A Mediterranean Summer Love Story: Claudia and Borja's Colorful Wedding at La Huerta del Peñalen

Love Story

In the bustling streets of Madrid, fate had plans for Claudia Moros Gordo and Borja Gayo Gonzalez. What started as a chance encounter between two groups of friends blossomed into a beautiful love story spanning three and a half years. "We started talking and here we are!" Claudia recalls with a smile, perfectly capturing the simplicity and magic of their beginning.

After a year and a half of careful planning, Claudia and Borja created a celebration that exceeded even their wildest dreams. "We could not have imagined a better wedding, surrounded by our family and friends," the couple shares with genuine joy. Their vision brought together 170 guests from different corners of Spain, beautifully merging elements from both their backgrounds – Castellón and Asturias.

The wedding concept was deeply rooted in Claudia's Mediterranean heritage. "I always knew that I wanted a decoration that had to do with my homeland, Castellón, and that was colorful because it was summer," she explains. This vision manifested in vibrant orange and strawberry-colored flowers adorning the dinner tables, while personalized touches included menu cards decorated with charming orange drawings and place cards uniquely embellished with dried orange slices. The church itself was transformed with Mediterranean-style bougainvillea columns, creating a stunning backdrop for their vows.

Modern inspiration met traditional elements throughout their planning journey. "Platforms like Pinterest or Instagram inspired me a lot and helped me to be clear about what I wanted," Claudia reveals. This careful curation of ideas resulted in a celebration that was both personally meaningful and visually stunning.

Morning details

The couple made modern choices while keeping tradition close to heart. "For logistical reasons, Borja and I live in Madrid but he is from Asturias and I am from Castellón, we decided to make digital invitations," explains Claudia. "The best decision we could have made!" The invitations, crafted by the talented team at Lagom, set the tone for their thoughtfully personalized celebration.

Their wedding rings reflected their shared aesthetic sensibility. "We both wanted something simple so it was easy to choose them," they share. Claudia complemented her ring with stunning vintage-style diamond and sapphire earrings and her cherished engagement ring, adding a touch of timeless elegance to her bridal look.

One of the most talked-about elements of their wedding stationery was the unique seating plan, also designed by Lagom. "We were very excited that they represented special places in Asturias and Valencia," Claudia explains enthusiastically. "Each table was assigned a typical image of one of the two places and instead of putting a number on the table we decided to customize the name of the table according to the image." This creative touch perfectly captured the essence of their two cultures coming together. "They were super nice and people loved this detail," she adds. The attention to detail extended to personalized menu cards, with every piece thoughtfully crafted by the Lagom team.

Bride getting ready

The morning of the wedding found Claudia in the serene atmosphere of the event property, surrounded by her closest family – her mother, sister, and aunt. Her choice of wedding dress came naturally through a connection with designer Isabel Nuñez. "About a year before I went to her atelier and she immediately understood the ideas that I had expressed," Claudia shares, reflecting on the perfect synergy between bride and designer. With its impeccable craftsmanship and thoughtful details, the gown seemed to have been made for her, creating an ethereal silhouette that captured the romantic Mediterranean spirit of the celebration.

Every detail of her bridal look was chosen with intention and grace. "I wore a veil, it was clear from the beginning that I would wear it," she says with certainty. Her elegant ensemble was completed with champagne-colored Jimmy Choo sandals, adding a touch of modern luxury to her timeless look.

For her bouquet, Claudia chose simplicity and elegance: "I chose a simple bouquet of white peonies," she explains. The stunning arrangement, created by Ferini, perfectly complemented her refined bridal aesthetic while maintaining an air of understated sophistication.

Ceremony

Under the soaring vaults of the magnificent Basílica del Lidon in Castellón de la Plana, Claudia and Borja's love story reached its most beautiful chapter. As "A Thousand Years" filled the sacred space, Claudia made her entrance, accompanied by the delighted smiles of five young ring bearers – all children of her dear friends.

One of the most touching moments came during their traditional "rite of the wake," a deeply meaningful custom that added an extra layer of significance to their union. "It is done with a family garment," Claudia explains, her voice filled with emotion. "It consists of putting the mantilla over the woman's head and over the man's shoulder and signifies the union of the marriage before God and gives it an extra union, strength, and love." This beautiful tradition perfectly symbolized the merging of their families and their shared future.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

Wedding Venue & Decor

La Huerta del Peñalen came alive with a vibrant palette of orange and strawberry hues, perfectly capturing the warmth and joy of a Mediterranean celebration. Adding a personal touch to the celebration, Claudia prepared thoughtful gifts for her closest friends. "I gave my closest friends a small plate for jewelry and the like, which was personalized with a drawing designed by Adela from Kuramae," she explains, demonstrating how even the smallest details of their celebration were infused with meaning and personal connection.

Reception

The celebration was a perfect blend of traditions, featuring both elegant touches and heartfelt moments. "As good Spanish, we put a good Iberian ham, good cheese, and a good wine," the couple notes proudly. Their first dance to "Il Mondo" by Jimmy Fontana was just the beginning of an unforgettable evening.

Perhaps the bride best sums up the magic of their day: "It's a difficult question because I wouldn't know which moment to choose. I remember very fondly the moment we put on the rings, it was super special. And of course, how much fun the appetizer was! Everyone dancing and singing with the band we brought. Unbeatable!"