Keely + Josh by The Lopes Photography

We fell in love with Marqi for its laid-back, mid-century charm.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We live in East London and share a deep passion for food, whether trying new restaurants or cooking for friends. We love to travel and explore new places together. Keely is originally from California and works in healthcare, while Josh works for an animal charity (with a side passion for vintage furniture!)

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met working at the same company in London, though we have both since moved on to other roles. We started dating right as the pandemic hit, and we appreciated having so much focused time to really get to know each other. Josh was immediately drawn to Keely’s energy and humour, and Keely’s first impression was how much he cared about others (and his British accent!)

Wedding Day

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

The venues across the 3 days did most of the heavy lifting. We fell in love with Marqi for its laid-back, mid-century charm. Every corner felt beautifully curated and photogenic. The winery and tennis court at Casal Santa Maria for our welcome event had stunning views across the ocean. Colares is such a special part of the world; we love the relaxed surf culture, the way the mountains meet the sea, and how it reminds Keely of her California home.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

What we enjoyed most was working together to really showcase who we are as a couple. We loved adding playful, personal touches, like replacing a traditional wedding cake with a tower of vegan pasteis de nata from our favourite local spot, Vegan Nata. Our biggest tip would be to focus on what matters most to you and have fun!

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We had the best team of hand-picked vendors and could not recommend them more highly. Firstly, the team at Marqi were incredible, they were so helpful and really made us feel at home. It will always be our special place, and it is the amazing people there that make it so magical. Marc from Boavista Social Club gave us the vegan menu of our dreams and really showcased what plant-based food and local, natural wines can be, and all our family and friends still talk about how delicious it was! Fabio from Private Chef Portugal really took the time to understand us and had so many thoughtful suggestions and ideas that really felt like us. He and his team gave us the most incredible cocktails, mocktails, sangrias, and fresh juices, and were a joy to work with. The day was captured beautifully by our photographers, Savannah and Rui, from The Lopes Photography, and our videographer, Alex, from Alex Movies, and we couldn’t be happier. Their work brought us to tears. Pequeno Jardim created stunning florals. And finally, the day wouldn’t have happened without the support from Crowned Events (Jess and Natalie). We had unexpected rain that required a pivot from a fully outdoor wedding, and we are so grateful for Natalie (supported by Ines from R Concept), who was incredible.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Keely’s fashion focused on non-traditional, sustainable choices. Her ceremony look was from En Blanc in Santa Monica, CA, by Anna Campbell, a blush pink, textured corset and skirt sample that she can wear again. It was paired with heels from Bobbies Paris and styled with a pair of vintage gold YSL clip-on earrings. Her second dress was another sample, this time from the designer Ouma, slinky with a high neck and open back, perfect for the dancefloor. Other highlights included a vintage Valentino slip, a Tom Ford-era Gucci bag, and a jacket custom-made from a beaded blouse found in a second-hand store during her bachelorette trip. She also incorporated her grandmother’s silver frog brooch into her bouquet and wore a pair of her mum’s earrings. Josh wore a navy Jacquemus suit, vegan leather Marzeri Milano shoes, and vintage accessories, including a 1960s Omega watch from Keely and his dad.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Keely’s engagement ring is a champagne diamond in a classic emerald cut, simple but unique. Our wedding bands are sentimental. Josh wears his father’s wedding band, and Keely has a wedding band made to match her mother’s.

Day Before

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

We wanted our closest friends and family to experience what we love about Portugal, so location and food were key. Stunning, unique venues such as Marqi and Casal Santa Maria made the weekend feel special, and it was important to us to create a plant-based menu that did not compromise on flavour, which chef Marc brought to life.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

The weekend was one happy blur, but our favourite moment was our vows. We wrote our own vows, and we were married by one of our best friends. It was such a special and emotional moment to share our love in front of the people who mean the most to us.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

For us, marriage is about having someone to share life with and supporting each other’s goals. As for rituals, we plan a date night every month on the 20th!