Sempre foi um sonho meu, fazer um vídeo de casamento no México, especialmente em Riviera Maya, e finalmente se tornou realidade. Graças a este incrível e amoroso casal, pude participar e ajudar a imortalizar esta ocasião muito especial e criar um filme de casamento único.

Depois de 3 dias de chuva forte em Riviera Maya, o sol começou a brilhar em Playa del Carmen, e como se por pedido mais elevado, as nuvens se separaram para a ocasião. Foi no exato momento em que os Xamãs pronunciaram Lina e Marcus “Marido e Esposa”, em uma Cerimônia Maia tradicional que consegui transformar em imagens impressionantes que adicionaram magnificência ao vídeo do casamento.

Amor, família, diversão, sensualidade… Areia branca, água azul-turquesa, flora verde, uma cerimônia tradicional, Riviera Maya… Estes foram os principais ingredientes para um casamento de sonho, capturado em um vídeo de casamento.

Vivi tudo com tanta intensidade que, nos 4 dias que passei no resort, em Riviera Maya, nem fui à praia. Eu simplesmente não consegui aproveitar a estadia e esquecer o incrível evento que estava prestes a acontecer. O meu foco e ansiedade continuavam crescendo toda vez que eu falava e conhecia melhor este incrível casal nos dias anteriores ao casamento.

Entre esses belos cenários tropicais, é fácil encontrar inspiração. As areias brancas da praia, as águas cristalinas, as palmeiras … Riviera Maya era de fato um local que oferecia lindas imagens em todos os lugares que eu olhava.

Então, no dia anterior ao casamento, decidi fazer uma sessão de video para incluir essas jóias naturais no vídeo do casamento. E a localização escolhida foram os famosos cenotes em Riviera Maya – sumidouros naturais que revelam piscinas subterrâneas secretas. Um cenário único que produziu imagens únicas, e permitiu um momento de proximidade e tranquilidade entre a noiva e o noivo, tão puro e real. E as imagens aéreas que eu adicionei ao vídeo do casamento foram absolutamente de tirar o fôlego.

Depois de decidirem ter a sua cerimônia de casamento em Riviera Maya, Lina e Marcus escolheram celebrar o início de sua nova vida juntos em uma hipnotizante cerimônia maia tradicional. Celebrada em Playa del Carmen pela Espiritualidade Riviera Maya, esta bela cerimónia maia pré-hispânica, interpretada em linguagem maia, por um nativo xamã maia, conferiu um sentimento incrível a todos que a testemunharam. O Xamã pediu permissão para os Elementos e todas as Energias, e selou sua ligação com os quatro cantos universais. A cerimônia foi preenchida com penas, pinturas corporais tradicionais e cores brilhantes: azuis, verdes, vermelhos … Ao som dos tambores, enquanto se abraçavam, a união do casal foi abençoada em uma chuva de pétalas, que representam a linguagem secreta do amor.

Cada detalhe importava, e todos trabalhavam duro para tornar este casamento muito especial. A produção e o design do casamento, só possível graças ao trabalho incrível da organizadora de casamentos de Bodas Destino Latino America, Carmen Laborin, foram maravilhosamente capturados pelas fotos da Del Sol Photography, e eu pude montar um vídeo de casamento que eu posso estar realmente orgulhoso e isso certamente me faz querer voltar a Riviera Maya.

O vídeo do casamento eu dei o título de “My Cleopatra”, em parte por causa dos apelidos do casal, mas principalmente porque foi épico! As flores de luxo e a decoração da Blossom Cancun ajudaram a definir a cena, e fizeram Cleópatra brilhar como uma verdadeira rainha, enquanto o cabelo e a maquilhagem de Sara Tamargo a fizeram parecer ainda mais excepcional. O Make up da noiva foi feito especialmente por sua melhor amiga, Vilomena Saunders.

Este vídeo de casamento retrata um casamento de destino cheio de beleza e surpresas! E como Marcus disse, não havia amigos naquele casamento, eles eram todos da família.

Então, na maior surpresa do dia, o noivo mandou a noiva parar e esperar, enquanto caminhava na direção dele. Foi uma surpresa que apenas eu, o noivo e o organizador de casamentos sabíamos. Não havia como ele deixá-la andar sozinha pelo corredor. Ele secretamente providenciou algo que ela achava que não seria possível: seu irmão Gustavo estava lá para acompanhá-la até o altar – porque ele sabia o quanto era importante para ela, mas também como a família era a coisa mais importante a ter em um casamento.

Este vídeo de casamento, assim como este casamento, foi sobre os sentimentos que juntou essas duas pessoas incríveis juntas, sobre amor, sobre família. Então eu tive que incluir as palavras profundamente sinceras que foram trocadas, tão sinceras, tão simples, mas tão intensas. Para acrescentar a essas palavras e sentimentos, durante a recepção, graciosamente fornecida pela Mejores Eventos, de Milo Pinelo, um discurso emotivo do irmão da noiva deu as boas-vindas ao noivo na família, o irmão que ele nunca teve.

Depois que essa parte especial e emocional do casamento estava completa, era hora de festejar! E festa é o que eles fizeram! É impossível não querer participar às cenas de dança do vídeo do casamento, na deslumbrante tenda da Eventos e Carpas del Caribe, no coração de Riviera Maya. Omar Show Systems manteve a música sempre top, sempre definindo o ritmo certo e o bom humor.

Este casal é absolutamente incrível, e foi uma honra ter conhecido pessoas tão bonitas. Marcus tem um coração de ouro, e ainda hoje, ele me escreve para agradecer pelo vídeo de casamento fantástico na sonhadora Riviera Maya. Ele até me convidou para visitá-los em Miami, porque, como ele sempre diz, daquele dia em diante eu me tornei parte da família.

Então, obviamente, depois de trabalhar com esse casal, ao lado dessas equipes incríveis, e em uma cerimônia de casamento tão mágica, eu adoraria voltar a fazer outro vídeo de casamento em Riviera Maya, no México.

Então, Lina e Marcus, cuidem de seus corações, suas idéias e seus sonhos.

Obrigado deus!

Obrigado Carmen Laborin de Bodas Destino Latino America!

Obrigado Lina e Marcus!

ANDREIA & RICARDO

CASA DA PRAIA | ANDREIA & RICARDO

“Ela é o amor da minha vida”, disse Ricardo enquanto me contava a sua história de amor com a Andreia. Uma história nascida com notas musicais e acordes, embalados pelas ondas do mar português. Foi o amor da música que os uniu quando se encontraram no Luxemburgo, sua nova casa. Mas foi outro amor, o amor pelo mar do seu país Portugal que selou uma relação que tinha tudo para ser perfeito. A história deles é uma daquelas histórias que é imediatamente traduzida em imagens na mente de um cinegrafista de casamento – minha mente – muito naturalmente. Essas imagens são cheias de emoção e verdade, e me deixaram ansioso por aquele dia, para dar cor e dar forma a cada cena criada para eles.

Quando Ricardo me contou como nos pediu a Andreia em casamento, eu percebi que seus amigos tinham que ser uma grande parte do dia do casamento deles. Foi na presença deles, na Praça do Comércio, em Lisboa, que Ricardo disse a Andreia que não poderia viver sem ela – e Andreia disse que sim.

Então comecei a imaginar a cena. Imaginei mil imagens, cheias de emoção, sentimentos e lembranças. Quando chegou o dia do casamento, eu não estava enganado, pois era tudo sobre seus amigos, seu amor e o mar. Lá estava eu ??com minha câmera, minha cúmplice silenciosa, naquele começo incomum de um casamento, tão especial e diferente, como seriam as imagens criadas.

Surf antes de um casamento: absolutamente surpreendente e magnífico. Eu sou um videografo Português que é contratado para o mar, para o mesmo mar Português, mas eu tenho que admitir que essa experiência foi diferente e surpreendente. Foi incrível ver o noivo com os seus amigos, surfando nas ondas da Figueira da Foz, relaxando as suas mentes, aproveitando cada minuto, abraçando o melhor que a vida tem para oferecer. As imagens eram diferentes e especiais. Imagens únicas em sucessão, que mostraram uma conexão entre o casal que era quase palpável. Mas o dia estava apenas começando.

Um local à beira-mar, o seu mar, a “Casa da Praia”, na Figueira da Foz, foi o local privilegiado escolhido para o dia do seu casamento em Portugal, o único local que encantou este casal. Também foi bastante original o design do vestido de noiva, de “Justin Alexander” (de Merry me Noivas, Coimbra) escolhido por Andreia. Simplesmente magnífico. E os melhores acessórios que qualquer noiva pode usar são sua alegria, seus sonhos e expectativas, e Andreia simplesmente os exalava. Ela exalava a vida. Imagens cheias de vida se refletiam em seu sorriso, em seu desejo e em seu olhar, como se o mar estivesse pintado em seus olhos.

Ricardo estava sempre rodeado pelos seus amigos que, como este casal, vivem no Luxemburgo, mas mantêm as suas raízes e os seus corações em Portugal. Aqueles amigos que viajaram de longe sem hesitar em estar ao lado de Andreia e Ricardo, como sempre foram e sempre serão. E consegui captar essa amizade forte e bonita com a minha câmera, enquanto criava imagens divertidas de momentos inesquecíveis, nos quais as palavras amizade e família certamente se tornavam uma só. Mais uma vez – e não pela última vez – me senti incrivelmente afortunado e orgulhoso por ser o videografo de casamento da Andreia e Ricardo, e poder compartilhar esse dia tão especial em suas vidas, que é tão intenso e tem tanto significado e verdade. Foi um casal lindo em um lugar bonito que me permitiu criar um video de casamento incrível para eles, que durará para sempre.

Mas havia muitas outras surpresas por vir, graças a esse casal cheio de espontaneidade, com uma mente e um modo de vida livres, mas o mais importante, que se importavam profundamente um com o outro. Mais uma vez, seus amigos surpreenderam e emocionaram profundamente a todos. Como se estivessem acompanhando uma princesa de um conto de fadas contemporâneo, seus amigos foram de vespas e abriram caminho para a “Casa da Praia”, um caminho para a noiva e o noivo caminharem juntos, tendo o oceano como pano de fundo. Tudo era único e perfeito. E as imagens criadas foram muito surpreendentes, retratando momentos especiais espontâneos. O casal e todos os seus convidados ficaram impressionados com a emoção, mas também animados para se divertir. E isso, claro, também me permitiu criar muitas cenas realmente divertidas.

E falando em diversão, ninguém pode esquecer a incrível chegada da noiva. Uma noiva sorridente e alegre, ansiosa por liberar suas emoções. Nossa experiência como videografos nos concede um instinto especial para esses momentos, observando o que seus corpos e rostos nos dizem. Então eu sabia o que estava prestes a acontecer e fiquei atento. No entanto, Andreia ainda conseguiu surpreender a mim e a todos os outros, com um dos mais belos e espontâneos gestos que eu já vi em um casamento. Quando ela chegou ao altar, ela beijou os lábios do noivo, quebrando uma das regras mais importantes: você pode beijar a noiva, mas só depois de se casar. No entanto, para este casal as regras não se aplicam, pois não há regras para aqueles que começam o dia do casamento com ondas e sorrisos, em vez de nervos e stress; sem regras para aqueles que viajaram milhas para comemorar o dia do casamento.

As I have mentioned many times before, I absolutely love making wedding videos of destination weddings. And regardless of how many destination wedding videos I get to make, it’s always very surprising for me to find out where the next destination will be. In my opinion and personal experience, a destination wedding video not only shows a bit more about the couples personality and taste, because the place they choose for their wedding is a reflection of their love story and of how they wish to celebrate it, but it also allows me to travel to new places and really explore my creativity. Thanks to these types of weddings, not only do I get the amazing chance to visit new places, but I can also create something very unique and special for the bride and groom, in a place they consider truly special and that will be lovingly remembered by them forever.

This wedding was no exception, since Manuela and Franco chose to have their big day in the beautiful Palma de Mallorca, a jaw-dropping destination wedding location where I had the pleasure of creating a stunning wedding video. A postcard-like destination that was just perfect whether to celebrate this magical day on an idyllic beach, a lavish villa, a rustic finca or a luxury hotel. The island’s rock formations outline the coast with large cliffs and small coves, which offered quite impressive views from that coast, which made an impressive setting for an impressive wedding day.

This Swiss couple decided to exchange their wedding vows in front of family and friends on the island of their dreams – under the Balearic sun, with exotic weather, sublime beaches, picture perfect settings and extraordinary historical architecture. So, the title of this video had to be “Island of our dreams”. A magical island that has certainly left a lasting impression that was now captured in their wedding video forever.

The island offers a huge range of special wedding venues, so it is possible to find the ideal location to have a truly magical destination wedding. Everything a couple might need to make their wedding day a very special day can be easily found: a chef, an event organizer, all kinds of wedding venues, and a great variety of wedding related shops. And of course my job, as the wedding videographer, is obviously to help eternalize the most important day of the lives of the bride and groom.

Marrying abroad is fast becoming the big dream of many couples, which is now a lot easier to achieve, especially in this Spanish island that truly meets all the requirements when it comes to destination weddings.

So Manuela and Franco decided to celebrate their big day in a very romantic beach front location at sundown, in a glamorous and exquisite venue that created a very special and memorable day for everyone involved.

The weather was absolutely fantastic that month of August, really warm and sunny, and everyone’s mood was absolutely extraordinary. In a truly stunning location and unique setting, this couple celebrated their wedding day among their family and friends. In a delicately harmonious union between nature and architecture, the chosen venue by Manuela and Franco, which was right by the sea, was surrounded by palm trees that contrasted beautifully with the breathtaking views of nearby mountains in the background and stunning ancient ruins. And all these natural and man-made elements combined offered a spectacular backdrop for this wedding video.

In a striking white mermaid dress with a beautiful fit and flare look and bottom completely covered in ruffle accents, while waving an exquisite white lace hand fan back and forth, in order to create a cool breeze in a warm summer day, this bride really looked like a true Spanish beauty. Standing on a rock with her arms open wide while holding her white shawl, it looked as if she was welcoming the special day that was about to begin and the new life that was going to start afterwards. Every detail had to be just perfect, from her hair and makeup, to her accessories, and most importantly, the glint in her eyes and the love in her smile. The groom was also very elegant, in an exquisite dark suite, and ready to embark on one of the most important voyages of his life, as was clear by the way he held his bride in his arms, overlooking the sea that stretched in front of them.

While walking together among the tumbled stones into which the waves crashed delicately, Manuela and Franco held hands, as they certainly will for the rest of their lives together. It was a very simple but greatly symbolic gesture that made this a very authentic moment for them, and a really special image I had to include in their wedding video.

But I also had to capture and include in this wedding video the very intimate moment when they professed their love, just the two of them, in a gorgeous cliff top bandstand overlooking the beautiful turquoise sea. That was also the special place where they later on shared smiles, laughter, as well as tears of joy and emotion, as they finally became husband and wife. The most beautiful day of their lives was celebrated above those cliffs in that marvelous setting above the sea, in an intimate and absolutely charming atmosphere.

The wedding ceremony was completed with yet another gorgeous addition to their big day, as white and pink balloons were released to fly away in celebration of this couple’s union, filling the sky with color. This particular venue had exclusive access to a beautiful secluded beach, hidden between the rocks and cliffs, which allowed complete privacy and made the bride and groom feel as though they were close to paradise. It was indeed a paradise-like venue, which also delighted their family and friends and provided a fantastic environment for the ceremony and party of this splendid destination wedding. A fabulous venue, with lots of character, that allowed everyone to enjoy themselves, relax, enjoy the lovely island, have fun and eat great food, while celebrating such a special occasion. Its spectacular terrace overlooking the bay were the ceremony and party took place was beautifully complemented by the luxurious seaside views, and it was quite clear the meticulous attention to detail that was had throughout the entire place and service. All this was remarkably seasoned with the best warm Spanish hospitality, in one of the most stunning locations that can be found on the island.

So, in a very romantic candlelit dinner outdoors, which was even more agreeable thanks to the excellent warm weather the island offered us all that day, everyone had the pleasure of indulging in an abundance of fabulous food and quality wine.

Dinner was then followed by long hours of dancing under the stars.

At night, with the dark blue skies as the perfect contrasting background, there was another fantastic surprise for all guests – a memorable show created by a fire artist, in a choreographed performance of fire effects, with its constant movement that almost appeared to be alive.

Warm weather, by the sea, eating, dining and dancing all night long – a brilliant choice for an outstanding destination wedding.

The most important day for love is the wedding day between two people deeply in love in a very romantic location, special to them in every way. And I was able to immortalize this very special day for the bride and groom, their family and friends, and make it an unforgettable experience on one of the most beautiful and romantic places, the coast lines of Mallorca.

The growing popularity of weddings on this Spanish island means that there are many places that cater specifically for every size and style of wedding parties, and that deal with absolutely every aspect of the big day, in order to help couples and their guests really relax, have fun and enjoy themselves on this special day, as was the case with this wedding.

I have to admit that, for me, it is always a great pleasure to help capture all the places, experiences and details chosen for that day, because this is more than just a job, it is truly a passion.

And this destination wedding was an absolutely fantastic experience for me, and I felt very welcomed by all throughout the whole stay.

Making the video of a destination wedding means that I get to spend a lot more time with the couple and their guests than in any local wedding. So I was amazed by the way everyone at this wedding treated me during the entire time. That has obviously helped me to create a lovely destination wedding video, because it made me feel as if I was really part of the whole experience as well.

Everything about this wedding had to be very special, and since the island already provided the perfect scenery for this couple – the scenery of their dreams – I had to do my very best to convey all of those special moments in a beautiful and deeply emotional wedding video, the perfect wedding video for them.

Geraldine and Nuno’s destination wedding – Algarve

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: I love making wedding videos of destination weddings. There are many reasons for it, but mainly, I love it because every destination wedding is special in its own way. And to be able to create a destination wedding video in my own beautiful country is obviously an even bigger pleasure for me. Geraldine and Nuno’s choice for their destination wedding was the Portuguese region of Algarve, which is known for its beautiful beaches, wild and untouched, where nature is at its purest state. This bride and groom where absolutely amazing people who I had the absolute pleasure of meeting in Luxembourg, while I was at a friend’s wedding. The dream of marrying abroad, under the warm sun and clear blue skies, near gold beaches and cliff tops, is now becoming a reality for many brides and grooms. And this couple decided to get married in Portugal, the groom’s country of birth, and near the sea views of Algarve, a magical place where they both had a wedding experience that was just perfect for the two of them.

This destination wedding was celebrated among friends and family, and in this glorious day, Geraldine and Nuno were able to turn their dream of a life together into a reality.

The chosen place for this ceremony was Senhora da Rocha, located in Porches, Algarve, which has throughout the years become a popular location for weddings, especially destination weddings.

The picturesque chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha, a 15th century Portuguese chapel located in one of the nicest and most beautiful parts of the so-called Rocky Algarve, was strikingly framed by outstanding beaches, and provided a lovely and romantic cliff top ceremony. This small, but charming chapel, which was built on a promontory that extends from the mainland into the sea, is so unquestionably picture perfect that it looks like it could be part of a film set. Gold and bronze rocks beneath it, the small white chapel on top, and as far as the eye can see, the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. It is truly a setting for fairy-tale-style weddings. The ancient port is placed in a rocky spot over the sea. Local legend has it that this place is related to an apparition of the Virgin. Historically, it is reported that the construction of the fort was ordered by King John III to defend the beach against Moorish attacks. Apart from being an absolutely exquisite location, rich with history and legend, there is also a small shrine to Our Lady, where fisherman’s wives used to light a candle to safeguard their husband’s treacherous journey at sea. It is a very magical place indeed, a special place of true devotion and love.

So the title chosen for this destination wedding video was “A special day in a special place – Algarve”.

It was a glorious day, sunny and very warm. This provided the perfect day, but also the perfect background for the wedding video. We were able to capture some amazing images of the bride and groom at the beach, walking together through the tunnel that leads right to the gorgeous beach, as well as near the astonishing rocks that surfaced from the water, in precious displays of their love. A clear blue water into which they fell while holding hands, as proof of how they intended to live their new lives together: walking, falling, taking a plunge into the unknown, always together, always hand in hand.

This beautiful beach has also allowed us to capture many images of the couple in each other arms, a true testament of their feelings for each other.

In a luxurious white lace dress, with a flower covered bodice, and a tulle overlay and veil that moved with her every move, this bride was also captured in amazing images for this video, walking alone in the beautiful landscapes of Algarve, plunging into the crystal clear waters, and sharing loving moments with her groom.

But it wasn’t just about the ceremony and the party. The bride and groom, together with their wedding guests, also enjoyed a catamaran ride in the beautiful Algarve waters, and admired the dramatic coastline on board a relaxing cruise, as they allowed the breathtaking scenery to unfold before their eyes. The bride also enjoyed a private and special moment before the ceremony with her wedding party, relaxing and sipping champagne while overlooking the superb beach that laid ahead right in front of the hotel.

The planning for this destination wedding was made by a local company named Algarve Wedding Planners, which made an amazing job at this wedding. Everything was very well decorated, with a lot of original ideas. It was very well organized by a pleasant team with great experience in weddings. This team was able to advise the couple with the best and most professional options that were available to them. With great attention to detail, their main concern and focus of this devoted team was to make the wishes and dreams of this couple come true, and to make everything absolutely perfect for their big day. They really helped to create a full-on fairytale wedding, and allowed the bride and groom to relax and simply enjoy a very emotional and beautiful sunny day with their loved ones! With this much soul, and with this much passion that I also share for weddings, it was a pleasure to work with this team and to make Geraldine and Nuno’s wedding a very special wedding indeed.

One of the most amazing moments of this wedding was definitely the moment that depicted Nuno’s love and connection with his son. During the wedding ceremony, Nuno gave his son Diego two necklaces – one with a puzzle that had a missing piece and the inscription “Diego, my missing piece”, and the other one with said missing piece. He then went on to explain that his son would always be the missing piece in his life, whenever they were not together. This was proof that the relationship between Nuno and his son Diego was truly exceptional. The little man was such a big part of this wedding day that it had to be a big part of the wedding video as well. Dressed exactly like his father, Diego shared several moments alone with Nuno that were just theirs, and that showed their connection. But this amazing new family also shared something that I had to include in this wedding video – the beautiful moment of just the three of them together, in a pure and truthful display of their love, holding and kissing each other in a perfect hug.

The fact that Geraldine learned a few Portuguese words, or better yet, part of her wedding vows, to better convey her feelings, and to profess her love to Nuno in his native language, was also a truly incredible touch to an already incredible day that was obviously a very emotional moment for Nuno. “I love you with all my heart” brought tears of joy and emotion to Nuno’s eyes conveying just how important this was to him. A little touch, a small detail that spoke volumes. As he said in his vows, this queen was missing a king, and that king was him.

This was quite a different party, let me just say, as it was a true Portuguese style party. Our traditional weddings are filled with lots of eating, lots of drinking, and lots of dancing all night long, right until dawn, and this wedding followed that tradition to the letter.

The entire ceremony was filled with lots of mixed emotions: love, happiness, joy, but also lots of laughter. Especially, since, during the ceremony, two crew members with the bride and groom’s initials beautifully pinned on their shirt pockets provided a very professional demonstration on how to place safety vests, as well as thorough information on safety aboard.

Everyone’s speeches were very emotional and heartfelt, the sceneries were astonishingly beautiful, and the guests, either friends or family, were a great part of this amazing day for this amazing bride and groom. And to make sure it was known that this couple was now together in a bond as strong as their love, an airplane flew by with the message: “Just married Geraldine and Nuno”, another little but very special touch that I had to include in the wedding video.

All of their guests were delighted to be a part of this day, and to travel abroad to share this unique and extraordinary moment with this extraordinary couple.

To be able to create a destination wedding video in such a beautiful place obviously makes my job a lot easier and enjoyable. This couple shared such a genuine and beautiful connection that it was easy to capture it in a wedding video. And I have to admit that it not only makes the wedding video more genuine and authentic, but it also allows me to be more creative when I show such a warm relationship in the video I make.

The couple, their family and their friends, who travelled to Portugal to share their vows, also shared many laughs, many emotions, many glistening and heartfelt tears of joy. With the beautiful Mediterranean Sea as their background, the historical fort as their stage, and their loved ones as their audience, Geraldine and Nuno immortalized their love, and I immortalized this moment in a truly beautiful and authentic destination wedding video.