Isabel and Gonzalo's wedding was nothing short of magical, a celebration filled with personal touches and bespoke details that told the story of their love. From the groom's bespoke shoes with playful messages to the ceramic napkin rings that Isabel made herself, every detail was thoughtfully considered. The ceremony, held in a beautiful Catholic church, was a truly romantic moment – especially the entrance, which felt like stepping into a dream. The bride wore an exquisite bespoke guipure lace gown that perfectly captured her unique style and vision. It was a day of love, laughter and unforgettable moments, where every element came together to celebrate not just their union, but their story.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
The story of my husband and me is a very romantic one. In 2013, our parents decided to send us to an intensive English camp in New York. I will never forget it – that’s where I met Gonzalo. It took only a week for us to feel an incredible connection. I realized that I laughed more with him than with anyone else. There was a constant excitement and a desire to catch each other’s attention. Soon after the camp, every time I saw a message from Gonzalo, a huge smile would spread across my face. Despite my young age and immaturity at the time, he became someone essential and unique in my life. Every month, we marked our calendars, counting down the days until we could see each other – whether in Valencia or Madrid. If necessary, we’d travel back and forth on the same day, just for the chance to be together. What defined that time in our relationship were the countless surprises we planned for each other. After finishing my degree and master’s in Madrid, I decided to move to Valencia for work. Ninety-nine percent of that decision was because of Gonzalo.
The Proposal
Ten years later, after many trips around the world together, we decided to return to the place where we first met – New York, our city. In 2013, during that camp, Gonzalo and I took a photo together on the Brooklyn Bridge. When we went back last year, we decided to recreate the same photo, ten years later. Afterward, Gonzalo said some beautiful words to me and, to my complete surprise, got down on one knee and proposed with an engagement ring. It was an unforgettable day. Who would have thought that at a camp in New York, I would meet the person I’d spend the rest of my life with?
We’ve been together for eight years now. However, from the very first day we met – eleven years ago – there was always a special connection. Every time we saw each other, we couldn’t help but feel that unmistakable tingling sensation that defines us and has undoubtedly strengthened our relationship. After proposing, Gonzalo confessed that he had always planned to ask me to marry him in New York, where our story began.
I’ve always had a clear vision of getting married, and as our relationship grew, the reasons to marry him multiplied. One thing Gonzalo told me very clearly from the beginning was, “Isabel, I am not going to spend the happiest day of my life in the heat of the moment, so dates from June to September are forbidden,” so we got married on October 26, 2024.
The Engagement Ring
The ring Gonzalo used to propose to me in New York was a stunning solitaire with a diamond. Later, on the day of the proposal celebration at my house, he surprised me again with an exquisite emerald engagement ring surrounded by diamonds.
Our Wedding
The Location
We celebrated our wedding on October 26th. Being from Villarreal (Castellón), I was thrilled about the idea of getting married at the Arciprestal de San Jaime de Villarreal, a place my paternal grandmother had always dreamed of seeing me wed. After the ceremony, we celebrated at Masía Campo Aníbal in El Puig, Valencia. We chose it because of their exceptional catering, excellent service, and beautiful facilities.
Our Team of Vendors
My friend Ana, who owns a furniture rental company called Evencias, helped me personalize the table linens and napkins. Together, we selected prints, materials, and colors that perfectly reflected my style. To create visual coherence, I decided to use the same print from the tablecloths on the envelopes for the invitations. Since my family has always been in the tile industry, I came up with a unique idea for the seating plan: printing it on tiles that I personally selected, customizing them with our wedding logo, which was designed by Gonzalo. This way, each guest could take home a special and meaningful keepsake. Every detail, from the seating plan to the waiters' name tags and buffet signs, was crafted using Living Ceramics tiles, adding a deeply personal touch to our celebration.
I initially thought I wouldn’t need a wedding planner because I had such a clear vision of what I wanted. However, as the big day approached and with 400 guests to manage, we decided to hire Fit For Wedding. Laura, who had organized my brother’s wedding and came highly recommended, made all the difference. Hiring her was the best decision—we were able to relax and fully enjoy the day without any stress.
The Ceremony
The most special part of our day was the joy and connection we shared. The entrance to the church was truly magical – seeing the person with whom I would share the rest of my life, smiling and filled with excitement, gave me goosebumps.
The Reception
I wanted something unique and original for the reception, so I asked the florist to transform the hall at Campo Aníbal. They covered the entire ceiling with lush, leafy branches and hung colorful gerberas at varying heights, creating a magical and vibrant atmosphere.
The Special Touches
For a year, I dedicated myself to creating ceramic napkin rings during my weekly classes. Each ring was personalized with the initial of each female guest on one side and our initials, "IG," on the other. It was a deeply meaningful detail that I crafted with great care and dedication.
Our Favorite Moment
Since I was a little girl, I had always promised my father that, on my wedding day, we would dance together to the song I always told him about: LOVE by Nat King Cole. That promise became a cherished tradition between us, and when the long-awaited moment finally arrived, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Seeing my father’s smile, his eyes filled with pride and love, made it even more special. Every step we took together was infused with memories, making it a moment I will treasure forever.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
I chose Castellar Granados because she understood exactly what I wanted from the very first sketch. Her creations have always fascinated me, and her talent perfectly aligned with my vision. I focused more on the accessories than the dress itself. I wanted a choker, a unique headpiece, and long gloves. I’ve always been passionate about accessories, so I knew I didn’t want a traditional dress. The inspiration for my dress came from Castellar Granados, but I was clear from the start that I wanted a truly unique design. From the moment she showed me the fabric samples, I knew guipure lace was the perfect choice – it felt exceptional and distinctive. Initially, we considered combining it with a simpler fabric, but we quickly abandoned that idea and decided the entire dress would be made of guipure lace.
I loved the lace so much that I envisioned the headdress and choker in the same fabric. That’s when I approached Isabel Terroso, a true artist in her field. I explained my vision for a choker and a side headpiece to complement the dress and make it even more special. I barely had to finish explaining before she not only understood my idea but improved it brilliantly. I also decided to wear kidskin gloves, tailoring them to fit my arms perfectly. They were so snug that I couldn’t wear rings with them, so I waited until after the cocktail hour to put them on. The gloves were long, reaching above my elbows, and made from a very thin material that gave them a sleek and elegant look.
The choker, crafted from the same fabric as the dress, was both cohesive and intricate, with a design that beautifully echoed the lace pattern. To add a personal touch, white pearls were incorporated to enhance the piece. I also designed my earrings and had them custom-made by David Martinavarro jewelers in Villarreal. I envisioned them as long, asymmetrical, and adorned with pearls, which turned out exactly as I had hoped.
The Groom Looks
Lander Urquijo designed the morning coat and a tie using Loro Piana fabric. The shoes were designed by a friend of Gonzalo’s from his brand Wordly Studios, and they were personalized with the phrases "Isa first f** the rest"* on one insole and "Isabel y Gonzalo 26.10.2024" on the other.
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
I believe it’s crucial to choose your suppliers wisely, as they play a key role in your day. I’d highlight that the most important ones are the photographer and the caterer. When it comes to the dress, remember that it’s your day. Every bride has her own style, so don’t worry about other people’s opinions. Create a dress that reflects what you truly love.
For On The Day
Enjoy every moment to the fullest. The day will pass by so quickly, but it will become a cherished memory for a lifetime.
For Post-Wedding
Don’t let any moment slip away from your memory. Develop all the photos from the wedding and create a beautiful photo album.
Vendors
Photography: Derando Studio
Videography: Mcfly
Wedding Planner: Fit For Weddings
Venue & Catering: Campo Aníbal
Florist: La Tartana Bodas Y Eventos, dosGardenias
Stationery: Mugga Home
Music: Gente De Bien
Hair: Salón Silvia Guirado
Make Up: Claudia Fv Makeup
Style
Bridal Dress: Castellar Granados
Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo