Sun, sea and sangria at a Marbella Wedding
Planning a destination wedding in Spain gives couples the chance to create a wedding day that feels like a complete experience, not just a ceremony and reception. From getting ready with your bridal party and welcoming guests with drinks, to choosing a beautiful setting, Spanish-inspired food and entertainment that keeps the party going late into the night, every part of the day can be carefully planned around the vibe you want to create.
Elle and Seamus’ June wedding in Marbella is a great example of how all these elements can come together. Beautifully captured by photographer Anna Beth, their wedding day included separate morning preparations, a relaxed welcome for guests, an outdoor ceremony, family photographs, tapas, paella, speeches, live music and plenty of dancing.
In today’s Bridal Story, we follow the couple through their wedding day, from the morning preparations and bridal party getting ready to the ceremony, drinks reception, dinner and evening celebrations. Along the way, we also look at the setting, the details and the wedding ideas that could inspire couples like you planning your own Marbella or Spanish destination wedding.
Two Separate Mornings, One Very Big Day
Every wedding day begins long before the ceremony. For Elle and Seamus, the morning began separately, with the couple waking up in different parts of Marbella. Seamus was based in the hills above the town, while Elle started her day at a luxury beach-side Hotel in Marbella before heading towards the venue with her mother and four bridesmaids.
There is something particularly special about this part of a wedding day. The anticipation is building, but the ceremony still feels a world away. The bride and groom are each surrounded by their own people, preparing for the same celebration from two separate locations. For Elle and her bridal party, the journey to the venue was part of the excitement of the day. Travelling together, sharing plenty of laughter and enjoying those final moments before the celebrations began, the group arrived at the wedding villa ready to start the wedding preparations, with hair and make-up taking centre stage.
The villa offered a private space for the bridal party to gather, get ready and spend the morning together. For couples planning a wedding in Spain, this is one of the advantages of choosing a venue with dedicated preparation spaces and accommodation. Rather than rushing between hotels, cars and separate locations, everyone can get ready in one place and enjoy the build-up together.
Food was served to the bridal party, bouquets arrived and buttonholes were delivered as the relaxed morning gradually turned into a wedding day. By early afternoon, the bridal party was dressed, the flowers were in place and photographer Anna Beth arrived to capture the final preparations before the ceremony. Meanwhile, while Elle and her bridesmaids were preparing at the villa, Seamus was getting ready separately. He was then collected in the afternoon with his groomsmen and taken to the venue, where there was time for photographs with the groomsmen, ushers and both dads before the ceremony.
By mid-afternoon, the final checks were underway, with Scott from Sunshine Weddings Spain overseeing the preparations and ensuring all the details were in place before guests began to arrive. Handheld parasols were positioned in the ceremony seating to help guests stay comfortable in the Spanish sunshine, while the groomsmen gathered for their meeting.
Welcome Drinks – Guest Arrival
As guests began to arrive, they were welcomed into the setting. The property combines the character of a traditional Andalusian estate with a range of outdoor spaces, including gardens, terraces, historic stone features and views across the surrounding countryside towards the Mediterranean. The different areas also allow the wedding day to move naturally from one part of the celebration to the next.
Groomsmen Luke and Adam welcomed guests and guided them towards the drinks reception, while local musician Pablo played ambient music in the background. During this time, Ellie also shared a first look with her father, creating a special moment together before the ceremony. With the ceremony still to come, guests had time to settle in, enjoy the setting and take in the atmosphere before being guided to their seats.
A Marbella Wedding Ceremony with Mountain and Mediterranean Views
One of the most distinctive features of the venue is its ceremony setting. Set within a former agricultural estate, the property combines the character of an old Andalusian finca with a modern approach to weddings. Historic stonework, mature trees, terraces and open-air spaces provide a memorable setting for the ceremony.
The ceremony took place in a mountainside amphitheatre, with views across the surrounding landscape towards the mountains and Mediterranean. The seating was arranged on the stone terraces, giving guests a clear view of the ceremony area and the couple as they exchanged their vows. Elle wore a full-length white wedding dress with a long train, while Seamus chose a light-coloured suit with a white shirt. Against the stone surroundings and bright Spanish sunshine, their wedding attire suited the relaxed setting of the day. As guests were guided into position, Pablo played ambient music while the final preparations took place. The bar closed, and Seamus and the groomsmen made their way to the ceremony area.
Laura, Katie, Lucy, Penny, Issie, Ellie and Rob formed part of the procession leading into the ceremony, which was attended by close family and friends. Before the ceremony began, guests were asked to put their phones away so everyone could be fully present for the occasion. The couple exchanged vows and rings in a personal ceremony surrounded by their closest family and friends.
At the end of the ceremony, the newlyweds exited together and their guests followed them towards the drinks reception. The formal part of the day was over, and the celebrations were about to begin.
Cava, Canapés and the First Celebration
Immediately after the ceremony, guests were offered a choice of cava, beer and soft drinks while musician Pablo moved into a more uplifting set.
This transition from the ceremony to the drinks reception is an important part of the wedding day. The mood shifts, guests begin to mingle more freely and the couple can relax and enjoy being newly married as the celebrations continue. Cold and hot canapés were served while family photographs took place. The cake also arrived, with Katie Dyson helping to organise the family photographs from the list provided by Elle.
The drinks reception gave everyone time to relax, catch up and enjoy the setting, with plenty of sunshine, drinks and time spent with family and friends who had travelled to celebrate with the couple.
An Andalusian-Inspired Dinner Under the Evening Sky
As the afternoon moved towards evening, guests were called towards dinner. The schedule was carefully designed to build anticipation, with a first call, second call and final call before guests took their places. The couple were also treated to a plate of canapés — a brilliant little detail that ensured they did not miss out on the food while photographs, greetings and the excitement of the reception continued around them.
Then Katie introduced the couple before the speeches began. There were speeches from the father of the bride, the groom, Laura and the maid of honour, creating a lovely balance of emotion, humour and personal stories. Then came the food; a menu which brought a strong Spanish influence to the celebration, beginning with tapas and followed by paella, with seafood and vegetarian options pre-ordered for guests. Bread and aioli were served at the tables, and the paella was presented on the dance terrace.
For couples planning a destination wedding in Spain, food is one of the easiest ways to make the location part of the experience. You do not necessarily need a themed wedding or obvious Spanish styling; instead, the destination can be reflected naturally through the food and drinks. Tapas, paella, cava and sangria all bring a taste of Spain to the celebration and help guests remember where they were and how the day felt.
Dinner was then followed by the cutting of the cake and a dessert trio, providing a sweet finale before the evening moved into its next chapter.
From Dinner to Dancing
At 9.15pm, the five-hour open bar began and DJ Maxee took over the music. Three tables were removed from the dining area, creating more space for the evening celebrations and allowing the venue to transition from dinner to dancing. The dining area became a party space, the bar opened and the music moved up a gear as the evening got underway.
Elle then shared a father-daughter dance with her dad before the evening entertainment continued. Later, saxophonist Javier joined the celebrations, adding a live element to the DJ set and helping to keep the dance floor going. By this point, the sun had set and the venue had taken on a different atmosphere. The natural stone, terraces, gardens and outdoor spaces were lit for the evening, creating a different feel from the bright, open setting earlier in the day.
Photography continued until 11pm, allowing Anna Beth to capture the final stages of the celebration. As the dining tables were cleared, the party continued and the venue gradually moved into its late-night format. At midnight, the music moved inside, keeping the celebrations going until the bar and music finally closed in the early hours, bringing this magical wedding day to a close.
A Marbella Wedding Venue with Space for Every Part of the Day
One of the key features of this wedding venue is the variety of spaces available for different parts of the day. Set within a traditional Andalusian estate, the property combines historic architecture and original features with gardens, terraces and a range of outdoor areas.
This gives couples plenty of flexibility when planning their wedding. The ceremony can take place in a dedicated outdoor setting, with drinks and canapés served in another area before guests move on to dinner and the evening celebrations. As the day progresses, the venue can be adapted to suit each stage of the wedding, from the morning preparations through to late-night dancing.
The setting also offers plenty of opportunities for photographs, with the architecture, gardens, terraces and surrounding views providing a variety of backdrops throughout the day. This means couples can capture different aspects of the venue without needing to leave the property.
For destination weddings, having everything in one location can make the day easier to organise for both the couple and their guests. There is no need to arrange transport between multiple venues, while guests can enjoy the setting from the moment they arrive until the celebrations finish.
Elle and Seamus’ wedding demonstrated how the property can be used throughout the day, with the different spaces creating a natural progression from preparations and the ceremony to drinks, dinner and dancing.
For couples looking for a Marbella wedding venue with character, outdoor space and flexibility, this type of setting offers plenty of options for creating a wedding day that suits their plans and style. Whether you are planning an intimate celebration or a larger destination wedding, the combination of traditional Andalusian features, open-air spaces and different areas for each part of the day makes it a versatile choice. For more information, reach out to the team at Sunshine Weddings Spain today.
With thanks to Elle and Seamus for sharing the details of their wedding day, wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and many wonderful years together. Gracias also to Anna Beth for capturing the wedding day celebrations through her photography.
