Monica & Bryan,
Wedding at Forte da Cruz, Estoril
destination wedding
Mixed Style (Wedding Photojournalism + Fine Art)
From Canada to Estoril: a Destination Wedding where contrasts and an epic party became art.
Monica and Bryan live in Canada, but it was in Europe that they sought the perfect setting for their “I do.” They ended up falling hopelessly in love with Portugal: its people, the climate, and the gastronomy. For their big day, they chose the iconic Forte da Cruz in Estoril, a venue that captivated them with its unique architecture and exoticism. A true destination wedding with a truly memorable celebration.
Relaxation and… Chaos!
The couple got ready at a hotel in the immediate vicinity of the Fort. In Monica’s room, chaos thrived in a perfectly natural and fun way. Always with a smile on her face, Monica relaxed with a flute of champagne and her closest friends while finishing her hair and makeup. Despite a slight delay (handled with great calm!), we still had time to create incredibly elegant portraits through the hotel corridors, taking advantage of the organic light the space offered, ending in the lounge.
Marble, Light, and a… Gym Surprise
While Monica was preparing, we went to meet Bryan. The hotel kindly offered him the gym’s locker room to get ready. We confess: initially, we were skeptical. But as soon as we stepped inside, our photographic perspective shifted! The incredible natural light hitting the marble stone of the locker room provided absolutely fantastic backdrops for our fine art approach. We also took advantage of the hotel rooftop for some strong portraits of the groom, finishing with a drink at the lounge bar.
Rock, Paper, Scissors… at the Altar!
Once at Forte da Cruz, the ceremony 100% reflected the couple’s super fun personality. The most hilarious moment? Before reading the vows, Monica and Bryan played a game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors” right at the altar to decide who would speak first! The couple’s exit was equally thunderous, with a shower of confetti that was magnificent in both quantity and spectacularity.
Defying the Light…
The cocktail hour followed in a super relaxed atmosphere, lulled by the wonderful view over Tamariz Beach. Late in the afternoon, we “kidnapped” the couple for a brief photo session. Although the light was no longer in its ideal condition, our experience allowed us to navigate the challenge. We created fantastic and very elegant images, exploring both the sumptuous architecture of the palace interior and its imposing exterior.
Emotional Speeches and Fire Extinguishers on the Dance Floor
The dinner was marked by deeply emotional and hilarious speeches, with the couple genuinely grateful to all the family members who crossed the ocean to be present. But it was on the dance floor that the wedding reached its peak! A super lively crowd that didn’t leave the floor for a second. In the middle of the party, the couple surprised everyone by appearing equipped with fire extinguishers filled with drinks, “quenching the thirst” of their guests directly on the dance floor. A healthy madness that gave us unrepeatable documentary photographs!
Testimonial
“Choosing Miguel and the Boris the Cat team for our destination wedding in Portugal was the best decision we made! From the very beginning, Miguel made us feel so comfortable. We had a crazy, fun, and fast-paced day, and they captured every single moment perfectly without ever being intrusive.
They even managed to make Bryan’s prep in a gym locker room look like a high-end magazine editorial! The photos are absolutely stunning. They captured the raw emotion, the laughs, and the elegant vibe we wanted. Thank you for your incredible service!”
Monica & Bryan
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