Inside: Fran Newman-Young's Epic Wedding In Mallorca

The Wedding Edition has an exclusive first look at Fran Newman-Young’s Wedding in Mallorca to Peter Clarke and discuss everything from picking their venue to finding the perfect dress. Here’s our first look at Fran Newman-Young’s Wedding.

The Story So Far..

We had crossed paths several times back in the day when ‘Ping Thursdays’ were a thing (iykyk), but it was thanks to our girlfriends that we finally met. I was reluctantly heading for an evening workout when my friend Emma Keltz called and encouraged me to crash Pete’s dinner party. We started as friends and our relationship evolved into something special over that summer. It was at Secret Garden Party, whilst dancing on hay bales at the Colisilleum stage, that I popped the ’shall we make it official?’ question.

8 years and many globe-trotting adventures later Pete got down on one knee on a stunning secluded beach in Jamaica. There was freshly-caught lobster grilling on the bbq, a big bonfire and a very beautiful citrine ring. Pete knew I wanted a yellow diamond and to have a say on the design, so he proposed with a replica. When we got back to London we went to a coloured-diamond specialist, Asterria, and left with the most stunning ring – a radiant cut fancy yellow diamond with trapeze diamonds either side.

The Venue

We’ve been visiting Deià almost every summer since we’ve been together. We’d always been curious about Son Marroig – you can see the crown of the temple appear as you drive through the mountainous landscape. Once the residence of Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria, the 16th-century estate boasts a breath-stealing sea view and otherworldly sunsets. When we finally visited, its beauty blew us away.

Most guests stayed in Port de Sóller – it’s a better-suited location for large groups and late nights. With that in mind, we hosted our welcome drinks at Randemar restaurant which is right on the seafront. Cristina, the owner, was such a delight to work with. They served paella, pizza, Iberico ham and Sóller prawns.

Following our wedding, we went to our favourite restaurant, C’as Patrò March, for a late lunch. Located at Cala Deià, it’s the most beautiful spot on the island and the family-run restaurant serves the best seafood on the island. We indulged in a delicious feast of croquettes, octopus and prawns followed by pork loin, turbot and lobster. We then danced the evening away, occasionally cooling ourselves off with a dip in the sea. We’re fortunate to have a guestlist of talented DJ friends so the rosé and the mescal flowed, and we danced until it closed. But it wasn’t over yet. The following day we had the wildest party of all on a luxurious catamaran around the island.

The Fashion

Pete and his best men wore bespoke Cad & The Dandy suit in a sage leno and my dress was bespoke Savannah Miller Bridal Designing it with Savannah Miller and her team was one of my favourite experiences from the wedding. I was looking for something classic with a contemporary twist that would complement the venue and take me from day-to-night. The dress started with a voluminous skirt made of lace tulle and with a hand-painted organza overlay. This was taken off after cocktail hour to reveal a chic bias-cut silk satin skirt which was draped on the left hip and had a sexy side split to show a little leg. Savannah and her team also created a silk scarf worn around the neck to add an extra touch of elegance.

For something blue, I wore a blue silk garter. Borrowed were my gorgeous La Grotta Collective’s Amelia Solitaire Pearl Necklace and Bell Oval Diamond and Pearl Earrings. I am such a shoe-lover but I have a painful condition called Morton’s Neuroma which limits my shoe choices. I found two great options and wore Loeffler Randal and Charlotte Mills Kali glitter platforms for the dancing.

After our first dance I changed into an embellished Eva Lendel Miata mini dress which I found at Ellie Sanderson. The details on the dress are beautiful and it accentuated my waist and curves. I fell in love with the team there and we had a lot of fun trying on dresses. They were one of the few bridal boutiques that stock a varied range of sizes and have an amazing variety of designers.

The Wedding Rings

Pete wanted to wear his wedding band underneath his signet ring and we found one in a local jewellery shop in Soller. My wedding band is incredibly special. It’s a three-quarter diamond eternity band by Sky Diamond who transform atmospheric carbon into exquisite diamonds, using only renewable energy, without a trace of environmental harm.

The Bridal Party

The ushers wore sandy linen suits and bridesmaids in butter yellow satin to match my yellow-diamond ring. I met with Rewritten and fell in love with their styles and eco-conscious fabrics which also feel great and sit beautifully. My bridesmaids were the first ever bridesmaids to wear their Lemonade Yellow Pollenca dresses and they looked jaw-droppingly gorgeous. I gave most of the bridesmaid gifts at my Bridesmaid Proposal earlier that year which included Tinkalink personalised bracelets, Jo Loves candles and MZ Skin skincare. They did all receive a bespoke Neve and Noor robe to get ready in.

The Tablescape

The setting is so stunning, that I wanted to ensure we didn’t steal away from the natural beauty. We had decadent chandeliers leaning over the tables, a scattering of taper candles and single-stem roses in blush pink, lilacs, pastel yellows and white with stunning floral arrangements climbing up each end of the Head Table.

Hatty Pedder, an artist whom I met at a Wedding Edition event, created beautiful wedding stationary as well as our menus, table plan and hand-painted scallop shells as table-markers. Hatty added personal touches to our menus including an illustration of Oslo, our dog, who sadly couldn’t join us. I printed the designs onto organic linen which added a touch of rustic luxury. Our place-cards were names hand-painted onto oyster shells. These were essentially our wedding favours and most took them home as jewellery holders or as a new decoration to hang on their Christmas tree.

Food & Drinks

Fosh Catering delivered an excellent menu of Yellow Gazpacho with Crab, Galician Beef Fillet, Blackened Aubergine and a Mandarin and Blackberry nest. Marc Fosh, the owner, is a Michelin-starred chef and the food was truly spectacular, even with the butterflies in my stomach. But it was the canapés that were *chef’s kiss*. The generous selection included hibiscus churros, crispy black paella chip, taco with sea bass ceviche and millefeuille of Patatas Bravas. Post-dinner, they also served up some sensational cocktails; spicy margs, refreshing caipirinhas and espresso martinis.

The wedding cake – by Sofia’s Cakes – was another highlight. I asked for a 50cm red velvet heart-shaped cake with white chocolate buttercream and topped with raspberries. It was heaven. Regretfully, I didn’t make a plan to take it back with me after and was far too jolly to care at 4am.

Entertainment

Our first dance was to Candi Staton’s ‘You’ve Got The Love’ with cold fire as a twinkling backdrop. Midway through the song, percussionist Marco Moony walked through the crowd and led us to the dancefloor. Our DJ – Steff Steele – we met at a party in Tuscany the year before. We fell in love with her passion for music and infectious energy. Despite being seven months pregnant, she kept the party going until 4am.

Beauty Regime & Wellness

My talented sister, Olivia, was my makeup artist. I love a natural, fresh look with bronze eye make-up that makes my greeny-blue-gold eyes glow and accentuated with a corner lash. Local hair stylist, Carolina Taylor, gave me a chic twisted up-do that I took down later that evening.

In the year leading up to the wedding I had micro-needling, Profhilo, Newer and a little Botox. In the final few weeks I had a Hydrafacial at Natali Kelly and Estee Lauder’s complimentary facial at Heathrow’s Duty Free – total game changer!

The Honeymoon

We’ve decided to have a gap before our honeymoon. It gives us time for saving and gives us something to look forward to in the New Year. We’re hoping for something that can include both of our loves; sea, surf, safari and some exploring.

Favourite Wedding Gifts

We had a list with The Wedding Present Co but said to our guests that flying over was enough. There were some amazing gifts including a personalised The Oak & Rope carving board, a Maisongames colourful chess set, Pooky lamps. One thing I hold dear is our live painting by Hatty Pedder from our London ceremony.

Advice

Wedding dress shopping is fun with friends, but the best decisions are made solo.
Nobody will miss the expensive option you didn’t choose and that they didn’t know about.
Relax, all the people you love most are there to celebrate YOU.