kidsinibiza

Mamas in Ibiza

Gemma Bowman

Kids in Ibiza are proud to showcase a series of hard working Ibiza Mamas who have built their own business empire here in Ibiza. This week we present you with expert wedding planner and mum of three Gemma Bowman. Gemma runs the bespoke wedding planning company Ibiza Wedding and has been creating beautiful weddings here in Ibiza and Formentera since 2005.

What brought you to Ibiza?

I moved to Ibiza in 2005 after marrying here the year before. I came with my husband and we packed up his Landrover (which he still drives!!) on a cold January day and drove here excited and a little apprehensive.

Tell us about your children:

We have 2 boys and a girl aged 7, 4 and 2. Bo, Obi and Ezra. The boys both speak Catalan and Castellano and Ezra is learning both also. At home we speak English or if the kids have Spanish friends over I will then speak Spanish with all of them.

Nurseries and schools in Ibiza – what have you chosen for your children and why?

We decided to go for the local schools while they are still so little. We love Menuts nursery and all 3 have gone there and loved it. Tamara and her team are just so lovely, hard working and generally emotionally invested in the children they work with.

The boys go to the CEIP in Santa Gertrudis and overall we have been really happy with it. I would be lying if I said I don´t find the emphasis on the Catalan a little frustrating but it is a lovely school and certainly a really good option for the kids for their primary education.

Tell us about your business:

I started up a bespoke wedding planning company here in 2005, and have since worked with over 300 couples creating beautiful weddings here in Ibiza and Formentera. I now have a small creative team with me which allowed me to take a step back when my children were born.

What’s your mama trick to manage work and family life?

Being good and comfortable at delegating definitely helps hugely as does being naturally pretty organised. I also try to make sure I have set time for work and family as it can be really stressful if the two mix too much so I avoid this as much as possible. I am really fortunate to have a husband who is self employed and an amazing hands on Daddy. I must also mention Isabel here who has been with us for years and is my domestic goddess taking on a lot of the household chores. This is a huge help and frees up my time to be with the kids or working.

What’s your favourite day out with your family?

We love to hang out with the kids, whether it be on our own or with friends. We travel a lot so getting our teeth stuck into a new place is something we really enjoy and any day out has to involve great food, as we all love our food!

Here it would be being outside at the beach in the summer until late or in the winter walking in the campo followed by a big home cooked lunch and a movie. Or a great beach lunch or picnic.

What’s your best day (and night) spent on the island when not working and off mama duty: 

Summer time it would be relaxing at a great beach or beach club. I love Yemanja, Cala Carbo, El Chiringuito, Beachouse or one of the little Calas on the San Juan to Portinatx road.

Nobu is also a really great spot to go without the kids (although also really kid friendly). We also try and spend a few days alone in Formentera early summer, which is one of our favourite places anywhere!

By night it would be pre dinner drinks at Sa Calma, dinner in Dalt Vila or at La Imprenta or the Japanese at Sir Joan Hotel followed by a couple of cocktails at 1805 or the Montesol. I want to say I would then go dancing at Pacha or Hi but the reality is that by 2/3am I am knackered and just want my bed!!!

Contact
For more information on your dream wedding please visit the homepage or contact Gemma on her mobile.

www.ibizawedding.com

+34 618 498 580

This post is also available in: Spanish