I DO July 2015

JULY 2015 | ISSUE NO 56 | 造2.50

Whimsical MUSE 8 PAGES BRIDAL FASHION

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“Life is like the ocean. Every time a wave knocks down your castle, you build it again!”

H

ave you ever caught yourself reading about a destination wedding or watching a 'Platinum Weddings' show and thinking you could never create something like that?

Well, think again.

You are blessed to be living on an island with beaches all around and long summers. You don't have to live near the equator to achieve a tropical, exotic theme.

Just take a different route because life offers infinite possibilities.

In this issue, our fashion theme has taken us to Popeye Village where the

Get in touch with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/IDoBridalMagazineMalta

bright coloured ramshackle wooden film set, creates an idyllic whimsical setting just inches away from turquoise waters.

Mandy and Jonathan, one of the couples featured in this issue, share their love for the sea while giving tips of how they achieved their vision of a beach wedding and relaxed vibes. Similarly, Andrea and Ray, went exotic with their chosen colour scheme of bright yellows and blues, complementing our sunny island.

Many tropical blooms are available all year round. If you're adventurous and seriously considering something different, all you need is one dominant plant such palm trees or even leaves in glass vases to

THIS PAGE Long sleeved chiffon bridal gown with beautiful embellished belt.

Floral matching headpiece with crystals completes this very sophisticated look. Headpiece and gown exclusively available at WEDDINGBELLS. Earrings available at ZSAZSA.r COVER Exquisite Bridal gown in lace embellished with Svarovski crystals. This gown is ideal for a summer wedding with its easy to handle train. Dress by Farage exclusively at WEDDINGBELLS

define your space. A mix of flowers including roses, ranunculus and orchids, could be used to create the effect.

Add a cocktail or punch bar, a lounge area and a relaxed vibe for that tropical feel and you'll soon be elsewhere, on a journey with a great feeling of freedom to explore the unknown!

I Do team, Annaliza & Elaine Special thanks go to Sweet Desires

by Joanne for her scrumptious cakes featured in the May issue.

I DO JULY 2015 ISSUE NO 56

PUBLISHED BY Standard Publications Ltd, Standard House, Birkirkara Hill, St Julian’s STJ 1149, T 21345888, F 21344884 FOR EDITORIAL CONTENT AND STORIES CONTACT THE I DO TEAM ido@independent.com.mt DESIGN Christine Spiteri, Sean Ellul, Conrad Bondin ADVERTISING Marcelle Portelli PRINTER PrintIT

My job as a makeup artist is to enhanse the natural beauty of the bride and not to change her look in the most important day of her life.

SHASHA.

Makeup by Shasha 7920 2778 Hair: Hair Creations by Sabrina Rabat 9989 3169 Photography: Noella Agius | Model: Maria Pia Serra Dress: Eva Mariee Bridal Exclusive 2730 9108 – 7931 8987

Distributed by Beauty Plus

THIS PAG AND FACING – LEFT Exquisite Bridal gown in lace embellished with Svarovski crystals. This gown is ideal for a summer wedding with its easy to handle train. Dress by Farage exclusively at WEDDINGBELLS | RIGHT Long sleeved chiffon bridal gown with beautiful embellished belt. Floral matching headpiece with crystals completes this very sophisticated look. Headpiece and gown exclusively available at WEDDINGBELLS. Earrings available at ZSAZSA.

Whimsical MUSE

Photography Bernard Polidano Make up Natasha Polidano Gowns WeddingBells Hair Styling MAF Hairdressing Flowers Flower Arts Props and Decor Save the date Malta Cake Table Caffe Cordina

THIS PAGE Simple chiffon bridal gown with floral caplet in gold, ivory and blush.

The matching headpiece completes this fairytale look. All available at WEDDINGBELLS.

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THIS PAGE Long sleeved chiffon bridal gown with beautiful embellished belt. Floral matching headpiece with crystals completes this very sophisticated look. Headpiece and gown exclusively available at WEDDINGBELLS. Earrings available at ZSAZSA.

THIS PAGE Maitza from the PRONOVIAS 2015 Dreams Collection. Dress in lace and tulle with gemstone embroidery appliqués.

Bodice with soft sweetheart neckline and tulle skirt with frills. EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT PRONOVIAS. OPPOSITE Marianella from the PRONOVIAS 2015 Modern Bride Collection. Lace and tulle mermaid dress. Draped bodice with a sweetheart neckline, straps and lace appliqués. Skirt with irregular organza tulle with different edges. EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT PRONOVIAS.

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THIS PAGE Stunning bridal gown in platinum and gold with beaded lace. This dress coming with a beautiful cathedral train, ideal for any bride who wants a captivating look. Dress by Farage exclusively available at WEDDINGBELLS

THIS PAGE, TOP AND BOTTOM Beautiful vintage inspired bridal gown in delicate lace and illusion neckline.

Dress by Farage exclusively available at WEDDINGBELLS.

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THIS PAGE AND FACING – ABOVE STANDING Stunning bridal gown in platinum and gold with beaded lace.

This dress coming with a beautiful cathedral train, ideal for any bride who wants a captivating look. Dress

by Farage exclusively available at WEDDINGBELLS | SITTING Beautiful vintage inspired bridal gown in delicate lace and illusion neckline. Dress by Farage exclusively available at WEDDINGBELLS.

PHOTOGRAPHY Bernard Polidano 7947 2559 http://bernardpolidano.tumblr.com/ BRIDAL OUTFITTING Marquita at WEDDINGBELLS 2122 4234 HAIR STYLING Christian Mifsud MAF Hairdressing 2144 0772, 9944 6929 www.mafhairdressing.com MAKE-UP Natasha Polidano 9989 9760 FLORAL DÉCOR & ACCESSORIES Joseph Baldacchino from Flower Arts 2726 0645, 9926 0645 www.flowerarts.net PROPS & DÉCOR Save the date Malta 9946 8974 www.savethe date.com.mt CAKE TABLE Caffe Cordina 2123 4385 www.caffecordina.com MODELS Eleonora @ Supernova Model Management, Marisabelle @ Supernova Model Management SHOT ON LOCATION Popeye Village (Anchor Bay) Joseph Borg 2152 4782/3/4, 7952 4783 weddings@popeyemalta.com

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dreamy

SUMMER

VINTAGE

the couple LYDIA

&KURT

Lydia Pace, 28, teacher, and Kurt Spiteri, 29, team leader

19 July 2014 NUPTIAL MASS HELD AT HOLY FAMILY CHAPEL, IS-SGHAJTAR, NAXXAR AND RECEPTION AT CASTELLO ZAMMITELLO, MGARR. PHOTOS Imagine Photography Andrew Gauci Attard

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L

ydia and Kurt met through the bride’s sister Sarah and the groom’s brother Keith. They were automatically chosen to be the witnesses on their special day. Kurt romantically proposed to his future wife on her birthday at their new and unfurnished home. The pair have been married for a year now and they couldn’t be happier!

They tied the knot on 19 July last summer bringing their families and friends together to celebrate their love. Fr Roy Galdes celebrated the wedding mass which was held at the Holy Family Chapel at Is-Sghajtar, Naxxar. Known for its imposing castle and

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lush gardens, Castello Zammitello in Mgarr was chosen to create a fairytale atmosphere for their guests.

Their wedding day was all about the things they love. The wedding theme featured elements of yesteryear and linked vintage inspirations with modern ideas to create a unique twist. They used handmade props and some lace, and shades of purples were thrown in for good measure.

Being a very artistic type, Lydia used a good dose of DIY and creativity throughout her wedding day. Instead of the usual home video of the bride and groom getting married, Lydia and Kurt got their wedding party members to snap away candid shots of

the couple getting prepared and while they were on their way to the church.

White Hydrangea and small bunches of Baby’s Breath were used to decorate the church. Aaron Carpet Services was hired to take care of the red carpet at the church.

Singer Anabelle Debono, provided by Tunin Entertainment made the atmosphere during the ceremony even more special. After mass, guests were given cones handmade from silver doilies and decorated with crystals to hold the confetti.

Guests were welcomed at the venue by the castle’s façade lit up with purple LED lights matching the wedding’s team. This was taken care of by Nexos Lighting.

They also took care of enhancing the atmosphere at the venue by other creative lighting techniques.

At the venue, instead of the traditional photograph placed at the venue entrance to welcome the guests they had a double portrait, painted by the bride herself. Beside it, they put up a big white wishing tree decorated with crystals, to replace the traditional guestbook. Guests had to choose from six different tags, each having different questions to encourage them to share their wit, wisdom or wishes.

The newlyweds had a good laugh reading each and every one of them after the wedding.

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This was accompanied by a big screen showing photos depicting Lydia and Kurt’s love story since it started blossoming eight years ago. The looping photo story included the couple’s pre-wedding photos including photos showing the bride wearing the same going-away dress her mother wore in 1983.

Bistro tables were decorated with lanterns and cages. Candles and small vintage chalk blackboards, with their favourite love quotes, were put around the reception area and heart shaped confetti, punched out of vintage love books, were scattered on the table tops.

A Volkswagen camper van turned cocktail bar was brought in to add more vintage factor. Guests had a vast choice of cocktails including two personalised cocktails nicknamed after the bride and groom.

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Nexos Lighting & Video T: 21 800 144 info@nexoslighting.com www.nexoslighting.com

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power

production services

Illuminating your Special Day

A candy table with the couple’s favourite sweets was set up, and they added striped and polka dot purple small bags for the guests to take some sweets at home with them.

The cake topper was custom made from wood to show the couple’s initials by The Tink Shop. Fireworks were let off during the couple’s first dance and during the cutting of

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the cake. At the venue, guests were entertained by Luca Xuereb Band - Exclusive Artists by Tunin Entertainment.

Lydia walked down the aisle wearing a gorgeous lace mermaid dress which her mother and sisters helped her choose from Alamango’s. It was glamorous and divinely elegant. Helped by Elaine’s Hair Salon Mosta and make-up artist Natasha Polidano,

Lydia achieved the desired final bridal look.

Gaudi by JB Stores supplied the drapes for the female wedding party dresses. Kurt and the male bridal party wore suits by Cefai Formal Wear with bow ties matching the vintage theme.

For their honeymoon the newlyweds went to Malaysia, Bali and Thailand for almost a month.

place to

on your Wedding Day

db Catering + Events offers you with a turnkey solution to fit your Wedding requirements like a velvet glove, within the Maltese Islands. We help you create the wedding you want and the memories that will remain forever, with you and your guests. We will be there for you from your initial dreams to the going away.

We take care of every detail and concern, each one of your wishes.

And of course, we will help you select the best location in Malta for the happiest day of your life.

We invite you to get in touch with us on (+356) 2350 3750 or contact us on events@dbhotelsresorts.com

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Main image: Upper Terrace at db Seabank Resort + Spa, Mellieha, Malta First image from Top: Casablanca Suite at db San Antonio Hotel + Spa, Qawra, Malta Second image from Top: Kosy Lounge & Terrace at db San Antonio Hotel + Spa, Qawra, Malta Third image from Top: Grotta Terrace at db Seabank Resort + Spa, Mellieha, Malta

M

altese meets Scottish in this celebration full of warm colours and sweet romance. Andrea’s and Ray’s vision was to plan a day that combined his Scottish roots and her Maltese ones. All the men were in kilts and the guests were greeted with bagpipes and a whisky table with 10 different Scottish whiskies from all around Scotland.

Scottish dancing then got everyone on their feet. A Maltese bus drove all Scottish guests to the wedding and back and everyone was singing on the bus.

Before Ray and Andrea were ready to settle down, Ray joined Emirates as a cabin crew member to be able to travel the world and create wonderful memories with the love of his life.

They were living in Dubai when they met. He was working as a football coach with children and she was already an Emirates cabin crew member: “We met at a nightclub popular with Emirates crew members and when my friends and I moved onto the dance floor, Ray and I spotted each other. “He pointed at me and took my hand and started dancing with me to ‘I’m walking on sunshine’. We didn’t say anything to each other, we just danced for 20 minutes and then finally got each other’s names”.

They exchanged numbers and he promised to call her after he finished work the next day at 6pm. He called at 6.05pm! They went on a date and soon found that the spark was definitely there!

“We both had the same goofy sense of humour and a laid back attitude. I fell in love with Ray’s kind eyes and gorgeous smile and Scottish accent!” Andrea says.

The day after she went on a week-long trip to Australia and was sure their romance was short-lived. Yet he called her every day.

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the couple

&

ANDREA RAY

Andrea Saliba, 28, Emirates cabin crew and Ray Forbes, 29, Emirates cabin crew

30 August 2014 OLIVE GARDENS, MDINA PHOTOS Shane P. Watts

sunshine

&KILTS I DO 27

They dated for three years before getting engaged and after two years of dating, Ray decided joined Emirates.

In the months that followed, they went on a 10-day holiday with three other friends to Peru. The highlight was a five-day trekking trip that would have them walking for eight hours every day until they reached Machu Picchu. It was definitely not an easy trip but it was a huge proud moment when they reached the peak of Machu Picchu and looked down upon the mountains to see where they came from.

“At that point, dying of exhaustion, I was seated on the edge of the mountain looking down and reflecting, when Ray came and asked me to stand up to take a picture. I found it a bit odd that he would be asking me that as he hates taking pictures! I stood up and he got down on one knee in front of a huge group of tourists, took out a beautiful ring from his pocket (that he carried for 10days!!!) and said that he loves me so much and wants to spend the rest of his life with me,” Andrea recalls. “Everyone was clapping and cheering. I was crying and of course I said YES!” The couple knew they wanted to have a family and settle down in the near future. Ray is a big family man and can’t wait to have kids so marriage was a natural step forward.

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Olive Gardens was the venue of choice for the gorgeous views of Mdina and open air space. They combined the warm colour palette of their setting with tones of yellow, purple and blue to spice up the wedding.

Sticking to the advice: “Don’t spend too much and don’t invite too many people”, Andrea’s and Ray’s guest list added up to 150 people. They set a budget of €15,000 and made sure to stick to it.

Andrea bought her wedding gown from Barcelona during a visit to her parents.

It was the fourth dress she tried on: An Alcanar style made up of soft tulle and lace gown with a strapless sweetheart neckline and crystal appliqué at the waistline.

“I always wanted a princess dress for my wedding as I wouldn’t have the chance to wear one again. It was surely the one,” Andrea explains.

Joseph Baldacchino from Flower Arts mainly used hydrangeas and roses in flower arrangements. Andrea’s bouquet was a mix of beautiful ivory roses.

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Invitations were colourful and casual with the words ‘Let’s Eat, Drink and Be Married!’

Souvenirs were white hand fans, white flip flops and a photobooth strip. They also had a thumbprint guestbook where people left a thumbprint and signed on it to create a big bunch of balloons.

Andrea’s wedding band is half encrusted

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with diamonds to match her engagement ring. His is plain white gold. Both were inscribed with A&R 30.08.14 The couple recall that the funniest moment was when everyone had a go at Scottish dancing. Reception music provided by Tunin Entertainment including one of their exclusive artists, Luca Xuereb Band.

For Andrea, the most touching moment was Ray’s speech during which he and his family cried at the mention of his grandma who passed away. And for Ray, having his Scottish family and friends come over and experience a Maltese wedding with touches of home, meant a lot.

They spent their honeymoon on a Caribbean cruise.

An Ode to

ELEGANCE

ROMANO CASSAR FLORISTS are professional, qualified and above all, passionate about their work.

With a wealth of experience in the wedding industry, they merge extensive knowledge of floral combinations with your particular requirements.

I

n light of the fact that every wedding is a unique celebration, they specialise in tailoring their service and product to every client who walks through their doors, with the aim of creating a romantic statement which reflects the unity and affection shared between the bride and groom. Through the connoted meaning of particular flowers as well as that reflected through the colour and texture of different blooms they are able to create the ultimate, unique clusters to complement every aspect of your wedding.

Their team of experts will garnish your wedding hall and church with delicate creations in keeping with the theme of your

celebration. They also offer the service of decorating your home, with nothing short of extraordinary assortments. The florists guarantee only the freshest blooms for your special day, ensuring no last-minute surprises with an enviable reputation of delivering promised results time and time again. They are capable of creating a complete look for the whole bridal party through the use of gorgeous clusters as well as added accessories according to your tastes and the latest trends. Thus, Romano Cassar Florists provide end to end services and products which will exceed your expectations.

Furthermore, we urge you to keep up to

date with their on-going competitions and offers, through the ‘Romano Cassar Florists’ Facebook page and newsletters. With packages starting from as low as €325! The company is currently offering a free bridal bouquet with selected wedding purchases, reflecting their ultimate goal of making the floral procedures as enjoyable as possible.

Contact them now to benefit from this limited offer!

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the couple CATHERINE

&DARKO

Catherine Borg, 24, teacher and, Darko Stojanovic, 27, footballer

11 July 2014 CIVIL WEDDING CEREMONY AND RECEPTION AT PALAZZO PALINA, TA’ CENC HOTEL

PHOTOS Matt Iam Hush www.thisishush.com

becoming

Mr & Mrs

I

t was shortly after Darko Stojanovic moved to Gozo to start playing for a Gozitan football team that he set eyes on his future wife Catherine Borg.

Initially they only exchanged a few his and byes.

Catherine told I Do that she had immediately found Darko attractive but she never bat an eye about marrying the guy one day. Darko too admitted he found Catherine pretty but he never thought she was the one. That was until five years ago when they met in Paceville while Darko was celebrating the Orthodox New Year.

Catherine was 19 and Darko was 22. It was only then that they had their first decent conversation.

After five years together they decided to take

36 I DO

their relationship a step further. Darko proposed to Catherine on Christmas Eve. She always told him that she wouldn’t marry him unless he got down on one knee! The wedding planning started without further ado.

Catherine’s closest relatives and friends celebrated the end of her single life with a surprise BBQ full of fun, laughter, music and good food at the Blue Lagoon, Comino, while Darko’s friend took him for a night out with friends.

Catherine and Darko went for an intimate standing wedding reception for around 100 guests. Lilac was the theme colour of choice.

Various relatives and friends came over from abroad to attend the wedding. Among them were Darko’s parents and sister who came over from Serbia and Catherine’s maid-of-

honour and bridesmaid, who came over from the UK. Guests left the venue with heart shaped glass coasters, with the words love, happiness and forever randomly printed on them and wrapped together with lovely silvers bows.

Both the wedding ceremony and the reception was held at Palazzo Palina at Ta’ Cenc. This was only venue they looked at and they both fell in love with it immediately.

A few weeks before the wedding, guests received invitations in the form of a card, with the front decorated with diamante heart shapes and a purple bow on the side.

The wedding took around six months to plan and Catherine made most of the arrangements herself.

Helped by professional decorator, the venue was turned into a magical wonderland with crystals and heart shapes hanging from the trees flowers, candles and handmade lilac and white decorations scattered around the venue to add a touch of glamour.

Xerri Garden Centre’s own florist Thomas Xerri was roped in to take care of the floral decorations. Based on the lilac colour palette, purple gladioli were used along with a selection of green leaves and lavender roses, were mixed with some pink gerbera and white anthuriums, to make the purple flowers stand out more. As for the bistro

28 I DO

tables, the couples decided to have something simple so they opted for fishbowls filled with roses, candles and touch of purple crystals to top it off. All the bridal party members carried posies made from a mixture of lavender and ivory roses to complement their dresses.

Catherine got her wedding gown from the UK. It was a strappless figure hugging dress made of silk. The top of the dress was a corset and the back was made from transparent lace. She picked a small train to finish the bridal look. The groom’s suit and shoes were hired from Cefai Formal Wear.

It wasn’t difficult for them to decide on a song for their first dance as newlyweds as when they told each other what song they liked, they discovered it was the one, John Legend’s, ‘All of me’. Becoming Mr and Mrs Stojanovic was the moment both had been waiting for.

After the wedding, the newlyweds visited Santorini for some relaxing time. Mr and Mrs Stojanovic are planning to have a church wedding in the Orthodox tradition in Darko’s homeland, Serbia, in a few years’ time.

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L

ara and Mark met each other while visiting Gozo for Carnival celebrations. Although they were smitten, luck wasn’t on their side to get together that night as Mark felt sick and had to go home. They got in touch through their friends and started dating soon after. A few dates later, they discovered they were class mates back in primary school.

Although marriage had been on the cards for some time, they decided to tie the knot quite casually. The decision was simply taken while waiting for dinner to be served at a restaurant. There was no formal or romantic proposal.

Lara knew what type of dress she wanted for her big day. This made it easier to decide on the gown. She picked a V-necked dress embellished with pretty lace and embroidery. It had an A-line skirt and a delicately beaded waist belt to define the bride’s waistline. The female wedding party wore bright red dresses to complement the wedding colour palette. Beauty Enhancement by Rachel took care of the bride’s and the bridesmaid’s make-up and final look.

Mark was keen on choosing his own suit and the suits for the male wedding party. Helped by Lara, the groom’s and the male bridal party’s outfits were hired from The Knot in Fgura.

On choosing the church, they wanted to stick to the tradition of getting married in the bride’s hometown parish. Since Lara’s parent’s house is situated really close to the parish church in Ghaxaq, the bride together with her parents, sister and bridesmaids walked from her parents’ house to church on a red carpet. This was supplied by Joseph Abela carpet service.

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the couple

&

LARA MARK

Lara Galea, 25, Learning Support Assistant, and Mark Mifsud, 25, Company Director

2 August 2014 WEDDING MASS AT GHAXAQ PARISH CHURCH AND RECEPTION AT

BASTION TERRACE, EXCELSIOR HOTEL, FLORIANA PHOTOS Rene Rossignaud

portside

WEDDING

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Since the village feast was coming up, the church was decorated with traditional feast decorations. The walls were decorated with the red damask and all of the church’s silver was exhibited in preparation for the feast. The atmosphere was further enhanced by floral decorations and vases holding floating candles, set up

by Alistair Floral Design.

Singer Raquela, exclusive artist by Tunin Entertainment, played music during the wedding mass. Fr Nicholas Dimech, Fr Jonathan Farrugia and Fr Mario Said celebrated mass.

As for the venue, the bride and groom wanted a seaside venue with spectacular views so the Excelsior Hotel’s Bastion Terrace was a perfect option. They could also have their 450 guests gathered in one area. After Mark’s brother-in-law took the stage for the bestman’s speech, the bride and groom surprised their family and friends with a choreographed first dance.

The Residents, exclusive artists by Tunin Entertainment, entertained the guests during the memorable evening. Drinks were supplied by Antonio Piscopo Wines and Spirits. The cake was decorated by Alistair Floral Design. Parker Film and TV Productions took care of filming the memorable event.

Although they would have liked a longer honeymoon trip to visit an exotic destination they knew this was difficult due to Mark’s work. So helped by SMS Mondial travel agents, the newlyweds spent a week cruising along the Adriatic Coast. They visited Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Italy on a Mein Schiff cruise liner.

the couple

&

MANDY JONATHAN

Mandy Vella , 28, social field practitioner and Jonathan Deguara, 30, electronics technician

26 July 2014 MANIKATA CHURCH AND RECEPTION AT

HOLA BEACH, MARFA PHOTOS Kris Micallef

aBEACH Life’s

M

andy and Jonathan got to know each other around six years ago through their best friends and soon realised they shared a passion for adventure, different cultures, love for animals and the sea.

On their first date, they shared dinner at a lovely Indian restaurant and just could not stop talking.

“As soon as we got to know each other, there was a build up of friendship, care and trust that paved the way to the beginning of something beautiful – a secure and loving relationship. At that point we knew that we were meant to be together,” Mandy explains.

Marriage was a natural choice but they did

not get to the planning part before Jonathan proposed. “We both share a love for the sea through scuba diving. We went for a Gozo dive at Dwejra and Jonathan proposed underwater. This was an amazing experience facilitated with the help of other dive buddies and friends who showed the banner ‘Will you marry me?’”

Mandy obviously replied in the affirmative by choosing the ‘yes’ card she was given underwater.

Preparations took 10 months and the couple chose to keep everything simple and casual. They did not have large scale engagement celebrations and dismissed having a pre-wedding photo shoot. Both of them however had two hen’s and bachelor’s

parties. These were memorable experiences, full of fun, good company and good food.

They remark that their friends really managed to make these events special.

Jonathan designed a caricature of the couple and their beloved pets instead of a photo portrait. He also designed their invitations which “tempted” guests to be part of this cool event.

Starfish and shell shaped sunflower seed pockets were given out as souvenirs to symbolise the couple’s married life. They encouraged guests to sow the seeds and grow them into beautiful flowers. These souvenirs were carefully prepared by young adults at the Dun Manwel Attard Education Resource Centre in Wardija.

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The chosen colour scheme was aquamarine coupled with shades of green and blue representing the colours of the sea.

Bright yellow flowers complemented the theme.

“We decided to get married at the Manikata Church since it’s beautiful, modern and very particular in its own asymmetrical design,” they noted.

The reception followed at Hola Beach, Marfa as they wanted a private beach that offered a stylish look and lounge effect.

Describing the wedding as “anything but traditional” Mandy went to church in her father’s red MG, while her parents,

52 I DO

bridesmaids and siblings were chauffeured in a vintage bus.

A fire juggler and percussionist provided entertainment during the reception. At the same time, the beautiful, multi coloured cake (in lemon and red velvet flavours), meticulously prepared by Novelty Cakes by Cheryl, was a showpiece in itself.

Organising a beach wedding in itself made the experience and requirements very different. Guests were encouraged to dress accordingly but comfortably and as suggested through the invitation, shoes were optional!

After the first dance, Jonathan changed his

formal suit to linen-based clothes. Mandy‘s flowing and comfortable dress suited the occasion perfectly, all night long.

While this was a standing reception, there were enough chairs, stools, sunbeds and teepees for all guests to sit back and relax.

Flowers at the church were kept minimal to complement its contemporary architecture.

At the beach, fairy lights decorated the palm trees, candle lanterns were scattered around while small candle jars filled with sand and shells were placed on the bistro tables.

Simple flower arrangements including palm leaves and flowers, as well as a wooden wishing tree, were used at the entrance.

To keep with the beachy atmosphere, coloured lights uplighted the palm trees high above while oil lanterns lit up the perimeter of the beach and the long pontoon over the water.

The wedding style was beachy, summery, relaxed and magical!

A total of 250 people, including relatives from England and Australia, as well as friends from Canada, made it to the wedding.

Music was also unique. Mandy’s 13 year-old-niece Miriana sang during the ceremony. Her elegant voice also accompanied the bride’s dad’s harmonious guitar notes and vocal tunes as the dance floor was opened with the song ‘Xemx’. This was a moving couple of minutes as the couple realised how blessed they were to have such a united family.

A percussionist and a DJ played throughout the evening. A lounge, relaxed style of music was performed up to the time of the first dance. Later, this switched to numbers the guests could dance to till the very end. To vibe up the atmosphere, at one point the bride decided to ‘Do-it-Herself’ and surprised guests by practicing her hobby and playing some great tunes.

Wedding bands were made from solid rose gold, in a very simple and slim look with a brushed finish.

The couple recalls that the atmosphere of peace and unity during the exchange of vows made it incredibly fulfilling.

Although they cannot remember their thoughts at that moment, they surely felt as one.

Considering that the bride wanted a simple, flowing but classy dress, it was difficult for her to find what she wanted at first. With the help of an entourage consisting of her mother, sister, maid of honour, five special friends and the groom’s mother, she chose a long, ivory white Grecian dress with small silver beads around the waist, from WeddingBells in Valletta.

Her natural-looking curly hairstyle was taken care of by Dorianne’s Hair Salon.

The groomsmen’s outfits were skillfully made to measure from Maschio Menswear in Hamrun.

The couple shared the wedding preparation load: “We were very supportive to each other and that surely facilitated the preparation process. We divided tasks, but still checked things and consulted with each other. Final decisions were taken together,” they explain.

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Having said this, Mandy made an exception and did not show Jonathan the dress, nor did she give him give him an idea about its style and colour. According to Jonathan, this was worthwhile as it was a wonderful experience to see the dress for the first time during the wedding.

It surely helped that they had planned the wedding together in their conversations and discussions and just needed to find the right people and services to fit the job. They knew what they wanted and although they are not very fussy, both are very determined and wanted to create what they had in mind. In the end, the wedding turned out exactly as they wanted it to be!

Looking back, they often think about the good time they had and laugh about funny and beautiful moments including their friends dancing and fooling around. As a surprise, Mandy’s sister, Sharon wrote a beautiful poem consisting of very encouraging rhyming words. They remarked that they feel thankful to have such a supportive family. Their parents, siblings, relatives and friends’ caring and loving presence during preparations as well as during the wedding day made the whole journey even more special.

The first dance was surely a magical moment for the couple and they can still feel happiness and joy when remembering about

that moment, a year on.

Mandy and Jonathan spent their honeymoon relaxing in Sicily and this is the perfect example of a luxurious and adventurous holiday not too far away from home: “We enjoyed the luxury of a beautiful hotel and could book any excursions from the same hotel just days before. We visited other beautiful islands, went diving at isolabella and managed to unwind by the beach at its natural reserve. We made sure to try out typical Sicilian dishes and visited main attractions including Gole d’Alcantara, Mount Etna and Taormina, amongst many others. It surely complemented our wedding and was a holiday to remember!”

We invite you to visit our newly refurbished db San Antonio Hotel + Spa offering a modern venue with fantastic views for your special occasion. The hotel has the facilities to organise your wedding reception by the pool or at our breathtaking roof deck enjoying open panoramic views facing sunset. We also offer an indoor venue in a modern suite that can host up to 600 people standing. In addition, the use of the venue is free of charge and we also offer a complimentary overnight stay to the married couple.

Bookings for 2015, 2016 and 2017 are now being accepted.

db San Antonio Hotel + Spa, Triq it-Turisti, Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay, SPB 1024, Malta T: 2350 3750/1 E: events@dbhotelsresorts.com W: www.dbhotelsresorts.com

IslandCabs IslandCabs is a fully licensed cab service company. We provide professional cab service in Malta & Gozo that includes airport transfers, Malta & Gozo tours, 24HR cab service , VIP Chauffeuring, free wifi on board. Our cabs can be tailor made to fit your business or individual needs. Islandcabs make sure to offer a reliable and quality service to our customers!

Obviously the most important is that we have reasonable prices. This is delivered by a team of dedicated and fully trained professional drivers who meet our set of high standards and guarantee customer satisfaction.

Telephones are manned 24 hours every day for your convenience.

Our staff are fully conversant with travelling and check-in times and will be happy to advise at time of booking.

A cocktail bar is the symbol of style and fun; a centrepiece at your function where guests can socialise, while trying out a wide assortment of colourful and tasty cocktails prepared by highly skilled and amicable specialists. With over fifteen years of experience at wedding receptions and just about every other type of function besides, Damian’s Mobile Cocktail & Wine Bar promises to be the detail that makes all the difference between an everyday event and a truly memorable occasion that people will remember fondly for years to come. You see it’s not just about serving drinks and making delicious cocktails, but setting the scene for a magnificent event with a studied touch of effervescence and flair.

Call us on 9999 5262 and book your cab now to avoid being disappointed!

Visit us on Facebook at IslandCabs Travel & Transportation

Damian Muscat M: 99847074 E: damianscocktails.wines@yahoo.com W: www.damianscocktails.com

Traditional methods, exceptional results

Photo Jessica Moritz

With generations of experience, Caffe Cordina is a pioneer in catering on our shores. Specialising in lavish events, the company has gained an enviable reputation for their impeccable service and delicious cuisine. The love for fine food lies at the heart of the organisation, whilst their friendly staff are extensively trained in keeping to the high standards of the establishment. Caffe Cordina’s grandiloquent cakes are renowned for their intricate piping, serving as testimony to their keen eye for detail and work ethic. Their methods are timeless and their results are nothing short of divine.

Nexos wedding department has been providing bespoke lighting and production services to Malta’s newlyweds for over 15 years.

Every element of a couple’s big day holds major importance for all the people involved, from the immaculate dress to the eye-catching cake and here at Nexos we believe that the services we provide for weddings should be no different.

Our approach to making the big day that extra bit special is very simple. We will arrange a site visit with the soon to be married couple at the venue of their choice. While there, the needs of the couple are discussed, planned and decided upon. Having done numerous events in most venues in Malta and in particular the venues that are continuously popular with wedding couples, Nexos has a leading advantage in knowing what works best in making these venues, both outdoors and in, look spectacular for the couples big day.”

Nexos Lighting & Video, MRA 48A Marsa Industrial Estate, Marsa MRS 3000 www.nexoslighting.com • sales@nexoslighting.com

Contact Caffe Cordina in preparation of your special day for unmatched quality and service. 148, Old Bakery Street, Valletta. VLT 1457 T: 2123 4385 / 2124 1359 • E: kurt@caffecordina.com • W: www.caffecordina.com

Gaudi by JB Stores Gaudi is a special enclosed section that you can find at JB Department Stores in Iklin. It is the place to find the finest and most exclusive fabrics. Whether you are the bride, the mother of the bride or groom or if you require a particular dress for a special occasion, Gaudi is the place to visit. At Gaudi you will find a designer and also professional sales assistants that can help you choose from the variety of fabrics that you will see. At Gaudi you will be able to choose the right fabric to create the perfect dress for your figure and style. The staff at Gaudi can also help you find a good seamstress to complete your dress. Visit Gaudi by JB Stores and you will certainly not regret it!

Gaudi by JB Stores, JB Stores, Iklin.

Call for an appointment on 23341343 www.jbstores.com

MAF Hairdressing

The Villa

MAF Hairdressing was created

by Christian Mifsud in 2008.

His secret to success in the industry is the love in doing what he does. Whether it is a simple blow dry to organizing a hair show creativity is a must, along the use of professional products in order to be able to offer his clients the best experience when visiting the salon.

MAF believes also in the importance of male grooming and hence barbering services are also available. Christians career started when he was enrolled at mcast and later continued furthering his studies at the Mayfair academy in the U.K. He is keen on continuously seeking training and other inspiring experiences. MAF Hairdressing has received various prestigious awards both national and international.

The 19th century, tastefully-renovated Villa is centrally located, overlooking the beautiful Balluta Bay and is run by Chef Patron Chris Hammett. At The Villa, we cater for small, intimate celebrations as well as larger scale events and bespoke weddings. Our three main outdoor terraces make the most of the beautiful spring sunshine and the large umbrellas make the terrace pleasant well into the colder months. We also have two large indoor venues as well as an intimate private dining room for smaller events. The award-winning restaurant makes The Villa the perfect choice for any event or celebration of any kind, with a brigade of chefs to cater to your every requirement. Your every wish can be turned into a reality for any event as every detail is tailored to your specific wishes. Whatever the nature of your event and whatever your budget, The Villa can cater for your needs. We invite you to the make The Villa yours to enjoy for any occasion.

We welcome you to head your way to our salon, join our Facebook page and visit our website www.mafhairdressing.com.mt

Words are often not enough to describe the beauty of the perfect wedding day in Gozo.

Whether it is your desire to step back into history to seal your commitment, whether you are stylish and seek a chic venue or perhaps for you, a relaxed beach wedding is your dream come tru, Ta’ Cenc can offer you all these possibilities and more. Each wedding is planned as an individual event, which makes it exclusive and original. The quality and attention to detail by the experienced staff at Ta’ Cenc can offer to make your dreams a reality.

Hotel Ta’Cenc & Spa T: 2219100 F: 22191500 E: info@tacenchotel.com W: www.tacenchotel.com

Magical weddings at Villa Arrigo Villa Arrigo, one of Malta’s most extraordinary venues for church/civil weddings, conference dinners, seminars and any other reception. A perfect setting with landscaped gardens, air conditioned – heated Marquee, fabulous rooms, and a setting ideal to capture that special moment.

The venue is conveniently situated within walking distance to a nearby chapel. Villa Arrigo hosts numerous weddings, where couples can also host their civil ceremony followed by a reception, dinner or a simple get together at the venue itself. The wedding or event is organized completely around the individual client.

Contact: Veronica Zammit Tabona, Jake Debono or John Vella Galea T: 21423214 E: info@osbornecaterers.com

39, Main Street, STJ1543 Saint Julian’s T: 2311 2273 E: info@thevillamalta.com.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thevillamalta

We started our business as gold and silver manufacturers in 1991. Since then we have never looked back; we expanded our business and opened our retail jewellery shop in Qormi in 2006. Today our premises include a workshop on location, together with the shop, in which we make gold and silver articles of all kinds, repairs and jewellery cleaning. This is very convenient because certain repairs and cleaning can be done while you wait. All the jewellery is hand-made and our specialisation is in wedding rings, which we make according to the customer’s design at very low competitive prices.

Service to customers is our main objective and we offer a reliable after sales service together with relevant services in the jewellery field. We also sell silver ornamental gifts for all occasions and have a vast selection of good quality stainless steel jewellery, which is now very fashionable.

Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8am - 7pm; Wednesday & Saturday: 8am - 1pm.

Near St George’s Parish Church - Qormi

Conrad Briffa We offer live music for both wedding ceremonies and receptions.

We do not believe in readymade packages. Your wedding day is as unique as you are - we offer this flexibility! You can have a combination of musicians or singers that is specially customised for you with our professional guidance. You will be dealing with the same person who will be with you on your wedding day. From a soloist to a band, you can be sure we can meet any budget. Join the hundreds of satisfied couples and send us an enquiry before your date is fully booked.

Visit www.conradbriffa.com for more info E: info@conradbriffa.com M: 99448717

CATHOLIC MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSES October 2015 LOCALITY Attard Balluta Birkirkara (Santa Marija) Birzebbuġa Blata l-Bajda Fgura Floriana Għargħur Ħamrun San Gejtanu Ħal-Luqa Ibraġ Marsa Marija Reġina Msida Mosta Paola (Kristu Re) Qormi San Ġor Qormi San Sebastjan Rabat San Ġiljan San Ġwann Santa Luċija Tarxien Valletta San Pawl *** Żabbar Żejtun Żurrieq ** Universita'

VENUE Ċentru Ġwanni Pawlu II Ċentru Parrokkjali Ċentru Parrokkjali Santa Marija Sala Parrokkjali Youth Fellowship, Gattard House Ċentru Parrokkjali Dar Ta’ Kana, il-Mall Ċentru Parrokkjali Skola St Joseph, Blata l-Bajda Ċentru Parrokkjali Ċentru Parrokkjali Ċentru Parrokkjali Ċentru Parrokkjali Familja Mqaddsa Ċentru Sant’Andrija Kunvent San Ġużepp Ċentru Parrokkjali Ċentru Parrokkjali Ċentru Pastorali Parrokkjali L-Iskola Magister Academy Ċentru Parrokkjali Sala Parrokkjali Dar Nażaret Domus Paoli Ċentru Nażaret Sala Parrokkjali Ċentru Pastorali Chaplaincy

TIME 7.15pm 7.30pm 7.15pm 7.15pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7pm 7.30pm 7.15pm 7.15pm 4pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7pm 7.15pm 7pm 10am 7.15pm 10am 7.15pm 10am 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm –

TEL 21434949 21344306, 21318730 21448026 21651200 21241010, 99847364 21661745 99491670 21413488 21238593 21809310 21370196 21240661 21334949 21433826, 21412976 21695022 21492997 21486350 21454467 21380270 21386112 21828931 21828153 21223348 21824383 21694563 21642010 23402341

Attendance to the Cana Courses at least two years prior to the date of marriage BOOKINGS FOR THE COURSES ARE TO BE MADE WITH THE PARISH PRIEST OF THE LOCALITY WHERE THE COURSE WILL BE HELD. Please call during office hours. ** Courses held at the University of Malta are for ex-students, students and staff *** Please call between 9.30am and 11am, Tuesday and Saturday.

Il-Moviment ta’ Kana, Istitut Kattoliku, Floriana FRN 1441 Malta Tel: 2203 9300 / 315, 21 238942 Email: info@canamovement.org

www.canamovement.org

https://www.facebook.com/familjakana http://www.youtube.com/user/familjakana

Renovation | CONSERVATION | Restoration The property market in Malta offers an abundant number of unconverted dwellings in need of renovation most of which still retaining their original characteristic features like arched ceilings, wooden beams, flagstones or patterned floors, mangers, thick walls, alcoves and many other beautiful features which make these properties very sought after. There is something about the idea of taking a property that has lost its way and restoring it to its former glory that seems to appeal to some house hunters. It is, however, worth taking a look at the pros and cons of house renovation before embarking on such a project. Clearly, you should seek professional advice to decide, realistically, what you are able to tackle as it can be hard to take an objective view when your heart is crying out for a beautiful wreck forgetting that house renovations might not appeal for the faint hearted!

ARCHITECT KEITH SCHEMBRI shares some tips with potential home buyers on the topic.

64 I DO

Source www.keirogroup.com

U

nrenovated properties are usually on the market at a reduced price, to which one must factor in the cost of renovations less any applicable financial grants offered by the government, and offer the buyers the flexibility to renovate the home customised to one’s requirements.

Once you have decided that you have the physical and emotional capability to renovate, before you decide to commit to the purchase of a property, it is vital to make preliminary enquiries as to its potential for renovation or development especially in case of scheduled properties.

Regardless of what your dream entails, all major renovation projects can benefit from the expert design help of an architect who can see not only the big picture, but also the hundreds of tiny steps between concept and completion.

Before you settle on a candidate, carefully consider the architect's past designs and gauge whether the architect’s vision for your house meshes with your own. It's the architect's job to design the project to satisfy building codes and meet specific structural demands.

Plan out the entire project from the beginning and specify the details early on otherwise you'll be making decisions under stress in the middle of a renovation. It's much easier to delay the start of a project, so you can take your time making all the decisions in advance.

Adopt sustainability in concept and construction to ensure your investment lasts a long time, limits consumption and saves you money through efficient design. Consider using recycled and nontoxic materials, solar water heaters and efficient insulation. Because many of these measures involve whole-house systems, it's critical to plan them in advance. The architect will help you strike a balance between conserving or restoring particular features of the property such as patterned tiles and making the necessary renovations required to meet the

comfort of modern living such as knocking walls to provide for larger rooms to entertain.

An architect on board the renovation project helps safeguarding the authenticity of the time added value characteristics of an old building, the cultural and economic value of the property.

Once you have established the details look for the contractor who best understands your project, and only entertain bids based on what that full project is, so you have all the information you need to make an informed choice. Discuss machinery to be used for the project especially if access to property, such as through narrow alleyways, restricts the use of heavy machinery. Ensure to enter a pre-defined arbitration agreement to avoid having to wind up in court if there's a dispute.

Watch out for leaking roofs, rotting or rusting of beams, cracked or weak roof slabs, absence of a damp proof course. Another commonly found problem is rising dampness which problem is aggravated when plastered over with cement or cladding. Plastering concrete on the walls does not solve the problem as the chemical reaction causes the stone to crumble away from the layer of cement. Do not be tempted to simply plaster

another layer of cement over the old one and seek advice on alternative materials such as lime (gir) which is compatible with Maltese stone and allows it to breathe.

Sandblasting, power washing and stone hacking using a pick axe are popular techniques used when converting older houses however beware that these techniques can remove the protective healthy patina of the stone which once removed will not form again and thus accelerate the deterioration of the stone. A professional conservation architect may advise on the least invasive cleaning technique such as nebulous spray cleaning using desalinated water.

It can be very satisfying to see your dreams taking tangible shape, and to restore an unloved house to its true glory.

Past articles are now available online on www.keirogroup.com Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice, legal or otherwise. Always obtain professional advice for your particular situation.

WHILST REFINING OUR CLASSICS We innovate through experience, understanding current trends & seasons.

Over a quarter of a century of tailoring unique weddings for local couples & foreign alike. We craft each wedding to the slightest of detail. Classily chic & contemporary, Villa Arrigo remains the most trusted, most value for money wedding venue on the islands. Meet us and let us exceed your wedding expectations.

info@osbornecaterers.com | 2142 3214