In today’s bridal story, we’re going to whisk you away to the sun-drenched coastline of Marbella, where sea views, tropical gardens, and warm Andalusian light set the scene for Abbie and Chris’s unforgettable destination wedding.

Here at Sunshine Weddings Spain, we’re lucky enough to work in some of southern Spain’s most breathtaking locations — and this romantic sea-view garden finca, featured in today’s bridal story, perfectly captures everything couples dream of when planning a Mediterranean wedding. Set just minutes from Marbella’s vibrant centre yet wonderfully private, this traditional Spanish finca sits along the blue horizon of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by exotic planting, landscaped gardens, and multiple indoor and outdoor spaces that allow the day to unfold naturally from one setting to the next.

Beyond the venue itself, Marbella adds another layer of magic to any destination wedding. Historic streets, flower-filled plazas, whitewashed houses, and a stunning beachfront make it the perfect place for guests to turn a wedding into a full Mediterranean escape.

For Abbie and Chris, this setting offered everything they had imagined — relaxed, stylish, sun-filled, and completely centred around time with the people they love most.

Read on as we take you through their beautiful wedding day in the Spanish sunshine — and maybe inspire your own dream celebration along the Mediterranean coast.

The bride and her bridesmaids during bridal prep, backs to the camera, wearing matching personalised satin robes embroidered with their names.

Bridal Morning — A Relaxed Start in Elviria & Marbella Old Town

Abbie and Chris began their wedding day together in Elviria, a quaint ruralisation on the Costa del Sol located just six kilometres from Marbella, enjoying a calm, quiet start before separating to get ready with their closest friends and family. Chris then headed into Marbella Old Town, where he spent the morning with his groomsmen — Jordan, Azza, Ben, Dan, Dean, and Callum — soaking up the anticipation of the day ahead.

Back at the villa, Abbie’s morning unfolded in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. Hair styling began for Abbie, her bridesmaids, and flower girl Scarlett, followed by makeup for Abbie, her bridesmaids, and her mum. The space was filled with laughter, music, and that unmistakable pre-wedding excitement.

Bouquets and buttonholes arrived later in the day, followed by the photography team, at the hands of the talented Rebecca Davidson, who captured the final getting-ready moments — dress details, finishing touches, and natural interactions with Abbie and her bridal party.

Meanwhile, onsite at the finca, setup was underway, supervised by the Sunshine Weddings Spain team. White Tiffany ceremony chairs were positioned between two statement trees, with parasols carefully placed to balance sunshine and shade. A floral ceremony arch and styling details were installed, while round guest tables and a wooden sweetheart table were dressed in sand-coloured linens ready for dinner later that evening.

Ceremony area in the sunshine with a rectangular floral arch styled with dried grasses and pampas, overlooking distant sea views.

Welcome — Shaded Garden Arrival

As guests arrived at the finca on the coastline of Marbella, they were welcomed into a beautifully designed shaded garden arrival space that perfectly balanced comfort with effortless Mediterranean elegance. The entrance pathway led through landscaped tropical planting, mature palms, and fragrant seasonal florals, creating a natural transition from the outside world into the wedding setting.

The welcome zone itself was positioned to take advantage of natural sea breezes drifting in from the Mediterranean Sea, helping keep the space cool even during the warmest part of the afternoon. Neutral-toned parasols, sail shades, and natural wood welcome furniture created a relaxed lounge-style feel, allowing guests to settle in immediately and begin enjoying the atmosphere.

Groomsmen greeted guests personally and guided them through the garden pathways, helping with directions, seating questions, and ensuring everyone felt looked after from the moment they arrived. Soft instrumental Spanish guitar music played in the background, adding a romantic, destination-style soundtrack without overpowering conversation.

A styled welcome drinks station featured large glass dispensers filled with infused waters — lemon and mint, orange and citrus, and natural spring water — served in elegant glassware. This thoughtful touch was especially appreciated after travel and helped guests refresh before the ceremony began.

From the welcome area, guests could see glimpses of the surrounding subtropical gardens typical of the Costa del Sol, with layers of greenery, flowering plants, and distant sea views setting a calm, celebratory vibe for the rest of the day.

The radiant bride appears on the arms of two family members.

Ceremony — Between the Trees

The ceremony took place in one of the finca’s most romantic and naturally framed garden ceremony locations — positioned between two mature palm trees, the ceremony space felt intimate yet open, with garden pathways leading guests toward the seating area and ceremony arch.

White ceremony chairs were arranged in a symmetrical layout facing the floral ceremony structure, a rectangular arch styled with dried grasses, pampas, and muted florals in soft beige and blush tones.

Groomsmen assisted with guest seating, helping guide family members to reserved rows and ensuring older guests or those needing shade were comfortably positioned. Just before the ceremony began, guests were gently invited to put phones away, helping create a fully present, emotional ceremony atmosphere.

The procession began with the flower girl and bridal party, creating a soft, relaxed entrance. Abbie followed, wearing a fitted white gown with a long flowing veil, walking down the aisle towards Chris, who was waiting at the altar in a light beige suit and white shirt, as “Feels Like Home” by Matt Johnson was performed live by Felipe, the local Spanish musician.

During the ceremony, English-speaking celebrant Gareth guided the couple through the proceedings and their vows. For the signing, Felipe shifted to a soft instrumental while petals were distributed to guests in preparation for the exit.

Once Abbie and Chris were pronounced married, “Love You Till the End” by The Finns was played by Felipe as they walked back down the aisle together through a shower of petals, with applause and cheers from guests, leading naturally into the celebration.

Vows exchanged in the sunshine with views toward the Mediterranean Sea.

Drinks Reception — Garden Cocktails & Canapés

Following the ceremony, guests were guided back into the finca’s central shaded garden — the main social hub of the venue — where the drinks reception began.

The drinks selection included chilled cava, traditional Spanish sangria, beer, wine, and soft drinks, allowing guests to choose something refreshing while continuing to enjoy the garden setting. As the reception progressed, live music transitioned from instrumental to a more upbeat vocal set, subtly increasing the energy and signalling the shift from ceremony to celebration.

Cold canapés were served first, followed by hot selections, ensuring guests were continuously catered for while they mingled, caught up, and enjoyed the surroundings. Service was timed carefully to match the natural rhythm of the reception, allowing guests to move freely between garden spaces.

The layout of the finca allowed family photos to be captured in nearby garden areas without removing Abbie and Chris too far from their guests. This meant they could spend meaningful time celebrating while still creating beautiful, natural photography moments.

The garden reception space also offered multiple visual backdrops — sea glimpses, palm-lined pathways, and layered greenery — giving the entire drinks reception a relaxed yet elevated destination wedding feel.

Happy newlyweds exit the ceremony area amid smiles and a shower of rose petals.

Wedding Breakfast — Sunset Dining in the Garden

Dinner was hosted on the far side of the garden, the area of the finca that feels most private and naturally sheltered, with views stretching toward the coastline of Marbella and soft evening light filtering through mature palms and subtropical planting. This section of the venue is known for catching the late afternoon glow, making it ideal for long, relaxed sunset dining.

The dining setup focused on natural, coastal textures to complement the surroundings. Bamboo cross-back chairs were paired with sand-toned linens and solid wooden banquet tables, finished with soft neutral florals, candlelight, and understated table styling. The overall feel was warm, Mediterranean, and effortlessly elegant — more relaxed luxury garden party than formal ballroom dining, perfectly in keeping with the atmosphere of the Costa del Sol.

Guests were invited through to dinner in stages to avoid crowding and keep the experience smooth and relaxed. On arrival, they were welcomed with a chilled glass of cava, giving everyone a moment to settle into their seats and enjoy the changing light across the gardens. Meanwhile, Abbie and Chris took a short private pause together, enjoying canapés and a quiet moment before their dinner entrance — a really valuable reset during a busy wedding day.

Their entrance into the wedding breakfast was timed to an upbeat moment in the playlist, creating a clear shift into a more celebratory atmosphere and leading naturally into the speeches. Abbie’s mum opened, followed by other members of the wedding party, with each speech bringing a mix of humour, personal stories, and genuine moments that set a warm, relaxed tone for the meal.

Dinner was served buffet-style with sharing plates, which made it feel relaxed and social. Guests could move around, chat easily, and go back for more food whenever they wanted. It worked especially well with a mix of ages and international guests.

The menu was mainly Mediterranean dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients, fitting the setting and the warm evening by the sea.

During dinner, there was children’s entertainment, a babysitter service, and live music. It kept things lively without getting in the way of conversation. The setup also meant families could stay together comfortably while still feeling part of the wider celebration.

As sunset approached, Abbie and Chris slipped away briefly for golden hour photos around the gardens and sea-view areas of the finca — one of the most magical parts of any Mediterranean wedding day, when the light turns soft and golden and the whole venue feels calm and cinematic.

After sunset, dessert was served, followed by wedding games and interactive guest moments. Scratch cards and prize surprises created fun-filled moments between tables, helping guests who hadn’t met earlier in the day connect and celebrate together.

Al fresco terrace dining area with bamboo cross-back chairs and wooden banquet tables, creating a Mediterranean vibe.

Evening Party — Garden Dancing & Late-Night Celebrations

As darkness fell and garden lighting fully came to life, the atmosphere naturally shifted into full party mode. Warm festoon lighting, garden uplighting, and bar lighting transformed the space from sunset dining into a vibrant outdoor party setting while still keeping the relaxed finca feel.

The wedding cake was delivered and cut as the natural transition moment into the evening party. This created a gathering point for guests and built anticipation before the DJ set officially began. Once the music started, the energy lifted quickly, with the dancefloor filling naturally rather than needing a big formal “first dance only” moment.

Live sax performances layered over the DJ set added that classic destination wedding party vibe — high energy, interactive, and fun — while glowstick party moments brought a festival-style feel that worked especially well in the open garden setting.

Later in the evening, the celebration flowed indoors into the finca’s dedicated party space located directly beside and facing the main bar. This space is designed specifically for late-night celebrations, with built-in sound setup, lighting, and comfortable airflow, allowing guests to continue dancing without worrying about outdoor temperature drops or sound restrictions.

Late-night snacks were served to keep energy levels up, and the bar continued service throughout the night. The transition between outdoor and indoor spaces meant guests could choose whether to dance, relax, or socialise — a big part of what makes finca weddings feel so natural and guest-friendly.

The dancefloor stayed busy well into the early hours, with a mix of international party music, classic wedding favourites, and guest requests — finishing the day exactly how a destination wedding on the Spanish coast should: high energy, inclusive, and unforgettable.

Newlyweds celebrate with champagne glasses in hand.

A Heartfelt Thank You — Abbie & Chris

A huge thank you to Abbie and Chris for trusting Sunshine Weddings Spain with such a special day.

We wish you both a lifetime of happiness, adventure, and unforgettable memories together.

We also extend our thanks to all our wonderful suppliers for their hard work and professionalism, and to the wonderful Rebecca Davidson for the beautiful photography that captured the day perfectly.

Planning Your Own Destination Wedding in Spain

For couples dreaming of sunshine, sea views, and a garden wedding that flows effortlessly from day to night, venues like this Marbella sea-view finca offer something truly special.

If you’re ready to start planning your own destination wedding in Spain, the Sunshine Weddings Spain team would love to help you bring your vision to life.

Get in touch today to begin planning your dream wedding under the Spanish sun.

Top table decor with pampas grass, florals, and candles as night settles.

Sea-view garden wedding venue in Marbella