As you all know, I’m a romantic at heart. Which is why I adore being a wedding photographer at small weddings in Spain. Never more so than when it takes place at a venue as quaint and pretty as the river-side villa Casa del Rio in Marbella.Organised by wedding decorator and planner extraordinaire Rachel Rose, this intimate wedding in Casa del Rio was a whimsical dream. Understated, yet classically romantic, the beautiful villa was transformed into a rustic yet elegant backdrop for this small wedding in Marbella.
I was so honoured to be chosen to be the Marbella wedding photographer for British bridal couple Dave and Emily. Not only was Emily a dream bride, and David the perfect gentleman, but one of their wedding party was a renown London photographer – so you can imagine how nervous I was to make sure I captured their big day perfectly!
The day began warm and bright, the chairs bedecked with simple garlands of leaves, perfect for an outdoor bohemian wedding.. Emily looked like a Grecian goddess in her flowing dress, a bespoke gown which she had designed herself. The floor length veil billowed behind her as she walked down the aisle; the sun’s rays shining through the fabric making her look like an angel. It was clear that Emily thought so too.
The guests had flown over from the UK to attend this small wedding in Marbella, and it was so wonderful to see everybody the couples holds dear smile through their happy tears as the bride and groom said ‘I do’. The villa is surrounded by stunning gardens filled with sweeping lawns, lavender, lilacs and ancient trees. There were plenty of pretty places to choose from for me to take portrait shots of the happy couples enjoying some private time together.
The wedding meal was held at a long wooden table where guests were seated together, accompanied by a live violinist – the perfect combination of rustic charm and understated sophistication. There was no formal table plans or dramatic flower displays, instead the couple kept the wedding decoration simple and completely natural. Glass bottles and silver candelabras were filled with long white candles. Bundles of herbs and eucalyptus stretched along the centre of the table, cascading down over the ends creating a fairytale-like display of nature and style. Even the wedding cake was a plain white creation, adorned with a handful of white roses to match the bouquets.
As the sun began to set, the villa came alive with tiny fairytales strung in the trees and candles were lit all over the grounds – adding an enchanting touch to the most romantic of settings.
Casa del Rios is situated beside the Guadalmina River, within several hundred hectares of unspoiled woodland in the peaceful and secluded foothills of Benahavis. This means that intimate weddings such as Emily can dance well into the early hours of the morning without worrying about disturbing any neighbours. And they did just that.
A princess bride combined with a charming villa – meant that this rustic wedding in Casa del Rio was filled with love and laughter. This is why I love being a Spanish wedding photographer in Marbella. Absolute romantic perfection!
Wedding planer Rachel Rose
minister Natacha
venue Casa del Rio
You can see more wedding of the lovely Rachel Rose here
WEDDING AT RONDA MOUNTAIN RESORT
A summer wedding Ronda Mountain Resort is something special and like no other location in Spain. With no shortage of good weather, in the pale light of the evening the sun casts long golden shadows across the mountains making them come alive with a magical air of romance.
In July 2016 I was lucky enough to be invited to shoot the wedding of Australian couple Natalie and Marty in the spectacular mountain resort of Ronda. Getting married in Ronda is a fairytale in itself, a medieval village perched on a hilltop with breathtaking views of Andalusia and the sea, it is always one of my favourite places to visit – but when you couple that with a unique rustic celebrtion in the Spanish ‘campo’ you have pure wedding gold.
Natali and Marty contacted me directly after having seen my wedding work online and straight away we clicked. They are a really laid back and down to earth couple, and I knew from the onset that their unpretentious, natural and fun wedding was going to be unforgettable. I was accompanied on the day by fellow photographer Pedro Bellido so we could capture as many special moments as possible.
One of the nicest things about being a wedding photographer in Spain is getting to work with great wedding planners. Natali and Marty’s special day was planned by The Boutique Wedding Company. Lucy and Jesus are two people that I have worked a lot with over the last few years and they have become two of my favourite wedding planners – their style is the epitome of what a country wedding in Spain should be; rustic chic with personal touches and always with a nod to nature and the beautiful surrounding that Andalusia has to offer.
They chose an amazing wedding location for this special couple. Set among the rolling hills of Ronda, the drive to the venue is flanked by majestic olive trees leading up to a traditional white Spanish finca with its own Jacuzzi pool and lush gardens. I was spoiled for choice when it came to romantic backdrops for the photos.
This wedding of Natalie and Marty was not pompous or at all traditional – which made it so much fun to shot. The couple saw each other before the wedding, so I was able to take some great shots of Natalie getting ready and drinking champagne with her friends and Marty looking cool in his shades and informal beige suit – perfect for such a hot July day.
The ceremony, conducted by the wonderful minister Natasha who I have worked with several times, was held in the gardens of the venue. A simple arch was created from local foliage and beneath the dappled shade of a weeping willow the couple said their vows. Natalie wore an understated elegant white gown and shoes by Jimmy Choo, and her flower were created by Susanna Sanchez. Susanna’s floristry work is incredible, the bouquet was a charming collection of white and green country flowers and the aisle was decorated with wooden boxes filled with roses and eucalyptus to add that extra touch of rustic romance.
To continue the informal feel of the Ronda mountain wedding and take advantage of Spain’s balmy summer evenings, Natalie and Marty’s guests enjoyed the wedding meal outside on long trestle tables. The evening celebrations began with a traditional flamenco show and typically Spanish canapés of Jamon Serrano and local cheeses followed by great food and plenty of bubbly.
The evening was one of friendship and laughter. As the sky turned pink and purple over the most splendid of wedding Ronda Mountain Resort , and the fairy lights strung among the trees began to twinkle over the happy couple, the sound of laughter could be heard echoing into the night.
A day among nature, an evening of fun and a night full of magic. A wedding in the Ronda Mountain Resort is one of pure romance and love. Congratulations Natalie and Marty, may the rest of your life together be as perfect as your beautiful Ronda wedding.
Caterers – Gusto Marbella
