Back in June, our dear friends’ daughter, Emily, tied the knot in dreamy Mallorca, Spain. Think citrus groves, bougainvillea, glasses of sangria, and seaside sunsets. It was every bit the Mediterranean fantasy. Sadly, most of us couldn’t hop on a plane, so I offered to host a stateside celebration for Emily and her new husband, Thomas.

On Saturday, September 20th, my backyard became Mallorca - at least for one unforgettable evening.

Emily shared photos from the wedding, which helped me bring a little Spanish magic home. I decorated the tables with fruit and flowers from my garden—lemons, oranges, bougainvillea, and lavender—for a rustic, colorful, Mediterranean feel.

Cocktails were a must. After some research, I discovered Tinto de Verano - Spain’s lighter, more refreshing take on sangria - and it was a hit. We also served a citrusy sangria (pro tip: skip the cinnamon stick, it overwhelms the flavors).

For appetizers, I leaned into Spanish charcuterie: Manchego, jamón, Marcona almonds, olives, and quince paste (pronounced “kwins” - a fun new discovery for me!). Some treasures came from Trader Joe’s, and others were worthy splurges ordered online.

Here’s where things got fun. Instead of a traditional dinner, I brought the hibachi experience straight to my backyard. Yes - hibachi at a wedding celebration. Why not?!

From the first email, working with Love Hibachi was seamless. Their website is clear and organized, and communication was excellent. I splurged on the upgraded menu - filet mignon and lobster - because if you’re celebrating love, you may as well go all out. For just over $60 per person, we enjoyed salad, filet, lobster, fried rice, vegetables, and sake. Honestly, you can’t beat that.

Our chef, Pepper, and his assistant, Kathleen, arrived an hour early, set up without a hitch, and transformed the backyard into a lively dinner party. As soon as the grills fired up, everyone gathered around with glasses in hand, ready for dinner and a show.

Pepper was a star performer. He cracked jokes, flipped food, and kept everyone laughing and engaged. It was interactive, high-energy, and worlds away from the typical catered dinner. The bride and groom loved it, our guests were full and happy, and the whole evening felt festive and unique.

We had a small hiccup with a gluten-free guest and another with a shellfish allergy -language barriers made it a bit tricky - but it was quickly resolved. In the end, everyone left satisfied (and very full). Pro tip: if you pay cash, they offer a discount.

There’s no way I could have pulled off a 12-person dinner like this on my own - not at this price, and certainly not with this level of fun and entertainment. Love Hibachi made the night stress-free, memorable, and completely unique.

The combination was perfect: a Mallorcan-inspired vibe with Spanish cocktails and charcuterie, topped off by the sizzle and flair of hibachi. Emily and Thomas felt celebrated, our friends had a blast, and I got to enjoy the evening without being tied to the kitchen.

If you’re planning a party and want something out of the ordinary, I can’t recommend I Love Hibachi enough. Pepper and Kathleen were amazing, and I’d book them again in a heartbeat.

Congratulations again to Emily & Thomas - and thank you to Love Hibachi for helping make their wedding celebration so special. 💕
 

Find them at www.lovehibachi.com.