Andalusian Countryside Wedding at a Spanish Cortijo
If you’re dreaming of a wedding surrounded by nature, beautiful gardens, and sweeping views across the Andalusian countryside, today’s bridal story, featuring the lovely Laura and Declan offers wonderful inspiration.
Last September, Laura and Declan gathered their closest family and friends for a relaxed destination wedding set within a charming countryside boutique estate near the coast of southern Spain. Tucked among rolling hills and lush gardens, the venue offered a peaceful setting with panoramic views stretching across the surrounding landscape.
The property blends traditional Andalusian character with refined boutique hospitality. Whitewashed buildings, terracotta rooftops, and manicured gardens create an atmosphere that feels both elegant and welcoming. Mature trees provide natural shade across the grounds, while the open terraces allow guests to enjoy the warm Mediterranean climate throughout the day.
One of the highlights of the estate is its beautifully maintained gardens, which provide a stunning setting for outdoor ceremonies. Surrounded by greenery and overlooking the natural landscape, couples can exchange vows in a peaceful environment that feels private and intimate — a perfect reflection of the relaxed lifestyle of southern Spain.
And it was within this beautiful setting that Laura and Declan’s September wedding truly came to life — a celebration that captured the essence of southern Spain. With warm sunshine, sweeping countryside views, and the relaxed charm of the Andalusian landscape, their day was centred around bringing family and friends together to share unforgettable moments in a truly special place.
Join us as we look back at their wedding day, from the morning preparations through to the final moments of the evening celebration.
Morning Preparations — Bridal Buzz
The morning of Laura and Declan’s 11th September wedding began with an early start as the bridal party gathered in the centre of Nerja before travelling to the beautiful countryside Cortijo.
At 8:00am, a nine-seater vehicle collected Laura, her five bridesmaids, the two mothers of the couple, and little flowergirl Lucy for the short journey to the hotel. Once they arrived, the calm bridal preparations began, with hair and makeup artists Aurelija and Nicola getting everyone ready for the day ahead.
The morning preparations moved at an easy pace, with the bridal suite filled with conversation and laughter as everyone got ready for the day. Shortly after, photographer Agata Jensen arrived to begin capturing the preparations, followed by the videography team from Love Hunters, while Laura spent the final moments getting ready surrounded by her closest friends and family.
Meanwhile, final preparations were underway across the gardens of the venue, with the Sunshine Weddings Spain team having arrived early to oversee the setup and ensure everything was in place for the ceremony. Florist Inma began decorating the ceremony area, arranging the floral arch and styling the ceremony table with flowers from the venue, while elegant white Chiavari chairs were set out for guests. Fans provided by Laura were also placed on the seats so guests could keep cool during the ceremony in the September sunshine.
The reception and wedding breakfast areas were also prepared, with the styling carefully planned to reflect a natural and elegant look. Round tables were set for dinner with stone-coloured linen and white napkins, paired with classic brown Luis XVI chairs. The bridal couple provided many of the personalised details, including the table plan, table names, place cards, and ceremony name cards, while the venue arranged the menu cards, DJ table, and cake table.
Another thoughtful touch was placed beside the olive tree in the gardens, where Laura arranged a guest book, card box, and a sign inviting guests to leave a message — a lovely way to capture memories from everyone attending the celebration.
Across the property, the wedding team continued coordinating the final preparations. The ceremony musicians, Annya and Pelu, arrived to set up and complete their sound check, while celebrant Debbie also arrived to prepare for the ceremony.
At the same time, Declan and his groomsmen were travelling from Nerja to the venue, with the celebration just moments away.
Welcome Drinks in the Andalusian Sun
As guests began arriving at the boutique hotel set among the rolling hills of the Andalusian countryside, they were welcomed by the warm September sunshine and the gardens surrounding the estate. Groomsmen Caolan and Eanna greeted guests as they stepped off the coaches, while Peter and John guided everyone along the driveway towards the welcome drinks area.
The setting was relaxed and inviting. The driveway overlooked the hotel’s gardens and the surrounding countryside, framed by whitewashed buildings and terracotta rooftops. Here, guests enjoyed chilled glasses of cava and light Mediterranean-style canapés while live music from Annya and Pelu played in the background, adding to the easygoing atmosphere across the cortijo gardens.
As guests mingled, the team from Sunshine Weddings Spain checked in with Laura and her bridesmaids, while photographer Agata captured a special first look between Laura and her bridesmaids before the ceremony. Shortly afterwards, the team also met with Declan and his groomsmen to run through the final details for the ceremony.
Meanwhile, guests were invited to begin taking their seats as the ceremony was about to begin.
A Wedding Ceremony Surrounded by Nature
The ceremony took place in the hotel’s garden terrace, overlooking wide views of the Andalusian countryside. At the end of the aisle stood a white wrought-iron gazebo decorated with soft floral arrangements by florist Inma, creating a simple focal point framed by the hills and olive groves beyond. White Chiavari chairs were arranged along the aisle, with fans placed on seats for guests to use in the warm September sun.
Declan waited at the front beneath the gazebo in a classic black suit with a white shirt and bow tie, while guests took their seats and the musicians Annya and Pelu played softly in the background. The ceremony began with the entrance of the couple’s four-year-old daughter Lucy, followed by flower girls Alice, Dana, Erin, and Jennifer.
Laura then entered with her father, Janis, walking down the aisle toward the gazebo. She wore a fitted ivory gown with a clean silhouette and long train, paired with a veil and a bouquet of soft pastel flowers that matched the ceremony styling.
Celebrant Debbie welcomed everyone and opened the ceremony with an introduction in Spanish before continuing with the service. Music from Annya and Pelu accompanied different parts of the ceremony, including the bride’s entrance and the signing of the registry. The couple also included personal readings, with a poem read by Hannah and another reading by John.
Once the ceremony concluded, Laura and Declan walked back down the aisle together as newlyweds while guests tossed petals and raised glasses of cava in celebration. Afterwards, friends and family gathered to congratulate the couple while group and family photographs were taken nearby, with the bridesmaids and maid of honour Dana helping organise everyone.
Guests were then invited to continue the celebrations at the drinks reception, enjoying the garden setting and countryside views as the afternoon moved into the next part of the wedding day.
Spanish Cortijo Drinks Reception
After the ceremony and group photos, guests gathered at the front of the salon of the boutique Spanish cortijo for the drinks reception, where white and red wine, beer, Tinto Verano, soft drinks, water, and Magners were served as everyone mingled and congratulated Laura and Declan. Live music from Annya and Pelu set an upbeat, celebratory tone, while Laura and Declan stayed in the ceremony area for a few quiet moments with their bridal party and parents, capturing photos before joining their guests.
The bridal party soon arrived, filling the gardens and terraces with laughter and conversation, and a group photo on the Avenue marked the moment, sunlight illuminating the surrounding greenery. Guests were then guided to the outdoor dining area, where tables were set under the open sky, and Laura and Declan took a short private break, enjoying canapés and drinks before returning to mingle.
As guests were served cava and water, anticipation built for the newlyweds’ entrance. MC David introduced Laura and Declan as “The New Mr. & Mrs. Walsh,” and guests waved their napkins in celebration as the couple entered to carefully chosen music, setting a warm and festive tone for the evening.
Al fresco Wedding Breakfast
Dinner began with speeches from family and friends, including Janis, Eddie, David, Dana, Owen, Declan, and Laura, each adding humor, personality, and heartfelt emotion to the occasion. Starters were served afterward, allowing guests to enjoy the courtyard atmosphere while tasting the carefully prepared dishes, followed by the main course, with the gentle evening breeze carrying the aromas across the dining area.
As dessert was served, DJ Maxee prepared for the first dances and the party ahead, while sunset photos captured the couple in the golden light, adding a romantic touch. The wedding cake was placed on the bar for guests to serve themselves, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that rounded off the meal beautifully.
Throughout the reception, the combination of family moments, simple elegance, and the natural beauty of the venue created a celebration that felt both personal and joyful, perfectly suited to a Spanish cortijo wedding.
Dancing Into the Night
As night fell over the Andalusian countryside, the evening shifted from dinner to dancing, with the bar opening and DJ Maxee playing music that got everyone moving. Laura and Declan shared their first dance to a special version of Taylor Swift’s Love Story, creating a memorable moment surrounded by friends and family.
The party flowed from the terraces into the indoor spaces, with laughter, dancing, and live music continuing late into the night, while guests enjoyed snacks and the photographer and videographers captured every smile, twirl, and hug. Around 1:00 a.m., the celebrations came to an end as coaches arrived to transport guests safely, closing a day filled with laughter, warmth, and lasting memories.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Thank you to Laura and Declan for trusting Sunshine Weddings Spain with their special day. It was a pleasure to be part of such a memorable celebration, and we wish you both all the very best for the future. We would also like to thank all the vendors for their hard work and professionalism, with a special shout-out to photographer Agata for sharing the stunning images that perfectly captured the beauty of the day.
Your Dream Wedding in Spain
If Laura and Declan’s September celebration has inspired you and you dream of a wedding surrounded by the beauty of the Andalusian countryside, our team at Sunshine Weddings Spain is here to help make your vision a reality. Whether you imagine an intimate ceremony beneath a pergola, a lively drinks reception, or a magical evening under the stars, we can create a day that is unforgettable in a stunning Spanish cortijo.
Explore our bespoke wedding services, discover our favorite venues, and start planning the wedding you’ve always imagined. Your Andalusian celebration awaits—contact us today.
