Ronda, Benalauria, Genalguacil,
Andalusia, Spain
Wedding MC: Peep Saar
Videographer: artemiofotos.com
Wedding planner: Almudena Bulani
Liis and Raiki decided to get married in Spain — in arguably the most Spanish region of all, Andalusia (although some of my Spanish friends may disagree). Just a handful of people, only their closest family and friends, joined them at a stunning private villa up in the mountains near Ronda. Rolling crop fields with horses grazing, sweeping mountain views, an infinity pool to cool down in the afternoon heat, and the villa itself styled in classic Andalusian architecture with whitewashed walls and terracotta. The whole group spent an entire week up there, and we had the most joyful, caring, beautifully relaxed time — the kind of week you remember forever.
Ronda itself is one of the most dramatic towns in Spain — perched on the edge of a deep gorge with a centuries-old bridge spanning the gap. The surrounding Serranía de Ronda is a world apart from the coastal tourist areas: quiet mountain roads, olive groves, and ancient villages that feel untouched by time. It’s one of the most photogenic regions in southern Europe, and for couples considering a destination wedding in Spain, it offers something completely different from the beaches and resort weddings of the Costa del Sol.
The dinner the evening before the ceremony was followed by a small group photo session in the golden light, and the ceremony itself took place the next day in the villa’s garden under the trees — intimate, personal, and surrounded by nothing but mountains and sky.
I had time to explore the surroundings beforehand and we ended up taking portraits in some of the most gorgeous mountain villages in the area. Benalauría and Genalguacil are tiny whitewashed pueblos blancos — villages full of flowers cascading from balconies, friendly locals sitting in doorways, and narrow cobblestone streets drenched in warm Andalusian light. It was a wonderful time with the couple before the ceremony, wandering through places that most tourists never find.
The evening that followed was something else entirely. The dinner and party carried us straight through to morning light. That was one of the most incredible wedding celebrations I’ve been part of — in the most wonderful way. A destination wedding in Andalusia at its absolute finest.
Why did you choose Spain and Ronda Mountain Resort?
“We’ve been in Spain with our family every year for the past 8–9 years, so the Andalusian area has always felt like home to us. It’s also not too far from Estonia by plane compared to Thailand, our second favourite destination. We wanted a big enough villa, just right for our closest family for a week-long holiday. Our options came down to two villas, and in autumn 2018 we made the final decision. The main reason was the location — in the middle of nowhere between beautiful mountains and nature.”
How did you pick your vendors?
“We got the contact of our planner from the villa — Almudena Fernandez Izquierdo, who already had experience with weddings there. She helped with the band, catering, flowers and other details. We brought our wedding MC and ceremony master from Estonia. It was important for us to have the wedding in Estonian, as all our guests were from Estonia. That’s why we also chose a photographer from Estonia. We had three priorities for our wedding: a lovely ceremony in our own language, gorgeous images, and a wonderful, memorable party.”
What were your biggest fears?
“Almost none. We’ve been together for more than 13 years and we have two gorgeous daughters. Our only fear was that living one week together in a villa with family and friends might lead to some disagreements — but everyone was in holiday mode. It was perfect!”
Do you regret anything?
“We forgot to tell our videographer that we were going to take portraits in the mountain villages. He missed all of it. It was a very last-minute decision the day before and we simply forgot. But at the same time, he captured great footage at the villa and everything going on there.”
Any advice for couples planning a wedding abroad?
“There’s always someone who can’t attend your wedding when it’s abroad — it’s out of your control. We missed our best friend who was at home with her newborn, and the groom’s grandmother who was too unwell to travel. If you book a wedding planner from another country, be ready for a different working culture. Spain has a much slower pace than we’re used to, so all communication takes longer than you’d expect. If something isn’t going according to plan, don’t freak out. Hire people you trust and click with. A good connection with your vendors is crucial. If you feel someone isn’t your person, don’t hire them, even if they have a lot of recommendations.”
