Historic Wedding in Gran Canaria

Sept. 17, 2009 - PRLog -- Samantha and David Hopkins became the first non-resident couple to be legally married in a Civil Ceremony in Gran Canaria. This was an unique and historic occasion for the Island and also for Gran Canaria Weddings and Celebrations SLU who had organised not only the wedding but also all the legal paperwork for the couple over several months, in order to ensure that the marriage was legally binding in a complex legal system in Spain.



For the past two years, Gran Canaria Weddings and Celebrations SLU has been working closely with the Spanish Authorities to enable the law to be interpreted in the correct formatt that allows non-spanish people to come to Gran Canaria to have a legally binding wedding ceremony, which until now had only been possible for Catholics. The 16th September 2009 saw all the hard work pay off when Samantha and David Hopkins had a day of dreams and ever lasting memories.



David Hopkins and Samantha Clarke, both from Birmingham, were determined to seal their union on the island of their dreams.  David and Samantha have been holidaying on Gran Canaria for many years as they own an apartment here, and it has always been their dream to ‘tie the knot’ in an intimate ceremony peformed  by Reverend Paul Gibson, in their little piece of paradise.



At the Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa, David, before Samantha arrived, who was pacing about as any would be bridegroom, and asked him why Gran Canaria?  The reply was simple; they both loved the island and the weather at this time of year.  The bridal party was relatively small, just 19 or so guests, mainly from the UK, but also a few friends who lived on the island.



Shortly after speaking with David, we were ushered into the most beautiful corner of the hotel gardens; waterfall in the background, surrounded by an immense variety of sub tropical plants and romantic music softly playing in the background.  The bride arrived, and looked breathtaking.  A simple, long cream satin gown, pearl pins in her hair, Samantha joined David at the altar.  The ceremony was first performed in Spanish by the Councillor for Tourism, Tomas Lorenzo Martin, representing the Mayor of Mogan, and translated by one of the GC Wedding Planners’ staff.  



Then came the English ceremony, performed by Reverend Paul Gibson, who read out extracts from the traditional wedding ceremony.  The bridegroom was moved to tears and kept looking at his lovely bride, who was now officially his wife.



Photographs were taken, congratulations given, then the wedding party moved into a reception area to share champagne and little canapés. Reverend Paul presented the newly wed couple with their official marriage license the ‘Libro de Familia’.



Afterwards, the photographer, Mos Queshi spent over 90 minutes taking photographs in and around the magnificent grounds of the Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa. The couple and their guests then moved to La Sama Restaurant for a Buffet Reception with the waterfalls in the background surrounded by their family and friends. The evening ended with a quiet and reflective gathering in the grounds of the hotel as the guests toasted the couple and the success of Gran Canaria Weddings and Celebrations in organising the official paperwork and an oustanding and memorable day.



It was intimate, it was unique and it was history in the making!  



What is Love?



Sooner or later, we begin to undernd that love is more than verses on valentines and romance in the movies. We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true, the most important thing in our lives. For love is the creator of our favourite memories and the foundation of our fondest dreams.

Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent, a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places.

And this radience never fades, this magical and mysterious joy, is the greatest treasure of all

one known only by those who love

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GC Weddings is the only fully registered wedding and event planners in Gran Canaria and is also a member of the Institute of Professional Wedding Planners and the Institute of Event Planners. We have an outstanding reputation as professional wedding planners and a market leader in Europe. Established 4 years, GC Weddings has been instrumental in having Spanish Civil Law amended to allow non residents to be married here in Civil Ceremonies, which up until yesterday was restricted to Spanish Residents and Catholics only