Flowers everywhere. This day is a big beautiful flower in itself. I’m not sure if I’ve ever documented a day that was blooming beautifully full of flowers as this one, stunning work of the breathtaking artistry of Marta of Flow. The quietness of the preparations is still one of my favorite parts of any wedding day and you can realize so by the amounts of it I share here. Hand-painted menu, tablecloths, and placements, and even the bridesmaids stunning dresses were everything carefully thought and created by Ju at Isolda. Brasil and Portugal united into one gorgeous party with amazing vendors.

I still also feel very humbled that this wedding was selected by Vogue.com. You can read more about this day and see their selection of images with special captions by Ju, on their website HERE.

Sometimes you’re reminded of how impactful the simple things can get to be, how they can beautifully get to us, under our skin. This day was so long ago already but I didn’t want it to go by unpublished because it always reminds me of the why I started shooting weddings. Sometimes I get to photograph absolutely masterly put together weddings, aesthetically driven colossus, and I am so so grateful for that. But other times I get to photograph simplicity and to be honest that’s where this honour gets to me. And Lauren and Marty will always remain some of my favorite people in this life.

It rained and sunned on this day. The passing of the seasons in a single day. And not for a moment they took their eyes from each other. From the first look to the ceremony to the sharing of moments with their closest family and family who traveled all the way from Ireland and other parts of the world to celebrate their love with each other. To teary and funny speeches and to the presence of even those who were gone too soon (yet never truly gone), present in little tokens on their attire and hearts, this was a day that is full of what I love most to document. And not only to document but to also witness as a girl who believes kindness to be the most powerful foundation of humanity. And that is what I found in Lauren and Marty,

A day filled with wonder of the simplicity, against the odds of life’s turns and twists. They found each other and that is what they vowed to protect from this day on - the singleness of a moment their worlds collapsed and made it possible to carry love as an emblem.

Also the party was insanity represented. And I loved every moment of this day.

Photographing destination weddings is something so very unique. It’s not only the possibility of traveling but the humility that comes with it, from it, towards it. When a couple who is getting married picks you as their photographer that in itself is something so very special already, but when a couple from another country (ou different countries themselves) pick you to photograph them in any other country other than Portugal you just feel so very valued and your art so very appreciated.

When Jenny first contacted me and she told me about her and Victor I fell in love right away. A relationship that endured miles and times apart, but was ultimately meant to be. So it was more than willingly, so very excitedly and gratefully that I traveled to Cassis, in the beautiful south of France, to meet up with these two beautiful souls. I am still very grateful I can say I do this for a living because the people and places I get to meet continue to take my breath away, without end.

A kind of wilderness that words can not unwire, uncover, explain. I am still trying to comprehend the new things that were born on this day, in my life. Sometimes I can not truly word how much of what I do changes me. This day was 3 years ago, and I recall it all so vividly. I love Serra da Estrela with an unexplainable fire, always did. But to shoot a day like this, a love like this, emotions shining so brightly as they did right in the heart of it; when the day melts and you melt away with it - seemingly blending into one. I felt as if I was watching the most beautiful spectacle in the world. As if it was all meant to be that I was there. So that I could love what I do so much more fiercely. That I could understand that I might be worth a bit more to people than I at first understood. That my art matters, that it is possible to freeze so much more than just a moment in what I end up delivering. And that these people changed my life so much. Enriched it. Made it so much more worthy. And so much more golden. I still have no words to give and to try and explain the kind of honor and gratitude I still feel for all that unfolded on this day, under that big “carvalha”, where they shouted into the skies there was no other way other than this way; together always as one big family that could love no more than how they already did.

And as per usual this is going to be long. It deserves so.

Mal posso acreditar que esta sessão já foi há tanto, tanto tempo. Lembro-me como se fosse hoje a primeira mensagem que troquei com a Susana, e o quanto ela me fez sentir especial por aquilo que faço. O dia foi tão bonito num sítio especial para eles, um sítio onde planeio muitos outros projectos por ser dos meus preferidos também. Já merecia ser partilhado. Aqui está. 
 

Maggie is a hugger. I need to start this with that note because that is something about her personality that I just love beyond words.

On the morning before her wedding day I got a call from Maggie. As I was just getting ready to take a tour around Lagos before going out to finally meet one of the most special couples ever. I was excited to say the least. Maggie and I were exchanging e-mails for months, even though we were incredibly busy, and I just knew their day would be a different day. And as I was getting ready for just that when I heard my phone calling from the other side of the hotel room. I rushed to answer and after a few signal problems we finally made contact. Except it wasn’t Maggie on the other side, it was Bryce. Which was completely alright: “Maggie wanted to be the one talking to you but she has no voice.” And that was not so fun. Not so fun because she was scared she would have to cope not having her voice back on her wedding day, but even though she didn’t, not completely, this day was absolutely magical, and nothing got in the way of them having a blast, which was their goal from day one. 

Maggie and Bryce are one of the most special couples I probably have ever worked with. They are honest and straightforward. They are completely at ease just throwing who they are at whoever, whenever. And they are so kind that it just felt like home with them. They came all the way from New York city to get married in their beloved Lagos where they met 9 years ago, and which is like home for them. Neither of their friends or family had ever been to Lagos, so they just wanted to bring them here and throw them a party. Which made this day a completely and honestly magical one. Maggie made all makeup and hair herself and her stunning, stunning gown as well as the bridesmaids skirts were custom made specially for her by Johanna Johnson. 

Although their wedding was almost 2 years ago now this is a day still very close to my heart. I will never forget the hug they gave me the very first day we met. I grew very, very fond of Maggie and her brave spirit and I grew to love her a whole lot. These two are just truly meant to live absolutely incredible adventures together, just like they did up until now. 

I am truly so very honoured for this wedding was featured on HARPER'S BAZAAR and it was something that already made my year. These two deserve it. 

All weddings should have the essence Maggie and Bryce's had.

In the end it was a relaxed, yet emotion filled day which ended HARD on the dance-floor until late (early) hours and I just didn’t want to leave. See why. 

Featured on HARPER'S BAZAAR.