Gibraltar Botanic Gardens Elopement

International travel bans meant Paulina and Andrew were apart in the US and UK for months before finally meeting at Gibraltar Botanic Gardens for their intimate elopement. They planned their day in less than a month, and prove that you don't need to have a huge party to have a beautiful wedding day. After their simple sunset ceremony, they set off for couples portraits, including capturing the iconic Gibraltar rock in the background.

Intimate Gibraltar Botanic Gardens elopement with the bride in a strapless Wtoo wedding dress.

Every aspect of our Gibraltar Botanic Gardens elopement and the days leading up to it were unconventional, yet absolute perfection in their own way. Something that made the day extra special, though, was that we got ready together, and we were able to celebrate in total peace –just the two of us with no distractions and a heavenly backdrop for a most meaningful occasion. The fun we had that day, getting to do a professional photoshoot for the first time, frolicking in the gardens, and eating a delicious meal in a huge gown by the water, like royalty, felt once-in-a-lifetime.
Paulina & Andrew

Groom in a light blue suit kissing his bride in a strapless wedding dress at their intimate Gibraltar Botanic Gardens elopement

Bride in a strapless wedding dress with pinned up do and cathedral length veil embracing her husband in a light blue suit

Bridal makeup with light pink lipstick, blusher and gold eyeshadow

White and green wedding bouquet with eucalyptus and roses

Bride on the wedding morning in a white getting ready robe putting on her own makeup

Bride in a strapless wedding dress with a cathedral length veil putting on her grooms white rose buttonhole

Groom in a blue suit and bride in a strapless Wtoo wedding dress signing the register at their Gibraltar Botanic Gardens elopement

Bride with pinned up do kissing her groom in a blue wedding suit

Intimate Gibraltar Botanic Gardens elopement wedding during sunset

Bride in a white getting ready robe with curly hair

Bride and groom in matching silver shoes

Bride in a strapless wedding dress looking at her grooms wedding band at their intimate elopement

Groom in a blue waistcoat putting on his brides wedding veil on the wedding morning

GIBRALTAR BOTANIC GARDENS

The vibe of the day was "que sera sera." Andy and I go with the flow. We felt so at ease with the sun shining and our incredible hotel room views. We could feel the beautiful day unfolding before us even as I sat doing my makeup and hair, and he groomed his beard. I let my face tell me what to apply and my hair curls tell me where to pin them. Since it was just the two of us our inspiration came from just being ourselves, and the loveliness simply unfolded before us.

FAVOURITE MOMENTS

We always talk about how everything about that day was incredible. But, even so, our favourite moment was after sunset when we finally sat down for dinner. The restaurant and our little personal alcove and decorations were exquisite. Best of all, we were finally, truly alone for the first time as husband and wife and we unwound. We drank great wine, chatted, made silly videos, and covered each other's faces in cake! Bliss.

Bride in a strapless Wtoo wedding dress with crossover pattern holding a white and green wedding bouquet

Bride in a strapless Wtoo wedding dress holding her grooms hand in a light blue suit at their Gibraltar Botanic Gardens elopement

Bride and groom Gibraltar elopement with the iconic rock in the backdrop

Groom in light blue suit with silver trainers holding a white and green wedding bouquet with eucalyptus and roses

Bride and groom portrait in the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens with cactus plants

Bride in a strapless Wtoo wedding dress walking up the steps at Gibraltar Botanic Gardens

Bride in a strapless Wtoo wedding dress with crossover pattern holding a white and green bouquet at Gibraltar Botanic Gardens

Intimate Gibraltar elopement with bride and groom portrait in front of the iconic rock

Groom in a light blue waistcoat holding hands with his bride in a strapless wedding dress at Gibraltar Botanic Gardens

Groom in a three-piece light blue suit twirling his bride in a strapless wedding dress

Bride and groom portraits inside Gibraltar Botanic Gardens wedding venue

Bride in a strapless Wtoo wedding dress kissing her groom in a blue suit at their Gibraltar Botanic Gardens elopement wedding

Bride and groom kissing no the Gibraltar runway with the iconic rock in the background

Groom in a light blue suit and paisley tie kissing his bride on the head in a strapless wedding dress with crossover pattern

All the preparation for this Gibraltar Botanic Gardens elopement was done in less than a month. Paulina and Andrew were engaged on August 25th and married on September 15th!

Just because you're looking 'extra,' doesn't mean you have to be uncomfortable. Make your dress fit you, not the other way around, and pamper your feet with shoes you can put on and forget about. Nothing can ruin a mood faster than toe pain. Also, if you feel yourself stressing, just imagine everything going wrong, but still having your person by your side after the dust settles. No matter what, they will be there and happily married to you after it all, so focus on that!
Paulina & Andrew

After so many challenges we're so pleased Paulina and Andrew eventually got to say their I do's at their Gibraltar Botanic Gardens elopement. They couldn't look happier, and we love that they got ready together, wore matching trainers and celebrated with an intimate meal. Search our archives for lots more intimate weddings, including Jannie and Thomas's orangery elopement.

Written by Lorna Shaw

Photographer: Radka Horvath |

Venue: Gibraltar Botanic Gardens |

Wedding Dress: Wtoo |

Bridal Boutique : Blush Bridal Gowns |

Grooms Suit: Moss Bros. |

Planner/Stylist: Mediterranean Weddings and Events |

Bride: Paulina Ann

Real WeddingSpainAutumnBotanicalCivil CeremonyContemporaryElopementIntimateBotanicalWhitesGreensUnder £5k