Jewish wedding in Marbella, Marion + Sebastien

This Jewish wedding in Marbella is one of the weddings I enjoyed the most last year. And no wonder why! Traditional Jewish weddings are always very interesting and beautiful to photograph.

The place this couple chose for their wedding in Marbella was La Finca de la Concepción, one of the most spectacular places in southern Spain to celebrate a Mediterranean wedding. La Finca de la Concepción is a marvelous villa on the outskirts of Malaga that houses a splendid manor house, a church built more than 2 centuries ago, and beautiful tropical vegetation that makes of this place one of the most exotic gardens in Malaga.

Sebastian and Marion live in France but wanted to celebrate a destination wedding in the south of Spain. For this special occasion they chose the Westin La Quinta hotel where they stay and got ready for the big day.

Both groom and bride looked very smart for their wedding day. Marion wore a beautiful white dress with wavy sleeves and the traditional wedding veil. Sebastian, chose a navy suit with a white shirt and a dark tie.

Once the bride and groom were ready, we headed to La Finca de la Concepción where the wedding ceremony, the cocktail and the wedding dinner would take place. The villa looked awesome with its Andalusian Mediterranean-inspired decor that Tucco Wedding Planner created for this French Jewish wedding in Marbella.

The wedding celebration started with the traditional Jewish ceremony that was held outdoors. As tradition dictates it took place under the chuppah, the wedding canopy that represents God’s sheltering presence in the lives of the couple, as well as the new home they will build together. The chupah is open on all sides to symbolize the couple’s commitment to establish a home which will always be open to friends and family.

The guests sat as you can see in the pictures: on one side all the men with the traditional Jewish hat, the kippah, and on the other the women.

During the traditional Jewish ceremony, bride and groom received the engagement blessings, and after that they exchanged rings, officially becoming husband and wife. Then the ketubah was read, the marriage contract that relates the obligations of the newlyweds as husband and wife.

Then they recited the seven blessings and the ceremony ended with the chatan (groom) breaking a glass against the floor. There are several interpretations of this ritual.

Some consider it a reminder of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, others explain that the fragile glass reminds us of the delicate nature of marriage, which must always be cared for and cherished.

At the sound of the breaking of the glass, guests clapped and cheered “Mazel Tov”, and the chatan (hudsband) and the kala (wife) came out of the chuppah. The ceremony was very emotional and it was enlivened by beautiful live music.

For the newlyweds pictures we walked around this mediterranean tropical villa at the best moment possible, the sunset. The outcome was amazing. Bride and groom looked beautiful and the background was superb.

The wedding cocktail took place by the pool. It was at this moment when guests had the time to properly enjoy the beautiful wedding decoration at La Finca de La Concepción, a place that it’s already quite beautiful itself, so after Tucco Wedding Planner touch was literally spectacular.The dinner table looked amazing with the rural style that the wood and beautiful flowers gave it.

The wedding party took place outdoors as well. Just by the dinner set, they set up an open-air dance floor topped with a caned ceiling decorated held several majestic disco balls.

Just before the dinner, bride, groom and some of the guests performed the traditional Jewish dance. I’m sure you know which one I’m talking about. The one where the wedding couple are lifted up and carried in chairs around the dance floor as part of the celebration of their marriage. This moment is known as “Seudá” and comes from the tradition of carrying the royalty that way.

After the wedding dinner, which was the most lively and entertaining thing, with live music and speeches from family and friends, the groom’s brother surprised bride and groom playing with his guitar the song that would serve as the newlyweds first dance. Then the wedding celebration party started.

According to Jewish law, wedding guests are commanded to celebrate, to have fun, and to increase the joy of the couple on their wedding day. And that’s exactly what they did!

Congratulations Goyo Catering for the delicious wedding dinner and Tucco Wedding Planner for the wedding planning and decoration. And thanks to Marion and Sebastian for choosing me to photograph this Jewish wedding in Marbella. If you want to get married at La Finca de La Concepción, I’ll be happy to be your wedding photographer in Malaga.