Seventeen countries, one hacienda and a few curious horses peeking over the fence. That pretty much sums up Zeenath and Antonio’s wedding. The two celebrated their hacienda wedding in Andalusia up in the hills of the Sierra de Gádor, with views across the mountains all the way down to Almería. An October day when the sun is still properly warm and the afternoon light turns soft and golden.

Zeenath is from South Africa, Antonio is half American, half from Almería. Home for them is London, together with their child and two dogs. And their guest list was just as colourful as their story: friends and family from all over the world who travelled to Andalusia for this one weekend. You could hear a different language at every table, and still it all felt like one big family.

Getting Ready

Antonio’s morning was relaxed. A white jacket, a dried-flower boutonniere, one last look into the old ornate mirror and that grin that wouldn’t leave his face for the rest of the day. Meanwhile Zeenath took her time: make-up, a glass of bubbly, the dress hanging in the window with palm trees outside. Then the shoes with the red soles, the lacing at the back and her bridesmaids all around her, laughing more than helping. That’s exactly how a wedding morning should feel.

Hacienda Wedding in Andalusia: Venue & Decor

The hacienda sits right in the middle of the hills. Whitewashed walls with yellow trim, wooden fences, olive trees and the horses that belong to the house. It doesn’t get much more Andalusian than this. For the decor we kept everything in natural tones: beige, cream and a warm brown, with roses and hydrangeas in soft nude shades. Big floral arrangements lined the aisle and the chairs were draped with long chocolate-brown fabric.

Two details the guests especially loved. On every chair lay a black fan reading “Til Death Do Us Part”, which in Almería in October is more than just decoration. And at dinner every place setting had a little tambourine with the initials Z & A. By the time the party started, everyone knew what they were for. In the evening the banquet hall with its chandeliers, wooden doors and long tables was a real showstopper: ceramic vases, single roses, tall candles and woven placemats.

The Ceremony on the Hacienda Terrace

The ceremony took place on one of the hacienda’s terraces, under a large pergola facing a simple white arch. Antonio waited up front with his groomsmen, and you could see how happy he was. Then came the bridesmaids, all in white, with little rose bouquets and the Sierra de Gádor behind them. And finally Zeenath.

They had written their own vows. Antonio’s first tears came after just a few sentences, and during the ring exchange there was laughter again. At the end they walked back through a shower of white petals, right through their guests from seventeen countries, and everyone cheered as if they had just won the World Cup.

Aperitivo, Dinner & South African Wine

After the ceremony everyone moved on to the aperitivo on the terraces. Antonio arrived with his fist in the air, Zeenath with her bouquet in her arms, and finally the first drinks were poured. Then the couple made their entrance into the banquet hall and the whole room got to its feet. A special touch for Zeenath: the two had brought South African wine especially for the day. A little piece of home on the table, right in the middle of Andalusia.

The speeches were full of laughter, and the cake came in sandy tones with a big bow. On it: “At Last”. Not much more to say, really.

Couple Portraits in the Evening Light

When the light turned golden in the early evening, we stole Zeenath and Antonio away for a few minutes. Just the two of them, between wooden fences, palm trees and the walls of the hacienda. In front of the camera they are simply themselves. Zeenath’s laugh is so contagious that Antonio can’t help joining in every single time, and you can see that in every photo.

First Dance & Party on the Terrace

The party took place outside on the big terrace. DJ booth, lights, haze, and then the first dance, with all the guests forming a circle around the two of them. The two dogs were there too, at least as photos. Zeenath and Antonio simply didn’t want to celebrate without them. After that the dance floor didn’t empty for a single minute, and the tambourines finally got their moment.

What Stays

A hacienda wedding in Andalusia where seventeen countries came together around one table. For me it was one of those weddings that show you how small the world really is when everyone gathers for two people. If you’re dreaming of getting married in Spain with guests from all over the world, in the mountains, by the sea or somewhere in between, get in touch with me. I’d love to hear your story.

Credits

Photography: Eloy y Aleks
Venue: Hacienda in the Sierra de Gádor, Almería
Planning & decor: Ambrosia Wedding

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