Francisca and João’s wedding was a symphony of personal stories, meticulous details, and a deep appreciation for elegance. Set in the historic Casa de Sezim in Portugal, every detail of their special day reflected their journey as a couple and their shared dream of a sophisticated yet heartfelt event. From the Dior-inspired patterns to the vintage green bathtub with cocktails, this wedding was a masterpiece of love and creativity carefully crafted by Made With Love.
Location: Guimarães, Portugal
Style: Romantic, elegant, chic
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 160
Setting: Ceremony – church, reception – courtyard
Season: Spring
Francisca and João’s journey began at the Faculty of Pharmacy, where their shared passion for science blossomed into a friendship that eventually grew into a romance. Their connection deepened as they pursued careers as pharmacists, often working side by side.
João’s proposal was as thoughtful as their love. He surprised Francisca with a new cutest friend — a Labrador puppy, a ribbon tied around its neck holding an engagement ring. This unique and personal gesture captured the essence of their relationship: kind, empathetic, and full of joy.
Bridal Morning
The bride wore a stunning custom dress by Joana Castro Atelier, complemented by sophisticated accessories from Bruna Vasconcelos Jewellery. Her pastel pink bouquet, crafted by Irene Ribeiro, featured lush peonies, perfectly matching the day’s aesthetic and adding a vibrant yet delicate touch to her look.
Francisca’s look was completed with delicate and natural makeup and a sleek low ponytail, making her truly unique on her special day.
João chose a tailcoat with matching shoes, a handkerchief, and a classic boutonniere. He felt confident and handsome, perfectly complementing Francisca’s elegant outfit.
Ceremony
The Santa Marinha Church set the stage for their intimate and touchy ceremony. Greenery and white flowers, arranged in rustic baskets, framed the space with natural elegance. Guests received personalized missals and tissue packets, small details that spoke volumes about the couple’s thoughtfulness.
As Francisca and João exited to a cascade of white confetti and live music, the energy shifted to energy celebration, creating a magical moment beautifully captured by Menino conhece Menina.
Adding a playful twist, a Santini ice cream cart awaited outside, delighting guests and breaking the formality of the moment with a touch of fun. This charming idea was envisioned by Ana Cunha from Made With Love, who thoughtfully incorporated it to surprise and bring joy to everyone.
Private Moment
Before the reception, Francisca and João arrived at the venue in a classic black Jaguar, taking a private moment to explore the picturesque surroundings together. They shared quiet smiles and relished the joy of being newlyweds while their photographer Menino conhece Menina captured these intimate moments.
This short but meaningful pause allowed them to fully embrace the day’s beauty and the love surrounding them.
Decor & Setting
The reception at Casa de Sezim was a visual delight, with a custom-built crystal tent transforming the courtyard into a sophisticated yet airy space. The decor, inspired by the venue’s historical charm, featured botanical green fabric with a Dior-style pattern and pastel floral arrangements by Flor em Arte.
"We chose noble flowers, ordered directly from Holland, including peonies, David Austin roses, ranunculus, astilbe, delphiniums, and dahlias in soft tones of pastel pink, white, and green"
Elegant candlesticks and porcelain pots adorned the tables, creating a harmonious mix of luxury and romance. A suspended green installation above the sweetheart table added a dramatic central point, while the overall design flowed seamlessly from one element to another.
"When we met, we immediately connected, and our tastes aligned perfectly. Francisca and João clearly communicated their desires and trusted my work completely, which greatly facilitated the process and made planning a breeze."
Reception
The evening flowed effortlessly, filled with lively entertainment and unforgettable moments. Performances by Bando das Gaitas and Batucada Radical energized the crowd, keeping guests on their feet and the atmosphere electric. As guests entered the reception, they were greeted with personalized tambourines inscribed with “let’s dance,” adding a playful and festive touch to the celebration.
Chef Luís Américo amazed everyone with his gourmet menu, featuring live truffle quesadilla stations and a fresh mozzarella bar. The candy bar, designed as a Dior-inspired cart, was another standout. Elegantly adorned with flowers and an array of sweets, it was both a visual and culinary delight — a perfect reflection of the planner’s creative vision and attention to detail.
Later in the evening, Francisca and João invited their loved ones to share in the cake-cutting ceremony. The cake, crafted by CakeShop, was simple yet stunning, with delicate details and fresh floral accents.
The dance floor became the heart of the celebration, glowing warmly under custom lampshades. Francisca and João led the way, filling the night with love, laughter, and dancing. Adding a unique flair, signature cocktails served from a vintage green bathtub and personalized bottles featuring the couple’s monogram charmed guests, showcasing the creative touches woven throughout the day.
The couple’s joyful energy, the love shared among their guests, and the overwhelmingly positive reactions to the carefully crafted details made the day truly unforgettable. “Both Francisca and João hugged me on the day of the wedding, expressing their gratitude for exceeding their expectations,” fondly recalls Ana, the planner.
It was a celebration that perfectly combined elegance, creativity, and heartfelt moments — a day that no one will ever forget.
PLANNER & DESIGNER & COORDINATOR Made With Love | PHOTOGRAPHER Menino conhece Menina | VIDEOGRAPHER Pixel Shapers | VENUE Casa de Sezim | FLORALS Flor em Arte, Irene Ribeiro | DRESS Joana Castro Atelier | JEWELRY Bruna Vasconcelos Jewellery | CATERING Chef Luís Américo | CANDY BAR Made With Love | CAKE CakeShop | ICE CREAM CART Santini | MUSIC Zé Miguel, Bando das Gaitas, Batucada Radical | STATIONERY Molde Weddings, Mono Design | LIGHTS Porto Festa | RENTAL Ester & Erik
