Real Weddings

An Enchanted Affair: Marylyn & Mark

“I was 19 when Mark approached me, despite having been in the same group of friends for over a year,” says Marylyn. “Being three years older than me, he offered to give me driving lessons – luckily my terrible driving skills at the time weren’t enough to scare him away!” Quite the contrary, Mark asked Marylyn out that day in September nine years ago, while watching a beautiful sunset at Ghajn Tuffieha. Fast forward to 2014, he made it a point to step up his romantic efforts when proposing to his future wife-to-be.

“Around six years into our relationship, Mark asked me whether I’d like to buy a house with him, and although there was no ring at the time, in my heart that was the real proposal as everything else followed suit,” says Marylyn. “Incidentally, I had warned him not to propose in any cliché manner, so while in Gozo on my 26th birthday, he waited for the right moment to get down on one knee, which happened to be in the rain in the middle of a piazza!”

The couple set the date for 28th June 2015, with vows exchanged at Santa Marija Parish Church in Attard, followed by a reception at Villa Bologna. Marylyn says that while preparations were mainly in her capable hands, the most important decisions, such as choice of church and venue, were taken together. “I’m a bit of a control freak, so he left the rest up to me!”

The couple were pretty set on their choice of venue, describing Villa Bologna as a location in a class of its own with a unique charm, beautiful gardens and plenty of historical charisma. “It created the perfect setting for the type of wedding we had in mind.”

Their choice of menu was also somewhat unique. As Marylyn explains, “the first time I stated that no mammals were to be served as food at our wedding reception, people thought I had gone mad. However, I don’t eat meat and I wanted some of my principles to be reflected in our wedding. With the help and patience of Daniela Bonavia from Island Caterers, together with the input of Bernice Bugeja, my organiser, we put together a fantastic, tailor-made menu.”

In fact, both being quite the environmentalists, Mark and Marylyn kept things classy but sustainable throughout the entire wedding. They gave out herbs in clay plots assembled by the bride’s mother, Josephine, as souvenirs, and had their invitations made with algae paper.

What about the dress? “I saw it in a catalogue at Alamango and decided to try it on out of curiosity. However, the second they brought it out of its cover I realised the picture didn’t do it justice. I felt a flutter in my belly when I tried it on and my sister and mother-in-law had the waterworks going. My mother wasn’t with me that day so I decided to leave it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about this dress, and we rushed to make the first available appointment so that I could leave the deposit.”

Marylyn woke up feeling relatively calm on the day of her wedding, partially thanks to her father’s efforts to assist with final preparations at the venue on the eve of the big day.

“This put my mind at rest so I was rather laid back the next morning, until certain mishaps began to occur: there was a horrifying moment when my entourage couldn’t zip up my dress and the only thing that kept me from fainting was the fact that I had had my final fitting just three days prior and had barely eaten since. Additionally, I arrived at the church only to discover that my shrug had gone missing – luckily the priest was very understanding!”

Small incidents aside, Marylyn says they were thrilled to be greeted by their two furry companions, Hugo and Bailey as they entered the venue. “It was the most beautiful surprise our relatives could have done for us – they all know our two dogs are such an important part of our lives and we will treasure those moments forever.”

Image Credits

Katerina Vella Ryabkova