Wedding at Espaço Jardim Europa: Alessa and Bruno

WEDDINGG – How did you meet, and how did the marriage proposal happen?

Alessa – "We met in 1998 when we were both 13. Back then, our idea of an outing as teenagers was going to Morumbi Shopping with friends to grab a bite, see a movie, go bowling... We each had our own group that day. It was almost love at first sight, if only Bruno hadn't insisted on introducing me to one of his friends, haha. I wasn't foolish: I ignored his friend and managed to get Bruno's phone number. Then we began talking every day of the week until we had our first kiss at a costume party at his school and dated for three months. Of course, no relationship at that age was likely to last. We spent five years apart, always staying friends, until we got together again in 2004. Through a few breakups and reunions, we were together for ten years. Then, in 2012, on a Caribbean cruise, he proposed. He booked a tasting-menu dinner at a French restaurant on the ship and arranged with the waiter to place the rings in the champagne glasses brought for the toast. It was beautiful, the setting was perfect and the proposal was magical. When I got back to the cabin he'd decorated the whole room and left a lovely card."

WEDDINGG – What was it like planning the wedding, handling doubts and expectations, and hiring professionals?

Alessa – "Planning a wedding is magical, but not at all easy. The huge range of choices and suppliers left me a little overwhelmed, even though I'm usually decisive and know what I want. Our budget wasn't large enough to hire every luxury supplier I'd dreamed of, so I began finding alternatives that would make the celebration as elegant as I'd always imagined. I started with the wedding dress, which I bought second-hand from a bride in southern Brazil through a website I highly recommend, Usei Uma Vez. Instead of paying 30,000, I paid 5,000. For the shoes, I liked a Chanel design, so I recreated the look by buying satin pumps and adding a decorative appliqué at the heel. I managed to negotiate better prices with most suppliers by paying cash upfront."

Wedding at Espaço Jardim Europa: Alessa and Bruno

WEDDINGG – How did you feel before the ceremony, and what did you think when you heard your entrance music with the doors still closed?

Alessa – "I'd never felt so light as I did that day. Nothing was going to spoil that moment. Just before the doors opened, I felt indescribable butterflies in my stomach, but also the joy of being there and the certainty that everything had been worth it. People say brides get so nervous they don't hear the music or see anyone, but that's not true for everyone. I concentrated, heard every second of the music we'd chosen, and saw everyone within sight without losing my focus on the groom or stopping smiling."

WEDDINGG – What was the experience of getting married like for you?

Alessa – "Without a doubt it was magical. The ceremony filled us with powerful energy. We listened to every word the priest said and will always remember his advice. As for the party, it was perfect. We'd never had so much fun."

WEDDINGG – What advice would you give another bride?

Alessa – "Don't let ANYTHING spoil your day. Things you haven't planned can happen, believe me, and even things you've arranged carefully don't always go as expected. But remember, guests don't know exactly what was supposed to happen, and nobody will notice small mistakes. There's nothing you can do about them during your celebration anyway. So enjoy every second because it goes by so fast. Dance and smile all the time: it also helps your photographer capture special pictures."

Wedding Supplier Checklist

Ceremony Venue: Capela São Pedro São Paulo

Reception Venue: Espaço Jardim Europa

Wedding Planning and RSVP: a friend of the bride

Catering: Zest Cozinha Criativa

Photography: Leandro Lourenço

Video: Lenadro Lourenço

Invitations: Papel e Estilo

Calligraphy: Wilma calígrafa

Choir: Avalon Violinos

Ceremony Décor: Flôr e Forma

Reception Décor: Flôr e Forma

Flowers: Flôr e Forma

Set Designer: Maria do Carmo

Furniture, Tablecloths and Charger Plates: Flôr e Forma

Sound and Screen: Musik produções

Lighting: Perfil lightingdesign

Band / DJ:Musik Produções

Special Entertainment or Extra Show: The Avalon Violinos

Drinks: Empório Borges

Caipirinha Bar: Brothers Bar

Sweets: Fleur de Sucre

Service Staff: Fleur de sucre

Bem-Casados: Ana Cristina

Wedding Favors: handmade by the bride's mother and grandmother

Wedding Dress: purchased through Usei Uma Vez; veil by Fátima Pires

Accessories and Jewelry: family jewelry

Shoes: Empório Naka, with an appliqué made by the bride

Wedding Rings: Tiffany & Co

Mother of the Bride's Dress: Fátima Pires

Hair and Makeup: Persil

Security and Valet Parking: Multipark

Gift Registry: icasei website, honeymoon contributions

Honeymoon: Indonesia (Bali) and Malaysia (Singapore)

Travel Agency: Gran Circuito Personal travel

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