A Romantic Destination Wedding in The Algarve

Real Weddings

A Romantic Destination Wedding in The Algarve

Names: Emer Tracey and Philip Lewis

Length of engagement:  2.5 years

Wedding Date: 20th September 2018

Wedding location:  Vidamar Resort, Algarve

Photographer: James Hardie Photography

We met… just over 6 years ago.

Our proposal… April 2016 in the Beacon Hotel Sandyford.

Our wedding theme/colours… white décor as we had three different colour bridesmaid dresses. We also had three giant ‘Love Letter’ type decorations also provided by our fab photographers.

My dress… Ronald Joyce ‘Jenna’ customised to the way I wanted it with Crystal buttons down the back and neckline changed.

My hair and make up… Soraia from ‘Love Your Style’ and Anabela from ‘Be Bela’.

His suit… Blue suit and Ivory Waistcoat, no jacket – too hot! Bond Brothers.

What our bridal party wore… Navy Suits from Bond Brothers, Bridesmaids were in Little Mistress dresses one grey, one Lilac and one sage green.

Our ceremony… Started at 4pm, we had a blessing in the Vidamar and it was fab, plenty of happy tears.

We chose our photographer because… We just clicked! Best decision we ever made. They are so much more than just photographers to us. They helped us plan our whole wedding after our planner decided she was pulling out of the wedding! Could not have had a better photography team on the day and the photos are amazing.

We chose our venue because… Of the amazing area where the wedding was held. No moving around was so nice and relaxed and near the beach for sunset shots!

Our menu… We had a BBQ. It was fab, plenty of choices.

Our honeymoon… We spent a week on Alvor after a Week in Albufeira. Planning a trip to Vegas next year.

My favourite part of the wedding day… Every single bit! Our first dance and seeing everyone for the first time on the day. Loved the excitement and build up to the ceremony.

My piece of advice for other couples… Don’t stress the small stuff – it’s just like a big party. Don’t be nervous. It’s all friends and family!

What is it that makes your wedding unique?

We had our wedding in Portugal and we had never been to a foreign wedding. Our planner pulled out and we had to plan the wedding all over again, not a great experience. But was a blessing in disguise for sure. We are now best friends with our photographers, they really stepped up when we asked them too =). A lot of guests have told me it was the most personal feeling wedding they’ve been to and they felt part of our day!

Suppliers

Wedding venue: Vidamar Hotels and Resort, Algarve | Photographer: James Hardie Photography | Planner/coordinator: Kellie Hardie and Megan Gomes Algarve Wedding Directory Co-ordinator | Videographer: James Hardie Photography | Musician: Nicole Silver | DJ: Provided by Nicole Silver | Hair: Anabela – Be Bela | Makeup: Soraia – Love Your Style | Dress: B Couture Arklow, Ronald Joyce ‘Jenna’ | Suit: Bond Brothers | Bridesmaids dresses: Little Mistress | Groomsmen outfits: Bond Brothers | Caterer: Vidamar | Cake: Louise Hayes ‘A taste of decadence’ | Celebrant: Joao Jonas