A year ago, Dublin couple Christina Mitchell and Mark Anderson had no plans to get married in Malta. Yet while leafing through the Sunday Tribune, a competition grabbed their attention. The prize, a fairy-tale wedding at the Hotel Phoenicia, Malta, was too good not to give the competition a shot. Moreover, both Christina and Mark's parents had visited Malta and loved the Mediterranean island. And in a true fairy-tale ending, Christina and Mark's entry was the winning one.

"It's not just our wedding but the entire stay that has been simply wonderful," says Mark. "Valletta is such a historic gem ? its architecture and history are inspiring. And with such a wealth of beaches minutes away from anywhere on the island, we just couldn't give scuba diving a miss."

Christina agrees. "The people at the Phoenicia are wonderful and put their heart into making our wedding a day to cherish for ever. Chrystelle Doublesin, the wedding planner, took such great care of us, and Charles Azzopardi, the general manager, gave us a wonderful painting by artist Vania Goshe as a wedding present.

"I think I already know where we'll be celebrating our anniversary."