At a time when weddings constantly strive to surprise, Julia and Borja looked back to move forward. Their celebration was full of meaning, beauty, and balance, where every detail—both the obvious and the subtle—spoke of them.
Held at the magical Vallesa de Mandor by Gourmet Catering & Eventos, surrounded by century-old gardens and stately architecture, this evening wedding was a manifesto of minimalist sophistication with classic cinema flair. A tribute to the essential, the eternal, and, of course, love. From the very beginning, they knew they wanted a night wedding. For them, sunsets hold something sacred. Perhaps because everything starts to calm down—or simply because everything begins. One December evening, during a visit with no expectations, they discovered Vallesa de Mandor by Gourmet Catering & Eventos as the sun was setting… and there was no turning back.
Although their initial plan was a seaside wedding, the estate’s grandeur captured their hearts. With its symmetrical lines, endless pines, and that distinctive Mediterranean light, they knew this was where their story would unfold.
The Setting: Architecture, Music, and Light
The religious ceremony took place at Iglesia de Dominicos, the school Julia attended—a place filled with childhood memories, roots, and family. But the celebration reached its peak at sunset. Guests were guided to the gardens of Vallesa de Mandor by Gourmet Catering & Eventos, where an al fresco dinner awaited under a sky suspended in magic. Literally.
White candles, roses, mirrors, and chandeliers hanging over tables created a scene somewhere between a fairy tale and a 1940s ballroom. The result was the perfect balance between cinematic elegance and modern restraint, inspired by the glamour of Old Hollywood reimagined under the soft Mediterranean light.
A grand piano accompanied the dinner with live melodies, immersing guests in a film-like atmosphere. Nothing was excessive, yet everything felt impactful—the effortless beauty only classics done well can achieve.
Photos: Derando Studio Wedding
Flowers with History
If there is a flower that has marked Julia and Borja’s story, it is the white rose. Every birthday, Borja would gift her a bouquet. Julia, like someone keeping love letters, dried and preserved every petal. Those petals—symbols of each year together—were what guests showered the newlyweds with as they exited the church. Few gestures are as intimate and poetic.
The floral design, by El Taller de Clo, featured white roses as the central theme, combined with natural greens, fruits, botanical sculptures, and candles at varying heights. The result: tables resembling living still-life paintings and a dinner where romance flowed between glasses, leaves, and warm light. Everything intentional, nothing overwhelming.
Gourmet Catering & Eventos: Culinary Excellence that Moves the Heart
One of Julia and Borja’s best decisions was entrusting the banquet to Gourmet Catering & Eventos, a brand recommended by close friends and synonymous with excellence for the couple. From the start, the team understood their vision: a menu that would move, surprise with flavor, and match the significance of such a special night.
And it did. Guests quickly noticed. Julia recalls how many personally congratulated them on the quality of the meat, highlighting how difficult it is to serve a main course perfectly when catering for so many. “They did it. And not only that—it was delicious,” Julia says.
The menu began with appetizers reflecting their story as a couple: fresh oysters, a nod to their weekly Thursday ritual—wine and oysters at Ostras Pedrín—shared with everyone. The main course featured perfectly cooked, juicy meat, and the evening ended with a French toast dessert that even the least sweet-toothed guests loved—a golden touch and the groom’s favorite.
American-Inspired Dress Code
Borja wore a flawless tuxedo. This was no coincidence: the black-tie choice carried meaning. Years earlier, Julia’s brother had also celebrated a wedding in Valencia with the same dress code, inspired by Miami. This time, Borja revived the tradition, establishing a cinematic, elegant, and masculine dress code. Guests embraced it fully, turning the garden into a runway of stylized sobriety.
Small Details, Big Gestures
Beyond aesthetics and music, Julia and Borja wanted their wedding to convey values. Each guest found their place at the table thanks to a personalized oyster shell the couple had collected during weekly dates over the past two years.
For keepsakes, they didn’t choose ordinary gifts. Instead, they commissioned handcrafted ceramic bread plates with each guest’s initials, made by an occupational center—a conscious, personalized gesture with a social impact. The kind of gift that is never forgotten.
A Wedding That Refused to Be Ordinary
Julia and Borja’s wedding was not about trends. It was about real emotions, memory, beauty, and choices made with soul. A night where minimalism was sophisticated, classics were reinvented, and every gesture carried weight.
In a world where everything seems already invented, they proved that what is truly unforgettable is not what is new—but what is genuine.
Ceremony: Iglesia de Dominicos, Valencia
Reception: Vallesa de Mandor by Gourmet Catering & Eventos – @vallesademandor
Catering: Gourmet Catering & Eventos – @gourmetcateringyeventos
Floral Design: El Taller de Clo – @eltallerdeclo
Bride’s Dress: Alejandro Resta – @alejandrorestaatelier
Groom’s Suit: Adrián Seligra – @adrianseligra
DJ / Lighting: Gente de Bien – @somosgentedebien / Da Capo Music – @dacapomusic