WEDDING BLOG

This Couple Renovated a 30-Year-Old Family Farm to Host Their Dream Wedding in São Paulo

July 23, 2026 | justine

The family farm in Amparo had been largely untouched for three decades, but instead of booking a traditional venue for their Sao Paulo wedding, Johanna and Murilo decided to restore the property from the ground up. The project became much more than a place to host guests. It gave both sides of their family—coming from Brazil, Germany, and beyond—a reason to gather in one place that would continue to belong to the family long after the celebration ended.

The couple first crossed paths years earlier while dancing Forró in a park in Munich. They reconnected at the very same spot two years later, discovered they were both finally single, and quickly realized they shared much more than a love of dance. Johanna’s Portuguese, learned during a year living in Brazil as a teenager, helped bridge two cultures that would later shape every part of their wedding.

What We Love About This Sao Paulo Wedding

Renovating a 30-year-old family farm instead of booking a traditional venue
A “Tropical Day in the Desert” dress code complete with a custom mood board for guests
Johanna walking down an aisle of colorful rugs to one of Murilo’s own songs, performed live as a surprise
A ceremony translated live into German, with English translations printed for guests
Brazilian food, samba, jazz, and carnival performances paired with German family traditions
Handmade details, including Johanna’s macramé ceremony backdrop and an “AMOR LIEBE” flag

Turning A Family Farm Into Their Wedding Venue

The biggest priority wasn’t finding somewhere new to celebrate. It was creating a place where both families could finally come together.

“It was always our biggest dream to unite both families in one place,” the couple shared. Since Johanna’s relatives likely wouldn’t have all traveled to Brazil otherwise, Murilo’s family farm became the obvious choice—even if it wasn’t exactly ready for guests.

Nine months before the wedding, renovation work began. While Johanna and Murilo planned everything from Germany, Murilo’s family, friends, and their local planner worked on transforming the property into a wedding venue.

“The decision to not hire a wedding venue and instead put the money into renovating the farm was one of the best decisions we have ever made.”

Bringing Brazilian And German Traditions Together

Their vision was summed up in four words: “A Tropical Day in the Desert.”

The theme reflected both the places that had shaped their relationship and the contrast between their backgrounds. To help guests embrace it, they created a color palette and mood board filled with outfit inspiration before anyone packed a suitcase.

Those cultural connections continued throughout the day. Beer came from two breweries named after Johanna’s hometown of Bamberg and Murilo’s hometown of Campinas. Brazilian dishes from Bahia and Minas Gerais introduced international guests to regional flavors, while speeches, childhood photos, and a playful wedding game brought in traditions from Johanna’s side of the family.

How They Managed Nine Months Of Planning From Germany

Organizing a Sao Paulo wedding while living in Germany came with plenty of logistical hurdles, but having trusted people on the ground made all the difference.

Their planner helped source vendors who shared the couple’s appreciation for authentic local products and craftsmanship. Friends and family stepped in wherever they could, making the renovation and planning process feel like a true group effort.

Rather than stretching the budget across every category, they focused on what mattered most: music, food, and creating an inviting atmosphere.

“Part of this wedding was actually to show the families that it was possible to do the wedding in this place, which nobody actually believed was possible before.”

Giving Guests Time To Settle In Before The Wedding

Many guests traveled long distances, so the celebrations began the evening before.

Everyone who arrived early gathered at the farm for slow-fermentation pizzas baked in an outdoor oven. It gave guests time to settle in, meet one another, and get familiar with the property before wedding day.

By the following afternoon, the farm already felt less like an unfamiliar destination and more like a shared home.

Dressing For The Heat Without Losing The Style

Murilo skipped a traditional black suit in favor of a custom burnt orange design made in Berlin. Instead of a tie, he wore a neckerchief, encouraging guests to leave formal dress codes behind and stay comfortable in the Brazilian heat. He also tracked down a pair of Italian shoes during a trip to Turin, checking off one personal wedding wish.

Johanna found her dress almost immediately: a fitted lace gown with an open back. Only after choosing it did she ask Murilo how he pictured his future bride. “I don’t know, but I kind of see you in a lacy, fitted dress with an open back.” She had already found exactly that.

Giving Every Part Of The Family A Role In The Ceremony

There was no first look. Instead, Murilo first saw Johanna walking toward him along a path lined with colorful rugs leading to an antique family table placed between two palm trees.

As another surprise, Johanna arranged for Murilo’s best friend, her brother, and her sister-in-law to perform “Something New,” a song Murilo had written for her shortly after they started dating.

Their mutual friend Isabella officiated the ceremony in Portuguese while Johanna’s best friend translated every section into German. English-speaking guests followed along using printed translations.

Family members also played active roles. Murilo’s mother walked him to the ceremony, Johanna’s father accompanied her down the aisle, her mother carried the rings, all seven siblings shared reflections on topics like love and adventure, and their nieces and nephews formed a circle around them during the ring exchange.

Moving From Jazz To Samba To A Carnival Parade

Instead of moving into a traditional reception, guests wandered over to long tables and cozy seating areas for food, conversation, and live music.

Jazz musicians played while servers wearing traditional Bahian dresses passed Brazilian appetizers. Later, a live samba group took over before Johanna’s family introduced German traditions through speeches, childhood photos, and games rarely seen at Brazilian weddings.

The transition back to Brazil arrived in dramatic fashion when a carnival samba school marched into the celebration with drums, led by Isabella carrying a handmade carnival flag created especially for the couple.

Adding Handmade Details Without Hiding The Farm’s Character

Many of the decorative pieces were created by the couple themselves or sourced locally.

Johanna spent months making a large macramé backdrop that hung between the ceremony’s palm trees. She also stitched a large flag reading “AMOR LIEBE,” combining the Portuguese and German words for love.

Arabic rugs formed the aisle, while flowers, plants, lamps, and vintage pieces helped the renovated farm retain its relaxed character instead of disguising it.

The Details That Mattered After The Wedding Was Over

Like most weddings, a few things went missing, including some elusive Polaroid cameras. By the end of the day, none of it seemed important.

One surprise only revealed itself afterward.

A week later, Johanna discovered she had already been two weeks pregnant on their wedding day. Today, their daughter Alma—a traditional German name that also means “soul” in Portuguese—has become another reminder of the way their two worlds continue to come together.

Johanna and Murilo’s Sao Paulo wedding is proof that investing in a place with personal history can leave a legacy long after the last dance. And if there’s one decision they wouldn’t change, it’s choosing a photographer they trusted completely to document every part of it.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Krysta Photos
Event Planning – Gisele Lippi
Ceremony Venue – Fazenda Vale Verde – Amparo
Floral Design – Flor de Liz Design Floral
Catering – Quitutes da Analu
Cake – Kafer Bakery
Craft Beer – Cervejaria Campinas
Brewery – Bamberg Bier
Officiant – Isabella Nardini
DJ – DJ Lucas Barata
Live Music – Amo a Flor + Guilherme Alves
Videography – Puro Filme
Makeup + Hair Styling – Studio Luchi Amparo
Groom’s Apparel – Suit Supply Berlin
Rings – Antonio Macedo Joias
Rentals – Creative 360

This Fronton Bucareli Wedding Paired Jaw-Dropping Design With a Day Full of Surprises

July 21, 2026 | justine

ivory light blue orange

There was never a point during Kiana and Hector’s wedding when guests could predict what would happen next. At Fronton Bucareli, each part of the celebration revealed something new, from a courtyard ceremony and a hidden cocktail lounge to a dramatic reception space unveiled behind curtains. Along the way came a donkey named Nacho, a roaming magician, a surprise drag performance, and a dance floor that stayed busy well into the night.

That sense of discovery reflected the couple perfectly. They leaned into contrast, creativity, and a few playful inside jokes. Every decision, big and small, was designed to surprise the people they love while staying true to themselves.

What We Love About This Fronton Bucareli Wedding

A welcome picnic in Bosque de Chapultepec with paletas, lawn games, and live music
A pink embroidered wedding gown paired with a custom second look for both bride and groom
Pigeons replacing traditional dove motifs, right down to the ring bearer’s 3D pigeon clutch
Vegetarian Mexican street food that guests are still talking about
A cocktail hour complete with a saxophonist, magician, and the sweetest donkey named Nacho
A surprise performance by Drag Race México stars Las de la Fuente

Featured Vendor
Dorian Weddings

Finding A Wedding Style That Celebrated Opposites

Long before choosing flowers or fashion, Kiana and Hector had a clear idea of how they wanted their wedding to feel.

Their color palette borrowed from bougainvillea, mixing fuchsia, orange, green, and sky blue. Beyond color, they kept returning to unexpected pairings: whimsy with modernism, delicate florals against industrial architecture, and intimate moments inside monumental spaces.

That vision came together with the help of their planner, who introduced them to creative vendors excited to push beyond the expected. “We were always most excited to work with vendors with an artistic flare and a desire to create something unique they may have wanted to execute in the past but hadn’t yet found a couple willing to take risks.”

Their Connection Started With A Series Of Small-World Coincidences

Although they first met while working for the same company in Wisconsin, their story stretches back much further.

Both grew up in small towns in Washington State, about five hours apart. During college, they unknowingly traded places, attending schools near each other’s hometowns. Kiana had even worked at the same rural hospital as Hector’s father years before the two had ever met.

Looking back, it’s hard not to see how close they came to crossing paths long before they actually did.

A Pink Wedding Dress That Changed Everything

Kiana didn’t set out looking for a pink wedding dress. She spotted the embroidered gown during her final bridal appointment and tried it on “just for fun.” Once she saw herself wearing it, the decision was easy. The floral embroidery echoed the colorful, playful atmosphere they had envisioned from the beginning.

Her second look started with a pair of baby blue platform shoes, eventually leading to a custom mini dress and a matching shirt for Hector.

Rather than coordinating identical bridesmaid dresses, she simply shared the color palette and encouraged everyone to choose something that suited their own style. One last-minute addition turned out to be one of her favorites: funky clutches instead of bouquets, which looked great in photos and proved surprisingly practical.

Hector took a similar approach with his groomsmen, asking them to wear sand-colored suits without ties. The result felt polished while still relaxed.

A Welcome Party That Introduced Guests To Mexico City

Since many of their loved ones were traveling for the destination wedding, the couple wanted the celebrations to begin before the ceremony.

Their planner suggested hosting a picnic in Bosque de Chapultepec, one of Mexico City’s best-known parks. Guests spent the afternoon enjoying boxed lunches, music, games, and paletas beneath the trees, offering everyone a relaxed introduction to the city before the festivities officially began.

Turning Every Space Into A New Surprise

One of the biggest reasons they chose their venue was its ability to reveal itself throughout the evening. The celebration began outdoors during golden hour before guests were invited inside for cocktails in a moody lounge. When dinner was ready, curtains opened to reveal an entirely different room filled with dramatic draping, lighting, and long tables.

The surprises didn’t stop there. Cocktail hour featured a saxophonist, close-up magic, and Nacho the donkey greeting guests before everyone headed inside for dinner. Later in the evening, the trio Las de la Fuente from Drag Race México took the stage for a performance complete with fire, followed by a DJ spinning everything from house and techno to crowd favorites.

Turning Inside Jokes Into Wedding Design

Pigeons quietly became one of the wedding’s signature motifs. Instead of traditional wedding doves, the couple embraced the bride’s love of pigeons in playful ways. The ring bearer carried the bands inside a 3D pigeon-shaped clutch, while guests received handmade save-the-dates illustrated by Kiana herself.

Her mother also hand-painted pigeons onto every welcome bag. Inside each bag was a miniature CD keychain that linked to a Spotify playlist curated by the couple, giving guests a soundtrack inspired by the weekend.

Food was another priority. As vegetarians, Kiana and Hector wanted to prove that plant-based wedding menus could be every bit as memorable. Their planner connected them with AB Catering, whose vegetarian Mexican street food quickly became one of the most talked-about parts of the celebration.

The Best Advice They Took Was Their Own

Perhaps the biggest surprise wasn’t any single performance or design reveal. Almost none of their guests knew what to expect. Outside of the ceremony time and location, even their parents had very little information beforehand. Every room, performance, musician, floral installation, and entertainment element became a genuine surprise as the day unfolded.

That decision also helped the couple avoid outside opinions during planning. “Our advice is to keep true to yourselves throughout the process,” they shared. “Don’t let outside opinions sway you too much from what you as a couple want. We found that keeping the details of the wedding as a surprise was a huge help in allowing us to achieve this.”

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Elias Barajas + Dorian Weddings
Event Planning – Monica Planner
Venue – Fronton Bucareli
Floral Design – Comala
Catering – AB Catering + Drink Lab
DJ – TR Music
Live Music – Piacere + Alfredo Alonso
Videography – Dorian Weddings
Makeup Artist – Laura de la Vega
Wedding Dress – Rue de Seine from Lovely Bride Philadelphia
Bridal Accessories – Betsey Johnson + Motcy Designs + Versace Medusa Platforms
Groom’s Apparel – Banana Republic
Groom’s Accessories – Thursday Boot Company + Orient
Rings – House of Milner + L. Priori Jewelry
Rentals – Local Trendy + Rent & Company + Amaranto Blooms
Drag – Nina de la Fuente + Suculenta + Garçonne
Photobooth – Combiwow
Magician – Riken Magic
Moon – Marea Evento
Neon – La Casa del Neon Toluca

Pastel Florals and Quiet Tulum Elegance at This Hacienda 21 Wedding

July 19, 2026 | justine

bright red kelly green light pink orange sage green yellow

The wedding ended with everyone jumping into the pool, but one of the day’s standout moments happened much earlier, when Abi-Grace and Henry were married by both of their fathers. Between those two moments came a scooter getaway with beer cans trailing behind, tropical florals spilling across a private villa, and a celebration that embraced Tulum’s easygoing pace at Hacienda 21.

The couple met in college, where a close friendship slowly grew into something more. Through different seasons of life, they always found themselves back together. As Abi-Grace puts it, “Looking back, we knew it was meant to be when we realized that no matter where life took us, home was always with each other.” That sense of ease shaped the wedding just as much as the destination did.

What We Love About This Hacienda 21 Wedding

Both of their fathers officiating the ceremony together
A private villa celebration that ended with everyone jumping into the pool
A scooter getaway complete with a “Just Married” sign and beer cans
Invitations and seating signage designed by the bride herself

Featured Vendor:
The Wilks

Pastels Made More Sense Than Bold Tropical Colors

As an event designer, Abi-Grace had a clear vision from the beginning. Rather than building an elaborate concept, she used the surroundings as her starting point. “Our goal was to create a celebration that felt vibrant, welcoming, and true to us.”

Tropical blooms, organic materials, and soft pastel tones echoed the landscape without competing with it. The villa already had the atmosphere they were looking for, so the design focused on adding color and texture while leaving plenty of room for the setting to speak for itself.

Hiring People They Actually Enjoyed Working With

Abi-Grace handled much of the planning and creative direction herself, but building the right vendor team became one of the most important parts of organizing a destination wedding.

Since they were planning from afar, conversations mattered just as much as portfolios. They searched for people who were responsive, collaborative, and genuinely excited about the celebration.

They discovered many of their vendors through Instagram, including Junebug vendor The Wilks. “We found many of our vendors through Instagram, including our photographer, whose work immediately stood out to us because of how authentic and emotional it felt.”

Saving Their First Look for the Ceremony

Abi-Grace and Henry skipped a first look, choosing to see each other for the first time as the ceremony began.

Standing with them were both of their fathers, who officiated together.

“The most memorable part of our ceremony was having both of our fathers officiate. It was such a personal and meaningful way to begin our marriage, and hearing them share their words, advice, and love made the moment incredibly special.”

Their families watched as the ceremony unfolded, making it one of the most personal parts of the day.

Dressing for Every Part of the Celebration

Henry wore a classic black tuxedo, while Abi-Grace chose a romantic boho-inspired gown that suited the tropical surroundings. Later in the evening, she changed into a flowy mini dress before the dance floor filled up.

The wardrobe shifted with the day itself, moving comfortably from the ceremony to a lively reception.

A Scooter Exit and a Pool Full of Wedding Guests

After dinner, the timeline became a little less structured.

The newlyweds climbed onto a scooter decorated with a “Just Married” sign and beer cans tied behind it before riding through the property. Later, with the entire villa reserved for their guests, everyone ended up in the pool together.

It was the kind of ending that fit a destination wedding where nobody needed to rush off to another venue or call it an early night.

Small Details That Reflected Their Style

Some of the most personal details appeared long before guests found their seats.

Abi-Grace designed both the invitations and the seating display herself, carrying the same visual language from the first piece of stationery through to the reception. Those details blended naturally with the tropical florals and organic decor without drawing attention away from the celebration itself.

Advice for Couples Planning Their Own Wedding

Their advice to other couples is simple:

“It’s easy to get caught up in opinions, expectations, or outdated traditions, but the most meaningful moments come from choosing what genuinely reflects who you are. Trust your instincts, prioritize what matters most to you, and don’t be afraid to do things differently if it feels authentic.”

When the day reflected the way they naturally celebrate—with close family, relaxed moments, and room for a little spontaneity—it never needed much else.