A couple of weeks ago, I went with Cecilia and three other women friends to Pinamar, where we celebrated the wedding of Cecilia’s daughter Pia — on the beach! I was so excited looking forward to this, as it’s such a romantic idea. And it didn’t disappoint!

We left on Friday and stayed until Sunday around noon. We had rented a full apartment through Air BnB, and it was amazing. So new you could still smell the newness. Four bedrooms, four bathrooms, kitchen and breakfast room, one balcony with built-in asado and an ocean view, one with a view of the hills behind the town. And a pool on the roof deck.

There were eight women — seven Argentines and me! You can only imagine. Seven women speaking rapid colloquial Spanish, all at the same time, all weekend! I actually understood more than I thought I would, but I have to admit from time to time I simply tuned out in the interests of my sanity.

Pizza Night

On the Friday night Pia and Valentin had organized a pizza party at a local bar, imaginatively called The Bar. There were about fifty people there and it was fun, but it was really quite cold. We were a bit concerned about how cold it was going to be on the beach. In fact, many people had warned me to take warm clothes as it can be very windy and cold on the Argentine coast.

The Big Day

Fortunately, the warm clothes stayed in the suitcases as the weather was hot, sunny and beautiful. We went up to the roof after breakfast and enjoyed swimming in the pool. Then we brought up a bottle of champagne from the kitchen and got started early on the celebration — this was 11 am! Cecilia sent a photo to Pia, who then begged us not to drink as there would be lots of booze at the wedding. Too late!

We had snacks for lunch, and then all the other ladies went to get their hair and makeup done. I chose to do my own, which gave me a blissful two hours alone in the apartment to get ready and give my head a rest!

Obligatory Panic

Pia’s sister, Macarena, was the bridesmaid. She had chosen a cool little dress in a fabulous shade of jade green. Unfortunately, before coming to Pinamar she hadn’t been able to find shoes to go with it! So Saturday morning was spent with her partner, Daniela, running around Pinamar and neighbouring towns frantically trying on shoes! Eventually, she found what she liked and the panic was over.

What we didn’t know until later was that Pia’s brother, Joaquin, had forgotten his suit, shirt and tie! Carefully chosen and assembled for the wedding, it had inadvertently been left behind. So he and his partner, Corinna, were running around at the same time as Macarena and Daniela! Joaquin ended up renting an outfit, which solved the whole problem.

Dressed to Kill

We had planned to leave at 6.30 pm, and by that designated time we were all dressed up in our wedding finery. We all looked pretty good and couldn’t wait to get to the venue!

I have to say it was what we call in Scotland a “well dressed wedding”! There were eighty guests, many of whom were friends of the bride and groom. What a group of beautiful young people, both chicos and chicas! The range of styles was wide, but all chosen with care and they all looked happy and lovely!

The Wedding

Apparently there had been a disagreement between the bride and groom as to whether the wedding would be actually on the beach or in a restaurant right on the beach. Naturally the bride won, so it was in the restaurant. I think she was probably thinking of all the ladies’ shoes sinking into the sand. Anyway, it was a fabulous venue, with lots of space both indoors and out, and the best party I’ve been to in a long time!

They had hired a well known Argentine celebrity MC, and he was hilarious. He had obviously done his homework about the couple and their friends and added immensely to the fun.

They also had a DJ and the music was non-stop. It was the kind of dancing where you just dance with whoever is in front of you, or even several people! I barely sat down except to have a sip or two of wine! Eventually Maria Luisa, my roomie, and I got a taxi and went home at 2.30 am. Cecilia and the family were still dancing up a storm, and they eventually got home at 6.30 am!

Next morning we had brunch at a cafe on the beach — nobody talked much, just drank a lot of coffee.

All in all, it was a great weekend, a happy occasion and a GREAT party! Here’s a selection of photos of the event.