Cliffside Romance: Jaime and Vartan's Intimate Wedding at Hacienda Na Xamena

Love Story

Some of the most beautiful love stories begin in the most ordinary places. For Jaime and Vartan, their romance blossomed in a NYC gym. "I saw him as I walked into the gym and decided I was going to talk to him," Vartan recalls with a smile. "I took an hour to gain some courage and walked up to him in the locker room and said hi. The rest is history!"

Five and a half years later, Vartan orchestrated a proposal that was nothing short of magical. "I planned a birthday dinner for Jaime and a few friends by hosting a private dinner at the rooftop of the Beekman Hotel in Downtown NYC, but I had a surprise up my sleeve -- his birthday cake didn't say "happy birthday," but " Will You Marry Me?"," he shares. "When the cake showed up, I waited for Jaime to notice the message, then went down on one knee. What followed were tears and joy and lots of celebrating!"

On a perfect June day in 2023, after two years of thoughtful planning, Jaime and Vartan's dream wedding came to life at the magnificent Hacienda Na Xamena in Ibiza. With 40 of their closest friends and family members, they created an intimate four-day celebration that perfectly reflected their vision of love and togetherness.

"We wanted our wedding to feel simple, yet elevated," the couple explains, their eyes lighting up as they share their vision. "We wanted to connect with nature and the backdrop of the resort, which was literally breathtakingly stunning -- a true slice of heaven -- was just that. We wanted our close friends and family to enjoy themselves by taking in the beauties of the resort and being in Ibiza. We wanted it all to feel like a celebration -- good vibes and good times at all times."

Their wedding style was thoughtfully curated to create a harmonious blend with the breathtaking surroundings. "A mixture of classic and timeless meets simple elegance," they share. "Our tuxedos were classic and identical. Our small wedding party dressed in sage and champagne colors to seamlessly blend in with the scenery. The native surroundings -- the sun, the mountains, the ocean -- did the rest!"

What truly set their celebration apart was their grounded approach to the planning process. "Not overproducing an event or getting lost in the theatrics of a wedding," Vartan reflects on what inspired them. "We wanted to ensure it all felt intimate and true to us. Despite the destination and the details, it was all about us getting married and nothing else. This perspective helped us enjoy the process."

Morning details

The couple's attention to detail was evident in every aspect of their wedding, starting with their personalized stationery. "We did it ourselves and designed them online," they share proudly. "Our invitations included multiple cards, including the 4-day event calendar and the formal wedding invitation with RSVP." Their thoughtfulness extended to their guests' arrival, with event cards and details placed in all bedroom suites, accompanied by small, custom gifts to show their appreciation and gratitude.

The jewelry choices were deeply meaningful for both grooms. Working with a family jeweler, they selected wedding rings that perfectly complemented their custom-designed engagement rings. But it was the special touches that truly captured their love story. "I gifted Jaime a gold-knotted bracelet," Vartan shares with emotion. "That knot was symbolic of our love -- tied together, forever." Vartan also wore pieces rich with family history: a diamond bracelet and a diamond cross necklace that his mother had given him when he was younger.

Groom getting ready

The morning of the wedding was filled with intimate moments as the couple prepared together in their stunning ocean-view honeymoon suite at Hacienda Na Xamena. "It started off with just him and I (and a glass of breakfast champagne)," Vartan recalls with a smile. "Then slowly more and more people trickled in."

The getting-ready process evolved into a joyful gathering as their wedding party arrived. "We had a small team of hair and make-up folks show up to prep the wedding party. Our good friend (and sole groomsmaid) did both of our hair and makeup. Soon, flowers came in, our families joined, then our esteemed video and photo crew showed up and it was showtime!"

Both grooms looked absolutely dashing in their matching custom tuxedos from Suit Supply in New York City. Their accessories were thoughtfully chosen to complement the wedding's aesthetic. "Outside of some jewelry, we had two floral boutonniere," they explain. "One was a larger corsage (for the ceremony and shoot), the other was a simpler flower for the dinner and reception."

The floral elements played a crucial role in bringing their vision to life. Working with a custom shop in Ibiza, they selected stunning arrangements that "captured the vibrant colors of Ibiza (reds, pinks, fuchsias) and blended in perfectly with the theme of sage and champagne." The florist expertly used native flowers to capture the island's natural vibrancy, creating pieces that perfectly complemented both the wedding party's attire and the breathtaking venue.

Photoshoot before the ceremony

The couple's photography journey was expertly captured by Grabazei Photography, a team who flew in specially from Bucharest for the wedding. "We did two separate photoshoots," the couple explains with excitement. "On the day of the wedding, we took photos in our suite, then in the atrium of the resort after the ceremony. The next day, we did a two-hour photoshoot around the resort." Their faces light up as they share a special detail: "The owner of the resort let us borrow his classic white Porsche and that made it into many of our photos. What an incredible experience!"

Ceremony

As the Spanish sun cast its golden glow over Ibiza, Jaime and Vartan's ceremony unfolded in a setting that seemed pulled from a fairytale - the outdoor cliffside amphitheater of the beautiful Hacienda Na Xamena. Nature herself provided the most spectacular backdrop, with endless azure waters stretching to the horizon and dramatic cliffs framing the intimate gathering.

The emotional ceremony began with a uniquely personal touch as the couple walked down the aisle to a live acoustic version of "Viva Forever" by the Spice Girls, performed beautifully by their Spanish guitarist. The music set a tone that perfectly balanced romance with personality - much like the couple themselves.

"The ceremony was incredible," the couple recalls. "Standing cliffside, under the beaming sun, reciting our vows, holding back tears (unsuccessfully)... A moment we'll never forget." The raw emotion of the moment was palpable as the couple exchanged their heartfelt vows with the Mediterranean Sea as their witness, surrounded by their closest family and friends in the natural amphitheater.

Wedding Venue & Decor

The majestic Hacienda Na Xamena provided a canvas that perfectly aligned with Jaime and Vartan's vision of natural elegance. The couple made the inspired choice to let the venue's inherent beauty guide their decorative decisions, creating a celebration that felt both sophisticated and organically beautiful.

"The color palette of the wedding was nature and all its beauties," the couple shares, describing their thoughtful approach to the wedding's aesthetic. Their careful attention to detail was evident in every element: "Our wardrobe -- the classic black tuxedos along with the colors of sage and champagne for our small wedding party, with the vibrant flowers -- blended in perfectly against a simply breathtaking backdrop."

Rather than competing with the spectacular setting, they chose to complement it with understated elegance. "Our dinner venue was simply white linens with green branches and leaves," they explain. This minimalist approach to decor allowed the natural beauty of Hacienda Na Xamena to shine through, creating an atmosphere that was at once sophisticated and completely harmonious with its surroundings.

Reception

As the sun began its descent over the Mediterranean, the celebration moved into a reception that perfectly balanced elegance with joy. The couple shared their first dance to Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran's "Who We Love" - a deeply meaningful choice that captured the essence of their relationship and the significance of the day.

The culinary experience at Hacienda Na Xamena proved to be nothing short of extraordinary. "The hors d'oeuvres and dinner service was fantastic," the couple enthuses. "The menu was customized to every single person's preference." Their eyes light up as they describe the gastronomic journey: "The food at Hacienda Na Xamena was mouthwatering and literally mind-blowing. You should have seen the next day brunch! It was a Game of Thrones-level FEAST."

The resort's talented chefs continued to impress with a stunning wedding cake that perfectly complemented the evening's celebrations. But it wasn't just the culinary team that made the day special - every vendor contributed to creating an unforgettable experience. "Amazing. Life-changing," the couple says of their vendor team, particularly their photography and videography duos. "They captured and created even more magic. So very thankful we found both of these duos. The memories they created for us enhanced the entire experience!"

The reception embodied everything the couple had hoped for in their celebration - an elegant yet joyful gathering where their loved ones could come together to celebrate their love against the backdrop of one of the world's most beautiful settings. As the night progressed, the cliffside venue transformed into an intimate paradise under the stars, creating the perfect ending to a perfect day.