From a proposal on a remote Brazilian beach to a celebration in the heart of Dublin, Deborah Sweeney and Leonardo Silva Crispim de Oliveira's wedding was a true coming together of cultures. Held at The Dylan Hotel, their day blended heartfelt tradition with a relaxed, joy-filled atmosphere full of family, music and connection.

THE DRESS AND THE SUIT

Deb’s dress is from Ivory & Pearl in Newtownards. Leo’s suit was made in Brazil.

THE CEREMONY

It was in The Dylan Hotel in Dublin. The rings were passed around to all 80 guests for a ring warming so that they could hold them for a few seconds and make a little good wish for us over them. I’m not sure it was that effective since Leo’s ended up at the bottom of the Forty Foot the next day. Ha! But it was lovely. Leo’s Aunt Luzia gave us a blessing during the ceremony. It was a Humanist ceremony, but some of Leo’s family are religious, so that was important to Leo, even more so that it was his aunt who did it. My cousin, Simone, wrote a poem for us, called This Love, which she read during the ceremony. Leo’s son, Matheus, read it in Portuguese.

We both walked down the aisle in threes: Leo with his mam and his Aunt Luzia, and me with my mam and dad. Our celebrant was Emma Sides. We found her online; she was living close by and seemed like a good, experienced fit. We walked down the aisle to Only You by Yazoo.

THE RECEPTION 

It was so brilliant to have the families blended together, even though the Irish contingent doesn’t speak Portuguese, and most of Leo’s family doesn’t speak English. That didn’t stop the mingling.

We had Leo’s friend, Renata, translate his mom’s speech and Luzia’s blessing, and it all worked out. Leo’s dad, who couldn’t be there, sent a special video message, singing Brazilian love songs on the guitar, which was very emotional for Leo. Leo’s cousin FaceTimed Leo’s brother and other family members so they could watch the ceremony in real time

THE ENTERTAINMENT

We had a Brazilian singer, Luana Matos Music, for the drinks reception. Paddy Fagan was the DJ for afters.

THE DECOR

The hotel dining room, which was also used for the ceremony, featured the most amazing living wall, the main feature and a beautiful sight. It was a tall, mossy structure that climbs the back wall of the restaurant, then fans out on either side, covering the top of the wall. Against the green chairs and the white walls, it was really striking. Ginkgo Florists did the flowers. The chosen flowers were startling pinks, purples, oranges, and yellows to really stand out.

We didn’t really have wedding colours (Leo’s suit was blue with a copper tie and shoes, and my dress was ivory-white with a bridal bouquet), but so many family members dressed in blues and navys that the family wedding pics look like they were designed that way. They weren’t! Even our daughter, whose favourite colour is pink, chose a blue dress on the day (she had a few options courtesy of her grandmother, who came from Miami armed with loads of fabulous dresses).

The food was exceptional including everything from mushroom arancini and tuna tartare bites to Irish smoked salmon, sea bass with fennel, and ratatouille with sauce vierge. Dessert was Panna cotta or a chocolate trifle to die for. There was evening finger food too, including canapés, as well as good old fried soakage in the form of chicken and sausages.

We didn’t have a wedding cake. We didn’t have bridesmaids or a bridal party. And we didn’t have a first dance. We tried to tailor the day to what we wanted, even if it meant my dad didn’t get a slice of the wedding cake! We did a birthday cake after dinner for my three nephews, all of whom have birthdays around the time of the wedding.

The meal and the party were what we wanted to focus most on, which is what we did. It was a brilliant night – so much fun and dancing! George Michael’s Freedom has been cited as the pinnacle of the dance floor moments!

THEIR TOP TIPS

Do things the way you want them (be specific), but let the small things go on the day. The room is filled with the people you love and who love you; enjoy it all.

Also, we weren’t planning on getting a videographer, as we wanted things as low-key as possible. People said we should, especially since we had our daughter and Leo’s son there, so we did. We’ve just gotten material back, and it’s so great to be able to see the speeches back as your head is a bit all over the place on the day, and to be able to see how our guests were enjoying the day, from their perspective. So glad we listened!

THEY WISH THEY HAD

Realised that some people’s fingers shrink in cold water, causing their new wedding rings to come off. Leo’s ring ended up in the Forty Foot the day after the wedding!