Nicole & Richard
Wedding at Jardim Vandelli Botanical Garden, Lisbon
destination wedding
MIXED STYLE (Documentary + Fine Art)
A romance without borders in Lisbon.
Nicole has roots in Portugal, Iran, and Canada; Richard is English. They live together in England, but the whole world packed their bags to gather in Lisbon and celebrate their love. The choice for this hyper-international destination wedding was the magnificent Vandelli Botanical Garden, an idyllic setting where exotic nature embraced the party. An adorable couple whose incredible kindness allowed us to create a visual legacy where our documentary and fine art styles flowed with total naturalness.
Elegance at Wine & Books Hotels
The morning began at Wine & Books Hotels in Lisbon, where the sophisticated décor immediately provided incredible photographic backdrops. Richard prepared surrounded by his best men. Everything unfolded with the appropriate British tranquility, allowing us to document the camaraderie and details in a light, masculine atmosphere.
Perfect Light and Laughter Among Friends
In a magnificent suite at the same hotel, Nicole got ready bathed in absolutely incredible organic light. The room overflowed with calm and good energy, punctuated by plenty of laughter. Since the hair and makeup artists are long-time friends of ours, the synergy in the room was complete. We were all perfectly at ease, which translated into pure, spontaneous images of immaculate beauty.
The “I Do” in a Botanical Oasis in the City Center
The ceremony took place outdoors, immersed in the fantastic scenery of the Vandelli Garden. Surrounded by friends and family from the four corners of the planet, the exchange of vows was experienced with wide smiles and vibrant energy. We documented the richness of this cultural crossroads without ever interfering with the dynamics and romance of the moment.
Iranian Tradition and the Knife Dance
The cocktail hour was the perfect stage to honor Nicole’s roots. The couple decided to cut the cake during this phase of the party, and what a hilarious moment it was! Following an Iranian tradition, one of the bride’s friends took charge of the knife and began to dance with it to the music. Each time she pretended to hand it to Nicole, she pulled it back with a mischievous smile, drawing loud laughter from all the guests. While the outdoors buzzed with this documentary energy, we took the opportunity to record, in the silence of the hall, the extremely elegant décor awaiting them for dinner.
Romance Waiting for the Right Moment
Respecting our rule of not “stealing” the couple from their own party, we let them enjoy the energy of the cocktail hour and their friends to the fullest. Only when the guests began to be ushered into the dining hall did we take a short, peaceful stroll with Nicole and Richard through the garden. It was the exact amount of time needed to create a series of absolutely breathtaking fine art photographs, filled with the complicity that unites them.
Tears and Laughter at the Table
The dinner was the stage for words that last a lifetime. The father of the bride’s speech left Nicole deeply moved; meanwhile, Richard’s brother took the floor and managed to make the room explode with laughter. Finally, the newlyweds themselves thanked everyone who traveled to be there with full hearts. Preserving the rawness of these tears and smiles is the true essence of our documentary photography.
The Dance Floor That “Caught Fire”
For the end of the night, the party moved inside one of the botanical garden’s stunning greenhouses. Under the glass structure, Nicole and Richard opened the dance floor with an incredibly well-rehearsed choreography that surprised all the guests. From there, the dance floor literally “caught fire” in an intense, free, and unforgettable multicultural celebration.
Testimonial
“We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding photographer! Miguel was professional, organised, easy and fun to work with, and we trusted him every step of the way. He is highly experienced and knew exactly what to do.
On the day, he struck the perfect balance between managing the schedule smoothly and blending into the background, capturing moments we didn’t even realise were happening. The photos themselves are beautiful. Every image feels natural, emotional, and beautifully composed. They truly captured the spirit of our day, the big moments, the quiet in-between glances, and all the joy.
Nuno (Miguel’s assistant and second photographer) also deserves a special mention. Super easy-going, he gladly followed the groomsmen for a fun photoshoot in a play park and rode with us in a tuk-tuk! Guests also loved the Portraits Station run by Miguel’s son. If you’re looking for someone talented, reliable, and genuinely wonderful to work with, we cannot recommend Boris the Cat highly enough.”
Nicole & Richard