation for their annual Charity Galas. The organisation is a cause close to Eva’s heart and supports the lives of countless children and women worldwide. She is often photographed making the most of her time here in Marbella, participating in charity golf tournaments and enjoying the sunshine on a private yacht.

So, when we heard that she was getting married we couldn’t wait to find out all the details!

Kicking off a weekend of celebrations, the couple had a beautiful ceremony in the gardens of Eva and Jose’s lakeside home in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. They wanted something intimate where the family was very much involved.

106 CONFETI

TV channel owner Jose’s three children from a previous marriage were all part of the wedding party, even accompanying Eva down the aisle.

Best friend Victoria Beckham designed three stunning wedding gowns for the weekend of events, Eva describes them as “very special and made with love”. She wore exclusive shoes designed especially for her by Brian Atwood. Victoria Beckham played another important role, acting as a witness for the couple at the civil ceremony the day before.

The Beckhams weren’t the only celebri-ties spotted enjoying the nuptials: guests such as Ricky Martin and Mario Lopez attended with Desperate Housewives costar Vanessa Williams making a surprise appearance to sing her hit song ‘Save The Best For Last’.

CONFETI wishes the celebrity couple all the best and hopes that they have found their happy ever after! We look forward to Eva returning to Marbella next year for the Global gift Gala!

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Hotel Villa Padierna Palace 5*GL Crtra. Cรกdiz Km 166 29679 Marbella, Mรกlaga, Spain Tel: +34 952 88 91 53 catering@villapadiernapalacehotel.com www.villapadiernapalacehotel.com