Starting off their Malaga celebrations with a fabulous botanical gardens pre-wedding photoshoot, Irish couple Gretta and Paul exchanged vows at the magnificent Hacienda Nadales. Featuring two fabulous bridal looks, phenomenal florals, a spectacular ceremony spot, and a dreamy reception where guests dined underneath a canopy of enchanting fairy lights - just the sight of it will completely take your breath away. Wonderfully captured by Eoin Kirwan Photography, Gretta and Paul's sun-kissed destination wedding will provide plenty of inspiration to those dreaming of tying the knot abroad.

Before diving into their gorgeous June wedding day, let's get to know the happy couple a bit more! Bride Gretta fills us in, "We met in 2012 when we worked in the same pizzeria in Sligo. One of us was better at our hospitality job than the other, and one of us liked to talk more than the other, and both of those people were Paul!"

Meeting their photographer at the Gran Hotel Miramar for the first of their stunning wedding portraits the day before the wedding, the Sligo based couple finished out their photo session at the Jardín Botánico Histórico La Concepción with its idyllic water feature and impressive views serving as a picture-perfect backdrop.

From the outset of wedding planning, the couple envisioned having their special day abroad. Gretta tells, "The wedding was originally planned for 2020 and then we had our baby boy Lewis which pushed it back three times. However, it was always this venue and it was always meant to be a summer holiday for our friends and family to reunite as we had people travelling from Australia, Canada and China. We wanted to ensure the drinks flowed and the food was of an excellent standard for our guests."  

The couple describing their wedding aesthetic as 'simple, classic, elegant and monochrome with little touches of gold'. Gretta adds, "I wanted to love it in twenty years time, so I wanted the style to be timeless and season-less. The venue itself impacted everything as the entire wedding took place there in different part of the grounds."

Before their picture-perfect ceremony began, the couple shared an incredibly sweet first look moment with Gretta sporting a phenomenal Sarah Seven gown which she accessorised with a statement pair of floral Zara earrings.

With the sun shining brightly over their dreamy nuptials, the couple exchanged their vows in a fairytale glasshouse on the grounds of the breathtaking venue. Decorated with white floral arrangements and foliage to compliment the architecture and a simple white carpet aisle, the couple described their sun-baked ceremony as very personal and memorable.

In an extra special addition to their ceremony a friend of the couple acted as celebrant on the day: "Our best friend Luke, who is a musician, was our celebrant and sang us through the ceremony with our two other friends, Anthony and Micheal. When our friends stepped forward, their voices felt like an extension of us, our relationship and journey. I think everyone felt that - the shared memories and bonds of friendship and real connection in the room - it was spiritual without a mention of religion, it transcended traditional and was a moment of friendship and love."

With their adorable son Lewis playing an important role in their ceremony, the couple added that it was the littlest guests that made their day all the more special: "The gorgeous ring boy, page boys and flower girl (who was eating the flower arch when no one was looking!), and our maid of honour with the beautiful baby bump that is now little baby Bobby."

On what made the Malaga venue 'the one' for Gretta and Paul they say, "The botanical gardens and the antique greenhouse where we had that magical ceremony, there is something so special, impressive and immersive about it. It's large and can fit over 100 people but it feels so intimate when you are inside. The feeling you get outside it and inside changes as you move around it. The venue itself has this lovely old feeling, it’s got a history that has depth to it, nothing is surface level - it's all authentic."

One musical moment in particular from their day ended up being their favourite. Gretta reminisces, "Our three friends sang Hozier’s Movement in the glasshouse during the ceremony. The harmonies filled the space, and everyone had goosebumps. It was extremely special."

How stunning are Gretta's satin, cowl-neck champagne bridesmaids dresses from Pretty Lavish?

Mini teepees and toys were set up for the littlest guests. Such a sweet touch!

Gretta and Paul have this advice for couples on their own wedding planning journeys, "Things go wrong, no one notices, they really don’t. Tell your bridal party venue or suppliers or planners what you want help with in detail. People aren’t mind readers, and for weddings abroad you do run the risk of things getting lost in translation."

Their stylish reception tables were adorned with Spanish olive trees featuring hanging glass bauble candles, trailing olive leave garlands and chic black and white stationery. While overhead, a magical canopy of fairy lights twinkled in the evening sun.

With their evening reception going on to include a champagne tower in place of a wedding cake and a first dance to Alicia Keys If I Ain't Got You, the couple described the overall vibe of their wedding day as sunny, tasteful, heartfelt, elegant and intimate. "Our guests enjoyed a summer city break and were transported to a beautiful evening garden party only 10 mins from Malaga’s historic old town. Spanish drinks flowing, delicious local food, music played by friends and family - everything was heartfelt and personal to us. It felt magical because of the people there, everyone was genuinely happy to be abroad eating dinner underneath the clear night sky and twinkling lights after our wedding was pushed back."

A very special thank you to Gretta, Paul and Eoin Kirwan Photography for sharing their charming destination wedding with One Fab Day. There are also plenty more gorgeous photos from their special day to check out in the gallery below!

Dreaming of having your own destination wedding? Find more real wedding inspiration from couple's who tied the knot abroad here.