Neil and China said “I do” at the beach in beautiful Ibiza, Spain with just close friends and family in attendance. China shared with us their story. “We wanted to marry on a beach, amongst nature. We love Ibiza – it’s a very magical place. It’s not too big travel for our guests most of whom were coming from the UK and Europe. We also thought the weather would still be better for that early Autumn than if we had organized it in the UK – turns out for the amazing week long experience we got, it was far less expensive than even just 2 days anywhere in Britain!”
This bride made a very special entrance to her beach ceremony!
We asked China how the dress was selected. “The dress was based on a 1940s dress I found in a thrift store in London. I didn’t go wedding dress shopping and it was the first and only dress I tried on – it fitted perfectly but it had sleeves and was in tatters. One of my best friends (and bridesmaids) Annemarie Sheridan, also happens to be a wonderful designer based in Paris; she worked on the design of the original dress with fellow designer, the wonderful Piotr Miklas (who specialises in making beautiful wedding / special occasion dresses) who adapted, fitted and made the dress.”
As with all weddings, especially destination weddings, weather and unforeseen circumstances can derail your plans. But in this case, the day ended as perfectly as they had hoped! “The Bride arriving 48 hours before (after wrapping on a 5 week film shoot). The epic thunder storm the night before that destroyed the beach and the wooden getty – we had to sweep by hand and wheelbarrow the night before – the owners at PK2 used a tractor to get rid of seaweed and they rebuilt the getty in one morning! PK2 who have had many weddings before were incredible and saved our bacon more than once – they made our day surpass far beyond any expectations we had and excelled in their service, rivaling any places in the UK.”
“The blessing was a mixture of different religious artifacts and the ceremony itself by the wonderful Jon-Michell was based around Native American Indian rites as well as ancient Shamanistic traditions. There is a picture of Ibiza’s Island Goddess, a glass water flask that we used in the rite.”
“Our photographer Jay has created a stunning body of work from our wedding experience over 3 days and captured the core essence of our experience- a huge thank you to him and his work.”
“There was no specific theme as such, we just wanted a relaxed, informal, yet special bohemian hippie vibe. We borrowed cultural and religious iconography from European, South American, Native American and Asian / Eastern traditions – hoping to create a universal spiritual theme of the planet’s cultures. The event was always planned to be a small, bespoke ceremony on a beach with a dinner and after party in the same location.”
“We knew we were working an ambitious idea with a very limited budget. Our budget actually ensured we had to become creative with the look and feel- we were very blessed by some amazing people who were more often than not friends of PK2 or recommended by kind souls etc. We sourced almost everything from the island itself and brought only the dresses etc with us.”
“We wanted our wedding to feel like a big celebratory party. Approaching and planning it like this saved us a lot of headaches although we still had lists for everything!”
“The fact that is was a true collaboration of kindred spirits only added to our magical experience.”
“We sincerely say that we enjoyed the whole day as it happened, moment to moment and we stayed like this until we fell asleep in one another’s arms. It was perfect. It was beyond our dreams.
We could not have done this without our remarkable friends, family. It truly was one of the best days of our lives thus far- we feel blessed to be able to acknowledge that and to the people who made this happen and were witnesses to it, all of them. They are in our lives and hearts and grow in our love as we do as a couple.”
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Destination Wedding Photographer: Jay Rowden Photography
Wedding Vendors: Ceremonial Venue and Wedding Reception: PK2 Restaurante, Playa de S´Estanyol, Brides Dress: Annemarie Sheridan & Piotr Miklaszweski, Brides Shoes: Chloe, Bridal Hair & Make Up: Leendert Van Nimwegen, Wedding Decorations & Flowers: Mother of the Bride and Leendert Van Nimwegen, Bridesmaids Dresses: Vintage Baluchi Dresses from Gallery 196 Primrose Hill, Groom Suit: Nigel Hall, Las Dalias and Birkenstock, Tibetan Jewelry and decorations:- Puchi Rial (Owner) at calle Mayor Ner 29, La Marina Ibiza Port, Wedding Celebrant: Jon Michell Fueter from Ceremon Ibiza, Flowers: Ses Flors, Floristerías, Puig d’en Valls, Traditional Cakes: Delicatessen Pasteleria Francesca Mediterranea, Villa Accommodation: Ibiza Villas 2000, Hotel Accommodation: Hostal Talamanca
