For Bernice and Patrick, having a really cool party to celebrate their wedding was non-negotiable. They wanted a venue that was elegant and relaxed. In short, they needed a perfect backdrop for their sunflower-filled July ceremony and chilled-out dinner. Almost as important as the décor was the music, especially the reggae sound-track, as devised by DJ Patrick.
A perfect location
Venue 16 is set in the Mallorcan countryside just 20 minutes from Palma. Set on a hill with panoramic views all around, it has an imposing approach, picturesque cobbled courtyard. Not forgetting the Italianate tower and elegant dinner terraces.
The couple wanted to fill their wedding with vibrant colour inspired by the rainbow. So shades of ink-blue, hunter-green, burgundy, daffodil, lavender and grape were picked up throughout. The flowers of the day included golden sunflowers, blue sea holly, lisianthus, veronica, bright yellow solidago and olive foliage.
Bernice teamed her strapless white lace dress with high rose-gold heels. Her bouquet featured sunflowers mixed with shades of violet, purple and orange, tied with a violet and orange ribbon. The bridesmaids had individual bouquets in colours to match their dresses of red, purple, dark blue and yellow. The dads and groomsmen had bright buttonholes to match.
For the ceremony, rustic brown wooden chairs with white cushions were decorated with pew-end flowers in vivid pops of colour.
A gourmet feast
After the ceremony, as the couple slipped away for photographs in the beautiful surroundings of the finca, the guests enjoyed refreshing cava and Aperol spritz. Then came delicious canapes of blinis with marinated salmon, gorgonzola and apricot bites. Then came pumpernickel toast with goat cheese and figs, quail eggs with bacon and crispy onions; ceviche of seabass and prawns with guacamole, wild mushroom and truffle cannelloni and octopus with smoked paprika.
Then at 7.30pm, the huge wooden doors from the courtyard were opened, revealing the dinner terrace under the gently-waving palm trees.
The tables were decorated with colourful glass vases of flowers and water glasses in gold, green, turquoise and orange.
The starters of yellow gazpacho with lobster, couscous and mango were followed by beef with gnocchi romana and sundried tomato. There was still room for the delicious dessert of raspberry mousse with white chocolate and basil ice cream. Meanwhile, the reggae soundtrack and rapping by Patrick ensured that dinner was an upbeat occasion.
Party party!
As night fell, it was time for the party to get underway. The courtyard had been transformed. Specially-commissioned light-art installations enlivened the space complete with strobe lighting and smoke machines
The music was played by three DJ friends who each played a set. Meanwhile, wooden pallet-style sofas and tables with cushions created a relaxed chillout zone for chatting.
After a few hours of dancing, there were tasty snacks of Mallorca pa amb oli and chocolate brownies. The party continued in full swing until 4am.
See more of Bernice and Patricks's amazing wedding here:
Photographs by Ana Garcia
