Cala Bonita – Wedding venue blog by Ibiza wedding planner Lauren Kaycee
Sitting pretty on the tiny beach of S’estanyol in the south east of the island, is a real hidden gem off the beaten track or two… this venue is the perfect spot for a full on Mediterranean style wedding. One of the few real beach wedding venues left on the island believe it or not, It’s rustic yet classy look holds everything you need if you have your heart set on marrying, embraced in that unforgettable Ibiza atmosphere.
With a crisp, fresh menu and dining all year round, the venue is super popular with international clients and hard core Ibiza lovers. Just a 7 minute drive to Ibiza Old Town, and 3 minutes from the famous St. Tropez esque Talamanca harbour, means your guests will be transported to this secret hideaway without having to travel too far.
Their menu boasts seafood fresh from local suppliers, Andalusian squid and Sobrasada Brasa Seabass, whilst their wine list has been handpicked and compliments each plate and taste palette to perfection.
At Cala Bonita you can marry on the sand which keeps you grounded, next to the oceans cleansing spirit in each wave that splashes the shore. I highly recommend a barefoot ceremony with the warm sand between your toes, so you truly feel the pull of the island and connect with her magic.
Ana, the event and customer relations manager, shared her story of why the decision to move to the island was the ideal choice for her and her family;
“I was a fashion graduate in my home city of Barcelona. My husband and I were looking for somewhere with clean fresh air as our daughter had respiratory problems, so Ibiza was a perfect fit for us. We now live by the sea and our daughter has had excellent health for the last 9 years. I love the island and the gift she has given us!”
We are crushing on this entire shoot! Terracotta, peach, rust and gold, myself along with my florist Margreet from Marbin Flowers, created our favourite table set up of the series. Incredible table ware takes your Ibiza wedding to the next level, by providing that totally Instagramable picture that you will see double tapped for years to come. My favourite part of the planning is matching my couple’s ideas and mood boards to the style of the venue, and creating a bespoke wedding decor entirely for them. Venues such as Cala Bonita welcome myself and my team to transform their already beautiful spaces into that Pinterest worthy photograph. You will never regret giving your day those extra special touches that you always wanted, from colour co-ordinated napkins to stationary and glasses. After all, your wedding table is where you share your first meal together after tying the knot, listening to some heartfelt speeches, and toasting to your future.
The time Margreet spends designing and creating every part of the florals from the bouquet to the table, deserves its own recognition entirely. It is a dream to work with such a creative mind. Bouncing ideas off one another and then seeing our designs in real life, is just heaven for us both!
The wedding dresses from Jarlo London and Kates Dresses, complimented the bride’s styles perfectly with elegance and a touch of flirtatiousness. The hair ( KMF Weddings) and makeup (Kati Vandorfi) was to die for on this shoot, kudos to the team! We also used two dreamy veils sent to us from The Wedding Veil Shop – the shots of the girls under their hand made Elizabeth Cathedral Veil with ornate lace detail are just breathtaking.
S’estanyol beach provides an insane backdrop for those all-important couple shots, the added bonus being by the time you get to golden hour, there is barely anyone around. The rocks and standalone pier hold picturesque backdrops for those couples who want to take their shots to the next level.
The video for this shoot left me teary eyed and speechless, I couldn’t find the words to tell Infin8 Images founder and self-proclaimed true romantic Gary, how much I loved it,. “Cinematic storytellers capturing moments that last a lifetime”is their mantra, which superbly sums up their entire philosophy.
Now is the perfect moment to highlight the fact that we fully support the LBGTQ community and their life choices. Whether that means gay marriage, a thrupple ceremony, or a groom rocking up in heels, we are here for whatever shape or form that love presents itself in.
“I love seeing the happiness on our couple’s faces, knowing we have made their dreams come true. We create the most beautiful weddings on the island with memories that last a lifetime, long after the footprints in the sand have gone” Ana told me
“Seven Shoots Of Summer, has been an incredible project for the industry, creating new contacts and a support system during this time. We are thrilled to have2as one of our recommended planners here at Cala Bonita.”
As always, our images are out of this world, by the wonderful Stephanie Shenton.
If you are Ibiza dreaming right now, thinking about a picture perfect wedding day experience, you may have found the venue that will hold your heart, it certainly has mine.
For full galleries on all the shoots from the series follow @7shootsofsummer