A Blend of Danish and Portuguese Wedding Traditions
When we talk about love, we have to talk about Joana and Nadia’s wedding day—a beautiful celebration that took place in July 2024 at Quinta Nova do Hespanhol, in Torres Vedras, Portugal.
Everything about this wedding was special, starting with the multiple traditions that reflected who the brides are, and where they come from. Throughout the day, guests experienced the warmth of Portuguese traditions, honoring Joana’s hometown, and the charm of Danish Wedding customs, a tribute to Nadia’s homeland—the place where their love story first began.
The food was (of course) mostly inspired by Portuguese cuisine, allowing the guests from Denmark to experience its flavors. And let’s be honest—Quinta Nova do Hespanhol’s catering is, in my opinion, one of the best Caterings in Portugal when it comes to weddings.
But let’s start with the ceremony. July in Portugal means long, sunny days, so the ceremony began at 4 p.m. The ceremony started with a unique and special moment. Both Bride’s parents walked in first, followed by each bride coming from a different direction until they met (like a first look) and
walked down the aisle together.
The ceremony was written and officiated by two of their closest friends, and it was deeply meaningful to the brides and their love story - truly an emotional moment for all the guests there (even for us photographers!).
In Denmark, it’s common to have the wedding cake right after the ceremony, and that’s exactly what happened here too! I always recommend this to our couples - it works beautifully as a transition from the ceremony to the cocktail hour. So, after all the hugs and happy tears, they cut the cake in front of the stunning façade of Quinta Nova do Hespanhol, creating a perfect moment of celebration shared with everyone.
During dinner, there were several speeches and songs, as is customary in Denmark. It’s a Danish tradition to take well-known songs and rewrite the lyrics to reflect the couple’s love story or even as a fun alternative to a speech. The couple encouraged guests to participate if they wished - but to keep it brief, ideally around five minutes. They told us that at Danish weddings, speeches and songs can sometimes go on for so long that guests are still seated at the table at midnight! To prevent this, they had a toastmaster managing the time throughout dinner, as to me, it work out perfectly!
Another fun Danish tradition we got to witness was the “kiss the bride/groom” tradition when one partner leaves to use the restroom. Nadia explained that, traditionally, when the bride goes to the bathroom, all the women line up to kiss the groom on the cheek, and when the groom leaves, the men line up to kiss the bride. Since they were both brides, anyone was welcome to join in whenever one of them left the room! This led to long lines of guests showering either Nadia or Joana with kisses on the cheek, creating adorable moments and interactions, along with plenty of cute photos of everyone sharing those sweet little gestures!
Just like in Portugal, clinking glasses means the couple has to kiss. However, in Denmark, clinking glasses actually involves standing on chairs to share a kiss! The brides opted for the Portuguese version this time, haha! Additionally, if guests stomp their feet, the couple has to go under the table and kiss. Luckily, we managed to capture a lovely and unique photo of that moment!
Finally, wedding dances vary from country to country, and we absolutely love witnessing these traditions in our work! In Denmark, there’s a tradition of performing a specific wedding waltz before the clock strikes midnight, as failing to do so is considered bad luck, haha.
As the couple dances, the guests form a circle around them, clapping along to the rhythm of the music. Gradually, the guests move closer, making the circle smaller until the couple is completely surrounded by their loved ones, with everyone clapping and cheering. This beautiful moment marks the end of the scheduled activities and the official opening of the dance floor—the party could finally begin!
I think all these traditions and ideas add such a unique touch to a wedding day! Not only they celebrate the couple’s love and story, but also create memorable moments for the guests. The blend of Portuguese and Danish customs makes it even more special, showcasing the couple’s backgrounds and bringing everyone together in fun and interactive ways. From the playful kissing customs to the lively wedding waltz, it all contributes to a festive atmosphere where everyone can connect and celebrate. What was your favorite part of the celebrations?
Venue @quintanovadohespanhol
Flowers @alma_designfloral
Nadia’s Dress @skraddarhuset @justinalexander
Makeups / Hairstyle @lauralucaz.makeup , @makeup.andreiasalvador , @petra_hairstylist
Dj @NunoCastella