CARLOTA + JAVIER

The Beginning

Carlota and Javier met quite serendipitously, through a couples application, 5 years ago. She lived in Spain and her parents in Panama. During a holiday on Buenaventura beach with her family, the couple met for the first time. Carlota returned to Spain to continue her studies and in June, on another Panama vacation, they saw each other again, maintaining their relationship for 3 months.

It was time for her to return to Spain, so he asked her to stay and live in Panama. Thus began this romantic adventure, Carlota only returned to Madrid to collect her things, and get her paperwork in order, then made the move to live with Javier.

At a family dinner, when it was time for dessert, the waiter served her dish along with a ring box. Then, Javier knelt down and asked her to marry him. She says it was the best thing that ever happened to her. Who would have predicted that their wedding would be in Buenaventura, where they first met.

The Wedding

The best part about the wedding was that Carlota had dreamt of it ever since she was a little girl. She defined the event as elegant, fresh and beautiful. The color palette included lilac, white, gray, eucalyptus green, pink and purple.

The decorations both during the ceremony, and outside the chapel were white and eucalyptus green. There were vintage gray pots with various floral arrangements on each side of the chapel door and arrangements were also placed above the stairs.

The reception was at the Golf Club, an outdoor space full of palm trees and natural vegetation such as the great Corotu tree. The addition of carefully placed lighting enhanced the location’s beauty. Guests were welcomed with Panama hats, a large framed flamenco-dance poster, and oversized free-standing letters of their initials decorated with flowers. A stunning table combining flower pots with wood and aged iron lanterns, was among the touches that created glamour and elegance at the wedding.

The bridal bouquet was inspired by a collection of wildflowers with a very modern style. The bouquet included: tulips, dusty miller, Limonium, Lisianthus, baby’s-breath, spider flower, baby roses and eucalyptus.

Original Ideas

The party featured a popcorn cart, and personalized snacks in bags decorated with caricatures.

Guests also enjoyed a photo booth with an array of hats, glasses, and posters to pose with, all in the same style as the wedding invitation.

Bride & Groom’s Style

Carlota chose a dress from "Rosa Clará", a Spanish designer. It was not a difficult choice, because on the second day of dress shopping, she found the one she always dreamed of. It was love at first sight. The shoes; Valentino Rockstud pumps in salmon pink. The groom chose a black tuxedo from Ermenegildo Zegna, a white shirt with Carolina Herrera cufflinks, a black bow-tie and black dress shoes.

Special Moments

One of these was when Carlota got ready on the one side of the small living room, while her whole family waited for her. She came out dressed for all to see and the moment was indescribable. The room was full of proud family members, and joyful faces and exclamations. The nervous mother and daughter said goodbye, then Carlota set off for the church with her brothers, cousins and the bridal party. Her father was nervous, but he tried not to show it. There was one moment when he took Carlota’s hand when he saw her tremble, just before the doors of the church opened. Her father was proud and happy. Javier was waiting for Carlota at the end of the aisle, looking at her, about to burst into tears.

Bride Tips

One tip from this bride is that every couple getting married needs a group of professionals by their sides. The wedding team should give the bride confidence. Each aspect of this wedding had the bride's seal of approval and that undoubtedly made her day personalized and enjoyable.

As Carlota herself comments, the style of the wedding plays an important role because it speaks to the personality of the bride. In her case, an original style, modern but, elegant at the same time, that perfectly matched her spirit.

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