A Destination Wedding in Costa Brava at Hostal de La Gavina, Spain
“Oh. My. God. This is the best thing we have ever seen!!!! We knew when we hired you that you would knock it out of the park, but this is better than we could have ever imagined!!!! It truly captures the feelings, the setting, the vibes, the party — everything we wanted and more! THANK YOU is not enough!!! This is something our family will cherish FOREVER.”
There's a particular kind of light on the Costa Brava coast at the end of the day. The cliff faces go warm, the sea shifts colour, and for a few minutes everything turns slightly unreal. I filmed Megan and Colin's wedding at Hostal de La Gavina in S'Agaró across that exact window, and what I kept thinking was how well the place suited them. Not because it was beautiful, though it was, but because the energy of the weekend matched it. Relaxed, warm, full of people who were genuinely glad to be there. I'm Matthew Greer, founder of Dear Oliver, and this is Megan and Colin's destination wedding in Costa Brava.
What Does a Costa Brava Destination Wedding Weekend Actually Feel Like?
The weekend opened with a welcome party on the terrace at Hostal de La Gavina, and it set the tone for everything that followed. Guests arrived to spritz, a guitarist playing through the early evening, and a spread of paella and sangria with the sun going down behind the Mediterranean. Nobody was in a hurry. Nobody needed to be.
As a wedding videographer, the welcome party is always worth paying attention to. It's usually the first time you see how a group moves together, how relaxed the couple are around their people, and what kind of energy is going to carry through the next day. With Megan and Colin, it was immediately clear. This was a group that already knew how to be in a room together.
Why Hostal de La Gavina Makes a Costa Brava Destination Wedding Work on Film
The ceremony took place under the Loggia de Senya Blanca, one of the defining spaces at Hostal de La Gavina, with the cliffs and the Mediterranean Sea behind the couple as they exchanged their vows. A civil ceremony led by The Serene Celebrant, personal and unhurried, with a string quartet playing throughout.
Megan's father walked her in. There was a quiet moment between them that arrived without any direction and stayed on screen without needing anything added to it. That's the kind of moment a Costa Brava setting gives you: the backdrop is already doing the work, so when something real happens in front of it, the camera just has to be in the right place.
The Moment Before the Costa Brava Wedding Day Began
Before the ceremony, Megan and Colin shared a first look on the balcony of the bridal suite, looking out over the estate and the coastline below. There are first looks that feel performed and first looks that feel private. This one felt private. A moment between two people who were glad to have a minute together before the rest of the day began.
How the Costa Brava Destination Wedding Reception Felt After Dark
The reception moved outdoors as the evening settled in. Warm lighting across the tables, the kind of atmosphere that builds slowly and then doesn't need any help once it finds its rhythm. The Event Band carried the room from dinner into dancing without the usual gap in energy that kills a reception. By the time Megan and Colin hit the floor, the crowd was already where it needed to be.
The moment I keep coming back to from the night is Megan's speech. She dedicated her bouquet to her mother, and the room shifted in the way a room only shifts when something genuinely true is said in front of the right people. It was brief. It didn't need to be long.
Frequently Asked Questions About Destination Weddings in Costa Brava
Is Costa Brava a good destination for a wedding?
Costa Brava is one of the strongest options in Europe for a destination wedding. Its dramatic coastal scenery, strong hospitality infrastructure, and reliable summer weather make it particularly well-suited to couples from Ireland, the UK, or the US. Venues like Hostal de La Gavina offer a level of setting and service that's genuinely difficult to match elsewhere on the continent.
What is Hostal de La Gavina and is it a good wedding venue?
Hostal de La Gavina is a historic luxury hotel on the Costa Brava coast in S'Agaró, Spain, set directly above the Mediterranean. Its Loggia de Senya Blanca is one of the most visually distinctive ceremony spaces in Europe, with cliff and sea views directly behind the couple. It suits weddings that want a genuinely cinematic Mediterranean setting rather than a generic hotel backdrop.
Do I need a local wedding videographer for a Costa Brava wedding, or can I bring someone from Ireland?
You can bring a videographer from Ireland, and for couples planning a destination wedding in Spain, there are real advantages to working with someone you already trust and have connected with in advance. Dear Oliver films destination weddings across Europe and is available for weddings in Spain.
What's the best time of year for a destination wedding on the Costa Brava?
Late May through September is peak season on the Costa Brava, with reliable warm weather and long evenings that suit outdoor receptions. June and September are often preferred by couples who want good weather without the peak heat of July and August.
What vendors do I need for a destination wedding in Spain?
At minimum, you'll need a local planner who knows the region, a photographer and videographer (local or brought from home), a florist, catering through your venue, and entertainment. Megan and Colin worked with Coco & Carl as their wedding planner, who co-ordinated the full vendor team in Spain. A strong local planner is usually the single most important booking for a destination wedding abroad.
The Vendor Team
Venue: Hostal de La Gavina | @lagavinasagaro
Wedding Planner: Coco & Carl | @cocoandcarl
Photographer: Erika Kawas Photography | @erikakawasphotography
Cinematography: Dear Oliver | @dearoliverfilms
Content Creator: The Bridal Girly | @thebridalgirly
Florist: Rita Experience | @rita.experience
Hair & Makeup: Makeup & Hair Barcelona | @makeup_hair_barcelona
Cake: Casa De Pastel | @casadepastel.bcn
Stationery: Depapeles y Amores
Live Music: La Musiqueta | @la_musiqueta
DJ: McDonough Music | @Mcdonough_music
Dress Designer: Arava Polak Bridal | @arava_polak_bridal
Dress Boutique: Boca Raton Bridal | @bocaratonbridal
Tux: The Black Tux | @theblacktux
Rental/Decor: Abanik Rent Events | @abanik_rent_events
Planning a Destination Wedding in Spain?
Dear Oliver films destination weddings across Ireland and Europe, including Spain. If you're planning a wedding on the Costa Brava or elsewhere in Spain and want a film that captures how the day actually felt, enquire with Dear Oliver here.
