There’s nothing we love more than photographing couples from around the world in their dream destination wedding in Portugal – and we were fortunate enough to do just that at Molly and Angus’s celebration of love at Casa Mãe Lagos.

After falling in love with Portugal on their first vacation together, the pair knew they’d tie the knot there one day. The end result was a timeless wedding weekend full of elegant florals, classic bridal fashion (we’re talking Chanel from head to toe), and delicious food and drinks. 

If you’ve been dreaming of planning a wedding as sophisticated as it is fun, keep scrolling to see why these romantic destination “I do’s” are the perfect inspiration for your big day.  

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 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 stunned in her one-shoulder, tiered Chanel dress. She paired the gown with a black birdcage veil and matching black Chanel heels to finish the look. They were the perfect accessories to elevate her wedding day look without taking away from the beauty of the dress.

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.  

Molly and Angus’s timeless destination wedding in Portugal was as romantic as it was classic. We’re so thankful to have been a part of their big day, and we hope that as you look through these photos, you’re reminded that while it may be tempting to follow trends, creating a wedding that is all about you and your partner is the most important aspect of the day. Your loved ones are there to honor you, no matter what kind of celebration you choose to host. 

Are you dreaming of having a timeless destination wedding in Portugal? If so, we’d love to help you capture it.

To learn more about our photography process, receive our price and info guide, and to begin planning your European royal inspired wedding, click the button below:

The Lopes Photography as your team of PORTUGAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS.