Journal

Iain & Sophie's Enchanting White Can Gall Ibiza Wedding

This jet-setting duo got engaged on the stunning isle of Santorini, so it is little surprise their hearts landed on an Ibiza wedding too.

Sophie and Iain cheek to cheek as the sun sets over the hills at Can Gall, Ibiza

Popping the question

"We were sitting in a quiet corner of a bar, way after a beautiful sunset had passed, and Iain decided to pop the question there and then. I immediately said yes and there were tears. It was a perfect setting for us. He knows I would have hated anything that attracted attention, and having done it near the start of the holiday meant we could celebrate for the rest of the week."

Iain twirling Sophie on a stone-walled path in front of the whitewashed farmhouse

Sophie and Iain holding hands and smiling on the sunny path at Agroturismo Can Gall

Aerial view of Agroturismo Can Gall among orchards and green hills in Ibiza

Stone farmhouse doorway framed by leafy trees and potted plants at Can Gall

Iain holding Sophie and her bouquet among palm fronds at Can Gall, Ibiza

Sophie and Iain facing each other under trees in dappled sunlight

Beaded wedding dress hanging from the timber eaves of a terracotta-tiled roof

Silver strappy sandals beside a Jo Malone perfume bottle on a weathered stone

Close-up of buttons being fastened down the strappy back of Sophie's gown

Sophie beaming with a white and blush bouquet in a rustic stone room

We're going to Ibiza

"We knew exactly what we wanted for our wedding but could not find it in the UK. I had always wanted an outdoor ceremony and both of us wanted something very relaxed and personal. We also wanted to make a weekend of it so that we could spend quality time with everyone. Finding somewhere that would host us for two days in the UK, with an outdoor licensed space but with a good plan B option should it likely rain, was proving very difficult."

The couple flew to Ibiza one November weekend. "The incredible reviews of the venue and Santi and his team had my heart set on Can Gall. When the tour finished and Santi went off to get the Cava, Iain just looked at me and said 'I LOVE IT.' It was literally everything we wanted and more."

Iain in a blue suit fastening his collar beside a blurred red flower

Choosing their Can Gall Ibiza wedding photographer

"We were lucky enough to be recommended Beziique by James and Ellie at Ground Films. As soon as we looked at the website we knew they were right for us. I had left the final decision to Iain because he is the creative one of us and had a firm idea of what he was looking for. He did not feel like he needed to look anywhere else having seen the photos on Beziique's site and Instagram."

Groom and groomsmen in navy suits striding along a shady garden path

Two bridesmaids in grey skirts holding gypsophila posies before the ceremony

Bridesmaids in grey maxi skirts cheering with raised arms on a palm-lined lawn

Guests gathering under parasols in the leafy gardens of Can Gall, Ibiza

Aisle style

Sophie opted for a Mikaella design for her bridal gown. "I did the classic and went for something completely different to what I had envisaged I would wear. Having tried on what I would consider now to be my safe option and deciding it was the one, I went on to another bridal appointment that afternoon. The owner persuaded me to try on the Mikaella dress. The look on my bridesmaids' faces said it all — I had to have it."

Iain's suit was custom-made in Dubai, where the couple live. "Taking a bit of a gamble, we decided on a peacock blue colour. It was similar to what the best men and ushers were going to be in."

Eight bridesmaids joined Sophie. They helped ensure a calm wedding morning and took videos to show the bride when she was tied up with hair and makeup.

Garden ceremony with white benches, cushions and a floral arch among palms

Guests in sunglasses smiling in the rows before the ceremony

Singer in a pink dress playing guitar for the ceremony, with a LOVE sign behind

Sophie walking down the garden aisle on a guest's arm as guests turn to watch

Iain reading his vows into a microphone as Sophie listens under a veil

Iain placing the ring on Sophie's finger in the garden ceremony at Can Gall

Sophie and Iain sharing their first kiss as husband and wife

Sophie and Iain pouring into a glass vessel during a unity ceremony as a bridesmaid holds a tray

Wide view of the ceremony with guests seated beneath tall palm trees at Can Gall, Ibiza

Newlyweds walking back up the aisle smiling as guests applaud

Open-air vows

The bride's brother walked her down the aisle. Alongside seeing her soon-to-be husband for the first time, these were highlights of the day.

"Nell Shakespeare sung solo during the ceremony. She also sung us in and out and performed as we signed the certificate. She was joined by another musician to perform an acoustic duet too." A lush green backdrop and picturesque white arbour set the scene.

Aerial view of Can Gall's gardens, pool and reception tables set among trees

Shades of grey

"We wanted our guests to feel like they were at a garden party, so we did not go overboard with a theme. We chose a colour scheme of light grey and blue and wanted the day to reflect us. The venue was so beautiful we did not need to decorate much at all."

"We hired a few bits from The Wedding Shop on the island — mainly lighting and lanterns, as well as some crates for displays. The main one was 'Gordon's cigar bar' in the evening, which hosted an assortment of cigars for our guests in memory of my dad who I lost when I was younger."

"We had festoon lighting over the alfresco wedding breakfast and fairy lights up the palm trees. There were yet more fairy light curtains around the pergola for the party. Iain and I are both big on lighting and creating the right ambience."

Round tables with white linen and chairs set out on a shady lawn

Table setting with wine glasses, olive oil and a vase of white flowers

Polaroid photos pegged on strings between palm trees as a guest display

Guests at long tables for the garden wedding lunch, seen past a tree trunk

Two singers performing with a guitar beneath palm trees

Guests cheering at round tables beneath festoon lights at dusk, Can Gall

Wedding cake beside a tower of doughnuts in front of curtains of fairy lights

Sophie and Iain's first dance in a timber-beamed room as guests watch

Singer in a feathered headdress performing in front of fairy lights at night

Iain and Sophie gazing at each other in a haze of golden sunset light

Festival entertainment

"Nell Shakespeare's band, The Ibiza Feeling, played our first dance and opened the dance floor. They were incredible — we specifically told Nell what we wanted: percussion, sax and a female vocalist, and she delivered it." A DJ followed and kept the dance floor buzzing into the early hours.