ANGUS & MOLLY | DESTINATION WEDDING AT CASA MÃE, LAGOS, PORTUGAL
Angus and Molly's wedding weekend took place at Casa Mãe Lagos, the property where they had taken their first trip together as a couple. The venue sits on an abandoned estate by the sea in the western Algarve and now operates as a boutique hotel. They came back to get married there. The day spanned three events: a welcome catamaran cruise along the Algarve cliffs, a garden ceremony, and a candlelit farm-to-table reception. Molly wore Chanel from head to toe. Every frame of film and every Polaroid we shot that weekend was in black and white.
An overview of the day & timeline
The day was spent at Casa Mãe Lagos, an abandoned estate by the sea turned into a dream vacation spot. It also happens to be the very spot where Molly and Angus enjoyed their vacation together. Saying “I do” in the gardens at the destination where the two furthered their relationship is just one of the many ways the couple personalized their big day.
With elegant white florals and greenery dripping off the historic walls of the estate as their backdrop, the couple exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony surrounded by their closest loved ones. Between the readings and the candle-lighting unity ceremony the two performed, the joy between the couple and their guests was palpable.
While Molly and Angus spent time with us taking portraits, their guests enjoyed music and cocktails, including the signature drinks of the evening: a passionfruit bellini, a minty port tonic, and margaritas. Meanwhile, we were capturing the beauty of both the newlyweds and the 19th-century venue.
The couple ended their night enjoying a candle-lit farm-to-table meal provided by the hotel, followed by plenty of dancing. While we could go on forever about how beautiful the reception truly was, the highlight had to be the fireworks show that the hotel manager surprised them with while they were cutting the cake. It brought Molly to tears, and we are so proud that we were there to capture the moment. It made the romantic weekend even more elevated and intentional.
The theme of the wedding
When planning their wedding, Molly and Angus wanted a timeless destination wedding in Portugal. There are so many reasons why one would have their destination wedding in Portugal.
And this is one they’ll be able to look back on in forty years and still love every single aspect. Thanks to small details like an all-white color palette, sophisticated wedding attire from both the bride and groom, and hand-crafted and poured candles made in Portugal for their guests, they achieved that and then some.
That’s why, as photographers, we made it our mission to fit their vision as much as possible. Every film or Polaroid photo we took of the evening was black-and-white, adding an element of class to their celebration.
Unique, personalized aspects of the day
Molly and Angus made sure that the celebration began before their wedding, with the welcome event taking place on a catamaran tour through the cliffs of the Algarve. It wasn’t your typical boat ride, however. There was a DJ on board, along with a bartender and canapés & sushi. It was the perfect way to welcome their guests who traveled from all over the world to celebrate their love story.
The couple’s outfits
The attire of the day fit perfectly with their timeless theme. Molly wore a one-shoulder tiered Chanel gown with a black birdcage veil and black Chanel heels. Angus wore a black and white tuxedo with a black bow tie and Tiffany and Co. cufflinks, matched by his groomsmen.
On the other hand, Angus looked sharp in a black and white tuxedo, complete with a black bow tie and Tiffany and Co. cuff links – all of which matched his groomsmen perfectly.
Casa Mãe Lagos, the catamaran on the Algarve cliffs, the garden ceremony, the fireworks during the cake cutting. A full wedding weekend, documented on digital and film by The Lopes Photography.
If you are planning a destination wedding in Portugal and want to understand how we approach a multi-day celebration, our services page covers the process in detail. To begin the conversation, reach out here.
