07 - FEATURE STORY The weather is very reliable and at just 2 and a half hours from the UK it very accessible. There are daily flights from most regional airports so guests that cannot take a week off work can come out for a few days. We have had guests that have arrived the morning of a wedding returned back to UK the next day only taking one day off work. The Costa del Sol offers a wide range of stunning venues for the perfect day. There are traditional Spanish restaurants, small hotels, villas, to larger 5 star hotels. There really is something to suit everyone, including beach side venues to mountain tops, intimate villas and grand castles offering some amazing backdrops for your wedding day. Blessings and symbolic weddings are also becoming ever popular as more couples are finding the Civil Wedding somewhat ‘dry’ or unromantic for their tastes. A blessing is tailor-made to your requirements including vow exchanges, the giving and receiving of rings, lighting of candles, readings and music of your choice, all topped with a signing of certificate for you and your partner to keep and remember. The only difference is they are not legally recognized, but can still be a wonderful experience in itself. Overall Spain really is the perfect location for your perfect day. Guests have the chance to see some sun and you have the ideal venue for an extra special day. For more information visit the website. Torres de San Juan is a fantastic venue and one of our best on the Costa del Sol. The roof top terrace is a great setting for a blessing and/or drinks reception. With views to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada or down to the sea over Nerja this is a great start to your unique experience. The restaurant is made up of several different areas and can accommodate wedding parties from 12 up to 250 guests making it perfect for any size wedding. The restaurant is air conditioned; the food is excellent with flexible menus including free flowing wine, beer and soft drinks with the meal. The final ‘wow’ factor to the restaurant is the amazing underwater disco - a must for your celebrations. Torres de San Juan has a great reputation which it more than deserves. The staff are friendly, helpful and accommodating, making this a perfect setting for your day. FEATURED VENUE

ARTICLE - 08 JULIA BOGGIO Originally from New Jersey, Julia has now lived in the UK for ten years. She is married to Welsh filmmaker James Derbyshire. Julia comes from a long line of Italian artists: her great-grandfather and grandfather were both photographers and her father is a painter. In her late twenties, Julia finally discovered her photographic gene while on a six month journey through South America. A complete movie nut, Julia’s style is heavily influenced by film, so if you find yourself twirling like Frauline Maria, don’t be surprised. In 2007, her husband and she gained international infamy on You Tube as “that Dirty Dancing couple,” a twist of fate that saw them onto Richard & Judy, BBC Breakfast and The Oprah Winfrey Show, to name a few. In three words, James would describe her as passionate, quirky and creative. Julia says “our approach is artistic, glamorous and, most importantly, fun. We work on the principle that everyone deserves to have amazing wedding photographs. Male or female, it’s our job to help you let out your inner Claudia Schiffer. Our belief is that using a variety of photographic styles on the wedding day is the key to telling your story effectively; this includes reportage for the intimate, natural moments, still life for the details, traditional for mum and dad and fashion for the couple and their wedding party. We deliver our service on the day in a friendly and respectful manner to enhance your wedding experience”. Julia says “choosing a photographer is almost as difficult as choosing a venue. There is a lot of choice out there and this is probably the first time that you’ve commissioned someone to take professional images of you. The good news is that the ideal photographer for you definitely exists...it’s just a matter of finding her or him”. For more information visit the website. We speak to Professional photographer and Dirty Dancing bride Julia Boggio who shares her top tips for finding the right wedding photographer for you. 1. Decide what style of photography you want. Before you even start looking at wedding photography specifically, look at photography in general. What images do you like when you look through magazines and photography books? 2. Set a budget. Just remember that after the last guest has left and the band has packed up, your photographs are your only lasting memory of the day and, in twenty year’s time, neither of you will care what they cost. 3. Hire a professional. The pros know when we can and can’t take pictures on the day; we understand the cadence of a wedding day; and even though most people think they are a bit naff, it’s actually a difficult skill to take a good traditional group shot 4. Do your research. Word-of-mouth and the internet are the best two places to start. There are websites of professional photography organisations that list their members, like the Master Photographer’s Association (www.thempa.co.uk), British Institute of Professional Photographers (www.bipp.com) or the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (www.swpp.co.uk). 5. Make an appointment. If geographically possible, it’s a good idea to meet up with the photographers you are considering before making a final decision. 6. Ask the right questions. When meeting with the photographer, there are a few things you should be asking. For example, what do you get for your investment? Is an album included? Ask to see not just their best images, but also examples of a full wedding. Other questions are: does the photographer work with an assistant? If there is an element of travel involved, how much extra cost is there? 7. Compare your data. Now it’s crunch time. You’ve met your potential photographers and have to make a decision. Alternatively, you may already know 100% who you want. However, if you don’t, then think about the following questions: do you like the photographer? Is he or she someone you could imagine being friends with? This is probably one of the most important issues for you to consider. 8. Make your final decision. Well done! You’ve now chosen the person who’s going to make sure your valuable memories are captured and recorded. As a courtesy, it’s a good idea to let the unlucky contenders know you haven’t chosen them. But after that’s done, uncork some champagne and celebrate completing one of the most difficult tasks of your planning.