‍THE BRIEF

Imagine building out the brief for your wedding when your job is all about planning wedding. It's a tough one. Mainly what makes it tough is knowing the options, knowing what's available and out there. An intimate gathering by the ocean, a grand party at one of London's most iconic museums, a relaxed party in the countryside. It was tricky but what we settled on was the following and this is how we made it immersive;

THE LOCATION

It couldn't be in London. Too many of our suppliers are there and the last thing we wanted it to feel like was work. We wanted somewhere very, very different to our normal day-to-day lives but equally somewhere that felt personal. This is where we settled on the Spanish mountains. My husbands family have a small house, high in the hills, in a very remote location. The landscape is dramatic. The set up is charming, two small villages, either side of, essentially a canyon. And in one of those villages, a church and between the two villages, at the top of the valley, a secluded property with a large garden, surrounded by mountains. It felt perfect. PartIy so because we knew that almost no-one would have ever been there. It was so remote that it felt like an experience in itself.

Lesson learnt - the location can be an experience in itself. Ensure the logistics are considered, you share good pre-info on transfers and accomoation and then relax and watch your guests marvel at a true hidden spot.

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THE PROGRAMME

We designed a programme for the celebrations that guests could do as much or as little of. It was all based around experiencing the local area whilst not having to go too far. The first night was a very informal tour of the bars in the village. As it's so small, these are somewhat hidden, down winding streets and through small doors. We told guests where we'd be to start and then as we moved more and more people joined. In true Spanish culture, tapas were served with every drink so it became an eating and drinking tour!

The second night was hosted at the main restaurant in the village, a pizzeria sat right on the cliff edge with incredible views. With the ability to be fully open air, this was the perfect alfresco evening dinner. Informal, fun and the perfect chance for everyone to meet and catch up ahead of the big day.

The wedding day was super relaxed, in that no Spanish weddings start before 4pm so it allowed us a good chance to unwind and get ready very slowly. The ceremony was hosted in the village church before the reception in the villa gardens.

The following day, we used the villa gardens and had giant paellas around the pool and feasted on the wedding cake and leftover puddings that we'd all ignored as we were too busy dancing!

Lesson learnt - embrace the local area - it doesn't have to be extravagent or far away, keeping things very local feels intimate and fun.

THE JOURNEY

An element we loved designing was the movement of guests from the church to the reception. It was almost impossible to arrange a transfer as the villa was so remote so walking it was. From the village to the villa, a mountaintop walkway runs. It skirts the edge of the mountains on the cliffside with water running alongside it. It cuts through giant rocks and winds around the landscape. To greet guests at the start, we offered flip flops for anyone wanting to switch out of heels. Around another corner, guests then discovered the Cava station. A mini bottle for each guest to take with them on the walk. The next corner saw them discover canapés, hidden within the landscape. As they walked, they ate their first course.

The finale to the walk was the crossing of the stream, which ordinarily has very little water at that time of year however due to recent rainfall, was in fact very wet. Groomsmen ditched their shoes, rolled up their trousers and stood alongside the stepping stones we'd built, guiding guests across to discover the villa beyond.

It was so unexpected, another chance to show guests the local area in all it's glory and just really fun. 7 years later, anyone who mentions the wedding, always comments on this journey. Lesson learnt, make the transfer unforgettable.

THE MENU

Wanting to embrace the Spanish culture, yet really wanting food to be brilliant, this was one supplier we bought from home. The incredible Jimmy Garcia team travelled to the South of Spain and designed the most incredible feast. We settled on a 'rolling tapas' concept for the starters and mains. In total we had 10 dishes that came out throughout the meal giving such huge choice. Special touches and premium ingredients really elevated the dishes. The pudding was an edible garden inspired by the tropical feeling of the gardens around us.

Lesson learnt, some suppliers are worth every penny. We're so glad we invested in the catering as it was really noticed.

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