A New York Love Story, Set in Marbella
Caroline & Graham at Finca La Concepción
For Caroline and Graham, a destination wedding was never about distance. It was about intention. Based in New York and welcoming 150 guests from around the world, the couple envisioned a celebration that felt immersive, layered and considered – refined without feeling formal and effortless for everyone attending.
Marbella offered that balance instinctively. Familiar yet transportive, elegant without excess, it became the setting for a multi-day wedding experience that blended European ease with the energy and sophistication of a New York crowd.
The Setting: Finca La Concepción
The celebration unfolded at Finca La Concepción, one of Marbella’s most iconic private estates. With its expansive gardens, architectural depth and sense of history, the finca allowed the wedding to progress naturally through a series of spaces rather than remain anchored to a single location.
The ceremony was positioned directly in front of the estate’s historic ruins, using the existing architecture as the backdrop. A clean white ceremony structure and aisle were introduced as a nod to the couple’s cultural traditions, creating contrast against the aged brick and surrounding greenery and allowing the setting to feel both grounded and contemporary.
From there, guests moved fluidly through the property – aperitivo in a separate garden, followed by dinner under the stars, before the celebration transitioned once again for dancing. Each transition was designed to guide guests through the estate, with atmosphere and lighting evolving naturally as the day unfolded.
Preparations & Guest Experience
Caroline and Graham prepared for the wedding at the Marbella Club, a hotel deeply connected to the family and one they return to year after year. That familiarity brought a sense of calm and continuity to the days leading up to the celebration.
For guests, a hotel block was secured at Anantara Villa Padierna, where everyone stayed together throughout the weekend. This shaped the guest experience entirely, allowing friends and family to spend days – not just an evening – together. Morning swims, long lunches by the sea and unhurried conversations became part of the wedding story itself.
Upon arrival, guests were welcomed with customized gift bags in their rooms, thoughtfully created for the couple and their guests as part of the overall weekend experience. Designed in the couple’s signature deep green and white palette, the bags tied seamlessly into their beautifully considered invitation suite. Inside were a custom cap, travel bag, emergency kit and carefully selected essentials tailored to a destination stay – a quiet but meaningful gesture that immediately set the tone for the weekend.
An International Creative Team
The wedding brought together an international creative team, selected not only for expertise but for alignment. Florals, catering, lighting, AV and rental items were sourced locally in Marbella, grounding the celebration in place, while the band traveled from the UK, hair and makeup artists from Italy, the photographer from Australia and the videographer from the United States.
This approach reflects the way we work – curating international teams that share a common sensibility and understand how to collaborate across borders. Rather than sourcing talent by geography alone, each creative was chosen for their ability to contribute to a cohesive vision, resulting in a wedding that felt globally informed yet deeply personal.
Styling, Palette & Detail
Detail mattered deeply to Caroline and Graham, and the design reflected a considered balance between structure and softness. A palette of olive, sage and soft white was carried throughout the day – from the bridesmaids’ silk gowns to the floral design, stationery and tabletop details – creating a sense of cohesion across every setting.
As evening approached, a custom-built structure was introduced to house the dance floor and live band, creating a defined setting for the evening celebration. Suspended above, a dense floral and foliage installation formed a full ceiling canopy, adding texture and depth to the space as night fell.
Lighting played a critical role throughout, particularly around the estate’s iconic tree, where a beautifully designed round bar wrapped the trunk, with soft lighting suspended from the branches above. A considered mix of imperial and round tables was used to fill the space organically, allowing the layout to feel balanced and intentional. Tables were kept restrained, letting materiality and proportion lead – crisp white linens, crystal stemware and soft floral arrangements created an elevated yet effortless backdrop.
Nothing felt accidental, and nothing felt excessive – a sensibility that mirrored the couple’s New York roots.
A Modern Take on Tradition
Rather than a traditional wedding cake, Caroline and Graham chose a live dessert activation that became one of the most memorable moments of the evening. At its center was a sculptural chocolate egg, which the couple melted together using rich, warm chocolate, revealing an interactive dessert experience within.
The moment felt theatrical yet playful – a modern alternative that reflected the couple’s desire to reimagine tradition in a way that felt personal and unexpected. Live performers and entertainers added further dimension throughout the evening, creating moments of movement and surprise.
Fashion Moments
For the ceremony and dinner, Caroline wore a Bergdorf Goodman bridal gown – timeless, elegant and perfectly suited to the European setting. For the after-party, she changed into a second dress and a sleek bun, a considered choice for the warm evening and an effortless transition into the night ahead.
A Destination Wedding, Considered
Caroline and Graham’s wedding is a study in thoughtful destination planning for US-based couples. From the choice of location and hotels to the international creative team, layered styling and emphasis on guest experience, every decision was intentional.
The result was a celebration that felt intimate at scale, refined yet joyful – a wedding that honored place, people and perspective, while remaining unmistakably their own.
Photography by Lost in Love