Racheal & Philip

The Heart of the Mediterranean.

Described by many as “one big open-air museum”, Malta is simply drenched in its 7000 years of history. The warm honey coloured stones of the ancient ruins and Roman architecture combine spectacularly with the deep hues of the Mediterranean.

This quiet, Catholic island is a wonderful location for a peaceful, intimate ceremony that guests will find surprisingly easy and affordable to attend. Rachael and Philip discovered all the advantages of this location while planning their wedding in the town of Mellieha.

A Venue with a View

“We wanted to enjoy a small, intimate wedding with none of the hassle that goes with organising a traditional UK wedding”, said Rachael. “At the same time, we wanted a location that was within the reach of all our family and close friends”. Having heard nothing but praise for Malta, Rachael began to investigate the options, and soon found that the location met all her expectations. On the advice of family members who were familiar with the area, Rachael booked the tiny Chapel of the Sanctuary of Our Lady, situated underneath the main Church and with archways overlooking a stunning stretch of the coast. “We got married in the Sanctuary at 6pm, and on top of the hill the church bells were tolling when I arrived for the ceremony and during the vows”. With such perfect timing, it certainly added a magical touch to the day.

An Intimate, Emotional Ceremony

Marrying in such a friendly country and with the help of an extremely competent local wedding co-ordinator, certainly helped Rachael to just relax and enjoy her day. “I was so calm I couldn’t believe it – from the first time I saw the chapel I knew it would all be alright. When my dad and I were waiting to go in, I felt very emotional and the tears started to well in my eyes, but I was fine. I didn’t even panic when the electrics blew!”. Not something you expect to happen on your wedding day, but Rachael assured me that it happens all the time in Malta. “Luckily the priest was quite an electrician and managed to fix it in time, so the ceremony wasn’t in darkness after all!”.

Standing Ovation

Following the short Catholic ceremony, Rachael and Philip emerged into the clear evening sunlight and led their guests through the town, the local residents clapping and offering their congratulations. Arriving back at the Maritim Antonine Hotel, the couple were met with a standing ovation from the hotel guests and staff, before being led to a private section of the leafy Les Jardins restaurant which had been prepared for the wedding party. As the couple had planned a full reception on their return to the UK, they opted for a buffet meal followed by chocolate and strawberry wedding cake, which they enjoyed while relaxing in the piano lounge after the meal and speeches.

Beautiful and Accessible

Rachael emphasised how important it was to have her family present, and how that had strongly influenced her choice of location, explaining “although it is your day, it is also very important to your guests, so it’s a good idea to select a location accessible to them. Our guests had a week’s holiday for less than £200 in most cases”. And it sounds like the guests didn’t regret their decision either. “For many of them it was their first visit to Malta, and they have all said they would go again!”

Story: Callie Copeman-Bryant

The Perfect Partners

Wedding Planner: Wednmalta // Wedding Photographer: isabellephotography, Malta // Ceremony: The Sanctuary of our Lady, Mellieha // Reception: The Maritim Antoinine Hotel, Mellieha // Accommodation: La Salita Hotel