Europe Weddings

I’ve never had the opportunity to visit Portugal, but I am fairly certain it’s my new favorite country.  Yep, all it took was one look at this stunning Amares affair and I was SOLD.  The lush citrus-filled landscape, the historical setting, the breathtaking views, the couldn’t be happier bride and groom… I could get lost in this pretty for hours.  And with the oh-so-talented Brancoprata behind the impeccable styling, gorgeous florals, fab paper goods AND brilliant photography, I can’t think of a more perfect way to spend the day than wrapped up in all of this lovely.  Wouldn’t you agree?  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… When Rogerio and I decided to get married, Pousada de Santa Maria do Bouro was a natural choice for the venue (actually, since I was a teenager I had been dreaming of tying the knot here). This historic luxury hotel is just beautiful and the surrounding landscape is breathtaking… It is located in the north of Portugal, between the city of Braga and the Gerês mountain range, and results from the restoration of a former Cistercian Monastery of the XII century, in a remarkable work of the 2011 Pritzker Prize winner Eduardo Souto Moura. Since many guests were coming from other parts of the country and abroad (US, UK, Italy and Netherlands), we booked the whole hotel for them to stay overnight. Another easier choice was Brancoprata. I had been following this team’s work for quite some time, and knew they provided the services we wanted with the best desired quality: invitations and paper goods, flowers and styling, photography and babysitting were services we booked all at once, which made the whole wedding planning a lot easier.

One of the most creative parts for us was planning the ceremony. Both Rogerio and I had never attended a non-religious ceremony in Portugal… However, with some guidance from the (most amazing) officiant, we came up with an idyllic ceremony. We can’t even describe how it feels to have your most loved friends singing in choir accompanied by a piano…

Since it is always a treat to eat in this historic hotel, choosing the menu was probably the hardest task in the whole wedding planning! Dinner was served in the cloisters, as well as the wedding cake, which just felt magical… In the old kitchen wing, surrounded by giant hearths under a soaring ceiling, guests enjoyed dancing, drinks and a photo booth with several props that kept everyone entertained all night. As wedding favors for our guests, we offered plants and local honey, a traditional product from Gerês mountains. Overall, our wedding day was like we were dreaming of: relaxed, fun and memorable.

Wedding Photography: André Teixeira of Brancoprata / Bride’s Headpiece: Miira / Bride’s Shoes: The Seller / Bride’s Bouquet: Bloom Flores /  Wedding Dress: ModelNovias / Stationery, Paper Goods + Event Styling: Sofia Ferreira of Brancoprata / Floral Design: Brancoprata / Venue + Catering: Pousada de Santa Maria do Bouro / Music: DJ Motinha

Some weddings make me stop in my tracks and take a moment to really devour each and every dream-like image. When I look at weddings like this, time seems to stand still and deadlines seem irrelevant – and this seaside Portugal soiree by Piteira Photography is the perfect example of that type of wedding. The images just ooze romance, the baby’s breath bouquet is simple perfection and the bride’s gown is just down right lovely. So after you are done devouring all the pretty in this post, be sure to check out the gallery for even more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Piteira Photography…Catia and Jamie, who hail from Madeira (Portugal) and Manchester (UK), respectively, aimed for a do-it-yourself destination wedding, with a vintage feel and, wherever possible, drawing upon locally sourced components and small local businesses. Their wedding took place on Comporta  Beach, on the west coast of Portugal, just south of Lisbon, the capital city.

The beach and venue has a special meaning for Catia and Jamie as it formed an important part of the early blossoming of their relationship. Four years ago, in the early stages of their long distance relationship, Jamie visited Catia, who, at this stage, was living with her mother in nearby Setubal. Catia chose to show Jamie the Alentejo Coast, starting in Troia and working south. Comporta Beach was one of the first places they visited. The early stages of their relationship combined with a beautifully quiet beach, facing the Atlantic ocean, and a fantastic restaurant – forged special memories for them both.

Instead of the traditional paper invitations, and because the majority of their guests were spread out around the world, the couple decided to create a wedding website instead, where people could RSVP and find out all the relevant details. All decorations were chosen, designed and implemented by Catia and her team of talented mother, sisters, father and uncles.

Gifts for the guest comprised of locally created honey and Moscatel, bought in the Setubal Market. Each gift was DIY decorated by the couple and their families with vintage fabrics and paper string. Family linen was used for the ceremony table and the pots used to contain guest’s table flowers were discovered abandoned, outside a pottery mill that had recently closed. Reclaimed jam jars were used for candles. All flowers were bought, in bulk, from the local Setubal market and were chosen for their small carbon footprint and because they typified the end of summer season. Design and arrangements directed by Catia’s mother/sisters. Decorations were implemented, on the day, by a frantic team, of father, aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

We knew as soon as we met this awesome couple that their wedding was going to be the highlight of our season, and we were right. Their big day was a true reflection of who they are, individually and as a couple, and we love the way they made everything just fit so perfectly… they re-invented the rules of a wedding day to suit them and their style, taking out traditions that didn’t mean anything to them, and adding in things that they felt were important. And through it all they never lost sight of the bigger picture, there was no stress and drama, no freaking out about things not being “perfect” … the whole day just flowed so beautifully and naturally and we feel seriously lucky to have been a part of it all.

Wedding Photography: Piteira Photography / Event Design, Flowers: The Bride + Groom / Ceremony + Reception Location: Ilha do Arroz Restaurant / Bride’s Shoes: Aldo / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Groom’s Shoes: Schuh UK / Groom’s Suit + Shirt: Nicole Farhi / Groom’s Watch: Fossil / Wedding Rings: Figueira Joias / Bride’s Earrings: Figueira Joias (design by Bride’s Mother) / Brides Shawl: Bride’s Mother / Wedding Cake: Maria do Rosario, Family Friend