A Sentimental Two-Ceremony Wedding Woven with Vintage Fashion and Heirloom Charm

A wedding in two acts – from an intimate chapel ceremony to a grand romance-infused soirée

Angelica and Pio’s wedding was an exquisitely choreographed two-act celebration, where intimacy met grandeur and every detail told a family story. The couple began their wedding day with a deeply personal religious ceremony in a tiny chapel tucked away on a family farm. With only 65 of their closest family members and bridal party, the morning had the fresh, sun-drenched simplicity of the countryside. As day turned to night, however, the celebration expanded, seamlessly transforming into a romantic candlelit soirée for 280 guests. Under a canopy of heirloom charm, Angelica and Pio renewed their vows in a heartfelt second ceremony, surrounded by the kind of beauty that only legacy can create. A vision of timeless style, Angelica wore vintage Vera Wang gowns paired with iconic Manolo Blahnik heels – an effortlessly chic nod to modern bridal elegance with roots in tradition.

A Sentimental Two-Ceremony Wedding Woven with Vintage Fashion and Heirloom Charm

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

Pio and I met back in middle school when we were 13. We became best friends, and only two years later did we share our first kiss—which, by the way, was my very first kiss ever.

^{The Proposal}

Pio is an Aries, so of course it couldn’t be anything ordinary, haha. As a true Pisces, I always pictured something cozy at home on a lazy Sunday morning, complete with breakfast in bed, but nope. He proposed on a random Friday afternoon right after lunch. We’d eaten quickly because we needed to catch a flight to our hometown. Pio got up from the table saying he had to pack; I thought, “Perfect, I should hurry too.” Then he called me, saying our dog Choco had done something in my closet. I rushed in, only to find the ring box on my desk with a handwritten proposal beside it. I almost had a heart attack. Naturally, we missed the flight but managed to catch the next one.

^{The Engagement Ring}

This part was just as unexpected. I adore all things vintage, so I’d always imagined a ring with that “old-school” vibe and never pictured it coming from Tiffany. When I saw the iconic aqua-blue box, I was stunned—and even more so when I opened it and discovered the Tiffany® Setting. It felt unique, beautiful, and somehow so us. Later, I learned it was the very first engagement-ring design ever created by Tiffany, which made it even more special.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

From the very beginning, we wanted something that felt unmistakably us and reflected our story, so choosing the right setting was crucial. Once we settled on my parents’ home, everything else flowed more easily. In Brazil, though, you can’t hold a religious ceremony at a private residence—it must take place in a church—and we didn’t want to spend our big day shuttling between two different venues. We also hoped to feel closely connected to the church itself.

That’s why we planned two ceremonies: an intimate religious service during the day in the little church where I was baptized, on my maternal family’s farm, with only our families and wedding party (65 guests); and a larger celebration at my parents’ house for 280 guests at night.
Basically, it was also an excuse to celebrate our 10+ years together over two separate days, to be the bride in a daytime version and a nighttime version, and, of course, to wear even more dresses.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

Our vendor team was thoughtfully curated: half of the suppliers came from São Paulo, where I live now, and the other half from Londrina, my hometown. I feel we truly got the best of both worlds—professionals I already trusted and had worked with before, and people I admire who share both my story and aesthetic vision.

^{The Location}

As I mentioned earlier, we held the weddings at two very personal places: my maternal family’s farm and my parents’ home. Choosing these venues was key to creating an atmosphere that felt intimate, authentic, and truly unique.

A Sentimental Two-Ceremony Wedding Woven with Vintage Fashion and Heirloom Charm

^{The Ceremony}

It was the most beautiful moment imaginable: a tiny chapel, an intimate Catholic Mass, and only the people we love most gathered around us. The atmosphere felt warm, personal, and unforgettable. For our second celebration, the very same priest returned to officiate a heartfelt vow-renewal ceremony.

^{The Cocktail Hour}

At our first wedding, while we were having our photos taken, our guests were served champagne, beer, and almonds as they left the church. As soon as we were done, we made our entrance, cut our cake, and toasted with our parents—it was such a fun moment!

At the second wedding, right after the ceremony, we walked in to our favorite song, “Just the Two of Us,” danced our waltz, and toasted with our parents while the DJ started playing. Two hours later, I changed dresses (my gown was nearly 100 years old), and we made a second entrance to “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” The party lasted until six in the morning. At both weddings, we had live music during the ceremonies.

A Sentimental Two-Ceremony Wedding Woven with Vintage Fashion and Heirloom Charm

^{The Reception}

At the first wedding, right after the cocktail hour, we served a wonderful lunch at one long communal table, and then the DJ started to play. We started dancing and didn’t stop until the very end of the party!

For the second wedding, we opted for roaming dinner service, plus a buffet table for anyone who wanted another helping. The vibe was just as dance-forward: only the older guests had assigned seats at regular tables, while everyone else mingled around high bistro tables and in lounge areas.

A Sentimental Two-Ceremony Wedding Woven with Vintage Fashion and Heirloom Charm

^{The Special Touches}

At our first wedding, what really gave it a special touch was that the whole celebration was inspired by daisies and wildflowers—perfectly in tune with the venue we chose. We kept the house and surrounding space almost exactly as they were, simply adding flowers and making small tweaks so everything felt cohesive and harmonious. In this way, we preserved the place’s story, and I believe we captured its beauty with delicacy and authenticity. We used my family’s table linens, and most of the décor was a mix of heirloom pieces—an ingredient that, in my view, made everything feel truly unique and memorable.

For the second wedding, we kept the same idea of preserving the house’s personality, using the family’s heirloom plates, silverware, and decorative pieces. Our goal was to welcome guests as if they were in our own home (as they actually were), creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The standout feature was undoubtedly the fabric wall that served as the backdrop for both the ceremony and the dance floor. It was the perfect ingredient to foster that sense of coziness while retaining the house’s identity and adding a festive aura to the space.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

I believe the most special moment was the ceremony of our first wedding. The energy in that little church, surrounded by the people we love most, was truly unforgettable.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

The story behind my dresses was truly fascinating. Just two weeks after I got engaged, I created a Pinterest board of references, starting with a pure-silk Dior gown Kate Moss wore years ago, and I noticed most of my pins echoed 1930s brides. My initial plan was to have a dress made, because I didn’t think wearing a genuine vintage gown would be feasible—until I stumbled upon a piece that was even better than my reference. I visited the site to save more photos and found out it was for sale in my size. Boom!—two weeks after getting engaged, I’d found my main dress. Unbelievable!

That discovery opened my mind to vintage. I kept searching and found Happy Isles, a boutique with locations in Los Angeles and New York, where I tried on vintage gowns for the first ceremony. On the third or fourth dress, I slipped into a Vera Wang that made me cry on the spot: it reminded me of the dress I wore to my kindergarten graduation and felt perfect for the occasion. Next, I found my dress for the second wedding—a 1990s, body-skimming, minimalist Vera Wang—to which I added bows inspired by a vintage Dior gown from my Pinterest folder. I also sketched, with my tailor, a veil for the first dress: covered in tiny bows like the gown itself, it attached at the back and framed my head with beautiful volume.

For the dance floor at the first wedding, I chose another dress inspired by Sharon Tate’s wedding gown—long-sleeved and perfect for the cool evening. As for shoes, I paired the first dress with vintage Carolyne 70 Manolo Blahnik lace-flower pumps; with the second dress, I wore Sandy Liang ballet flats; and at the second wedding, I chose a classic pair of Hangisi 90 Manolo Blahniks, complemented by family jewelry and a delicate netted voilette as my veil.

^{The Groom Looks}

At our first wedding, my husband wore a classic three-piece suit with a gray waistcoat that had a vintage feel, a blue tie, and wonderful black shoes. For the second celebration, he opted for a full tuxedo with cufflinks and a bow tie—absolutely stunning! At both ceremonies, he wore a vintage watch that his grandfather had given him.

A Sentimental Two-Ceremony Wedding Woven with Vintage Fashion and Heirloom Charm

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

Savor every second of this dreaming phase—planning the big day can be even sweeter than the wedding itself, because it lasts so much longer. One of the most fun parts for us was creating the playlists together: we’d pick songs and picture how everything would unfold—pure delight! And above all, remember what really matters: celebrating your union and love. As my friend says, “If the groom is amazing, everything else is just a detail,” and it’s true! Don’t wear yourself out over small things; keep your priorities front and center.

^{For On the Day}

Do your best to keep that same mindset about what truly matters. Remember: the wedding day is special, but it’s only the start of a new chapter that—God willing—will last a very long time. Thinking this way eases the pressure for everything to be “perfect,” because it won’t be. Some things will slip out of your control; real life is imperfect. Yet inside that imperfection, it can still be magical, unique, and unforgettable.
Breathe deeply, stay present, look into the eyes of the ones you love, and savor every moment! Oh, and one more practical tip: ask your planner to make sure the groom doesn’t greet the guests before you arrive. That way, you can welcome everyone together after the ceremony—much more fun!

^{For Post-Wedding}

Pick a honeymoon spot that truly reflects who you are as a couple. It doesn’t have to scream “honeymoon” like those picture-perfect resorts (nothing against them—I love them too, if that’s what you’re after!). We, for example, headed to Italy (Rome and Puglia), which blended beaches, history, and incredible food—everything we adore—and it was fantastic!

A Sentimental Two-Ceremony Wedding Woven with Vintage Fashion and Heirloom Charm