“Love Rainbow” is the story of this intimate same sex wedding at Casa Cadaval. 

Two years went by since Heitor and Dale first contacted me. They found me through a dear friend of theirs and, as soon as we met, I felt I really had to photograph their wedding. Their energy was just magnetic!  Turned out we had to wait… Heitor is talkative, as any Brazilian should, easy going and the true architect of this wedding, as he planned everything to the last detail. Dale is calm,  funny and very sensitive. Together, they’re a match made in heaven!

Planning a destination wedding… 

Planning a destination wedding can be challenging, even more so when the world is closed in on itself because of a pandemic. 

The wedding  date was changed twice,  because they couldn’t envision a celebration without their loved ones. Their family and friends would have to fly over to Portugal and only in 2022 the atmosphere of fear and tension in which we all lived calmed down.

Regardless of any constraints they may have found along the way, overall, the wedding preparation was smooth and they never hesitated to reinforce they wanted me as their photographer. 

When I first arrived at Quinta da Marchanta, some of the guests were just relaxing, drinking beer, playing pool and hanging around. Heitor and Dale got ready in different bedrooms. As both rooms were only separated by a narrow corridor, making sure they didn’t see each other wasn’t exactly easy, but we made it happen.

At the venue

A warm day in Santarém in the beginning of September was everything they could’ve wished for. In Casa Cadaval, the lawned patio where the ceremony took place was absolutely gorgeous, with a blue painted sky topping it off.

The air was filled with sighs and laughter as they read their vows and exchanged the most beautiful black wedding rings. To end the ceremony, they lit a unity candle.

Diana Ross’ song “Coming Out” was the hymn chosen to celebrate their union, as they walked out the aisle, showered with rice.

It was such a colorful, joyous and happy day… a true rainbow of love! Thank you for entrusting me your dear memories!

• Venue & catering  : Casa Cadaval

• 2nd shooter: Frederico Rosa

• Lodging: Quinta da Marchanta