Porto Palácio do Freixo Destination wedding

After Jo and Frisco’s London engagement shoot I was very excited to travel to Portugal and their Palácio do Freixo Destination wedding. They were planning to honour both Jo’s Portuguese and Frisco’s Chinese roots in including wedding traditions from both cultures. They did this beautifully at different parts of this Porto Destination Wedding.

Honouring the Portuguese wedding traditions at the Igreja da Lapa

Although the day started with a torrential shower, by the time everyone met at the church the temperature had already hit 30C. Jo arrived with her dad and couldn’t wait to step into the stunning Igreja da Lapa church and join Frisco at the top of the aisle. The priest has been Jo’s priest from youngest childhood and was very moved to conduct her ceremony. Jo’s mum sings with Church Choir, so many of the singers have also known Jo since she was a little girl. It made the ceremony very special to them.

In Portuguese tradition, Frisco lead Jo to an altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary and to offer her wedding bouquet for good luck. Such a lovely tradition.

Tons of confetti and rice and hugs and congratulations followed. Then we all headed to the Palácio do Freixo, an old Portuguese Northern Baroque palace with stunning views over Porto’s bridges and river.

Palácio do Freixo Destination wedding speeches

I’m a sucker for speeches that get half the room laughing and the other half crying. It was very touching to hear how Frisco’s parents fled China over Vietnam to Australia. They didn’t even have time to think of taking his birth certificate and sacrificed everything for their children’s well being. Joana’s dad welcomed Frisco and his family to his Portuguese family. It makes you realise how crazy and amazing life is to bring a couple from such different backgrounds together.

The Chinese Tea ceremony

After the speeches it was time for Jo and Frisco’s Chinese Tea Ceremony. Jo changed into a traditional Chinese wedding gown and joined Frisco and to serve tea to their loved ones. It is a sign of reverence and respect at a Chinese wedding and a beautiful wedding tradition. I loved photographing the respect and love that passed between the two newly forged families.

And so to the Party

There was only one thing left to do and that was to PARTY! Jo and Frisco lead the way with their first dance, and the rest of the night was filled with lots of singing and dancing. There was some expert air guitar and air drum playing. And see if you can spot the Frisco face masks that the groomsmen had brought as a surprise. What a brilliant Porto Destination Wedding party!

If you are planning your destination wedding and are looking for a photographer, let’s chat as I can’t wait to be part of it.