A Decade of Love Celebrated: Emily & Giovanni's Spanish Wedding at Hotel La Gavina

Author: Natali Grace Levine
Wedding date: 06/20/2025
City: Barcelona

Love Story

July 4th, 2015 changed everything. Gio, fresh from California and new to New York City, was supposed to head to the Hamptons that weekend with his friends. Instead, they made a last-minute decision to try Belmar on the Jersey Shore. Meanwhile, Emily, a true New Yorker living in Hoboken, was spending her summer weekends at a house with her girlfriends on the very same shore. The number one rule of the Jersey Shore? Never fall in love there. But that serendipitous night when their paths crossed, sparks flew instantly.

A decade followed—New York, Los Angeles, and finally splitting time between NYC and Barcelona. Their relationship unfolded naturally, full of laughter and shared goals. Most mornings, they still start their day the same way: together—walking to the gym, grabbing their favorite coffee, and stopping at church to give thanks for their health, their love, and the life they're building.

Giovanni knew he wanted to propose long before he actually did it. One day, she came home and he looked at her and thought, how could he live without this woman? He bought the ring that night, planned a surprise Paris trip, and proposed on February 12, 2022.

About Your Wedding

Emily and Giovanni weren't interested in just any celebration. After nearly a decade together, they wanted something that reflected their deep connection to Spain and the joy of bringing their people to this place they'd grown to love.

They got married on June 20, 2025, at the historic Hostal de la Gavina in S'Agaró, Spain, just two weeks before their 10th anniversary. The venue chose them as much as they chose it. Walking the nearby Cami de Ronda during their first visit, a coastal path lined with the town's history, they kept finding names and dates that mirrored their own lives. With Giovanni's grandmother born in Granada, Spain, and their current home base in Barcelona, everything aligned perfectly. They knew in their hearts and gut that this was the place they were meant to start the next chapter.

The three-day celebration was designed as the perfect Spanish destination wedding experience, hosting 100 of their closest family and friends. Emily collaborated closely with Azalea Events House to bring her sophisticated vision to life—a black-tie affair with romantic Mediterranean charm that honored both their love story and their appreciation for the people who matter most to them.

Morning Details

The wedding morning unfolded with elegant simplicity against the backdrop of Spain's coastal beauty. Emily's pearl-embellished Badgley Mischka shoes caught the light on luxurious textured linens, while their custom wedding stationery—complete with wax seals and romantic calligraphy—set the tone for the day's sophistication.

Giovanni's morning preparations featured his gold Rolex, a gift from Emily, paired with a black bow tie and cologne that would become part of their wedding day memories. These carefully chosen details reflected the couple's appreciation for timeless elegance and meaningful touches that would weave throughout their Mediterranean celebration.

Bride Getting Ready

Emily's bridal fashion journey was nothing short of spectacular, featuring three distinct couture moments that perfectly captured the essence of their Mediterranean celebration. Her getting ready took place at the stunning Hostal La Gavina,where anticipation filled the air.

For the welcome party, Emily chose a custom couture gown designed by Salma Osman, adorned with glass beading throughout that gave it a shimmering, light-catching effect from every angle. The dress featured a halter-style neckline with intricate beaded detailing, and the bodice had delicate cutouts at the sides and waist, adding a fashion-forward edge while still feeling elegant and romantic.

Her ceremony look was equally breathtaking—a Berta Bridal Couture gown paired with a custom veil and train crafted by Bridal Avenue Barcelona. This couture lace gown featured a timeless silhouette with intricate all-over lacework. The fitted structure was balanced by a flowing, cathedral-length train of soft tulle, edged with subtle lace appliqué designed to catch the light beautifully and add a whisper of drama.

But Emily wasn't done making fashion statements. For the reception after-party, she chose another Salma Osman custom piece—a head-turning, couture mini covered in dazzling crystal embellishments and delicate beading. The structured corset bodice featured a lace-up back and sheer cutouts, adding a sultry edge to the sparkle.

Groom Getting Ready

Giovanni's preparation was equally thoughtful and steeped in the elegance of Spanish tradition. He wore a custom Canali tuxedo, sourced from Santa Eulalia, a luxury boutique in Barcelona with over 180 years of history, chosen intentionally to reflect the legacy and elegance of the venue itself.

Ceremony

The ceremony was designed to feel immersive and dreamy—Mediterranean air, natural textures drapery, florals that seemed to belong to the stone they were coming from, and the sound of the sea that surrounded the guests.

The musical accompaniment was equally romantic. As Emily walked down the aisle, she was accompanied by the live performance of Swite Duo, a Spanish violinist and guitarist who played romantic classics. This live performance added an intimacy that perfectly complemented the natural beauty of the seaside setting.

For Emily, this moment was everything she had dreamed of. “Walking down the aisle and seeing Giovanni there, and passing through that decor that I had only imagined up to that point! The drapery blowing in the wind, the petals scattered on the aisle, soft music playing and all my loved ones looking at me, while I was looking at him!” she shared.

Photoshoot After The Ceremony

Following their emotional ceremony, Emily and Giovanni took advantage of the golden Mediterranean light and stunning coastal setting for their post-ceremony portraits. The historic Senya Blanca and surrounding areas provided a dramatic backdrop that perfectly captured the romance and elegance of their Spanish destination wedding.

Wedding Venue & Decor

The design concept for Emily and Giovanni's wedding was nothing short of inspired. Working closely with Azalea Events House, Emily brought her vision to life with a sophisticated color palette and meaningful design elements. Shades of white, stone, cream and beige, with a hint of greenery, a touch of gold and lots of pearls created the foundation of their aesthetic. This palette perfectly complemented the natural beauty of the Mediterranean coastline while adding touches of luxury and elegance.

The celebration unfolded across three days, the perfect Spanish destination-wedding experience. The inspiration was the ceremony venue, Senya Blanca, and its overall look that blended perfectly with the idea of drapery that both Emily and her event designer were interested in using as a concept. The shimmer of pearls and chic allure of bubbly champagne and a bowtie event added to the rest.

The reception moved to the iconic Hotel La Gavina, a 5-star coastal landmark known for its timeless old Hollywood glamour and cinematic sea views, providing the perfect setting for their evening celebration.

Reception

The evening celebration was as magical as the ceremony, beginning with Emily and Giovanni's first dance to "Lost Stars" by Adam Levine—a perfect choice that reflected both their romantic journey and their love of meaningful music.

The reception at Hotel La Gavina provided the ideal backdrop for celebrating with their 100 closest family and friends. The venue's old Hollywood glamour perfectly complemented their black-tie dress code and sophisticated aesthetic.

Though their roots are from multiple heritages, Emily and Giovanni focused on the values they share—gratitude, connection, and celebration—and thoughtfully curated the weekend to bring their family and friends together for a beautiful European and Spanish experience. Every moment was designed to reflect their love for one another and the life they share in Barcelona.

When asked about working with their wedding team, Emily's enthusiasm was infectious: "Loved working with Aly from Azalea Events House, we have a strong relationship even now, months after the wedding! And she understood us from the beginning. She was a great supporter and even a therapist at times, we laughed together and joked all throughout the planning process. It was so much fun!"

The celebration concluded with what sounds like a perfect ending—from the crashing waves during the ceremony to the final sail along the Costa Brava, the wedding served as an invitation into a little piece of their hearts and a glimpse into the home and rhythm of life they've created together.