Hotel Cortijo Bravo, San Antonio Church, Frigiliana

Claire and Chris´s Wedding Day

Hotel Cortijo Bravo situated in Velez-Malaga is a stunning venue if you are looking to get married in Spain and the perfect choice for Claire and Chris to hold their wedding day celebrations. With claire´s dream of a Church wedding they were married in the San Antonio Church in Frigiliana Square.
Below are just a few of my personal favourite images and the story of their day.

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As I arrived at the Bridal suite in the Hotel Cortijo Bravo Claire was getting ready with the help of her close friends and bridesmaid. The atmosphere was relaxed as I entered the room and everyone was in great spirits. I kept in the background photographing the girls as they did their hair and makeup. With their preparation well underway I popped over to the room where Chris Was getting ready. Although already dressed it was nice to capture some photographs with him with his bestman and his Dad. While I was with them Chris opened a wedding gift from his beautiful wife to be, a wristwatch, which I think was just a big hint not to be late!!!
It is always my plan to leave about 15-20 minutes before the bride to give me time to get parked and then take some photographs of the groom and with his guests before the ceremony but on this occasion as Claire was running late and really wanted some photographs of her getting into her dress and then when her Dad first saw her, Claire took the decision for me to stay with them until they left and jump in with the bridesmaids. I was happy that Claire took this decision as I am really pleased with the photographs we got before leaving for San Antonio Church. It was a beautiful moment as Claire´s Dad saw her for the first time in her wedding dress, a moment I was so pleased to have captured.
When we arrived at the church I jumped out the car quickly to then capture Claire getting out her car and then with her bridesmaids outside of the Church. I then rushed, but calmly and quickly into the church to get a couple of quick photographs of Chris as he was waiting nervously at the front of the Church. I could see some relief in his eyes as he saw me and he knew that meant Claire was here also.
Claire looked amazing as she walked down the aisle escorted by her Dad. She was glowing as she walked and was very happy and excited as she reached husband to be Chris. Her Dad gave her hand in marriage to Chris, and kissed her check with a seal of approval of this marriage. It was an emotional service and tears of happiness were shed as Claire and Chris exchanged their vows and rings with each other. Close family members gave readings making this a very personal service. After the signing of the register the new happy married couple took their first walk together as husband and wife as they walked back up the church aisle.
After some hugs and words of congratulations I took a short walk with Claire and Chris for some portrait shots in the stunning Spanish Streets near to the Church. We had some time as the guests had about a 10 minute walk down to where the coaches were parked up and one advantage for me travelling with the bridesmaid was that I didn´t have this walk to do either, meaning extra time with the happy couple for photographs. With the temperatures souring and no breeze it was lovely to get in the air conditioned cars which the driver had kindly put on before we got into them. It was then a 20 minute drive back to Cortijo Bravo. As we drove back we passed the guests in the coaches so when we arrived back at the hotel we took a walk around the gardens for some more photographs as we knew we had some time before their guests would arrive. Claire and Chris enjoyed this time alone as they know it would be the only alone time they would get throughout the day and enjoyed talking about the day so far and of course exchanging a few kisses.
With all the guests now back at the hotel and a drink in hand the happy couple joined their guests in a drink or two and some canapés which were very much appreciated as by now the guests were getting hungry.
With dinner time nearly upon us we did a few family group shots and then headed over to the terrace where dinner was to be served. Everyone gave Claire and Chris a huge cheer as they entered the dinning area and took their seats at the top table. The father of the bride began the speeches with a lovely tribute to his daughter, followed by speeches by Chris´s Dad and Bestman and then to end a lovely speech by Chris bringing a tear to everyones eye. It was so clear to everyone how much he was in love with his new wife.
After a fantastic dinner the cake was cut and then Claire disappeared to get changed for the evening dancing. When she returned the evening celebrations began with a special choreographed first dance by Claire, which was only to be expected as she is a dance instructor. The guests all then joined in the dancing and having already been here for nearly 10 hours I stayed to captured a few songs in order to complete their story before leaving them to dance the night away, which I understand from the DJ they did just that with the dancing going on well into the early hours of the night.
A huge thank you to Claire and Chris for choosing me to capture their story. I wish them a fantastic future together.