Claire and David’s picture perfect destination wedding all started with one of the most romantic proposal you will ever come across. This incredible day with its picturesque blue sky and exquisite golden beach is brought to life by the talented team at Yes I Do! Algarve Wedding Photography. The beautiful pictures are guaranteed to make you all want to pack your bags and say ‘I Do’ in the sun. Enjoy!
Bride and Groom… Claire and David
Wedding date… Friday 9th August 2013
We met… On a surfing trip to the North Coast of County Antrim.
The proposal… We needed to get an ID tag for our new puppy so David got one engraved with ‘Marry Me’. On Christmas morning David brought the puppy into the bedroom. While I looked at the dog tag David got down on one knee and popped the question!
We knew it was “the one”… Probably about 5 years ago when we got our dog. At that point we knew we were for forever!
Length of engagement… 7.5 months
How did Confetti.co.uk help in your big day? I found the articles really helpful. I also enjoyed reading through the ‘real weddings’ section for inspiration.
My dress was… Linea Raffaelli from Katriona in Banbridge. I had seen the dress I originally wanted in a bridal magazine, I looked up the bridal shop that was selling it and made an appointment. When we arrived I showed the sales girl the dress I had come to try on, but she also picked out a few other dresses. The first one she held out I didn’t even want to try it on, but she somehow convinced me to do so and as soon as I looked in the mirror I fell in love with it. I later tried on the dress I had originally seen in the magazine and it looked awful on me. The sales girls really know what suits you! I paid my deposit that day and didn’t look at any other dresses. My mum and two bridesmaids came with me and we all ended up having a little cry when they saw me in it.
The wedding ceremony was… In the gardens of the boutique hotel Vivenda Miranda in Lagos, Portugal. Our ceremony was held in the cliff top gardens of the hotel, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and beach below. 28 of our closest family and friends attended and we loved the intimacy this created.
Suppliers:
Wedding Dress: Linea Raffaelli from Katriona in Banbridge | Wedding Shoes: Dune | Wedding Suits: Paul Costello | Wedding Photographer: Yes I Do! Algarve wedding photography | Wedding planner: Sonho a Dois wedding planners | Wedding Gift list: House of Fraser | Wedding Caterers: Vivenda Miranda, Lagos
The wedding reception… was held in the Vivenda Miranda. David’s mother and her friends had previously visited this hotel and thought it would be a beautiful setting for a wedding. When we got engaged we knew we wanted to go abroad to get married, so she suggested this boutique hotel. We asked our wedding planners, Sonho a Dois, about this venue and they took it from there. They were amazing and really thought of every detail for us.
Our wedding photographer was… Ana and Fernando from Yes I Do! Algarve wedding photography. They were fantastic and really couldn’t have done a better job.
Suppliers:
Wedding Dress: Linea Raffaelli from Katriona in Banbridge | Wedding Shoes: Dune | Wedding Suits: Paul Costello | Wedding Photographer: Yes I Do! Algarve wedding photography | Wedding planner: Sonho a Dois wedding planners | Wedding Gift list: House of Fraser | Wedding Caterers: Vivenda Miranda, Lagos
Our wedding colours were… Turquoise, grey and white. I didn’t really want a theme as it was such a small wedding, we just picked colours that we liked and that suited the surroundings.
Our first dance song was… I can’t help falling in love with you by Elvis Presley
Our favourite part of the wedding was… We both really enjoyed the champagne reception after the ceremony. It was held on the sun terrace of the hotel with panoramic sea views. It was a lovely way to socialise with all our friends and family for the first time as Mr and Mrs.
Our wedding unique and special because… The fact that it was a destination wedding and we were really touched that our guests were able to join us in Portugal to share our special day. We thoroughly enjoyed the week in Portugal with everyone prior to the wedding. I also handmade all of our wedding decorations and favours and feel this really made the venue personal for us.
What is your advice for other brides? Make a spreadsheet of your spending and don’t get caught up in etiquette!
Our honeymoon was… Portugal, in Praia de Luz. We wanted something low key as we were both exhausted; we had recently moved homes and were worn out after the wedding so this was perfect for us.
Suppliers:
Wedding Dress: Linea Raffaelli from Katriona in Banbridge | Wedding Shoes: Dune | Wedding Suits: Paul Costello | Wedding Photographer: Yes I Do! Algarve wedding photography | Wedding planner: Sonho a Dois wedding planners | Wedding Gift list: House of Fraser | Wedding Caterers: Vivenda Miranda, Lagos
Create the Look
Love Claire and David’s destination wedding? Then you’ll love our beach themed mood board and the mini mood board inspired by Claire and David’s wedding.
