Classic Wedding: Ana Beatriz and João Philipe at Buffet Torres
WEDDINGG – How did you meet, and how did the proposal happen?
Ana Beatriz – It was a cold autumn day in São Paulo, Friday, May 21, 2010. It was the day fate had reserved for two paths to cross and, from then on, continue together on a journey full of love and joy. At a gathering to say goodbye to their friend Fernando Gadellho, Alessandra Simões made sure that her friends Tuti and João met face-to-face. It's true that she initially refused a ride home, but with a little help from their friend Fernando Abdalla, everything worked out. Tuti and João began getting to know each other and never wanted to be apart. The following week they arranged to meet again at the restaurant that would become one of their favorites, Batataria Santa Clara, in Vila Mariana.
Not much later—one year and twelve days—the couple went to Chakras restaurant, recommended by their friend Mauro Dahruj. João finally found the courage, a great deal of it, to ask Tuti to be his girlfriend, and she said yes! What did they do first? They called Alessandra to share the big news, and then their friend Alessandro Tomazelli, nicknamed Tomate. From then on their bond grew stronger and the certainty that something even greater might happen increased with every shared outing and trip around Brazil and the world. Their first journey, to Monte Verde, was particularly memorable and established traveling as their favorite pastime. They even earned the nickname 'the CVC couple' after the travel agency—what an exaggeration! Their love took them around the world, all the way to Japan (Go Corinthians!), and it was during a trip to Paris that they began planning something even more special. On October 19, 2013, João found his courage once more—surprisingly, it was easier this time—and organized a grand surprise: a nighttime helicopter ride over São Paulo. High above Catedral da Sé, he took a ring from his pocket, and here we are!
The proposal was a complete surprise, on an ordinary full-moon night that lit up the whole São Paulo sky: October 19, 2013. He invited me out for what seemed like an easygoing evening of conversation and drinks at Bar Brahma in Campo de Marte. Suddenly a pilot appeared and offered us a helicopter ride! I was terrified of flying, so I immediately became anxious. But first we were taken to a waiting room in the hangar, decorated with red roses, candles and sparkling wine, served in personalized 'Tuti & João' glasses. He loves surprises and I suspected nothing because it wasn't a special date. From there we went out onto an empty runway lit up just for us, where I saw what looked like the white horse from a fairy tale: it was a little white Esquilo helicopter, and I was with my prince! We boarded and flew on a gentle tour of São Paulo's sparkling night, under a beautiful full moon. We passed Copam, Terraço Itália, Estação da Luz, Ibirapuera Park, Avenida Paulista and many historic landmarks. As we arrived at the city's center, over the imposing, illuminated Catedral da Sé, the helicopter hovered in place. He asked me to look at the cathedral and remember that view forever. That was when he took the ring from his pocket and made the proposal I'd dreamed of! Crying tears of pure joy and emotion, I said YES, and we went on to celebrate with a romantic dinner prepared for us at Blue Tree Premium Faria Lima.
WEDDINGG – What was it like planning the wedding, managing doubts and expectations, and hiring professionals?
Ana Beatriz – It was so much fun! At every wedding fair and event, we immersed ourselves in this world of wedding celebrations and discovered something new. Our photographer became a great partner who helped us with recommendations and questions, and the connection was immediate. We didn't even look for another photographer before booking him! The same happened with most of the professionals we hired, who became genuine partners on our journey. Like Rinaldo, our decorator, every supplier was positive and kind, and helped make our dream come true perfectly. They lived this wedding with us, and that sense of teamwork was clearly visible at the celebration!
Classic Wedding: Ana Beatriz and João Philipe at Buffet Torres
WEDDINGG – How did you feel on your wedding day before it began, and what did you think when you heard your entrance music behind closed doors?
Ana Beatriz – I woke up determined not to let anything upset me that day. It was my day of complete happiness, and I stayed as if on cloud nine all day long. At eight in the morning I was having my nails done, full of excitement while trying to ease my parents' nerves, haha. We all got ready and the three of us left with our bags for the hotel, where I'd spend my bridal preparation day!
With champagne and lots of chatting—my future mother-in-law was there too—everything took shape. Suddenly, running late, I found myself at the door of our church! I received my beautiful bouquet and stood holding both my parents' hands as we were told to enter together. Yes, I entered with my beloved father and with my mother, my best friend and companion, who simply had to accompany me on the most important walk of my life. Then the music began. It was the Queen's March, just for me! That was exactly what I thought, and I began jumping up and down behind the closed doors, which could open at any moment for the happiest walk of my life. I told my parents: 'Look, listen to the music, it's for me, because I'm getting married! I'm getting married!' I was radiant with happiness and couldn't wait to see my love waiting at the altar.
WEDDINGG – What was it like to experience the ceremony and reception?
Ana Beatriz – Calling it a dream and unforgettable may sound like a cliché, but those words are exactly right! It's a joy that sweeps you up and carries you through the night. Love is everywhere, with incredible strength. During the ceremony you're in God's house, blessing love and the union, and you truly feel that 'happily ever after' begins right there!
And the reception! It was bright and cheerful, with a whole garden of yellow flowers bathing the room in golden light and warming everyone's hearts. Pure ecstasy! You know those butterflies you feel when you're in love? That was it: celebrating our love with everyone in such joyful, positive energy. It is worth every second and every penny! There's no night like it. It's a luminous and contagious moment when all the guests become, in spirit, the two people in love!
WEDDINGG – What advice would you give another bride?
A wedding isn't just the day itself; it's all the preparations leading up to it! So enjoy planning too, however stressful the many details may seem. Every detail is worth it, and the day passes in the blink of an eye. Above all, put nervousness aside, feel the love inside you during the ceremony and let it go!
Wedding Professionals Checklist
Ceremony venue: Catedral Anglicana de São Paulo
Reception venue: Buffet Torres Imarés
Wedding planning and RSVP: Marcelo Redondo
Catering: Buffet Torres
Photography: Nilson Versatti
Video: Nilson Versatti
Invitations: Papel e Estilo
Calligraphy: Marina Caligrafias
Choir: Coral Del Chiaro
Ceremony décor: Rubens Decorações
Reception décor: Rinaldo Decorações
Charger plates: Buffet Torres
Sound and projection screen: Banda SP3
Lighting: Rinaldo Decorações
Band/DJ: band and DJ from Banda SP3
Special entertainment or extra show: drum section of the Gaviões da Fiel samba school
Beverages: Brothers Bar
Sweets: Alessandra Tonisi e Kykah Doces
Service attendants: Marcelo Redondo
Bem-casados: Kykah Doces (chocolate bem-amados)
Guest favors: Cadô, Fabrika de Eventos (photographs)
Wedding dress: Zac Posen
Accessories and jewelry: Tiffany & Co solitaire necklace (a gift from the groom on the wedding day), Swarovski earrings, a David’s Bridal headpiece with a crystal flower crown, and a cathedral-length French tulle veil with Swarovski crystals from David’s Bridal
Shoes: Camille La Vie (USA)
Wedding rings: Tiffany & Co
Bride's mother's dress: long navy-blue sheath dress with side slit, embroidered with silver gems and crystals, by Neiman Marcus (USA)
Groom's mother's dress: fully embroidered lace dress in deep teal blue by Arthur Caliman
Hair and makeup: Renato Pessoa
Security and valet: Sigma Park
Gift registry: icasei e fastshop
Honeymoon: France and Italy (I only found out about Paris that day; it was a surprise from the groom)
Travel agency: we organized it ourselves, with lots of online research, haha (booking.com for hotels)
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