Wedding | Natalie & Matthew

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We met at work almost seven years ago and quickly realized we wanted to be more than best friends. I’m Argentinean and Italian, and Matthew is from a small town in Wisconsin. We met in Los Angeles, where we still live today with our two German Shepherds.

At our core, we’re truly best friends. We love spending time together, but we also value our independence and making space for our own hobbies and interests. We’re both incredibly hardworking, purchased our first home before turning 30, and are excited for everything that’s ahead of us.

Matthew proposed in Malibu, one of our favorite places! Afterward, we returned to a house filled with our closest family and friends, where we celebrated with a homemade pizza truck, charcuterie, plenty of wine, and a lot of laughter. We love hosting, so it felt like the perfect way to start this next chapter.

One of my favorite things about us is our love for food, we always share dinner every night together and have our Friday date nights. We share a love of cooking, wine, and spending time together in the kitchen. We never order our own dishes when we go out to eat…we share everything across the table, which feels very true to my Argentine roots.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We always knew we didn’t want a traditional wedding. We wanted an international wedding where our family and friends could turn the celebration into a vacation and experience somewhere new together.

Because I’m fluent in Spanish and have family in Spain, I eventually pivoted from my original dream of getting married in Italy and started exploring Southern Spain instead. We both love organic, farm-to-table food. We visit our local farmers market every Saturday and can practically avoid the grocery store altogether because we buy so much there.

When I started searching for venues, I knew I didn’t want a hotel or a tourist-heavy destination. I wanted it to feel like we were inviting our family and friends into our home for the weekend…. A place who valued farm to table, organic farming, and everything we love.

I came across Finca La Gloria while researching venues online and immediately fell in love with their story, values, and philosophy. Through that process, I connected with Daniel, the owner, who invited Matthew and me to spend two nights at the finca and experience it for ourselves. I immediately said yes, and we booked a trip to Spain to visit the property and explore the surrounding area, including Jimena de la Frontera.

Matthew was a little concerned because I had only found one venue. After flying more than 12 hours, he asked if maybe we should have a few options lined up. But I had a feeling this was the one. On the drive from Málaga Airport to the finca, we stopped in Marbella and had lunch at Casa Wild. The owners happened to be Argentinean, and as we were leaving, I remember saying, “I wonder if they would cook our wedding.”

The moment we arrived at Finca La Gloria, we looked at each other and said, “This is it.” The magic, warmth, love, staff, and incredible scenery makes the Finca unforgettable. It immediately felt like a home away from home.

Another important factor was making sure our family and friends could stay nearby. Jimena was perfect for that. Our immediate family stayed at the Finca with us, while friends and extended family stayed in nearby fincas and Airbnbs, allowing everyone to be together while still experiencing the charm of the village.

How many guests did you have?

65 guests!

What was your budget?

We originally told ourselves we wanted something small and minimal, but then quickly remembered that we both have expensive taste. We actually stayed fairly close to our original budget, but there were definitely a few moments where we looked at each other and said, “Well... we only do this once.” As we got closer to the wedding, we realized we still had some “room” in the budget and decided to add a few extra touches, like a cigar roller and a saxophonist. At that point, it felt worth it.

How often do you get all of your favorite people together in the same country—let alone in one of the most beautiful villages in Spain? We wanted everyone to have an unforgettable experience, and those small additions helped make the weekend feel even more special.

Tell us about your outfits.

Oh man, I would put every single outfit back on tomorrow. My mom and I went to Grace Loves Lace on Abbot Kinney in Los Angeles after another appointment where the silk dresses just weren’t falling in the right places. The moment I put on the first dress at Grace Loves Lace, I knew. Then the stylist added the cathedral veil and gloves, and both my mom and I immediately started crying. I wanted my dress to feel like me. I didn’t want anything overly elaborate because I wanted it to complement the scenery of the Finca rather than compete with it. The setting was already so beautiful on its own. Of course, I had to add a pair of white heels from the Prada Spring collection, they felt like the perfect finishing touch.

For the wedding, we knew we wanted to go black tie. Matthew was set on having a custom tuxedo, so we worked with Murat’s in Beverly Hills, which was an incredible experience. He also wanted to join the Prada shoe club, so naturally he ended up with a pair of Prada loafers.

For accessories, I kept things simple and wore diamonds from Kinn Studio. They added just the right amount of sparkle and glam without feeling overdone. Matthew wore his Rolex, which is especially meaningful because it’s from his birth year and was a recent gift for his 30th birthday, which we celebrated the night before the Welcome Party.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

It’s hard to pick just one thing because there were really a few priorities that shaped the entire weekend.

First and foremost, it was our family and friends. If we’re asking people to travel across the world to celebrate with us, our number one priority was making sure they felt taken care of from the moment they arrived. From organizing transfers, curating their meals, and accommodations to sharing recommendations and helping everyone navigate the area, we wanted the experience to feel effortless.

We were so grateful that people made the journey, and we wanted them to feel appreciated every step of the way.

Right alongside that was food and entertainment. We are huge foodies, and we wanted every meal throughout the weekend to feel memorable. Food has always been such a big part of our relationship, so naturally it became a huge part of the wedding weekend too. We were beyond excited that Casa Wild would be cooking for us, and the Finca chefs who took care of us throughout the week prepared some truly incredible meals as well. Every bite felt special.

Entertainment was equally important. We wanted people to feel immersed, engaged, and genuinely excited to be there. That’s why we chose live music for both events, a magician during cocktail hour, and even a cigar roller later in the evening. Those little moments made the weekend feel interactive and created so many memories for our friends and family.

I was also very passionate about not turning the wedding day into a stressful production. I had absolutely no interest in starting my day at 6 a.m. getting ready. I wanted the entire experience to feel relaxed and intentional. At one point I was literally running around the finca in sunglasses with a bottle of Aperol and cava in hand, which probably tells you everything you need to know about my approach to wedding mornings. Before we even started getting ready, the Finca team prepared a beautiful lunch for our entire family and wedding party. Sitting down together at 11 a.m. and sharing that meal made the day feel even more special. It allowed us to slow down, be present, and truly savor every moment rather than rushing through it.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

Absolutely. There were a few elements that felt really important for us to incorporate, and most of them centered around family. For me, it was important to find ways to include my grandparents, who are no longer with us. My mom had photos of my Abuela and my Nono placed inside a small gold locket that was attached to my veil, so they were with me as I walked down the aisle. I also wrapped my mom’s handkerchief around my bouquet, which felt incredibly special and emotional.

One of the most meaningful things we did for our guests was handwrite a personal letter to every single person attending the wedding. Instead of a traditional seating chart or place cards, each guest found an envelope with their name waiting for them at their seat. We spent months writing them. At the beginning of dinner, everyone opened their letters, and looking around the room and seeing people reading them, laughing, crying, and hugging each other was one of the most memorable moments of the entire weekend. It felt so personal and so representative of why we were all there in the first place.

For Matthew, incorporating vintage elements was really important. He loves pieces that tell a story, so he gifted each of his groomsmen a pair of vintage cufflinks that he personally sourced based on their individual interests and personalities. We spent time visiting vintage shops, thrift stores, and searching online to find the perfect pair for each person. He also wore my Nono’s cufflinks on our wedding day, which felt like a beautiful way to tie family history into the celebration.

Beyond the physical details, we were both intentional about creating moments where we could simply be present together. We woke up together on the morning of our wedding and spent time soaking it all in before the day began. We also chose to do a first look, which ended up being one of our favorite moments of the entire weekend.

One thing we talked about a lot before the wedding was how easy it can be for couples to get pulled in different directions and barely spend time together. We really wanted to experience the weekend side by side. No matter what was happening, we always found our way back to each other. Looking back, those quiet moments together are some of the memories I treasure most.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Focus on your must-haves and stay true to yourselves. It’s so easy to get sucked into social media and all the noise around weddings…things you “have” to do, things you “need” to buy, things people claim are a red flag if a wedding doesn’t have them. Ignore all of that. Focus on creating a wedding that feels like you and your partner, one that reflects how you both actually live your life. You don’t need every expensive treatment, trend, or detail unless it’s something you genuinely want. Let your wedding weekend feel like an elevated version of your everyday life. The best weddings, in my opinion, feel authentic to the couple hosting them.

I would say I was a relatively relaxed bride. Of course there were a few stressful moments here and there, but at the end of the day, your wedding should feel like the best weekend of your life… not a production you’re trying to perfect. Worrying about the color of the linens or the silverware won’t change how much fun your guests have, but it will add unnecessary stress. Paint the vision, focus on your non-negotiables, and let the rest fall into place.

I would also say this: trust the people you hire. I am very Type A and naturally like to be in control, but Marta, our incredible planner and now dear friend, constantly reminded me when it was time to let go. She took the reins when she needed to, and because of that I was actually able to enjoy our wedding weekend instead of managing it. These people are experts for a reason. In fact, by the end of the planning process, we always joked that it wasn’t Matthew and my wedding….it was Marta and my wedding!

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Every single one? How am I supposed to pick? They were all incredible.

I’ll start with Marta from Koinai Events because I truly don’t know what we would have done without her. We met during our very first visit to the Finca and spent the next two years planning together. The moment she told me she was Italian and agreed with me on food being our number one priority, I knew it was a match! She became so much more than our planner. She was our sounding board, problem solver, therapist, and now our friend. As someone who is very Type A, trusting someone else with such an important event wasn’t easy, but she earned that trust immediately. We both shed quite a few happy tears together throughout the process. I still don’t know how she pulled everything off, but she did. If you’re getting married in Spain or Italy, hire her. Seriously!

Our photographer and videographer, Anni M and Aroha, also became family. We met them during our first visit to the Finca and did our engagement shoot together in Málaga and Mijas. At one point, they surprised us with our favorite cocktail during the sunset portion of our shoot, which tells you everything you need to know about them. They made us feel so comfortable, confident, and completely ourselves. Their work speaks for itself, but beyond their talent, they are both amazing inside and out!

Franco and Suyai from Casa Wild made every bite of the weekend unforgettable. From mini empanadas and beautiful charcuterie spreads to family-style ravioli, fresh sourdough with herb butter, and countless other dishes, every meal felt special. The wine pairings were perfection. We had guests telling us it was some of the best food they had ever had. And fun fact, they got married at Finca La Gloria too.

The mother-daughter duo behind Flores de Reding brought my vision to life in a way that exceeded every expectation. I wanted minimal flowers and instead wanted to focus on fruits, vegetables, candlelight, and the natural beauty of the Finca. They completely understood the assignment. Let’s not forget our Makeup + Hair team. Julia and her team were absolute angels. They made everyone feel beautiful, calm, and cared for throughout the weekend. Their patience, kindness, and ability to handle so many moving parts at once never went unnoticed.

And then there is Finca La Gloria itself. It’s difficult to put into words how special this place is. Daniel, the owner, feels like an extension of our family. The staff, the chef, the property, the atmosphere—every single person contributed to making the weekend unforgettable. The finca is truly a little world of its own. Peaceful, magical, warm, and full of heart. We already can’t wait to return.

Every vendor brought something unique to the weekend. Marbella Cocktail Studio created our dream Aperol Spritz welcome corner and served handcrafted cocktails that became entertainment in their own right. Guests are still talking about the dirty martinis with blue cheese olives.

Star Stereo Band kept everyone dancing all night long, and their musicians were incredible from start to finish. Andrés Sánchez set the perfect tone for our welcome party.

Coffee Goat customized cups with our dogs’ faces and named the cart “Ava & Sarge’s Café,” which might be one of my favorite details from the entire weekend. Tiziana’s desserts were absolutely extraordinary—I am still dreaming about that dessert table.

Torcedor de Puros was the life of the party, I think Matthew had about 12+ cigars, they were incredible and rolled some amazing cigars. And Olivier our magician stole the Welcome Party!

Photographer: Anni M @annimphotography | Planning: Marta Pastene @koinaievents | Styling: Natalie @natalierodd | Flora: Flores de Reding @lasfloresdereding | Videographer: Anni M @arohapr | Ceremony & Reception Location: Finca La Gloria @fincalagloriajimena | Celebrant: Natalie’s Cousin | Hire: Cashmere @cashmeredecoracion | HMUA: Julia @julia.beautystylist | Catering & Beverages: Casa Wild @wildestepona & Marbella Cocktail Studio @marbellacocktailstudio | Cake: Tiziana Cakes @tizianacakes.estepona | Stationery: by Natalie | Entertainment: Andres Sanchez (Welcome Party) @andresanchez; Star Stereo Band @stereostarband; Olivier Boes (Magician) @boesmagic; Torcedor De Puros (Cigar Roller) @torcedordepuros | Coffee Cart: Coffee Goat @coffee_g.o.a.t | Ceremony Dress, Gloves & Veil: Grace Loves Lace @grace_loves_lace | Reception Dress: V Chapman @vchapmanstudio | Suit: Custom Murat Beverly Hills @i.do.murats | Wedding Rings & Jewellery: Kinn Studio @kinnstudio | Shoes: Prada @prada | Engagement Ring: CustomThe Diamond Guys Los Angeles | Wedding Party Attire: Various brands