Emily and Jack’s wedding in Malta was a dream come true, combining elegance, creativity, and a deep personal connection. They celebrated their love in a stunning garden setting at Palazzo Parisio. With thoughtful details, from hand-painted invitations to a beautiful champagne tower, every moment reflected their unique style and personalities. Surrounded by family and friends, their celebration was a perfect blend of romance, joy, and unforgettable memories—an experience that felt as magical as it was meaningful.
Location: Naxxar, Malta
Style: Romantic, garden, colourful
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 90
Setting: Palazzo
Season: Summer
Emily and Jack first met as teenagers through mutual friends, but it wasn’t until later that their love story truly began.
Jack made a surprise engagement that Emily will never forget. What she thought would be a simple trip to a friend’s housewarming party turned into something far more magical. After a short detour for dinner, they arrived at a hotel in St. Albans, where the evening took an unexpected turn. A violinist played softly by a beautifully decorated bandstand, surrounded by photos of the couple and a sign that read, “Will you marry me?” Jack, overwhelmed with excitement, didn’t even wait for his knee to hit the ground before asking the big question. With a heart full of joy, Emily said yes without hesitation.
The Vision & Planning
The couple wanted their wedding to feel romantic, fun, and effortlessly joyful—nothing too formal or stuffy. Their vision revolved around a dreamy garden setting, where flowers would take center stage in bringing that enchanting vibe to life. They imagined an atmosphere bathed in soft fairy lights, glowing candles, and vintage glassware, all surrounding a long, inviting table. The color palette was designed to be vibrant yet subtle—rich hues woven together in a playful and refined way.
The talented team at Esmée Designs brought Emily and Jack’s dream wedding to life, turning their vision into a stunning reality. From the very beginning, the planners took the time to understand every detail of the couple’s wishes, creating a day that perfectly reflected their personalities. They orchestrated every element—from the delicate floral arrangements to the elegant table settings, ensuring every detail was cohesive and breathtaking.
Couple's Morning & Fashion
Emily’s journey to finding her perfect wedding dress was a mix of excitement and patience. After visiting seven shops and trying on 36 dresses, she finally found the one—the second dress she had ever tried on at the very first shop, Brides of Berkhamsted. It was a beautiful design by Stella York, originally featuring a bow, but Emily fell in love with its understated elegance without it.
She said “yes to the dress” on her grandparents’ 70th wedding anniversary, at the very same moment her grandmother would have been slipping into her own wedding gown. It was a deeply emotional moment for the entire family, marking the passing of traditions across generations.
The deeply personal touches made her wedding day truly unforgettable. In memory of her late grandad, whom she had lost just six months before the wedding, Emily incorporated his handwriting into her veil with the phrase “Wish you were here”—a message he would often send her. She also attached a pendant with his photo to her bouquet and sewed a small heart made from one of his blue shirts under her wedding dress as her “something blue.” These heartfelt tributes added layers of love and meaning to her big day, making it even more special.
Jack and his groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos paired with black bow ties. The perfect finishing touch? Matching floral pocket squares that echoed the colors of their ties, adding just the right pop of personality to their sleek, formal look.
Ceremony
Although their Malta wedding wasn’t their legal ceremony, it was the celebration they had dreamed of. Five weeks earlier, Emily and Jack married in a small, intimate ceremony at City Hall in Copenhagen, where rain added a special touch. The contrast between that rainy day and their sun-filled Malta celebration made both experiences even more memorable, and they felt incredibly lucky to have had them.
Their friend stepped in as the officiant, making the ceremony even more personal and meaningful. Jack and Emily wrote their own vows, which brought even more emotion to this unforgettable moment. The most heartfelt part of the day came when Emily walked down the aisle with her father, and Jack stood waiting at the altar. The ceremony was filled with genuine emotions, leaving both of them overwhelmed by the love and joy surrounding them.
"It was very emotional for both of us as it just felt like such a magical moment, and there was relief that it had all come together as we had wanted.”
Planning Process
Emily and Jack dreamed of an elegant, romantic garden wedding with a dash of fun and magic, and Palazzo Parisio in Malta was the perfect setting to bring their dream to life. To make the day even more memorable, they carefully curated special touches, including a talented photographer, stunning florals, charming décor, a live guest painter, a violinist, a live band, a DJ, an ice cream cart, and a champagne tower. Every detail held deep meaning for them, and the incredible Natalie Gauci of Esmée Designs seamlessly brought it all together, turning their vision into a breathtaking reality.
For Emily and Jack, candid photography was a top priority. They wanted every real, candid moment of their day to be captured, from the quiet glances to the bursts of laughter. Photographer Ana Jablonska, who traveled all the way from London, did just that—she expertly froze the genuine emotions and spontaneous moments, making their wedding memories even more unforgettable.
Reception Decor
What truly stood out at Emily and Jack’s wedding was the extraordinary attention to detail in every design element, especially the integration of carefully selected colors throughout the celebration. Emily, a printed textile designer with a degree from Brighton University, was determined to infuse her creative talents into the big day. She hand-painted numerous wedding details, from the invitations and signage to the napkins, ties, and pocket squares. Emily created a truly personal touch by incorporating fruits, florals, and even the couple’s wedding crest.
Colors played a significant role in shaping the wedding’s aesthetic. Emily crafted a stunning color palette that became central to the theme, even using Pantone codes as the names for the wedding tables. Each table name had a special meaning, such as ‘Blushing Bride’ and ‘Yellow Pear,’ the latter inspired by both the fruit motifs in the décor and Emily’s favorite film, The Princess Diaries.
In terms of florals, Emily and Jack opted for a whimsical garden-style vibe with mismatched pastel arrangements by Badokka Flowers. The couple was deeply involved in the planning process, eager to infuse personal touches throughout the day. Emily’s keen eye for design led them to use mismatched glass candle holders they had collected over time, while their mums and Emily’s grandmother embroidered satin bows as place cards, each matching the table theme.
To top it all off, the seating plan was presented in five beautiful decorative panels, each representing one of the Pantone colors that had inspired the wedding’s color scheme.
The Celebration
The reception was breathtaking, leaving everyone with unforgettable memories. Emily’s father, Jack, and the best man each gave heartfelt toasts that added a deep emotion to the celebration. A particularly unique and memorable touch was the presence of a live portrait artist, Carla Conradie from Danielle Jordaan Studio, who traveled from South Africa with her assistant. Guests were delighted to receive custom portraits as wedding favors—an incredibly personal and lasting keepsake. To further celebrate family, Emily and Jack created a ‘Love Before Us’ display, showcasing their relatives’ wedding photos, bringing a sentimental and nostalgic element to the day.
For their first dance, the couple chose “A Love That Will Last” by Renee Olstead, a soulful ballad that perfectly reflected their deep connection and commitment. As they swayed together, the heartfelt lyrics set the tone for a night filled with love, joy, and unforgettable memories.
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, the couple chose a champagne tower. With bottles of Bottega Fragolino Rosso Spumante, they created a dazzling visual display as each guest poured their drink into the tower. To tie it all together, mauve pink velvet ribbons were delicately tied around each champagne coupe, adding a luxurious touch that perfectly complemented the romantic atmosphere of the day.
As the night drew close, Emily switched into a playful short dress she had worn for her legal ceremony in Copenhagen. It was the perfect way to bring both weddings together and ideal for dancing the night away with its fun, party-ready vibe. The celebration continued with everyone on the dance floor, grooving to the lively tunes of the band Red Electric. Their music set the perfect tone, adding to the joy and energy of the evening, making it an unforgettable end to an amazing day.
Advice from the couple:
• All the little details really do make a difference and adding personal touches that reflect you both add to the magic of the day.
WEDDING PLANNING Esmée Designs | PHOTOGRAPHY Ana Jablonska Photography | VENUE Palazzo Parisio | FLORAL DESIGN Badokka Flowers | WEDDING DRESS Stella York | COCKTAIL DRESS Labay Victoria | AFTERPARTY DRESS Vasiliki Couture | HAIR Remi Hair Studio | MAKEUP Helena Ausra Makeup Artist | TABLEWARE RENTALS Balistuff Weddings | DÉCOR Golden Edge | CHAMPAGNE TOWER Dizajner Events Rentals | ICE CREAM Roll ‘n Chill | VIOLIN Charlotte Kennedy | BAND Red Electric | DJ Malta DJ Events | SOUND Soundtech Malta | LIVE PAINTING Danielle Jordaan Studio
