For more than 25 years, Maria and Afonso have shared a life rooted in love, partnership, and a profound dedication to celebrating meaningful moments.
Based in Portugal, they are full‑time wedding planners specialising in bespoke destination weddings. Each celebration is thoughtfully designed to reflect the couple’s unique story, style, and vision. Inspired by Portugal’s extraordinary landscapes — from dramatic coastlines and historic estates to sun‑lit vineyards — their approach is guided by the belief that a wedding should feel natural, personal, and effortlessly elegant.
Maria and Afonso believe that exceptional weddings begin with genuine connection. They take the time to truly understand each couple, carefully shaping every decision — from venue selection to the finest detail — with intention, creativity, and precision. The result is a seamless and refined experience, allowing couples to be fully present and confident that every element has been meticulously curated on their behalf.
Whether you’re dreaming of a lavish wedding, a romantic elopement, or something uniquely your own, we offer personalized planning services crafted to turn your vision into an unforgettable celebration.
01 — Planning
Planning is the foundation of an exceptional wedding — and the reason your day feels effortless.
We act as your trusted partner and advisor, managing every aspect of the process, including:
Our role is to simplify complexity, protect your investment, and ensure every moment reflects your vision — not only for you, but for every guest who has traveled to celebrate with you.
02 — Design
Design is where your story comes to life.
From the grand gestures to the smallest details, everything is thoughtfully curated:
The result is more than a beautiful wedding — it is an immersive visual experience that feels unmistakably yours.
03 — Production
Production transforms design into reality — and elevates your wedding into something truly unforgettable.
This is where technical expertise and creativity come together to create atmosphere, emotion, and impact.
We manage every production element, including:
From elegant lighting above your dinner to a spectacular first dance, production ensures every moment feels extraordinary and flawlessly executed
04 — Coordination
On your wedding day, our team becomes the quiet force behind everything.
We oversee every detail from start to finish — including pre-wedding and post-wedding events — ensuring everything unfolds exactly as planned.
We will
So you can be fully present — relaxed, joyful, and immersed in every moment
Your only responsibility is to enjoy. Ours is to make it unforgettable.
Palácio de Queluz
Palácio Tancos and Vandelli Botanical Garden
Quinta da Penalva
Casa Holstein and Casa Penedos
Memmo Alfama Hotel and ROOFTOP Bar Mundial
Forte da Cruz
Pestana Palácio do Freixo
Quinta dos Machados Weddings
Penha Longa Monastery
Contact Us
Let’s create something unforgettable. Send us your details and we’ll connect with you soon.
Kind Words
Maddy and Matt
Working with Afonso & Maria was the best decision we made for our wedding. Our day would not have been the same without them. They became more than just our planners but like family. They put so much time, effort and care into their clients. From picking us up at the airport after a trans-atlantic flight (and 5 suitcases) to endless zoom calls calming our nerves working through all the little details of the day.
We were so lucky to have them with us through every step providing recommendations for our caterer, makeup/hair artists, florists – knowing the ins and outs, the right budget, the right vendors, and just putting it all together. They were outstanding. And the day of our wedding they executed every detail perfectly. If there were any issues that had arised we remained blissfully unaware as they resolved and continued the day seamlessly.
Wedding planners are with you during your most intimate moments, from helping you with your dress, getting you ready to walk down the aisle, driving you to your venue there is no one else we would’ve wanted there with us. If you’re lucky enough to be one of the few they select to work with, you will have an unforgettable experience.
Vanilla Weddings made our wedding day a true dream and through the process we were so lucky to create a beautiful friendship along the way.
Kind Words
Monika and Peter
Afonso and Maria made our wedding day a dream come true! They were so helpful in the process, and the day itself and welcome party were truly the most amazing experience!!! Having them to translate and help our vision come to life was the most helpful experience given that all our vendors were in Lisbon and/or Portugal. They quickly became our forends and we are so happy with how the process and day went. Highly highly recommend hiring them for your wedding you won’t regret i! THANK YOU!!! 😊
Kind Words
Kelli and Lucas
My husband and I decided to have an intimate wedding in Sintra, Pt because we fell in love with it while traveling. We really didn’t have much of an idea what we were getting ourselves into.
We looked for a wedding planner and met with others before Maria and Afonso. We knew right away they were perfect when we met them. They were so kind and understood what we wanted and took into consideration our budget. They were so attentive to us from Portugal while we were home in NYC.
We really appreciated this because planning a wedding with all the details involved (big and small) is all consuming and add on top of that across the sea—anxiety provoking!
I don’t even know how to put it all into words how special they made our day. It was beyond our expectations! We and our guests will never forget it! It was a fairytale wedding and I am so grateful to have had them right by our side the entire time. We love you Vanilla Weddings and you now our family!!
Kind Words
Maria and Anthony
We truly couldn’t recommend Maria and Afonso more. From start to finish, they were incredible – thoughtful, patient, and wholeheartedly committed to bringing our vision to life. They made our wedding feel like so much more than just a day – it was everything we dreamed of and more.
They’re incredibly well connected, have impeccable taste, and are just truly wonderful people. Their ties across Portugal opened doors we never could’ve found on our own – introducing us to the most special places, people, and hidden gems.
But what really sets them apart is how much they care; not just about the wedding, but about the entire experience. Every visit from New York to Portugal felt like a celebration in itself. We’ll carry those memories with us forever
xx
Kind Words
Ali and Trevor
I cannot say enough good things about Maria and Afonso. They were so kind and happy, had great suggestions for every aspect of our wedding, and looked after us as if we were life-long friends.
They were incredibly supportive and responded to any questions quickly, which was especially amazing as we were 8 hours behind them. They were so wonderful that even my friends had a great experience with them during our wedding. I am so so glad that I found them and HIGHLY recommend them!
Kind Words
Soma and Kelvin
As we were planning our wedding abroad in Lisbon, we searched for the perfect wedding planners and were fortunate to find Afonso and Maria. Their expertise truly made our wedding day extraordinary.
They went above and beyond to ensure every detail was flawless, from assisting us in choosing the right vendors to managing every aspect on the wedding day itself. Their extensive experience in planning weddings made a significant difference and greatly eased the entire process.
Again, thank you both for making our special day unforgettable and for ensuring our guests left feeling like it was the best wedding they had ever attended. :)
Kind Words
Nina and Craig
Maria and Alfonso, we would like to start by saying thank you so much for tolerating our manic moments, soothing us during the panicked moments, and being by our side for the most fantastic moment of our lives!
Wedding planning is wild, the emotional sways are extreme, but when you’re working with wedding planners that feel like family it makes it all feel so much more comforting and genuine. The magic in what Afonso and Maria deliver isn’t just from their extensive knowledge of the industry, but from their genuine understanding of people. We are so grateful to have had them by our side and cannot recommend their services enough!
Kind Words
Caroline and Tiago
Our experience with our wedding planners was nothing short of exceptional. From the very beginning, their professionalism and dedication were evident. They were prompt, organized, and communicated effectively, which immediately put us at ease during the often-stressful wedding planning process.
Their hard work was truly commendable. They went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our wedding was executed flawlessly. Their tireless efforts behind the scenes were evident in the seamless flow of events on the big day. Their ability to handle unexpected challenges with grace and efficiency was truly impressive and made us feel incredibly grateful to have them on our team.
One of the standout qualities of our wedding planners was their creativity. They brought fresh and innovative ideas to the table, making our wedding feel unique and personalized. Whether it was the décor, the seating arrangement, or the entertainment, their creative touch added a special magic to the entire event.
Their attention to detail was another remarkable aspect of their service. They left no stone unturned when it came to making sure everything was perfect. From the arrangement of the flowers to the timing of the speeches, every detail was carefully thought out and executed with precision.
Even our guests came forward to mark and compliment the professionalism and care of Maria and Afonso. Their efforts were recognized by everyone.
Kind Words
Maria and Kevin
Choosing Maria and Afonso of Vanilla Weddings to plan our destination wedding in Portugal was the BEST decision we made! We can’t recommend them highly enough. They flawlessly executed not one, not two, but three incredible events for us: a Welcome Party, our Wedding, and a Farewell Cocktail hour, all spread across two beautiful cities. The logistics alone could have been a nightmare, but Maria and Afonso handled everything with such grace and expertise, we never had a moment of stress.
From the very beginning, their dedication was evident. We had 2 in-person visits with them, and they so graciously drove us to all our venues, translated the language, and helped us select the very best for our big day. In addition to our in person visits, they were always available by WhatsApp or a quick Zoom meeting. They patiently guiding us through countless venue options and vendor selections.
And – they go above and beyond!! They even took us to some truly iconic Portuguese spots we never would have discovered on our own, adding a unique and authentic touch to our celebrations.
Beyond their organizational brilliance, they have an incredible eye for detail (thank you Maria) and a genuine warmth that made us feel completely supported throughout the entire process. They listened to our vision and brought it to life in ways we couldn’t have imagined, all while managing our budget (thank you Afonso).
Maria and Afonso went above and beyond in every aspect, anticipating our needs before we even knew we had them. They were always available to answer questions, offer advice, and reassure us that everything was under control. Thanks to their incredible work, our wedding week was an absolute dream come true, filled with unforgettable moments and sheer joy.
If you’re looking for wedding planners who will not only expertly plan your wedding but also become your trusted friends and advocates along the way, look no further than Maria and Afonso of Vanilla Weddings. They are truly exceptional and one of a kind!
