White sand, turquoise and blue waters that are crystal clear. Hardly a cloud in the bright blue sky, and cocktails to make you wish you could stay forever. Your wedding in Formentera will be the perfect way to share your wedding weekend with all your friends and family.
You fly into Ibiza, along with what seems like all of the UK stag and hen parties that are destined to paint the concrete with vomit that weekend. They make no hesitation at starting off the party on board the Ryan Air flight. In-flight entertainment at it’s finest. Especially when a few of the lads use the area by the toilets as makeshift dance floor – sadly the only thing they look capable of pulling is a hamstring. Arrival at Ibiza airport is pretty standard, the usual queue of tourists with just two immigration officers who are both visibly fed up with the ‘brits abroad’ (if they had more officers they could get rid of us all quicker).
Hannah had already supplied me with the info I needed when exiting the terminal on how to get to the island, so with ferry ticket in hand I was good to go. It’s a short boat ride from Ibiza to Formentera, and travelling across a body of water by boat really makes you feel like you are arriving at an island – more so then flying in.
I had decided to walk from the ferry port to the hotel as it’s a good way to see the island. The first stretch of road from the port, is pretty much straight with almost nothing to look at, but you soon arrive at the small village of Sant Francesc Xavier. It’s a quaint little village with a beautiful little square in the middle. A few restaurants and bars dotted around the place and some boutique shops. I did not see the usual tacky souvenir shop, thankfully. A short walk, and I do mean short, you are out the other side of the village and heading down the island towards the hotel. With plenty of short-cuts to avoid the main road it’s an easy walk and you get to see some beautiful houses and stunning scenery along the way. It’s very much as you would imagine, small dry stone walls defining the boundaries of each little area of land dotted with small trees and shrubs. Peaceful countryside with hills off into the distance an the ocean either side of you.
Formentera is a beautiful island and one of Spain’s best kept secrets. It’s a perfect setting for a wedding as wonderful as this one was. I was at the hotel from the Friday before the wedding, and I was luck enough to spend most of the day and the evening with Hannah, Gurdeep and all of their friends and family. A wonderful group of people who all really made me feel welcome. I knew some of them from previous weddings and it was great to spend time with them again. The day was very much a day of sunshine, relaxing and just hanging out. I had the distinct impression everyone was saving/preparing themselves for the festivities of the following day. I was not wrong.
If anyone is thinking of having their wedding abroad, or even considering Formentera as a wedding destination – I can highly recommend it. With the wedding ceremony at 6pm, the whole day was relaxed and just as a day should be. Full on all you can eat buffet for breakfast to start the morning. Swimming in the crystal clear blue / turquoise waters. Soaking up the sunshine. in the afternoon, I could easily move between bridal preparations and grooms preparations to get some of my most favourite shots from a wedding. I especially love the shots of Gurdeep and the boys on the roof top. The clear skies and blue waters provided one of the best backdrops to a photograph I have seen for quite some time. Plus, I managed to get a cracking shot of Tom (the best man) – a challenge I had been set the day before.
The wedding ceremony was at 10punto7 just along the beach from the hotel – an amazing setting and view for the day. How they had set up the area for the ceremony itself was perfect. The chairs, flowers, lights, decorations – it all just fitted into place. I don’t think Gurdeep was fully prepared for how beautiful Hannah would look on the wedding day, and his reaction started off the bridesmaids too (not a dry eye on the beach). It is touching to see people so in love, and a wonderful moment to share. However, he managed to hold himself together and the ceremony went smoothly. With everyone heading up to the roof-top reception I had some time to go down to the beach for some bride and groom shots. Again, the blues of the sky and water provided a great backdrop for some stunning photos.
I tend not to take too long with these photos, as the day is about spending time with friends and family. So after a few minutes we all headed back to the roof to share in the celebrations with some pretty awesome people. We had a few group shots to get, the usual family shots – different groups of friends – but these were all out of the way with plenty of time for mingling and enjoying the sunshine. The natural, fun shots are the ones I love taking the most. The ones where the characters of the group really bring out the best in a photograph. Hannah and Gurdeep have more than their fair share of ‘characters’ in their group of friends – and I sincerely hope I get to see them all again.
When it was time, everyone moved back downstairs to for the wedding breakfast and the lead up to the speeches. I have to say that Tom’s best man speech was by far one of the best I have heard in a long time. Despite his nerves, he delivered so many great lines – but his opening was the finest – and delivered with perfect timing. Tom, you should be proud.
The day ended in style with some wicked lightbulb dancing which I think should be a must for all weddings. Even if you can’t dance – anyone can do the lightbulb with style and class. An evening of partying and dancing to send the bride and groom off on the next stage of their lives together.
This whole wedding was such a delight to be a part of, and I cannot thank Hannah and Gurdeep enough for inviting me to share in their wedding, both in Formentera and at the Mansion house back in the UK. The photos from the Mansion House wedding will be online soon.
I’d like extend special thanks to all of those at both weddings for making me feel part of of the day and I hope to see you all again soon.
A wedding photographer in Formentera Spain Wedding Photos