Al fresco dinner was served for the newlyweds, their parents, and The Best Man, under the pergola. Centrepieces were designed by La Tartana in Valencia and included peach David Austen English Roses, powder white delphiniums and white and peach garden roses and the pink dipped wax candles were hand-made by the Bride, Groom and family in the run up to the wedding.
Once guests found their seats the newlyweds walked out of the Bridal Suite to everyone waving their napkins (a Spanish tradition).
The menu from El Poblets included: Crab stuffed with its crumbs with Sherry; and Citrus Mustard Scallops touched with Curry and caramelized Vegetables for the first course. To refresh in between courses a Royal Mojito with Peppermint Sorbet and Lemon with Blueberry Vodka Sorbet was offered, then as the main course a Fillet Steak with Perigourdine Truffled Sauce. Dessert was a Trompe L’Oiel – a trick for the eyes – where chocolate and cream desserts were served in the form of a savoury ‘faux’ brunch – Todays Brunch with Tomato, Fuet, Olives and Peanuts. Each wedding menu was tied in dusty pink ribbons sewn by the Bride’s Father.
The tables were all named locations across Vietnam, which currently is home for the newlyweds, and their Presidential table was Phu Quoc the island where the Groom first proposed. On the reverse of each table number was a quotation, an extract, or a poem of significance from ancient Chinese proverbs, the Bible, Leon de Greiff, Geoffrey Chaucer, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Rumi, Mahmoud Darwish, Pablo Neruda, or Lang Leav.
Phu Quoc – Presidential Table
“Esta rosa fue testigo
de ese, que si amor no
fue, ninguno otro amor
serÃa.”
“This rose was a
witness to that, which
if it were not love,
there could no other
love be.”
León de Greiff – Notable Colombian Poet
The Groom’s Father painted the Church in Altea highlighting the blue tiled domes – Graham brought over his artwork from England, and it was used in the Ceremony wedding program as well as displayed in front of the Presidential Table for the duration of the wedding banquet.
The family and wedding party all got a pink or peach hand sewn handkerchief with their name as a token of thanks for their support on the day. Ironically, the Groom never got this gift from his Bride as she’d opted for it to say “Mi Esposo” and the set-up team could not figure out who that was (…it means my husband… in Spanish).
During the banquet the newlyweds got a chance to get around to each of their tables to greet everyone, share a drink, and even have a Cuban cigar! The playlist for dinner included an array of Latin Cafe vibes (plus rather unexpectedly the theme song for Narcos and Money Heist!).
