Marissa & Brandon
Set against the stunning backdrop of Portugal's Praia Do Canal Nature Retreat, Marissa and Brandon's wedding was a remarkable celebration of love. The venue's breathtaking architecture harmonizes with the natural surroundings, creating an idyllic setting for an unforgettable weekend of celebrations. With the expertise of The Nuptial Collective, every detail was thoughtfully curated to enhance the couple's vision.
What did you love about your wedding stationery?
We were absolutely in love with our stationery (and wedding website). It truly felt like the perfect introduction to our wedding, and we received so many compliments from our guests.
Our invitations felt like such a natural extension of our wedding and truly set the tone from the very beginning. What we appreciated most was how intentional every detail was. Our vellum wrap featured the actual landscape of our venue, and the shell wax seal was such a subtle, meaningful nod to the setting. Even our ceremony location was delicately embossed into the invitation, which made everything feel incredibly personal and thoughtful.
From the welcome cards guests received in their rooms to various signage, dinner menus, and our thank you notes, every detail was beautifully designed and executed. We especially loved the subtle textures, soft palette, and delicate design elements, which made everything feel timeless and elevated without ever feeling overdone. It added such a refined, personal touch to every moment of the weekend and made the entire experience feel incredibly timeless and special for us and our guests.
Wedding Stationery: Ivory & Stone
From a stationery perspective, our biggest “splurge” was really in the details—and it was absolutely worth it. We focused on incorporating elements that felt personal and gave our guests a sense of place from the very beginning. The shell wax seal, for example, was such a subtle but meaningful nod to our setting and felt more unique than a traditional monogram. We also loved including a custom illustration of our venue, which helped bring our destination wedding to life for guests who had never been there.
One of the more elevated pieces was our custom vellum wrap, which featured the actual landscape of our venue stretching out to the ocean—it felt incredibly creative and unlike anything we had seen before. We carried that same level of intention into our wedding website as well. Rather than using a templated format, we fully customized it to ensure our guests had everything they needed for a seamless destination experience. It felt like a natural extension of our stationery and helped tie everything together in a thoughtful and cohesive way.
Our biggest unexpected splurge was our welcome cards, and easily became one of the most meaningful and favorite details of the entire weekend. With all of our guests traveling from the U.S. to Portugal, we wanted them to feel informed, welcomed, and truly appreciated from the moment they arrived.
We chose a unisex scent together that excited us for the big day ahead. We wanted something that felt reflective of where our wedding was taking place and ultimately felt that Le Labo Neroli 36 customized to say "Our Wedding Day 8.30.25" was the perfect reminder of the best weekend of our lives.
Were there any special or meaningful touches you included?
We loved including personal touches that made the weekend feel truly ours. My cousin officiated the ceremony, I did first looks with my dad, both moms, and the bridal party, and I wrote meaningful cards for our bridal party and parents. Having everyone who means the most to us in one place was so special, and we incorporated fun moments too: a crafted shot passed around to kick off the reception along with a surprise saxophone performance, a pool jump to end the night, and having everyone staying on the property so we could celebrate privately.
What’s one thing brides often overlook but shouldn’t?
One thing brides often overlook is simply taking a few quiet moments to be present during the day. It’s so easy to get caught up in logistics, pictures, and saying hello to everyone, but pausing—even for a minute with your spouse—to soak it all in, look around, and take a deep breath makes the day feel truly unforgettable.
If you could give one piece of advice to brides currently planning, what would it be?
Focus on the details that feel meaningful to you and enhance your guests' experience. It’s easy to get caught up in trends, but the elements that truly stand out are the ones that feel personal and intentional. The details that reflected who we are and considered our guests ended up being the ones we appreciated the most and remember so clearly. Stay aligned as a couple on what matters most to you. Having a clear understanding of your must-haves and where you’re willing to be flexible makes every decision feel easier and more intentional. It’s also important to not let outside influences shape your vision too much—at the end of the day, it’s your wedding, and you’re the ones who will look back on it forever.
What was one thing your guests raved about?
Aside from the obvious love for the venue and being in Portugal, our guests took notice of the little details throughout the weekend that felt personalized to them. Most of our guests hadn't experienced a Welcome White Party so having pizza and gelato surrounded by humorous speeches and great music was especially memorable for them!
Was there an unexpected moment or something that surprised you on your wedding day?
One of the biggest surprises for me was how emotional I felt throughout the day when I am typically the opposite. I loved that I had the chance to connect with every guest and really be present in each moment. Everyone says the day goes by in a flash, but I was able to soak it all in, which made it even more special. I was super nervous leading up to the ceremony having the attention on myself, but when we exchanged our vows, it felt like it was just my husband and I in the room.
Marissa & Brandon's Dream Team
Photographer: Haute Weddings
Venue: Praia do Canal Nature Retreat, Portugal
Dresses: Oscar De La Renta (Welcome), Amsale (Wedding), Magda Butrym (Party/Reception)
Rings: The Clear Cut (Engagement), Cartier (Wedding Bands)
Shoes: Jimmy Choo (Welcome Party/Wedding Reception), Manolo Blahnik (Her Wedding), Carmina Shoemaker (His Wedding),
Floral: Oh, Maria Flores
Videographer: I Do Cinema
Entertainment/Music: Scarlett Entertainment (Wedding Ceremony/Cocktail Hour), Divine Audio (DJ Marc Lucarelli - Welcome Party & Wedding Party/Reception), Harry Cooper Music (Saxophone - Wedding Party/Reception)
Hair: Victoria Ralph (Dawn Artists)
Makeup: Alarna Taylor
Celebrant: Amanda Leong (Marissa's cousin)
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