At WedVibes, we’re always drawn to the stories behind the aesthetics—the vision boards, voice notes, and late-night Pinterest scrolls that quietly shape iconic wedding moments. So, we did what we do best: reached out to real brides who are planning weddings their way. From spontaneous proposals to guest lists made on Google Docs, these brides are rewriting the rules and curating celebrations that feel less like tradition and more like self-expression.
In this series, they open up about the moodboards they can’t stop tweaking, the TikTok trends they’re into, and the vendors who just get it. Expect real love stories, real planning highs (and lows), and plenty of inspiration for your own “main character” moment.
Meet The Couple
Kelly and Ranieri are splitting their time between Portugal and New York while they search for a piece of land or a renovation project to make their own. He’s a web developer who lives for the ocean; she’s in beauty and wellness, training as a bodywork practitioner, and happiest thrifting, hiking, or traveling. They’re both after something slower, built around home and nature, and that’s exactly what this next chapter is about.
How did you meet?
We met at Caparica beach just outside Lisbon. He was living there at the time, and I was visiting a friend who brought me to a birthday at a beach club. We were introduced a few times that night, but I was in a relationship, so I didn’t think twice about it.
He told his friend that if he could get me on a date, he would marry me. The next day, he found and followed me on Instagram. I never followed back, but he kept reaching out over the course of a year.
A year later, I was back in Lisbon, and he finally got me on a date. Four months after that, I moved to Europe to be with him, and the rest is history.
The Proposal
It was simple, romantic, and very us. He had planned a full day, and I kept changing the plans without realizing what was coming. It happened at our favorite secret beach in the north of Ibiza, where we went on our second date and a place that holds so many memories for us. We were completely alone in a quiet cove when he proposed.
The Wedding Vision
1. When and where is your wedding taking place?
We got engaged just a few weeks ago, so we’re still happily at the very start of it all. I can’t wait to explore venues in Tuscany when we are there in August!
2. Describe your wedding in 3 words.
Warm, Romantic and Relaxed.
3. What are three non-negotiable elements for your big day?
We both agree that food is a top priority. We want family-style rather than a formal, course meal.
I would love to be dancing barefoot in the grass.
Somewhere near the coast, so the whole weekend feels connected to the sea. It’s where my fiancé feels most himself, so it means a lot to have it woven through the day.
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Planning Process
1. What’s been the highlight of your planning process so far?
The dreaming itself. Everything still feels open, and it’s been so fun to imagine the day together before any of the logistics begin.
2. What’s surprised you most about wedding planning?
The sheer scale of the industry, honestly!
3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their planning journey?
I’m still too early in the process to give advice, but I suppose I’d say don’t rush out of the love bubble. There’s a special, in-between feeling right after you get engaged, before any of the planning begins, and I want to enjoy it as long as I can.
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