I get a lot of emails from brides asking whether certain places in Spain are a “good” place to marry, and the answer really depends on you, the Bride… A wedding photographer or a wedding videographer will be able to use the light and locations to make you guys look gorgeous, so there aren’t really any “bad” wedding venues in Southern Spain…

However, to help you see some options, I am sharing some wedding venues and ideas that I have found particularly attractive in the past – and it is certainly worth considering getting your passport out and “popping” over to Gibraltar as a possibility for your wedding ceremony – certainly if you want to do the legal part of your wedding a day or two before your wedding blessing and reception party (Talk to your wedding planner further about the legalities of your wedding in Spain).

This wedding video I am sharing with you took place on the Rock of Gibraltar. It was a pleasure to make a wedding film for a particularly lovely couple who even had a police escort! They married with a full church service in Gib and then crossed the border into Spain and celebrated their wedding reception in the San Roque Club in Sotogrande – you may notice in their wedding video that you always get lucky in Spain with the weather! Even on one of the very few and unlucky days when there is a bit of drizzle – it always seems to magically clear up and become sunny in time for your ceremony!

If Playback stutters, press Pause and let the movie download. Then hit Play for smooth viewing.

When you are thinking about the venue where you may want to marry in Southern Spain, it can seem like you have to choose between the beautiful inland villages of the mountains or the sandy mediterranean beaches… But in fact there are some stunning wedding venues that bring the authentic rustic Spanish style home to the coast, and specifically to Marbella. This can be a wonderful “best of both worlds” scenario, not only for your wedding party, but also for your photographer – as one can choose to “pop down” to the beach for some additional wedding photographs (and a dip in the sea for the more wild bride!!!)

The spanish word for a luxury country home is Cortijo or Finca. And there are several within reach of San Pedro, Marbella, La Zagaleta, Sotogrande… Two of my favourites are here below, so definitely worth a visit – I mean if you aren’t popping over to Spain for weekend “research” trips in preparation for your wedding, surely it is time to start?! The only thing with a Cortijo wedding is that you might want to prepare before the ceremony at another location, as this option sometimes isn’t available… But the advantage to this is you get to make a grand entrance!

The Finca Cortijo La Perdiz in Cancelada, between Marbella and Estepona, is a gorgeous venue for a family wedding in Andalucia…

To see more of my wedding photographs at Cortijo La Perdiz, just click here.

Another one of my all time favourites is the Finca La Concepcion, near Marbella which is a lovely setting for your marriage ceremony and reception on the Costa del Sol.

To see more of my wedding photography at Finca La Concepcion, see here and to view wedding videography click here.

I got to thinking about Bridesmaids after watching the movie of the same name… For a wedding photographer – not just in Spain, but anywhere – Bridesmaids are a dream – they look great, have fun, and take care of YOU – the star of the day – what’s not to love?

The film “Bridesmaids” is a humorous look at what can happen between best friends in the build up to a wedding, and made me think about what is important for a bridesmaid (to help her friend) on the big day. She is there at all the key events as you prepare to come to your wedding in Spain, but on the morning of the wedding day a Maid of Honour, or Bridesmaid can make the difference to your whole wedding! And so, how is it different in Spain to your home town? Well, just as at any  wedding, the bride is always in demand… One thing that a brilliant bridesmaid can do, is be her friend’s advocate. Everyone has last minute questions for the bride on the morning of the wedding, from vendors to family members, so a Bridesmaid who can hold on to the Bride’s cell phone, and who can answer as many questions as possible is worth her weight in gold! This can really allow the Bride to enjoy herself as she gets ready, and to focus on the day…

It did occur to me that perhaps I should put together a video trailer of “Bridesmaids Moments” at weddings in Spain that I have photographed and videoed – it would be a video that is altogether more gooey! I have seen so many bridesmaids moments that show how friendship is amazing between women. Especially when a Bride is getting ready – whether in her hotel, or a country villa – her bridesmaids are there as the nerves build, as the emotion grows – and there is often a Bridesmaid’s voice of sanity declaring “Time to open a bottle of Bubbly” and laughter fills the room…

Because let’s face it, Girls wanna have fun! And I think that is maybe why us photographers love that – Girls having fun makes for great wedding photographs! So, important question of the day. Have you got enough Bridesmaids to make you happy?

There is no age limit when you are choosing your bridesmaids! Children in the wedding party always look amazing, and young bridesmaids love the chance to be dressed up and made up like their grown-up counterparts! And they will make everybody happy as they play, run and dance and generally are ridiculously cute. If it is a beach wedding, children are fabulous for being the first to take their shoes off and show everyone how to party!

Really fab bridesmaids find the Bride and Groom (even on a romantic wander with their wedding photographer through Spanish landscapes) and bring Champers! Yay!

The movie poster for the film, Bridesmaids. I love the attitude in this pose – it is like the “Anti-Wedding” pose. Very Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Whilst sending out those wedding invites and working out how many guests are coming to your destination wedding in Spain, you wake up one morning and think to yourself, “What about my dress?!!!” I mean, unless you are having it made in Spain, it needs to come with you to the wedding…

So, your wedding photographer (hello!) has already let you know that the bridal details are to be photographed on the morning of your wedding – your dress, shoes and all the special treasures you are thinking about now – and when you put that dress on, it is going to be perfect – this is the moment when it becomes real. That is the  moment when you know you are getting married today. Most likely your father will come and see you, ready to be given away, and then there is your walk down the aisle, and all eyes are upon you… and your dress.

And so, there is a very simple Plus One to remember when booking flights! The dress needs a seat on the plane too…

And for those of you who are truly decadent (you know who you are!) you might even need two seats on the plane… Because the dresses are just so beautiful, who wouldn’t want one for the daytime and another for the evening? Because when you’re gonna do something right, you’re gonna do it in STYLE.

So, you are going to look gorgeous, and so is your dress. Can’t wait to see!

At the weekend it was the  one year anniversary since us Brits in Spain were glued to the telebox watching the wild fascinators at the royal wedding of Kate and Will. As a wedding photographer myself, I remember laughing as I noticed that wedding photographers need their mums, just like everyone else in the world!

Building up to the Wedding of the Century (as it was called) last year, there was of course rivalry to get this prestigious wedding photography gig.  Mario Testino was the favourite – a fashion photographer who not only took the last pictures of Diana, he also shot Kate and Will’s engagement shoot. But he was snubbed in favour of Hugo Burnand, celebrity photographer, whose style is altogether different.  Whilst Testino was a bit naughty – he disobeyed the Westminster Abbey no camera rule – he snuk a camera in to take his own pictures (Oi vey!) Hugo Burnand was a star – he arrived at the palace on a bicycle, and he brought his mum! I just love that Hugo wanted his 71 year old mother, Ursy Burnand there as a vital member of his team. I mean, a wedding is a family affair, right?

When I did my first weddings I asked my own mum to come with me to shoot – at the time I thought maybe I was just being a big wuss, but after Kate and Will’s wedding I feel that I am in good company! In my case she is the best photographer I know. So in the spirit of a wedding, isn’t it a day for mothers and children and a time for Experience to hand her wisdom to Youth… Or to put it another way, when the pressure is on, who wants their mum?

This was a formal wedding in Marbella that was one of my first, and just like the royal wedding photographers, my mum came with me!

So Shakespeare has a good question there!  But joking apart, one of the first decisions that you make for your wedding in Spain is your venue – whether you want to be at the beach of the Costa del Sol, in a spanish village like the white towns of Cadiz, or on a snow-peaked mountain of the Sierra Nevada in Granada…

The amazing choices for wedding venues on offer can be overwhelming, and this is just in Andalucia I am talking about!

Alongside the stunning Churches in Seville and Malaga, we have cortijos and fincas for smaller wedding parties all over the region. So looking at whether one should “Beach it” or not – there are gorgeous locations I can share with you that I have photographed weddings at…

One wedding venue in Spain I love is the stunning golf resort, Arcos Gardens, in Arcos La Frontera. It is in the Cadiz province, which borders Malaga here in Andalusia… I drove up with my team and it is really beautiful as you arrive in the region, and feel like you are in the “real” Spain. If you are looking for a luxury resort in the countryside, then it might be just the place for you!If you are planning your wedding in Spain and dream of warm sand underneath your feet, then perhaps you are drawn to the sea. Yes, if you long for a walk along the beach for some intimate moments following your wedding ceremony, then there are many options on the Costa del Sol, but one that is as old and prestigious as Marbella itself is the Marbella Club. The word Marbella actually translates as Beautiful Sea (Mar is Sea, and Bella is Beautiful!) and the wonderful thing about many of our hotels along the coast is that one can just wander down to the Med in your wedding dress (although, your groom could carry you!) and the two of you can have a romantic sunlit wander whilst your happy wedding photographer gets those dreamy shots that will make your album so memorable…

Paula and Alan’s wedding was epic – and here are just some of the video highlights of an incredible wedding day, full of amazing events at the Villa Padierna in Cancelada, Marbella, Spain…

Thanks to my team for their hard work, both on the shoot and in post-production… And thanks to Paula for being so stunning (!) And, well if I am honest, I still love the pink on Alan too. Just press play on the video below.

If Playback stutters, press Pause and let the movie download. Then hit Play for smooth viewing.

Now that the Christmas holidays are over, it’s that time for planning and pinning down the details of your wedding… It’s the perfect moment for me to invite the gorgeous wedding coordinator, Heather Sadtler of Fiestasol Weddings to share some tips on choosing your photographer… Here’s what she has to say:

Wedding photography is the legacy of your day, and will be the one lasting physical memento that will be a part of your life forever. Your wedding album will produce tears, laughs and nostalgia and, as a result, should always be considered with a great deal of care and attention. As a coordinator, I always try and help my clients see the big picture, particularly when they are feeling overwhelmed and focused on the minutiae and practicalities of wedding planning. When it is all over, and the last guests have gone home, what will you still have to look forward to? The photographs, of course.

With these points in mind, this is my guide to choosing the right photographer for you:

The starting point is looking at websites. Many brides and grooms have little experience with photography and sometimes do not know what to look out for. I would say, look for images that make you feel something. It is as simple as that. Like falling in love, your emotional response is the key factor!

Picking your photographer is the beginning of an important relationship. Your photographer will want a personal introduction before the wedding, as you will need to feel comfortable with the person who is capturing this important day. Get to know your wedding photographer – you can see an introduction on their website, you can chat on the phone, you can correspond by email, and if you are so inclined there are many social media options too to help you see if this is a good match for you… The personality of your photographer will affect how comfortable you feel on the day and how your final images are… You know whether you are someone who is quite shy, or if you have an exuberant personality – well, photographers have personalities too, and you want someone who gets on with you, the bride, but also with your partner and family – someone who understands how to make you feel at ease.

A wedding photographer needs to be organised administratively as this is a business transaction. Be wary of those who do not offer formal contracts, ask for deposits or advise on the finer details such as copywrite, buying images and albums and seeing your images online.

Manage expectations – photographers may include a limited number of hours in their different photography packages. Your photographer can contribute to firming up your timetable in advance so everything is covered on the wedding day. A good relationship between photographer and wedding coordinator helps this.

There really is nothing worse than a bride and groom who are disappointed by their wedding photography – the chance has gone forever, so DO trust your heart – if a website of wedding photographs fills you with emotion, this is an important pointer, as you are likely to love the images of your own wedding day even more. And DO trust your head – Wherever possible, ask for references or advice from your wedding planner,  other local suppliers or former brides.

The same thought process applies to wedding videography and is one of the areas that is most unwisely overlooked, I feel. Some clients have the mistaken impression that they will be made to feel self-conscious, but these days, this is far from the case. A good team will be discreet and capture the action in a natural way. Your videographer and photographer will work together to make sure that your wedding guests don’t notice any cameras, and yet the coverage is complete and misses nothing.

In my career, I have organised over 200 weddings, but never tire of looking at beautiful wedding images. There is nothing like an event like this to bring out the whole spectrum of human emotion, love and family dynamics. Relax and enjoy having your photo taken, most of the time you wont even realise it is happening!

Heather Sadtler is the Director of Fiestasol Weddings & Events www.fiestasol.com

It was a beautiful wedding day for Sandra and Bruno in Ronda, as they both prepared at the Parador with nerves increasing as the big moment drew closer… The ceremony took place at the Cathedral Santa Maria La Mayor… and it was very moving… Then we headed up to the celebration venue, Cortijo Salinas which overlooks the lake…  A stunning place.  Fantastic speeches, an amazing night. It was a pleasure to see how the couple cherish each other and are cherished by their friends in turn. The party was a very international affair –  loved ones had flown in from all over the world to be with the couple… and there were amazing spectacles, including a display of flamenco horses.

Time flew past. Day became night… Hope you love the wedding video highlights below.

Many congratulations to the newlyweds from Becky and the gang.

x

Ramu and Sophia were married at the sumptuous Villa Padierna Palace Hotel in Benahavis, Marbella. I was delighted to photograph their day and to get to know the two amazing families and be part of a unique and beautiful family gathering… Wow, what an evening full of dancing and emotion!

Both Sophia and Ramu prepared in suites at the hotel, with their close family being there to support them. Then the romantic ceremony took place on the lawn…

Lizzie Marriage read a beautiful service, followed by a seamless day, with elegant cocktails, guests having fun, families mingling and chatting in the mellow sunshine… Patricia at the Villa Padierna looked after everyone beautifully.

The evening was an unusual one for me, with dancing to start the celebration, and dances between courses… It was a great night with moving speeches and a real international feel as different nationalities came together and congratulated the newlyweds…

Big thanks to Sophia and to Ramu and both your families, and hoping you love the slideshow!

Congratulations to the newlyweds! xxx Hugs to all of you from Becky

Amazingly gorgeous wedding! Amazingly Gorgeous People! Fran and Mark so beautiful, (both of them in fact!)

I started photographing Fran at Casa Fortuna, with my trusty assistant, Katie, and it was great to capture the build up of nerves and excitement as the girls got ready… Then we headed over to the wedding venue, the stunning Finca La Concepcion in Marbella. It was a beautiful day, and I was delighted to capture it for Fran and Mark.

Emotions ran high for everyone, and Mark may have been seen to shed a tear (or two… or three…) as it was love in the air, and I think everyone there, including me, was very moved by his speech. The party rocked - and everyone had a great time.

It was a pleasure to work with the brilliantly talented wedding coordinator Heather and her Fiestasol posse, and Fiestasol Catering was delicious, as ever.  Ian Preston did a fantastic job of keeping everyone on the dancefloor, and it was a wonderful wedding.

Just hit play on the slideshow at the bottom of these images… Hugs to Fran and Mark! xx

There is a lovely spread in the irish celebrity magazine, VIP, of the gorgeous wedding I shot at the Villa Padierna in Marbella earlier this summer. It was the stunning marriage of Leonard Kane and Paula Leonard this summer, and you can see more images from the day here.