Nestled in the serene countryside of Mafra, Portugal, Lauren and Sam’s dreamy wedding unfolded at the enchanting Quinta dos Machados. The Nashville-based couple envisioned an intimate and whimsical celebration brought to life amidst lush gardens and timeless architecture, accented by vibrant pops of color at every turn. Each detail, from the colorful floral arrangements to the thoughtfully curated tablescapes brimming with local blooms and fruits, radiated elegance and Portuguese charm. Guests enjoyed a pre-wedding pool party and later dined on local specialties under the warm glow of candlelight, seamlessly transitioning from one breathtaking setting to the next. Lauren and Sam’s day, filled with joy and grace, perfectly captured the magic of their modern romance intertwined with the historic beauty of Portugal.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
Sam and I knew each other in passing because I lived across the street from the chic oyster and cocktail bar where he worked—Sailor Oyster Bar in Annapolis, Maryland. However, it wasn’t until our mutual friend’s quinceañera for her 25th birthday—as she never got to have one when she was 15 growing up in Mexico—that we really hit it off! Sam and I were smitten immediately.
The very next day, I woke up to a text from him saying he’d love to take me out for steamed crabs and orange crushes—a Maryland tradition. We spent that afternoon with Old Bay-covered fingers, getting to know each other by the Severn River. That was in September of 2017, and we’ve shared many crab feasts together since.
Our love story spans both time and distance, starting in Annapolis and eventually bringing us to Nashville, where we’ve truly built our life together with our sweet little dog, Carl. In the time between, our love has thrived through incredible travels, countless delicious meals, a global pandemic, and even a devastating tornado. We have, quite literally, weathered every storm together.
The Proposal
In March 2023, Sam and I took a trip to London for a spontaneous little getaway. We spent our days enjoying afternoon tea, vintage shopping through Spitalfields and Shoreditch, indulging in dim sum dinners, and visiting the Warner Bros. Studio where Harry Potter was filmed.
On a quaint night in our cozy Notting Hill Airbnb, it happened! I was sorting through the Christmas ornaments I had snagged earlier that day when Sam told me I was forgetting one. I turned around to grab it from him, and there he was—with the ring! I said YES!
After the big question, we went on the sweetest little stroll around the neighborhood and popped into a local pub to celebrate. The following night, Sam surprised me by having my family join us at the very posh Bob Bob Ricard in Soho. The restaurant has the coolest ambiance, complete with a “press for champagne” button at each table. We toasted to our next big chapter with caviar and chilled vodka shots, finishing the night with the most delicious beef Wellington I’ve ever had. I returned to the States as a fiancée!
The Engagement Ring
My engagement ring actually belonged to Sam’s maternal grandmother, who was a first-generation Hungarian. The ring was made in Budapest and later passed down to his mother. It’s a stunning Art Deco diamond ring with a square setting.
When Sam brought it to Consider The Wildflowers here in Nashville to have it sized and cleaned, the team was taken aback by just how unique it is. Knowing that the ring has such a rich history makes it even more special to me.
It wasn’t easy for Sam to keep the ring a secret, though. He had his dad mail it to him hidden inside a cookbook! Sam is an avid chef and is always ordering new cookbooks to explore, so I didn’t think twice when I saw the Il Buco cookbook arrive in the mail. Little did I know, his dad had cleverly packed the ring inside with the book. So stealthy!
Our Wedding
The Vision
We dreamed of a wedding that captured the true essence of the Lisbon countryside and showcased everything that makes a wedding in Portugal so unique. Bringing two groups together, we wanted to host a few events throughout the week so our loved ones could really get to know each other and feel relaxed by the big day.
We welcomed everyone to Portugal with a happy hour event at the famous Time Out Market, where guests could choose from a wide variety of Lisbon’s best cuisine—truly something for everyone! Afterward, we took the party down to the water’s edge in Lisbon, sipping on caipirinhas and tossing back Ginjinha shots.
The day before the wedding, we hosted a big pool party at our venue, which led into a traditional Portuguese barbecue for the welcome dinner. We even had a chef making traditional Mafra bread in a wood-fired oven, dipping it into local olive oil—wow! I can literally taste it as I’m typing this.
Our Team of Vendors
It was incredibly important to us to show our guests just how special Portugal is by showcasing local vendors, cuisine, florals, and, of course, wine! I had a very distinct vision for the wedding from the beginning and knew that hiring the right vendors would be the key to bringing my dream to life.
My best friend Morgan designed all the paper products, which really set the tone for the events. The moment I met Maria of D. Amélia Flower Bar, I knew she was a kindred spirit who would take my wedding beyond my wildest dreams. My hair and makeup artist, Cati, is absolutely incredible—both in her craft and personality. She helped put me at ease and made me feel beautiful, even after a sleepless night filled with excitement.
I am endlessly impressed by our photographers, Bárbara and Tiago, who managed to make even the most camera-awkward subject (me) feel like a model. Their fashion-forward aesthetic and attention to detail won me over instantly. Our caterers delivered truly exceptional cuisine that we couldn’t get enough of! Sam and I also meticulously curated playlists for each wedding event, and our DJ team made sure to keep the energy going without missing a beat.
Of course, the one vendor our guests can’t stop raving about is our sketch artist, Ana. She created individual watercolor portraits of each guest for them to take home—a truly unique favor they’ll treasure forever!
The Location
In 2022, right in the midst of COVID, Portugal became our first trip after the travel ban was lifted. We fell head over heels in love with the country, the food, and the people. We knew immediately that Portugal would play a vital role in our love story.
Portugal is breathtaking in every single region, so deciding where to tie the knot was no easy task. Ultimately, we chose Quinta dos Machados in the magical countryside town of Mafra, just 30 minutes north of Lisbon. A few years earlier, we had attended a dear friend’s wedding at a nearby venue, and we knew this area was the perfect locale for us.
We dreamed of a venue that would feel like a private estate, where we could have the space all to ourselves while also offering amenities like a spa for our guests to enjoy massages after long travel days. Another top priority when scouting venues was ensuring there were enough rooms to accommodate all our guests on-site.
Quinta dos Machados fulfilled all our hearts’ desires! It truly felt like the most glamorous adult summer camp. To top it off, the venue came with Café, the adorable resident dog who calls QDM home—truly the most welcoming host!
The Ceremony
My vision was to transform the forest into something straight out of a fairytale. I wanted our guests to feel the enchantment and whimsy the moment they arrived. I worked closely with my florist on every detail of the design, and she truly brought my ideas to life. I shared my desire to create something authentic to my vision and different from typical ceremony florals. Together, we came up with the brilliant idea of hanging flowers from the trees to make it look as if they were floating. As I walked up the aisle with my dad to a string quartet version of “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure, I was completely awestruck. I couldn’t hold back the tears.
Our good friend Davey officiated the wedding, keeping it joyful, short, and sweet. We wanted my brother to do a reading but didn’t want anything religious or overly corny (which, as it turns out, isn’t an easy task). After some searching, we found an excerpt from Letter to Olivia Langdon by Mark Twain that deeply resonated with us—it ended up being a true highlight of the ceremony.
One of the most special touches was a last-minute addition. We had the groomsmen hand out flowers to all our guests, who then tossed them at Sam and me as we danced down the aisle together to “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone. It was such a magical moment—one we’ll relive again and again for years to come.
The Reception
We wanted our guests to mingle throughout the grounds of the Quinta, so we utilized a different area for each event. After our ceremony, we gathered all our guests for a group photo on the steps in front of the Quinta. This is one of our most cherished photos—it now hangs above our dining room table. Following the photo op, we moved to cocktail hour, which took place in the corridor between the farmhouses. Our guests sipped and snacked while Sam and I snuck off for a private moment together.
Dinner was held on the Quinta’s terrace, where the tables were overflowing with flowers, fruit, and candles. The tablescapes were one of my favorite elements to collaborate on with Maria. All of the flowers and fruits were sourced from a Quinta just down the street—such a special touch! We opted for a U-shaped table design so that everyone could feel close and connected. Dinner featured an incredible meal of Golden Sea Bass, Filet Mignon, and, of course, Portuguese varietals.
The evening flowed seamlessly as our guests made their way around the Quinta. After dinner, we moved to the pergola for our cake cutting, where Sam made things even more fun by giving our guests a playful champagne sprinkle.
We kicked off the dancing with a waltz, followed by a special father-daughter dance to “In My Life” by The Beatles—a song my dad raised me on. The dance floor was electric, with our guests absolutely shutting it down! For those who needed a break, we had a cozy area set up in the courtyard where they could relax and soak in the beauty of Portugal under the light of the full moon.
The Special Touches
My dear friend Morgan recently launched a company called Babytalk Paper, and our wedding was one of her first big projects. She designed all the custom stationery elements for our wedding, including save-the-dates, invitations, matchboxes, welcome totes, and menus! It amazes me how incredibly talented she is. Everything was printed on a risograph machine, which gave the designs such a unique and distinctive look. Morgan went above and beyond in creating these pieces and truly brought my paper dreams to life.
Our Favorite Moment
It’s hard to choose a favorite moment because every single one was pure magic. However, if we had to pick, it would have to be our first dance—a waltz to “Time After Time,” a 1940s ballad by Margaret Whiting. We first fell in love with the song while watching one of our favorite movies, Julie & Julia, where it plays as Julia and Paul Child dance in their kitchen. Funnily enough, our own kitchen is where Sam and I practiced our waltz for months leading up to the wedding. Sam, a former waltz champion at middle school cotillion, made for the perfect teacher!
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
When I was bridal shopping, my top priority was finding a dress that felt authentic to me and our wedding. I also knew I wanted a dress that would make me feel beautiful all night, without worrying about indulging in all our delicious wedding food. I tried on so many incredible gowns at The Dress Theory in Nashville, but the moment I slipped into Gloria by FLORA Bridal, I knew it was the one. Gloria is a stunning A-line ball gown with soft floral lace, a balconette-style top, and show-stopping sleeves. I completed the look with a short veil from Sara Gabriel, channeling a Julia Roberts Runaway Bride vibe (but with no running for me!). I kept my jewelry simple, wearing a classic diamond pendant that belonged to Sam’s mom, paired with golden flower earrings from Shashi.
For my second look, I chose a fun mini dress from Sachin & Babi, which paid homage to Gloria with oversized sleeves. Throughout all my looks, the one constant was my grandmother’s exquisite ring, making me feel like she was with me in every wonderful moment. I truly felt like a Portuguese princess on this day.
The Groom Looks
From the moment I said yes, Sam was determined to go bold yet classic with a burgundy suit. I made sure we worked burgundy into our color palette, which paired perfectly with the oranges, greens, and pinks I had envisioned for our wedding. He wore a custom-made Milano suit from Indochino. At the welcome dinner the night before, Sam paired my black-and-white Ciao Lucia dress with a pair of white linen pants that his dad had actually worn at his own wedding. They were a huge hit!
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
I cannot stress this enough—have fun with it! I enjoyed every moment of planning and honestly felt a bit sad when it was over. The best way I found to enjoy the process was by breaking it down and tackling a little bit at a time. For me, once we had the venue and the florist booked, everything else just fell into place.
For On The Day
One piece of advice we received from Sam’s best man was to steal just one moment away for the two of us to share our highlights of the day. It’s so important to take this moment to bask in the beauty of what will likely be one of the most incredible events of your life. Having all your loved ones gathered together to celebrate you is truly the most wonderful feeling.
For Post-Wedding
After our wedding, we spent the morning by the pool with some of our friends, recapping the events and chatting about where their travels were taking them next. It was a lovely way to unwind. Rather than heading straight to our honeymoon, we spent a day at a beautiful hotel in Ericeira, literally on the edge of the Atlantic. We took a walk down the cliff to what felt like our own private beach and just relaxed. This was exactly what we needed after all the wonderful, but busy, days of our wedding events. We highly recommend taking a pause between the wedding and honeymoon to reflect, even if it’s just a brief moment to catch your breath.
Vendors
Photography: Mémorelle
Venue: Quinta dos Machados
Florist: D. Amélia Flower Bar / Flores Quinta de Sant'Ana
Stationary: Baby Talk Paper / Risology Club
Cake & Catering: Encontrus Catering
Sketch Artist: HiSketch Events
Music: Deluxe Eventos
Hair & Makeup: Cati Beauty
Style
Bridal Dress: Flora
Second Look Dress: Sachin & Babi
Bridal Shoes: Reformation / MRTNZ
Bridal Jewelry: Shashi
Bridal Bag: Roop
Wedding Ring: Consider the Wldflwrs
Groom: Indochino
