Our friends at Yes I do! Algarve Wedding Photography have done it again! They’ve shown getting married abroad is just as romantic as we all dreamt it would be. And what a dream it is; clear blue skies, deep blue sea and golden beaches, the visual melody is enough to make anyone fall in love. Our gorgeous couple this week are Hayley and Mark, who were lucky enough to have their closest friends and family with them as they said “I do” in the glorious sun.
Bride and Groom… Hayley and Mark
Wedding date… Friday 14th June 2013
We met… Working together at a music retailer. We were friends for a couple of years so knew each other quite well.
The proposal… Mark proposed in Times Square, New York City after our perfect afternoon of shopping and going on the Sex and The City Tour.
We knew we were made for each other… From day one.
Length of engagement… 3 years 3 months
How did Confetti.co.uk help in your big day? We read many articles on the site to give us inspiration and tips on planning our big day.
My dress was… Senora by Maggie Sottero. I had tried on what felt like hundreds of beautiful dresses but nothing felt quite right until this one, of course I carried on looking to make sure it was ‘the one’ and quickly realised nothing else compared to it. It wasn’t the style that I had originally thought I would choose but it was perfect for our wedding abroad. As soon as I tried it on it had my mum in tears which made it even more special.
Our bridesmaids were… My sister Carly (who travelled from Australia) and my 2 friends Natalie and Lindsay.
Our groomsmen was… Neil, who has been Marks best friend for many years.
Our wedding ceremony… Was in the private grounds of Villa D’Agua in the Algarve. Our ceremony was very intimate, with 28 of our closest family and friends,there was not a dry eye in the house when I walked down the aisle. We had a civil ceremony carried out by a Portuguese registrar and followed by a English celebrant.
Suppliers
Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Wedding Shoes: Jasper Conran at Debenhams | Wedding Suits: Burtons | Bridesmaid Dresses: Debut at Debenhams | Wedding Flowers: Strawberry Fields | Wedding Photographer: Ana and Fernando from Yes I do! Algarve Wedding Photography | Wedding Hair & Make-up: Andreia arranged though Sonho a Dois | Wedding Gift list: Debenhams | Wedding Catering: The Lake Resort
Our favourite part of the wedding was… The love and commitment that we felt for each other knowing that our vows were forever.
Our wedding photographers were… Ana and Fernando from Yes I do! Algarve Wedding Photography
Suppliers
Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Wedding Shoes: Jasper Conran at Debenhams | Wedding Suits: Burtons | Bridesmaid Dresses: Debut at Debenhams | Wedding Flowers: Strawberry Fields | Wedding Photographer: Ana and Fernando from Yes I do! Algarve Wedding Photography | Wedding Hair & Make-up: Andreia arranged though Sonho a Dois | Wedding Gift list: Debenhams | Wedding Catering: The Lake Resort
Our wedding reception was… Held at the amazing Lake Resort in Vilamoura. We fell in love with the venue when we were shown round by our wedding planners (Sonho a Dois) and the floating restaurant was the perfect setting for the group number and kept us private from other hotel guests.
Our wedding theme was… Royal blue and white
Did anything funny or unusual happen at your wedding? Our best mans chair collapsed just before he stood up to make his speech! Priceless!
Our first dance was… Lets stay together by Al Green
Our wedding was unique and special because… people had travelled so far to join us and make it so special, everyone made personal sacrifices to be there with us.
What is your advice for other brides? We didn’t have a strict budget as we had saved every penny since getting engaged and paid for as much as we could as we went along, we found that this allowed us to spread the cost much easier. Have wedding meetings between yourselves, take time out to just talk about everything and keep a wedding scrapbook, cut any ideas out of magazines. Even though the wedding was abroad we never felt stressed or out of the loop, our weddings planners Sonho a Dois and Planet Weddings were fantastic, the photographers were so patient and the 2 venues could not have been more perfect.
Our honeymoon was… In the El Dorado Casitas Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We would recommend this resort to anyone who is looking for all inclusive luxury it truly is paradise.
Suppliers
Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Wedding Shoes: Jasper Conran at Debenhams | Wedding Suits: Burtons | Bridesmaid Dresses: Debut at Debenhams | Wedding Flowers: Strawberry Fields | Wedding Photographer: Ana and Fernando from Yes I do! Algarve Wedding Photography | Wedding Hair & Make-up: Andreia arranged though Sonho a Dois | Wedding Gift list: Debenhams | Wedding Catering: The Lake Resort
Create the Look
We can’t fly you out to Portugal but we can help you create the perfect destination wedding just like Hayley and Mark’s wedding.
Above, clockwise from top left: Decorative Chalkboard with Stand | Stainless Lantern with Glass Panels | Antiqued Lace Hand Fan | Pink Feather Confetti Cones Pack
