Planning a destination wedding in Catalonia offers couples the perfect blend of Mediterranean charm, rich gastronomy, and breathtaking venues. Irene and Luis’s celebration on the Costa de Gavà, just outside Barcelona, is a stunning example of how to blend cultures, flavors, and personal passions into one unforgettable day.
With a love for cooking and a guest list from around the globe, their Spanish coastal wedding embraced both Catalan and Ecuadorian traditions, creating a vibrant, heartfelt atmosphere. If you’re looking for Mediterranean wedding inspiration with unique culinary touches, this story will spark endless ideas.
A Love Story That Crosses Borders
Irene and Luis live in Frankfurt, Germany, but both share deep roots in Barcelona—she’s Catalan, and he’s originally from Ecuador. When they began looking for their wedding venue, their ideas were a little scattered, and they had no contacts or clear plan to make their dream celebration come true. That’s when the wedding planning journey truly began.
Bringing Their Passion for Cooking to the Wedding
Both Irene and Luis are passionate food lovers. Luis, in particular, has a talent for adding unique touches from his own culinary heritage. For their summer wedding, we brought this shared hobby to life through custom stationery featuring iconic fruits and vegetables from their homelands—like the calçot from Catalonia and cacao from Ecuador.
One of the most personal details was the wedding menu card, which included a recipe entirely created by the groom to recreate his delicious ceviche. This allowed guests to take home a flavorful, heartfelt memento of the couple. To make it even more special, each recipe came with a hand-carved spoon made from local woods of the Prades area in Catalonia—perfect for measuring spices or savoring condiments.
The Venue: Coastal Charm with a Touch of Luxury
The couple chose La Centenaria on the Costa de Gavà, a venue surrounded by nature and infused with understated luxury. Friends and family traveled from all over the world to join them, creating an atmosphere full of love and connection.
The catering was handled by Xerta Catering, a luxury service specializing in Denomination of Origin products from the Ebro Delta. Known for their mastery in both meat and seafood, they adapted the menu to include Ecuadorian-inspired appetizers such as ceviche, llapingachos, and bolón verde. The chef’s wife—who is also from Ecuador—added her own cultural insights, resulting in a personalized, meaningful menu. The team went above and beyond, giving 110% to reflect the couple’s tastes.
A Celebration Full of Music and Joy
Music played a huge role in the day’s atmosphere. With guests from Ecuador and Seville, the rhythms of rumba and merengue became the heartbeat of both the cocktail hour and the dance floor. The fusion of cultures created an unforgettable celebration where every detail spoke of who Irene and Luis are.
A Wedding to Remember
Irene and Luis’s wedding was more than just a beautiful summer day—it was a true reflection of their passions, roots, and the love they share. From culinary traditions to global guest lists, every element was thoughtfully woven together, proving that love, like a good recipe, is all about the right mix of ingredients.
