Planning a wedding in Ibiza

Ah, Ibizalovin, I'm at pretty much same stage as you! Lots of Etsy/Cox & Cox deliveries, so exciting!

Very annoying about guests not booking. We've got 64 guests booked now, but think that's probably it. Unless a few stragglers book at last minute! You can only advise them the best you can, it's up to them to do what they want with that information. I feel your pain though!

I'm in such a panic about wedding shoes! I currently have two pairs. I bought a lovely pair of ivory heels, but there's no way I'll be able to wear them all day, so I bought a pair of ivory flat sandals. Thing is, if I switch to the flats in the evening, my dress will be way too long! Maybe a mid-height pair of heels that I can wear all day is the answer. So confusing! Part of me just wants to wear flats the whole day and be comfy (it is on a beach after all!) but people keep telling me I HAVE to wear the heels! Argh!

Hello.

I had the same dilemma when i got married in Ibiza so i went for the mid heel for the ceremony and the meal and then flats for the party. Yes my dress was a little long but by this point no one really cared or noticed ... Good luck x x

I'm pretty much sorted with all the main things like you ladies. Although my h2b wants to lose some weight before we buy his suit, so we are leaving that until the last minute. Not ideal as I have OCD but there ya go!!

I'vd packed loads of decorations off to my mum so she can split them up betwee my immediately family, hopefully it'll all make it there in one piece!

Ive still to make menus for the tables and any other day stationery, I made my confetti pouches the other day which was a lovely job. Left my dining room looking like a florists though!

Had my first dress fitting on Friday which went *ok* I hoped it would be too big as I've lost a bit of weight, but instead it was too small round my boobies! So I've either got to go braless, or lose some boobage!!!

Anyway, I'm mega excited now, seriously cannot wait! Had 68 RSVPs back now and expecting another few. I'm glad that a few people have declined, how awful am I? But it saves us 130 euro per head!

Snap, snap, snap, and guess what? Snap!!! ? We are basically wedding twins!!!

Although I am June 25th 2012! Which is, GULP, not long away now!!! ?

I am having some of Vikkis deco, but I am buying/making some of my own. I am taking white wicker hearts to hang and for pew ends, I am taking my own paper tissue pompoms to hang around the place, I am taking a couple of my own wedding signs, and I am hanging my table plan in the tree with crystals to weigh it down.

I am having Eat Ibiza do the lanterns as they are too big to take, the candles as they can go in the pool and around the gardens without fire risk, and my flowers. I'm not having flowers on the table as they're too expensive, so I am just having the free hurricane vases filled with a candle and sand.

I am taking fans as favours for the ladies, and might buy mini bottles of hierbas once we are there too.

.

Hi Laura - I hear you about everything costing a fortune...! I made my own save the dates and invitations. A good place to start is www.etsy.com - I looked around until I found a (simple) design that I liked, then I set out to make my own version. You can download images (vectors, clipart and illustrations) from lots of websites - I used iStockphoto.com but there are loads of others out there, including http://www.oneheartweddings.com/ which has lots of clip art.

Then you need fonts...you can get lots of nice fonts free online. I found mine on dafont.com

When you've got a font and an image....you've pretty much got an invite! You'll need photoshop or another good editing package to lay it all out - or ask a friend who knows how to do these things.

If you're still struggling, you could download a completely free DIY set online, which includes save the dates, invites, everything, all in one theme. I like some of the ones on this site https://www.loveandlavender.com/downloads/

Good luck! Doing the invites drove me MAD but I'm glad I did it - saved us lots of money, and I've since made place settings, menus and everything in the same theme.

Has anyone else felt frustrated by invited guests?! I sent save the dates so people knew they were invited 10 months ahead of the wedding. I also made a website that has up to date prices and advise etc for everyone. But people contact me as if i'm a travel agent. I said I think the flights will get cheaper since they are £300 with RyanAir that week.... and all I get is people contacting me like, WHY havent the prices gone down yet, WHEN will they be going down?!

I also had said what apartments we would recommend and would be staying in ourselves, and gave them the current price and info if they also want to stay there. Some have booked already, but another guest contacted me today to say they have just doubled in price that week! Which they have, but again.... I can't force people when to book!

Organising other people's holiday is turning out to be the most stressful part of the wedding process!

Nail on the head Deb! I feel the same way, at first I was really frustrated and upset when people said they now cant afford it as its too expensive... it WASNT when I told you to book months ago... but really am starting to get over it.

I wish they could all come but its not my job to sort it out and we need to focus on enjoying our day with the people there who could make it. Its terrible too but every no or non book is about a £100 saving per head so its actually quite helpful ?

Yes Im the same. Anyone that I already know isn't coming I just say, oh well saved another £100!!

Wow! You're getting married on Ibiza! Can you please send me the details after your wedding. And how much does it costs? Thanks!

Hi Laura

For some reason I can't reply to your email, which is very frustrating! So I'll have to bore everyone else with the details of my wedding now.

We are also getting married on a Monday, we actually wanted a Sunday but Vickki was already booked that day.

We are having the sit down meal, we still aren't certain if we've made the right choice, but tbh we just had to make a decision! We really wanted the BBQ as we thought it would be something a litlle different for our guests, but when we weighed up the pros and cons we decided to go for the sit down meal. We thought it seemed like it offered better value for money but really it was a close call. We've chosen the seabass and the fillet of beef as our main choices.

With regards to booze, we are paying her per head cost for a free bar. We really ummed and ahhed about this too, as really we wanted to buy our own booze to make it cheaper. In the end I couldn't be bothered with the hassle, as you end up still paying them to serve it and chill it etc.

As for the wicker hearts, I bought them ages ago from a shop in Didsbury. They were £1.50 each and I bought loads of them on the spot, I went in the next week and they were 7.50!!!! So I got a bargain. I've since seem them in John Lewis and Next and they are exactly the same ones. I'd look on ebay, I might even sell mine after the big day so you could possibly buy them?

Hair and Makeup- I'm having smack. I met both Belissima and smack and TBH just preferred smack as they seemed more modern in their approach. Both were lovely though. I know Beezwax recommended someone the other day, and I think Ana Lui has someone on her website that she recommends too. So maybe ask her?

I think that's all your questions, but if I've forgotten anything then let me know. ?

Hi LauraOZ,

We have plenty of supermarkets on the Island, there is no need to go to 'cash and carry' warehouses as they are not really any cheaper now that the large supermarkets have moved in. Lidl is excellent value for wines, cava's etc. The only problem you will face will be getting your drinks 'cold'. You can buy large bags of ice - around 30euros per bag which would be helpful.

Another point in general to all you couples, if possible don't book a venue until you have been to look...... there are literally hundreds of places to choose from AND MOST ARE EXCELLENT. Unfortunately many are not in the 'lime light' on the internet, which is the only viewing/ selling point for Ibiza brides.

Enjoy your planning and build up, it is an exciting time of your lives.

Eileen

www.ibizacakes.com

TBH, this worried me for ages. Everyone wants to be paid in cash to avoid the IVA tax, so we were having a bit of a headache about it. We've worked it out and between myself, my OH, my mum and my dad we need to take less than 5k per person. So that is what we are doing. Not ideal clearly, but ot saves us a few thousand.

We are having Beezwax DJ, we have my 87 year old granny going so I'm hoping it's not too much for her. I imagine that some people wont dance anyway, so I can't hink it'll be that much of a problem.

With booze, I can have a look at prices when I'm there in June and let you know? We'll be buying booze for the villa anyway so it's no big deal. WE normally do a big shop when we first arrive, of food mainly but also beer, wine, sangria and spirits! I don't plan on buying booze for after 12/1 on the day of the wedding as we're booking transport home for everyone.

Food wise, we aren't having the ceremony until 4, so bruschetta canapes after, and then sit down meal at about 6.30 ish. I don't think people need to eat again so we aren't doing anything else.

Hi all - random question - when is everyone planning to do their speeches? I have no idea if they when they are supposed to start -before the meal, before the dessert, afterwards?!

Obviously I've been to loads of weddings but I seem to be having a brain fug about this...!

Thanks

Traditionally they're done after the meal, after dessert has been cleared away. But we're having ours before the meal to get them out of the way, otherwise the boys will be really nervous! This way they can do them and then properly enjoy their dinner!

Hi Laura!

I'm having a church ceremony at San Carlos at 5pm, drinks on the lawn outside till 6.30, then we'll transport all our guests to the reception venue Pura Vida for 7pm. We've got drinks and canapes, then dinner will be at 8. We're having a couple called Sam and Johnny, who are helping us sort out the church, do the music as well. So I think it'll be fairly standard wedding DJ-ing. We've also got lots of different ages coming, so having a house DJ wasn't an option. To be honest I love a bit of cheesy pop anyway!

Smack are doing my make-up (my friend who is a hairdresser is doing my hair) and I'm having a trial when I go over in May for the food tasting (wedding in August). Doesn't bother me that Dave will see my make-up. It'll be similar to how I normally wear my make-up so won't make a difference. It's only bad luck for him to see you in your entire outfit, dress and all, so I wouldn't worry about washing it off!! You need to see how your make-up lasts, so I'd keep it on if I were you!

Money-wise, we're paying in cash so will just transfer the money into euros before we go and bring it over with us. Simples! xx

I'd strongly recommend going against tradition and doing them before the meal. weddings in ibiza never run on time and the speeches often delay the dessert and the party ;-)

it's even nice to separate them before/between courses if you can....

We're doing ours before the meal too.

O.M.G!!! LOOK AT MY TICKER!! WOOP!!!!! ?????????????????

We are also paying most suppliers in cash, it has/is a bit tricky making sure we have enough drawn and that everyone is carrying some ? I am actually trying to persuade some people to let me pay portions in cash to save us the 18% too

Laura I know you are DIYing your wedding but I totally reccomend contacting Tiff Aldred for any question/support you need. She is the only wedding planner/coordinator who only charges for what she does and is so reasonably priced. Shes been great for us so far!

Tres exciting!! xxxxxx

Indeed!!!!! I bet you're mega excited!!!!!!!!! ? Is everything sorted now IL?

Hello to you all. I am just at the beginning stages in fact we still haven't decided on location yet. Ibiza is at the top so far and i am just trying to see what will be the cheapest. We are moving into a new house next year so we have allocated 5k max for our wedding. My idea so far is to rent a big villa and have the ceremony and reception there. We will have 30 adults and a possible 15 children and thats as small as we can make it. Do any of you have any suggestions for what would be best in Ibiza and if any of you could recommend any caterers, Djs that would be great please. I'd love to hear some of your plans. xx

Hi there.

Great to hear about other Ibizan wedding plans. Ours in only 8 weeks now!

I was wondering if I could ask for some advice.

We are happy the reception at a restaurant, but they have not included service in the pricing. They told us it's up to us what we want to pay to the staff on the day.

I imagine the service will be fine. Any thoughts on what % I should pay? Was thinking a % on food and drink that I pay for which will be about 7k.

Regarding a bbq, our hotel got cancelled a few weeks back, so we decided to get a villa for a few days and have organised caterers to come in and do a BBq for us the night after the wedding.

Nick in Ibiza Hire has been really easy to deal with and is really competitive. My father in law is a caterer and was going to do it himself but the price wasn;t much higher than what he thought it would cost. Nick can provide other equipment too.

Exciting times!

T

Hi everyone

I've just found this forum and it's interesting to read everyones ideas!

I'm getting married in 2014 so I have a while to plan. I kind of have a few ideas already:

I definitely want a wedding blessing in Es Cubells church. i've not been there as of yet but will be having a look this year but I've travelled there on google earth and also looked at pictures and it seems it has a lovely location. I also like the way it looks

I'm a bit unsure about the reception so far. My first choice is Cas Mila as it seems cheaper than other choices leaving me with more money for entertainment and decorations. I've heard excellent reviews about the food and I'm going to try it out myself later this year. The location looks stunning too - my only concern really is music policy and would there be a strict 12 o'clock music off policy. Also what is the deal with the DJ, do we bring our own or do they have one there? i'm going to be very fussy with music as I am big into clubbing but also have a very eclectic taste so there are particular songs I would want and also a choice for my guests too! Does anyone know how much drinks are at the bar of this restaraunt?

My other choice is to hire out a villa for the reception only using the caterers eat ibiza. The only issue with this is I would only want the villa for the day and I'm not sure if this is possible?

Then I had some other choices such as an evening at Villa Mercedes but I heard that the food is expensive and average. I quite like the idea of being in a place which isnt completely shut down for my wedding and has a bit going on as well!

.....also if anyone can give me ideas of overall cost breaking it down to how much for what that would be fab as I have no idea how much to budget! (will be for about 30 people)

Jojo x

Hi Jojo,

I've done a few weddings at Cas Mila and I think it's a lovely venue. The staff and owners are really attentive and the food is nice too.

They are pretty strict with the music but not as strict as the eat villa weddings - I have a couple of those this year and it's music right down at midnight with no exceptions apparently.

You can plan your own wedding at Cas Mila, but most people use Candi who is their first choice for English weddings and she does a great job. Candi offers several packages including all the services, entertainment and decoration, but she is flexible if you want to choose your own photographer or DJ etc.

The DJ in the standard package is Candi's son I think and he also supplies the equipment. I offer similar options myself so there are always a few weddings where I do the music and Candi takes care of the rest, usually because I've been recommended, or because the couple have chosen me as the DJ before they have chosen the venue.

I'm not sure how things work at Villa Mercedes but I have DJ'd there before and it's really nice. I know the owners and my friend sings there most weeks in the summer so I can try and find out a bit more for you if you like?

Good luck with the planning :-)

b.

Yes some info on Villa mercedes would be great thanks =) it would be a party of approximately 30 with a few small kids but not many and some older. What is the deal with music there do you just get whats on at the time? My fiance has family in Ibiza so I'm trying to do as much planning myself and then when I get better ideas ask them to liase with people hopefully to get a bit of a better deal! when you say they are pretty strict how strict do you mean (lol) as music is very impprtant to me and would really be the decider if it comes to it as I've noticed Pura Vida has music quite late according to some here! Also can you message me some info about yourself and prices please (if there is an inbox function here or I can send you my email?) soI get an idea. I'm very fussy with my music though and I'd want a pretty strict playlist! Thanks for your help =) Jojo

Hi Beezwax,

When we spoke to Vicky she said music coupld be played until 1:00am. Has she told you different for your upcoming weddings? If so, please let me know so I can speak to her about it. I'm would not be very happy about being lied to. Thanks.

not sure how reliable the inbox is so it's probably best if you just email me on *****@*******.**.**

look forward to hearing from you soon :-)

which venue is yours? i'm going to go back through my emails now but i'm pretty sure i've been told by clients that everyone has to be out by 1am (on the buses etc.)

regardless, i'm sure they would stick to it if they have already agreed 1am......

they are flexible on the finish time if you have a big group, but the volume has to be extremely low as they have neighbours that they are worried about......

Can I just tell you that I'm having my wedding at Pura Vida, and I chose the venue as it was the most flexible I felt towards music. We have the speakers facing outside for dancing until 12, and then at 12 they turn the speakers inside, close the doors, and dancing moves inside. I wouldn't say that it has to be 'extremely low'. I've been assured by Alexandra there that continuing the party won't be a problem. (We have the venue till 3)

Hey Jojo, I think mercedes is part of the mambo group, so you need to contact Lucy to go and look at it. We had an appointment booked to look at it but changed our mind as it was too central.

https://www.mamboweddings.com/en/

Hope that helps.

Our buses are ordered for 1 am I think. I think what Vickki said, from memory, is that the music has to be turned down at 12, and off at 1. I could be mistaken though.

it's definitely not party level so i would advise getting the party started outside well before midnight if at all possible ;-)

i've been going through my emails and i think that's correct. music down to background/chillout level at midnight and then i have to pack everything away at 1am.....