Where Sea Meets Soul: Tatiana and Dan's Elegant Mediterranean Dream at Casa Santa Clotilde

Love Story

In a twist of fate that could rival any romantic comedy, Tatiana and Dan's love story began with a surprise meeting in Geneva. "I was living in Barcelona and I went to visit a friend in Geneva," Tatiana recalls. "My friend had mentioned that she wanted to introduce me to someone, but I had completely forgotten about it, I wasn't interested in meeting anyone at the time."

Little did Tatiana know, Dan had received a glimpse of her through Instagram photos sent by their mutual friend. Intrigued, he made a bold decision that would change both their lives forever. "Dan drove 3.5 hours to get to the dinner I was going to on Saturday night, telling his friends a little white lie... that he had a work emergency and had to leave a day early," Tatiana shares, her voice filled with awe. "We ended up driving back to Provence together and I couldn't believe how far he drove to meet me and get to know me when I had no idea any of this was happening!"

Dan's spontaneity and determination left a lasting impression on Tatiana. "That act of "not missing an opportunity", "not thinking twice and taking a chance" meant that I met the love of my life and he met the love of his," she says with a smile.

The moment they saw each other, it was as if the universe aligned. "He always says he was dazzled by the sight of me," Tatiana laughs. "When I saw him I completely forgot that I wasn't interested in meeting anyone. It was love at first sight." Their first encounter was sealed with a touch of comedy. "I quickly sat down in a chair next to him and when I sat down, the chair had a leg pulled out of the deck and I fell upside down," Tatiana recounts, giggling. "We always laugh about that moment, he says I was trying to get his attention when it wasn't necessary!"

The night progressed like a dream, filled with dancing and laughter. As Dan walked Tatiana home, they shared their first kiss on a bridge that would later become the site of another pivotal moment in their relationship.

“The same night he walked me home, we had our first kiss on the same bridge where, two years later, he asked me to marry him after proposing to my father (English tradition, Dan is from England). Six months earlier, I had moved with him from my beloved Barcelona to Geneva,” Tatiana shares.

Tatiana and Dan's wedding was a celebration of love that spanned continents and brought together friends and family from over 15 countries. The couple chose the breathtaking Casa Santa Clotilde in Lloret de Mar, Barcelona, as their venue, creating a Mediterranean dream come true.

"My vision was a wedding in the dream of a summer night, with the sea as a backdrop, enjoying with my family and my dearest friends. An elegant and Mediterranean style to celebrate love," Tatiana explains.

The couple's 150 guests were treated to a day filled with romance, laughter, and unforgettable moments. “Weddings are beautiful because there is only room for love. From the moment I opened the curtains in the morning and saw the sun shining, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world," Tatiana beams.

Bride getting ready

Tatiana's journey to finding her perfect wedding dress is a testament to the magic that can happen when you least expect it. "Long story short, my dress was made in 5 days," she reveals with a hint of disbelief still in her voice. "Ze Garcia was like an angel that saved me. I contacted him on a Saturday and had my dress the following Thursday."

The bride-to-be prepared for her big day at the picturesque Hotel Santa Marta in Lloret de Mar, surrounded by her beloved bridesmaids. She completed her look with stunning shoes from Amina Muaddi and a bouquet crafted by Go Floral.

Reflecting on the whirlwind process of getting her dress, Tatiana shares a piece of wisdom: "Today I am pregnant and we are expecting our first child. If one day you tell me you can't do something I will tell you this story and remind you that everything is possible."

Groom getting ready

Dan prepared for the big day alongside his groomsmen at the Hotel Santa Marta, mirroring Tatiana's preparations. The anticipation and excitement were palpable as the groom and his friends got ready, sharing laughs and creating memories that would last a lifetime.

First Look

The couple's first look took place at the entrance of the church, a moment filled with anticipation and emotion. As Dan saw Tatiana for the first time in her wedding dress, time seemed to stand still. The love and admiration in their eyes spoke volumes, setting the tone for the beautiful ceremony to come.

Photoshoot before the ceremony

Tatiana and Dan chose the elegant Hotel Santa Marta for their pre-ceremony photoshoot. The hotel's stunning architecture and picturesque surroundings provided the perfect backdrop for capturing the couple's love and excitement before they said their "I dos."

Ceremony

The ceremony took place at the enchanting Ermita de Santa Cristina in Lloret de Mar. As Tatiana walked down the aisle, the air was filled with the beautiful sounds of an organ played by her Maid of Honor, Mariana Arbiza.

"There were many emotional moments, the vows we said to each other, the speeches of our family and friends, the entrance to the reception and the euphoria and excitement with which our guests awaited us,” Tatiana reminisces.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

After exchanging their vows, Tatiana and Dan embarked on a romantic journey through the stunning Jardins de Santa Clotilde for their post-ceremony photoshoot.

Wedding Venue & Decor

Tatiana and Dan's choice of Casa Santa Clotilde was, as Tatiana puts it, "love at first sight." She vividly recalls the moment they found their perfect venue: "When I had visited many places and none of them was what we dreamed of, green and sea, we came across the Casa de Santa Clotilde and the moment I walked in I said: 'This is it! We didn't think twice."

The couple's vision for their wedding decor was a celebration of Mediterranean elegance. "For the gardens I chose blue and green, the colours of the Mediterranean, which suited the scenario perfectly," Tatiana explains. "And for the dinner, we chose colourful flowers on the tables, with some summer fruits. We wanted and elegant and Mediterranean style, to celebrate and magnify love."
Personal touches were woven throughout the decor, making the celebration uniquely theirs. "Dan's mother made personalised plates for the bread we used for the table setting," Tatiana shares warmly. "So that each guest could take a piece of our wedding home with them."

Another meaningful detail was the customized napkins. "We also ordered customized napkins with the names of each guest," Tatiana says. "The napkins were sewn by a talented woman in Uruguay, my country of origin."

Reception

The reception was a joyous celebration of Tatiana and Dan's love. The couple shared their first dance to "Deja que te bese" by Alejandro Sanz & Marc Anthony, surrounded by the love and happiness of their guests.

The menu was a gastronomic delight, featuring Mediterranean flavors. "Food was incredible," Tatiana gushes. "We had a delicious cocktail at the gardens and then for the dinner a Cold tomato soup with parmesan ice-cream and homemade pesto, and for the main Sirloin beef Tataki with pumpkin purée and dauphinoise."

The celebration was toasted with Fresne Ducret Les Nouveaux Explorateurs Champagne Brut, adding a touch of effervescence to the already sparkling atmosphere.

As the night went on, the couple was overwhelmed by the love surrounding them. "What we felt was like a wave of love," they say. "It was as if the world had arranged for us to have the wedding we had dreamed of, on the 1st of July... the sun was shining and the breeze was blowing."

With guests from over 15 countries, including nearly 40 people who flew in from Uruguay, Tatiana and Dan's wedding was truly a global celebration of love. We had guests from over 15 countries: Uruguay, France, Italy, Switzerland, Uruguay, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, England, Australia, Canada, the United States, South Africa, Ireland, Guatemala, Venezuela, Colombia, Portugal, Argentina and Belgium, among others," Tatiana shares, her heart full of gratitude.

“Our Wedding Planner Marina, from Bodas de Cuento, was the most special Wedding Planner we could have had (recommended by Franco Gribodo), I wanted to be very involved in all the decisions and the process and I needed someone I could connect with, who I felt comfortable with and with her we connected immediately. She understood us and looked after us perfectly from the start! Marina is kind, dedicated and passionate about her work and we will be forever grateful,” the bride shares. “Working with Franco was absolutely amazing. Fran is such a simple and easy person that he makes you feel like you've known him before, which creates a lot of comfort and naturalness. We chose him because of the style of his photos (very elegant) and because you can immediately tell that he is a good person.”

As the sun set on their perfect day, Tatiana and Dan looked forward to their future together, their love story just beginning its next beautiful chapter.