Pamela and Steven met in a local bar in 1996.  Pamela was just about to leave school to study dance and Steven was already at university studying design engineering.  In 2003 after Steven finished his PhD they moved to Spain.

The Proposal

Steven bought a beautiful diamond eternity ring from a local jeweller in Girona, but kept it aside for 3 months as he wanted to propose when they were home for Christmas with their families. He proposed on Christmas Eve in front of the tree.

Hen and Stag Parties

Pamela and Steven didn't have traditional hen and stag parties as they knew they would be having their wedding in Girona and didn't want to ask people to travel twice.

Steven went for a wine tasting session at the reception venue's restaurant a few nights before the wedding with his friends.  Pamela had a weekend in Barcelona with her local friends which turned into a four day party!

The Bride and Groom’s Outfits

Pamela’s wedding dress was by Spanish designer Rosa Clará.  She had seen the dress in a bridal magazine which she took with her to her local shop, and to her surprise they had the dress in stock so she tried it on and put a deposit down on it there and then.  She also bought her shoes and cuff from Rosa Clará.

Pamela wore a birdcage fascinator by British milliner Beth Morgan, who she contacted after hearing about her on a bridal forum.

Steven wore his own MacGregor Kilt from MacGregor and McDuff in Glasgow, with a Dolce and Gabbana jacket and modern sporran.

Flowers

Pamela and Steven chose hydrangeas as they are simple, unfussy, elegant and white.  Pamela’s bouquet was two hydrangea flowers put together, which were later separated to give to Pamela and Steven’s mothers as per the local custom.  The men wore thistles in their buttonholes and the ladies wore white wrist corsages.

The Ceremony and Reception

Pamela and Steven had a Roman Catholic ceremony in Girona Cathedral, which was taken by Steven’s university priest who travelled over from Scotland.  The ceremony was attended by ninety guests.  Before the ceremony they followed the Catalan custom where the Padrino delivers the bouquet to the bride and reads her a poem.  Steven asked his two best friends to be Padrinos.

The reception was held at Mas Marroch, a beautiful country massia (traditional house) in Girona.  Pamela and Steven chose the venue as it was so beautiful outside and the inside was very modern.  They had also received many recommendations from their friends, who had commented on how good the food was.

The Cake

Pamela and Steven didn’t know what their cake would be before the wedding; they trusted their caterers to surprise them!  The cake turned out to be a beautiful chocolate coolant cake, which is a chocolate cake filled with gooey chocolate.

The Photographer

The wedding photographer was Archibald Photography, who Pamela and Steven contacted after seeing the pictures from a friend’s wedding.  They were delighted with their photos, which showed off the architecture so well and were modern yet timeless.  Pamela particularly likes the pictures taken on the streets of Girona and the ones of them dancing at the wedding venue.

Wedding Details

At the venue there were short vases filled with hydrangeas, candles and mirrors covered in petals.  As favours they placed bags in their guests’ hotel rooms containing bottles of wine, biscuits, local guides and maps, wedding information, and the ladies were also given a white fan each with the couple’s names on it.

The Honeymoon

Pamela and Steven went to Positano for their honeymoon and stayed at Le Sirenuse, the hotel from the film ‘Only You’.  Pamela loved the film and had been to Italy when she was 17 after watching it.  “It was one of the most amazing places we have ever stayed”.

Bride’s Top Tip

“Create an ideas scrapbook.  Collect photos from magazines and put them in your book, that way you’ll have a clear idea of what you like and want.  It’s also a great keepsake for afterwards.”

Groom’s Top Tip

“Enjoy yourself and let your bride have artistic direction!”

Best Buy

“My jewellery which was from an online store called Glitzy Secrets.  They have a beautiful vintage inspired collection which is very reasonably priced.”

Money Saving Tips

“Keep a note of everything you’re spending so you don’t lose track.”

Bride’s Beauty Tips

“Don’t get anything new or radical done, you want to look like yourself.  I prepared with facials and Pilates.”

To view more fabulous pictures from this real wedding take a look at The Real Wedding of Pamela and Steven 29/06/2008 post on The Wedding Community Blog.

Photography: Archibald Photography

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