Had the most amazing wedding in Nerja, Spain on the 23rd of August 2011. We got married on the beach front in the Marinas de Nerja and had our reception and after party there too. Kerry from Celebrations in Spain was our planner and a super efficient one at that.
We started the day in the hotel room in the Marinas de Nerja getting ready. Lorraine from Princess Bride did my hair and make up and her colleague Natalya did my bridesmaids hair. We had the best fun a few days earlier at the hair and make up trial so I knew I was in good hands. I couldn't have been happier with Lorraine and I adored my hair and make up. The bridesmaids also looked fabulous. I would highly recommended Lorraine, she is so chilled out as well that it made it all so much easier when I was getting nervous and all the tummy flips going on. She did such a good job.
Gary Tapp was our photographer and he came up to the room to get some pre shots. He's a great photographer and I can't wait to see my photos. We took the 5 hour package deal with him so it was great to have him there for the reception. My friend is a florist and had brought all the flowers with her from Dublin and made up the bouquets that morning. They were amazing. It was all a bit manic at the end as it took some time to get me into my dress but that made it more fun and we were dashing out the door to head down for the ceremony for 6pm. We made it for 6.20pm. Walking out into the pool area all the guests at the hotel were having a good look in their bikinis but it doesn't really bother you when the time comes. I was so nervous but my Dad made me feel so much more at ease, I was so glad to have him beside me. Padre Peter was our cleric for the ceremony and he was the best ever! All the guests are still raving about him and he made the ceremony just fantastic. We even had a fit of the giggles at one stage and all the guests just loved it. The ceremony set up was amazing and everyone was commenting on how beautiful the setting was with the ocean in the background. Yes you have lots of spectators in their bikinis but you really don't notice and they stand to the side so they won't be in your photos, so don't worry about that aspect. My favours were personalised fans for all the guests and they were put out on the chairs before the ceremony, everyone loved them and all the men used them too.
We had a drinks reception in the gardens and the drinks were flowing. My photographer Gary Tapp was great and you barely noticed he was there. I requested lots of natural shots and I know I'll get what I was looking for.
I had also used bubbles as favours which were put out on the dinner tables and once we headed in for dinner the bubbles worked really well during our entrance. We had famous places we had visited as our tables names and we had photos of the place and the name on laminated cards. We had the speeches first so the best man and groom could relax during the meal. We had a fantastic meal and we were served so much food we couldn't finish it all. We had Caesar Salad to start, Mojito sorbet, Roast Beef or Fish for the main and the wedding cake for dessert. Drinks again were flowing and everyone had a great meal and raved about the grub. We cut the cake with a sword which you get to take home and it was double chocolate mousse and just delicious.
We moved inside to a nice air conditioned room for the DJ. We had Ian Preston and he was just fantastic. We had a mix of his swing set and DJ and the guests all loved him. He pleased everybody and played all requests. The guests raved about him afterwards and he really is great. There was certainly no need to worry about having a band and then a DJ when you had Ian. Couldn't rate him more highly and it all worked so well. We had a minimum spend of €1100 at the bar and offered a free bar at the beginning as a gesture for our guests. We had 52 adults and 5 children at the wedding and a few people didn't drink but we still managed to spend over that amount. It was about €1265 spend at the end of the night so it worked out perfectly. I kept an eye on the bar throughout the night to make sure we were ok and I would recommend you do the same or ask your best man to do it for you.
I didn't want the night to end so we headed into 'Jimmys' Night club still in my dress. We had a great time and got lots of attention in the nightclub. We rocked back to the hotel at 7am in the morning. The hotel had left a fantastic fruit basket and champagne in the room and my bridesmaids had put petals and crystals all over our bedroom and our parasols were also on the bed. I pitied the cleaner the next morning!
We had the best day ever and we were the happiest couple afterwards. I'm still loving all the memories and now greatly looking forward to our honeymoon in Africa.
Suppliers
Celebrations in Spain - Kerry, Neil and Janet were just great. Thanks so much for the best day of our lives. You made it all so easy for us and you couldn’t have been more efficient. Superb team!
Venue – Marinas de Nerja for Ceremony and Reception.
Eva and he team are just fantastic and the set up was amazing. We were really happy with it and everything went so smoothly.
Hair & Make Up - http://www.princess-bride.co.uk
Lorraine is just fantastic. You can also check out her facebook page Princess Bride and become a fan to see photos. There is one of me up there.
Cleric for Ceremony - Padre Peter - words can't describe him, just fantastic and guests are still raving about the ceremony. My Mum said it was one of the most romantic ceremonies she had ever seen. Brilliant! Kerry put us in touch with Padre Peter.
Photographer - Gary Tapp - Yet again fantastic. You barely noticed him floating around and highly recommend him. Can't wait to see all the photos.
Swing & DJ – Ian Preston
One of the best DJ’s on the Costa del Sol without a doubt. We were entertained for the whole night and all the guests raved about him.
Flowers - Day by Day Florists - Dublin - http://www.daybydayflowers.com/
Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses - Carey Bridal - Dublin - http://www.careybridal.com/
Fans – http://www.fanfairuk.co.uk
Bubbles & Table Crystals – http://www.allaboutweddings.ie
Parasols - http://www.brolliesgalore.co.uk/
Table Names – Snap Printing, Dun Laoghaire http://www.snapprinting.ie
Hopefully I haven’t forgotten anyone! Thanks everyone for the best day, you all made it happen for us! I will have some photos when I come back from honeymoon to post.
If anyone has questions please feel free to ask.
Lorna
***I've added a few photos, the hubby isn't so keen on me putting him up so it's just me
These aren't my photographers photos just so you know.
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