You can’t lock down Love – Can Berri, Ibiza
Fonoteca became an official company in 2019, and it was a great year, having navigated an action packed summer season, filled with a glittering array of weddings and private events, whilst regularly appearing for live and DJ performances. As with so many others, we were brought back down to earth in 2020. Without doubt, we can all tell stories about the difficulties, the loss and the downright unfairness of the COVID period, but I’m lucky enough to be able to tell a story about love, perseverance in the face of adversity, and quite possibly, a story about destiny.
The Date : October 16th 2020
The Couple : Alex & Tim
The Venue : Can Berri, Sant Agusti, Ibiza
During the winter, as new enquiries started to flood in, one was received one from a very familiar face. Alexandra, a dynamic and driven lady, of south east Asian and British heritage, had been one of the first people I met when I arrived in Ibiza and I believe we arrived at similar times, certainly in a similar era. She had now found love with an Australian Navy man called Tim, and had started planning their wedding in Ibiza. Their love and excitement for their wedding celebration was palpable, so the process began to work out a perfect program of music for their special day. Little did we know what was just around the corner, as a few months later in March 2020, the COVID pandemic started to wreak its havoc on everyone’s lives.
For Fonoteca, and for the countless other business, venues, caterers and suppliers, the summer of 2020 in Ibiza was a complete write off, and it’s easy for me to empathize with every single one of them. However, we all must concede that our professional and personal challenges that year pale into insignificance when one considers the hundreds of wedding couples whose plans and investments were so badly affected.
From roughly 50 wedding bookings in the 2020 Fonoteca diary, only ONE eventually took place; this is the story of that wedding.
Originally Alexandra and Tim had planned for their wedding ceremony to take place in a private villa, and asked Fonoteca to plan a full-day program including a live acoustic set, a DJ set with live percussion and added live vocals. Other stage elements to elevate the venue to a party setting were being considered, such as a lit LED dancefloor, and it was a joy to talk to them about their music requests for each part of the day which ranged from Motown to modern soul, and Ibiza House Classics to UK Garage.
Of course, all of these best made plans had to be put on hold, as the restrictions for communal gatherings, the allowed opening hours, and the impossible travel procedures made organising any wedding or event a logistical nightmare. In spite of these obstacles, Alex and Tim forged ahead, aware that many of their loved ones from the Philippines and Australia wouldn’t be able to attend. They found a venue, the spectacular ancient church in San Agustin overlooking the bay of San Antoni and casting its vista upwards to Ibiza’s highest peak Sa Talaia. The reception was to be set in the locally owned, hidden gem of Can Berri.
If there was any downside to this brave and determined celebration, it was the requirement of wearing a mask on their wedding, but as they both demonstrated for all to see… they are people of immense spirit and personality. With masks perfectly matching their attire, you felt that you could still see their massive smiling faces. At the moment of their first kiss, I’m happy to say that some humanity presided over the ceremony and this beautiful couple took the short walk from the church to the reception where, in a naturally decorated and warmly lit garden, a congregation of their loved ones stood and cheered to welcome them as the music began to play.
Amongst the performances that day, some of their favourite Motown classics were played, such as “Higher and Higher”, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”. As a DJ it’s always a joy to play such uplifting music, from genres I have loved and collected from my first beginnings. Vocals were provided by singer Nell Shakespeare, and our ensemble was completed by Fonoteca’s favourite percussionist, Rocky On Percussion.
(Photos by Stephanie Shenton)
The amazing staff at Can Berri kept the drinks flowing, and let us play on till the curfew of 10pm, while the guests kept the spirit of love alive, right until the last tune.
Alexandra & Tim – it was an honour to provide the soundtrack for your special day, thank you for your trust and for choosing Fonoteca, and for demonstrating that love knows no obstacles. Heartfelt best wishes for your future together.
Here’s what they said about us:
Great to work with & very creative during the pandemic restrictions.
We were able to go ahead with our wedding with some lovely live acoustic sounds at our reception.
Ian’s music selection was also on point we all loved his choices. We all had a sneaky little dance & we even managed to get our first dance in too which was fantastic & unexpected.
Production wise the team were very organised, created beautiful sounds, with a professional stage set up of all equipment needed to ensure our day went without a musical hitch.
Thanks again for making our day so memorable.
Alexandra & Timothy Amiri Dukes