Weddings in Ibiza – Vittoria and Reto

Swiss couple Vittoria and Reto had no doubt in their minds that Experimental Beach Ibiza would be the location for their Ibiza wedding – in fact, they made the decision the very night they became engaged. Reto’s proposal reads like something from a Hollywood movie; on a dark and stormy night as Vittoria was returning drenched from a late horse ride, she couldn’t wait to get home, showered and warm. The couple’s dog Lizzie, however, alerted her to someone else’s presence in the stables – and there was Reto, dressed in his business suit amongst the muddy horses, ready to pop the question.

Within hours, the couple had decided to host a civil wedding in St Moritz and knew they wanted somewhere high-end yet relaxed and beautiful for the party and blessing that would follow. “We chose Ibiza because we love spending our summer holidays on this magical island,” explains Vittoria. “In particular at Experimental Beach Ibiza – we think it matches our lifestyle beautifully. It’s easy going but still a little posh, with a focus on good quality and very good food. And of course, the location is breath-taking, right next to the protected area of Cap d’es Falco with the sunset and the view to Es Vedra.”

After locking down the venue and the desired late summer date, the next step was to enlist a wedding photographer, and Vittoria and Reto fell in love with Ana Lui Photography’s signature style of creatively capturing intimate moments. Famed for her work with fine art photography and one of the only island wedding photographers who continues to shoot on film, Ana’s portfolio speaks for itself and after discovering her work on White Ibiza, followed by viewing her beautiful Instagram account and website, the couple were sold.

The day itself was as picture perfect as the venue, and indeed, the bride. As Reto – dressed in a cool, crisp white Pelikamo suit – waited for his bride-to-be on the sandy aisle, Vittoria shone against the turquoise blues as she floated into Experimental Beach Club. With stunning hair and make-up courtesy of Blowout Ibiza, she carried a fresh bouquet from island florist Sa Floristeria and her dress was the work of chic Spanish designer YolanCris, coupled with bohemian cool Gaimo wedges and a delicate floral headpiece.

After an informal blessing officiated by a close family friend, fresh lemonade, sparkling gin fizz and gorgeously flavoured mojitos were served as guests mingled and little Lizzie tried not to steal the limelight. The expert kitchen team at Experimental Beach Ibiza designed a Mediterranean menu including tapas and delicate ceviche to start, followed by the restaurant’s signature fresh fish and grilled meat dishes. Dessert came in the form of a turquoise three-tier wedding cake, created by Eileen Spargo from Ibiza Cakes and topped with a pair of golden seahorses.

Before long, Balearic beats from the in-house DJs called guests onto the dance floor as the stars lit up the sky above. “The best thing about our wedding, besides the fact that we proved our love in front of all our friends and family,was the intimate atmosphere,” says Vittoria. “All in front of the sparkling sun on the water, with very good food and drinks – it was a magic moment.” After honeymooning on the west coast of the USA, the newlyweds are already planning to return to Ibiza this season, to relive that magic moment and make the most of their summer holidays.

Weddings in Ibiza – Alessandra and Michele

That fateful day at Blue Marlin in 2012 led to a sharing of smiles, an opening of hearts and a melding of lives, and remains a memory they cherish as precious today. In 2017, the fairytale continued as the Italian couple returned to Ibiza to exchange vows and declare their love in front of friends and family – creating even more memories to last a lifetime.

After getting engaged in October 2016, the couple instantly knew Ibiza was to be the destination for their nuptials. “We chose Ibiza because this is the island we belong to,” Alessandra explains. They immediately began making the plans and arrangements for an early summer wedding in 2017, which for many couples may seem like an impossible task, but as Ibiza regulars Alessandra and Michele already knew exactly where they wanted the event to be held.

Having been an Ibiza regular for almost 20 years, Alessandra knew the beautiful 19^th century Church of Es Cubells would make the ideal backdrop for the ceremony they wished to be simple and joyful. With its white stone walls and the view of the shimmering blue Mediterranean extending out beyond its grounds, the church also perfectly combined their dream of a rustic, country chic wedding with that of the classic Balearic wedding. The same was true for their wedding reception venue, fine Italian dining restaurant Can Domingo, in the hills of San Jose. “It’s one of our favourite restaurants on the island,” says Alessandra. “After so many return visits, the owners are now our friends, so it was the perfect choice. For us it represents the true spirit of Ibiza and the style of the venue fitted our theme beautifully.” With sweeping views of the wall plus a vibrant organic garden that lends itself perfectly to the contemporary Italian menu, it’s easy to see how this popular island restaurant ticked all the boxes.

As both bride and groom work in the Italian fashion industry, attention to detail on all the finer details was paramount. Fresh flower arrangements from the farmstead of La Granja were custom created to decorate the church, and Michele styled out his nerves in a made-to-measure suit – crafted by his home tailor, Gianni Molaro Napoli – as he waited for his glowing bride to join him at the end of the aisle. Making a truly glamorous entrance in an open topped black Mustang, Alessandra chose a stunning gown by Inbal Dror for the occasion, complemented by made-to-measure (and personally signed) Francesco Russo shoes. The ultimate accessory came in the form of the couple’s pet dog – a cute as a button pug who almost – but not quite – upstaged the bride herself as it trotted down the aisle like a furry flower girl! Capturing all the magic on camera was island-based wedding photographer Sofia Gomez Fonzo for Gyspy Westwood Photography, with no shortage of stunning people and moments in both the idyllic church and the alfresco surrounds of Can Domingo, with the sea and sunset on the horizon.

It’s common knowledge that most Italians believe no one can make finer food than their mama, but the talented kitchen team at Can Domingo – with chef Giuseppe Vivacqua at the helm – dared them to think differently. Guests nibbled on an array of canapés and mingled on the open terrace, before taking their seats overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean garden for speeches and messages of love, followed by a fresh seafood menu. In a nod to their home and heart lands, a Fefiñanes Albariño Spanish white wine and Italy’s challenge to Champagne, Bellavista from Franciacorta were flowing freely.

In true Ibiza style, the party continued onto the early hours, as the stylish Can Domingo interior was transformed into a dance floor, with beats played by Ibiza’s finest, Franco Moiraghi from Sa Trinxa and DJ Mia. Following on from the joyful day, the couple jetted off to the equally glamorous destinations of New York, Los Angeles and Tulum for their honeymoon – but with Ibiza never far from their hearts. “We will be back as soon as possible!”

Weddings in Ibiza – Carissa & Lawrence

The Ibiza wedding of Carissa and Lawrence took place on a beautiful late summer day at Elixir Ibiza – the stunning dedicated wedding venue at Cala Codolar on the island’s west coast. Described by the couple as Ibiza meets Kenya chic, the day fused the best elements of their homeland and their adopted new home island. Laidback, luxurious and completely magical. “We grew up together in Kenya and have known each other since we were in primary school,” says Carissa. “After school, we didn’t see each other for many years when we both went off to university and started working abroad, but we reconnected back home in Kenya in the summer of 2009 and the rest is history.”

After a romantic sunset proposal along the Garden Route in South Africa in November 2016, the couple moved to Ibiza in early 2017 and thought hosting their wedding would be an amazing excuse to get everyone they loved to come and experience the magical island they were both so in love with. And so, the planning began… When looking for the perfect venue, Carissa and Lawrence were focused on finding somewhere the iconic Ibiza sunset would be part of the experience. “We were looking for something simple and beautiful on the Es Vedra side of the island,” says Carissa. “We stumbled on Elixir Ibiza almost by accident whilst exploring. We were so taken by the view and its Mediterranean charm that we knew it was immediately the place for us.”

A non-traditional ceremony officiated by a friend on the sand kick started the proceedings, as another friend performed a guitar solo during our ceremony and two other guests read out poems that had been written especially for the occasion, creating an ultra-personal atmosphere of love. “It was beyond perfect,” recalls Carissa, who alongside her fiancé planned most of the wedding herself. The couple chose Wedding Studio by Ana Lui to capture their big day on camera. “We just love the way Ana Lui’s photography captures the unique character and beauty of each wedding, the beautiful and intimate moments, and the very heart and soul of each couple on their wedding day,” explains Carissa of their choice.

As she arrived in style in a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, Carissa epitomised the laidback look of a Balearic bride, in a stunning Mikaella by Paloma Blanco gown, Missguided shoes and sophisticated diamond earrings that were her ‘something borrowed’ from her maid of honour. She carried a bouquet of white and peach roses, perfectly matching the floral theme that was carried throughout the venue. The groom’s attire was a nod to their African heritage, made by “a little old tailor in Nairobi called Charles, out of his tiny workshop on the outskirts of the city.” Additional styling details included a beautiful oversized dream catcher floating elegantly from an archway, a gold world map that doubled as a seating plan to cater to all their international guests and pretty white parasols for guests to stay cool beneath the Ibiza sunshine.

Elixir Ibiza is known for its in-house catering and Carissa and Lawrence opted for a Mediterranean menu befitting their breathtaking location. During cocktail houe, guests sipped on pomegranate cava while after dinner, the traditional island liqueur Hierbas Ibicencas was served alongside a selection of amazing desserts. .

“The best thing about the day was being surrounded by all the people we love in the most beautiful and magical setting,” says Carissa. Honeymooning in Argentina is the next step for the newlyweds, who count their blessings that they get to call their wedding location home. “We’re very lucky to live here.”

Weddings in Ibiza – Deborah & Marc

Deborah had previously spent three years living and working on the island and later on, Ibiza became a regular holiday destination for the couple in and out of season. “Ibiza is special to both of us, and it’s so close as a destination to the UK and easily accessible to the majority of our guests,” explains Deborah. “As soon as we started looking at venues, we knew this was where we were going to get married. With our family and friends being spread throughout the country, and the world, we don’t get to spend as much time with them as we would like to, so the idea of spending a few days with our loved ones rather than just one day was important to us.” Deborah and Marc met through a mutual friend, who originally tried to introduce the two in Ibiza whilst Deborah was working on the island in the travel industry in 2007. Fate intervened however, and it was not until the following winter in the UK that their paths first crossed at an event and – just as their mutual good friend had suspected – the attraction was instant. Within a few short months, fate made up for its previous mishap when Deborah took on a new role in an area close to where Marc lived. “The rest, as they say, is history,” laughs Deborah. Ten years after they became a couple, wedding bells were in the air and after a romantic proposal on Hayman Island in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, another island started to take centre stage as the wedding planning commenced.

Finding the perfect photographer is paramount to any newly engaged couple and Deborah and Marc looked at many options for their day before meeting Maria Simon, founder of Ibiza wedding photography company Marnosuite. “It was important to us that our images didn’t feel ‘staged’ and that they captured the beauty, love, detail and warmth of the day,” says Deborah. “We loved how Maria’s portfolio captured the ethereal beauty of the light and atmosphere of Ibiza and the individual detail of each couple’s celebrations. She has a lovely soul and really took the time to get to know Marc and I and what we were looking to achieve – as well as having a mutual appreciation of great shoes!” Footwear aside, Maria also had the ability to make the couple feel at ease in front of her camera – another factor that had been important to the couple, as neither bride nor groom felt naturally comfortable posing for photos. “When we met Maria during one of our visits to Ibiza we knew we had made the right choice,” says Deborah. “She instantly made us feel that we wouldn’t need to worry. In reality, on the day itself, we didn’t even know she was there – a true mark of a fantastic photographer.” The resulting images evoke a dreamy, romantic quality that seems to capture the pure emotion and happiness of the couple in addition to the perfectly styled beauty of the venue, Can Gall.

Unlike many other couples planning a wedding in Ibiza, Deborah and Marc wanted to look beyond the typical beach wedding and find a location that was completely exclusive, where the ceremony and celebrations could both be held. A weekend spent looking at venues early in the year saw them discover the beautiful Agroturismo in the island’s north, however it was a-l-m-o-s-t not meant to be. “At the time Can Gall wasn’t on the shortlist and as we drove up the dirt track road we thought we were lost and actually nearly turned back!” remembers Deborah of the experience. “As soon as we got out of the car at the venue and met Santi the owner we knew this was it. The venue, the accommodation and the grounds are idyllic; it was going to be our own little piece of heaven over four days where we could have our closest friends and family around us.” With the expert assistance of Santi from Can Gall, Deborah and Marc organised and managed the wedding planning details themselves. “The suggestions for suppliers that Santi made were excellent,” says Deborah, whose existing friends and contacts on the island helped make the process even easier. “He took so much time with us and made us feel that this would be like our own home while we were here.” Wedding invitations and the order of ceremony document were designed by a friend in Australia, who used water colours to hand paint the design that was inspired by the flowers and plants at Can Gall – giving guests a preview of the countryside charm that was to come at the main event.

The venue’s stunning natural beauty meant little styling was required to create a dream wedding venue, and the couple opted to keep their decoration simple and rustic. “Our florist Kristin and El Ramo de Flores perfectly produced what we hoped to achieve with a stunning wicker arch draped in white fabric for the ceremony space and we kept table decorations simple with large pillar candles surrounded by greenery,” says Deborah. “We chose to have a round table as the head table so everyone felt included and had a large wicker heart hanging decorated with greenery above it. A curtain of twinkling fairy lights around the pergola for the evening celebrations was the perfect touch as the sun set on our day.” “We wanted a ceremony that felt personal and true to us and we spent a lot of time finding the right celebrant,” says Deborah, of the couple’s decision to enlist Anna Kathleen from Ibiza Ceremony to host their service. “We met with Anna during one of our pre-wedding trips and spent a lot of time on the content and our vows, which we actually wrote at Benirras beach a few months before our wedding.” A special reading, written and read by Deborah’s Aunt Alexis who had travelled over from Canada for the event was included, and both bride and groom asked their mums to play a role the blessing of the rings, while Deborah’s brother and Marc’s sister signed the wedding certificate.

As the couple were wed, their guests joined voices to sing ‘Love is in the Air’. “Music was very important to incorporate during the ceremony and the tone was set perfectly by Ibiza String Musicians and the beautiful voice of Joelle Vierling,” says Deborah. Later in the evening, music was provided by Claire Wakeman and her band Sunshine Kicks. “We then danced into the night with Juan Corbi as DJ and Jesse who accompanied him on saxophone,” says Deborah. “They were just fantastic and incorporated all of our requests.” As guests were getting busy dancing, a slow-motion video booth was capturing all of the dance floor action. “The edit of the video is such a great memory for us to look back on.” As self-confessed foodies and lovers of good service, Deborah and Marc dreamed of creating the ultimate wedding feast for their guests. “Alex, Sergio and Flavia at The Chef Ibiza exceeded our expectations,” says Deborah. “They spent so much time with us getting our menu and drink selection right – one of our highlights from the full planning process was our tasting experience with them the October before our wedding where we selected everything from the canapes to the wine.” Highlights of the snacks on arrival included canapes of ceviche, cones of steak tartar, gyozas, Vietnamese rolls, watermelon gazpacho and hand-carved Iberico Jamon. “They were accompanied by the most incredible Passionfruit Mojitos we have ever tasted!” remembers Deborah.

When the ceremony was complete, guests sat down to the evening meal, which included a tapas selection to start of Spanish omelette, padron peppers, beef carpaccio mushrooms in white wine, garlic prawns and crostini of marinated cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and basil and more. “It was the most lovely relaxed wedding dinner, with each course spaced out with one of the speeches,” says Deborah. “It was such a feast and a meal that we can only dream about having again.” Main dishes included sea bass baked in salt and Galician Tomahawk steak and were followed by mojito sorbet and an indulgent chocolate dessert. Then of course, there was the gorgeous wedding cake created by well-known island baker Sharon Edwards. After the big day itself, Deborah and Marc invited all their guests back to Can Gall for a relaxing barbecue and pool day, ensuring the good vibes continued to flow. Once all the fond farewells had been said, the newlyweds retreated to the five-star surrounds of Hacienda Na Xamena in the hills of San Miguel for a mini-honeymoon of sorts, before heading off the South Africa and Mauritius later in the year. “It was the most incredible trip and the perfect end to our wedding year,” says Deborah. “We are planning to visit Ibiza again this summer to celebrate our anniversary and no doubt will return to our special place every year.”

Weddings in Ibiza – Emma & Sean

After getting engaged in Dubai in 2013, they knew exactly where they wanted their nuptials should be held and the began putting plans for their Ibiza wedding in motion. “We have great memories together in Ibiza,” says Emma. “And now the highlight is celebrating with all our family and friends in our favourite place.”

Wanting to show their nearest and dearest exactly what it was they loved about Ibiza, it was important to the couple they find a venue – for their Catholic church ceremony and reception alike – that reflected the island’s beauty and laidback ambience. “We loved Es Cubells as it was small and felt intimate, whilst still having beautiful views over the sea,” says Emma of their choice of church. Amante Ibiza, on the island’s east coast, was chosen for the celebrations for its privacy and spectacular views.

The couple – Emma, a marketing manager and Sean, an engineer – called on island-based wedding photographer Natalie Beth Harris to document the big day, after falling in love with her style of photography online. It was clear from the beginning, this was not your everyday wedding. The stunning bride wore two designer dresses on the day; first, a stunning strapless Vera Wang gown complete with mermaid ruffles and a sheer veil – looking like a timeless Hollywood glamour queen as she emerged from a classic Rolls Royce and walked down the aisle in Jimmy Choos to meet her groom, dressed in a custom-made Oliver Boateng suit.

When it was time to switch venues, it was also time to switch dresses and Emma changed into a romatic Galia Lahav creation, with a sweetheart neckline, beautiful sheer lace back and button detailing plus a magical train. Her hair was transformed from long, flowing loose locks into an elegant up ‘do – perfect for the warm summer weather on the day. The newlyweds truly looked like celebrities as they entered the venue as husband and wife – ready to live happily ever after.

The venue – set on the discreet cove of Sol d’en Serra – was transformed into a white wedding paradise with beautiful decorations and floral creations by Velvet Circus Ibiza. “It was a challenge having to make decisions on things during the planning stage without seeing them,” admits Emma, however it all fell perfectly into place on the day. Catering came courtesy of the expert team in the Amante kitchen and guests were treated to a feast of canapes followed by lamb, fish and risotto dishes.

After dinner, entertainment came in the form of a live singer and guitarist, a DJ and Lovely Laura playing sax – a truly Balearic moment. For Emma and Sean, it was the culmination of three years planning and seeing so many of their friends and family together made their wedding dreams come true. In the days that followed (“After the madness of the wedding!” laughs Emma) they were able to take some time to themselves in Ibiza, before heading off to yet another paradise – The Maldives – for their honeymoon.

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!”

Weddings in Ibiza – Sasha & Alan

The couple – who originally met while living in Australia in 2010 – chose Ibiza after an inspiring holiday here in 2015 allowed them to see the island’s potential as a wedding destination, and from there the planning began. “It had the perfect mix of good food, rural landscape, party options, great people, lovely beaches and Catholic churches,” Sasha says.

Once the decision was made, the hunt for the perfect church was on. “We visited all most all of the churches on the island,” Sasha recalls. “We instantly loved Fr. Josep from Es Cubells when we met him and we loved the view from the church too.” Then it was all about finding the perfect reception space and private Ibiza wedding venue Can Vincent Rafal ticked all the right boxes. “It was the perfect venue and we loved Alex who family own the property. There was a strong rural element to the property, with fruit trees and wide open spaces plus a fantastic modern pool house with luxury facilities.”

With the two most important details (and the date!) locked down, the savvy couple got to work with planning the rest of the details. Ibiza based wedding photographer Natalie Beth Harris was recruited  to capture the day’s magical moments while highly sought after Ibiza caterer Fiona Frith was enlisted to bring in an authentic taste of Ibiza to the beautifully styled tables on the day. “All of our family and friends put so much into the wedding,” says Sasha when asked of the styling. Almost every last detail was lovingly handcrafted – from napkin holders, hanging feathers dipped in gold, fans, table plans and much more. “Being so far away and transporting decorations like the large inflatable unicorn, pineapple and flamingos was a challenge! But decorations were really important to make it a personal day and our family and friends really pulled together to make it happen.”

With an obvious eye for style, the bride opted for a shimmering off the shoulder floor length gown designed by Amanda Wakeley and completed her look with a pair of show-stopping Oscar de la Renta stilettos. She accessorised with ’something borrowed’ – a delicate silver bracelet and baby’s breath woven into her perfectly waved hair – yet another personal touch, having been styled by her sister-in-law Kerry from Lock45. Alan sported an off-white tailored suit by ASOS with a crisp white shirt and accented perfectly with a chocolate-toned leather belt. All in all, the couple looked timeless. Speaking of timeless – a vintage white Mercedes Benz was Sasha’s sleek ride to the church, kick starting the ceremony in style as she arrived at one of the most romantic churches on the island with the sparkling Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop.

After the ceremony, guests were transported by coach to the reception venue, for a day-to-night celebration that will never be forgotten. “It was so great seeing people you love dancing around and letting loose,” says Sasha. “The speeches were the highlight of my day.” Gourmet-wise, guests were treated to canapés including delicious artichoke frittata, Ibiza tomato tarts, grilled figs with parma ham among others, followed by a deluxe barbecue tagliata with rosemary and garlic potatoes, baked sea bass with saffron paella rice or a pumpkin and ricotta ravioli. Heart shaped pavlovas were served up as dessert – a fitting way to end a meal inspired by a ‘made in Australia’ love affair. Guests hit the dance floor after the rustic feast as the DJ span classics and kept everyone partying all night long.

The wedding spanned an entire week for Alan and Sasha’s nearest and dearest, filled with activities to ensure everyone got to really enjoy the experience of being in Ibiza. “Being away for a destination wedding means you get an extended period of time with friends and family,” Sasha says of the weeklong festivities. “We were lucky enough to spend one of the days before the wedding visiting Formentera, and we also arranged to go to Lio followed by a VIP table at Pacha the Saturday night before the event. It was a great way to start the celebrations.” With family and friends having flown in from around the world, the experience was etched into the newlyweds hearts forever. When asked when they next plan to visit Ibiza, the answer is easy. “As soon as possible!” they chime simultaneously.

Weddings in Ibiza – Anna & Matthew

The love story of newlywed couple Anna Dunstan and Matthew Spencer began in the late 90s, while the pair were studying for their degrees at university. Little did the UK couple know at the time, nearly 20 years after their schoolyard romance began, they would be saying ‘I do’ at a seaside ceremony on a beautiful Mediterranean island.

Ibiza had entered both the bride and groom’s lives at the same time – with each visiting the white isle for the first time in 1996 prior to getting together, and then returning regularly as the years went on. After Matthew popped the question in 2011, the couple decided it would be the perfect location to exchange their vows. “We just love the feeling you get when you arrive onto the tarmac and step onto the island,” Matthew says.

The duo took on the task of planning their own Ibiza wedding themselves, choosing stylish Ibiza beach restaurant Experimental Beach Ibiza on the island’s south east coast for its bohemian beauty. “We wanted to get married by the sea,” says Matthew. “Experimental Beach Ibiza was very bohemian and relaxed.” On the rocky coastline of Cap d’es Falco, the official blessing took place with stunning blue skies and the azure blue sea as the backdrop – a picture perfect Ibiza wedding. Enlisting the services of Gypsy Westwood Photography to capture the day’s magic on camera (“They were the best company on the island,” says Matthew without a shadow of a doubt), the couple created a boho-chic wedding that was at once romantic and rustic, fresh and natural – with backgrounds in interior design and fashion, it was always guaranteed to be a super stylish affair. Ibiza wedding photographer Sofia Gomez Fonzo turned her talented hands to capturing all the moments of the day as day turned to dusk.

In keeping with the theme, Anna chose a bohemian halter dress, made from delicate lace with hand embroidery by Spell and the Gypsy Collective from Australia. Gorgeous straps crisscrossed over the open back with a small lace train falling behind. Made Up In Ibiza gave the bride loose, cascading curls for the occasion and styled the look with a fresh, handmade flower crown designed by El Ramos De Flores. Anna’s look was the embodiment of a Balearic princess bride. Matthew looked every bit as dapper as his bride, sporting a cobalt blue tailored suit from ASOS paired with a bespoke Liberty shirt made by his best man, shoes from Hammond and Co and a white ceramic Nixon watch to polish the look off. Anna’s creativity shined in all corners of the wedding, having designed and made each of the bridesmaid dresses, plus her son’s shirt and flower girl’s dress.

Fresh flower arrangements by El Ramo De Flores decorated the tables, as did classic place settings, elegant candles and turquoise glass adornments. On each place setting, the couple left a beautifully embossed leather luggage tag as a gift to thank their family and friends for joining them on the island for their celebration of love. Catering came courtesy of the venue, with a mouthwatering menu of Mediterranean gastronomic delights including refreshing lobster and watermelon summer salads, freshly caught fish and seasonal vegetables plus a decadently rich chocolate mousse for dessert. As to be expected, Experimental Beach Ibiza’s expert mixologists were also hard at work serving up their signature cocktail concoctions all evening long.

The celebratory feast was followed by music courtesy of ECC Ibiza’s talented resident DJ, who had friends, family and the bride and groom alike dancing and grooving as the sea swallowed the sun and a glittering star-crossed sky encapsulated the night. It was a night to remember with people they’ll never forget in a place they hold so dearly to their hearts. Following their island nuptials, the couple travelled back to the UK for two weeks before emigrating to Denia in Spain, making Ibiza their new not-so-far away neighbour. “We’re only a boat ride away,” says Matthew, who says finally getting married after all these years together was the highlight of his day. “We plan to pop over to celebrate our anniversary in 2017.”

Weddings in Ibiza – Lauren and Paul

Newlyweds Paul and Lauren Dellow tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony atop the Patchwork rooftop terrace in the idyllic seaside area of Talamanca in Ibiza surrounded by nothing but the close embrace of friends, family and the beautiful backdrop of the calm Mediterranean Sea. The love story of Lauren, a make-up artist, and Paul, a firefighter, both from Leigh-on-the Sea in England began at the tender age of 16 when the pair met while working at a children’s amusement park one summer. The summer romance turned into four years of blissful teenage love, becoming high school sweethearts and creating precious memories they’ll always have to look back upon.

A few forks in the road saw Lauren and Paul separate for a period of time to explore the different paths life had in store for them, but those who understand true love know some people are just meant to be and will always find their way back to each other. After seven years, Lauren and Paul met up once again and never looked back. “We got back together at 27 and this time it was for keeps,” the bride gleefully recalls of the special day. It was during November 2013 on an adventurous vacation to Morocco where Paul got down on one knee at the peak of Mount Jebel Toubkal to ask for Lauren’s hand in marriage. At the highest peak of the Atlas Mountains, with a thundering waterfall in the distance, it was absolutely perfect. The decision to hold the ceremony in Ibiza was almost instant, as the pair had both travelled to the white island several times before, its distinct and unique energy carved its place in their hearts forever.

Taking wedding planning into their own hands, Lauren and Paul immediately enlisted Ibiza wedding photographer Maria Simon of Marnosuite to capture the magical moments on the big day and chose vibrant and eclectic Patchwork restaurant – the rooftop space above the famous Sa Punta – as the venue. Set in the seaside area of Talamanca and offering sensational sunset views across the Med to Dalt Vila, Lauren and Paul couldn’t have dreamed of a more fitting location to say ‘I do.’

The celebration of love took place under the glorious Ibiza sunshine with a special blessing performed by born and bred Ibiza celebrant Melchior Arnold with awe-inspiring views of the sea behind them. “He was amazing – we couldn’t have wished for anyone better,” Lauren fondly remembers of the ceremony.

Lauren draped herself in a beautiful vintage style dress by Jenny Packham, a 50s inspired look featuring delicate beading and fine lace that adorned her chest and shoulders that perfectly matched her bejewelled headdress while her stylish pumps came from Nine West. Hair and make-up were done by the savvy bride herself.

Paul looked timelessly handsome sporting a stylish outfit that included beige Reiss Trousers, a crisp tailored shirt paired with a classic grey Ted Baker waistcoat accented by a camel-toned leather belt, and shoes to match.

“As we love Lebanese and Mediterranean food, Patchwork was perfect for us as it was the perfect blend of both,” Paul says of the catering. Instead of having a formal sit down meal the couple opted for a delicious spread of fresh ceviche, creamy hummus, cold mezze plates and slow roasted lamb while dessert was a homemade pavlova. Dinner was followed by dancing beneath the starry skies of Ibiza with music curated by percussionist Rocky Ruffini, saxophonist Grabo and DJ Grant Collins that had everyone enjoying themselves well into the wee hours of the morning. Following the celebration, guests were given a wedding gift that consisted of Ibiza survival items in beach buckets that would perhaps aid in recovery the next day!

Lauren and Paul took the ferry to Ibiza’s sister island Formentera for a four-day honeymoon of rest and relaxation following the nuptials and have since planted firm roots in the land of Ibiza, now calling the island their full-time home. “It has a unique energy like nowhere we’ve ever been before. Moving here was a no-brainer.”

Weddings in Ibiza – Jessica & Felipe

Colombian lovebirds Jessica and Felipe first met in 2010 in Bogota, the metropolitan capital of their home country. It wasn’t until the two discovered they were both living in Europe two years later when love began to grow. “When we saw each other again, it was an immediate attraction,” says Jessica.

It was an exceptionally special day in Geneva, Switzerland where Jessica, Felipe and a group of friends found themselves spending the day together, going out for a walk. Later on, the soon-to-be-couple decided to go out for a night of Latin music together. Evidently the relationship heated up that night on the dancefloor as from there; the couple started to see each other more seriously.

In September of 2013, the pair were vacationing in Greece, on the island of Crete – known for its raw beauty and gorgeous beaches. While exploring the island, they stumbled upon a beach unbeknownst to them had not a soul, and it was on these shallow shores of the azure Med that Felipe took out a ring and proposed to Jessica. Around the same time, Jessica and Felipe had been invited by friends to spend a week in Ibiza.

“After that week, we fell in love with the island and decided this could be the perfect venue for our wedding,” says Jessica. Beautiful Ibiza beach restaurant Elements Ibiza, on the south side of Benirras beach, was chosen as the venue. Set on one of Ibiza’s most iconic beaches, popular for its authentic hippy atmosphere and rustic surroundings, Jessica and Felipe couldn’t have dreamed of a more romantic setting.

Expertly planned by Gema Lago of Elements Ibiza, and Christina West of Infinity Ibiza, the cosy celebration of love took place on the rocks overlooking the beautiful cove of Benirras at dusk; where a spiritual guru wed the two and performed a mixture of unique love rituals as the blazing sun set far behind the stunning rock of Cap Bernat, leaving a heavenly pinkish tint behind it.

Ibiza wedding photographer Adela Baraja was enlisted to capture all of the special moments as the rustic and romantic theme continued throughout the day and night. The dreamy atmosphere consisted of flowing, white tablecloths, chairs made from driftwood and breezy white linen draped around the dining area to create an intimate, enclosed vibe. Roses decorated the tables, and guests were dressed in vibrant colours that perfectly accented the amber skies that had taken over long after the sun had set.

Jessica opted for a whimsical sweetheart style dress, made from delicate lace designed by Rosa Clara; the strapless dress dipped down in the back to accentuate her svelte figure and trained ever so lightly behind her as she walked. Accessorised with stunning Badgley Mischka stilettoes bedazzled in impressive crystals and hair styled with gorgeous, cascading curls with braids woven throughout, Jessica gave new life to the way a beach bride would look on her wedding day. Felipe looked equally as stylish as his bride, and in his own classy way, sporting an off-white tailored suit designed by Dos Leones paired with a crisp, baby-blue dress shirt accented perfectly with a camel-toned leather belt.

Elements Ibiza designed a delicious meal for the momentous occasion, with guests treated to dishes of freshly caught seafood, tender black Angus steak, traditional Spanish paella and an array of decadent, delicious desserts. The seaside feast was followed by intimate dancing in the venue as the DJ served up Latin, reggaeton, salsa and bachata to the dance floor before gathering the entire group of guests and transporting them to the exclusive Marina Botafoch area where the party continued into dawn at the world famous Pacha nightclub.

The entire wedding celebration spanned two days, starting with a pre-wedding cocktail and canape party in an intimate lounge to welcome guests and afterwards to Pacha to see superstar DJ David Guetta behind the decks. Guests were given a wedding gift bag that consisted of ibuprofen, sunglasses, chewing gum, breath mints and band-aids – a clever survival kit to perhaps get the guests through the next day of recovery after a wild night of dancing!

Jessica and Felipe jetted off to South East Asia from Ibiza for their honeymoon, and in 2016 the couple plans to return to the white isle to celebrate their first anniversary, a place that will always be special to them for celebrating their everlasting love.

READ MORE ABOUT IBIZA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER ADELA BARAJA ON WHITE IBIZA