We were so relieved to wake up feeling normal again the morning of the wedding in Ouro Preto. Its the best thing about a hangover, going to bed and knowing tomorrow is a new day!

We tidied up Peggy, got Tabitha out and Alex’s suit and got ready for Vinicius and Mark to arrive, We had had a brainwave (after all the wine, beers, Caiparinias etc) that we should do a ‘wash’ the dress shoot the morning of the wedding! It brings a whole new meaning to Trash the dress!

Peggy desperately needed a wash so we got the hose pipe out and the bucket and sponge and got to work…but in our wedding clothes!
The sun was hot and the water ice cold (as I soon found out). Alex started off nicely sprinkling water at me while I scrubbed Peggy’s grill! We had a great laugh doing it and Vini got some great shots too!

Philipe and crew arrived just as I looked like a drowned rat which was lovely timing and we dried up and set off to Encanto de Glaura where the wedding would be held that afternoon.

We drove in convoy with everyone, stopping now and then to pretend to push Peggy (as though she had broken down) for the TV show or to get some footage of us driving. We just followed along as we were told and soon found out the road to the Pousada was closed! We all turned back around and followed Carol and husband Kicko to a dead end! We were relieved that it is not only us that can get lost! We finally rolled up an hour later than expected and that is when the craziness began! The Pousada was STUNNING!!!!!!!

Overlooking the mountains the Encanto de Glaura perched; surrounded by amazing views, glorious greens and hazy blue skies. This would be the location of our Fantastico wedding in Ouro Preto.

We were excitedly greeted by everyone and shown around by the lovely Marina. We were lucky to have arrived in time to grab some food which was laid out for guests to help themselves to in an amazingly relaxed dining room. We met Vinicius’ parents and friends who were going to be our guests and felt the nerves start to kick in.

Once we had eaten we were shown to our room, which had been revamped into an amazing beauty station by Daniel and Polyane. A double sided mirror split the room in two just inside open double doors which welcomed the outside in. The sun was shining, guests were milling about the stunning grounds and our camera crew got ready to shoot. Everywhere we looked there were cameras and the nerves mounted and mounted.

Fantastico wanted to get some footage of us taking a shower (as we had let slip that taking a shower was a treat for us) so I changed into my Bikini and showered for the camera and then kicked them all out for a moments peace. Alex and I switched and as he went to shower I was plopped into a seat to have my hair styled. Poor Polyane looked lost and I immediately said to her she was free to cut it if she would like to! I explained the Chile hair cut disaster, she smiled (after hearing the translation and seeing the pictures) and got to work! Cameras flashed everywhere. The room was beautiful! A free standing building with windows and shutters that opened to the outdoors. No glass, just welcoming the outdoors in. Each window was filled with smiling faces watching the transformation taking place!

Alex emerged from the shower room and was seated on the other side of the mirror where I couldn’t see him. He was having his hair cut while I was having my make up done. I was polished and pampered, eyelashes curled and glossed, sparkle and colour added and my lips painted! I looked like a whole new person!

We were asked a few questions by the Fantastico crew and before long it was time for the dress. Everyone was shooed away from the windows, the shutters closed and once in the dark (with another several cameras trained on me) I was asked to drop my towel and step into the dress…awesome…I blushed profusely and tried to be as elegant as possible but in my new heels and not much else I can only imagine!!!

Alex helped me fasten a few buttons, reminding me to breathe and that I was now clothed and went to wait for me at the altar.

Patricia finished up adjusting my hair piece, adding earrings and a rosary and we waited chattering (in two different languages) nervously.
Finally I heard the music start! Kicko had kindly offered to be our musician for the wedding and as I heard the first few chords of the guitar I was already on the verge of tears. His voice was beautiful and the song perfect for the setting and the occasion.

I was given my cue and walked out of our room and started to walk towards Alex. I had a quick glance around at the altar draped in purple and pink bougainvillea and at all of the guests faces stood and turned towards me. I felt clumsy and was sure I would trip over my own feet but once I had set my eyes on Alex’s I knew I would get there in one piece.

The ceremony was read by Orestes Debossan in Portuguese and then translated into English by Fernanda, Kicko’s sister. It was so beautiful that my chin wobbled all the way through it and Alex was close to tears himself. We really felt that Orestes understood our journey and more importantly for us that he was happy for us to be on this great adventure spreading a little love wherever we go. He smiled throughout and made us so welcome to Brazil…his favourite line which had everyone laughing several times was “God is Brazilian” so we must return there to officially marry. We joked and pointed out that we had no idea and that we have been doing this for a while! He reassured us again with a cheeky smile that God is DEFINITELY Brazilian! He had gone to so much trouble to create us a certificate of marriage using a picture from Henrique and asking us to sign it. We thanked Orestes and Fernanda for such a wonderful and touching ceremony and were sent to walk back down the aisle.

All of the guests threw rice and cheered and we were treated to a champagne toast and traditional Brazilian favours (Bem Casado) of sponge filled with dulce de leche and covered in chocolate, all wrapped in paper and sealed with small ribbons and rosary. They were so beautiful I couldn’t bear to eat mine! There were also gorgeous petit fours (casadinhos) in all kinds of flavours, with nuts, caramel, chocolate, coconut and all the best things AND then we were invited to stay in the room for the night!

We met with our guests and Philipe and team filmed us driving Peggy away with strings of cans trailing from her bumper!

Wedding 25 had been such an amazing surprise and everyone had been so wonderful to help us out so much. We said some sad farewells (to Mark and Philipe) and some ‘see you soons’ to Vinicius and his family and went to the restaurant to wind down with Marina. We finished off our super eventful day with a glass of wine and petit fours in the whirlpool bath and collapsed in our usual wedding heap.

The pictures are incredible and we will treasure them forever…as we will the video which we will post tomorrow!!!

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Thanks again to everyone who made this possible | Location – Encanto de Glaura | Photographer –  Vinicius Matos | Celebrant – Orestes Debossan | Hair and make up –  Daniel e Polyane Araújo | Dress, Accessories and shoes – Tetê Rezende | Musician – Kicko Campos | Translator – Fernanda Campos |

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