Mediterranean garden wedding celebration in Marbella
Welcome to another Sunshine Weddings Spain bridal story. Today, we’re delighted to share the wedding of the lovely Antonia and Craig, who chose one of Marbella’s most beautiful garden wedding venues for their destination celebration. With subtropical gardens, Mediterranean views and the warm June sunshine setting the scene, it was the perfect backdrop for their unforgettable day.
On the 28th June of last year, Antonia and Craig gathered their family and friends in Marbella for a destination wedding at one of the Costa del Sol’s most beautiful garden wedding venues. Set within a stunning finca, the venue’s lush gardens, Mediterranean views and variety of outdoor spaces created the perfect setting for every part of the celebration—from a relaxed welcome and romantic garden ceremony to drinks on the terrace, an al fresco wedding breakfast and an evening of live music, dancing and celebration.
Filled with heartfelt speeches, delicious food and plenty of memorable moments, it was a day to remember for everyone involved.
Join us as we look back at Antonia and Craig’s beautiful Marbella wedding and discover all the details of their special day.
The Wedding Morning — Excitement Begins
Antonia and Craig spent the morning getting ready separately, with the excitement building as the day unfolded.
Hair styling began early, at 8am, followed an hour later by the make-up team, who got to work preparing Antonia and her bridal party. As everyone came together, the room was filled with laughter, anticipation and those final touches that make a wedding morning so special.
One of the highlights of the morning came when florist Karen arrived with the flowers; Antonia’s bridal bouquet, seven bridesmaids’ bouquets, a flower wand, the father-of-the-bride’s buttonhole, and buttonholes for Craig and his groomsmen. Videographer Rory also arrived to capture the preparations, followed shortly by photographer Ana Beth, who documented the details, the finishing touches and the special moments shared with family and friends before everyone made their way to the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the Sunshine Weddings Spain team were at the venue putting the final plans into place. Ceremony seating was carefully arranged, with parasols positioned to provide welcome shade beneath the warm Spanish sunshine. By mid-afternoon, the final stages of hair and make-up were complete, and Craig and his groomsmen set off for the venue. As the last preparations continued behind the scenes, it wasn’t long before the moment everyone had been waiting for had arrived.
Before guests arrived, Antonia shared a special first-look moment with her bridesmaids. As they saw her fully dressed for the first time, the room filled with smiles, plenty of “oohs” and “aahs”, and a few happy tears. Photographer Ana Beth was there to capture the excitement, preserving those genuine reactions before the celebrations moved to the venue. Meanwhile, a member of the Sunshine Weddings Spain team welcomed Craig, his best man, groomsmen and close family to the venue, where buttonholes were handed out before everyone gathered for a final run-through ahead of the ceremony.
At the same time, guests were making their way to the finca, with transport arranged to ensure family and friends arrived comfortably and stress-free. By mid-afternoon, the peaceful garden setting had been transformed into a beautiful wedding venue, ready to welcome guests and begin the celebrations.
Guests Arrive at the Finca
At 3.30pm, guests began arriving at the finca, where they were welcomed into the beautifully landscaped gardens. To help everyone stay refreshed on the warm June afternoon, three infused water stations had been set-up, offering orange, lemon and natural water as guests mingled before the ceremony.
As family and friends gathered, the venue’s elegant outdoor spaces immediately set the tone for the day. Surrounded by subtropical gardens and Mediterranean views, guests were able to relax in the shaded areas while enjoying the peaceful surroundings ahead of the celebrations. After a moment of enjoying the welcome drinks members of the wedding party then helped guide guests to the ceremony area, while the Sunshine Weddings Spain team carried out the final checks and coordinated the last details with Craig and the bridal party behind the scenes.
Around 3.45pm, Craig and his best man, Andy, were also invited to the ceremony area, to take their places at the front of the ceremony area. A few minutes later, the remaining guests were shown to their seats, ready for the ceremony to begin.
The Ceremony — Romance Beneath the Palms
Set amongst the finca’s subtropical gardens, the ceremony took place beneath towering palm trees with views stretching towards the Mediterranean. A white aisle was lined with elegant floral arrangements, while parasols kept guests cool in the warm June sunshine, creating a beautiful yet relaxed setting for Antonia and Craig to exchange their vows.
At 4pm, the ceremony began with the bridal party making their entrance. Carlotta and Rebecca were followed by Gillian and Cristina, Rachel and little Arlow, who added an especially sweet touch to the procession, before Louisa, Mariella and Stephany completed the entrance.
Antonia then made her way down the aisle accompanied by young Harry. She wore a timeless long-sleeved lace wedding gown with a fitted silhouette and flowing train, paired with a classic veil and a bouquet of white flowers. Waiting for her at the end of the aisle, Craig looked equally elegant in a white dinner jacket with black trousers and a black bow tie.
Celebrant Jason led a warm and personal ceremony, guiding them through their vows as they officially became husband and wife. During the signing of the register, Mariella and Carlotta handed out petals to guests, ready for the couple’s exit.
By 4.40pm, the ceremony came to a close, and Antonia and Craig walked back down the aisle as newlyweds while family and friends showered them with petals. It was a happy ending to a heartfelt ceremony and the perfect start to the celebrations that followed.
Drinks Reception — Cava, Sangria & Live Saxophone
The mood immediately shifted into celebration mode as guests were invited to enjoy the drinks reception. Cava, sangria, beer and soft drinks were served, with Mia Cava’s white sangria reserved for the bridal party. The father of the bride also had his own special choice of Magners. As glasses were raised in celebration, a saxophonist began playing live music, bringing a relaxed yet sophisticated soundtrack to the garden.
The venue’s multiple outdoor spaces came into their own, allowing guests to mingle among the tropical planting and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while the newlyweds spent time with Ana Beth taking photographs.
Cold and hot canapés were then served, giving guests plenty to enjoy as they chatted, raised a glass and caught up with friends and family.
Family photographs began at 5pm, with Antonia preparing a specific list to make sure the important combinations were captured. Kyle and Cristina assisted with organising everyone, allowing the family and group photographs to flow smoothly without taking the couple away from their guests for too long.
The saxophonist continued until 5.40pm, providing the perfect soundtrack as the afternoon began to transition towards dinner.
Wedding Breakfast — Speeches, Tapas & Live Music
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed the drinks reception before making their way to the wedding breakfast. At 5.40pm, the first call for dinner was announced, followed by two further calls over the next 10 minutes. Guests were welcomed with a glass of cava as they made their way to the dining area, while Antonia and Craig took a few moments to enjoy a plate of canapés before joining everyone.
The newlyweds were then introduced by the bridal party and made their entrance to a warm round of applause, officially opening the evening celebrations.
Before dinner was served, it was time for the speeches. Loretta welcomed everyone, with Elli providing the introduction music, before Craig thanked family and friends for sharing their special day. Best man Andrew then took to the microphone, sharing stories and memories that had guests laughing throughout his speech.
As guests settled into the evening, wines and beers were served before the first course arrived. A selection of Mediterranean-style tapas was followed by the main course and dessert, giving everyone the chance to enjoy a relaxed meal together beneath the palm trees.
Adding to the atmosphere, electric violinist and entertainer Quike Navarro performed throughout dinner, creating the perfect soundtrack to the warm summer evening with a mix of elegant background music and lively performances.
From Dinner to Dancing
As dinner came to a close, the atmosphere shifted from a relaxed wedding breakfast to the evening celebrations. Quike Navarro took a short break while soul singer Mr Maph performed a lively set, bringing a fresh energy to the evening. Quike then returned to join him, with the two performers combining for an entertaining performance that had guests singing along and making their way to the dance floor. With family and friends gathered around, Antonia and Craig shared their first dance as husband and wife, marking the start of the evening party.
Then Antonia made a stylish outfit change, swapping her elegant lace ceremony gown for a stunning 1950s-inspired wedding dress. The vintage-style design was perfect for the evening celebrations and gave her complete freedom to enjoy the dance floor. As the evening continued, the open bar got underway and guests gathered for one of the celebration’s standout moments. Before the party continued, everyone came together to celebrate young Harry’s birthday, surprising him with a birthday cake as family and friends joined in to sing and celebrate the occasion. The festivities then saw into a spectacular cava tower, complete with sparkling pyrotechnic effects that created a great photo opportunity.
The live music continued afterwards, keeping the dance floor full before the DJ took over outside. As darkness fell, the finca’s gardens were transformed into a vibrant party setting, with music, lighting and the warm Mediterranean evening providing the perfect backdrop for the celebrations. Later, the party moved indoors, where guests danced well into the night. Late-night snacks were served to keep everyone going for the final hours of the celebration before the venue finally closed, bringing an unforgettable wedding day to a perfect close.
Thank You — With Love from Sunshine Weddings Spain
A heartfelt thank you to Antonia and Craig for choosing Sunshine Weddings Spain to help plan and coordinate such a special celebration. It was a pleasure to be part of your wedding day, and we wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.
A special thank you also goes to photographer Ana Beth for beautifully capturing every stage of the day, along with the talented musicians, videographers, florists, stylists and suppliers whose hard work helped bring the celebration to life.
Set within a stunning Marbella finca surrounded by subtropical gardens and Mediterranean views, Antonia and Craig’s wedding showcased everything that makes a destination wedding in southern Spain so memorable—from a beautiful outdoor ceremony to a relaxed al fresco reception and an unforgettable evening of celebration.
If you’re dreaming of your own destination wedding in Marbella or elsewhere on the Costa del Sol, the Sunshine Weddings Spain team would love to help bring your plans to life. Get in touch to start planning your own unforgettable day.
