We’ve walked through time, back to the special moments of Christie and Mario’s wedding day, now let’s take a moment to swoon and get lost in all the beautiful and magical details…..
Like I mentioned before, Aqueduto is one of those unique beautiful venues that evokes a stunning simplistic and modern minimalist charm that can be completely transformed to bring to life any vision and look. Their spectator and enchanting windows make their indoor space feel like the outdoors have been brought in, creating a welcoming and romantic ambience, especially when the sparkle of endless glistening candles flicker against the glass of the hanging crystal chandeliers.
The dinner space felt exactly like a lush garden, but indoors, one that was natural and organic. There was so much for the eye to see, but Christie and Mario’s sweetheart certainly captured your eye from the first moment. A clean grey linen effortless draped over to mimic the guest tables, and delicately adorned with clusters of fresh beauties. Draping greens fell below, statement-making white Dahlias and Peonies were front and center, classic Cream Roses, and whimsical white Scabiosa with a free-flowing life of their own created a lovely little tabletop top garden for the bride and groom.
Behind them, beneath those beautiful chandeliers, was a gorgeous installation with the same tabletop florals emerging from the ground, suspended from the ceiling and draping from branches — all to create a magical and gorgeous garden.
Each table featured the same soft grey linens and chairs, but then we created 3 different stylings. Long tables created a walkway from the floral entrance into the rest of the room and dance floor, featuring a lush draping garland with statement roses and simple silver taper candle holders.
One of the round table designs featured larger-than-life arrangements of varying greens, white Hydrangea, Roses and Lisanthus that stood atop sleek glass pedestals for a modern take on a traditional style centerpiece. The other round table design featured lovely vintage textured stone urns with a more natural organic arrangement of Cream Roses and pretty fillers foraged from the garden. Both these table designs featured mismatched candlelight, a mix of clean glass hurricanes perfectly blending with gray washed stone pillar stands and dainty vintage silver metallic votive dishes.
Table numbers were modern acrylic signs to mimic to rest of the signage used throughout the wedding day.
Table settings were a lovely mix of classic and modern minimalism; unique shaped wine stem glasses, textured glass chargers and imperfect round shaped plates, and that same soft grey linen napkin. Menu cards placed a each table were printed in both English and Portuguese on deckled edge paper to resemble the simple elegance of the invitation suite.
Once the doors to the reception dinner space were opened, guests were first encountered with a cool a modern lush lounge area featuring the main bar and the Magic Mirror Photo Booth that was brought indoors from the cocktail house. Then their eyes led by twinkling branches, set themselves on the stunning cake display. A hanging floral beauty of greens and white flowers enveloping the cake, shining in the romantic candlelight.
Guests couldn’t stop swooning over it, and for good reason, you simply could not take your eyes off this beautiful wonder. It was the perfect stamens making entrance, and led the way to even more romantic details.
The following photographs, and a few of the ones above with whiter light, were all taken by me on my older iPhone. The quality of images aren’t that great, but I had to share even more of the smaller and personal details we incorporated throughout Aqueduto, because there were so many that I just love and added so much meaning to the day. And although these photographs are a bit more blurry, more imperfect, I actually find them to have an old world antique feel about them that makes the modern and clean minimalist lines of the space with the hints of vintage stones and textures, really come together in a beautiful way. In a softness that truly captures to look and feel of Christie and Mario’s wedding day….
Rebecca Green perfectly captured our vision in Christie’s bridal shower invitations, and with the wedding invitation she completely set the mood and tone for the wedding to follow. To me, deckled edge paper is simply beautiful, an effortless looking detail that completely transforms stationery and makes it feel as if it’s from another lovely era. A softness so serene against the grey envelopes, and the gorgeous custom illustration she created for the liners of the iconic Portuguese monument of Santa Luzia in Viana do Castelo.
images via Rebecca Green Design
The lovely and old ornate cappella in Nougeira sure looked even more beautiful graced with lush green and florals, this was the first hint that guests were in for a floral wonder! Inside More of the same florals decorated the space with Roses, mini Dahlias, Lisiantus and dainty Baby’s Breath. The linen aisle runner was even handmade and embroidered by one of the bride’s family members.
Outside guests stayed refreshed with he darling refreshment vintage cart from Presente Pra Ti serving Champagne, Orange juice and waters, alongside cookies, salty treats and candy. As the ceremony wrapped up, guests grabbed their cute confetti tubes to shower the newly married couple!!
All of Christie and Mario’s custom signage were simple acrylic boards with white writing I calligraphed months before to ensure they’d arrive in time. A sleek welcome signed draped in what else but freshly snipped greens, photo booth signs, “Share the Love” reminders, signs for all the fun bars, fun favors, and to honor loved ones who will forever live in their hearts.
The seating chart was a large vintage frame with individual escort cards to match the invitations and feature a custom wax seal.
Throughout the venue, both indoor and outdoors, wherever guests could possibly sit and admire details there were lush and some of the more gorgeous flowers I’ve seen. Arranged so naturally and beautiful in an array of those vintage-like European stone urns and vessels. Everywhere you turned, the eye had something to delightful to smile about it! Not corner or detail when unnoticed…..
Oh this lovely corner in the cocktail area might be one of my favorites, you know one of the those photographs and styling were the beauty lies in the simplistic and the freshness, in the unique softness of how everything came together. The was the look of cocktail hour. The perfect blend of modern minimalist with those old world textures and shapes.
I did mention there were a few fun bars didn’t I? The groom is well known for his Caipirinhas, of course we had to have a Caipirinha bar, each drink freshly made to order! And alongside a Cigar Bar for guest to grab their cigars, pour a glass of Whiskey and sit back in a comfy “chaise” and enjoy the gorgeous afternoon…..
The Magic Mirror photo booth is one of the fun elements to the day, guests snapped their memories placed one in the guestbook and then placed theirs in a bookmark sleeve to take home. When the dance floor opened up, so came out the baskets of flip flops for all those aching feet, and even the kids had “busy bags” with candy, coloring books and fun stuff to entertain themselves with. After a long but full day, guests were served caldo verde and prego no pāo sandwiches as a late night treat, before leaving with individually boxed favors of a pretty crystal diffuser as a souvenir to bring back home with them after their travels.
These details sure capture the beauty and magic that was Christie and Mario’s wedding!
**the photos in this post were taken by Cristina of Aqueduto Eventos {first half of post} and by me personally Dreamery Events {brighter light photos at end of post}**
Planning : Dreamery Events | Venue, Catering, Flowers & Reception Styling : Aqueduto Eventos | Photography : Leandro da Silva Photography | Videography : The Amazing Rabbit | DJ, Cocktail Hour Musicians & Photobooth : N Produções | Makeup & Bride’s Hair : Red Carpet Faces | Bridesmaids’ Hair : Maria do Céu Cabeleireiros | Invitations : Rebecca Green Design | Church Refreshment Cart : Presente Pra Ti | Custom Acrylic Signs, Kids’ Busy Bags & Misc. Styling Decor : Dreamery Events | Guest Transportation Buses : Empresa de Transportes Courense | Hotel Accommodations : São Félix Hotel | Second Shooters Photography : Lounge Fotografia |
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