Planning a wedding in Ibiza

We get married on the 6th oct too but at Cas mila. 3 months today!!!! How exciting!!!

We haven't saved enough yet either!!

Oh I know, i worry about the rain. But theres no way im paying the 'rain insurance'. We're having a BBQ, so I dont even know what would happen if it is raining!

Im starting my diet on monday... lol.

Congratulations! It's great that you're going out there. As soon as you get there and meet suppliers, you'll find you'll be so much more confident about booking things and will have so much better idea of what you want. Plus, everyone is so helpful about giving recommendations so things will soon fall into place.

We're getting married in San Carlos church, then reception at Pura Vida, which is in between Es Cana and Santa Eulalia. Most of our guests are staying in Es Cana, but we liked being close to Santa Eulalia too, as it's lovely there. I adored Amante, but just worked out too expensive for me unfortunately, which is why we decided to go with Pura Vida. I'm so happy with my choice though, it's worked out great all round (so far!). We've saved a lot of money, as PV don't charge a hire fee. Check out the website and email Alexandra there for more details.

I've heard nothing but praise for both Eat Ibiza and Candi, so you should definitely try to meet with both when you're there, then you can make a decision based on what's important to you – venue/cost etc. Eat Ibiza won't be able to plan for you (I don't think) unless they're catering for you though (if you're having a villa or private beach wedding for example).

Prices vary depending on what you want for flowers. You can spend as much or as little as you like – try Floral Dreams Ibiza. They'll be able to advise you. Mine are costing around £900 but we've got church arrangement, pew ends, five bouquets, table arrangements and 9 buttonholes.

Fire show = 350euro. I've heard guitarist costs around 300euro. I'm using Smack Ibiza for make-up (my friend is a hairdresser and is doing all of our hair) which costs 200euro for the day plus a trial, but I think it's the same for hair. You might be able to get this cheaper though. Transport one way for 50 guests is around 225euro. It's hard to give you a total cost, as it completely depends how much you want to do. As I said before, you can do it as cheaply or as extravagantly as you like. But mine for 70 guests at Pura Vida, dinner, free bar all evening, DJ, flowers and everything else is coming to around 10k-euro. (Not including any of the dresses/suits/rings/presents/all the other miscellaneous stuff).

You definitely won't be able to have any sort of ceremony in a church in Ibiza if you're not catholic. So the only thing for you to do I believe is do the legal part in the UK and then have a blessing (not in a church) in Ibiza. Don't stress though. You've got lots of time to figure out what you want to do. Ibiza is such a beautiful place and once you've got a venue/planner on board, things are relatively easy. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Jenny x

Snap about the rain concerns! Would be just my luck that I fly 70 people to Ibiza and it bloody rains!! We do have a contingency plan in place (Pura Vida would just move all tables inside) but it would be so gutting right!? DEEP BREATHS. I'm sure the sun will shine for all of us :-)

My diet has pretty much stalled. I lost 2stone, but can't seem to get past that. Have my final dress fitting in 6 weeks, so need to get my arse in gear!

Jx

Vickki from eat has opened a restaurant now. I can't remember the name but it's used to be called amarant. It's got amazing views out to es vedra and you'll get thd sunset there too. I can tell you that her food is just amazing and her planning skills. IlL try and find the name of it for you.

Thanks so much for all of that. I thought you could have a 'blessing' in a church - ive found a few websites which seem to say the same thing -

"The second option if you are not Catholic or do not wish to have a Catholic ceremony is to have a blessing in Church through the English speaking Anglican Church here. They offer “The Sacrament of Marriage” which is regarded as the full marriage ceremony (You make your vows and say “I do” as per a traditional ceremony). A marriage certificate is issued and your marriage will be registered in the Chaplaincy register of Holy Matrimony (this is not a legal certificate and references the civil ceremony in your home country). As with the Catholic Church there must be direct contact between yourselves and the Church with regard to the Ceremony itself"

I will email them and see what they say. Ill def put pura vida on my list - it looks amazing. Its absolutely brilliant been able to talk to ppl like you who know what you are doing!!

Ah I didn't know that... you're probably right. You'd still need to sort the legal stuff at home first, maybe that's why I thought you couldn't do it! Definitely email them to find out!!

Just looked again at pura vida website jenny - its gorgeous. you must be so excited!! When is the big day? x

Thanks hun that would be fab x

Hi giddy

Ive got the link for vickkis new restaurant for you. Honestly she is just amazing and I can't recommend her enough. The good is awesome, the planning is reaslly easy and stress free, and her team on the day are just awesome.

www.elixiribiza.com

Thanks!! x

That place looks amazing! At least I have a few to look at for when we go out in October. Its a shame im not more familiar with different parts of Ibiza but will definately be going round them all when we get there. My parents are looking after our little girl for a few days whilst were away - looks like this was a good plan - im sure she would appreciate been dragged around!!

Would not*

Im going to Elixir for my hen night in October. Can't wait! x

Hi

You definitely can do a blessing in a church if you're not Catholic....it just won't be a legal ceremony. You should get in touch with Bob the vicar at the English speaking church http://www.theibizachurch.com/ . They'll do the full marriage ceremony, all the proper I dos etc. You'll need to get married in a registry office in the UK though to get the legal document.

Other option is to do what we are doing and have Terry (Anglican lay minister, part of the English speaking church) come to your venue and do the wedding blessing. Bob the vicar (above) will only do the ceremony in a church. Terry will travel!

Either way - get in touch with the church via the website and they will help you out. They are very helpful and it's a straightforward process, they'll even help you pick a church if you need help with that.

We're also getting married in October....13th October at Amante. We DID go for rain insurance...and we're sitting inside the restaurant on one long table, too. Coming from manchester I like to prepare for all rain eventualities! I'm 100% sure it will be sunny though - for all October Ibiza brides, wherever you are!

Ooh I love the look of Elixir, I tried to email them but it wouldn't send so had to find them on Facebook to send a message so I hope it works!?

I'm getting a bit stressed, our guest list is spiraling out of control. I've found that most places I have spoken to do packages that include drinks, has anyone found any venues that are willing to alter the packages a bit? We just can't really afford to pay for 120 people's drinks all night - or is it really bad to expect people to come and pay for their own drinks?

I messaged Elixir on fb and Vicki from eat ibiza, who owns it, picked it up and forwarded her email. If they dont get back to your message they'll have email addresses on the Eat Ibiza site. x

None of the venues we looked at insisted that you did a free bar, they all give you the option but you do t have to do it. I know that eat don't insist on it do I'm sure they won't at elixir either.

Has anyone used smack ibiza for hair and makeup? I was looking at their website last night and have asked for a quote. Im trying to keep the cost down so do you think its mean of me to just have a trial and not the bridesmaids? Not sure if this will make a big difference to the overall cost? Also would you have the bridesmaids make up done or just for the bride? xx

I'm using Smack for make-up only, just for me. I couldn't afford to pay to have bridesmaids make-up done too, and I don't think they expected me to pay for it. I asked them if they wanted to have it done and pay for it themselves, so two of them are doing that for 50euro each. I don't think a trial is necessary for them. Completely up to you though. It's obviously nice if you can pay it for them, but I'd see it as a luxury, rather than a necessity.

Jxx

Thanks, that what I was thinking. Do you know how much they would charge to do someones hair - ie. my mum?

120 people, wow! That's a huge number for a destination wedding. I can only speak of Pura Vida, but we completely designed our own package, dinner & drinks, including free bar all night. But we could have had free bar for just an hour, or two hours, or whatever. I don't think people expect to have a free bar, so it's up to you and what you can afford. I've never been to a wedding before where there's been a free bar all night!

Jx

It's 50euro. My mother-in-law to be is thinking of having her hair done too. I'm just waiting for her to decide!!

The 'problem' is that my h2b is a DJ and so spends part of his summer in Ibiza so we have quite a few friends who live out there who will also be coming alongside out friends/family from home, it will be lovely but makes my job harder haha! Just had a look at your venue, it looks absolutely gorgeous, and that sounds really good being able to design your own package. I have had a quote back from Vicki at Eat about Elixir that is very reasonable, so going to meet up with her and have a look at it as soon as we have our dates to fly out sorted - exciting!

Another question (sorry - I'm useless! haha) how far in advance did people send save the date cards? Did you give any info to your guests as to where the best places are to stay etc?

I paid for hair and makeup for my 3 BM's, my mum and myself. I was the only one that had a trial and tbh it was fine. I don't really think I needed a trial, could have happily just got on with it. I can't reccommend Sara and Corina enough. They were amazing, really organised, laid back, and just great at what they do. All the girls loved their hair and makeup, and so many of our guests have asked how we managed to keep it looking so good all night. We hardly had to do any touching up, which in the heat is pretty good going!

Well that's quite a good problem to have I suppose :-)

I sent save-the-dates in October for my wedding in August. I compiled a wedding website first via mywedding.com that included loads of hotel/flight info, which was really useful, then I put the web address on the save the dates. If you want to check out mine, this is it: http://www.mywedding.com/jendavewedding/index.html x

I sent my Save the Dates in November, so 11 months in advance. Mainly for the people that might not have known they were automatically invited. I wanted everyone to have the chance to save up for it and work it into any holiday plans they had this year.

I recommended the apartments we stay in on my site, and all or guests just booked up to stay there aswell! My site is www.ouribizawedding.com you can have a look at the stuff I thought might be helpful.

Dx

Hi all...I'm new to hitched! BUT we're getting married at Elixir next June (2013), found Vickki at EAT sooo helpful and lovely when we went out in May to choose a venue. Any other Elixir/Eat brides on here?!

Hi all...I'm new to hitched! BUT we're getting married at Elixir next June (2013), found Vickki at EAT sooo helpful and lovely when we went out in May to choose a venue. Any other Elixir/Eat brides on here?!

Hi chick

We are hoping to get married in May 2014 and i love the look of Elixir! Vikki emailed me some info a few days ago and it looks lovely - shame its a new one though and no other pics!! We are going out in October so Im going to go and have a look at it. Have you been for a visit to see it? Am i right in thinking its 150 euros a head? Im worrying because were on a tight budget so may not be able to afford. We have approx 45 guests.

Which other venues did you look at? The only thing i wondered about with Elixir was nearby resorts for ppl to stay?

Apart from a DJ is anyone else having extra entertainment? We have thought about a spanish guitarist for during the meal and a firedancer for later on. I dont really have a clue about cost of these though?!

I am getting married at Paissa Den Bernat next May and I went out in June this year to view the villa and went along to the opening event for Elixir. It's a really lovely venue and it's really quite big! Loads of space outside for tables and dancing. Vickki and Alex are just lovely and so helpful! The food she served at the opening event was just to die for.. I can honestly say that I am excited to go back for my food tasting next year to see what my guests will have for the wedding!