The famously LGBTQ+ friendly town of Sitges in Spain was the setting for this couple’s sun-soaked destination wedding

Our real wedding inspiration is packed with wedding photos and unique ideas from couples to help you plan your own special day. In this feature, we talk to Lucio, and his partner Sam, about their relaxed destination wedding in Spain.

Set against the picturesque coastal backdrop of Sitges, Barcelona, Lucio and Sam’s gay wedding was a beautifully personal celebration of love, culture, and community. Every element of the day reflected their values, relationship, and shared vision.

With guests flying in from both the UK and the USA, the couple planned more than a single-day event — they created a mini holiday filled with joy, warmth, and meaningful connection. The result? A destination wedding that balanced laid-back charm with effortless style, infused with Mediterranean tones, playful florals, and an unmistakable sense of freedom.

“We kept the style minimal but expressive — lots of linen, soft yet vibrant colours, and an atmosphere that allowed the natural beauty of the surroundings to shine,” says Lucio. “There were no flashy extras, just honest joy, good music, and so much love.”

We asked Lucio and Sam to guide us through every carefully considered detail of their same-sex destination wedding in Spain, from start to finish — from the understated yet elegant décor to the thoughtfully chosen groom’s suits, and even the special pieces from their wedding gift list that now bring back fond memories of their day.

Lucio and Sam took a values-first approach to wedding planning, especially mindful of the logistics that come with a destination celebration. “Stay true to what you want,” Lucio advises. “There’ll always be opinions, but your wedding should reflect who you are. And don’t sweat the small stuff — the magic is in the atmosphere, not the perfection.”

We knew we wanted a destination wedding that felt special, but not overly formal,” says Lucio. The couple chose Sitges not just because it was a place they already loved, but also for its vibrant coastal charm and rich history of LGBTQ+ inclusivity. “It felt like the perfect place to begin our next chapter,” Lucio shares.

When it came to choosing a wedding venue, Lucio and Sam had a clear vision: intimacy, character, and a setting with a touch of magic. Their chosen spot, Eurostars Sitges hotel, tucked away in the hills above Sitges, offered lush gardens, sun-drenched terraces, and sweeping views of both mountains and sea. “The moment we stepped onto the property, we just knew,” Lucio says. “It gave us the freedom to make the day our own, without losing that sense of occasion.”

The Mediterranean itself served as the inspiration for Lucio and Sam’s same-sex wedding. Natural textures — stone, linen, and wood — were paired with seasonal, whimsical floral arrangements by Loving The Flowers, a local florist and event designer in Sitges who helped them decide what they needed on their wedding flowers checklist. Flowers adorned the ceremony chairs and reception tables, adding movement and vibrant colour throughout the celebration.

“Our wedding theme was relaxed yet elegant,” Lucio shares. “We wanted everything to feel natural, effortless, and sun-kissed. The colour palette leaned into soft, earthy tones, with pops of brighter hues in the florals and table décor. The scenery did so much of the talking — we aimed to complement it, not compete with it.”

Their wedding stationery followed suit: understated and minimal, printed on beautifully textured paper that subtly elevated the day’s aesthetic.

Both grooms embraced the relaxed Spanish setting with their same-sex wedding outfits that blended ease and style. “Linen was the star fabric,” Lucio shares. “It kept us cool in the heat and looked so good in every photo.” Rather than opting for traditional suits, they chose tailored separates that felt more personal and were perfectly suited to a sun-drenched seaside celebration.

In keeping with the day’s relaxed elegance, the wedding party, including the flower girls, wore coordinated tones of soft stone, sand, and blush. “We wanted everyone to feel like themselves while keeping the overall look cohesive,” Lucio notes. “There were no strict rules — just a shared colour palette that let everyone’s personality shine through.”

Before heading to Spain for the big celebration, Lucio and Sam officially tied the knot with a civil registry office wedding in London. “It was just the two of us and one best friend each,” Lucio says. “We kept it really low-key and personal, then went for dinner at The Ivy to celebrate. It was such a lovely way to start everything.”

Their wedding ceremony in Sitges was the true heart of the wedding. Rather than something overly formal, they chose a celebrant who led a warm, personalised service. “Our celebrant James, told the story of how we met, spoke about our relationship and the life we’ve built together — it felt incredibly us,” Lucio shares. “And a beautiful reading by my sister-in-law afterwards added such a heartfelt moment.”

When it came to choosing wedding rings, the couple opted for simple, slim gold bands from Tiffany & Co. “We wanted something classic and enduring, just like the commitment behind them,” says Lucio. “Their timeless design and understated elegance perfectly matched the spirit of our day.”

After the ceremony, they took a quiet moment together — just the two of them. “It was definitely our favourite part of the wedding,” Lucio says. “The sun was setting, casting golden light over everything. We were holding hands, just taking it all in.”

As golden hour faded into night, Lucio and Sam’s wedding reception came alive with tapas, laughter, and spontaneous dancing under the stars. “We served this really unusual goat’s cheese canapé, shaped like little black pebbles. It surprised everyone, but it was absolutely delicious,” says Lucio. “Aside from this, our wedding reception catering was general tapas and canapés.”

Dinner followed with a true Mediterranean wedding menu: lobster ravioli to start, hake fillet with samphire and pumpkin gnocchi for the main, and a rich chocolate torte to finish.

“The atmosphere was intimate but lively — like a big summer dinner party with all our favourite people. Heartfelt toasts, impromptu performances, hugs everywhere…” Lucio reflects. “The highlight was watching everyone completely let go and enjoy themselves — it was electric.”

Lucio’s role as a homeware buyer gave him a unique perspective on choosing the best wedding gifts. That expert insight came in handy when picking wedding gift ideas, but the final choices remained deeply personal. “When choosing the wedding gifts for our registry, we picked gifts that reflected how we live and love — a mix of practical pieces, experiences, and a few indulgences,” shares Lucio. Here are some of the unique wedding gifts that now remind them of their special day, and the guests who gifted them:

Signature Cast Iron Shallow Casserole, Le Creuset
“Le Creuset is such an iconic wedding gift, and with good reason. We use our casserole dish almost every week. It’s not just beautifully made, it feels like the kind of piece we’ll have forever — a little heirloom we’ll cook with for a lifetime.”

Nova Stripe Set of 4 Tumblers, The Conran Shop
“We absolutely love these simple yet playful tumblers from The Conran Shop. The burgundy glass adds just the right pop of colour to our everyday table. They’re stylish but unfussy — perfect for a relaxed dinner or a sunny brunch.”

Orange Blossom Home Candle, Jo Malone London
“The soft, citrusy scent of orange blossom takes us right back to Spain. It fills our home with a sense of calm, and every time we light it, we’re transported to that magical Mediterranean wedding evening.”

Classic Kettle, Dualit
“Dualit has always been one of the go-to brands for timeless kitchen gifts. This polished chrome kettle isn’t just practical — it’s part of our daily rhythm. Mornings feel more grounded when they start with tea made with this.”

Portobello Low Serving Bowl, The White Company
“This serving bowl from The White Company is a staple for entertaining. It's clean, elegant shape fits so seamlessly into our home, and every time we use it, we’re reminded of the incredible tapas we shared on our wedding day."

For Lucio and Sam, making the gifting process simple and meaningful, especially for guests travelling from both the USA and the UK, was a key reason they needed a wedding gift list. “We decided to have a wedding registry because we wanted to give guests an easy and meaningful way to celebrate with us,” they explain. “Many were flying in and couldn’t bring physical gifts, so having a list made it much more convenient for everyone.”

Their guests loved the wedding gift list experience too: “We had so many kind messages about how much people enjoyed browsing through our curated list,” says Lucio. “The Wedding Shop was super easy to use.”

Reflecting on the process, Lucio shares, “Creating our registry with The Wedding Shop was such a smooth and thoughtful experience. We managed everything online, which was a huge help given we were planning a destination wedding.”

The couple particularly appreciated the group gifting feature: “We used it for a contribution toward our honeymoon fund, which made it feel personal, achievable, and incredibly special.”

Thank you to Lucio and Sam for sharing their wonderful wedding day with The Wedding Shop. All wedding images were provided by the couple and photographed by Fotografia Sitges.

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The Wedding Shop is the UK’s most trusted wedding registry provider. We offer a personalised wedding list service free of charge. Our dedicated team will help you create your dream registry full of items that you will love and use for a lifetime. Start your list today or book a complimentary appointment online or at The Townhouse.