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The most gorgeous cobble stone village in Marbella, Old Town Marbella, with restaurants, Tapas Bars and beautiful architecture
Wedding Planner: Sunshine Weddings Spain
Venue: Iberostar Coral Beach | Old Town Marbella Church
Rings: Prestige Diamonds, Southport
Dress: Liverpool Bridal Boutique
Shoes: Aquazzura
Grooms Suit: Hugo Boss
Bridesmaids Dresses: Jarlo London
Groomsmen Suits: M&S Autograph Collection
Video-Photo Team: Wild Love Artists
Cute Story
Our daughter Olivia was never meant to be part of our wedding, however as our wedding was postponed due to Covid, we ended up with an extra guest. We found out we were expecting her on our original wedding date, which was special.
Surprise to guests
John and I decided to keep the venue secret from our guests and managed to keep the secret for a whole 3/4 years. We loved the sheer surprise when we first set out eyes on the venue in it’s natural condition and with the extraordinary views. We also wanted somewhere that felt like it was exclusively ours to celebrate our special day. So we wanted to ensure our guests had the breath taking moment when arriving at the venue on the day. We are so glad we managed to keep that secret despite guests trying on numerous occasions to get us drunk and see if we would spill the details, because the feedback we received from all guests after the wedding was “Wow, How did you find this place, this is special”
The designer
My dress was from Liverpool Bridal Boutique @liverpoolbridalboutique and the dress was designed by Stella York
The Dress
I actually picked my dress all the way back in 2019. I had visited four bridal shops with my Mum and we still hadn’t seen the dress that made us both have that emotional “This is the dress” feeling.
We had arranged to visit Liverpool Bridal Boutique and tried an array of dresses on with still no “This is the one” feeling disheartened, Sue from the bridal shop asked me to try one more dress on, it had just come in the boutique that week and in her words “No one else has come in who would fit or suit this dress, just try it on for me”
I thought this is everything I didn’t want, lace (I was completely against lace, I thought I wanted traditional Mikado silk) the top of the dress looked too see through for me, however it did have crepe and sparkle, I would give it a go.
So I tried the dress on thinking this is not the one, and walked out to see Mum who immediately started crying, then I started crying. We had found it and had that emotional “This is the dress” and at that point we both said “Yes to the dress”
The team at Liverpool Bridal Boutique were absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend them. They made every aspect of the experience special. Our wedding was cancelled due to the pandemic and had a few life milestones in between and they were just unbelievable and helped me feel special every time we visited their boutique.
Hair and Makeup: Hair by Ashleigh & Make Up By Nicola Cuddy
Flowers: Deseos Florists, Marbella, Peonies and white roses
Decor: Deseos Florist decoration of venue and Neon Light by Lemonface Deco
Live Music
Quike with his string quartet and Alba Chantar Soprano
How did you meet
We met at the V Festival in 2010 and on the last night John decided he wanted to speak to me, however while he did he was rugby tackled to the floor by one of his friends and lost his phone. That was the end of that. We then spoke via Facebook and agreed to meet for a brief first date – To walk John’s dog Eddie on the beach. It must have gone well because then John asked me to go on a proper date and would on his days off meet me for lunch where I worked. From then on the rest is history.
How did John pop the question
We were doing our house up and living in a building site, Laura’s Dad was the builder and I asked him to go for a drink one night after he had finished working on the house to ask him if I could ask Laura to marry me. He said yes you will make two women very happy (Laura & her Mum) John then told me that he had won some incentive in work and the prize was a hotel stay in Manchester and he was waiting to see what hotel it was going to be. I was excited as we don’t win many things and thought great a weekend away from the building site just what we need. Then he says oh its The Lowry we’re staying in.
I have gone on about this hotel for years. The weather was amazing it was like being abroad. We had a fab day in a rooftop bar and had a meal booked in my favourite restaurant and then as I was getting ready, with my shower cap on I walked into the room and John was acting a bit funny and then grabbed my hand and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was over excited and said yes before I had even seen the ring!! Then John showed me the ring I had dreamt of but never imagined I would ever get! The boy did good!
The Lads
Laura decided that she wanted all the groomsmen to be in Black Dinner Suits to create a classic, timeless look, so I agreed to a dinner suit in the height of Summer in Spain!! I chose a Hugo Boss suit that was made of pure wool, which I was advised was the best material to have in the hot climate. It was a great choice.
DJ
Our own DJ we flew over, Chan who we know from back home from our clubbing days
What made you choose your venue
We loved the church, I cried the first time I walked in the church and knew this is where we are going to get married.
I was well known for the most venues viewed on our initial tour that I came out to with my Mum & Dad and John’s Mum, we visited 17 venues in total. Finca Villa Palma was the second venue we viewed and we knew this was special. It allowed us to party under the stars and was like a secret garden, and the views were breathtaking. I didn’t want a beach wedding even though we were getting married in Spain.
How did you feel as you walked down the aisle
Laura: I had felt calm and excited but was quiet most of the morning getting ready then just before my Dad was coming into the room I burst into tears and then was like right let’s go and do this. I felt so happy and excited walking down the aisle.
John: – I felt hot!!
Overall Wedding Experience
Our wedding was the best time ever, we had a good few days celebrating with our loved ones who made it so special. They are the best memories and we both felt it went better than we ever expected it to.
How was working with your planner
Use an amazing wedding planner that you get on with. Sunshine weddings were absolutely amazing and made everything run so smooth and made it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. We got on with our planning team so well that they feel like family.
Old Town Marbella
Old Town Marbella is absolutely stunning with gorgeous photo opportunities around every turn.
How was working with us as photographers
Amazing, you were so relaxed and knew what we wanted to achieve. Also in a good way we didn’t realise you were there, can’t wait to see the moments you have captured.
We strolled around Old Marbella Town taking photos
Photography Advise
Think about what photos you want and look at other weddings for ideas and images you would like to create. The day goes so quick and you forget little things so get someone who will capture those special moments you miss.
What were you most anxious about
Both John and I were anxious that we wanted everyone to have the best time ever, especially as we knew that people were spending a lot of money and time away from their children to come and spend our special day with us. We wanted to ensure they had a fab time. We have had such good feedback from everyone who was at our wedding, people have said the food was the best wedding food they have ever had and that all three days of events were amazing and every venue was special. This makes us both so happy that everyone had an amazing time. All the planning and work put into it was all worthwhile to see those smiles on everyone’s faces.
Favourite Wedding Moments
Looking around and seeing everyone enjoying themselves and dancing with everyone. We both can’t describe how grateful and happy we are that so many of our friends and family made the massive effort to travel with us to our destination wedding and spend these special days with us. They made it the best it could be.
First Dances
Our first dance was Coldplay – ‘A sky Full Of Stars’ as it reminded us of our favourite live performance we saw together Father & Daughter Dance – Frank Sinatra ‘Just The Way You Look Tonight’
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