Yes, it is cold and wintery outside but today we’ve just the right hit of sunshine and happiness to make your day that bit better. Rob and Yvonne chose the stunning setting of Villa Africa, Marbella for their happy occasion and it has made us all warm inside! Whilst we grab our passports for sunnier climates, have a look at their gorgeous day captured by Owen Farrell Photography.
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“Yvonne and I met some years ago as I was working as a DJ. I spotted her in the crowd, struck up a conversation at the end of the night and put on the charm! There was instant chemistry and we exchanged numbers, but I had to put her in my phone as ‘Person X’ as I hadn’t asked her her name!” explained Rob.
It didn’t take too long for the couple to both know the relationship was headed in the right direction and Rob chose a very interesting place to propose.
“We were on a return flight from New York to Dublin when I popped the question. Having been away for almost a week and having waited for the right moment it arrived at 36,000 feet in the air. Yvonne was having a little rest when I decided to put a little text on her phone. I then gave her a nudge and said that there was a message on your phone for her to read. When she unlocked the phone it read the magic words ‘Will you marry me?’ At least I knew she couldn’t do a runner! Timing is everything!” added Rob.
The couple soon decided they wanted a destination wedding and set about speaking to various wedding planners via Skype before finally choosing Lisa Franco at Bella Weddings in Spain.
“Lisa was very down to earth and knew exactly what we were after. She made everything so easy and we cant praise her enough for the great job she did. It made having a wedding abroad all the more fun having her by our side,” said Rob.
With Lisa by their side the couple headed to Marbella in Spain a year before the wedding to look at venue options. They loved the idea of holding their wedding in a private villa and Villa Africa ticked all the boxes. With the option of having a picturesque location with their own unique and personal touches added, it was the perfect spot. They booked the stunning venue and relayed their decor dreams to their decorator Michelle, a shabby chic festival vibe with lots of fairy lights and wrapped hay bales – a first for Michelle!
With their fun festival theme underway, Yvonne and Rob started to look for their bridal attire. On a bridesmaid dress mission, Yvonne accidentally came upon the wedding dress she would wear on her wedding day.
“Finding my dress was a complete accident – we were at Eden Bridal Wear in Eniscorthy for bridemaids dress shopping. While there Hilda asked me to pick out seven dresses, reluctantly I agreed. The third dress was mine, I knew nothing else was even going to come close to it for me, so that was it. The thoughts of wearing a gold leaf dress was something different to the norm so that definitely helped in the decision. I didn’t even go to any other shops as suggested! For our bridesmaids we went to Magic Moments in Carlow, where we chose mint green dresses and then a local dressmaker made two baby pink dresses to match,” explained Yvonne.
Rob knew he didn’t want to go for traditional wedding wear, especially in 30 degree heat so he went for a skinny suit by Red Herring at Debenhams. He wore slim fitting trousers with a scooped waistcoat and crisp white shirt and skinny tie.
“Our day honestly couldn’t have ran any smoother. Well, that was until Rob and the Grooms men all decided to join hands and jump, fully clothed into the swimming pool!” said Yvonne.
“My favourite moment from the entire day is simple, seeing my beautiful wife to be in her wedding dress as she came up the aisle,” said Rob.
“To come down the stairs to see our little boy Alfie was my first heart stopping moment. As I waited to walk down the aisle with my mothers hand firmly in mine, I saw Rob , turned to her and said ‘Ik, I think I’m going to cry now.’ Her reply, I wont tell, but we laughed until she got me to my groom!” added Yvonne.
Any advice for planning your wedding abroad?
Lots! Firstly, spend time choosing your wedding planner, Lisa really was our saving grace. If you are considering a destination wedding give yourself plenty of time and factor in costs associated with a few trips back and forth. Stay calm and have faith in your wedding planner to carry things off with perfection and ease – stressing out will not achieve anything!
And finally, on the day take 10 mins on your own to take it all in – it is your day after all so enjoy, enjoy, enjoy…
Wedding Suppliers
Venue: Villa Africa, Marbella, Spain.
Wedding dress: Eden Bridal Wear, Enniscorthy.
Bridesmaids dresses: Magic Moments, Carlow.
Grooms wear: Debenhams.
Photographer: Owen Farrell Photography, Marbella, Spain.
Wedding cake: Little Lola’s Cupcakes, Marbella.
Flowers: Deseo’s Florist, Puerto Banus.
Videographer: JM Wedding Cinematography.
DJ: Cullie Paul.
Band: Monkey Tennis.
Cocktail Reception Music: Quike Navarro (Electric Violinist).
Planner: Wedding Window.
Table Planner: www.toptableplanner.com.
Honeymoon: Hard Rock Hotel- Ibiza.
