A Romantic and Timeless Wedding That Transports Guests Into a Dream at Casa Dos Penedos

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

Wedding Colours: Soft pinks, whites, and nudes create a serene and elegant palette that perfectly captures the essence of romance. These colors harmonize beautifully, evoking a sense of warmth and love that enhances the overall atmosphere of the celebration.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Design / Vibe / Vision: The couple envisioned a romantic and timeless wedding that transports guests into a dream-like experience. With delicate details and classic elements, the design reflects their love story, creating a backdrop where cherished memories can unfold. The ambiance is enhanced with soft lighting and intimate seating arrangements that invite connection and celebration.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

Fabrice’s proposal was intimate, heartfelt, and completely unexpected. It took place on graduation day, a day that was already filled with excitement and emotion after I completed my master’s degree. We had planned a celebratory dinner with our closest family and friends to mark the occasion, and the evening was full of love and laughter. As we began opening gifts, I had no idea that the most special moment of the night was yet to come. When it was time for Fabrice to give me my gift, he surprised me by getting down on one knee in front of everyone. Surrounded by the people we love most, he asked me to spend forever with him. It was such a beautiful moment—one I had only ever dreamed of. I’ll never forget the feeling of shock, joy, and pure love as I said yes. The proposal was perfect in its simplicity. It wasn’t over-the-top or flashy, just a moment shared between us and the people who mean the most.

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

Finding my wedding dress was an emotional and rewarding journey, thanks to the immensely talented Victoria Antwi. Victoria had already created my outfit for our traditional African wedding in 2023, and I knew she would bring the same artistry to designing a gown for this special day. I wanted something timeless and effortlessly elegant—something I would still love when I looked back at photos years from now. Victoria delivered all that and more, incorporating every detail I dreamed of while making the process feel entirely personal. She made me feel so confident and truly understood how to create a gown that celebrated me. For the evening, I pivoted unexpectedly! I sourced stunning Elie Saab bridal fabric from Maison Dorée in Belgium just days before the wedding and had a two-piece outfit custom-made in under a week. It was flown in by a friend and was only tried on for the first time on the wedding day! The risk paid off—it fit perfectly and was the ideal outfit for dancing the night away. A key detail of my look was my custom veil, created by Elisabeth Veil Collection, a custom bridal embroiderist from France. The process of designing the veil with Elisabeth was effortless and beautiful. Together, we decided to embroider a special sentence at the bottom: “Mon coeur, pour toujours et même après,” a nod to Brussels, our shared hometown, and a personalized twist on what Fabrice had engraved on my engagement ring: “Mon coeur, toujours.” Which translated to my heart (his nickname for me), always. It felt so special to incorporate that sentiment into my veil. No wedding look would be complete without the dream team behind it, and I was so lucky to have the most talented and caring glam squad by my side. My hair was styled by the incredible Debora Lola (@dl_bridal), and my makeup was expertly done by Zakiyah Shani (@zakiyahshani). Both of these amazing women executed every request with precision, making sure every detail was perfect and that I felt absolutely beautiful on the day. Their warmth and attention to detail made the whole experience so special, and I truly couldn’t have asked for a more supportive team to bring my vision to life.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

Fabrice wore a classic black tuxedo that embodied timeless sophistication, complete with a crisp white shirt, satin lapels, and a perfectly tied black bow tie. He worked with a skilled Belgian tailor to ensure a flawless fit that balanced comfort and elegance—ideal for a day filled with unforgettable moments. His tuxedo choice was a seamless match to the formal yet romantic atmosphere of our wedding.

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

Bride: We wanted our guests to enjoy a dining experience that felt both luxurious and inviting, so we collaborated closely with the Ritz-Carlton Penha Longa to create a menu that was as diverse as it was delicious. Our cocktail hour featured an array of beautifully presented canapés, including salmon ceviche cones with guacamole, lamb kofta skewers, mini bao buns, and crispy cheese croquettes, setting a celebratory tone for the evening. For dinner, we broke away from traditional plated service and opted for interactive food stations with live chefs preparing beef tenderloin, truffle and mushroom risotto in a parmesan wheel, fresh sea bass, and a Portuguese-inspired piri-piri station. It was important to us that every guest could choose something they loved and adapted to their palate. The drinks were just as thoughtfully curated. From cocktail until the end of the night, we offered an open bar with signature margaritas (my favorite), mojitos (Fabrice’s favorite), and strawberry daiquiris for a fruity twist, alongside a selection of Portuguese wines (obviously). The evening’s sweeter moments were marked by a charming vintage ice cream cart serving vanilla, caramel, and mango scoops with fun toppings. To top it all off, mini cheeseburgers made their debut as a late-night snack at 1 a.m., I’m pretty sure Fabrice chowed down 4…! Planner: Planner: Food and Drink: Food was a top priority for the couple, leading them to choose a delectable dine-in experience. Guests were treated to a variety of mouthwatering options that catered to diverse tastes, featuring gourmet bites and elegantly plated dishes. Signature cocktails, crafted with care, added a personal touch, ensured that every sip complemented the exquisite culinary offerings.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

Bride: Our wedding style was all about effortless sophistication. We were inspired by the beauty of our venue, Casa dos Penedos, which offered a picturesque castle setting nestled in the hills of Sintra, with lush private gardens and an orangerie-style dining hall that overlooked the town. We chose décor elements that felt harmonious with the space—soft florals, subtle neutral tones, and modern yet refined details that created a timeless atmosphere. One of the most striking elements of the day was the floral ceiling that hung over our dinner tables.. Our wedding planner, Fernanda (@fernandamartinez), alongside the rental company (bcplanning_rentals) and our amazing florist, Vera from Decorelle (@decorelle), was instrumental in executing this vision. Her impeccable taste matched ours perfectly, and she ensured that every detail, big or small, contributed to the sense of effortless elegance we wanted to achieve. Planner: Florals and Decor: The floral arrangements featured dusty pinks and white roses, beautifully combined to create a lush and romantic setting. Hanging installations added a whimsical touch, drawing the eye upwards and enveloping guests in a dreamy environment. Each arrangement was thoughtfully placed, enhancing the intimate vibe while allowing the natural beauty of the flowers to shine through.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Bride: And, of course, our wedding cake by Sandra from Migalha Doce (@migalhadoce) was the centerpiece—she made as two flavors (we just couldn’t pick): the first, a Lemon and Poppy Seeds Cake with Lemon Curd, Lemon Buttercream and Roasted Strawberries with Honey; the second, Chocolate Cake layered with Raspberries Preserves and Pistachio Ganache. Planner: Wedding Cake: The couple chose a vintage-inspired all-white wedding cake that served as a stunning centerpiece. Its elegant design, adorned with subtle textures and delicate embellishments, echoed the timeless feel of the event. Each slice was a delicious blend of flavors, ensuring that the cake was not only a visual delight but a memorable treat for all guests to enjoy.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

Our ceremony was deeply personal and full of heartfelt moments. A close family friend, Jeff, opened with a touching prayer, setting the tone for the day. My cousin Angel officiated, delivering a beautifully personalized reading in both French and English to include both sides of our family. Having someone so close to us lead this moment made it incredibly special. My sister, who is a talented artist, contributed a heartfelt poem she wrote for the occasion, adding an extra layer of love and meaning to the ceremony. It was a celebration of connection, family, and the bond we share. For music, we KNEW we had to fly in our favorite DJ from Belgium, Saidou Music (@saidoumusic). Music was such an important part of our ceremony, and we spent a lot of time choosing songs that felt just right for the day. Our bridal party, which was only family, walked down the aisle to “Beyond” by Leon Bridges—a song we both love for its heartfelt lyrics and timeless feel. It ended up being even more special when our videographer, Kayode (@i_am_kayode), added “Beyond” to the beginning of our wedding video as a nod to that moment. Fabrice walked down with his mom to “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King. It’s a song we both love, and its message of strength and unwavering support felt like the perfect representation of the promise we share as a couple and want to carry into our marriage. For my entrance, I had my three nieces as flower girls ahead of me and my brother by my side. We chose “At Last” by Etta James because it’s such a beautiful, classic song that captures the emotion of the moment perfectly. These songs made our ceremony feel so personal and meaningful, and they’re a reminder of that day every time we hear them. When it came time for the reception, we wanted a song that reflected our love for afrobeats and its incredible energy, so we chose Unavailable by Davido. It was upbeat, fun, and fitting for the moment. We kept it simple, skipping a choreographed routine and just enjoying the moment. My mom joined in with her impromptu moves, just see the pictures!

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

One of the most meaningful details of our wedding was ensuring our guests felt deeply valued and connected to the celebration. Each person was invited because they had shaped our journey as a couple in a special way. To reflect this, we created a custom logo that appeared on almost everything—our menus, bar signs, and even embroidered on my veil. Each dinner menu was personalized with the guest’s name, and instead of a traditional seating chart, escort cards were attached to champagne glasses for guests to pick up as they exited the ceremony. It added a thoughtful, personal touch. All stationery was designed and printed in Belgium by the wonderful Liza Dmitrieva from @stringla_designs.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

To make our wedding truly unforgettable, we opted for unique guest experiences instead of traditional party favours. During cocktail hour, we had the incredibly talented Anna from HiSketch as a live sketch artist, creating beautiful portraits for our guests to take home as keepsakes. Throughout the evening, we also collaborated with Memory Box PT to set up a chic black-and-white photo booth (a detail we specifically requested). It became a hit, offering our loved ones a fun way to capture memories while blending perfectly with the timeless aesthetic of our day. These touches added an interactive and personal element to the celebration.

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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]

We initially found Sophie (our photographer) through Instagram and instantly fell in love with her work. We were so captivated by her style that we didn’t even consider another photographer. We booked a call with her before we had our official wedding date, knowing she was the perfect fit for us. Sophie was incredibly kind to keep our date on hold until we could confirm, and we’re so grateful she did! She has an amazing ability to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera, turning our photo sessions into stress-free experiences. Sophie arrived ahead of time on both days (the welcome party and the wedding day), making sure everything was set up and ready to go. Her availability and responsiveness in the months leading up to the wedding were invaluable. She was always easy to communicate with, offered great timeline recommendations, and even had a pre-wedding survey for us to fill out. This survey allowed her to truly cater to our personal needs and accommodate any cultural and family sensitivities. The pictures turned out stunning, perfectly capturing the joy and love of our special day. Our guests and family were so impressed with the photos and couldn’t stop raving about her talent. We’ll cherish the moments she captured forever! We recommend Sophie to beautifully capture you for any special occasion!

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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