Imagine this: You’re in a fragrant Spanish olive grove at golden hour, and a warm breeze is rustling the leaves. Delicate, billowy lace hangs from the branches. And there, standing beside you, is the literal love of your life. Now imagine this: it’s not a BookTok-fueled daydream, it’s not a scene from a Criterion Collection foreign film — it’s your actual wedding day.
Sherida + Simone’s effortlessly romantic European “I do’s” are the perfect reminder that the simple things – lemons, wildflowers, and fresh loaves of bread, – can be so deeply full of meaning.
“We wanted our wedding to reflect the life we have built together in Valencia,” say Sherida + Simone of their nuptials in the iconically charming coastal Spanish town. “Living here taught us to slow down, enjoy simple moments and appreciate what truly matters. Instead of following trends, we wanted the day to feel warm, relaxed and authentic — just like our everyday life together.”
The couple’s love story weaves together three different European cultures + countries, with Sherida coming from the Netherlands and Simone from Italy. “Today, they live by the sea in Valencia,” photographer Tatiana Tsarenko says, “a city that became much more than a place on the map. It became home.”
“Set at Finca la Rosa, a beautifully restored Mediterranean estate surrounded by orange and olive groves just outside Valencia, the wedding embraced everything they love about this part of the world,” remembers Tatiata, “warmth, authenticity and a strong connection to nature.”
This wedding was rustic, analog romance at the highest level. An intimate ceremony in an olive grove? A dreamy sunset dinner party in the Spanish countryside? We don’t know how, but Sherida, Simone, and event designers + planners from Not Perfect But Real somehow manage to perfectly capture the vibe of every novel ever written about a sun-soaked, wine-filled summer spent in Europe.
“More than anything, this wedding was a reflection of who Sherida + Simone are. Open-hearted. Joyful. Uncomplicated,” says Tatiana. “This wedding wasn’t designed around a trend or a colour palette. It was designed around a feeling — the feeling of finding home in a place, in a person, and in a slower way of living. A celebration of real love and a life genuinely enjoyed together.”
The Morning Of
“The stationery was carefully handmade by a local artisan studio and featured delicate illustrations, tactile paper and thoughtful details that felt both timeless and personal,” Tatiana recalls of these sage + ivory paper goods.
Shop the Look: Pearl Bow Earrings
When in doubt, put a bow on it 🎀
Lace, lace, and more lace! This chic, corseted getting ready fit is somehow traditionally bridal while also being so fun, sexy, and fresh!
Dive into our shoppable pre-wedding style collection to find your own wedding morning look: Bridal Getting Ready Outfits We’re Obsessing Over Right Now
If ever there was an occasion to buy custom embroidered silk undies, it’s your wedding day. You can find other cute + cheeky underwear ideas in our round-up of the 31 Best Bridal Lingerie Looks for an Unforgettable Wedding Night.
“When imagining their wedding day, one thing felt more important than any trend, tradition or expectation: capturing the feeling of the life they have built together,” Tatiana says of Sherida + Simone. “A life shaped by long sunny afternoons, spontaneous dinners with friends, walks by the sea and the simple joy of being present.”
“Like many people who move to Spain, they discovered a different rhythm here. A slower one. A rhythm where success is not measured by how fast you move, but by how deeply you enjoy where you are.”
“That idea became the heart of their celebration.”
Obsessed with the way Hutsal Valeriia added shimmer of those inner eye corners for this bridal makeup look.
The Ceremony
“Natural fabrics, handcrafted lace, wild flowers and organic textures became the foundation of the aesthetic,” Tatiana says.
Free-spirited + wild, the florals by A Flor de Piel added tons of leafy depth + abundance to the day’s organic energy.
“The ceremony took place beneath the olive trees,” Tatiana remembers.
“A single lace backdrop moved gently in the breeze while wildflowers lined the aisle, creating a setting that felt organic and deeply connected to the landscape.”
Our Favorite Memory
Seeing everything come together for the first time. Watching all the ideas we had dreamed about finally come to life was such a special moment. The olive trees, the flowers, the golden sunlight — everything felt even more beautiful than we had imagined. It was emotional, peaceful and a little surreal.
“We met at work in Valencia,” the couple shares of how their international journey to “I do” began. “At the time, Sherida had moved from the Netherlands for a seasonal contract as a professional dancer, and Simone was working as a bar manager.”
“Neither of us expected that what started as a temporary chapter would become a life together.”
“Sherida’s bridal look embodied the same spirit of authenticity and individuality. Her dress felt entirely her own — modern, effortless and full of character,” says Tatiana of this stunning basque waist strapless wedding gown by EILU Atelier.
“Simone wore an oversized olive-toned suit that felt perfectly at home within the Spanish landscape. Relaxed yet elegant, it reflected his personality and complemented the warm colours of the finca, olive groves and surrounding countryside.”
“Together, their looks felt modern, personal and deeply connected to the setting — as though they belonged to the story of this place.”
“Paired with soft braided details in her hair by Yuliia Hasko, the bridal styling celebrated personality over perfection and comfort over convention.“
“We both wanted to feel like ourselves,” the bride + groom say. “Rather than choosing something because it felt traditionally bridal or formal, we looked for outfits that reflected our personalities. We wanted to feel comfortable, confident and completely at ease throughout the day.”
The Reception
“Dinner was designed around togetherness,” Tatiana explains.
“One long table invited guests to gather, share stories and stay a little longer. Airy floral arrangements seemed to grow naturally from the table…”
“…while a meal by Salsia full of seasonal Mediterranean ingredients celebrated the abundance of spring.”
“The design was rooted in simplicity, craftsmanship and a deep connection to place.”
“Rather than following traditional wedding trends, every element was chosen to reflect the couple’s personality and the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle they have embraced in Valencia.”
SO charmed by the quirkiness of this delicious dome-shaped chaos cake by Chocova Pasteleria.
A tower of snackable olives in Martini glasses? A super cute checkerboard arrangement of cheese + grapes? We love clever charcuterie ideas + dinner party trends, so we’ll definitely be remembering this delicious reception fare setup for future soirees.
Our Advice
Focus on how you want your wedding to feel rather than how it is supposed to look.
And choose your team carefully. Finding talented professionals is important, but finding people who truly understand your vision and are on the same wavelength makes all the difference. When you trust the people around you, you can relax and fully enjoy the experience.
“This day reminded us how lucky we are,” Sherida + Simone say.
“Not only to have found each other, but also to have built a life in a place that feels like home. Looking around and seeing all the people we love together is a memory we will carry with us forever.”
And don’t miss their wedding film by Tatiana Malysheva
Congratulations to Sherida + Simone on this Spanish sunset wedding DREAM! It was pure low-key, intimate, lace + wildflower loveliness. All the best, you two, from all of us at GWS!
Wedding Vendors
Photography: Tatiana Tsarenko // Venue: Finca la Rosa // Event Design: Not Perfect but Real // Wedding Planner: Not Perfect but Real // Florals: A Flor De Piel // Wedding Dress: Eilu Atelier // Hair Stylist: Hasko Yuliia // Makeup Artist: Hutsal Valeriia // Videography: Tatiana Malysheva // Calligraphy: Kuramae // Catering: Salsia Catering // Cake: Chocova Pasteleria
