Your questions answered by Gemma Bowman, Founder of Ibiza Wedding

What is Ibiza Wedding?
Ibiza Wedding is a highly personal Wedding Planning service, exclusive to the islands of Ibiza and Formentera. I created Ibiza Wedding having worked on this beautiful island and having organised my own wedding and fiesta overlooking the spiritual rock of Es Vedra. I offer an extensive knowledge of the island, a black book bulging with contacts, and I speak fluent English, Spanish and French. I work with a small hand-picked team and our goal is to assist in creating the perfect Ibizan Wedding experience for you. Our clients range from those looking for ceremonies in the tiniest white church nestled in the Ibizan Hills with rose petal filled poolside receptions, through to those who simply want their wedding to reflect the passion and hedonism of the island with live entertainment, VIP tables at Pacha and more…

Where do I start?
We are bombarded by an overwhelming amount of information on weddings nowadays, which vary enormously in theme, size, style, budget and location. Knowing where to begin when confronted with all this information can be somewhat daunting and very time consuming, especially when the wedding is taking place on an island location, such as Ibiza or Formentera. We spend time researching the market and what is on offer on a continual basis, and help to take the footwork out of this process.

In addition we can assist you in locating and booking accommodation for your guests, and work with you to create a highly memorable itinerary for your stay. Through discussing your wishes and needs, we can work together to create your perfect and unforgettable day.

I can do the planning myself can’t I?
Of course you can, and the use of a wedding planner may not be something you have previously considered. However, it is estimated that a bride alone will spend 250 hours (equivalent to working 6 weeks full time) on organising her special day. Add to this the further complications of organising your wedding in a foreign country, where your local knowledge may be limited and the language may pose difficulties and it is easy to see how the planning can become a stressful process. Couple this with everyday commitments that we all have such as work, family and friends and you can see why wedding planners are becoming so popular. We recognise that your time is precious and we are able to dedicate ourselves to organising your day, without distraction, ensuring that the process runs smoothly and that your friends, loved ones and most importantly you, actually enjoy it and experience every special moment from start to finish.

Will I be in control?
Absolutely. We are here to work for and with you, whilst ensuring that you remain in control. We offer guidance, experience and advice. All decisions remain yours to make, exactly as you chose.

How will a Wedding Planner Affect My Budget?
Due to established relationships with local suppliers we can negotiate on your behalf (in fluent Spanish!) and pass on all discounts we are able to secure. We are also able to provide advice on cost saving solutions and due to a firm knowledge of what the magical islands of Ibiza and Formentera have to offer, discuss options with you that you may not even have considered or have realised were available. Our services also offer considerable time saving benefits, reduce the stress factor that is often involved in planning a wedding and provide the peace of mind that comes with somebody else being responsible for organising, negotiating and managing your day. Leaving you free to enjoy the fun of decision-making, and most importantly the day itself.

Will I be able to totally relax and enjoy our day?
This is our ultimate aim and we look at making the necessary contingency plans as well as ironing out minor problems on the day before you have even noticed them. We will be there on the day (depending on the level of involvement you require) to ensure that every last detail has been taken care of.

On the day itself, all you need to worry about is looking gorgeous (both bride and groom of course!) and having a fabulous, memorable experience.

I have a budget and I need to stick to it
One of the foremost considerations when you decide to get marry is the budget. We understand that everyone has limitations and that these must be stuck to. We will work closely with you to set a realistic, affordable budget that takes into account all the costs of the day you want (including the hidden costs that are often overlooked). No decisions made regarding any part of the planning process are taken without your say so.

You may be surprised at how favourably the cost of an Ibiza Wedding compares with that of a traditional wedding at home. Of course there are also the added benefits of beautiful weather, a stunning location and the magic of making a lifetime commitment to each other in the Mediterranean air. (I can highly recommended it!)

How will I be charged?
We provide a bespoke service tailored to each individual couple that we work with, and we can do as little or as much as you like. As such our fee is calculated on each individual wedding. The process commences with a free consultation. If you are in Ibiza I would be delighted to meet with you, or alternatively we can converse initially by e mail or telephone. It is important at this stage for me to understand the experience you are looking to create for yourself and your guests, in order that I can provide the next stage, the proposal and quotation.

There is a small charge for the quotation and proposal (depending on the level of work involved) which is then deducted from our overall fee when we commence working on the event on your behalf.

You will of course be kept up to date at regular intervals regarding any potential changes to the budget.

How do I achieve a truly unique and special day for us and our guests?
Ibiza is a place of few limits and is a constant source of inspiration for me. I would never want to offer a “package” wedding and along with my small team we aim to make each wedding we are responsible for as unique and personal to you and your tastes as possible. You may already have a very clear idea of what you want or you may require some ideas and inspiration from ourselves. We am here to work with you to create a fabulous and memorable day.

Why not approach the venue directly to organise my day?
Of course this is an option that is available to you and something you may wish to consider. Whilst venue based co-ordinators often know their own business very well, they usually offer a venue-designed package, often insisting you use their approved list of suppliers. This can inhibit the flexibility and uniqueness of your day. We work directly for you and not for a venue, and have contacts with many different suppliers on the island, offering you a broader range of options. Also if you are organising your wedding remotely, complications are more challenging to iron out and control can often be difficult to maintain. Living on the island, we are free to visit suppliers as often as we feel necessary until we are happy that the desired arrangements have been made.

We are a same sex couple and would like to ensure our arrangements are gay friendly, is this possible?
For those couples wishing to particularly experience Ibiza's established gay scene, please do let us know and we will be happy to make appropriate recommendations within your proposal. The island is well known for its gay contingent and openly welcomes thousands of gay visitors each year, many of whom live here all year round. The overriding majority of businesses here are very gay friendly and Ibiza is a truly wonderful place to celebrate your marriage.

I need that little bit of extra reassurance?

The comments below may be just what you are looking for:

“I must admit, I had no idea what to expect attending a wedding in Ibiza, organised by Gemma Bowman of Ibiza Wedding. I organise a lot of events in my job working as Head of Corporate Communication for a UK PLC so I often spot the missing details. To be honest, there were none! Every aspect of the wedding experience from start to finish was just magical, from the pre-wedding candle lit supper on the beach, to the live music that made your hair stand on end during the service, to the starlit swimming pool filled with candles and rose petals. As soon as I meet Mr Right I’ll be straight on the phone to Gemma Bowman!”
Suzanne Judge, Liverpool, UK

“We spent 8 months liaising with Gemma for our wedding plans, and were delighted to have found someone as professional and with such an eye for detail as she had, offering these kind of services in Ibiza. It had always been our destination of choice for celebrating our marriage, however living in Australia we really did need someone to organise everything for us and take the footwork and research element on board. Gemma listened to what we were looking for and delivered everything we could have wished for on the day- many guests came up to us and commented on how well she had organised every detail and how friendly, helpful and hard working she was. We would highly recommend her”
David and Nicola Leeson, Sydney, Australia

“Organising the simplest of weddings in Europe, when based in the States would be considered a challenge by most. Gemma’s planning, knowledge and inexhaustible calm all combined to enable our dream become a reality. Our ceremony was highly personal and beautifully created and organised. Gemma listened to us and provided suggestions tailored to our needs. Our stay in Ibiza was magical and memories of our perfect Ibiza Wedding will be everlasting.”
Sapphira and Chris Bolus, USA

"It has been said that to marry abroad is idyllic but that the reality is complicated and difficult. This is not a statement that we either agree with or experienced. Getting married in Ibiza was painless and unbelievably enjoyable. We discovered Gemma via her website and on arranging an introductory meeting in Ibiza we found her to be accommodating, visionary, knowledgeable, and very friendly. It was after this meeting that we knew we had finally found a person who could not only add to, and assist us with our plans but a person who understood us and our ideas. The obvious obstacles are language, geography and local knowledge. Gemma speaks perfect Spanish and we found that her local knowledge from church details and contacts, flower supplies, food, drink, travel and even musical and entertainment knowledge were brilliant. This detail was proven on the magical day itself when the staff provided by her were fantastically polite and attentive.

Gemma always made herself available for a reassuring word when the bride and groom got themselves into a panic about absolutely nothing. Gemma,' Ibiza Wedding' and her staff were all great and Sande and I would not hesitate to recommend them - fantastic!"
Roger and Sande Dempster, London, England