I’ve lived in Ibiza for over twenty three years, and recently decided to expand to the beautiful sister island of Mallorca. Whilst still living here in Ibiza, I’ll travel over regularly for the planning and execution of Mallorca weddings…”
Lauren Kaycee, Hidden Treasures Ibiza
Lauren Kaycee is a highly respected and capable wedding planner operating in both Ibiza and Mallorca. Here, we discuss the beauty of the islands and what makes her company, Hidden Treasures Ibiza, the perfect choice for any couple planning their celebration in the area…
C&B: “Lauren, you have carved out an incredible life for yourself in this area; how did your journey into wedding planning start out?”
LK: “I moved here in 2002 as a performer; I was working at many weddings and events as a singer primarily, and show production shortly followed. I went into wedding design and decoration, and then into planning. I just loved the whole day coming together, and had watched these moments unfold behind the scenes in front of my eyes. I really admired these huge productions and knew I wanted to create them myself. I founded Hidden Treasures Ibiza in 2016 and devoted every second of my day to building the brand, with a strong ethic of creating not only opulent, meticulously run weddings, but ever so personal and bespoke to each client…”
Many of my couples first met on the dance-floor while dancing to legendary DJs, or they have been visiting with their family since they were children – Ibiza holds magical memories for them…”
Lauren Kaycee, Hidden Treasures Ibiza
C&B: “What do you believe makes Ibiza a unique destination for luxury weddings compared to other locations?”
LK: “Ibiza has the whole hedonistic, free spirit vibe that will always live on and be felt, especially when visiting the truly authentic areas and local hang outs. However these days, the island is also being recognised for its wellness, holistic and deeply spiritual movements. Couples visit for hiking, retreats, and so much more than just the parties. I have travelled the world and can say hand-on-heart, nothing beats an Ibiza sunset! Don’t get me wrong, the Ibiza parties will always be the most iconic in the world – late nights that turn into days dancing at sunrise, creating life long memories – however, we have so much more to offer these days. When it comes to locations, you can get married looking at a beach or in a hotel garden anywhere in the world, but Ibiza gives authenticity with the olive trees, orange groves, rolling hills… all on such a small island, meaning the guests are never situated too far away from each other…”
For me it’s the details of a venue, such as how they maintain the grounds, if they are flexible for each client, and if they’ll truly go the extra mile to guarantee a custom created experience -these factors set the standard of luxury for me…”
Lauren Kaycee, Hidden Treasures Ibiza
C&B: “You really make a good case for getting married in Ibiza! What are the top three venues you recommend for luxury weddings on the island, and why?”
LK: “That’s so hard to say as they are all breathtaking. The market here is all rather high end and luxury, all the venues are unique and have their own ‘wow factors’. Ca Na Xica, Paissa Den Bernat, Atzaro, and many of the exclusive private villas are up there in the most epic category, providing five star service, Michelin star gastronomy, and top mixologists – they are all absolutely stunning!”
C&B: “When you mention bespoke, how do you approach the customisation of each weddings so that it reflects the personalities and preferences of each couple?”
LK: “Getting to know my couples is the priority from the first consultation. If I know them, I can match them to the perfect venue and suppliers. I don’t believe in cold planning, this isn’t so much a business transaction, it’s a beautifully crafted memory that is going down in their family history, so every detail needs to be on point. There is a venue for every couple, and the components that are important to one, may not be to another, so knowing them inside out, having trust between us, is so important…”
I focus on the guest experience from the welcome drinks through to the end of the evening. Details such as organised transport, ensuring there is non-stop music or entertainment, and refreshments flowing all day, and providing shade and cool areas as temperatures can be in the 30s, are up there with the essentials. My team are trained in providing guests with the highest service creating a gorgeous experience for their Ibiza memories, for the entire event…”
Lauren Kaycee, Hidden Treasures Ibiza
C&B: “What are your recommendations for incorporating local Ibizan culture and elements into your weddings?”
LK: “There is nothing more authentic than adding some local culture to the celebration. I believe that all weddings should have this ambience. Local cuisine, flamenco bands, free flowing sangria, and of course tapas style dining, are just a few of the ways we can add these touches. If couples have a full weekend wedding experience, we encourage different locations, to include a sea-view, a sunset and of course some classic Ibiza beats…”
Coming from a design background myself, I continue to design all our own weddings. I get such a thrill from looking at the visuals all laid out and complete, brought to life perfectly, it really is such a wonderful feeling. Once the team grew and the designs became more detailed, I realised we had something special all under the one roof. These experiences fuelled me to create more, grow more and go bold with design, using the emotion and personality of each couple as a foundation. Now we take risks as a team, and make waves within the industry, which we could not be more proud of!”
Lauren Kaycee, Hidden Treasures Ibiza
C&B: “Clearly, the couple is central to the wedding; what is your key to building successful relationships with them?”
LK: “Transparency. During a consultation I am super honest about how I work, budgets and realistic expectations. It shows I have experience and have built a trustworthy brand, and also shows I really do care about each couple’s unique journey. I love to brainstorm with them, construct individual designs, and give them a space to talk through personal issues they may be experiencing on their wedding planning journey, such as overwhelm, pressures from families, or making decisions that best for them as a couple. I believe a wedding planner is also someone to lean on, as they have dealt with extreme situations and handled pressure for years. I’m very protective over my brides, they are meticulously taken care of on their wedding day, I intuitively know if they need space, a drink, or a minute alone. It’s a whole other kind of relationship, which is why couples need to choose their wedding planner carefully…”
C&B: “This is such good advice, particularly when some planners view weddings as an ‘industry’ rather than a deeply personal, emotional, and momentous occasion for those involved. What additional guidance would you give to couples considering having their wedding in Ibiza?”
LK: “Always book a wedding planner with lots of experience, a sturdy brand and online presence. There is lots of ‘red tape’ and also the local laws to take into consideration, so a local planner is essential to make sure you are doing everything within legal boundaries. Choose a planner you really get along with on your consultation call as you’ll be talking with them for the next two years! Ask them their opinion on your ideas, and realistic projections. Finally, you need to feel you can trust them to bring your vision to life and handle anything that is thrown their way…”
LAUREN’S TIPS TO COUPLES PLANNING THEIR WEDDING IN IBIZA:
• Define what luxury means to you, whether it means a slick service, a build out, or fine dining, communicate this during your first wedding planner conversation, and set your expectations from the start.
• The final cost will always be more than you predicted, prepare for this and always have extra for weather emergencies, flight cancellations etc.
• If a service seems too low cost, it is going to be delivered that way.
• Always, always book the photographer and filmmaker that you are utterly obsessed with! Once your wedding is over, and your memories are hazy, the images and footage will bring the feelings you had that day back to life. Only the absolute best, can guarantee they capture each moment with genuine feeling, and interactions with loved ones that you will treasure endlessly.
IMAGE CREDITS:
@theeverards
@stephanieshentonphotography
@biancasardi.photography
CONTACT: http://www.hiddentreasuresibiza.com
