This joy-packed destination wedding in Portugal will leave you breathless. Brennda and Laurence said yes to forever at the family-owned wine estate Quinta D. Carlos which is full of history and rustic charm. Their celebration was timeless, nature-inspired, focused on sustainability, and so downright dreamy! They opted for a nature-inspired palette of green and yellow with the floral display including sunflowers and lavender while the stationery boasted elegant illustrations of gorgeous greenery.

Brennda’s bridal look was effortlessly timeless with a glorious Rebecca Ingrim gown styled to perfection with pearl accessories. With dashing groom Laurence opting for a pastel perfect ensemble which was complemented by the bridal party style, there was a gentle hint of pastel sweetness. Their al fresco celebration included an enchanting ceremony in the orangery and a reception in the romantic courtyard. The entertainment made it a party to remember from carnival performers to a surprise DJ set by the groom himself! Liam Collard Photography captured all the spectacular style, dive into the gorgeousness below!

It was a modern-day romance for Brennda and Laurence who met on the dating app Hinge, and they instantly connected over their shared love for climbing. “After a few weeks of chatting and swapping adventure stories, we finally met for our first date in London, just after lockdown in September 2022, at a charming (though slightly dodgy) little pub in Waterloo. It was the start of something truly special!”

Laurence proposed in their back garden after a relaxed seafood BBQ. “Everything was perfect, the food, the atmosphere, and the company. Just as we finished dining, Laurence had a little stumble, and I rushed to check if he was okay. To my surprise, in that very moment, he went down on one knee and asked me to marry him! It was funny, heartfelt, and completely us! A moment full of love, laughter, and spontaneity that we’ll never forget.”

The couple enjoyed a beautuiful pre-wedding photoshoot at Dolce Campo Real Hotel. “During sunset, we strolled through the fields, captured some shots by the nearby hills, and even on the road, which made everything feel natural and relaxed. Liam and Stam also took us to a giant swing for a playful moment, and we had fun at a wooden bus stop overlooking the city lights, which added a magical touch. The images and film completely exceeded our expectations. They felt vibrant, heartfelt, and full of life, capturing our personalities perfectly. Beforehand, we were a little nervous about the shoot, but it turned out to be fun, relaxed, and full of laughter. It made us even more excited for the wedding, as we could already see how special the day would feel through the lens of our amazing photographers.”

Laurence embraced colour with a style, pastel perfection! He wore a slick pink Ted Baker suit and his accessories included a mint green tie and his groomsmen wore pale pink ties to match.

They found their florist at a local flower market who curated beautiful arrangements comprising sunflowers, lavender, thyme, and live branches. “Each element had a special meaning for us! Sunflowers symbolised happiness and warmth, lavender brought calm and a beautiful scent, thyme represented courage and connection to nature, and the live branches reflected growth and continuity. They truly understood our vision of a natural, sustainable, and timeless style. The arrangements felt vibrant and full of life… exactly the atmosphere we wanted for our day.”

Alongside vibrant confetti, they also offered their guests fans and woven hats to keep cool during the ceremony.

Brennda blew us away with her bridal look, she wore the Kailani gown by Rebecca Ingram which boasts a feminine silhouette, basque waistline, cat eye neckline with draped cowl detail, and an illusion back. “I wanted a dress that felt timeless, with a touch of Viking strength and French elegance… a blend of simplicity, grace, and character. When I found it, I instantly knew it was the one. It captured everything I had imagined and made me feel confident, beautiful, and truly myself. It was the perfect reflection of who I am and the atmosphere we wanted for the day.”

She accessorised with an elbow-length veil edged with satin, double pearl drop earrings by Lily & Roo and the Sacaria pearl-embellished satin platform heels by Jimmy Choo.

The couple wanted to get married in August as the number eight was a lucky number to get married in 2025. The 16th-century villa ticked all the boxes for them. “After visiting several venues, we instantly fell in love with Quinta D. Carlos, and the most convenient date for all our loved ones to attend was 16th August 2025, making it the perfect choice for our celebration.”

Their celebration was planned and styled by Vânia Fiúza and their ceremony took place in the lush Orangery Garden. “We even had our English Vicar travel all the way from our local church in London to officially officiate our marriage. We would highly recommend this venue! It’s truly magical and perfect for a memorable wedding,” they share.

They opted for a green and yellow colour scheme to symbolise hope, joy, and new beginnings. “These colours also reflected the natural surroundings of our venue and complemented our sustainable, nature-inspired theme. The combination of lush greens and warm yellows looked even more beautiful than we had imagined! Vibrant, elegant, and full of life.”

The newlyweds celebrated and mingled in a the cocktail reception was held in the Boxwood Garden which boasts a stunning 17th-century design with views of the beautiful verdant surroundings. Food and drinks were a huge part of our celebration! For the cocktail reception, we served a selection of ten different canapés — from shrimp cocktails to chicken skewers and more — along with a variety of cocktails, Aperol Spritz, and Super Bock beer from Portugal.”

They also 10 bottles of Icelandic hard liquor, Brennivín, each decorated with photos of our most fun friends, encouraging everyone to share the shots and create unforgettable moments.

Her bridesmaids wore graceful mix and match mint green chiffon gowns by JJ’s House and they carried single stem sunflower bouquets boasting ivory satin ribbons.

“We absolutely fell in love with the venue the moment we arrived. The scents, the views, and the atmosphere instantly captivated us. We incorporated local touches such as Quinta D. Carlos wine, sunflowers, and table decorations made from plant pots sourced at a local flower market.”

They also had a dedicated children’s corner which was a huge hit for their guests with little ones and their two-year-old daughter.

They relished the opportunity to incorporate fun and personal touches to make the celebration feel extra special and unique. “Around the venue, we had mirrors with messages like ‘Blaz Wedding 2025’, ‘Look how beautiful you are’, and ‘You look gorgeous today!’, alongside a stunning sunflower backdrop.”

They cherish their joy-filled and elegant wedding images by Liam Collard. “It was such a wonderful experience overall, and we’re so grateful for the way he captured our special day. The photos and videos are absolutely beautiful, and he truly managed to portray the emotion, joy, and atmosphere of the wedding so naturally. His creativity and warm energy made us feel comfortable and at ease throughout the process. We would happily recommend him to other couples, as his talent and eye for detail are undeniable.”

They enjoyed a three-course set menu with produce sourced from local farmers. The menu featured beef medallions and a vegan option which was perfectly complemented by white and red wine pairings.

They wanted something a little different than the classic tiered wedding cake. Their flower-dappled narrow sheet cake absolutely charmed their guests. “We went for a half-and-half cake to reflect both of our tastes: a Victoria sponge for Laurence (his favourite) and a chocolate salted caramel for me. It was beautifully decorated with edible flowers and vibrant colours, perfectly matching our natural and joyful theme. It felt personal, fun, and absolutely delicious! Just what we had envisioned!”

They advise couples to carve out time during the dinner and greet each table. “It’s such a special touch that makes every guest feel seen and appreciated. With so many people gathered to celebrate your day, taking a moment to share a smile, a hug, or a quick chat makes a huge difference. It shows your guests how much their presence means to you and makes the whole celebration feel warmer and more personal.”

Brennda’s top tip to couples planning their big day is to focus on what truly matters. “The two of you and the joy of the day. Don’t get caught up in perfection; things might not go exactly as planned, and that’s okay. Enjoy every little moment, laugh when things go off-script, and take time to pause and soak it all in together. The day goes by so fast, so be present, dance, eat, drink, and celebrate your love.”

Wedding cakes are having a true main character moment! For their cake-cutting, they used two very special knives (a steak knife from Brazil and a Viking knife from Iceland) which added a playful and meaningful touch to the moment. They kept the energy high with French champagne and they popped a few bottles to fill their champagne tower and made a grand toast before opening the dancefloor.

They treated their guests to midnight beef burgers as a fun nod to their Icelandic, English, and Brazilian roots. “Everything was flawlessly prepared by Maria Papola Catering, who captured our vision of flavour, culture, and celebration perfectly.”

When it comes to making the celebration a party to remember, they say to ensure it’s personal and fun! “Don’t stress about perfection, focus on creating moments that reflect you as a couple. Choose music that gets everyone dancing, add little surprises throughout the day, and make sure your guests feel part of the celebration. Keep the drinks flowing, the energy high, and don’t forget to enjoy every second, as it all goes by so quickly! The best party happens when everyone feels your happiness and love.”

“We’d definitely recommend investing in a great photographer and also a videographer (we didn’t have a videographer and today we wish we had)… They’re the ones who capture every emotion and memory that you’ll cherish forever. We did have a drone taking some awesome footage and we could see the gorgeous venue and all our friends from above. Also, make sure you have an amazing DJ or a band, as the music truly sets the tone for the night and keeps the energy flowing. If your budget allows, invest in good catering, drinks and entertainment. People always remember the food and the fun! And lastly, don’t underestimate the value of a beautiful venue that feels true to you as a couple. Those are the things that make the whole experience unforgettable.”

Their entertainment included “Our DJ, Samuel, kept the energy high and the dancefloor full from the very start. After midnight, our friend Adam, who’s a resident DJ in Japan, jumped on the decks for a couple of incredible sets. Then Laurence — a DJ himself — played for over an hour, mixing his favourite hip-hop, indie, and house tracks, which made the moment feel so personal and special. To top it all off, we had carnival performers from Troupe Brazil, who brought an explosion of colour, rhythm, and energy to the dancefloor — it truly took the party to another level! One of the most unique elements was our kinetic energy-powered dancefloor from Pavegen, which perfectly reflected our commitment to sustainability. It truly looked and felt just as we had imagined: natural, elegant, and full of heart.”

While they have not gone on their honeymoon yet, after the wedding they spent a week in a stunning 18th-century villa complete with a big swimming pool. It was the perfect location for sun-soaked days of relaxing, exploring the neighborhood and tucking into fresh seafood BBQs. “We were also lucky to celebrate two of our great friends’ 40th birthdays the week after the wedding, heading to a beach club in Lisbon and enjoying some fun Lisbon nightlife. After that relaxing week, we set off in our campervan to explore northern Portugal. We spent three days in the Douro Valley, two days in Porto, then crossed over to San Sebastián in Spain for a night, and ended up in Bordeaux, France. It was a fantastic road trip! The perfect balance of adventure after our peaceful post-wedding unwind. We then took the ferry back to the UK and returned to our life in London, full of memories from an unforgettable post-wedding adventure.”

Congratulations Brennda and Laurence! A very special thank you to our lovely couple and to Liam Collard Photography for sharing this incredible celebration with One Fab Day! Be sure to check out the gallery to see even more gorgeous images.

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