WELCOME TO Val's Alentejo -I write about my region of Alentejo. My art ,painting, my cottages, Family life, my animals -Travels And my love for Roses- and rural country life.

Wednesday 11 March 2015

Gatsby wedding..

Retro wedding with a flair of 'Gatsby era'
Oliver and Pierre.
    Saturday's wedding ceremony ,was a wonderful setting . With guests from England, South Africa, Holland ,Spain and Portugal. All good friends . Were  there to witness the union of Oliver and Pierre. 
Oliver is on the right of the photo.. He is my D.I.L - H's brother. 
 Oli , has been part of my family since he was 10, growing up with my boys. Living not far from my home in Cascais.  Heleen my D.I.L ,Oli's sister married my son Manel.  Both families are very close , and both families with 4 children each.. when we are all together, you can imagine.!!!

  It was a small elegant ceremony, with around 100 guests.  All good friends, some with their partners. Others that had been at school with Oliver and Pierre.. Then on to University.  
Their story is a true story of love and devotion to each other. 
Both met while on holiday in Cape Town.  Pierre is from Cape Town.
One of the happiest weddings I have been to.  It was heart warming to see such beaming smiles on both  their faces. 
It was fun from the start.  What made it even better, was that most of the guests knew one another.   laughter and tales of "how they all met".  
Champs, wine stunning hors  d'ouvres -  .. The courtyard of the new hotel "Hotel Santiago de Alfama"- was a buzz of excitement.  Everyone looked stunningly dressed  with diamonds and pearls , long silk flowing dresses ,short shimmies ..  I don't think I have seen such beautiful dresses -  The men dashing with their tucks and hats and spats. Oh what fun. Everyone was in high spirits .

Our dear  Heleen excelled herself.. she and Manel did a wonderful job for Oliver and Pierre.  It was perfect. Heleen and staff did the decor.. and Heleen did the flowers herself.


 

                                                                'Moi'- getting ready in the hotel.
In the courtyard.. cant miss me.  Filipe thought I would look great with the red head gear.     -    How could I not have a smile on my face.. here I am in the taxi going to the ceremony..  a mixture of retro and Cherokee.!!!! ):-  it was truly such fun.
                                                                      Fil, the mob guy with his doll!.. roped in my grandchildren ,little Max learned fast.
      With my darling Didi.   ' You look stunning grandma'..
The mob gangster Fil - holding me at bay.. watch it lady or else.


Come on everybody.   Its time to party.  Manel , hired three  tourist trams for all of us to see Lisbon by night, eventually arriving at the dinner venue of the most Elegant restaurant next door to Chiado16.  traveling in 'retro' style too.  
  The city lights accompanying us along the way. balloons on each of the trams . giggles.  laughter,singing and good cheer.

                            Getting on the trams
Oli and Pierre in front of the trams.. Oli's eldest brother drove them in the Lancia,  Heleen and Manel were driven to church in it, for their wedding.  Spruced up with a different color..it was ready again for Pierre and Oli.


                                                                  You can just make me out sitting at the front of the tram.   Miguel was crooning to us all, with his usual charm.
 All of us , have our stories to tell about weddings we have attended.  Weddings are days to remember.! I am sure you all agree.

         I am glad to share a little of Oliver and Pierre's Retro Gastsby affair and their union.
    Ending with dancing the night away... I hopped into bed at 3.30 in the morning, thought i was having a dizzy spell ! Ahh! of course it was the champs.
   For the rest of the younger guests.. they went on to a disco .. till dawn.

Maybe some of you dear  blogging friends have stories to tell about weddings that you have been too.!

Wishing you all a wonderful week.    Thank you for stopping by.. and thank you for all your comments on my last post.


Val.

27 comments:

  1. What a fabulous wedding Val, you look stunning wearing the 'headache' band' made from sequins and that flamboyant red feather.
    It is obvious from the photos that a wonderful time was much enjoyed by all.

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    1. Thank you so much Rosemary.. It was a fun day and a happy wedding. we all had a good time.

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  2. Woo hoo Val, you look very grand, very Gatsby! What fun it must have been, the wedding and the pretty trams, and on to dinner. Everybody seems so happy: such a lovely occasion. xx

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    1. Ha ha Patricia.. getting dressed to fit the occasion was fun. seemed we were all in a "Gatsby' mood.
      Thanks for your comment and coming over..

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  3. so very cute and fun. blessings to them!

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    1. Thanks dear Tex. There was so much love in the air.. we all wish them so much happiness. It was fun

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  4. What wonderful fun that must have been!! A wedding is always such a good reason for celebration, and a wedding at which so much family is in attendance is all the more special. I wish the newlyweds every happiness - they've had a wonderful start!

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    1. Hello Pondside.. It was such fun. So true, weddings are a good reason for celebration..and this we did. We are a big family.
      Thank you for your lovely comment and coming over.
      We all wish Oli and Pierre happiness.

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  5. Wow that wedding looks so much fun and you look so stylish in your Gatsby costume. That must have been wonderful riding altogether on the trams in Lisbon especially in the evening, I remember you mentioning the trams before and how much you love them. It must be so good to have been such friends and stayed so close over all those years. Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah,
      My dress was a black speckly evening gown, that I have had for over 20 years.. It came in handy with a lovely crepe loose black jacket.. lots of bling.. I didnt need to buy anything.
      It was a wonderful time.. and the trams were such fun.
      Most of the friends went to school and university together.. all very close.

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  6. You look wonderful Val - the wedding really did look fun and everyone looked so stylish. No wonder you had such a great time.

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    1. Thank you Elaine. I didnt buy a thing for the wedding. I had the evening gown for years.. Some of the dresses were divine.
      It was such good fun. we did all have a good time.

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  7. WOW! This was, I'll bet, the most awesome wedding ever, Val!!!...:)JP

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    1. Thanks JP. It was the best wedding I have been too.. it was fantastic. I am still not over it. xx

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  8. Dear Val, What an elegant and beautiful affair? Everyone looking so special, including you. Thank you for sharing this very special occasion with us. I would have loved to been there to see you "dancing the whole night away".

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    1. Thanks for your comment Gina.
      It was a special occasion and lots of fun.. I am sure you would have loved it.

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  9. Val, I can only imagine the fun that you all had at the wedding. What a great theme and you looked so fine. A real flapper!. Congrats to the happy couple. I'm so glad for them..Happy Thursday..Judy

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    1. It was so much fun Judy, a night full of love and joy .. a night to remember. I think I did well with my outfit. Got thumbs up from my children and grandchildren. Thanks for coming over

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  10. It's such fun seeing you dressed up and looking so beautiful! What a lovely wedding! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  11. Oh, what fun! Love the pics & your red headgear & feather! Going in trams to the reception too. Sounds truly like a wedding to remember! Joan

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    1. Nice to see you Joan..
      It was a day to remember.. the trams were such fun.
      Thanks for coming over.

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  12. What a totally unforgettable wedding for all concerned, Val. You looked wonderful and Oli and Pierre must be so happy that their wedding was celebrated in such style and with such laughter and love. A wonderful start to married life. :-)

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    1. The wedding was wonderful. Oliver and Pierre were beaming, and full of love for one another. It was a great occasion ..
      We all had a good time. Thanks Perpetua for coming over.. x

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  13. Hello Valerie
    This is a fairytale wedding. So beautifully planned and unusual. Everyone looks so happy and pleased to attend. Wishing Oliver and Pierre a lifetime of joy and happiness.
    You look fabulous in your pearls and head-dress.
    Helenxx

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  14. Oh, what fun. I love how unique this is. Adore your red headpiece.

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  15. Loved how your red feather stood out in the courtyard photo....

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