Jewish destination wedding in Spain at a Mijas hacienda

There is something special about a wedding in southern Spain. It’s not just the guaranteed sunshine or the incredible scenery—it’s the way an entire wedding weekend unfolds. Friends and family swap airports for poolside afternoons, welcome dinners replace rehearsal evenings, and every celebration feels a little more relaxed. Couples have the chance to spend quality time with the people they love most, creating memories that stretch far beyond the wedding day itself.

Spain’s Costa del Sol has become one of Europe’s leading destinations for weddings abroad, combining Andalusian charm with exceptional venues, first-class hospitality and more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Whether you’re imagining a countryside estate surrounded by olive trees or an elegant celebration beneath the stars, this beautiful corner of Spain offers endless possibilities.

For Lori and Mikey, the featured couple in today’s bridal story, the chosen venue was a beautiful private Andalusian hacienda tucked away in the Mijas countryside. With verdant gardens, mature palms and rolling hills, it provided the perfect backdrop for the day to unfold beautifully, from afternoon sunshine through to late-night dancing.

Here’s a look back at Lori and Mikey’s incredible wedding day.

Early Morning Bridal Buzz

Destination weddings often allow couples to enjoy a much calmer start to their wedding day, and Lori and Mikey embraced exactly that.

Having spent the previous evening separately, Mikey arrived at the hacienda early in the afternoon, greeted by clear blue skies and the excitement that naturally builds before guests begin arriving. Meanwhile, Lori enjoyed a relaxed morning with her closest friends as she got ready in the bridal suite.

Rather than opting for a large beauty team, Lori chose to have her hair and make-up completed by one of her close friends, making the morning feel wonderfully personal. There was plenty of laughter, music and anticipation as dresses were steamed, finishing touches added and bouquets delivered.

Throughout the venue, the Sunshine Weddings Spain coordination team worked behind the scenes alongside every supplier to make sure each space was ready for the celebrations ahead.

Beautiful floral arrangements designed by Yvonne and Shona transformed the ceremony area, where a vintage wooden ceremony table sat beneath a romantic floral arch. White Tiffany chairs lined the aisle while elegant Balinese parasols provided welcome shade for guests during the afternoon ceremony.

The styling continued into the reception spaces, where long wooden tables had been arranged in a striking U-shape for dinner. Wooden cross-back chairs, soft table runners provided by Lori and personalised place settings created a warm, welcoming vibe.

Meanwhile, photographer Talia from Thoroughly Gorgeous began capturing the quiet moments before everything came to life, documenting the excitement as both Lori and Mikey prepared to see one another for the first time.

Welcoming Guests to a Celebration in the Sunshine

As taxis began arriving throughout the afternoon, guests were welcomed onto the front lawn by live singer Annya, whose smooth 90s R&B set created a cool chill-out vibe from the very beginning.

Refreshing drinks were served as everyone settled into holiday mode. Sangria, chilled beer, soft drinks and plenty of water helped guests stay cool in the Spanish sunshine, while Aperol Spritz was available throughout the day as one of the couple’s signature drinks.

The drinks reception also introduced several thoughtful personal touches. Cocktail tables featured small games provided by Lori, encouraging guests to mingle with people they perhaps hadn’t met before, while a guest book and Polaroid station would later become one of the day’s favourite attractions.

Adding another meaningful tradition to the afternoon, some of the men gathered in the estate’s library for a traditional Tish, sharing whisky, conversation and laughter before the ceremony. It was a lovely way of incorporating family traditions into a destination wedding while still allowing the celebrations outside to continue uninterrupted.

Shortly before the ceremony, Talia captured Lori’s first look with her father before guests were gently invited to make their way to the ceremony lawn.

A Ceremony Rich in Tradition

Set against the gardens, the ceremony combined timeless elegance with meaningful traditions that reflected Lori and Mikey’s heritage. Guests were seated beneath white parasols, with colourful floral arrangements lining the aisle and framing the ceremony space.

The processional began with Mikey walking alongside his mother as the opening music played, creating a touching start to the ceremony.

Next came Mia and Louie, aged seven and five, followed by Rachel, as Annya performed a beautiful instrumental version of Here Comes the Sun.

Finally, Lori made her entrance on the arm of her father, Robert, while Canon in D echoed across the gardens. Wearing a beautiful, lightly fitted mermaid-style wedding dress with a flowing train and veil, she walked towards Mikey beneath the floral-decorated chuppah. Mikey looked sharp in a tailored blue suit.

With family and friends gathered around them, Lori and Mikey exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony led by their friend Max, making the occasion feel incredibly personal.

Following the exchange of rings, Mikey broke the glass, marking one of the ceremony’s most recognisable Jewish wedding traditions. Guests then showered the newlyweds with petals as Siman Tov Mazel Tov played across the gardens, bringing the ceremony to a close.

While the marriage documents were signed, guests remained seated as Annya performed gentle live music before the couple officially made their way back down the aisle together to Che Confusione, greeted by huge smiles and applause from everyone around them.

Cocktails, Canapés and Time Together

After the ceremony, celebrations moved to the upper lawn where guests enjoyed one of the highlights of the afternoon.

Alongside chilled cava, beer and refreshing cocktails, beautifully presented Lychee Martinis added an elegant touch to the drinks reception, while Aperol Spritz remained available throughout the day for guests wanting something a little different.

Cold and hot canapés circulated continuously as guests enjoyed live music, caught up with family members and congratulated the newlyweds.

With the formalities complete, Talia gathered family members for group photographs while Hannah and Aaron helped organise each combination efficiently, allowing everyone to quickly return to enjoying the afternoon.

Before dinner began, the Sunshine Weddings Spain team quietly guided Lori and Mikey away for ten minutes alone together. These private moments often become favourites for couples. Away from the excitement, they had the opportunity to enjoy a plate of canapés, take everything in and reflect on becoming husband and wife before rejoining their guests for the evening celebrations.

Al Fresco Wedding Breakfast

Dinner took place in the estate’s beautiful back garden, where guests were welcomed into an elegant outdoor setting unlike anything a traditional wedding venue could offer. The striking U-shaped layout encouraged conversation while maintaining a wonderful sense of togetherness, with every detail carefully considered.

As guests found their seats, MCs Rach and Tom introduced Lori and Mikey, who made their entrance to Danza Kuduro.

One of the most memorable moments followed shortly afterwards. Before dinner officially began, guests gathered around the tree beside the dining area for traditional Israeli dancing. Accompanied by an energetic playlist featuring Siman Tov Mazel Tov, Hava Nagila and other favourites, friends and family joined together in a celebration that brought generations together and reflected the couple’s heritage.

As everyone returned to their seats, the speeches began. Lori’s father Robert spoke first, sharing heartfelt memories and welcoming Mikey into the family. Best men Rafi and Kingi followed with stories, humour and plenty of laughter before guests enjoyed a delicious dinner served beneath the open Spanish sky.

Later in the evening, Lori and Mikey thanked everyone who had travelled to Spain to celebrate with them, acknowledging the love and support surrounding them throughout their wedding journey. Daniel, Mikey’s brother, completed the speeches with warmth and humour before every guest raised a glass of Tequila Rosé in celebration.

Dinner was served at a wonderfully relaxed pace, allowing guests to savour every course while conversations continued around the beautifully dressed tables.

As the evening light softened across the gardens, Talia took Lori and Mikey away for their sunset portraits. There is something uniquely magical about golden hour in southern Spain, and the surrounding countryside offered countless beautiful locations for relaxed, natural photographs.

While the couple enjoyed those quiet moments together, dessert was served to guests, with some carefully set aside for the newlyweds to enjoy when they returned. Coffee and tea then followed, giving everyone time to unwind before the evening party began.

From Cake Cutting to the Dance Floor

As darkness settled, guests gathered once more to watch Lori and Mikey cut their wedding cake before making their way into the lower courtyard.

The evening celebrations officially began with the couple’s first dance to Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader—a fitting choice that perfectly matched the relaxed, fun-filled vibe of the day.

From that moment onwards, the dance floor remained full. DJ Steve Altman kept the energy high with an expertly curated mix of classics and modern favourites while saxophonist Demian performed alongside him throughout the evening, bringing an incredible live element to the party.

Guests danced beneath the stars, sang along to favourites including September by Earth, Wind & Fire and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! by ABBA, and celebrated well into the early hours.

Late-night snacks kept everyone fuelled as the party continued, with music finally drawing to a close at 2am before guests lingered a little longer, making the most of every final moment together.

It was the perfect ending to a wedding weekend that none of their family and friends will ever forget.

Thanks, Lori & Mikey

Your wedding was a wonderful example of what makes a destination wedding in Spain so special.

It was a pleasure for the entire Sunshine Weddings Spain team to help bring your vision to life, and we were honoured to be part of your day.

We wish you both every happiness for the future. Congratulations once again, Lori and Mikey!

Thank you also to all the wonderful suppliers whose professionalism and hard work helped make the day such a success, and to Talia from Thoroughly Gorgeous for capturing it so beautifully.

Dreaming of Your Own Wedding in Spain?

Whether you’ve just started looking for venues or already know you want to marry beneath the Andalusian sunshine, our team is here to help make the planning process exciting, enjoyable and completely stress-free.

At Sunshine Weddings Spain, we’ve spent over twenty years helping couples create unforgettable destination weddings across southern Spain. From rustic country estates and elegant villas to beachfront venues and hidden fincas, our complimentary venue-finding service introduces you to locations that perfectly match your vision.

Once you’ve found your dream venue, we’ll guide you through every stage of planning, coordinating trusted suppliers, managing every detail and ensuring your wedding day runs seamlessly from the first guest arrival to the final dance.

If Lori and Mikey’s beautiful celebration has inspired your own wedding plans, we’d love to help you begin your journey.

Get in touch with Sunshine Weddings Spain today and let’s start planning your unforgettable wedding in Spain.