Beautiful Roman Ruins Were the Backdrop for This Couple's Nuptials in Girona, Spain

Alyssa and Macià's romance began as a friendship. They were part of a group of ex-patriots from all over the world studying at a university in Shanghai, where they began quietly dating—they decided to keep their relationship a secret from the others before making it official. They took the next step a few years later. "We got engaged on October 3, 2018, while on a countryside walk on Macià's grandmother's farm in Auvergne, France," Alyssa recalls. With their international backgrounds in mind, they moved forward with planning a destination wedding in Spain's Costa Brava region.

Located in the province of Girona, Costa Brava was a place that Macià visited regularly while growing up in Barcelona, and a celebration there presented an opportunity to treat guests to an authentic Spanish experience—something that was of the utmost importance to the couple. They also wanted a venue that was unique to the region, something with history that would could also feel like home. Because they wanted to celebrate without noise restrictions, the pair researched venues located more inland for their big day.

"The ceremony venue was a chance find," says Jennifer Rocher, co-director of Lavender and Rose Weddings, the team behind planning, designing, and coordinating the weekend's events. "We were starting to lose hope of finding the right venue when we stumbled across Mas del Vent, thanks to the recommendation of a kind local vendor." Mal del Vent's exterior didn't give anything away, she says—but once they journeyed onto the grounds, they discovered stunning ruins, a mini lake, and lush green gardens shaded by trees. "The Roman ruins were purchased from an art collector's private collection in Madrid in the '50s and were transported to the Costa Brava where they were completely restored and rebuilt to conform to the original construction," says Lavender and Rose's other co-director, Kerry Bracken Lacquement. "The cloister made for a stunning location for Alyssa and Macià's ceremony with welcome drinks under the shade of a beautiful oak tree."

The reception venue, Mas Torroella, was a beautifully renovated 14th-century country manor house owned by a local family—the locale was more intimate than a hotel and offered plenty of character and charm. It also came with overnight accommodations, allowing Alyssa and Macià to host some of their closest friends onsite—and party to their hearts content. "The location in the middle of a forest meant that loud music until the early hours of the morning was absolutely no issue," says Jennifer. Overall, the couple was able to fulfill their dream wedding: an authentic, unconventional, and eclectic event in a beautiful setting with incredible attention to detail.

Hong Kong-based stationer Steady Hands Creative designed the couple's timeless wedding invitations, working off a palette of cream, taupe, green, gold, and white. Handmade paper featured a natural edge, and printing combined gold foil, watercolor graphic digital print, and letterpress.

Alyssa slipped into a beautiful fit-and-flare wedding dress by Mira Zwillinger for the big day, putting its exquisite lace and delicate appliqués on display.

The bride's shiny footwear featured a block heel that made traversing the lawn a breeze.

In her bouquet, textural white flowers were offset by greenery, including vining jasmine.

Alyssa's bridesmaids, composed of her closest friends, wore batik Malaysian skirts paired with simple cream tops (each top featured a different neckline).

Rather than attempt to coordinate matching outfits for attendants that lived all over the world, Macià simply asked his groomsmen to wear dark suits of their choosing.

An aisle was formed between the ceremony seating—the garden chairs, featuring blue-and-white mosaics, were a décor highlight—and lined with potted plants that were rented from a local nursery (this reduced waste and kept the event as eco-friendly as possible).

Parasols were offered at the entrance to the ceremony site to help protect guests from the sun.

Alyssa and her father entered to the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" played acoustically by the couple's band, Double Chick.

The couple exchanged vows before the ruins' walls. Two columns were decorated with florals and greenery vines, which were woven up the structure asymmetrically.

Their loved ones looked on as Alyssa and Macià became husband and wife at the strike of golden hour.

Benches and stools were placed around wooden tables during the cocktail hour; these lounge vignettes provided pretty places for guests to rest and enjoy their libations post-ceremony.

Sprigs of fresh herbs were attached to seating cards that directed Alyssa and Macià's loved ones to their reception tables.

A lush, cozy tent housed the reception, where crystal chandeliers and compositions of greenery were draped from the transparent ceiling. A selection of rugs softened the dark wood flooring, and an eclectic mix of dinner chairs and tables offered an unconventional look that still maintained a distinct sense of style.

Pale blue chargers with frilled edges set off white plates, topped with menus and place cards. Gilded flatware added a touch of glamour.

Liz from Siloh Floral Artistry designed floral arrangements that were spontaneous and natural in style. Handmade vessels were made of earthy materials like terra-cotta, clay, and stone; the compositions featured fresh fruits, as well as blooms.

Small cocktail-style rounds were set up throughout the tent; they encouraged guests to venture out beyond their assigned seats to mix and mingle.

Alyssa and Macià took a joyful first dance—it was full of laughter—to "Is This Love" by Bob Marley.

The couple's cake was was simple and elegant in design, with two stacked tiers embellished with fresh flowers—their friends and family looked on as they took the first bite.

Photography, Branco Prata
Ceremony Venue, Mas del Vent
Reception Venue, Mas Torroella
Event Planning, Design, and Coordination, Lavender & Rose Weddings
Videography, Marc Galver
Flowers, Siloh Floral Artistry
Invitations and Stationery, Steady Hands Creative
Bride's Gown, Mira Zwillinger
Hair and Makeup, Teresa Snowball
Groom's Attire, Ascot Chang
Music, Double Chick; Spyglass
Catering, Esther Conde
Rentals, Abanik Rent & Events; Actuality Carpas; Caniguera; Crimons Rent & Event 
Transportation, Maype
Lighting, Kamal Production