An Audrey Hepburn Inspired Dress for a Chic and Elegant Spanish Wedding

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What sights and smells characterise summer-time for you? Is it the sizzle of meat and vegetables on the barbecue, the green smell of freshly-cut grass, or perhaps the lazy hum of a bee visiting a rose bush?

For me, it’s the warmth and languor of al-fresco dining. I love getting to the end of a day in the sun and relaxing into the night over a lovely meal in the company of family and friends. Being bathed in the warmth held by rocks and stones, and seeing lights flicker on as the darkness falls always feels so special. This is one of the reasons why I love these photographs by David Fernandez of Virginia and Kike’s early-summer Spanish wedding, which beautifully capture the clarity of the Spanish sunlight, and the balmy evening of the reception in all its garland and light-bulb glory.

Photography and video by David Fernández

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Virginia who co-owns Gerclem Peluquerías – a luxury hair salon specialising in bridal hair (watch out for some gorgeous styling on the bride and bridesmaids)- and Kike, a mechanical engineer, married on 6 June 2016 at Club de Golf de Castiello, Gijón, in the north of Spain. Their day was inspired by Virginia’s grandmother’s wedding, yet was thoroughly modern with the most beautiful classic gown brought bang up-to-date with the addition of a tulle hood and blush pink draping.

https://vimeo.com/195366561

The bride chose a María Isabel Iglesias Alta Costura gown with a classic and simple silhouette, elbow-length sleeves and a layered tulle skirt full of grace and movement. Its modest shape is softened with a long tulle train and flowing blush tulle drapes attached to the shoulders. Her choice was informed by her grandmother’s wedding dress and by her little daughter.

“I wanted her to be dressed like me and I had to go with something girly and princessy.”

The bride and groom have a long history together and a lovely proposal. So, over to Virginia for the full story…

“We first met at the age of seventeen & eighteen years old. We were together for nine years until I decided to move to another country. After two years apart, one night we started to text all night long and the day after I decided to take a flight back home with no return ticket. When I landed I tried to meet up for a coffee but he never responded to my texts. Christmas was around the corner and I was about to quit and go back, when Kike asked if I could give him a haircut. I agreed and then he told me he was seeing a girl. He dropped me off at home and the day after invited me to have dinner.

We started to talk everyday like nothing had happened in the past years, until one day ( the day of my birthday in July) he told me he wasn’t sure of ‘us’ and I had to prove to him I was truly in love with him and wasn’t going anywhere again. I did and the hardest thing was how we were going to tell everyone we were together again.”

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“It happens that everybody knew it already ( social media…). We talked about getting married, and when we were going to get engaged his sister decided to get married the same month we had planned, so we had to wait. That November I got pregnant, and I thought, ‘ok this is it, I am never going to get married’. But after having our little girl he gave me a present – a trip to Prague, Vienna and Berlin. Out of the blue there was a change of plans; we were flying to Paris instead of going home. We went to Disney and his plan was to ask me at the end when the fireworks started by the castle. But he couldn’t get his backpack from the consignment because it was closed!”

“He turned pale and came to me saying ‘we need that backpack’. I thought it was because our passports were there, so after a hundred turns around we got the backpack and left the park. At the end of the day we were going to have dinner at the Eiffel Tower but arrived late and it was cancelled. So the day after we went to have breakfast. He wanted a takeaway breakfast and we sat down by the Eiffel Tower, and then he kneeled down and popped the question! I said yes. Six months later we got married!”

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Kike and Virginia hired event planner Ruben Nomparte from GRG Eventos to help them create their day in just six months. Their venue was the beautiful Club de Golf, Castiello, with far-reaching views and a beautiful terrace perfect for an al-fresco reception.

The veil is a really unusual hood, decorated with a subtle pink bow. I love how it is full of volume and falls just above the structured bodice of her gown.

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Her beautiful, classic hair style was styled by her mother Clementina, co-owner of the hair salon Gerclem Peluquerías with Virginia and her father. Her hair was adorned with a real hair bow and a hair net for a really sumptuous feel. The bride’s look was completed by a pair of diamond earrings gifted to her by her mother on the day.

And finally, she carried a spherical bouquet of astilbes. Designed by her mum, it was created by florist Pando Floristas and is so soft and pretty in its shades of light pink and green.

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Virginia and Kike’s adorable daughter was dressed in a similar style to her mother, in a dress also by Maria Isabel Iglesias Alta Costura. Isn’t her ruffled cap so sweet?

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The groom, Kike, wore a morning suit by Sastrería Plácido, brought to life with an orangey-red tie. Virginia walked down the aisle of the church with her father, to the beautiful sound of Gabriel’s Oboe (the soundtrack to the film ‘The Mission‘) played on the violin and piano.

During the ceremony, Virginia’s father made an unexpected speech to honour those unable to be at the wedding.

“My dad surprised us with a brief and sweet speech remembering those who were missed that day, especially my husband’s best friend who introduced us for the first time, who passed away ten years ago.”

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I really like the photographs of the newly-weds coming out of the church – there is so much joy and happiness on their faces.

The Club de Golf looks incredible dressed with hanging garlands of foliage illuminated by filament light bulbs. These photographs record a really relaxed and fun reception, full of dancing and good food by Casa Gerardo (who hold a Michelin Star). The couple named their tables after places visited on their travels together, with a world map as their table plan. The whole effect is chic, luxurious and beautiful.

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“Stylist Germán Vizcaíno was in charge of all the décor and lighting all bulbs hanging from the ceilings.”

In keeping with her job, Virginia chose to gift her guests travel sets of Vidal Sassoon shampoo, conditioner and a treatment; unusual and useful.

“The guests loved it. I wanted something not to store in the drawer, and I am sure most of them have used or will use it.”

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As well as a variety of treats and cookies, the sweetie table that sat looking pretty at the reception, also held the wedding cake, an Arroz con Leche, which is a typical dessert from the Asturias region of Spain.

After the wedding breakfast, the guests moved to the terrace for dancing under the stars, to music by GRG Eventos.

The couple’s first dance was to ‘Que Sera Sera’ by Doris Day.

“I learned to sing this song when I was two and it is the song we sing to our daughter at night time to calm her down since she was born.”

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Be calm, enjoy the moment and smile because it only happens once in a life time. No matter if it rains or if your bouquet is not as you thought it would be  people are there for you, not for the things undone or half-done that they don’t even know there was going to be.”

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Kike and Virginia, sending so many thanks and congratulations to you both. I love how your daughter was at the centre of your day. Thank you also to David Fernández for your lovely work. If you would like to see more of the bridal hair styles created by Gerclem Peluquerías you can follow them on Instagram at @gerclempeluquerias. And, if you’re inspired by the location of this wedding, please take a look at these other Love My Dress weddings which took place in Spain.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend, and hoping that we get to enjoy some balmy evenings too.

Ele xx

Credits & Thanks

Eleanor Crossland

Eleanor Crossland View all Eleanor's articles

Ele lives in the Lincolnshire countryside, close to the beautiful coast. A qualified Pilates teacher, she loves fitness, yoga, Pilates and has a healthy addiction to baking, writing and travel.

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