Champagne towers replaced cake at this farm-to-table Portugal wedding

cream wedding suit

Shawna and Kevin met at bar crawl event in San Francisco after being introduced by their siblings. Before they knew it, Kevin was proposing on a sunset walk where they paused to enjoy a special lookout spot by their apartment that had an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Last summer, they took a trip to Portugal and fell in love with the natural beauty of Octant Vila Monte. It had the unique Portuguese charm they were looking for, the most amazing patio view for their reception, and a delicious farm-to-table restaurant onsite. Keep scrolling to see how they planned their beautiful event in Portugal with the help of Taelored Events Algarve and captured on camera by Jillian Margaret Photography.

minimalist wedding stationery

Classic minimalist stationery

To set the stage for their timelessly elegant wedding day vibe, Shawna and Kevin chose an invitation suite that highlighted a classic and minimalistic design from the initial invitation to the wedding day detail card.

natural glam bridal makeup

cream wedding suits wedding parasols

blue floral bridesmaid dresses

"Something blue" bridesmaids

Shawna encouraged her bridesmaids to choose their own dresses, valuing their individual styles and personalities. The dresses all blended seamlessly and beautifully! The groomsmen wore beige attire from Suit Supply to complement the warm and vibrant aesthetic of the country and blend with the overall aesthetic of the wedding day.

wedding favor parasols

white ceremony flower arrangements wedding guests parasols

applique trumpet wedding dress

Timeless elegance: Styling white florals

Shawna and Kevin chose white florals by Ely Flowers to let the true beauty of Portugal shine through, believing that the timeless elegance of white blooms would complement (rather than overshadow) the natural charm of the picturesque surroundings of the venue.

Portughese wedding venue

Naming tables after meaningful locations

The tables were named after some of the couple's favorite bars in San Francisco. Their table with the bridal party was named after the bar that they first met at: Blue Light. Shawna and Kevin wanted to use the table names as a way to celebrate all the fun times they had had with their friends and family at different places that had significant meaning to them.

rattan wedding decor

Farm-to-table with perfect wine pairings

The wedding meal at Octant Vila Monte was a culinary celebration that embraced the farm-to-table ethos. Locally-sourced ingredients, freshly harvested from the venue's farm, adorned the tables creating an array of vibrant colors and flavors. Each dish captured the essence of the region's rich culinary heritage. Guests indulged in dishes that included succulent seafood platters and aromatic roasted meats, all expertly paired with exquisite Portuguese wines.

white and cream centerpieces

Curating a wedding music experience

Music and celebration were extremely important for Shawna and Kevin. They opted for a guitarist for the ceremony (Charley Waite), as well as two DJ's (James & Diogo and Farby & DJacob) and a saxophonist (Gil Abrantes Sax) to create a dynamic and immersive musical experience reflecting the diversity of their musical tastes.

champagne tower

Replacing cake with bubbles

Who needs a cake when you have a champagne tower! Shawna and Kevin opted out of a traditional cake cutting and instead poured the champagne to celebrate their union during the reception.

golden hour wedding photos

After-the-fact advice from the bride

"Your venue sets the tone for your wedding! Choose something that will bring your friends and family together in a way that speaks true to your love with your partner."

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