Amy and Mathias made their dream winter wedding come true with the magical setting, culinary delights and festive atmosphere of The Phoenicia Malta.
As Christmas cheer warms the hearts, many couples plan their nuptials to coincide with the festive season’s spirit of love and togetherness.
Last December, Amy and Mathias were one such couple, who wanted their Christmas-themed big day to include delicious food and a distinctly local flair.
At The Phoenicia Malta, our award-winning team creates special and standout weddings with memories that last a lifetime – here’s how we helped Amy and Mathias make their dream wedding a stunning reality.
The Vision: Sophisticated Elegance in Valletta
Amy and Mathias envisioned a sophisticated Christmas-themed wedding that celebrated their love for Valletta’s winter charm.
From their first date to their engagement, Valletta held a special place in their hearts, making The Phoenicia Malta – the city’s most iconic luxury venue – the perfect choice.
Their dream: A chic, elegant, yet fun wedding with a warm atmosphere, reflecting the magic of Christmas and their love as a couple and as a family.
Their wish list: Exquisite food in a carefully curated menu, impeccable service and live entertainment to delight their 300 guests.
The Location: The Phoenicia Malta
“The Phoenicia has always been a landmark in Valletta. My mother always said it would be a beautiful wedding venue, and she was right! From the stunning entrance and location to the excellent service and the contemporary and warm decor of the hotel, it was the perfect fit for our vision.” – Amy
Set near their chosen church, Our Lady of Victory, and offering easy parking, The Phoenicia Malta provided the accessibility and luxury Amy and Mathias wanted. The flexibility of the Grand Ballroom and Maryanski Porch meant they could execute their wedding plans flawlessly, without worrying about the weather.
The Plan: Crafting the Perfect Day
Seamless Schedule
The wedding unfolded perfectly thanks to meticulous planning. A heartfelt afternoon ceremony at Our Lady of Victory Church preceded a standing reception in the Maryanski Porch and Grand Ballroom.
The evening brought a luxurious meat station paired with signature cocktails, as well as the couple’s first dance, cake cutting and speeches – followed by a vibrant afterparty, complete with a live DJ and disco vibes.
Culinary Excellence
Foodies Amy and Mathias wanted to make mouth-watering cuisine a key aspect of their wedding, so The Phoenicia Malta’s chefs helped them create a personalised menu that also catered for the special dietary needs of some guests.
“The highlight of the wedding was definitely the food and our guests mention it to this day! We had two incredible tables – the fresh sushi table was absolutely divine and devoured quickly, and so was the Côte de boeuf table. The menu was meticulously curated by us and Head Chef Daniel Debattista and Executive Chef Mark Mizzi and executed to perfection! Everything was made fresh and with the finest ingredients. The lobster vol-au-vents and lasagne fritte definitely did not disappoint! The cocktail bar serving old-fashioned Negroni was also a super touch to complement the delicious food.” – Amy
Plus, this wedding even helped The Phoenicia Malta chef team explore new canapés, which are now part of this international dining destination’s new menus!
Enchanting Atmosphere
Fresh tulips and white berries adorned both the church and the venue to add a dreamlike touch to these magnificent locations and a hint of Christmas, alongside garlands of fairy lights fit for a fairytale wedding.
Live piano and violin music evoked the classic vibe of The Phoenicia Malta, which gently transitioned into saxophone and jazz sets and the dancing fun of the DJ-led afterparty.
“It was all strategically planned to give our guests the best experience and allow them to enjoy every phase of the wedding from beginning to end! We chose a beautiful location and our ideas immediately fell into place.” – Amy
The Challenges: Turning Perfection into Reality
Planning such a detailed wedding for 300 guests posed challenges – but The Phoenicia Malta team’s experience and dedication stood out. Wedding & Events Manager Enya Stellini guided the couple every step of the way.
“Enya Stellini was our ‘go-to’ for absolutely everything! Together, we tackled every issue and her guidance was truly exceptional. She was always calm and poised and a joy to work with. She was also there on the wedding day and guided us all throughout. The communication with the chefs was also excellent – they listened to what we wanted and did their best to meet our needs.” – Amy
Amy and Mathias’ Wedding Planning Tips
Trust experienced vendors: “Always work with trusted vendors who are on the forefront of the wedding industry. The Phoenicia Malta is definitely one of them!”
Know your vision: “Couples should go with a clear vision, evaluate all the options and see what suits them best. The Phoenicia Malta team are very accommodating and will listen to any request and do their best to make you happy.”
Enjoy every moment: “Planning may be stressful, but it’s all part of the fun and the memories, and will be missed once it’s over! On the day, soak it all in – you’re marrying the love of your life!”
The Big Day: A Dream Wedding Come True
“Our wedding exceeded our expectations. It was a spectacular day! Everything went absolutely perfectly and for that we are most grateful. We had beautiful weather, all vendors delivered to the highest of standards, especially all the staff at the hotel. The service was excellent, food and drinks came out non- stop, we ate, drank and danced the night away with those closest to us. The feeling was pure happiness and many guests commented on how lovely the vibe was!” – Amy
Start Your Wedding Journey at The Phoenicia Malta
From timeless venues to impeccable service, The Phoenicia Malta ensures every wedding is extraordinary. Whether you dream of a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, our team is here to bring your vision to life. Get in touch here.
Photos by Clive Xuereb.
