Set among the rolling hills of Catalonia, Luuk and Maika’s destination wedding at l’Avellana felt less like a formal event and more like a long, golden evening spent with the people who know you best. In May of 2024, the couple gathered friends and family in a place that allowed their two worlds to meet naturally, Dutch ease layered with Catalan warmth.

Choosing Spain was as much about people as it was about place. “Because half of Maika’s family lives in Catalonia, including her 94-year-old grandmother, who would be unable to travel to the Netherlands, where we live,” they share. And, as they add with a laugh-worthy practicality, “none of our Dutch friends and family minded taking a trip to Spain in May!”

The destination itself came into focus during an early scouting trip that doubled as a memory-making adventure. “We wanted a location relatively close to Cambrils, where Maika’s father lives,” they explain. “It would be nice if the Dutch friends could experience a bit of Maika’s Catalan heritage while they were there.” That search led them to a realization that shaped the entire planning process. “We quickly realized weddings in Spain are a lot different (bigger!) than in the Netherlands,” they say. “Many locations that had fixed packages did not appeal to us and that’s how we ended up at l’Avellana. They offered a completely personalized approach.”

From the moment they arrived, l’Avellana felt like the right fit. “We fell in love with l’Avellana not only because of its beautiful surroundings, but also because of its very casual vibes,” Luuk and Maika share. “Many locations we visited had very formal dining rooms, which did not fit our wishes.” Just as important were the people behind the venue. “Katinka and Massimo were great! They were very welcoming, had a very personal approach and are so creative. We loved it!”

That creativity flowed through every design choice. Katinka and Massimo developed a full visual concept that tied together the couple’s stationery, florals, and overall atmosphere. “They made an entire design for our wedding, which fit with our save the dates, invitations, etc.,” the couple explains. Florals by Javier Silva of 5 The F***ing Flower Shop made a bold statement, but the decor also became a communal project. “We did a combination of natural flowers and paper flowers that we folded and painted with friends, neighbors and family in the months leading up to the wedding.” One of the most touching elements appeared at the reception. “Katinka had also asked us to pick out several pictures of ourselves as a couple, but also growing up with our family and friends. She hung them in a tree at the reception area and it turned out very sweet.”

The ceremony itself became the emotional heart of the day. With the legal marriage already completed in the Netherlands, Luuk and Maika gave their friends full creative freedom. “We had a beautiful ceremony that was completely organized by two of our sweet friends,” they say. “They had called our parents and our other friends to get a proper impression of our lives.” Adding a meaningful cultural layer, Maika’s cousin Ana officiated parts of the ceremony in both Catalan and Dutch. “She did parts of the ceremony in Catalan so that everybody could understand,” they explain. “Truly, the ceremony turned out to be such a special part of our wedding day, which we did not expect beforehand!”

Planning from abroad came with challenges, and this is where their team made all the difference. “Although we did some video calls… we quickly realized that people in Spain are not as used as handling things digitally as in the Netherlands,” they share. Enter planner Marta Cubero of Nature Elements Eco Events, whose guidance proved invaluable. “Marta’s role became very important to us. She led us to the right suppliers and made sure we could get an appointment with them when we were in Spain for family visits.”

Looking back, Luuk and Maika are candid about what they learned. “It is very important to know what you want and get a good impression of what weddings normally look like in your destination-country,” they advise. Flexibility, or the lack of it, became a recurring theme. “We were surprised by how close-minded many locations were; they only offered closed package deals and were not flexible at all.” The same applied to catering traditions. “In Spain, people often serve enormous amounts of food at weddings. We did not feel the need to do that; we’d like it to be a lot more informal.” Finding partners who understood their vision took time, but it paid off. “We had a year-and-a-half to plan our wedding, and I think we were lucky to have that much time.”

Captured beautifully by Marie Marry Me, Luuk and Maika’s wedding stands as a reminder that the most memorable destination celebrations are built on intention, trust, and a willingness to do things your own way. At l’Avellana, their story unfolded not as a spectacle, but as something far better. A gathering that felt honest, personal, and entirely theirs.

Vendors: Photography: Marie Marry Me; Venue: La Vellana; Planner: Nature Elements Eco Events; Bride’s Dress: Covers Couture; Bride’s Shoes: Zalando; Bride’s earrings: Joieria Marta Serrano; Wedding rings: Joieria Marta Serrano; MUAH: Janna Estilistes; Groom’s costume: Jac Hensen; Groom’s shoes: Manfield; Florist: Javier Silva; Food & Drinks: Moon Catering