When you know, you know—and for Sabela and Alessandro, their love story started with a twist of fate that led to a timeless celebration in the heart of Galicia. Their romantic Monforte de Lemos wedding brought together vintage charm, cultural nods, and heartfelt personal touches, all set against the dreamy backdrop of a historic manor.
The couple’s journey began in London back in 2016. “We met in the most unexpected way,” Sabela shared. “I’m Spanish, Alessandro is Swiss, and we worked in the same department of a luxury hotel. We were also neighbors!” Alessandro fell first, but it was their official first date that made Sabela realize he was the one.
A few magical months later, Alessandro returned to Switzerland to continue his studies—but they knew distance wouldn’t break what they had. “Some relationships are simply meant to last, and ours was one of them. We were soulmates, and no miles between us could ever break that bond.”
As their love grew stronger across countries, so did their vision for a celebration that felt elegant, timeless, and romantic. “We envisioned our wedding with an elegant, timeless style infused with a romantic vintage feel,” Sabela said. “The color palette featured soft pastel shades of pink, salmon, burgundy, and orange, creating a warm and dreamy atmosphere.”
What We Love About This Monforte de Lemos Wedding
- A tailor-made vintage-inspired gown with silk and organza details
- A champagne tower and live 70s music during cocktail hour
- A personalized pocket square made from the bride’s dress fabric
- A welcome event featuring a live concert for out-of-town guests
- A unique watercolor seating chart printed on fabric
Featured Vendor:
Sam Ponsford Bodas
Making Their Guests Feel Welcome Right From The Start of Their Monforte de Lemos Wedding
The couple’s top priorities were clear from the beginning: the venue, music, and food. With guests traveling in from Switzerland and all over Spain, they wanted the wedding weekend to feel like a shared experience from day one.
To set the tone, they hosted a casual welcome event at the Hotel Parador in Monforte de Lemos. A flying food dinner and live music by The Peppermints created the perfect atmosphere. “We had a blast!” Sabela said. It gave everyone a chance to connect, relax, and ease into the celebration.
Choosing a Venue That Let Them Personalize Every Moment
The couple knew they wanted a venue that felt intimate, romantic, and full of character. “We fell in love with the Pazo de Treilán, especially with the dining hall. It is a gorgeous location—romantic, rural, and chic. It’s a small estate compared to others in the region but has many areas to create different ambiences.” Renting the entire property gave them creative freedom to design a day that felt true to them.
“Walking down the aisle with my dad was so beautiful,” Sabela recalled. “Seeing all my loved ones looking at me with tears of joy in their eyes. And seeing the love of my life waiting to marry me!”
Finding the Right Wedding Look That Represented Their Personal Style
Sabela had a strong vision for her look from the beginning—and finding the right designer made all the difference. She worked with Spanish designer Sara Lage to bring her dream dress to life.
“I wanted to give my look a retro flair, with the high neck and puffed organza sleeves, evoking a style from the 60s or 70s,” she shared. The custom gown featured a stunning mix of silk satin, muslin, organza, and bambula in ivory tones.
To complete the look, she wore ivory patent leather shoes from Stuart Weitzman and pearl earrings from her grandmother—sentimental and stylish. Alessandro’s wedding day outfit was just as intentional: a tailor-made dark blue silk suit by Canali, ivory shirt, and a pocket square crafted from extra fabric from Sabela’s dress.
It was thoughtful, personal, and perfectly in sync with the day’s aesthetic.
Shop Similar High-Neck Wedding Dress:
Keeping Their Monforte de Lemos Wedding Reception True to Who They Are
Their Monforte de Lemos wedding was full of music, personal details, and regional flair. A traditional Galician bagpipe performance kicked off the celebration, followed by an outdoor cocktail hour with food stands, fresh seafood, and a champagne glass tower.
One of the most unique details? The seating chart—hand-painted in watercolor and printed on fabric for a soft, romantic touch that tied in with the venue’s charm.
Throughout the evening, friends and family shared heartfelt speeches, and the newlyweds hit the dance floor to live 70s music by Lexter. “We danced the night away until my feet got numb.”
There Will Be Hiccups—Plan Anyway
Even the most organized couples face last-minute changes. That’s why Sabela brought on a wedding planner in November, after booking their venue and saving design inspo in September. “I found most of them through recommendations and Instagram. My main requirements: aligned on aesthetics and style, experienced, responsive, and resourceful.”
She offered this advice for future couples: “Keep your cool the week before because there will be so many eventualities and unexpected changes that are out of your control.”
JB Tip: Thinking of planning a destination wedding like this Monforte de Lemos wedding? Prioritize communication with your vendors, trust your planner, and don’t forget to carve out time for those once-in-a-lifetime memories—like dancing ‘til your shoes give out.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Sam Ponsford
Event Planning – I Do Me Too
Ceremony Venue – Pazo de Treilán
Reception Venue – Hotel Parador Monforte de Lemos
Floral Design – La Constanza Flores
Catering – Josmaga
DJ – Ayman
Live Music – Lexter
Videography – Lobos Video
Invitation Design – Alexandra Motovilina
Makeup + Hair Styling – Vicky Vargas
Wedding Dress – Sara Lage
Bridal Accessories – Stuart Weitzman
Groom’s Apparel – Canali
Rings – Cartier
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