Wedding celebration in Spain’s Nerja
Today’s bridal story takes us deep into the sun-drenched hills of Andalucía, where Andria and Dylan tied the knot in a truly unforgettable wedding celebration. Their venue: a tucked-away farmhouse brimming with charm and surrounded by groves of avocado and citrus trees, just a short drive from Nerja. Blending colonial charm with contemporary comfort, this boutique hideaway offered the perfect backdrop for a destination wedding in Spain — intimate, picturesque, and full of character.
Imagine exchanging vows on a terrace bathed in golden sunlight, with sweeping views of the Andalusian countryside stretching as far as the eye can see. With capacity for up to 250 guests, this venue strikes a balance between rustic Andalusian architecture and sleek modern touches, offering both grandeur and warmth in equal measure. It was the perfect setting for Andria and Dylan’s celebration — a weekend filled with love, laughter, and lingering sunset light.
An Evening to Remember – The Night Before
The festivities actually began the night before, with a relaxed welcome dinner on the terrace. Guests gathered over glasses of wine and shared plates of tapas, easing into the weekend with the hum of conversation and the clink of glasses. It was the perfect prelude: a casual evening that set the tone for the joy and connection to come, as everyone settled into the Spanish rhythm before the big day unfolded.
The Wedding Day – Bridal preparations
After months of meticulous planning, the highly anticipated day had finally dawned for Andria and Dylan. The morning began bright and early in the serene farmhouse bridal suite, where Andria, joined by her four bridesmaids and her mother, buzzed with excitement. Flavia, the talented hairstylist, arrived promptly to start on their hairdos, followed closely by Nicola, the makeup artist, ensuring every detail of their looks was flawless. Meanwhile, Camy from Lemonface appeared with stunning floral arrangements, featuring Andria’s bouquet in delicate pastels with hints of violet. As preparations culminated, a member of the Sunshine Weddings Spain team arrived to meticulously oversee the setup; ensuring that each of the 56 white iron chairs and 32 Tiffany chairs for additional guests, along with two exquisite floral arrangements in decorative cages at the ceremony arch, were perfectly positioned.
In the midst of these final preparations, photographer Pedro Bellido expertly captured the intimate moments before the wedding, quietly moving between the bridal suite and the groom’s quarters to document the couple and their closest friends as they prepared for this significant milestone. At last, the moment arrived for Andria and Dylan to step into their new journey together.
Welcome Drinks – Lemonade & Sunshine
As guests stepped off the coaches and into the warm Andalusian afternoon, they were greeted with a simple but thoughtful touch — a charming lemonade stand set up on the gravel courtyard in front of the cortijo. Under the golden autumn sun, chilled glasses of lemonade offered a refreshing welcome, setting the perfect tone for the celebration ahead.
A relaxed playlist floated through the air as Max and Graham, two of the groomsmen, warmly welcomed arriving guests and guided them to the welcome area. There was an easy buzz of conversation as friends and family caught up, exchanged hugs, and began to settle into the beautiful surroundings. It was a moment to pause, take it all in, and feel the excitement build before the ceremony.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes…
As guests mingled and sipped lemonade, the Sunshine Weddings team was in full motion, quietly making sure every detail was falling into place. They checked in on Andria and her bridal party as final touches were completed in the suite, ensuring the energy in the room remained calm yet fun. Meanwhile, the team made a sweep through the hotel, confirming all rooms were cleared and ready for the day to unfold.
In another part of the cortijo, Dylan was collected for his first look with Andria — a quiet, emotional moment shared in a private room, away from the crowd. With photographers and videographers poised to capture the reactions, it was one of those beautifully unscripted moments that would become a core memory of the day.
Soon after, the celebrant was in place, final checks were done, and family members were gently guided into position for their own first glimpses. As guests were invited to make their way into the garden ceremony space, there was a growing sense of anticipation — something truly special was about to begin.
The Wedding Ceremony – Under the Garden Gazebo
Once guests had cooled off with lemonade and settled into the relaxed rhythm of the afternoon, they were gently ushered through the farmhouse grounds into the subtropical garden, where the ceremony was set to take place. The space was peaceful and intimate, framed by lush greenery and dappled sunlight, with a white-draped gazebo serving as the heart of it all.
As Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole began to play, the ceremony began to unfold. Groomsmen entered from the driveway, their expressions a mix of pride and excitement. Then came the bridesmaids — and stealing the show alongside them was Charlie, Andria and Dylan’s beloved dog, padding down the aisle with quiet confidence.
And then, Andria appeared. Walking arm-in-arm with her parents, she looked absolutely radiant in a heart-shaped A-line gown that caught the light with every step. From the restaurant, she made her way toward the gazebo, where Dylan waited — sharp in his dark green suit, offset by a white shirt, beige waistcoat, and bow tie, eyes locked on his bride.
What made the moment even more special was the presence of Jay, Dylan’s brother-in-law, officiating the ceremony. His warm, familiar presence brought a deeply personal and meaningful touch to the vows, as Andria and Dylan exchanged promises with full hearts and full smiles, their dog Charlie at their feet — a true family moment.
As their vows were sealed and the rings exchanged, Best Day of My Life by Imagine Dragons played, and the newlyweds made their happy exit, hand in hand, under a shower of rose-petal confetti. Waiting for them at the end of the aisle were two glasses of cava — a quiet moment to soak it all in — before they led guests into the next chapter of the day.
While friends and family headed toward the drinks reception, complete with a mojito bar and lively music, Andria and Dylan stayed behind for a few quiet minutes of photos with their bridal party and parents — capturing the emotion, the laughter, and the magic of that just-married feeling.
Drinks Reception – A Toast on the Terrace
Following the emotive ceremony, guests made their way to the drinks reception held on a classic Spanish-style terrace, perched high above the countryside. With panoramic views stretching across the rolling Andalusian hills, the setting couldn’t have been more picturesque. The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow as everyone settled in, drinks in hand, soaking up the atmosphere.
A vibrant selection of beverages — from soft drinks and beer to wine, tinto de verano, and chilled water — kept guests refreshed, while an array of Spanish-inspired canapés offered a true taste of the region. Highlights included avocado hummus topped with crispy chickpeas and smoky pimentón, strawberry salmorejo finished with goat cheese, couscous cups laced with broccoli and curry-spiced kikos, and delicate smoked mackerel blinis. Each bite was a delicious nod to local flavours, adding to the laid-back, festive vibe of the afternoon.
As laughter echoed across the terrace and conversations unfolded in every corner, family photos were quietly being captured — a mix of posed portraits and candid moments that reflected the warmth and connection of the day.
Just before dinner, as the sun began its slow descent, Andria and Dylan slipped away for a few private minutes together. In a quiet corner of the cortijo, they toasted with glasses of Cava and shared a few bites from their canapé spread — a moment to breathe, reflect, and enjoy each other before rejoining their guests.
Soon after, the call for dinner was made, and the terrace began to shift once more — from sun-soaked reception to elegant evening banquet, as the next chapter of the celebration awaited.
Dinner – Celebrations on the Mirador Terrace
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, guests were invited to take their seats on the mirador terrace — a stunning covered lookout that combined the charm of rustic Spain with sweeping views of the surrounding hills. The atmosphere shifted to full celebration mode as the evening’s festivities kicked off with unforgettable entrances from the wedding party.
The bridesmaids set the tone, dancing their way in to Crazy in Love by Beyoncé, followed by the groomsmen making a dramatic yet fun entrance to Eye of the Tiger — complete with fist pumps and plenty of laughs. Then came the grand moment: Andria and Dylan burst onto the terrace hand in hand, smoke bombs in their signature colours trailing behind them, as I Came Here for Love filled the air. Guests leapt to their feet, cheering and waving napkins overhead — pure joy and high energy from the very first beat.
With everyone seated and spirits soaring, wine and water were poured and the dinner experience began. The meal showcased some of the region’s finest ingredients, thoughtfully curated for both meat lovers and vegetarians alike. Starters included a vol-au-vent filled with rich, creamy chicken and mushroom soup or, for the vegetarian option, an elegant avocado and mango timbale served with white asparagus and a zesty mango vinaigrette.
For the main course, guests chose between a perfectly cooked Simmental beef fillet drizzled with PX jus and accompanied by a potato cake, tender broccoli, and baby carrots — or a delicate cod loin topped with mango pil-pil sauce, resting on a bed of green beans. Dessert was a sweet finish to the meal: either a flaky butter and apple puff pastry tart with a scoop of dulce de leche ice cream or a decadent chocolate ingot served with tangy passion fruit.
Between courses, guests were treated to heartfelt speeches — filled with laughter, tears, and a few surprises. Loved ones shared memories, toasted the newlyweds, and added an emotional layer to the evening’s celebration.
As the final plates were cleared, the golden hour beckoned. Andria and Dylan slipped away once more, this time with their photographers in tow, to capture sunset portraits bathed in the soft Andalusian light. Meanwhile, dessert was served and preparations began for the dance floor, with the candy cart being rolled into place and DJ Fuller arriving to set the evening’s soundtrack.
It was a dinner full of flavour, fun, and emotion — the perfect lead-in to a night of dancing, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
The Party – Dancing the Night Away
As twilight gave way to starry skies, the terrace transformed once again — this time into a buzzing dance floor ready for the night’s next chapter. With DJ Fuller at the decks and a live violinist adding an electric edge, the music spilled out into the warm evening air, setting the tone for a celebration that would go long into the night.
Andria reappeared, now in a chic white jumpsuit — elegant, modern, and made for movement — ready to dance the night away. The party officially kicked off with a sweet father-daughter dance between Andria and her dad, Derek, followed by the couple’s first dance. Instead of a slow sway, they surprised everyone with an upbeat wedding mix that had guests cheering and clapping — and just like that, the dance floor was open.
Drinks flowed from the bar, sweet treats awaited at the superior candy cart and laughter echoed around the cortijo. A photobooth added even more fun to the night — a revolving door of feather boas, oversized sunglasses, and hilarious poses, with photo strips offering the perfect take-home memento.
As the evening rolled on, DJ Fuller moved his setup indoors, bringing disco lights into play for the late-night crowd. The energy never dipped, especially when trays of mini hamburgers made their way around as a much-welcomed late-night snack — refuelling the dancers and keeping the vibe going strong.
Even as the clock ticked toward 2:30am and the final coach waited to return guests to Nerja, the mood was still electric — a sign of a night well-lived and a wedding well-loved.
But the story didn’t end there. The following afternoon, guests reassembled back at the cortijo for a relaxed BBQ lunch by the pool. It was the perfect wind-down: sun-drenched, laughter-filled, and soaked in gratitude, with everyone reminiscing about the magic of the day before.
A heartfelt thank you to Andria and Dylan for letting us be part of such a joyful, love-filled celebration. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness — and to never forgetting the party that started it all. Of course, a huge thank you to Pedro Bellido for capturing every moment so beautifully, and to all of our suppliers whose professionalism and hard work helped bring the day to life. We couldn’t have done it without you.
