Set at Hostal de la Gavina in S’Agaró, Girona, Madison and Ben’s wedding was shaped by a clear, cinematic vision, drawing from old Hollywood references, music, and a strong sense of atmosphere. The day moved naturally from an emotional, intimate ceremony into a high-energy celebration, balancing classic elegance with a vibrant, party-driven mood. Captured by AK Studio Wedding, the photos reflect the rhythm, the movement, and the energy of the entire day.
Location: Girona, Spain
Style: Classic, Timeless & Sexy
Time of planning: About 2 years
Number of guests: 150
Setting: Hostal de la Gavina
Season: Fall
Madison and Ben’s story feels both spontaneous and deeply grounded, shaped by timing, place, and a shared love for what they do. Ben, a restaurateur, and Madison, an independent wedding celebrant, met when he offered her a job at his restaurant in Blanes on the Costa Brava. “I had just moved from the UK to Spain,” she shares, originally planning to travel before returning home, but everything shifted within weeks. “We met within one month of my arrival… and I never left.” Just two months later, they were living together, beginning a life that has since expanded to include their two sons, Leo and Bertie.
Ben proposed on New Year’s Day 2024 during a walk along the beach in Scotland, with their almost one-year-old son and another baby on the way. “It was cold, raining, and windy, but it was absolutely perfect,” Madison recalls. The moment felt simple and real, a reflection of their journey together, with a ring that was “exactly what I would have chosen myself,” thoughtfully selected with a little help from his mum.
Inspiration & Photography
From the very beginning, Madison and Ben had a clear vision for their wedding, one centered around experience. They wanted their guests to feel entertained, relaxed, and fully immersed, enjoying a beautiful setting, incredible food, and an atmosphere that felt alive. “We always knew we wanted a big wedding with a party atmosphere,” they share, with outdoor dining, distinctive yet classic florals, and live music throughout the day all playing a key role in shaping that vision.
With a shared love for art and film, photography and videography became one of their main priorities. Inspired by an old Hollywood mood, Madison imagined a mix of flash, paparazzi-style moments and more editorial portraits. Introduced by their planner Imma to Aida from AK Studio Wedding, the connection was immediate. “As soon as I saw her work, I knew we had to have her,” she says. “Aida just got it.” Trusting her completely, they found not just a photographer, but someone who elevated the entire experience. “The photos she created were electric… our very own masterpieces,” Madison shares. “I tell everyone, wait until you see the photos, our photographer was out of this world.”
Bride's Fashion
Madison’s bridal look leaned into a refined, classic aesthetic, centered on a satin princess gown with long lace sleeves and a high neckline by Pronovias, finished with a cathedral veil that added quiet drama. She later changed into a Rosie Etienne London after-party dress with Aquazzura shoes, while pearl earrings from her mother and her Mappin & Webb rings brought a personal, sentimental touch. Her choice of Jo Malone’s English Oak & Hazelnut added a subtle, warm signature to the overall look.
“I had around five or six fittings to make sure the dress was exactly as I had envisioned,” she shares, and on the day, everything came together seamlessly. “I felt so beautiful wearing it.” Hair and makeup were kept soft and timeless, with Beauty by Sophie and Susan Peggs creating a look that felt polished yet natural, perfectly in line with her vision. The bouquet and florals by Rams N’Roses completed the styling with an organic, romantic touch.
The day was filled with thoughtful, personal moments, including a first look with her father just before the ceremony. She gifted him a pocket square embroidered with a message, a quiet gesture to express her gratitude. “Just to let him know how much I appreciated him and his support,” Madison says, creating a moment that felt deeply emotional and unforgettable.
Groom's Fashion
Ben’s look followed a classic, timeless direction, wearing an ivory tuxedo by Sastreria La Sarga Barcelona. Custom-made and perfectly tailored, it felt refined yet personal, worn with Lotusse shoes and a buttonhole by Rams N’Roses that tied into the overall floral palette. An embroidered pocket square and a Longines watch, gifted by Madison’s father, added meaningful details. “Ben wanted a classic, timeless look that fit with our larger vision of the day,” she shares, choosing a suit that will be “kept and treasured.”
There were also deeply personal moments woven into the day. Ben shared a first look with his mum, and in a last-minute decision, asked her to walk down the aisle with him. “They are very close,” Madison says, and it becomes one of those moments that feels completely right, adding another layer of emotion to the ceremony.
Ceremony
Despite how carefully everything had been planned, nothing quite prepared them for the emotions that came just before the ceremony. “We were both taken aback by how nervous and overwhelmed we felt,” the couple shares, something unexpected for two people who usually feel in control.
After spending the night apart, that first moment seeing each other felt especially intense. “Stepping out onto the lawn and seeing Ben at the top of the aisle… it was a rush of emotions,” Madison recalls. “It was an unforgettable high,” one that carried them through the entire day. “From the start of the day until the very end of the night, we were on cloud nine.”
While the celebration carried a lively, party-driven energy, the ceremony itself was intentionally more traditional and deeply personal. “We wanted to really respect and give space to our love for each other, and for our boys,” they explain, creating a moment to pause and reflect on everything they had built together. Led by a celebrant, the ceremony included readings from two close friends and personal vows that left a lasting impression. “We were so pleased we wrote our own vows,” they share, with many guests describing the ceremony as “incredibly emotional and beautiful,” and not a single dry eye in sight.
Planning & Decor
They drew much of their inspiration from the venue itself, with its old-Hollywood feel, art-deco details, and timeless character. “We fell in love with it as soon as we saw it,” they share, leaning into the classic, luxurious atmosphere of La Gavina while bringing in their own style. For an October celebration, the palette shifted to something richer and more refined: deep reds, roses, hydrangeas, and cala lilies, layered with red fruits, candlelight, and soft draping. The florals by Rams N’Roses were especially considered for the ceremony and dining spaces, enhancing the garden and terrace without taking away from the sea views.
Working with their planner Creative & Love, the process became a true collaboration. “They really understood our vision,” the couple says, introducing them to standout vendors and helping shape every detail along the way. After more than a year of working closely together, refining and evolving ideas, everything came together in a way that felt both intentional and deeply personal, “our wildest dreams really did become our reality.”
Reception
One of the most unforgettable moments came as Madison and Ben entered the reception together, a shift in energy from the emotion of the ceremony into something lighter, almost euphoric. “The ceremony was intense and emotional, but entering the reception was just pure joy,” they share. Walking hand in hand, this time together, and with their boys by their side, they stepped onto the terrace at La Gavina to cheers from their guests, their favorite song playing, the October sun still warm, and the sea stretching out behind them. “We would relive that moment every day if we could.”
The dinner was filled with meaningful speeches from Madison’s dad, both best men, Ben himself, and a final toast from her stepdad, creating a night that felt both deeply personal and full of life.
Into The Night
For a moment, the cake and champagne tower became the center of the celebration, drawing everyone in as guests gathered around and fully enjoyed the experience.
The evening continued with that same sense of energy and intention, from music by Bex Band to a carefully curated playlist they had been building long before the wedding itself. “We had been planning the playlist longer than the wedding,” they say, making music a central part of the experience, from their entrance to “Old Time Rock & Roll” by Bob Seger to their first dance to “Disney Girls” by The Beach Boys.
One of the most special moments that stayed with them was leaving the reception together and walking back to their suite. It was one of the first times they were truly alone, away from the music, the energy, and the celebration. “Just us,” they recall, with the sound of the party still in the distance. They looked at each other and said, “That was amazing,” a simple, intimate moment that felt like the perfect close to the day.
Advice from the couple:
• Sounds cliché, but take it all in. Just keep checking in with yourself and with each other. You plan for years for this day, and the time goes by so fast. Stop, look around, and just absorb every minute detail! Oh, and get an amazing photographer so that you can relive it over and over!
