“For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart.

It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.”

- Judy Garland

My best friend is getting married today. I though I’d honor the auspicious occasion by posting some  images from her engagement  session. These were taken in Portugal in July. They are a very special couple and I wish them all the happiness as they start their new life together.

We had this session planned from the moment I arrived in Braga. We scouted all the best locations, thought of all the coolest things to do and when the day came, it rained the hardest I can remember on a Summer day.  It was only 3 days before I had to leave so I started panicking, scared that we had missed our chance. I spent most of the day in my friend’s apartment watching the heavy rain and gray skies.  Just as I was losing hope, there was a break in the weather in the late afternoon and we literally raced outside. To my surprise, behind the row of apartment buildings in her street, I found an undeveloped hill with wild trees and grasses and I knew I had the right location for this engagement session.

We had lot of fun and about 30 minutes before the rain came back. Sometimes things don’t turn out as you plan, but the outcome was just as special, if not more.

And now I will stop my ramblings and let the images tell the story of Fernanda and Domingos.

My favorite ‘hand shot’, showcasing the engagement ring that is traditional in Portugal.

You can see here how the trees framed the path that led into the fields, just beautiful.

Love their serene expressions in this one.

This one is my friend’s favorite, for the silly look on her fiancé’s face.

This one is my favorite- they don’t know yet, but they’re getting a huge print of this one.

A candid moment.

And another ‘hand shot’, just because I love it.

And some from her bridal session. I didn’t have her permission to post them until now Instead of  a traditional gown, she chose this beautiful retro-inspired soft gray silk suit that I absolutely loved on her:

Doesn’t she look beautiful?

And a final quote, because I’m feeling sentimental:

“Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep… wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you’re just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky his is to have you…. The one who turns to his friends and says, ‘that’s her.’”

Fernanda, já sabes que tenho pena de não poder ter estado aí contigo para o vosso dia especial. Muitas felicidades e os maiores desejos de tudo de bom para vós. ♥

“Better than I was,

more than I am.

And all of this happened

by taking your hand.”- It’s Your Love, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

This is a sneak peek of a very special engagement session, the future bride is my best friend. I was so glad to be able to be there to capture these special moments for them, thank you for inviting me.

In Portugal, the bride-to-be wears an engagement band on the right hand as a sign of commitment. Upon marriage, it is then transferred to the left hand and worn along side the wedding band.

The caption on the image says: “Love is… walking hand in hand.”

Amiga, espero que gostes!