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Years ago, before the island became famous for being the nightlife capital of Europe and a magnet for thousands of tourists looking for sunshine and sandy beaches, this little jewel of an island was a haven of beautiful countryside, friendly cheerful locals, excellent cuisine and blessed with an unspoilt Mediterranean lifestyle. It was named “white island“ because of its appearance and beauty in springtime with the white almond blossom looking like a white blanket over the countryside.
What few people know today, is that this pure and simple country island lifestyle can still be found, making Ibiza the ideal location for many couples looking for that sun filled destination, which has that special “something” for their wedding celebrations.
Ibiza is just a short two hour flight from the U.K, with direct flights for 6 months of the year from all the major UK airports and an increasing number of flights now from the smaller local UK airports. Ibiza is becoming a popular choice for a “Wedding in Paradise”, without the expense of flying to the “Caribe” or Asian resorts. It is an island steeped in history, with the Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs and Christians all leaving their mark over the centuries. These diverse influences have created a unique blend of cultures, traditions and left many impressive historical buildings to admire.
As time has moved on the island has adapted and blended the changes that modern day mass tourism has created around its coastal resorts, with the natural beauty and unspoilt country villages, local churches, authentic traditional restaurants and virgin countryside with its century old olive, orange and lemon groves.
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The uber laid-back atmosphere and friendly, tolerant locals combined with a very long history of hedonism through the ages has also made the island a favourite gay weddings destination. It has three large towns namely, Ibiza town the capital, Santa Eulalia, on the east coast and San Antonio on the west coast. The most northern resort is Portinatx and Cala San Vicente and the southern part of the island is where we find Salinas or the salt flats, the airport and Playa den Bossa, home of the longest stretch of beach on the island.
As nowhere is really more than 30 to 40 minutes away from anywhere by car, the island really is easy to explore and enjoy. The interior of the island is home to many small unspoilt villages such as Santa Gertrudis in the centre of the island, San Rafael with its church on the hill, Sant Ines, San Mateo and San Miguel. You are still able to see the farmers in the fields harvesting the olives by hand in September, and there are still the traditionally dressed “ pagès “ to be seen in some of the little villages, still wearing the traditionally layered skirts to the ground and covered head dress.
You see Ibiza is not all clubs, wild nights and parties ------- although it's all there for you to enjoy if you want it!
So who gets married in Ibiza? Well, if a cliff top blessing overlooking the magical island of Es Vedra is your cup of tea you might consider it.
If a sunset ceremony, with chill-out music, cava and canapés is your style you can find it there, or if a more traditional church wedding in one of the several whitewashed village churches, followed by a Paella, lots of local wine and a flamenco traditional Spanish style celebration is what you’re after you will also find it in Ibiza.
Or a more contemporary modern blessing in the gardens of a luxurious villa, with outside caterers, DJ and cocktails in the garden ………and then on to one of the best clubs in the world to party all night and day ? Yes, that is Ibiza too!
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Photo credit: White Ibiza Island Guide