So as many of you know I was on my holidays last week but it wouldn’t be a holiday without a wedding for Lisa! My friend Nora and her now hubby Martin invited me and my other half to join their wedding celebrations in Nerja, Spain. Of course we couldn’t pass up a holiday opportunity nor could I pass up the opportunity to see one of my school friends get married. Some of you were asking about weddings in Nerja so I will include as much as I can as well as from the guests point of view.
We flew from Dublin to Malaga and Nerja is about a 50 minute drive east. Temperature in July….mid 30s….HOT! About 60 family and friends travelled for the wedding, most guests making a holiday out of it. The wedding didn’t begin until 5pm on Friday, due to the heat naturally, so the morning was spent by the bridal party very relaxed getting hair and makeup done in one of the apartments in Perla Marina Hotel. I popped in for a quick glass of champers and it was so calm. The calmest I could ever imagine a bridal prep to be. Alerts were being sent for the bride to hide every time the groom passed the glass doors as he got ready in an apartment a few doors down. Nora, the bridesmaids and mother of the bride had their hair and makeup done by Lorraine from Princess-bride.co.uk.
3.30pm came and it was time to make our way to the church. The bus took the groom, groomsmen and guests on a ten minute bus journey to the most idyllic little church Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas. Across the road, outside the bar, the champagne reception for afterwards was set up under floral beams. The church was beautiful and quaint, the perfect size for a small wedding. Once we got inside we received our fans, which were badly needed! The homemade fans had the order of the day on one side and all the info of who did what on the day on the other side. Spot my name in the prayers?!
The ceremony was super quick but perfect. Nora looked the perfect bride as she and the rest of the female (and one or two male!) guests fought back the tears. The blue of the bridesmaids dresses was beautiful with their yellow flowers. The bridesmaids dresses were from Sefton House Bridal in Limerick and Nora’s dress was from Finesse Bridal Wear in Listowel, Co Kerry. It even got it’s very own seat on the plane.
The sunshine after the ceremony made for some great shots with the blue rose petals thrown over the happy couple as well as the backdrop of the beautiful setting.
Nora’s photographer was Bob Long and he was exceptional! He had guests laughing and feeling very relaxed as he floated around for the day taking photos. I cannot wait to see Nora’s collection of photos as Bob took everything and everybody! Look at some of the fantastic shots they took on the edge of a cliff on the way to the reception!
The reception was held at Hotel Cortijo Bravo, a 30 minute drive from Nerja. The cocktail hour was at the back of the boutique hotel with the most amazing views. It was like you were at the top of the world! The canapés were never ending, it was a different food each time a tray came out and every bite was better than the previous.
The dinner venue was just a minute’s walk across the property to a lone building. It was surrounded in glass windows, half set up for dinner, the other half for dancing. The fairy lights overhanging the tables outside made it even more romantic. Everything was perfect, the food, service, speeches! Little details such as Instagram cards, kids colouring packs, personalised sweets and the frame to sign all added to the day. The cake topper was from Cake Toppers Ireland.
With a small wedding, the bride and groom were able to get photos with everybody individually which was great. Bob also trusted me with his mighty camera to take a pic of him with the bride and groom and luckily Marian snapped it for me!
Even though the wedding didn’t start until 5pm, it didn’t feel any shorter of a day. Every minute was enjoyed and we danced our shoes off (literally) until 4am!
When the bride and groom returned to Ireland the week after, they celebrated again in The Devon Inn Hotel in Limerick for those who couldn’t be there. So Nora got to wear her dress for a second time, there was more cake and another Siege of Ennis and we got to celebrate the happy couple all over again. It’s not often you see your friends do their ‘first dance’ twice!
It was such a fabulous week for a fabulous couple. If you are thinking of having your wedding abroad, I would definitely recommend Nerja. Not only was the wedding day fantastic but the town itself is one of the nicest places I have been to in Spain. There are loads of restaurants, little shops and always something happening in the town centre. It’s traditional Spain with tapas on every corner and lots of Spanish holiday there too which is always a good sign. Even if you aren’t getting married, it’s a great holiday destination.
Let me know if you are getting married abroad and where.
Love from my world,
Lisa x
I love this setting, it´s gorgeous. It´s perfect for a wedding ceremony.
Hello Lisa ,thanks for the photo’s the dresses look amazing and the place is just out of this world it lovely to see the girls on day it’s me my job all worthwhile thanks again Mary.