I have to say I was initially pretty relieved when Elvira explained that there would be just 20 guests attending the wedding and her dream was to have a sunrise ceremony on a beach. But then came the first problem…persuading a hair and make-up artist to start work at 4am to get Elvira ready for those all-important sunrise photos on the beach! Happily, the wonderful Anita and Tracy from Marbella Hair and Make-up, rose to the occasion and agreed to take the job on. All we needed was a great photographer, as the photos were super important for this bride and groom. Stepping up for the early morning challenge was Radka Horgath, who was totally game for the early morning, in fact she was positively bubbling over with excitement as she said the rising sun gave such magical light and it was rare to have the opportunity to photograph a bride and groom at sunrise.

We selected Dantonelas Beach Club for Elvira and Vadim’s venue – the bride and groom really had to trust us as they would not see their venue until the day before the wedding! Working from photos of the bride’s dream ceremony decoration, Deseos Florists created a dreamy, romantic soft pink wedding pergola.

Following the ceremony, which Celebrant Antonio Sanchez conducted in Russian, the sun rose over the beach club. We arranged a sumptuous wedding breakfast in the garden overlooking the sea. After breakfast, the entire group changed in to swimwear and enjoyed a lovely day at the beach club, relaxing on VIP beds, swimming and of course enjoying champagne!

We really loved this wedding; because of the hour, the beach was deserted, the temperature was perfect and it was totally peaceful and private – incredible considering it was August on the Costa del Sol!

Elvira was a truly beautiful bride in her stunning dress. The morning was full of love and laughter, we were so happy to have been able to make this dream come true…and in record planning time too!!

They fell in love with Finca Villa Palma on first sight. This beautiful hilltop garden had everything they had hoped for – acres of lush green grass, mature trees, water features, a stream filled with goldfish, and jaw dropping sea and mountain views. Hard to imagine this venue is just 6 minutes from Marbella town centre.

It was a hot end of August day, but thanks to the many shady trees all around the Finca, guests were able to keep cool until the sun went down.

Emma and Steve treated themselves and close family to a VIP stay in one of Marbella’s luxury villas in Golf  Valley. So, it was from here that their big day started with a sumptuous breakfast…
Emma and Steve’s new daughter was almost the star of the day, but her mum did steal the show as she arrived in a fabulous lacy dress, looking stunning!

As one would expect, this was a wedding with plenty of singing! Plenty of laughter and joy. A family wedding, where elderly grandparents danced with grandchildren!

The lighting at this wedding was magical, we hung literally hundreds of garland fairy lights over the dining tables to create the look Emma and Steve wanted and they were thrilled with the results. In keeping with the sultry heat of August we wet for strong tropical flowers, which stand up to the fierce temperatures.

Music was provided throughout the day, from Ceremony to evening by the super professional ‘Q Band’.
I think for me one of the sweetest moments of the night was seeing Emma and Steve quietly slip away to a swing seat together with their baby daughter, they just sat together looking over to their friends and family all dancing and having fun, it was so clear how happy and contented they were. A lovely end to a beautiful wedding.

First stop was finding the perfect venue for them, somewhere that would reflect their desire for a real showstopper!! So, we think we nailed this when we took them to the fabulous Villa Cisne; a beachfront Marbella Mansion. I mean, the huge red ceramic lips in the front entrance and life size multicoloured statue of a horse in the garden just sent out the ‘this is going to be something different’ message loud and clear!

The red carpet was literally rolled out through the magnificent formal gardens at the front of the villa, as guests arrived to be greeted with traditional Spanish sangria and ‘rebujitos’ to the sounds of classical Spanish guitars. There were plenty of sharp intakes of breath as guests were lead into the rear garden, and the ceremony area overlooking the sea.

This was sheer romance, the beautiful wedding arch was constructed and decorated with style and panache by ‘Deseos Florists’. Emma wanted something very romantic for this part of the day.
After the ceremony guests were entertained by the Magicians, great live music by the amazing Leo on Sax and Quike on electric violin. The maestro Antonio Ramos bought flavours of Spain to the afternoon with his incredible sherry pouring skills!

‘Fiesta Sol’ brought their own brand of magic to create some amazing culinary treats.
As the sun set, the gardens transformed into a wonderland of twinkling lights and the party really got started with the Costa del Sol’s incredible party band ‘Who killed the DJ’. The cocktails stations were kept busy all night long.

Next day, and all the guests were back for a day of fun as we completely changed the vibe to recreate a Marbella Beach Club in the gardens. We had it all! Super cool chill out areas and a massage tent, where guests cool enjoy relaxing aromatherapy massages. We had giant garden games; football dart – a giant inflatable dart board that challenged the slightly hungover guys to get the football in the middle of the dart board. A great BBQ, lots of swimming and yes plenty more cocktails. Emma and Graeme wanted epic and that is what they got!

We had a boho chic theme running throughout the day, with plenty of traditional Spanish touches.  The fabulous Jackie Brown Band provided music throughout the day – classical Spanish guitar and sax for the early part of the day, leading into a full 7-piece high energy band for the party – which went on until 5am!!

The bride looked fabulous – she even manged to get on the horse without spoiling her dress – which I have to say did give me a few nervous moments!

Setting the scene at the drinks reception was one of Andalucia’s most well known vencidora and cortador – professional sherry pourer and Jamon cutter – this is an art believe me!!

The dinner took place on the West lawn which has the most incredible backdrop of Jimena village, the Moorish castle fully illuminated created a truly spectacular night time view!

The following day we turned a large horse training ring into a beach! Yep really, with sand, deck chairs , parasols and more, whilst the amazing Gusto catering worked a 2nd day of miracles, show cooking huge paellas under a scorching 42 degree sun!

We were incredibly proud of our team over these two full on days, there were many challenges to be overcome – not least the access to the Estate – being a rather narrow, bumpy hillside track – not easy negotiated by catering vans, furniture rental lorries and even mini buses for guest transport…but we did it!!  This was a really spectacular two day wedding and one that we will certainly never forget!!

Deciding where to get married is no mean feat. You need to have a clear idea of what you both want, know your budget, fix a guest list and then find the perfect venue. To help you choose the one for you we’ve put together a handy list of tips designed to point you in the right direction.

Say yes to – a wedding planner in Spain who knows the area inside out and can advise on the right venues for you (Click Here).

1. Fix your guest list

Your first step when choosing a wedding venue in Spain should be to define your guest list. Sit down and write out who you’re inviting. Next, consult both sets of parents to see if they have any extras. Then, double-check the list and tot up the numbers.

Your venue needs to cater for all your guests. Bear in mind that it’s usually better to start with a higher number of expected guests than lower because not all venues can cater for more, but all can cater for less.

That said, choose a space to fit the numbers. Too big and you and your guests will feel awkward and stick to the corners. Too small and you’ll all be uncomfortably squashed.
Say yes to – a venue that gives a realistic idea of how many guests fit in comfortably, not the legally permitted number of people.

2. Set your budget

Not quite in stone but as near as because once you know how much you can spend on your wedding choosing a venue becomes much easier. Armed with your budget you know almost instantly which venues are worth contacting for a quote and which are out of your price range.

Say yes to – shopping around and asking about possible discounts if you book out of season or mid-week.

3. Location, location, location

Now you know rough numbers it’s time to turn to one of the most important aspects: location. And just as it does for property buying, the old adage applies to choosing a wedding venue in Spain – it’s all about location.

Are you dreaming of a large wedding or intimate occasion? Do you see yourself outdoors or in? Countryside or coast? Hotel or rental villa? Narrow down your preferences and then start looking for a location that ticks your boxes.

Say yes to – somewhere that offers a wide range of venues giving you both a choice of options. On the Costa del Sol, for example, the world’s your oyster when it comes to wedding venues (Click Here).

4. Getting there

Closely related to location is accessibility. Think about how easy it is for your guests to a) reach the wedding venue itself and b) park there when they arrive. No one wants to travel for longer than necessary to get to a wedding or to have to waste time looking for parking once they’re there.

And don’t forget accommodation for your guests. They’ll all need somewhere to stay so choosing a wedding venue in Spain with onsite accommodation could be a practical option.

Say yes to – the Costa del Sol where Malaga Airport has flights to and from a long, long list of destinations and easy transport connections making it easy for all your guests to get to your wedding on time.

5. Stay in style

Before you start visiting wedding venues, spend some time thinking about your style. Picture your dream wedding and jot down the main elements. When you get in touch with a venue, find out if your wedding style is possible there.

Say yes to – a venue that can show you examples of different wedding styles held on the premises.

6. Check the flow

Weddings tend to be made up of different elements such as the ceremony, pre-meal drinks, the meal, dancing and entertainment. Decide how many your wedding will have and discuss them with the venue. Look at different areas to see if they’re suitable for each element and work out with the venue how you and your guests will flow from one to another.

Say yes to – a venue with at least two spaces so that you and your guests don’t have to wait outside or in a corridor while the décor and furniture are changed.

7. Availability

Another vital step when choosing a wedding venue in Spain is checking if your chosen spot is actually available. Popular spots get booked up fast so if you’re planning a weekend wedding or during the popular summer season, plan well ahead to ensure you get your preferred date. Bear in mind that if you’re flexible you could get a better rate.

Say yes to – the opportunity to get a discount on the wedding venue if you can choose a different date.

8. All-inclusive or just the venue

You also need to decide how much input you want from the wedding venue. Are you just looking to hire the space or would you like the venue to provide all the bells and whistles? Going for an all-inclusive venue makes it easier to organise but does push the budget up.

Then check if the venue is all for you. If you go for a large wedding venue in Spain and know that you won’t be occupying the full space, find out what else could be going on at the same time. You might prefer a venue exclusively for you so that your wedding gets the venue’s undivided attention. On the other hand, a venue holding more than one event could be a cheaper option. But check out noise issues before you commit. Do you really want to hear the other event’s music/speeches at your wedding?

Say yes to – a wedding planner who can talk you through the various options and advise on the right one for you.

9. Referrals

When you’re choosing a venue, do your research. Word of mouth is often the best possible way to find out exactly what something is like so ask other couples about their experience. Listen carefully to what they have to say but bear in mind that one person’s pros may be another’s cons and vice versa.

Say yes to – wedding venues that can provide testimonials from couples who tied the knot there. Or ask your wedding planner to give you some contacts.

10. Get some professional help

And last but definitely not least, get some help on venues from a professional wedding planner. This option not only gives you access to the very best advice and knowledge – no one knows a venue better! – but takes the stress out of the event so that you can concentrate on saying yes to the best on the big day.

Between them, the Marbella Marriages team has decades of experience in planning the perfect wedding. Get in touch and find out how we can make the next one yours (click here).

“Can you afford NOT to have a wedding planner?”

Here are some key points that any bride considering a wedding overseas’ should carefully consider.

• Who knows how to use your budget most efficiently, and who knows what a “reasonable cost” is for each vendor’s services?
• Who knows how to select trustworthy vendors depending on their reputation and not just their website?
• Who can get automatic discounts through their network of wedding professionals on venues, catering, photography, cakes, etc?
• Who has the experience to arrange, coordinate (and manage) ALL of the vendors on your wedding day
• Who understands the best manner to execute a lavish reception (taking into account design, seating, traffic, etc)?
• Who knows the scoop on the latest hot trends?
• Who makes sure that the bride is being pampered with hair/makeup at her hotel while sipping mimosas?
• Who keeps track of all the RSVPs? (not to mention the tedious stuffing, stamping, sealing, mailing)?
• (Last but not least) Who has a “little black book” chock full of alternative and understanding vendors in case the unthinkable happens on your wedding day?

Marbella Marriages  allows you to concentrate on the fun aspects of the engagement and day, rather than getting bogged down with  price comparing and colour matching or trying to decide how good a supplier really is from a clever website ! We help you from beginning to end, promising you that every detail will be handled.

We offer customized budgets. Instead of cutting your budget and removing items that you’ve dreamed of having, we know how to justify your budget and move euros around to achieve your dream.

We handle even the most minute details of the planning process, and then combine this intricate plan with the overall design and décor that will be perfect for your wedding. Many girls have ideas of elements they like; however, they get completely stressed when trying to incorporate everything & don’t know how to tie it all together. Funky colour schemes can be a world of fun, but they must be tastefully tied together. We’ve seen every colour scheme imaginable, and when it’s complemented in the proper manner it makes an unforgettable “wow factor” for your guests.

Great weddings don’t just “happen”, but   together we can make your guest’s think so !

Having your wedding abroad is totally different to having your wedding in familiar home surroundings, it can and should be one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of your life.

In the last 20 years Destination wedding’s have become extremely popular for a number of reason’s, but we think that the biggest motivation is that desire to have glorious sunshine of your wedding day! No one dreams of splashing down the aisle with an umbrella do they!

Realistically it is almost impossible to plan a destination wedding all by yourself, so you need somebody that can take care of all the planning and preparations for you.

Finding a reliable , professional and experienced wedding planner who is fluent in Spanish and your language is so important in planning your dream destination wedding  in Spain to perfection. Someone who lives and works in the area, and knows the venues, the suppliers and knows the local laws. Local knowledge is key to a successful wedding day.

The Marbella Marriages Team have been planning weddings and events collectively for more than 25 years .  We have proud of our reputation with our local colleagues, who will vouch for our reliability and ( some say ) almost too enthusiastic attention to detail! But we are perfectionist, who care very much about getting it right every time, for every couple we work with.

What are the benefits of a Destination Wedding in Spain ?

Well the weather of course! Marbella has the sunniest, warmest climate in Europe. Boasting over 320 sunny days per year !!  So that means the chances of you having rain on your wedding day are pretty slim! Marbella has very mild winters, with lovely sunny days and average day time temperatures regularly reaching 18 – 20 º. So if your budget is tight, consider a winter wedding in Marbella. Flights are cheaper, venues will offer you very good deals on pricing , and renting a magnificent Marbella Mansion, could well be in your budget during Winter months!

Choice of Venue’s

No being pushed into a gloomy function room here! In Marbella , we have a spectacular array of venue’s, all of which offer something unique. The obvious and most popular choices are beach clubs, five star hotels and private mansions, but the less obvious are often the most surprising and enjoyable! In the hills behind Marbella there are stunning private gardens, fincas and castles , that can be hired for your wedding day !
Golf club …. Forget your average Golf Club at home !! These super swish, luxury clubs are designed to meet the demands of the affluent Members. They are very rarely busy in the evenings and welcome wedding parties, this is a very much overlooked type of venue, which can be a great choice for a couple with a tighter budget.

The glamour, sophistication, style and luxury that have made Marbella the place to be for the last 40 years is never more apparent than in 2017.  Each week we see stunning new restaurants opening – The world famous Spanish chef Dani Garcia has opened no less than 3 new restaurants along Marbella’s Golden Mile.  Beach clubs are the new big news this summer .  Ibiza style cool and contemporary and Boho beach chill are the current trends. Either providing a perfect backdrop for summer weddings in Marbella.

Big news for Marbella Marriages is our new collaboration with this year’s newest hot spot on the beach – Mahiki Marbella! The famous Mahiki brand, which has fabulous nightclub venues in London’s Mayfair and Dubai, has hit Marbella! Together with the La sala group, Mahiki Marbella beach club opened to great fanfare this June. Working with Mahiki, Marbella Marriages has some truly exciting wedding concepts to offer couples for 2018. So if it’s a super chic beach wedding in Marbella that you are looking for, Mahiki is the place to be!!

Marbella Marriage is highly focused on creating  exceptional weddings in Marbella for our couples. We work with couples from all over the world, making their wedding in Marbella something that will be talked about for your years to come!   Our longstanding relationship with Marbella’s leading wedding venues and most professional supplier’s ensure your wedding in Marbella will be a wonderful experience.

A wedding in Marbella does not automatically mean expensive!  We will work within your budget and guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised at the range of beautiful and affordable venues we can offer to you.

Marbella Marriages is delighted to announce their collaboration with the La Sala group, who are Marbella’s premier restaurant group, in offering the most amazing civil marriage concept. Starting with the civil marriage on board the Sunborn floating ship in Gibraltar, followed by a wedding reception and party at any of the La Sala venues along the Marbella coastline ….  including the brand new fabulous Mahiki Marbella beach club, which will open May 2017. No packages – this is a high end tailor made wedding celebration which will be talked about forever!

For any couple getting married abroad, a professional wedding planner might seem like an extravagance, but a good planner can save you time, money and a lot of stress !

Depending on your budget and needs, you can contract various levels of service:

• A full-service planner who will be with you from venue location right through to the wedding day ends.
• A venue location service – just to help you find the right venue
• An on the day coordinator – who will be present on the day to ensure every aspect of the day runs smoothly and be the point of contact for all suppliers.

NOTE: Many venues offer an in-house planner as part of their wedding packages , but make sure you’re clear on exactly what level of service they provide. In house coordinators usually just handle on the day wedding issues  and offer a list of their preferred vendors, they will not get involved with guest accommodation and transport & many other services a private planner with offer,  so having your own planner may still be a great help.

Before interviewing potential wedding planners, you and your fiancé should have an idea of:

• How much money you have in your budget
• How many people you would like to invite
• Your preferred wedding date
• Your vision for your wedding (NOTE: If you aren’t sure yet don’t worry—getting help with this is one of the reasons why you’re hiring a wedding planner!)

If you are conducting interviews from overseas, do insist on a face time /skype call , it is important to see as well as speak to a potential planner. After the interviews ask yourselves …..

• Did we feel the planner listened to us ?
• Does the planner understand or interpret accurately our vision for the wedding ?
• Did we get a strong sense that the planner will help us keep within our budget?
• Was there a good sense of connection between us and the planner?

Listen to your instincts. Your wedding planner is the person you’ll be spending the most time with, so it’s important to pick someone who’s compatible with you and  your fiancé.

The most important questions you should initially be asking are related to the Planner’s experience .  For an overseas wedding planner, it is essential that they are fluent in the local language of the country .

A professional Planner in Spain  will be operating under a legal status, will be in insured and should have at least 5 years demonstrable track record and be able to give you a selection of genuine testimonials .

Here are some of the questions we recommend you ask ..

1. How many full-scale weddings have you planned? When was your last one?
2. How many wedding clients do you take on in a year? How many do you expect to have during the month of our wedding?
3. Is wedding planning your full-time job? If it’s part-time, what is your other job?
4. Are we required to book only the suppliers you recommend or do we have the freedom to hire someone even if you haven’t worked with them before?
5. Do you take a commission or discount from any of the suppliers you would refer us to?
6. Will you be present at all of the suppliers meetings and will you assist us in reviewing all of the supplier contracts and making sure everything is in order?
7. Will you invoice us for all the supplier’s fees or will we need to pay each one of them ourselves?
8. For the supplier’s who will be on site the day of our wedding, can I provide you with checks or cash  for final payment that you will distribute to them?

ABOVE ALL FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THE PLANNER YOU CHOOSE WILL BE ON YOUR SIDE, LOOKING AFTER YOUR BEST INTERESTS AT ALL TIME !