Location: Amarante, Portugal
Setting: Monverde Hotel
The number of guests: 45
Wedding Season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: Several Months
Wedding theme/style: Stylish, elegant, simple, timeless.
Inês and António, a Portuguese couple who met on a flight, wanted a simple and personal wedding. They desired to celebrate in the late afternoon on a summer’s day, surrounded by family and close friends with whom it made sense to live this day. As avid travelers who love to eat, drink, dance, and enjoy the good things in life, they looked for a venue that could combine all these elements. Monverde was the perfect choice, surrounded by beautiful vineyards that offered excellent accommodations for their guests and the best food and wine in the region.
For their wedding photographer, they chose Pedro Filipe, whose talent for capturing emotions and details perfectly preserved the essence of their timeless wedding. Pedro’s ability to capture the heartfelt moments and details made their wedding photos truly unforgettable, adding an extra layer of magic to their cherished memories.
For my wedding look, I wanted, above all, to stay true to my style and personality.
Inês wanted an elegant, simple, and timeless dress, and she knew she had found the perfect one as soon as she tried it on. For accessories, she chose pieces from her own collection and family heirlooms, adding a personal touch to her look. Her perfume, a signature scent she always wore, held special significance, as she believed it was the accessory that most identifies her and António in a relationship and speaks volumes about who they are. She entrusted her hair and makeup to her trusted stylist, ensuring she looked flawless on her special day.
António chose an elegant black suit for the wedding. To add a festive and cohesive touch, he wore a boutonniere made by the same talented florist who created the ceremony decorations and the bridal bouquet. This small yet significant detail seamlessly integrated his look with the overall aesthetic of the event, adding a personal and celebratory flair to his attire.
The ceremony was planned to take place outdoors, nestled within the hotel’s picturesque vineyards, in perfect communion with nature. Despite being summer, the weather was unpredictable, leading to several changes in the ceremony location throughout the day. The couple remained calm and flexible, adapting to the shifting plans while exploring the hotel grounds. Ultimately, as the day drew to a close, they were graced with a stunning sunset, allowing the ceremony to take place in the exact spot they had originally desired. This unexpected turn of events resulted in an even more magical and perfect setting than they had imagined.
For the decoration, the couple envisioned a simple and intimate setting. They chose whites and greens for the flowers, which blended harmoniously with the vineyards that served as the backdrop for their ceremony.
We had a ceremony celebrated by a priest friend, who gave his personal touch to the celebration and who moved us very much.
Right after the ceremony, the newlyweds were fortunate to catch the golden hour, giving them some cherished time together before the grand celebration. Pedro Filipe skillfully documented this magical moment, taking stunning portraits of the couple that beautifully depicted their love and happiness.
The reception was set in the heart of the vineyards, creating a magical and intimate atmosphere. A long table, elegantly adorned with flowers and candles, stretched under a canopy of twinkling lights that formed a stunning corridor, enhancing the romantic ambiance. Surrounded by friends and family, the setting was enchanting, perfectly capturing the essence of a joyous celebration in a beautiful, natural environment.
As the reception began, the newlyweds entered a beautifully decorated wine cellar, greeted by the warm glow of candlelight and the rustic charm of large wooden barrels lining the walls. The intimate setting created the perfect backdrop for heartfelt speeches. Following the speeches, Inês and António took to the dance floor for their first dance. Under the soft, romantic lighting, they swayed to the music, their smiles reflecting pure joy and love. The moment was perfectly captured in photos, showcasing their happiness and their special connection. The evening continued with laughter, toasts, and the couple savoring each cherished moment with their guests, making it a night to remember.
As the evening progressed, the reception under the fairy lights in the vineyard transformed into a magical setting. The highlight of the evening came with the cake-cutting ceremony. Against the backdrop of sparkling lights, the newlyweds cut into their elegantly tiered cake, surrounded by friends and family. The moment was made even more spectacular by sparklers lighting up the night sky, adding a touch of celebration and joy to the already perfect setting.
Advice from the couple:
• It’s cliché, but it’s the truth: make the most of the day. It’s a unique and unrepeatable day where you can be with everyone you love in the same place and celebrate love. It’s a wonderful day that should be lived without stress and with much joy.
PHOTOGRAPHY Pedro Filipe Fotografia | HAIR AND MAKEUP Marlene Loureiro | VENUE Monverde Hotel | DRESS Rosa Clará | ACCESSORIES YSL Beauty | JEWELRY Rosarinho Cruz Joias | CELEBRANT Antonino de Sousa
