![](https://www.100layercake.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ALwedding-225.jpg)
![pink blush tones and floral detailed wedding invites](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-1.jpg)
Nicole + Manny’s wedding could have possibly taken place where they got engaged, somewhere in the southern United States. They loved its charm, history and beauty, but their search quickly expanded to the Caribbean, then to Portugal. Don’t you just love how that can happen? This was his family from Portugal and hers from Romania were able to make it. Their wedding venue was obviously a beaut – Colunata Eventos, a picturesque garden on a mountain overlooking the city of Braga. And they didn’t let the venue do all the talking, oh no. The decor, florals, fashion, photography by Branco Prata… it was all just as romantic as could be.
![Maggie Sottero beaded wedding dress Maggie Sottero beaded wedding dress](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-1a.jpg)
![Maggie Sottero beaded open back wedding dress Maggie Sottero beaded open back wedding dress](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-2a.jpg)
![Hair Comes the Bride hairpiece and R.H Macy & Co. drop earrings Hair Comes the Bride hairpiece and R.H Macy & Co. drop earrings](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-1b.jpg)
![custom print cufflinks by Kristin Victoria custom print cufflinks by Kristin Victoria](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-1c.jpg)
![heart-shaped diamond ring heart-shaped diamond ring](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-1d.jpg)
![Feesk Sandals jeweled sandals Feesk Sandals jeweled sandals](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-2.jpg)
![Blush pink peonies and white dahlias bouquet Blush pink peonies and white dahlias bouquet](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-8.jpg)
![pink jewel drop earring from R.H Macy & Co. pink jewel drop earring from R.H Macy & Co.](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-9.jpg)
![Maggie Sottero beaded wedding dress and Feesk Sandals Maggie Sottero beaded wedding dress and Feesk Sandals](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-10.jpg)
![Monte do Bom Jesus, Braga, Portugal Monte do Bom Jesus, Braga, Portugal](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-11.jpg)
![outdoor Portugal garden wedding portraits outdoor Portugal garden wedding portraits](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-12.jpg)
![Blush pink peonies and white dahlias bouquet Blush pink peonies and white dahlias bouquet](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-13.jpg)
![gathered babies breath and sheer fabric accents gathered babies breath and sheer fabric accents](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-14.jpg)
![stacked books and pink and white floral arrangement stacked books and pink and white floral arrangement](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-15.jpg)
![floral printed wedding programs floral printed wedding programs](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-15a.jpg)
![outdoor terrace wedding ceremony and illustrated bird decor outdoor terrace wedding ceremony and illustrated bird decor](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-16.jpg)
![romantic outdoor wedding romantic outdoor wedding](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-16a.jpg)
We added fun to the ceremony by including non-traditional (yet meaningful!) songs in our ceremony played by a string quartet (Coro Genesis): Manny walked down the aisle to “Human” by The Killers and I walked down to “My Girl” by The Temptations. We walked back up the aisle as husband and wife to “Friday I’m In Love” by The Cure. Our first dance was to the oldie by The Flamingos “I Only Have Eyes for You”.
![outdoor terrace wedding outdoor terrace wedding](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-16b.jpg)
![vintage birdcages and brushes wedding decor vintage birdcages and brushes wedding decor](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-17.jpg)
![vintage stamps and brushes vintage stamps and brushes](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-18.jpg)
![tapered candelabra and pink and white rose floral arrangement tapered candelabra and pink and white rose floral arrangement](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-19.jpg)
![tall glass urn vase with pink, purple and green florals tall glass urn vase with pink, purple and green florals](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-22.jpg)
!["All you need is love" guest saches "All you need is love" guest saches](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-24.jpg)
![custom printed burlap sacks custom printed burlap sacks](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-25.jpg)
![custom printed burlap sacks custom printed burlap sacks](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-26.jpg)
![miniature Portuguese folk dolls miniature Portuguese folk dolls](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-27.jpg)
![hydrangea-adorned table cards hydrangea-adorned table cards](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-28.jpg)
![pale pink roses pale pink roses](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-28a.jpg)
![stacked books and hanging illustrated flora and fauna designs stacked books and hanging illustrated flora and fauna designs](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-29.jpg)
![vintage photographs and custom printed paper signage vintage photographs and custom printed paper signage](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-29a.jpg)
![illustrated flowers and pink roses illustrated flowers and pink roses](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-30.jpg)
![quirky personalized cake topper quirky personalized cake topper](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-31.jpg)
![sweet and fruity desserts sweet and fruity desserts](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-34.jpg)
![romantic first dance romantic first dance](/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Romantic-Portugal-destination-wedding-Nicole-and-Manny-33.jpg)
Nicole’s favorite memory of the night:
Walking with my dad towards the ceremony site (my dad took out his camera and was taking pictures as we were walking!) then laughing as the ring bearer tried to make a run for it with our rings, after which I look up and finally lock eyes with Manny.
Photographer: Branco Prata / Videographer: Fábio Coelho from The Amazing Rabbit / Event Coordinator & Planner: José Santos of Colunata Eventos / Hair: Rute Vigario of Hi! Hair Identity / Makeup: Rita Silva / Florist: Sofia of Branco Prata / Cake: Casa Das Natas / Catering: Colunata Eventos / Invitation designer: Brynn Rose Designs on minted.com / All You Need is Love wedding favor bags: Life is So Beautiful / Folk dolls and miniature wine carafes: souvenir store at Muzeul Satului (Bucharest, Romania) / Celebrant: Melanie Reeg / Bride’s dress: Maggie Sottero / Shoes: Feesk Sandals / Rhinestone Comb: Hair Comes the Bride / Earrings: R.H.Macy & Co. Fine Jewelry / Groom’s suit: Brooks Brothers / Shoes: Hugo Boss / Venue: Colunata Eventos