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.