Why did you create your own Hora Loca?
I started seeing this type of service on mainland Spain and, because we love a good party, I began researching it. I felt it was still barely being offered or included in weddings in Mallorca, and thought it had to become part of Palmafotomaton. We wanted to help bring the concept here and offer something different within the wedding party.
Where did the name Palmaliada come from?
Hora Loca is a name you hear everywhere. We wanted a name of our own, with an identity people would connect directly with Palmafotomaton. What we create is exactly that: a Palmaliada. It felt fun, true to the brand and very us.
Do you remember the first one?
Perfectly. It was a small, family wedding. The bride was worried because many of her guests were older. When we arrived, quite a few people had already left and those who remained were quiet, with many sitting down. We got parents, grandparents and children involved and spent an hour giving it everything. The atmosphere changed completely. Afterwards, the bride kept thanking us and saying they had finally had the wedding party she had imagined. That really confirmed for me that it worked.
What makes it different from handing out accessories?
Everything. To me, handing out LED sticks at a wedding is not a Hora Loca. Guests can certainly enjoy a few accessories, but a Hora Loca involves an entertainment team, preparation, an entrance, music, planned moments, surprises and people making sure the dance floor stays lively throughout the experience.
What role does the DJ play?
A very important one. I always recommend investing in good music and a good DJ because they change the party completely. When the DJ understands what is happening, supports the performers, maintains the energy and coordinates with the team, everything flows much better. A Hora Loca is a team effort.
Is there a perfect time?
There is no written rule. We normally suggest letting about an hour pass after the evening party starts, so people have warmed up and are more receptive. But we have also done Palmaliada right at the start because the couple wanted to begin on a high. Every wedding has its own rhythm.
Do the couple have to be particularly outgoing?
Not at all. We have met quieter couples who then became the first to throw themselves into it. Something changes when someone puts on a prop, has a performer beside them and starts catching that energy. The embarrassment can disappear surprisingly quickly. We also love adventurous couples, because they give us even more room to play.
What about guests watching from the sidelines?
There is always someone looking on as if to say they are absolutely not joining in. Getting those people involved is part of the challenge we enjoy. Offer them a prop, let a performer encourage them, and let them see the others having fun. A few minutes later they might be wearing a wig, impossible glasses and dancing as though they had waited all night for this. We love it when the experience goes beyond the usual handful of party people.
Which elements surprise people most?
Everything contributes, but an LED robot, Megatrón, a live saxophonist or percussionist naturally attracts attention. They are not things people necessarily expect to appear in the middle of a wedding party. They create that moment when everyone looks around wondering what is happening.
How do you explain Safari, Festival and Locura?
Safari is our most eccentric option, mixing animal characters, farmyard references, cowboys and wonderfully absurd props. Festival is for couples who love festivals: light, neon and a Burning Man or Coachella-inspired feel. Locura is for those who want to go bigger, with options such as an LED robot, Megatrón and live music. It becomes a small festival within the wedding.
How far can personalisation go?
We have been asked for maritime themes, Harry Potter, the 1920s and Mardi Gras, among others. We love that because we are creating a little world for the wedding. Finding props, planning the entertainment and making the idea fit together can be challenging, but that creative work is part of what we enjoy most.
What if our friends already know how to party?
That is usually said by someone who has not experienced a really good Hora Loca! Having lively friends is one thing. Adding performers, coordinated music, props, effects and a sequence designed to take the dance floor further is something else. It gives that existing energy a new direction.
What happens when Palmaliada finishes?
Usually the party stays lively. You cannot keep the same peak going for four hours, but you have taken the guests into another mood and they want to continue. Palmaliada often gives the party exactly the push it needed.
What do you most enjoy watching?
People letting go: a grandmother trying twerking, someone attempting breakdance, or the person who looked the most serious becoming the biggest character on the floor. Although I am often there to coordinate and make sure everything runs well, sometimes I catch the energy and end up joining in too. I cannot help it. Goodbye sensible, hello madness.
What makes your way of working different?
How involved we get. We do not just arrive, leave a few things and disappear. We like to know the couple, understand what they enjoy and what they do not, and coordinate with the DJ, planner and venue. Yes, it is a Hora Loca, but we want it to have its own character rather than feel like a standard package dropped into any wedding. That matters to me.
