Taylor Rains and Carter Joyce, a couple who share a sense of romance and adventure, have always been drawn to exploring the world together. Their love story began online in 2016, and since then, they’ve spent their holiday seasons traveling to new destinations, including Belgium, where they got engaged in 2022. Carter proposed to Taylor on a Ferris wheel in Brussels, and after a few rotations, Taylor finally picked his jaw up off the ground.
A Unique Wedding Vision
The couple’s love of travel and romance led them to plan a destination wedding in a storied venue or gorgeous destination. They researched opulent venues, such as the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, chateaux in France, and villas in Italy, but ultimately decided to go international. With the help of their planner, Georgia Haldenby from Matthew Oliver Weddings, they found the perfect location in Sintra, Portugal.
Georgia’s first task was to help the couple determine which destination to choose. After discussing their budget and preferences, she suggested Sintra, a town in Portugal known for its whimsical castles and stunning architecture. The couple fell in love with the idea and began planning their wedding in the town’s historic venues.
Planning the Perfect Wedding
Taylor and Carter made two trips to Portugal to plan their wedding, including a visit to the venues and a trip for menu tastings and vendor conversations. They wanted to create a unique and personalized experience for their guests, with a focus on sharing their love of travel and culture.
Their ceremony itself was set within the crumbling, 16th-century, stone-walled garden, featuring ivy-covered stone walls, archways, and a shallow reservoir. The couple’s aesthetic was simple and masculine, with a focus on letting the stunning venues shine.
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Cultural Elements and Surprises
Taylor and Carter wanted to incorporate local culture into their wedding, with a focus on Portuguese traditions and flavors. They featured fado music, flamenco dancers, and a ceremony set within the crumbling stone walls of a 16th-century garden. The couple also created welcome bags for their guests, with a hand-drawn map of the area and pastel de nata (egg tarts).
One of the highlights of the wedding was the surprise performance by drag queens, which took place at midnight. The drag performers, via Pride Talent, brought a new level of energy to the party.
The couple’s wedding was a unique and memorable celebration of their love and commitment to each other. With the help of their planner and vendors, they created a stunning and personalized experience that reflected their sense of adventure and romance.
As they looked back on their special day, Taylor and Carter knew that they had made the right decision in choosing Sintra, Portugal, as the perfect destination for their wedding. The town’s historic venues, stunning architecture, and art and culture provided the perfect backdrop for their celebration.
The couple’s love story, which began online and took them to destinations around the world, had finally found its perfect ending in the picturesque town of Sintra. And as they danced the night away, surrounded by their friends and family, Taylor and Carter knew that their wedding would be a memory they would cherish forever.
