Welcome to another of our featured bridal stories, where we whisk you away to Spain as we look back on another beautiful wedding celebration. This time, we’re following Ellie and Felix, whose summer wedding on 7 June 2026 was filled with love, laughter and all the anticipation that makes a wedding day so special.

Set against the warmth and beauty of the Costa del Sol, their wedding day moved from the quiet excitement of morning preparations through to an emotional Jewish ceremony, a relaxed poolside drinks reception, dinner beneath the Andalusian sky and an unforgettable night of dancing. Every part of the celebration had its own setting, yet the whole day flowed beautifully from one magical moment into the next.

The wedding venue’s location added another layer of romance. Tucked into the Andalusian landscape close to Marbella, the private estate combines the character of a traditional Spanish finca with lush tropical gardens, historic ruins, water features and elegant architectural details. The property has more than 10,000 square metres of gardens, filled with mature palms and tropical planting, while the remains of its historic foundry provide a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop.

Its story reaches back to 1837, when one of Spain’s earliest foundries was established here alongside a small community for its workers. Today, the restored estate brings that history together with the beauty of a luxury countryside wedding setting, with the old foundry ruins, grand house, fountains, pool and gardens creating a series of distinctive spaces for a celebration.

But, of course, beautiful surroundings are only part of a wedding story. It is the people, the anticipation and the little moments throughout the day that create the memories a couple will carry with them for years to come. And Ellie and Felix’s day had plenty of those moments.

So, let’s take a closer look at how their wedding day unfolded, beginning with those precious hours before the celebrations had even begun.

Rustic wedding ceremony setting with an old foundry as the backdrop.

Bridal Preparations: The Excitement Begins

Long before guests arrived among the palms and fountains, Ellie’s wedding morning was already underway. With hair and make-up preparations taking place away from the finca, the morning offered a quieter beginning to what would become a wonderfully full day.

For a bride, these early hours are about much more than getting ready. They are the moments for champagne, conversation and a few deep breaths before everything begins. Surrounded by her bridal party, Ellie had the chance to enjoy the anticipation before stepping into her wedding dress and becoming, quite literally, the bride.

Meanwhile, Felix was preparing with his family and wedding party, with the men getting ready together before making their way to the celebration. Buttonholes were carefully distributed among the groom, best men, ushers, fathers and grandfather, adding another personal touch to the preparations.

Photography by Ernesto Villalba – Wedding Photographer captured these quieter details alongside the excitement of the morning. From the bridal bouquet and bridesmaids’ flowers to those all-important finishing touches, these are the photographs that allow a couple to revisit the feeling of the day as much as the appearance of it.

And then came those first looks.

Ellie shared a special first look with her bridesmaids before another emotional moment with her father, Spencer. Meanwhile, Felix made his own entrance into the venue with family, ready to greet the day that had been so carefully planned.

With the guests beginning to arrive, the quiet preparation was finally giving way to celebration.

The radiant bride arrives on her proud father’s arm.

Welcome: A Warm Spanish Arrival

As guests arrived at the estate, the finca itself provided a beautiful backdrop even before the ceremony began. Mature palms, tropical plants and the historic character of the estate meant that photographs could feel distinctly Spanish without needing much embellishment. The property’s gardens are deliberately divided into different areas, giving a wedding party plenty of opportunities to move through contrasting settings throughout the day.

The ladies were welcomed towards the pool area, while the men gathered on the shaded terrace for the traditional Tish, creating two relaxed spaces for guests to settle into the celebration. The contrast between the lush gardens and the shaded areas was particularly suited to a summer wedding in southern Spain.

The pool area is one of the estate’s natural gathering spaces, and it is easy to see why it works so beautifully for a wedding welcome. The sound of water, mature planting and open garden surroundings create an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and wonderfully relaxed. The venue itself describes the pool area as an ideal space for cocktails and receptions.

For Ellie and Felix, the welcome incorporated thoughtful details for their guests, including chilled water, fans and parasols to help everyone stay comfortable in the Spanish sunshine.

Meanwhile, the Tish provided an intimate and meaningful beginning to the wedding celebrations, before everyone was gradually guided towards the ceremony area.

As music filled the gardens and guests made their way through the venue, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations became quieter. Guests took their seats. The excitement was building.

It was time for Ellie and Felix to get married.

Sunshine-filled outdoor ceremony setting with guests seated across the spacious grounds.

The Ceremony: A Chuppah Among Historic Ruins

For the ceremony, Ellie and Felix chose one of the most atmospheric corners of the estate: the historic ruins, with the old stonework and surrounding greenery creating a natural backdrop for the chuppah.

The ceremony was styled in a soft palette of white and pale blush, with a generous floral chuppah standing at the end of the aisle. White fabric was gathered and draped across the structure, framed with full arrangements of white and blush flowers and touches of greenery. Matching flowers lined the aisle, while rows of stone-washed Chiavari chairs were arranged on either side. White parasols provided shade for guests in the Spanish sunshine, and a white aisle runner created a clean path towards the chuppah.

The ceremony began with a series of carefully anticipated entrances, with family members and the bridal party making their way along the open aisle. One by one, the guests watched the procession unfold, building the anticipation before Ellie arrived with her father.

And then Ellie appeared.

Walking towards Felix beneath the summer sun, she wore a strapless wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline and floral lace appliqué, with three-dimensional floral detailing running across the bodice and full skirt. The dress had a soft, textured finish, while her long veil flowed behind her. Her hair was styled in a sleek low bun, keeping the look elegant and understated and allowing the intricate detail of the dress to take centre stage. In her hands, she carried a loose bouquet of white flowers with trailing greenery, its natural shape complementing the garden setting.

At the end of the aisle, Felix waited in a classic black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt, black bow tie and white kippah, creating a smart contrast against Ellie’s white dress and the bright outdoor setting.

As Ellie reached Felix beneath the chuppah, the historic ruins stood behind them, framed by greenery, white parasols and the soft blush and white florals. The setting brought together the character of the old estate with the clean, elegant styling of their ceremony, while keeping the focus firmly on the couple.

The Jewish ceremony included the chuppah, ketubah, tallit, rings and the traditional breaking of the glass, bringing together the personal and cultural elements that were important to Ellie and Felix.

Then came Mazel tov!

As Ellie and Felix walked back up the aisle together, newly married, their guests gathered around them to celebrate. The anticipation of the ceremony had given way to the first moments of married life — and the gardens were ready for the celebrations to continue.

Happy newlyweds make their recessional to smiles, laughter and applause.

Drinks Reception: Cava, Cocktails and Garden Sunshine

Following the ceremony, Ellie and Felix took a few quiet moments together before joining their guests for the drinks reception.

Back by the pool, the atmosphere became wonderfully relaxed. Cava was served to guests, while an Aperol Spritz station added a distinctly summery touch. Negronis and chilled drinks circulated as guests gathered beneath the shade and enjoyed the gardens.

A saxophonist provided the soundtrack, bringing an easy Mediterranean energy to the reception while family photographs took place nearby.

The poolside setting was particularly effective at this stage of the day. The estate’s gardens combine mature palms and tropical planting with fountains and water features, giving the reception the feeling of a private garden party in the heart of Andalusia.

Canapés followed, beginning with a selection of cold bites before hot canapés were served, giving guests something to enjoy as they mingled.

For Ellie and Felix, this was also the chance to pause and take in their newly married status. After months of planning, they were finally able to stand together among their favourite people and simply enjoy being husband and wife.

Behind the scenes, the ceremony seating was transformed and the next part of the celebration began to take shape.

The gardens were about to become the setting for dinner.

Guests mingle poolside during the cocktail reception.

Wedding Breakfast: Dinner Beneath the Andalusian Sky

As the drinks reception drew to a close, guests were guided towards the far corner of the garden for dinner.

The dining design brought together a mixture of long and round tables, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated arrangement. A mirrored table plan helped guests find their places, while personalised table names and numbers added another layer of detail.

The surrounding garden did much of the decorating itself. With mature greenery, palms and the estate’s historic architecture creating a natural backdrop, the tables could remain elegant without competing with their surroundings. This is one of the great strengths of a finca wedding: the landscape becomes part of the design.

The property’s central gardens are particularly suited to outdoor dining, with a spectacular fountain and a century-old walnut tree among the defining features of the space. The estate specifically highlights the shade of its mature walnut tree as one of its favourite areas for wedding banquets.

Once everyone was seated, the evening moved into speeches, dinner and dancing.

There was a welcome speech from Spencer, followed by a series of personal toasts, including a toast to Israel from Ellie’s grandmother, Larraine, and a toast to the King from Felix’s sister, Elissa.

Dinner was served in stages, giving guests plenty of time to enjoy the food, speeches and atmosphere. Between courses, Ellie and Felix slipped away for photographs, taking advantage of the changing evening light.

As the sun began to soften over the gardens, Ernesto Villalba captured more photographs of the newlyweds. The historic ruins, lush planting and warm Andalusian light provided a collection of portraits that feel wonderfully connected to the place.

Then, naturally, it was time to party.

Beautiful garden setting for al fresco wedding dining, with round tables arranged around a central fountain.

The Party: From Israeli Dancing to the Dancefloor

The transition from dinner to dancing was anything but subtle — and that was exactly the point. The band began drawing guests towards the dancefloor, and Ellie and Felix were introduced to the centre of the celebrations. The evening kicked off with Israeli dancing, bringing the whole wedding party together in a fun-filled burst of movement.

Iced towels were provided afterwards, a thoughtful touch for guests dancing in the warmth of the Spanish evening.

Then came more music, more dancing and a succession of memorable speeches.

The three best men — Rafi, Ben and Alex — each took their turn, followed by a speech from Felix himself. These personal moments gave the evening plenty of heart, balancing the high-energy celebrations with stories and words that meant something to the couple.

And then came the first dance.

With Ellie and Felix together on the dancefloor, the celebrations entered their next chapter. The band continued for another burst of live music before tequila shots appeared, desserts were served and the dancefloor filled again.

The outdoor party continued beneath the Andalusian sky, with the historic estate taking on an entirely different character after dark.

This is where the property really comes into its own. Its gardens can be transformed for evening celebrations with atmospheric lighting, candles and illumination among the trees, creating a magical contrast with the daytime landscape.

As the night continued, flip-flops were placed by the bathrooms — because every experienced wedding guest knows that this is the moment when dancing shoes officially become optional!

The band returned for another energetic set, tequila shots made further appearances and the celebration continued well into the night.

Finally, Ellie delivered her last speech of the evening, followed by the band’s final song.

But the party wasn’t over.

Sealed with a kiss beneath an archway of cascading blooms.

The Final Chapter: An Inside Party

As midnight approached, guests were guided indoors for the final stage of the celebrations.

Moving from the open garden into the upper salon created a completely different atmosphere. The outdoor wedding had been filled with fountains, palms, historic ruins and warm evening air; now the focus was entirely on music, dancing and keeping the party going.

DJ Fuller took over, bringing the celebrations into the early hours while late-night snacks kept everyone fuelled for the final stretch.

It was the perfect ending to a wedding day that had managed to move through so many different moods — from the stillness of bridal preparations to the emotion of the chuppah, the relaxed poolside drinks reception, the elegance of dinner and the unrestrained joy of the dancefloor.

And that is perhaps what made Ellie and Felix’s celebration so memorable: it wasn’t just one beautiful setting or one standout moment. It was the way the entire day unfolded.

From historic ruins and tropical gardens to cocktails beside the pool and dancing beneath the Spanish night sky, every setting became part of their story.

Ellie & Felix’s Marbella Wedding Highlights

Bride & Groom: Ellie and Felix
Wedding date: 7 June 2026
Destination: Marbella, Costa del Sol, Spain
Ceremony: Outdoor Jewish ceremony and chuppah among the historic ruins
Reception: Poolside drinks with Cava, Aperol Spritz, Negronis and live saxophone
Wedding breakfast: Dinner in the gardens surrounded by tropical planting and historic architecture
Entertainment: Live band, Israeli dancing and DJ Fuller
Photography: Ernesto Villalba – Wedding Photographer
Special touches: Personalised table details, parasols, fans, disposable cameras, flip-flops and bespoke party bars
Late-night celebrations: Dancing, tequila shots, desserts and late-night snacks

Evening dining under the stars and fairy lights.

A Sunshine Weddings Spain Thank You

Ellie and Felix, thank you for allowing Sunshine Weddings Spain to be part of such a special chapter in your lives.

Thank you for trusting our team with all those little details that helped make the day your own, and for bringing such wonderful energy to every moment.

We hope you will always look back on your Marbella wedding with the same happiness, excitement and love that filled the gardens that day.

With love from everyone at Sunshine Weddings Spain.

Planning Your Own Spanish Wedding?

Ellie and Felix’s celebration is a wonderful example of how a destination wedding can become a complete experience when the setting, styling, entertainment and schedule are brought together thoughtfully.

For couples considering Marbella and the Costa del Sol, the combination of sunshine, beautiful landscapes, historic architecture and outdoor entertaining makes Spain an unforgettable destination for saying I do.

Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate celebration or a spectacular destination wedding surrounded by family and friends, Sunshine Weddings Spain can help bring your vision to life.

Ready to start planning your Spanish wedding? Get in touch with Sunshine Weddings Spain and let’s create your own unforgettable day in the sunshine.

Moonlit first dance surrounded by loved ones.

Summer Wedding in Marbella | Love, Laughter and Andalusian Magic