I think one of the major reasons why we all love weddings so, so much is because everything between the Bride and Groom is new and exciting and fresh, and when two lovebirds are filled with such wonderful anticipation before the start of their marriage. And so, when I come across an anniversary shoot like this one from Miguel Varona that shows the other side of the spectrum – an inexplicable comfortableness and intimacy so beautifully captured between a Husband and Wife years after the big day – my whole world comes full circle and I am as happy as ever. Plus, we get to see all of the styling talents of one of my personal favorites, Brancoprata, all in the gallery right here.

Click here for the FULL anniversary session!

From the Bride… I am a German national married to a Spaniard, and we live in Barcelona, Spain. My husband and I had the pleasure of having our anniversary pictures taken on a lovely Sunday in May this year. The Portuguese photographers/stylists from Brancoprata teamed up with Spanish fine art wedding photographer Miguel Varona to shoot me and my husband, Oscar, in the fishermen’s village of Cadaqués, about 1.5 hours north of Barcelona. Cadaqués is a little coastal village with white houses and colorfully painted doors, a true Mediterranean gem. The Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí spent his summers there when he was young, and it is said that he discovered modern painting in Cadaqués.

When we had just started going out, my then-boyfriend/now-husband took me to Cadaqués on a mini vacation, showing me the beautiful area around Barcelona. We still cherish the memories of that first trip together, and it seemed fitting to go back to Cadaqués for our anniversary shoot almost seven years later. I feel extremely fortunate to have had such talented photographers for the day. André Teixeira from Brancoprata probably rings a bell, right? And Miguel Varona, to me, is a rising star on the international wedding photography scene. He’s got great sensibility and artistic vision.

I am lucky that I got to know the two of them through my own Spanish wedding blog (I have also just launched a second blog in English, dedicated entirely to Mediterranean weddings). The session was shot entirely on film. We kept it all very natural and very “us.” I had no professional makeup done, and we just picked up some fresh flowers at the market on our way to the location, which Sofia arranged.

Photography:André Teixeira of Brancoprata + Miguel Varona / Location: Cadaqués, Spain / Floral Design: Sofia Ferreira of Brancoprata

Brancoprata is a member of our Little Black Book, Love what you see? Take a look at their portfolios.

Brancoprata

VIEW PORTFOLIO

I simply don’t have adequate words to introduce this next wedding. The images by Jimena Roquero are too good, the scenery too beautiful, and the couple too gorgeous for me to give it the credit it deserves. A Spanish fairytale with Italian touches and a bride dressed in breathtaking Alma Aguilar…and that’s only the beginning. Get swept away by the unbelievable romance and beauty of every.single.image in the full gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Mario, my now-husband, secretly planned a trip to Venice with  my entire family as his accomplice. He proposed aboard a Venetian gondola, under the Bridge of Sighs, and we spent two magical days filled with Italian food, drinks and gelato. As you can imagine, I said yes! Italy, and especially our romantic weekend in Venice, was a great source of inspiration for our wedding. We chose the Palacio de Moratalla in Hornachuelos, Córdoba, Spain, as our venue because it reminded us of the old Tuscan villas. The catering was held by Bodegas Campos, who came up with an Italian menu (the exact same dishes Mario and I had the night we got engaged!). We also had a very special toast with bellinis, the Venetian cocktail par excellence that is composed of champagne and peach juice. The festive lighting was also inspired by the Italian restaurants at night. As for my gown, I was determined to be dressed by Alma Aguilar, so I picked one of her 2012 bridal collection designs. For the ceremony, we chose a very special location surrounded by wildlife, the little village of San Calixto, in the Hornachuelos mountains, where a cloister is located.

My favorite moment of the the night was, without a doubt, the toast and the speeches. Remembering old anecdotes of our relationship with our guests was funny yet moving, which inevitably brought that moment of laughs and tears I will remember forever! One of the things the guests certainly appreciated was the little tourist train we provided to get to the cocktail area, located at the front of the palace. During the cocktail hour, they were also able to get some “antipasti,” typical Italian appetizers.

Paloma Recio, from El Puentecillo de Cordoba, was in charge of the table decoration and flower arrangements, made out of daisies, candles and vintage lanterns. She also set up a spot with two of our parents’ old typewriters as guestbooks. We had always known what our first dance song would be — we knew it had to be the Beatles and it had to be played live! We brought in a band called Los Escarabajos; they specialize in Beatles covers. We also hung a disco ball, danced and sang to the most famous Beatles songs with our guests while enjoying gin and tonics at the open bar!

Wedding Photography: Jimena Roquero / Ceremony: San Calixto, Cordoba, Spain / Reception: Palacio de Moratalla in Hornachuelos, Cordoba, Spain / Floral Design: El Puentecillo / Catering: Bodegas Campos / Music: Los Escarabajos / Lighting: Atmosphera Eventos / Wedding Dress: Alma Aguilar / Bride’s Shoes: Pretty Ballerinas / Groom’s Suit: Lander Urquijo

If there is one thing we love in SMP land, it’s glided glitter. When that lovely piece of glittery gold goodness is in gown form, we are forced to surrender. Surrender to a wedding that makes our glitter loving hearts pitter patter and flutter all at the same time. And when this gorgeous occasion just happens to be in Spain, we are done. Speechless. All we can say is, the full gallery by Chyna Darner Photography is a must see today.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Chyna Darner Photography… The year was 2008, and the location was The Coyote Ugly Saloon in New York, not a usual hang out for either Greta or Waldo. Greta was living in New York and had friends visiting the Big Apple for the first time, so naturally, she was showing them around town. Waldo was in New York on business with coworkers who wanted to see the famous Coyote Ugly Saloon from the 2000 movie Coyote Ugly. When Waldo walked thru the swinging saloon style doors he locked eyes with Greta, and any doubts that love at first sight existed were left outside. Waldo’s male coworkers unsuccessfully petitioned Greta to dance with them. Then Waldo walked up to Greta, took her hand and led her to the dance floor. She was waiting for him. From that point on, they were almost inseparable. He had to return to London shortly thereafter, but Greta visited him within a week. After a few months of constant flights back and forth, Greta moved back to London. She had been living there the year before while attending fashion design school, but she had transferred to New York to be closer to her friends and family. 

Once Greta was back in London, Waldo was able to introduce her to his family, who mostly live in Sweden. By the time the wedding arrived, Greta had mastered Swedish well enough to give part of her wedding speech in Swedish. 

Once engaged, they decided they needed a neutral ground in Europe to have their wedding. Since Waldo is half Spanish, and the Balleric Islands are so gorgeous it was an easy choice. A destination such as Mallorca would definitely lure her friends and family from the States to attend. The events started Thursday as close friends and family arrived for the rehearsal and family dinner at Cap Rocat. On Friday night there was a pre-wedding meet and greet at Puro Beach, allowing friends and family from different continents to meet one another. The ceremony and reception on Saturday took place at Cap Rocat Hotel (a former military fortress). As a jewelry designer, Greta has a flair for design and created many custom details for the event. This included both of their rings, her earrings and several jewelry pieces worn by guests. The reception events and dancing went on well into Sunday morning.

Wedding Photography: Chyna Darner + Jennifer Low of Chyna Darner Photography / Wedding Venue: Cap Rocat in Mallorca, Spain / Event Coordination: Anfitrian / Event Styling: Greta Nelson-Alvarez (The Bride) / Floral Design + Plants: Floristeria Merce Francia / Wedding Cake + Sweets: Cupcake Sisters / Wedding Invitations + Menus: Monika Day of Paperplain / Singer: David Gee / Saxophone: Anthony Rivers / DJ: Felipe Schiefer (34 601231512) / Wedding Dress: Alison Rodger / Hair + Makeup: Mariella Morreale / Rings: Greta Nelson-Alvarez of Garbo Jewelry (The Bride — garbojewelry@yahoo.com) / Friday Night Cocktail Venue: Puro Beach