Villa El Higueron – Benalmadena
Erin and Mark´s Special Day
Private villa´s are always a great choice for a more private intimate wedding and that was just the choice for Erin and Mark. I first met them when I previously photographed Erin´s sisters wedding Shiobhan at the Don Carlos in Eliviria. Is was lovely to then be asked by Erin to photograph her wedding also.
Below are just a few of my personal favourite images and the story of their day….
As I arrived at the Villa El Higueron in Benalmadena the atmosphere was very chilled and relaxed, probably to relaxed as Erin and her bridesmaid had not even started to get ready. With a realisation of the time as they saw me everyone soon stepped up a gear and begin their preparations. Erin´s hair and make-up was done by her close sisters and it was very clear to see how close they all were as they had great fun as they got ready. With the preparations well under way I headed over to where Mark was getting ready to capture some images of the boys which naturally involved a beer or two! This is one advantage of having a villa wedding is that the boys are usually getting ready close by which means you can have coverage of them also. Leaving the boys to finish their beer I headed back to the girls to captured the final preparations and Erin putting on her dress.
Once they we all nearly ready I headed down to the ceremony area to capture some images of Mark as he waited for his Beautiful bride to arrive.
The ceremony was conducted by the lovely lizzie Marriage who was helping to keep the very Nervous Mark calm. As Erin´s bridesmaids walked down the aisle followed by his son and daughter Mark could not hide his happiness as he could not stop grinning and smiling. Erin was escorted and given away by her Mum was also beaming with smiles, you could clearly see how happy these two were to be getting married. The ceremony was very moving and was very much a personally family affair. Erin and Marks Mothers performed the lighting the candles to symbolise the joining of their two families. Their son and niece gave a fantastic reading which brought tears to everyone eyes and then their was a fantastic speech by Erin´s sisters which lead to even more tears. This was truly a lovely and personal ceremony.
Afterwards everyone headed upto the main house where canapés and drinks were being served. After a much needed drink as it was a very hot day and the temperatures had now dropped just a little, I took Erin and Mark off for a walked around the gardens for their portrait shoot. Erin and Mark enjoyed this excuse to have some time alone and just could not stop laughing and smiling the whole time. Starting to get dark now there was some time for some group family shots before sitting down for dinner prepared by fiesta sol catering.
Once dinner had finished there were more tears as Mark gave his speech followed by the best man´s speech which had everyone in fits of laughter.
The cake was then cut, followed by the first dance and then the celebrations really began as everyone danced the night away.
A huge congratulations to Erin and Mark, I wish them a lifetime full of laughter and smiles.
