Jo Kemp photography — Favourite Wedding Venues Around Barcelona

CASA FELIX, Olivella (click for location)

I have a real soft spot for this venue and it is definitely a fave. Close to my heart because of all its history and the wonderful ways in which I have seen it evolve into the unbelievably stunning beauty it is today.

The history: Casa Felix was bought in 2002 as a semi ruin (after having stood empty for 40 years) and had only 1 tap and 1 toilet. Its history dates back to the 12th century when the building itself was the fortified village of Olivella with the main staircase originally being a watch tower and the outdoor passages being a street. The house also has a past of producing wine dating back to the 1600’s, and continues to be surrounded by 38 hectares of beautiful land and vineyards, all of which belongs to Casa Felix down to the grapes which are grown there.

The evolution: It was originally bought as a family home being lived in and loved in whilst also being restored to its former glory. Even in its neglected state, the house had a beautiful rustic feel to it and that is the amazing atmosphere that still stands with it today. Over the past 7 years it has been steadily renovated, enlarging and enhancing the venue to create an astonishing wedding setting - horse stables and pig sheds have been converted into a five bedroom cottage, a large function room and a sound proofed disco has been created from a tumbling down range of barns and the most recent expansion completed in March offers a further 5 bedrooms, a gym and an 8 person sauna made from a massive wine barrel!!

Today: Casa Felix offers 21 en-suite bedrooms sleeping up to 50 people and 4 ceremony areas - the newest of which comes complete with a waterfall and offers the most stunning views over The Garraf mountain range. The venue shows incredible style, with ceilings made from stone on the inside and gorgeous roof tiles on the outside. It has incredible light and an unbelievable view of the sunset over the impressive infinity pool, which is brilliant for photography. It immediately feels homely making it perfect for intimate weddings and suiting it to a couple who are all about having a good time in beautiful surroundings.

Website: http://www.casa-felix.es/

Click here to read my blog about a glorious Casa Felix wedding :)

2. HERETAT SABARTÉS, Banyeres del Penedès (click for location)

Nothing not to love about this venue!
Heretat Sabartés was a modernist palace built in the mid 18th century. It is now a heritage site and the perfect setting for a luxurious wedding , where couples fall in love with the elegance and super special vibe that makes for an unforgettable day. The former palace does not sleep guests but still allows for the lovely moment of getting ready there and the wonderful shots that go with it!

The inside has 30 different rooms to roam around in, styled with gorgeous Spanish tiles and the ceremony site is a beautiful outdoor space perfect for the occasion. There is also a fantastic plan B - should you need it - in the form of a large conservatory that offers the same views and lets you feel like you are still connected to the incredible grounds yet able to have an inside ceremony and inside dining of matching quality.

The venue has the luxury of coming with its own exclusive planning service and they are a gorgeous team of the highest quality who are there to help and advise you with whatever you need throughout the organisational process. This includes a high end incredible catering service with delicious food, most of which is produced on the estate, and wine that is made from their own vineyards which make up part of the lovely view from the gardens.

To find out more about this romantic venue, fab team and what it feels like to have your wedding day here check out my blog on Marthe and Mathias-Heretat Sabartes-Wedding

Website: https://heretatsabartes.com/masia-bodas-eventos/language/en/weddings-mansion-spain/

3. EL FAR, Llafranc Costa Brava (click for location)

El Far is basically a spectacular restaurant and beautiful little boutique hotel perched on top of a steep 175m cliff with unparalleled views of the most gorgeous beaches and coves in the whole of the Costa Brava. It has a to die for gorgeous terrace area and an amazing courtyard ceremony area.

The venue is surrounded by fascinating medieval towns and fishing villages and the “Far” (meaning lighthouse in Catalan) majestically stands with it. The seascape is truly breathtaking with views straight out onto the ocean. It is perfect for a couple who want to spend a week around their wedding staying somewhere seriously magical.

Wanna know more about how a wedding day goes down here? Check out my blog on Gemma and Keiran-El Far-Costa Brava Wedding

Website: https://www.hotelelfar.com/en

4. CASTILLO DE TAMARIT, Tarragona (click for location)

Castillo de Tamarit is another spot which is full of history as it was built in the 12th century in Romanesque style and the surrounding wall, which is beautifully positioned right on the coast, was built in the 14th century to protect it from attacks at sea. Although now in day it serves only as a venue, it is still an actual castle and I mean.. who doesn’t want to get married in a castle? Not to mention the views from it which are beyond compare.

Like Heretat Sabartes, it comes with its own private planning service and what’s really cool is it actually has its own church inside which is wildly atmospheric. You can’t stay in the castle but there are many other fantastic options around and couples often stay in nearby Villas. It is situated right on the beach, there’s a lovely beach cafe Just at the foot of the Castle and an incredible campsite with a posh glamping version where guests can stay - this is where I stay!

This would really suit a couple that want something uniquely spectacular and are into incredible seascape views.

Website: https://www.castillotamarit.com/

5. CAN PARÈS, Sitges (click for location)

Can Parès consists of gorgeously huge outdoor spaces accompanied by the best and biggest pool ever, looked over by a huge and very beautiful stone Buddha. The gardens are blessed with beautiful big trees and a nice romantic ceremony spot in a clearing amongst the tress which is extremely intimate. It has a gorgeous sunset view over the surrounding vineyards and pool area.

It can sleep up to 24 guests and planning and catering is all in so it really suits couples who want a stress free wedding with great food provided by Club House 27. Can Parès has its own private land with an allotment and chickens and 2 little bungalows set apart from the main house! It is a very short handy drive to Sitges and yet you feel that you are having a spanish countryside wedding.

Website: http://clubhouse27.com/can-pares/

6. MAS SANTO, Cunit (click for location)

Mas Santo is a little bohemian venue that is great for fun loving couples who want something rustic or out in the sticks. It has beautiful outdoor dining around the pool, September sunsets rock here! and you have the option to stay in a cute bell tent in the garden if you feel like watching the stars (bedrooms are also available - sleeps 20). The ceremony area outside the front of the house is really lovely, with wild flowers climbing the walls of the masia. The house itself is pretty traditional of a large spanish house and this really is a venue I for small laid back weddings with a focus on the outdoors. I recently photographed a wonderful wedding where the couple hired a huge souk for the dining and this made for the perfect plan B for this venue .

Click to read my blog about an intimate wedding that took place at Mas Santo

Website: https://www.groupaccommodationspain.com/

7. VILLA CATALINA, Sitges (click for location)

Villa Catalina fab for small intimate weddings with the distinct rambling and rustic look that it envelops. For the ceremony, it has a couple of nice choices either in the large gardens close to the pool or in the atmospheric cobbled courtyard with its beautiful trees. It has a large swimming pool and can sleep more than 30 guests, I love the beautiful terracotta walls and the orange trees and the lovely courtyard which is often used for dining, beautiful for autumn weddings when all the leaves on the overhanging trees turn golden.

Website: https://sitgesluxuryrentals.com/villa/villa-catalina/

8. ALMIRAL DE LA FONT, Sitges (click for location)

Almiral is almost like a 2nd home to me. I have shot so many weddings at this special venue I have lost count!

Almiral sits on the top of a hill in The Garraf, reached via an exciting windy ascent into the hills of Sitges and when you see it appear from the distance it’s incredibly impressive. It has two purpose built decks for wedding ceremonies, outdoor dining and an infinity pool , a gym and a tree house. and sleeps around 30 guests. Couples absolutely love it, making it one of the most popular wedding venues in the area. It is suitable for every single kind of wedding you can imagine - trust me - I have shot everything from Indian weddings to groovy New Yorkers to small low key intimate ones here and as is important with all venues I would recommend the owners are fantastic and really care about the service they offer and the property.

Website: http://www.almiraldelafont.com/

So thats just a few of the wonderful venues in the area, I am sure I will have to do a apart two in the future! If you enjoyed reading this blog or want to find out more about these venues and weddings that have taken place there or want to see my photography - please check out my galleries!

Casa Felix gallery: https://jokempphotography.pic-time.com/-casafelix/login?&redirect_back=%2f-casafelix%2fgallery

Fave wedding pics 2018 gallery: https://jokempphotography.pic-time.com/-faveweddingimages2018/login?&redirect_back=%2f-faveweddingimages2018%2fgallery