A Unique Fusion of Italian, Spanish & Chinese Cultures in this Chic Madrid Garden Wedding

Valentina and Recky’s celebration was a masterclass in elevated destination wedding design – immersive, intentional, and deeply personal. Chosen for its flowing mix of gardens, water views, and beautifully distinct spaces, the Spanish venue invited guests to move effortlessly through each chapter of the day, from a serene outdoor ceremony beneath the trees to a candlelit dinner layered in texture and atmosphere. Before the wedding day began, the couple honoured their heritage with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, bringing a meaningful sense of family and gratitude to the celebration. Event design focused on softness and scale: custom draping traced the architecture of the reception room, transforming it into an intimate, almost cinematic setting, while florals spilled from tabletops to the floor in a palette that felt quietly luxurious rather than overstated. Long connected tables encouraged conversation and closeness, creating the warmth of a private dinner party with striking visual impact. Every detail felt refined yet full of life, balancing elegance with ease. Capturing it all with their signature eye for emotion and style were THE WED members photographer Lukas Korynta and videographers PaiPai Prod.

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

It all started with a series of coincidences. I’m from Italy and Recky is from Spain, but we’re both Chinese. While visiting family in China, I stayed at my uncle’s house, which happened to be right next door to his aunt’s. He caught a glimpse of me through the window and told a friend he thought I was beautiful. As it turned out, that friend was also my cousin, and he playfully connected us online. We remained digital friends for many years until we finally met almost seven years later, when we moved to China. It feels like fate.

^{The Proposal}

As we were planning a holiday in Turkey, I quickly suspected something was up. Recky had his clothes professionally dry-cleaned and even looked into a sunrise hot air balloon ride despite his vertigo. When he finally knelt down, he was so nervous and awkward that it only made the moment sweeter.

^{The Engagement Ring}

We had never discussed rings, so he asked my best friends for help to understand my taste. The result was a classic round diamond on a thin white gold band: simple, timeless, and completely me.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

Our priority was for our guests to have fun. Since most of them travelled from afar, we wanted them to feel truly taken care of and able to relax and enjoy the day. We imagined the celebration to feel intimate and refined, while still warm and joyful. Bringing together Chinese, Italian, and Spanish traditions felt like the most natural way to reflect who we are and the people we love.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

We are incredibly grateful to our vendors, who guided us in shaping a day that felt both impactful and comfortable. Their advice helped us strike a balance between special moments and a relaxed atmosphere, a sensitivity that carried through every part of the creative process. Having done a hair and makeup trial with my MUA, Yuan, I trusted her completely to enhance my features while keeping everything natural. Lukas and Pai Pai Prod shared the same approach, capturing the mood and energy of the day in a way that felt authentic to us.

^{The Location}

We chose Finca El Campillo because it allowed the day to unfold naturally across different spaces, giving guests room to explore at an easy pace. Wherever you looked, it was beautiful, with lush vegetation, a quiet pond, and open views. From our very first visit, the service stood out for being consistently attentive and thoughtful, making both us and our guests feel genuinely welcome.

^{The Ceremony}

On my way to the altar, I noticed peacocks resting on top of a car, completely unbothered — a small, surreal detail that made me smile. I wasn’t nervous, just calm and eager for everything to begin. The setting was intentionally minimal, with soft white draping and sunlight filtering through the trees, letting nature quietly frame the ceremony.

^{The Cocktail Hour}

Guests moved freely through the gardens, enjoying whisky, cigars, and champagne.

^{The Reception}

The tables were connected so everyone sat together, forming a single flowing layout. Soft drapery fell from the ceiling, with floral arrangements cascading from the tables to the floor and simpler centrepieces in between. The evening felt like a cosy dinner with our favourite people.

^{The Special Touches}

Custom draping was designed specifically for the venue, following the lines of the ceiling and reshaping the room entirely. It created an intimate, almost theatrical atmosphere that felt both dramatic and deeply personal.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

We loved the big moments as much as the small ones. The cake cutting stands out as particularly tender. The room was candlelit, and we looked up to see our guests gathered tightly around us, smiling, hugging each other, some crouching or stretching just to catch a glimpse. When Recky was handed a spoon to feed me a bite but accidentally fed himself first, the whole room burst into laughter.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

In honour of our heritage, we began with a traditional tea ceremony to express gratitude to our elders. I wore a strapless crimson column gown paired with ornate floral hairpins and gold jewellery gifted by my in-laws. While I had initially envisioned a minimal aesthetic, I eventually chose a custom mermaid gown by Pronovias, detailed with a structured corset, Chantilly lace, and a detachable train. As the evening progressed, I transitioned into a crystal mesh gown for the cake cutting, followed by a romantic organza piece by Ana Radu for our first dance to Die With a Smile. I finished the night in a shimmering fringe halter-neck gown by Womanze, which was the perfect choice for the dance floor.

^{The Groom Looks}

Recky prioritised simplicity and craftsmanship when selecting his attire. For the ceremony, he wore a navy three-piece suit paired with shell cordovan Oxford shoes by local shoemaker Carmina. He later transitioned into a classic black tuxedo and bow tie, shifting the mood into full black-tie mode for the evening celebrations.

^{Our Bridesmaids’ & Groomsmen’s Looks}

The bridesmaids wore custom green gowns with a sleek, modern silhouette. The look was refined and effortless, allowing their natural beauty to shine. They carried round floral bouquets that created a harmonious and natural finish. We let the groomsmen choose their own suit styles to reflect their personal taste. They wore varying shades of grey, unified by matching blue ties for a cohesive yet individual look.

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

Build genuine relationships with your vendors so you can trust their expertise. Involve family and friends to make the process more meaningful, and buffer in extra time for everything to ensure the day never feels rushed.

^{For On The Day}

Once the day begins, simply let go. Trust the team you have chosen to handle the details and focus entirely on being present with your guests.

^{For Post-Wedding}

Give yourselves the gift of a slow morning. We loved staying onsite at El Campillo because it allowed us to wake up, sit together, and let the magic of the wedding sink in over breakfast before seeing anyone else.