A hint of magic

There are many things to consider when approaching an upcoming marriage. What kind of ceremony will you choose? Where is the best place to say ‘I do’? Will the venue emanate the kind of ambience you’re looking to create? All these factors can become even more confusing if you’re choosing to seal your nuptials at a wedding abroad, but worry not, there are venues on the white isle simply made for spectacular, spiritually moving ceremonies – ones which will convey the love you feel for your partner for all to see. The much-loved beach wedding venue of Elements Ibiza on the northern tip of the island is one of them. With a sensational seafront setting on Benirràs beach – famed the world over for its Sunday drumming sessions, bustling market and otherworldly atmosphere – Elements Ibiza is a favourite spot among residents and tourists alike. The chilled, relaxed vibe makes it the ideal place for spending a lazy day beachside, peppered with first-class cuisine, delicious smoothies and cocktails with a kick. With an entrance leading directly to the beach, you can choose to relax on its stylish terrace or sit facing the sparkling Med – wherever you decide, you can’t escape the sun-soaked magnificence oozing from this one-of-a-kind beach club.

These components combine perfectly to also make Elements Ibiza one of the most prestigious wedding venues on the island – that and the fact its dedicated team pride themselves on delivering ceremonies with a difference. Gone are the stuffy vows and stringent rules of some traditional weddings, instead replaced by a ceremony and celebration that reflect the free spirit of the people who choose to marry in its stunning surroundings. “It’s a very special place,” says the venue’s event planner, Gema Lopez. “It’s different – bohemian almost – and that makes the energy at a wedding really nice.” The spiritual connection so often cited in relation to Benirràs forms a special part of ceremonies held at Elements Ibiza. Here, you marry on a pier shooting out from the beach (brides can even arrive by boat if they choose), looking out towards the iconic Cap Bernat (which locals call the ‘hand of God’), just as the sun begins to sink into the horizon. “It’s a special, romantic, magical place,” explains Gema, which if you’ve ever been to Benirràs you’ll entirely understand – it’s one of the most unique places on the island to watch the sky flash through a rainbow of colours before it disappears for the day. The ceremony itself is a pure, spiritual affair, heavily influenced by Balinese culture – making it especially poignant as you declare love for each other in the presence of family and friends.

Once the ceremony has wrapped up, the happy couple and their guests spill onto the beach to watch the tail end of sunset, and the beginning of the first night of marital bliss for the newlyweds. Then they head over to the venue itself, which has been decorated according to the couple’s specification, or left in hand with the Elements Ibiza team. The entire restaurant is exclusive to the wedding party until 3am, where they can dine, dance and be merry in honour of the happy couple. Cuisine, naturally, comes courtesy of the Elements Ibiza kitchen, and while there are three delicious menus to choose from, amendments can be made to suit the taste of the couple and their guests, or a menu can be designed especially for the day. Regardless of menu choice, food at Elements Ibiza is always first-class, organic and locally sourced where possible, allowing the simplicity of the ingredients themselves to do the talking. An open bar can also be arranged, and the restaurant works closely with a range of performers and musicians if you want to continue the party vibe well into the night.

There’s an old saying in Ibiza that says if you marry on the island, your love will last a lifetime, and an Elements Ibiza wedding goes some way to securing just that. Weddings here are spiritual blessings of unabashed love, where people come to celebrate their bond with each other, in the presence of those they care about. “Our weddings aren’t for couples who want a formal celebration,” says Gema. “They’re different – magical.” And as you take your first steps together on the path of the rest of your lives, who could ask for more than that? Photography by Gypsy Westwood Photography – see the full gallery here