Ultimate wedding & party destination since 2009

A happy ending to a wedding postponed due to the pandemic

October 1, 2020

Henrique proposed to Fatima in September 2019 on a surprise boat trip. At the time, they were living in different countries and Henrique had to go abroad for a few months for work, so they put off wedding planning until he returned. Then the pandemic hit, and wedding planning stopped. They thought they had to set their sights on 2022 for a wedding. A friend of theirs saw an Instagram giveaway for an elopement planned by Vera from Ideias de Veludo and encouraged them to enter. Out of the thousands of entrants, they were chosen as the lucky winners! From there, Vera and the couple set off to plan this dreamy elopement in Portugal.

Pandemic elopement

The planner, Vera, recalls her idea for the contest: “As you know, 2020 is a difficult year for everyone and wedding business is severely affected around the world, as most events were postponed or canceled. The traditional Portuguese wedding, which gathers a large number of people, is no longer compatible with this new reality.

I saw my couples heartbroken because they had to postpone their dream and despite giving them all my support and always having a friendly word, I was also sad and shaken by this whole situation. I wanted to keep planning weddings and make people happy, what could I do in the meantime? I decided to offer a real elopement, for a real couple, who had their wedding postponed, or had their plans on hold. This is the message we wanted to pass to all the couples: in difficult times, dreams can come true!

From the invites, to the fashion, to the hair and makeup and the cake, Fatima and Henrique were covered and got to live out a dreamy celebration, just the two of them.

Covid 19 Elopement Covid 19 Elopement Covid 19 Elopement Covid 19 Elopement Covid 19 Elopement Covid 19 Elopement Covid 19 Elopement Covid 19 Elopement Covid 19 Elopement

Delicate dried florals, candles, and a perfectly patina’d venue… Portas de Coimbra. Vera suggested it to the couple, after meeting them and understanding their style. It has national heritage from XVII century.

Covid 19 Elopement Covid 19 Elopement Covid 19 Elopement Pandemic elopement Pandemic elopement Pandemic elopement Pandemic elopement Pandemic elopement Pandemic elopement

Such a graceful cake!

Pandemic elopement Pandemic elopement

Dancing surrounded by the evening glow.. pure magic!

Pandemic elopement Pandemic elopement Pandemic elopement Pandemic elopement Pandemic elopement

We wish you a lifetime of love, Fatima and Henrique!

Planning and coordination: Ideias de Veludo | Decor and Styling: Bouquet de Liz | Photography: Momento Cativo | Video: João Rosa Visuals | Dress: Joana Montez | Bride’s shoes: Crème Caviar | Wedding rings: Bruna Vasconcelos Jewellery | Beauty: Jenny Make Up Land | Cake: Humor ao Lume | Celebrant: Celebrar o Amor | Music: Music Box Porto | Saxophone player: Hugo Marinheiro Sax Events