One Couple’s Destination Wedding & Hometown Reception

Opting for a destination wedding comes with glorious strings attached – a smaller guest list, a few logistical challenges and an adventure to remember. However, there’s always some level of compromise for a destination wedding couple. Well, almost always. For Amanda and Kris, they saw their reduced destination wedding guest list as an excuse to throw not one, but two marvelous parties.

Some couples may think hosting both a destination wedding and a hometown reception sounds like more work than it’s worth, but these two lovebirds couldn’t disagree more. In hosting a colorful wedding in Spain and a hometown fiesta in California – this couple had their cake and ate it too.

DID: How did you decide on a destination wedding in Spain?

Bride: Kris was very familiar with the area because, as a child, he and his family would spend weekends in Spain. Kris was born in Canada and raised in England, so we knew a destination wedding would make it easier for both our [families] to be able to attend. Our friends and family were ecstatic. We started Googling private villas and Al Miral de la Font captured our attention.

DID: How was the process of planning a destination wedding? 

Bride: I wouldn’t say planning any wedding is easy. We were lucky because six months prior to our wedding we were visiting Italy and made a side trip to our destination. We were able to meet with our wedding planner, caterer and check out the villa. Planning the wedding was so much fun!

DID: Describe your favorite moments from the wedding day.

Bride: When I was all ready to go, I looked out to where Kris and I were going to have our first look. It was this amazing Romeo and Juliet balcony – Kris was standing there waiting for me and the excitement hit me. As I walked into the ceremony, I lost my breath. The flower petals, the lighting, the atmosphere…it was the most gorgeous room I have ever seen.

DID: What was your thought process in planning both the destination and hometown events?

Bride: I knew I wanted both the wedding and [hometown] reception to be tied together. The wedding was in such a beautiful, Spanish location and the beauty of the villa and surrounding area inspired us. From there, I figured, let’s keep the Spanish theme rolling in our Malibu reception. We had our amazing wedding planners at LB Event Planning create a fiesta. The lights in the trees, the cocktails, the décor, the taco truck – it was just easy-going fun.

DID: Planning two amazing wedding events must have been a real challenge. Looking back, would you have done anything differently?

Bride: I don’t have one regret. By hosting a destination wedding, we were able to have Kris’ friends and family join my closest friends and family for our special day. The Malibu reception was another blessing in itself [because we were able to have] the rest of our friends who couldn’t make it to Spain help us celebrate being husband and wife. We wanted everyone to feel like they were a part of our big day and to help us celebrate.

Spain Destination Wedding Vendors: Photographer: Mike Larson Photography, Destination: Stiges, Spain, Venue: Al Miral de la Font, Flowers, Table Scaping, Cocktail Bar and Cake: Philippa Events, Stationery: Prim and Pixie, Catering: GAU, Hair & Makeup: Michael Mawson, DJ: Jon Wedge, Flamenco Guitarist: Paul Bousander, Gown Designer: Watters, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Marks & Spencer, Bridesmaids/Groomsmens’ Clothing Designer: Badgley Mischka/Mark & Spencer

Malibu Hometown Reception Vendors: Photographer: Mike Larson Photography, Destination: Malibu, California, Venue: Malibu Market and Design, Planning & Design: LB Event Planning, Florist: Stella Bloom Designs, Stationery: Prim & Pixie, Rentals: A Rental Connection, Catering: Merlin’s Kitchen, Taco Truck: El Tapatio, Bar Catering: Pharmacie, DJ: Dart Djs, Bakery: Enjoy Cupcakes, Linens: La Tavola Linens

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Fall/Winter 2015 issue. You can order a copy here.