Laura and Max’s wedding was a celebration of love that felt both personal and intimate, yet bursting with fun. Surrounded by family and friends from every corner of the globe, they gathered in the picturesque region of Empordà, near Barcelona, to share in their joy. The ceremony was held in a charming village church, its modest beauty perfectly complemented by the floral arrangements of calla lilies and white anthuriums, exuding a sense of minimalism, simplicity, and elegance. As the sun began to set on this laid-back summer evening, guests made their way to a beautifully restored 19th-century farmhouse. Its old-world charm, complete with an outdoor patio bathed in warm twilight, was the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable reception. Laura was a vision of timeless beauty, wearing a pleated silk bridal gown by Danielle Frankel, paired with a flowing chiffon cape by The Muse Collective. A heartwarming, elegant wedding captured beautifully by wedding photographers Dos Mas En La Mesa.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
Max and I first crossed paths back in 2012, during our freshman year of college in Barcelona. He rocked a low bun, had that effortlessly cool vibe, and carried himself with a quiet confidence that immediately stood out. Fast-forward 12 years, and not much has changed – except for the bun, which he’s vowed to revive one day. We officially started dating in 2013, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Proposal
We got engaged in March 2023 during a little getaway to Upstate New York. After 10 years together, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting a proposal at some point – but Max, being Max, had me plan the entire weekend, so a proposal was the last thing on my mind. It turned out to be the perfect weekend, filled with great food, wine, hikes, and hot chocolate. Unbeknownst to me, he’d been holding onto the ring for three months and was waiting for a special weekend.
The Engagement Ring
He designed the ring with an old jeweler from Barcelona, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. I’ve always loved yellow gold, and together they created a stunning three-band solitaire that I completely adore and goes very well with the rest of my minimal jewelry. It is a timeless piece that I will cherish forever.
Our Wedding
The Vision
We always imagined a wedding that felt personal, intimate, and full of fun. I’d always told Max that having our family and friends from all corners of the world come together to celebrate our love was one of my biggest dreams – and it absolutely was. The vibe we envisioned was a laid-back summer dinner with loved ones: great food, wine, music, and even better company. We wanted our personal styles to shine through, so every detail – from the music to the flowers and decor (lots of candles and ceramics) – was thoughtfully chosen to reflect who we are.
Our Team of Vendors
Looking back, I truly believe we had the ultimate dream team. Our wedding planner was a solid 10. As a creative producer, I know just how much goes into pulling off an event like this, and we couldn’t have been in better hands. Food was a major focus for us, so we teamed up with Aspic to curate an incredible selection of appetizers for the cocktail hour and a truly memorable dinner. I didn’t eat much myself, but from everything I heard, the food was a huge hit.
The décor and flowers were equally important, and Manuela, our florist, went above and beyond. I envisioned something minimal yet stylish, and she absolutely nailed it – everything she created was spectacular. And the music? Well, with a guitar lover as my husband, it had to be top-notch! We had an incredible Portuguese boy band for the cocktail hour, and the party after dinner was just insane – Janse, our DJ, gave exactly the kind of energy we wanted for our night.
The Location
Max and I are both from Barcelona and spend part of our summers in Empordà, just outside the city. I always knew I wanted to get married there. My parents have a house there and it’s always been my safe space. Since we moved to NY three years ago, I always feel it’s the one place I miss the most.
The Ceremony
We chose a small, charming church in the village closest to my parents’ house for the ceremony. It was just the right size to keep it personal, intimate, and special. I wanted the church to feel simple and raw, without being overdone. My vision was always about embracing its natural beauty, so we kept the decor minimal.
I added linen fabric to the altar, arranged my ceramic candle holders with Sendra taper candles, and asked Manuela to create a stunning centerpiece with calla lilies and white anthuriums. The result was everything I’d hoped for – a perfect balance of minimalism, simplicity, and elegance.
The Reception
The reception took place at El Molí de la Torre, an old farmhouse beautifully restored in 1853. The venue was truly one-of-a-kind, offering different areas that made every moment of the wedding feel special. We held the cocktail hour in the garden, surrounded by fig trees. For dinner, we set up in the front garden with a stunning view of the house. I envisioned three long dinner-style tables, with no traditional head table. Max and I sat with our parents and grandparents, and we were surrounded by friends on both sides – creating a relaxed, communal feel.
But my absolute favorite spot was the outdoor patio, where we hosted the party. The open-air space, with its beautifully weathered walls, had a cool, old-world charm. We transformed it by adding string lights, disco balls, and flowing fabrics, giving it an extra touch of magic that made the night even more unforgettable.
The Special Touches
Everything about our wedding was infused with so much love, and that’s really what made it feel so special. As a lover of ceramics and candles, and with Max and I co-owning Sendra, our brand that offers taper candles, decorative candles, and handmade ceramic candleholders (crafted by me), I wanted to make sure we included pieces that represented who we are.
I created an altar with my ceramic pieces and candles, which sat behind us at the dinner table and also became the backdrop for the speeches. It was truly beautiful and felt deeply personal. Another special touch we added were the wedding favors and handwritten notes for each guest. We wanted to show our gratitude to everyone who came to celebrate with us, so I spent over a year hand-throwing 250 tiny, unique ceramic vases – one for each guest. It was important to us that they take home something meaningful to remember the day.
Our Favorite Moment
It’s hard to pick just one, or two, or three favorites – but I’ll try! Personally, my favorite moment was the speeches from Max, his brothers, and my brothers. I’ve never been a fan of wedding speeches, but hearing Max vow his love in front of everyone completely changed my perspective. It was incredibly moving to hear him express his love and kindness in such a heartfelt and unique way.
Another highlight was the cocktail hour before dinner. Our families are always ready for a good time, and they decided the party should start early. We spent the entire cocktail hour dancing, getting lifted onto people’s shoulders, and having the absolute best time. Just thinking about it makes me want to remarry Max all over again!
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
I never had a clear vision of my wedding dress, but once we got engaged, I started the search – and couldn’t find anything that felt right. Then my sister-in-law introduced me to Danielle Frankel, and everything clicked. I went to her atelier and found the one, combining two dresses into one. I called my mom and said, “We can stop looking, I’ve found it!” The dress was simple yet special – the fabric and pleating were stunning. I wasn’t going for a traditional bridal look; I wanted something timeless and very me.
I didn’t even bother with a second outfit – it was hard enough to pick one! I loved it so much that I didn’t want to take it off. Instead, I cut the lining, tied a knot in the train, and danced the night away in it. To top it off, I worked with Laura from The Muse Collective to create a pleated silk chiffon cape for the ceremony. We added three buttons from my grandfather’s button company, which made it even more personal. It was the perfect finishing touch.
I bought my shoes shortly after Max and I got engaged. I never wear heels – I probably have only two pairs in my closet – so I needed to find a low, comfortable, yet elegant sandal. I saw these ones from The Row and bought them immediately. It was one of the best purchases I’ve ever made – so comfortable. I had sneakers ready to dance in, but I didn’t even notice and by 5 a.m., I was still in the same sandals!
The Groom Looks
Max had his suit made at Santa Eulalia, in Barcelona. It was a quick decision; he knew from the beginning that he didn't want a tailcoat and that he wanted a very dark blue suit. The shoes were from Lotusse. The cufflinks were very special because they belonged to his late grandfather, and he wore the watch that my parents gifted him for the engagement.
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to trust your heart. Steer clear of external opinions and comparisons; every couple's journey is uniquely their own. In a world flooded with wedding trends and endless inspiration, it’s important to gather ideas and then cultivate your distinct style. Make your wedding feel deeply personal; it should reflect your love story and the experiences that define you as a couple. Most importantly, enjoy the process!
For On The Day
On the big day, the most important reminder is to truly enjoy it. As someone who tends to be a control freak, I had to keep reminding myself that all the plans were in place and all the details had been taken care of. The morning of the wedding, my focus shifted to celebrating Max, cherishing time with our loved ones, and dancing until my feet ached. For us, it was vital to remain together throughout the entire day and night. We made a conscious effort to minimize any separations, ensuring that we could savor every moment side by side. After all, this day was about us, our love, and the joy of sharing it with those who mean the most to us.
For Post-Wedding
The day after the wedding, all we did was relive the beautiful memories of our special night. I spent all day crying of joy, emotion and nostalgia. It was such an incredible journey, filled with anticipation, and yet it had all unfolded so quickly. I couldn't believe it was over; the planning had taken months, yet the celebration felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. I found myself wishing we could do it all again – with the same man, obviously.
It was the best weekend of our lives. After 11 years of being together, it was a gift to share, celebrate, and enjoy our love with those we hold dear. I could imagine what our wedding would be like, but I never anticipated the feeling I would have at the end would be this overwhelming. My heart is full, and I’m eager to continue living and enjoying life together with our loved ones. Bringing all your friends and family together in one place to celebrate that you’ve found your person is something so special it’s hard to describe. I can only express my gratitude to everyone for making it possible. Oh, and Max and I have already agreed that in 10 years – or better yet, in 5 – we will do it again because the thought of this only happening once in a lifetime makes us sad! And may love never end.
Vendors
Photography: Dos Mas En La Mesa
Videography: Alvaro Colom
Wedding Planner: Animae Events
Wedding Coordinator: Elsa Brendle
Venue: El Molí de la Torre
Florist: Manuela Sosa
Bride’s Bouquet: Clara Santa Isabel
Stationery: Tinta Gris
Catering: Aspic
Cocktail Band: Du
Music: Janse
Hair: Jodie Palmer
Makeup: Carissa Ferreri
Style
Bridal Dress: Danielle Frankel
Bridal Cape: The Muse Collective
Bridal Shoes: The Row
Bridal Jewelry: Leandra
