Heather and Shane’s incredible 5 star Hotel Fariones Lanzarote, Canary Island wedding was an amazing 2 day celebration, absolutely reflective of their amazing love story
Heather is a successful singer in Ireland, singing at weddings and also having performed in a group of classically trained singers that performed across America -to mention just a few of her professional achievements. She’s also an incredible Yoga teacher.
Now onto their love story. Heather went to work one day, to sing a wedding, little did she know that day that with every single note she sang, she was catching the attention of her future husband who was one of the guests at the wedding. The song was La Vie En Rose, and from what I gather it was love at first notes. Post ceremony he was able to gather Heathers number from his friend who booked her, and the rest as they say is history. Delightful that that same friend was present at their Canary Island wedding. Very appropriate!
One thing is for certain, love loves to surprise, and always arrives in perfect timing!
Heather and Shane had a spectacular Hotel Fariones Wedding, their Lanzarote Canary Island Wedding was helped to be the perfect event that is was with the impeccable planning by Luxury Wedding Planners Signature Weddings. A great team with incredible attention to detail, care, friendliness, professionalism and fun
Hotel Fariones, having just undergone a recent and luxurious renovation, was originally the first hotel to ever be built on Lanzarote Island. It’s time reflected in the lushly grown Palm trees and unique horticulture that is within the property. From infinity pools, private beaches, hot tubs, incredible food, a Michelin star Japanese restaurant on premise, incredible decor to butterflies the size of half an apple, Hotel Fariones located on Playa Del Carmen really feels like it’s very own oasis. Actually, it is it’s very own oasis!
Morning Prep stared with Heather at their wedding suit in Hotel Fariones. Hotel Fariones had a large bouquet of flowers waiting in their room to welcome the Bride along with a ROSA Hotels group beach bag with loads of goodies and a lovely welcome and congratulatory note.
Heather began her morning prep as the warm air blew in from her personal patio that over looked the beach, we took some time for some casual portraits in some amazing light before her hair stylist began. A few more moments were also taken in the bathtub with the most incredible view where Heather did some morning Yoga poses. Absolutely idyllic
I took the dress out to hang it exactly where the couple would have their first look a few hours later. The sun broke through the palm trees, as the sound of a water fountain danced around.
The couples daughter Frankie, Flower Girl and all around cutie pie, had two dresses to pick from on the day, I photographed both just in case. Tough call to pick which one, both were fabulous, as was Heathers Wedding Dress.
I made my way over to the Hotel next door called Plus Fariones. The local beach is called Fariones beach, so a good few places have that incorporated into their establishments name. This hotel had a very arty interior, very modern, and with apartments, each with little front yards full of various types of cactuses. A great spot to take Shane’s detail and morning portraits. Frankie also had a wee photo shoot, wearing a large sunhat and also playing dress up with her Grandma’s heels which was cute.
After Shane’s getting ready photos by their apartment we took a walk around Plus Fariones for some additional photos. His brother the Best man met us along the way and we took some time for some photos of the two together.
Back over to Hotel Fariones for Heather’s final getting ready photos where we took some time for some very striking portraits of Heather in her suits terrace, and some fun ones with her Sister Maid Of Honour and her Mom.
Heather and Shane decided on their ever so romantic first look, stunning bridal portraits and bridal party portraits ahead of the ceremony. So when it came to post ceremony they could mingle with their many guests, many who the couple had not seen yet since their arrival on the island.
The ceremony was stunning and over looked the ocean. The weather was warm and the breeze was relaxing as the couple said their
I-dos. Heather’s Mom and Dad both walked her up the aisle, the had a touching and humorous sand pouring ceremony, and their daughter Frankie stay as close to her parents as she could during their ceremony. Such a beautiful family, it’s was lovely to photograph the emotion and the sentiment of it all. Fans were proved to those who may need some extra breeze, and a special mention to Heathers friend who sang a gorgeous sing as her folks walked her up the aisle, along with more gorgeous music by Antonia Montaner for the wedding and drinks reception.
Post iconic just married kiss under the palms and over looking the ocean, the couple made their way down the aisle. Guests followed, a fantastic group photo of everyone was taken, and then it was action on the Mojitto and Pina Colada station, where crushed ice, fresh juicy limes, crisp mint and gorgeous pineapples accompanying the various drinks.
They Hotel offered a generous length of time for the drinks reception prior to the call for dinner. Just prior to that call for dinner we took some time out for some family portraits in the lush surrounds.
Onto the florals decorating the ceremony area , table plan and reception area, they were something out of a story book. Beautiful, , generous, fragrant and very suiting to the nature and that surrounds this ocean front venue.
Speeches kicked off to the sounds of laughter and emotions, and as they wrapped up, the first of 6 courses were served. The food was incredible and the desserts too.
Just ahead of dessert the sun was setting so we made our way for some sunset photos. The surf, the sand , the colours of the setting sun, the breeze, the shadows, everything was straight from a fairytale.
After the food service concluded, the couple and their guests made their way to the area where the dance party would be. A grotto. Literally carved into a cave. It had such plants, skylights, and a massive conversation pit as they called them in the 70s. The room was unreal and it’s amazing how it was carved into a cliff side. You could see the surface of the rock from inside, it was fantastically done.
The first dance and dances that followed kicked off. During the first dance Frankie joined in. A total moment when Shane dipped Heather flawlessly as she held on with ease to Frankie. Such a beautiful family the three of them
As more socialising and banter happened, the newlyweds and I went out for an evening photo, -a Champagne Spray shot. It turned out great and we had a lot of laughs doing it.
On our way to take that photos, Heather let Shane know a beautiful surprise she had organised for him. Fireworks!
We made our way back to the party, and ahead of these epic fireworks kicking off, Shane and the lads all gathered for as large photo with each one of his pals with a cigar in hand. If that all wasn’t epic enough, just then Heather sang a rendition of a song. Yes, you guessed it. Heather again sang La Vie EN Rose to her now husband with each note absolutely flawless. Their whole wedding reception was in complete silence, hanging on to even note, as she sang sea side. It was iconic. After the song wrapped Shane said, “ that’s how I first fell in love with her”. How absolutely romantic. A perfect moment ahead of their Firework display
An incredible end to an incredible wedding.
Day two kicked off early afternoon where Heather, Shane and the very generous Rachel set off for some day two bridal portraits around the island. Surrounded by landscapes that looked straight from another planet, Rachel informed us most of the land was a protected Nation Park and that which looked of textured multi coloured rocks, was actually dried lava. We had a blast taking photos around the island. A moment near the tips of the mountains where just like that, a ,line of camels appeared and started walking towards us. So many incredible moments. We wrapped the day 2 shoot at a winery called Bodega Stratvs. It is also clearly quite the local hang out as when we arrived there was an amazing traditional band playing and a dance party on the terrace awaiting our arrival. It was incredible to see. Bodega Stratvs is another of the Rosa Hotels iconic venues. Here, grapes are literally planted in large black holes which are dug out to keep the plants protected from the sun, so the landscape there looks quite unique, with all these large black holes with plants in the middle of the,. We took some photos around the landscape, up a hill, in the Winery, and on the venues terrace, where across s small bridge purple flowers awaited the newlyweds and a family of very friendly and large butterflies, they danced out the couple, getting closer to them in every moment, a very Disney movie moment and the perfect way to wrap up the two 2 bridal portraits. Before heading off we took some time out for a chat, we all exchanged how amazing the past few days had been, while the newlyweds sampled the wine on offer.
What more can I say. An incredible wedding for an incredible pair. A unique celebration that suits their unique love story
Biggest thanks to Heather and Shane for having me on hand to photograph their incredible Canary Island, Lanzarote, Hotel Fariones wedding.
Congrats again and again Heather, Shane and wee Frankie too!
Photography: Nina Val Photography
Wedding Planning: Signature Weddings
Wedding Venue: 5 Star Hotel Fariones
Brides Getting Ready Location: 5 Star Hotel Fariones
Location: Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Brides Dress: Truly Bridal, Naas
Dress Designer: Calla Blanche
Brides Hair: Ciara D
Brides Makeup: Katie O’Dowd
Brides Nails: DB Nails & Beauty Stradbally Co. Laois
Brides Shoes: Zara
Grooms Suit: A.J. Flynn Menswear Portlaoise Co. Laois
Grooms Shoes: Zara
Grooms Getting Ready Venue: Plus Fariones
Rings: Fields Newbridge
Celebrant: Sarah Parker
Drinks Reception Music: Antonia Montaner
Decor: 5 Star Hotel Fariones
