Marcelo and Ana's wedding in Jose Ignacio, Uruguay was an exquisite and extraordinary celebration, designed as a richly immersive experience for guests into the vibrant and distinct culture of the destination. Their vision - to create an unforgettable yet not overly formal occasion, a laid-back ambiance that mirrored the tranquil essence of Uruguay and it's people. Every detail, from the earthy, colorful adornments to the bride's elegant designer gowns and the architecturally modernistic location, celebrated the uniquess of Uraguay and painted a unique atmosphere for guests and the couple alike.
Tell us a little about yourselves. How did you meet? What do you do for a living? What are your hobbies?
Eleven years ago, Marcelo and I met in a classroom. He was seated right in front of me, and we became friends on the very first day. Two years later, we started dating. I am an architect and interior designer, while Marcelo works in the financial market.
Can you share your engagement story?
We got engaged in London in front of my previous apartment, it’s a city that we both had lived in at the same time and it continues to be one of our favorite places in the world.
Did you have any pre-wedding events, like a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower?
We had a civil wedding celebration at my in-law’s home in Brazil. In Uruguay, we had a religious ceremony at the local church, followed by a welcome drinks event on the next day.
Where was your wedding? Why did you choose this venue?
Our wedding took place in Jose Ignacio, Uruguay. We are both Brazilians, and we always wanted to have a destination wedding. After exploring several locations, we opted for Jose Ignacio because it holds a special meaning in our relationship, as we frequently visit the place for vacations. Also, we didn't want a location that would require long-distance travel for our Brazilian guests. We chose LUZ Culinary and Wine Lodge as our wedding venue because of its hospitality, amazing architecture, and natural surroundings.
What was the concept behind your wedding and how did you find your inspiration?
We were looking for something unique, but not too formal or exaggerated. It should resonate with us while also being in line with the overall ambiance of Jose Ignacio, which has a laid-back atmosphere. The place itself served as a major source of inspiration for us, and we tried to incorporate many local elements. We always kept in mind that our wedding should reflect the relaxed characteristics of Uruguay, rather than trying to replicate the way weddings are traditionally done in Brazil.
How long did it take to plan your wedding? Did you encounter any challenges during the planning process?
It took us around a year. A lot of our suppliers were local, so the biggest challenge for us was working remotely with them, we made some visits throughout the process and trusted our wedding planner, who was Uruguayan, and following her recommendations proved to be a great success.
How many guests did you have? And what was the seating arrangement at the wedding like?
We had approximately 280 guests, and there was no seating chart. We had a standing cocktail in a wooded area near the ceremony and later served dinner during the party with open seating.
Tell us about your outfits. How many different styles have you tried?
For our religious ceremony at the village chapel, I wore my mother's skirt from her wedding to my father thirty years ago. The top and cape were new and designed by the amazing Brazilian designer, Cris Barros and her team. On the welcome drinks, I wanted something fun, so I wore a dress from Loewe that I had purchased during a trip. And for our wedding, I wore a dress designed by Carlos Bacchi. He is an outstanding Brazilian designer, and I fell in love with his work on my first visit to his atelier in Porto Alegre. The entire process was a dream, and I have a lot of affection for Carlos and his team. During the final hour of the party, I changed into a long-sleeved Saint Laurent dress that I had in the hotel room as a backup due to the chilly weather. This was completely unplanned, though.
What was your first dance song? Did you choreograph or improvise?
It was 'The Wonder of You' by Elvis, the version with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It was completely improvised.
Did you have any special performances or entertainment?
We had a live singer during the cocktail and DJs during the party.
What was the most memorable moment from your wedding day?
The entire weekend was filled with unforgettable moments. It was a dream to be in a place we love with the people we cherish the most in the world. The energy was surreal.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
The wedding stationery was an important item for me, all the wedding artwork was developed by artist Jackie Hatys (@jackiehatys) who designed our save the date, invitation, and all the menus.
Did you have any special or unique elements (such as a signature cocktail or a fragrance) at your wedding?
We had some elements in the decor that were special to me. Some of the flowers used on the party tent were made of paper by Mira and inspired by one of my favorite flowers, the Iceland Poppy. I also brought some straw lamps and Berber pillows from a previous trip to Marrakesh.
Did you make a gift for guests, and what was it? What did you give each other as a gift?
I created a small newspaper with tips from José Ignacio for our guests. We delivered it to the hotels along with dulces de leche.
What advice would you give to couples who are currently planning their wedding?
I believe that it is crucial to prioritize the aspects that matter the most to you and your partner on your wedding day and make it a very personal and enjoyable experience throughout the process. We’ve both put our efforts into what we knew best, and, in the end, our guests could recognize it through even the smallest details, which made our weekend even more special.
Photos: @rodrigosackfotografia , @tom_barreto , @manuheslop
Video: @bleuestudio
Wedding Planner: @laura_coccaro
Venue and Catering: @luz_jose_ignacio
Choir: Jorgelina Sanchez Cores
Decoration: @zabelle_fleur , @danimachadocenografia
Flowers and Furniture: @casacastilla.uy
Paper Flowers: @mira_haar
Bar: @rfciadebareseneventos
Wedding Dress: @carlosbacchi
Welcome Drinks Dress: @loewe
Hair: @emersondias_hair
Makeup: @allexcardosobeauty , @homeromancilha
Groom's Attire: Emernegildo Zegna
Flowergirls and Page Boys Attire: @sisters_crown
Invitations and Stationery: @bethaconvites , @veloxconvites , @jackiehatys
Scenic Lighting and Sound: @germancastellanosdj , @fedeschrager
Tent: @carpasanibal
DJs: @yanokretic , @guipimentel
