From the first soft stroke of watercolor on the invitation to the final candlelit toast, Arielle and Kemal’s wedding was a poetic expression of beauty and emotion. Set against the storied arches of La Fortaleza in Mallorca, the celebration radiated with heart, history, and hues of pale pink and butter yellow. With the refined eye of Mille Papillons and the soulful artistry of Pablo Laguia and Humà06 every frame and flourish felt intentional, heartfelt, and unforgettable.
Location: Pollença, Mallorca, Spain
Style: Whimsical, Classic, Romantic
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 170
Setting: Fortress
Season: Fall
Arielle and Kemal’s story began six years ago with a walk in the park and a puppy on a leash. Their connection was instant and unwavering. Years later, Kemal proposed in the gardens of Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace, in front of a gate Arielle had painted and gifted to him. That blend of romance and creativity became the foundation of their wedding vision—a celebration of their friendship, their shared history, and the beautiful life they’re building together.
Location & Inspiration
The couple chose to marry at La Fortaleza in Pollença—a historic military fortress set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean. The venue offered everything they envisioned: sea views, old-world charm, architectural drama, and lush gardens. Arielle worked closely with planner Judith of Mille Papillons to bring her ideas to life. “I always knew which flowers and colors I loved, but Judith helped me push those ideas further and explore new ones,” Arielle shared.
With a palette of pink and white, the wedding embraced the bride’s aesthetic and a personal detail: Kemal had always gifted her yellow flowers throughout their relationship. The result was soft, romantic, and unmistakably theirs. Molist Floristes brought the vision to life with an ethereal floral design, especially the show-stopping chuppah that looked like it had bloomed out of a dream.
Bride’s Fashion
With a background in fashion design, Arielle approached her bridal style with both joy and precision. After trying on about fifteen dresses, she discovered her dream gown at Mark Ingram Atelier, designed by Ines Di Santo. The voluminous ballgown featured hand-painted florals and layers of airy tulle with subtle hints of pink. “I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt like a princess,” shared the bride.
She paired her look with a natural, glowing makeup look by Ala Perfect Makeup, a soft updo, and a romantic bouquet of cream, peach, and blush blooms wrapped with a trailing ribbon.
For the reception, Arielle changed into a feathery 1990s vintage Blue Marine dress from Happy Isles. “It felt flirty and fun—I just wanted to dance in it all night.” She even designed her own pieces for the welcome and farewell parties, selecting fabrics at Mood and creating bespoke outfits that reflected her personal style.
Groom's Getting Ready
Kemal opted for a custom suit by Italian label Isart Italiani, drawn to their refined tailoring and classic silhouettes. His ivory dinner jacket was the perfect complement to the venue’s warm stone and the soft pastels of the day. Clean, elegant, and tailored to perfection — it echoed his appreciation for timeless style.
"He’s always been drawn to Italian tailoring, he found this brand in a magazine, reached out to them, and loved their style of work right away!"
Ceremony
The ceremony took place beneath the dramatic stone arches of La Fortaleza, perched above the glittering Mediterranean. The architectural beauty of the space set a majestic tone, but it was the precision of every visual element that made it truly unforgettable.
From the flawless symmetry of the seating over the water to the way the light fell through the arches, every detail felt intuitively placed. The chuppah stood as a floral sculpture, blooming with pastel roses and hydrangeas that echoed the tones of the setting sun.
Arielle and Kemal saw each other for the first time that day as she walked down the aisle, and their eyes met beneath the archway. The emotions were immediate and real. Surrounded by friends and family, they exchanged personal vows as the sea sparkled in the background. “Those 20 minutes were the happiest and most beautiful of our lives,” the couple shared.
"I kept looking around in awe, I couldn’t believe where I was. The guests felt the same. It was like a dream."
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, guests moved to the venue’s garden where an elegant bar setup overlooked the sea. Grupo Amida served a curated selection of cocktails, and live music filled the air as the sun began to dip behind the hills. Arielle and Kemal joined the celebration after taking portraits, just in time for dancing and a joyful bouquet toss, caught by Arielle’s sister.
"I’ve always been inspired by more classic weddings but in the end it turned out to be a perfect combination of me and my husband."
Private Moment
As golden hour settled over La Fortaleza, Arielle and Kemal stepped away for a moment that felt both peaceful and powerful. The arches behind them, the sea below, and the soft breeze coming off the cliffs set the scene: simple, cinematic, and charged with emotion.
Pablo Laguia documented it all with a sensitivity that made even the quietest gestures feel monumental. His dual approach, mixing film and digital, gave each image a distinct texture, blending nostalgia with immediacy. It wasn’t posed, it wasn’t planned—it was simply a pause in the middle of it all, and one of the most beautiful moments of the day.
Decor & Setting
The reception unfolded under soft draping and candlelight, where long tables were lined with white florals, layered textures, and an abundance of glowing glass vessels. The setting felt warm, timeless, and deeply personal crafted for celebration, but with intimacy at its core. Printed materials by De Pluma y Letras added a personal touch with hand-torn edges and watercolor illustrations of the venue, setting the tone from the very first impression.
Reception
Guests were served a Mediterranean-inspired dinner by Grupo Amida, while heartfelt toasts sparked laughter and tears. Alessandro De Angelis and Lo Music stunned everyone with a surprise performance that turned the atmosphere electric. The mood shifted as guests stood to sing and dance between the tables, drinks in hand and candles flickering around them.
The dessert display, elegant tiers of sweets and white florals nestled among dozens of candles, gave way to the couple’s first dance under disco balls to “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Arielle changed into a playful feathered mini dress, and the energy soared as the Hora began. The crowd lifted the newlyweds into the air, pure joy on their faces, champagne in glasses, espresso martinis circling the dance floor.
The party lasted until 3 a.m., ending not with a goodbye, but with a splash — Arielle and Kemal jumping into the pool, surrounded by cheers and sparkles in the night sky
"It was an incredible party!"
Advice from the couple:
• Take in every single second and don’t let anything distract you from how happy you are. We both enjoyed every single second and felt so present and in the moment, and were so grateful to have been able to enjoy it all.
PLANNER Mille Papillons | PHOTOGRAPHER Pablo Laguia | SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER Huma06 Photography| FLORALS Molist Floristes | MUAH Ala Perfect Makeup | DRESS Ines Di Santo | BRIDAL STORE Mark Ingram Atelier | RECEPTION DRESS Happy Isles | SUIT Isart Italiani | STATIONERY De Pluma y Letras | CATERING Grupo Amida | LIVE MUSIC Lo Music, Alessandro De Angelis
