Romance and magic

Obviously, the chance to combine an island holiday with the nuptials is a bonus and the beautiful locations are plus, however, whether they know it or not, people choose Ibiza for a more spiritual reason. There is a definite magic in the air that attracts romance and love and nowhere is more magical and romantic than the iconic and mystical Benirras beach. Elements Ibiza sits directly on the golden sands of this majestic bay and is an emporium of wedding perfection. From the very start to the very end, the Elements Ibiza events team are standing by to help create the most memorable day of your lives. From simple celebrations to extravagant festivities, Elements Ibiza has you covered.

The Mediterranean Sea is a breathtaking backdrop for unforgettable ceremonies. As the sun sets, the colours provide the perfect foil for bride and groom, creating the most photogenic moments. Finding the right celebrant allows couples to tell their personalised story and sets the ambience for the celebration to come. A selection of celebrants are on hand to collaborate on an outstanding ceremony – from spiritual guides to impressive orators, there is someone to suit every event. A dedicated audio-visual team provides lighting and sound to set the mood while flowers and table decorations are thoughtfully chosen for colour and style in accord with the couple’s wedding palette. Elements Ibiza has access to an impressive stable of performers and artists. Acrobats, fire twirlers, Flamenco dancers, musicians, DJs, magicians and performers of all kinds add intrigue, humour and unique entertainment for guests.

Cuisine depends on the time of the wedding and is specially designed to fit the ambience of the celebration. Options include traditional sit-down dinners, buffet or cocktails and canapés. The Elements Ibiza chefs prepare everything from scratch, including Mediterranean classics such as paella, tapas and seafood extravaganzas. Created from locally-sourced seasonal produce, an Elements Ibiza wedding meal is nothing short of heavenly. In collaboration with the kitchen, couples can design their perfect feast matched with delectable libations. Famous for their divine desserts, the Elements Ibiza pastry chefs roll out the big guns when it comes to weddings. Naturally, there is the wedding cake beyond which guests can also enjoy a variety of sweet morsels including the best cheesecake on the island, chocolate fondants, tiramisu and homemade sorbets.

Brides may choose to arrive by boat, skipping across the crystal waters in place of the conventional walking down the aisle. As her bridesmaids escort her onto the sands into the arms of her true love, there will not be a dry eye on the beach. Dramatic and stunning, it’s an arrival to remember. The pier overlooking the sea is a stunning location to exchange rings while Cap Bernat – the rock emerging from the water known by locals as the hand of God – casts its shadow against the kaleidoscope of reds and blues. It’s a natural and striking backdrop for wedding photos. Declare your love in the most romantic and striking settings in Ibiza. Benirras is one the island’s most-loved spiritual centres and iconic weddings should take place in iconic locations. Sensational food, incomparable entertainment, and the most stunning view in Ibiza are all the elements required to create an unforgettable day. Up to 350 guests can be accommodated within the restaurant and terrace for the continuation of the joy, and Elements Ibiza bring it all together.

Sunday rituals

Start with a quick dip in the azure Mediterranean and give a little wave to the Hand of God rising up rockily out of the water before settling in at a table or on a lounge – the choice is yours. Those with a booking at Elements Ibiza can skip the new Benirras park-and-ride options and head right down to the beach in their own car. Pick out a detox juice or superfood smoothie with a booster shot on the side; relax with a freshly-baked pastry followed by coffee and let the Sunday scene on Benirras unfold in front of you. The lapping of waves and the gentle chatter of people soaking up the rays accompany the smooth tunes of the restaurant. Summer has well and truly arrived.

Be sure to book in for a massage in the cute healing room and relax under the professional hands of the Elements Ibiza masseuses. Mums will delight in a one-hour Mother Life massage, while anyone and everyone can get into a Thai Fusion, Osteo-Flow, Four Hands, Deep Connection or the signature one-and a-half-hour Elements massage. Lunchtime rolls around quicker than you think at Elements Ibiza and surely it’s time to indulge – after all, you’ve worked so hard and it’s Sunday. Grab a few starters to share such as mussels marinara, burratina with rocket, caramelised cherry tomatoes and basil, sea bass Carpaccio with pesto, radish and lemon vinaigrette or fried baby squid served with a tangy yoghurt and lime sauce. And then, wash it all down with a crisp white or natural beer.

Mains feature fresh seafood and delectable meat dishes plus a range of hearty salads. The homemade made spaghetti in an aromatic sauce topped with juicy local lobster is sublime. Opt for a mixed fish grill for two or more people or choose a succulent entrecote served with grilled green peppers and slow-cooked potatoes. Follow up with a heavenly cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries and a sweet berry coulis or a meltingly indulgent chocolate fondant with mango sorbet. While the Elements Ibiza food menu is bursting with flavour sensations, the cocktail menu is truly a work of art. Cocktail hour is never far in Ibiza and as the sun begins to sink, casting its golden glow across the beach, there’s nothing better than a colourful, icy drink in a tall glass. The setting sun marks the beginning of the Benirras Sunday ritual – an experience that is not to be missed.

The Elements Ibiza audio-visual team bring together artists from across the globe to create pockets of surprises throughout the restaurant. There’s no apparent schedule and no obvious theme but guests can be guaranteed astonishing theatrics in the shape of music, performance, circus and art. The anticipation of the unknown is almost as good as the happenings themselves, harking back to the days of creative abandon. Benirras is, of course, famous for the group of Sunday drummers who convene on the sand to commune with the natural beauty of the bay through the beat of the drums. It started as a peaceful anti-war protest in the 1990s and has morphed into one of the defining events of the Ibiza summer. Stroll over from your perch at Elements Ibiza and take in the vibe as musicians from all over the world jam and spontaneous dancers weave in and out of the crowd.

Back at Elements Ibiza (following a quick evening dip), it’s time for the final meal to round off the ritual of a Benirras Sunday. Don’t forget to pick up a memento at the Elements Ibiza Boutique before you leave. Wine, cocktails, delicious food, excellent company and that striking view of the sea encapsulates island life. Carefree excellence is the Elements Ibiza vibe and it’s ready and waiting each and every Sunday throughout summer.

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

Sunrise to sunset

We pine after days spent by the beach, long lunches with friends and family in scenic outdoor spots, afternoons that pass by in a haze thanks to relaxing massages, and evenings that begin with the first colours of sunset and end supping ice-cold cocktails. Fortunately, there are venues in Ibiza where we’re able to experience all of this in one location, and one of the finest is Elements Ibiza. Open daily, Elements Ibiza is a destination for breakfast, lunch, dinner and sunset, and generally the kind of laidback ambience most preconceived Ibiza reveries are made from. Set amid the bohemian paradise of Cala Benirràs, it’s a whitewashed haven for holidaymakers and locals looking to experience some of the magic this particular beach is famed for. Popular every day of the week, Benirras is at its busiest on Sundays when free spirits descend to watch spiritual drumming erupt on the far end of the beach as fire performers light up the sand in a whirl of acrobatics and explosive contortions.

Elements Ibiza isn’t just about sunset, though admittedly it excels at this time. It’s also about the sheer satisfaction you enjoy when you’re by the sea in Ibiza from day to night and you happen to be at a venue which seamlessly caters for all of it. Take a seat on the Elements Ibiza terrace with its sandblasted tables and features carved from recycled materials and you’re instantly transported to a faraway bliss where any worries are swept away with the sea breeze. That’s why this beach club has such a loyal local following – come here for a morning and you won’t be able to tear yourself away. The menu is a key factor in keeping clients content. Presided over by Italian chef Mauro di Mauro, it’s a varied affair offering something for everyone. The breakfast offering is full of classics – think traditional Spanish options like tostada with tomato and olive oil alongside omelettes and a range of other egg dishes. The Eggs Royal is standout, largely because the kitchen cure the salmon themselves (and then smoke it in their Josper oven), but also because the eggs are organic, the bread is handmade and the Hollandaise sauce is point perfect.

Accompany this with a fresh juice made at the restaurant’s adjoining juice bar and you’ll be loaded with energy for the rest of the day. The juice menu is lengthy and bursting with unique flavour combinations and unusual ingredients. The Cactus Cooler is a must try, its deep green colouring enough to satisfy even the most ardent detox followers. Post breakfast, unwind by the beach or retreat from the midday sun at the onsite boutique, where without even trying you can spend hours browsing the rails of fashion and sparkling silverware. Come lunchtime, pop back for a light bite and some sanctuary at the hottest point of the day. The salad section of the menu is a great place to start – options include chickpea and quinoa, chicken and goat’s cheese, and a seriously impressive tuna niçoise, which boasts colourful presentation and huge chunks of yellowfin tuna, again, grilled in the kitchen’s trusty Josper. Sip on another juice if you want to keep flowing with the detox, or instead browse the cocktail menu – the restaurant’s Zentini, made with Japanese sake, triple sec and blackberry and cranberry juice, enriches the flavour of the salad beautifully.

With the rest of the afternoon spread out before you, take advantage of the beautiful scenery surrounding Benirràs, book in for a massage (it pays to have done this advance) and revel in your own leisure before returning to Elements Ibiza for some pre-sunset dinner. Options are plentiful, and the new additions to the pasta menu in 2017 come highly recommended by the chef. Made fresh on the premises each day, it’s hard to beat the black ink Tubetti served with King Prawns and Coastal Prawns. Essentially like presenting your tastebuds with all the sensations of the ocean, tucking into this dish is the perfect way to end a sunkissed day at the beach, especially when paired with a Minty Mezcal – the refreshing taste of Mexico in a glass.

As the day draws to a close, sample some homemade desserts, explore the cocktail menu in more detail (dusk is the ideal time to retox, after all), or head over to the shoreline to catch the sun doing its finest for the last time that day. Then head off in the knowledge you’ve created a day to remember – one that’s well worth saving for the daydream bank once you’ve made your way home.

Weddings in Ibiza – Leanne & James

Leanne had first been attracted to the island for its party scene in 2007, visiting year after year, and it wasn’t long before the island worked its magic on her and she discovered just how much more was on offer. “I adored Ibiza from the moment I first came here,” Leanne admits. In 2010, during their first summer together as a couple, she and James visited the island together, as part of a special family holiday to celebrate Leanne’s parents 25^th wedding anniversary. “We stayed in the north, just outside of San Miguel,” she says of that time. “The whole family fell in love and we’ve been returning as a family every year since.” It made sense then, after their 2014 engagement in Thailand, that Ibiza would be the chosen location for their nuptials.

The family love affair with the north meant the perfect venue would need to be in the area, and Leanne and James had actually decided on the location long before he popped the question. “We were eating dinner one night at Elements Ibiza on Benirras,” Leanne recalls. “Benirras had become our favourite beach and was where we spent the majority of our time. We saw Elements Ibiza were starting to hold weddings there. We weren’t even engaged at that time but we decided then and there that it was going to be the location for our wedding.” Having spent many years dining and relaxing in the venue, the couple had become friends with the restaurant staff and owner, who were thrilled to be able to host their big day. “As Elements Ibiza is not a wedding venue in essence, we were able to personalise every aspect and although this was hard work, it was so completely worth it. I cannot thank them enough for being so accommodating and truly wanting us to have the day we had always wished for.”

Part of that wish included a spiritual blessing on the beach rather than a traditional English wedding. “In our eyes, the only place for that was Ibiza,” says Leanne. “We were very blessed to have a spiritual ceremony by Gianluca, who we had met at Elements several years before the wedding. His ceremony brought together many spiritual elements learned from his years spent living in Bali.” Adding more to the emotional experience, Leanne and James wrote their own touching wedding vows to one another. The wedding catering was left to the experts in the kitchen at Elements Ibiza, and guests were treated to tapas style starters of calamari, grilled vegetables, stuffed tomatoes, mozzarella, cold meats, bread, aioli and hummus. Main courses included seabass with quinoa, orange chicken with wild rice and a summer vegetable risotto, followed by the decadent vegan wedding cake created by Sharon Edwards of Cupcake Collection Ibiza and raw chocolate truffles made by Wild Beets.

In order to transform the laidback beach restaurant into a magical bohemian wedding venue, Leanne and James called on the services of Danielle Hodgson-Lindley of Velvet Circus Ibiza. “She did an amazing job at pulling everything together,” says Leanne, who entrusted Danielle with her visions of lots of greenery on the decking for the ceremony among other details – although the couple were also very hands-on with decorating process. “I made a dreamcatcher for the decking, the table plan, the ‘web’ which displayed photos of James and I from babies right up to present day and James made the wedding guest book and the table numbers,” Leanne says. “We also provided dried lavender and pheasant feathers to be placed next to the place cards.” Ibiza wedding photographer Gypsy Westwood was on hand to ensure all these beautiful details were captured on camera. “I loved her natural photographs which really capture the essence of Ibiza,” says Leanne.

The bride – who was barefoot for the ceremony – wore a gorgeous Amanda Wakeley gown, accessorised with simple heart chakra earrings and a bracelet by Daisy Jewellery, and later on, shoes from ASOS. Leading Ibiza hair and make-up artist Louise Maxwell was in charge of beautifying the bridal party, with the finishing touches being fresh flowers in their hair. The dashing groom wore a bespoke suit by Summer Couture and shoes by Russel and Bromley. “The first highlight of my day was walking down the path leading to the beach with my dad,” says Leanne, looking back on the experience. “You had a fantastic view of the beach and I could see the decking where we were having the ceremony, how beautifully it was decorated and all our guests there waiting. As we descended towards the beach I could hear some drummers (the sound of Ibiza for me) and then as we started our walk along the beach, members of the public started clapping for us – something which really made me fight back the tears!”

The emotive moments continued, as after the ceremony, at the magical hour of sunset, Leanne and James stood together for the first time as husband and wife and watched the sun go down, surrounded by their closest friends and family, to the sounds of a saxophone. “I don’t think I have ever been so happy.” says Leanne. Another standout was the fire dancers performing just before dessert was served. “We wanted to give people a taste of authentic Ibiza,” she explains. The morning after, the newlyweds returned to the scene of the wedding for breakfast to keep the good vibes flowing before heading off to Formentera for a brief honeymoon before their official Sri Lankan escape during the winter months. “The wedding had been everything that we had wished for and so much more,” says Leanne with a smile. “We were just so over the moon. We’ll be back next summer for our one year anniversary – Ibiza will not be getting rid of us anytime soon!”

Meet the chef – Elements Ibiza

He grew up there working with his father in the family’s hotel and restaurant along a golden beach situated within a protected nature reserve. Life there was quiet and ran according to seasonal rhythms. The town doesn’t even posses one set of traffic lights. It was here Mauro learned the hospitality trade and more importantly where he discovered a life long passion for foraging fresh produce and fishing in the crystalline waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. For the last 15 years Mauro has called Ibiza home. Now the head chef at acclaimed Benirras beach club Elements Ibiza, he has transferred his love for the natural world from one paradise to another.

What brought you to Ibiza? I was looking for a change but I knew I needed to live somewhere similar to where I am from. To be near the beach with a lot of nature around. Ibiza is very much like that. I can’t live without the sea or nature. I don’t like cities. So, this place was perfect for me. Where did you get your start as a chef? My family had a hotel and restaurant on the beach. We lived in the hotel and I worked in the all capacities, in the kitchen or cleaning or as a waiter. I was always around hospitality. But I loved the kitchen. My mother never bought me cupcakes, everything was homemade and I always helped her. She cooked everything in the traditional way and I learned from her. She encouraged me to cook and make up my own dishes. At what point did you realise you wanted to dedicate your life to cooking? I worked in the hotel, but I think when I came here to Ibiza, when I left home I realised that cooking was what I really wanted. Before then it was a family business. You do everything. Now, here, it has a different value for me, I realised that I was good at it, that I loved it and I wanted to follow that through.

What is your inspiration for the Elements menu? For sure, it’s my personal experience. For me where you live is important. If you can go out and find wild rocket, asparagus, mushrooms… I used to go out almost every day to fish, to forage. I like to work with produce that’s right on your door. So here in Ibiza it’s the same for me. It’s about what is in season, like making marmalade from Ibiza oranges or local apricots with rosemary. The natural world inspires me. We have a small piece of land here where we grow tomatoes, basil, and other things we have planted just for the restaurant. Everything is as local as possible. For example our olive oil is made in Benirras, the salt is from here – it’s all local. What’s your style in the kitchen? I’m not one of those crazy chefs. I like to be with the people I work with, I spend ten hours in the kitchen with them every day. To spend ten hours with a hard face is not my idea of good work. I sing in the kitchen, I like to create a calm environment for everyone. The energy you have transmits to the food. People can taste it. What is your signature dish? Well, I’m Italian, so it’s pasta. We make everything here; none of our pasta is bought – it is made fresh everyday. We use different flours. And of course the seafood, and combining the fresh pasta with the local seafood. We have a fixed menu and then lots of daily specials depending on what is in season. Each month there is something new because there may be a certain fish in season, or certain fruit or vegetables that are particularly good at that time and we create a dish around that produce. We are never bored here.

How do you describe your cuisine? Even the simplest pasta can be influenced by how the chef cooks it. For example, pasta with clams in a simple sauce, within that you put your own voice and style to it. Or pasta with tomato and mushrooms, so simple, but there are no two tomato sauces the same. For me, the more simple the better it is and it depends a lot on the produce. What kind of tomatoes? What kind of mushrooms? Herbs are very important, the oil, the basil, it all must be right. All of that can change even the simplest dish. I like to have a simple, light, touch. My cooking is very Mediterranean. It might seem limited but it’s all about the flavours, keeping it humble and flavoursome. 90-percent of what I know comes from my DNA. I do small courses here and there but it’s what’s inside that counts. I’ve been around it all my life, it’s instinctive. What is your favourite dish to eat in Ibiza? The truth? I spend all my life in a restaurant. When I am not here I don’t want to be in another restaurant. I like to cook at home for friends and family, to have a barbecue at home is the best thing. What is your favourite food? I love fish. I like it raw too; if I know where it had come from and that it’s good. And of course my mother’s food! What do you love about working in Ibiza and living in Ibiza? The simplicity of life here. The beach, the forest, the sea.