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Simply, elegant Portugal wedding: Nina + Peter

March 3, 2014
Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193

With a destination wedding, you really get the best of both worlds. You get to soak up the local culture, but also bring your own traditions and aesthetic with you. Win, win! Nina + Peter are Norway natives, but they decided to tie the knot at her family’s summer home in Portugal. So while their style is perfectly Nordic—natural, simple, and minimalistic—they made sure to give all their guests a good taste of Portugal—serving Portuguese, food, wine, and even taking a little field trip to their favorite local beach the day before the wedding. Thanks to Piteira Photography for sharing the beautiful photos with us!

Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193

Nina’s bouquet recipe: ivory avalanche roses, white hydrangeas, white and cream liseanthus, ivory cream spray roses, and white peonies.

Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193

Mismatched ‘maids never looked so good. Love.

Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193

Nina says, We have lots of olive trees in our garden, so I used those as an inspiration. My mom made the drawing of olives, and we used that as the theme on the invitations, menus, programs, and more. I just loved it!

Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193

After lots of phone calls we managed to find a great piano for the garden, and that was just the perfect detail to make it feel like a fairytale. Peter’s big brother plays beautifully and played several times during the ceremony. The ceremony was officiated by a friend of the family, my little brother (age 15) read a Norwegian poem, and my grandfather made a lovely and inspirational speech about marriage (my grandparents have been married for over 50 years, so they know what they are talking about). 

Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193

Both our families spent the last five days before the wedding in the house preparing the last details (and getting to know each other on the way). Having worked as a project manager, I quite naturally fell into that role, organizing breakfast meetings with our families and delegating the day’s tasks. I am a fan of structure, so I placed lists on the kitchen counter for everyone to tick when they had finished the task. Yes, I sound like a bridezilla, but I did it with a smile and one of the tasks on the list was always an hour by the pool!

Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193 Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193

Here’s a fun memory… The police showed up to shut down the party at 4 in the morning because of the music. Nina + Peter have a photo of her dad in his smoking slippers talking to the police! Priceless.

Simply elegant Portugal wedding | Photo by Piteira Photo | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=69193

Best wishes Nina + Peter!

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Photographer: Piteira Photography / Event Coordination & Design: Bride’s mother & Sonho a Dois / Ceremony & Reception Venue: The bride’s family’s summer house in Silves, Algarve / Hair & Makeup: Philippe Stabile / Florist: Suzannah’s Flowers / Invitation Designer: Bride’s mother made the drawing & a friend who is a graphic designer made the monogram and finishing / Cake: A local bakery / Catering & Rentals: VILA VITA Parc Resort & Spa / Bride’s Dress & Veil: Jenny Packham / Groom’s Suit: Corneliani / Shoes: Hugo Boss