Margarida & Santiago
A wedding celebrated by 21 nationalities that gained recognition in international magazines.
A Love Between Cultures in Braga
Margarida, Vice President at BNP Paribas Investment Bank in London, and Santiago, an economic diplomat at the Spanish Embassy in London, chose Braga to celebrate a wedding that brought together friends and family from 21 nationalities.
The ceremony, held at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, blended elegance, tradition, and a cosmopolitan energy that quickly caught the attention of the press.
On a day where tradition met international flair, Margarida and Santiago’s wedding stood out for the warm welcome extended to guests from 21 countries and the feeling of an intimate celebration on a grand scale. Choosing Braga, celebrating at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, and gathering a multicultural ensemble turned the event into a memorable occasion, earning coverage in the national press. The result was a visual and emotional narrative: thoughtful details, moments of connection, and a reception that celebrated Portugal at its most captivating as a wedding destination.
Interview
Margarida and Santiago, tell us about yourselves — how did you meet, start dating, and of course, the big moment of the marriage proposal?
Margarida: We met in London during the Covid period, when the famous “rule of six” limited gatherings to small groups. It was one of those improbable nights that end up changing everything. Santiago, although Spanish, surprised me by speaking Portuguese fluently, which I found especially impressive since I’m much better with numbers than languages (laughs). The connection was immediate, and before we knew it, we started writing our love story. The proposal happened in the Maldives, at sunset, in a serene and beautiful moment we will never forget.
What did it mean to you to get married at the Basilica of Bom Jesus? How was it choosing such an iconic venue?
Santiago: Getting married at the Basilica of Bom Jesus had a deeply special meaning for us. It’s a place of timeless beauty and great spirituality, perfectly reflecting our Iberian roots. We were looking for a church that would convey the magnitude of the commitment we were making. From the moment I walked in, I felt an indescribable peace. At that instant, we knew it couldn’t be anywhere else.
How was it organizing a wedding with guests from 21 different nationalities? What logistical challenges and joys did it bring?
Margarida: Organizing a wedding where only a third of the guests were Portuguese was challenging, but also a huge joy. It was an opportunity to show our guests the best of our countries and traditions. We wanted to take care of every detail throughout the weekend — from hospitality and travel arrangements to translations and little thoughtful gestures. We even planned tourist experiences for free moments, for those who wanted to explore the city. In the end, seeing so many nationalities together was absolutely moving. For one day, it felt like our entire world was there celebrating love with us.
What strategies did you use to make the experience welcoming for guests with different languages and cultures?
Santiago: We knew asking someone to travel from another country — or even another continent, like several friends from Latin America, the United States, and even Singapore — was a big request. So, we wanted to make everything as easy as possible. We created a dedicated concierge service that helped with reservations, transfers, and even details like suit rentals for those who needed them. But above all, we relied on what defines us best: Portuguese hospitality and Spanish enthusiasm. In the end, music, food, and most importantly, love, are universal languages — and that made the atmosphere so welcoming and natural.
What values or traditions did you want to bring from your families (Portuguese and Spanish) into the day?
Margarida: Our wedding was truly a celebration of what we inherited from our families: warm emotions, Catholic faith, and a deep sense of tradition. There were also very special symbolic gestures. Santiago’s mother wore a mantilla during the religious ceremony, a beautiful Spanish tradition, and the evening before we had a fado performance during the welcome dinner, honoring my roots. Overall, the day reflected a harmonious fusion of our origins, present in everything from the dress code to the food and protocol.
Which Portuguese vendors were essential? Were there any collaborations that particularly impressed you with their quality or professionalism?
Santiago: Portugal undoubtedly has top-tier professionals, and we were lucky to work with teams who embraced the project wholeheartedly. The Bom Jesus Hotels hosted most of our guests, providing great comfort, and Solar da Levada created an extraordinary gastronomic and visual experience. The Coro Génesis orchestra filled the Basilica with emotion, the Bellcanto violinists turned the dinner into an unforgettable concert, and Teles Eventos brought contagious energy to the celebration. CARAS magazine provided impeccable media coverage, with the professionalism that has distinguished them for decades. The dedication and rigor of everyone exceeded all expectations.
What boundaries did you set between your privacy and media exposure on your day?
Margarida: We are happy to share our story, also to help other couples planning their big day. Our planning combined family traditions and trends we followed through the press and social media, including, of course, on your page @bestofportugalweddings. Inspiration comes precisely from this mix of references. My family has a special affection for CARAS magazine, which has followed other important moments for us. We fully trusted their excellent teams, and seeing our wedding featured in their pages is an honor and a beautiful way to close this chapter with gratitude and emotion.
A spontaneous moment happened during the dance when my extended family asked the DJ to play a typical sevillanas song. Within seconds, everyone was dancing with contagious energy, and the other guests joined in, clapping and following the rhythm. It was one of the most vibrant and authentic moments of the night, and certainly something no one expected to see at a wedding in Portugal!
Any funny or memorable stories that happened because of the diversity of guests?
What was the most emotional moment for each of you during the day? Why?
Margarida: For me, the most emotional moment was undoubtedly when I walked into the Basilica with my father and saw Santiago waiting. There’s something indescribable in that instant — it feels like time stops and everything gains meaning. I also loved our first dance opening the reception; it was a beautiful moment.
Santiago: For me, it was during the exchange of vows. Hearing Margarida’s words in such a symbolic church was deeply moving. I felt, without a doubt, that we were starting a new life together. I also can’t forget my father’s speech, a true ode to life, love, and our family.
If you had to choose three things that made your wedding unforgettable, what would they be?
Margarida: It’s hard to pick just three moments because there were so many magical instances. I’d highlight the welcome dinner the evening before the wedding, at sunset in the gardens of the Elevador Hotel, with a black-tie dress code and the James Bond movie soundtrack, marking the first big gathering of our families. Then, leaving the Basilica after our mass, celebrated by Father João Paulo Coelho Alves, with the bells ringing, petals flying, and a “Just Married” message in the sky — pure emotion. And finally, cutting the cake at Solar da Levada, with champagne and fireworks, concluding the dinner in an absolutely unforgettable way.
Santiago: Waking up the next day was a feeling of peace and absolute happiness. After a whole year of planning, it was wonderful to realize everything had gone even better than we imagined. Our hearts were full, especially seeing our parents’ joy. Between us, there was also a sense of relief at finally completing the whole wedding planning chapter (laughs).
After so many months of preparation, how did it feel the next day to think: “We are officially married”?
Getting married with guests from 21 nationalities was high-profile. Do you think it had an impact on your personal or professional lives?
Margarida: Being surrounded by friends and colleagues who, by coincidence, represent 21 different nationalities, including various cultures and religions, sparked curiosity and some media attention, which we received with great affection. But beyond the external impact, the effect was mostly personal. We felt enormous gratitude for being able to gather such diverse people in a shared spirit of celebration and love. It was an experience that reinforced our worldview and the value of human connections.
Looking back on your big day, what do you feel?
Santiago: The prevailing feeling is one of deep gratitude. It was an absolutely magical weekend, lived with the people we love most, and we will hardly ever have everyone together again. Every detail reflected who we are and what we value: family, friends, and genuine celebration of life. It went by in an instant, but left memories we will cherish forever. It was, without a doubt, the best day of my life.
Margarida: We want to sincerely thank everyone who was with us during this important chapter of our lives. We feel truly blessed to have friends and family who traveled from far away to celebrate love with us. A special thanks to our parents for their tireless support and for making everything possible. And, of course, to my husband Santiago, for allowing me to live every childhood dream I had for my wedding. It was a true dream come true. Thank you!
Would you like to leave a message for everyone who shared this special day with you?
Wedding Planner: @etiquetteportugal
Videography: @danielbencomofilms
Venue: @solardalevadalagodoscisnes
Photography: @wedlifer | @danilova.photography
Dress: @galialahav
Church choir: @corogenesishumnus
Entretainement: @teleseventos
Content Creator : @lovestoriescontent_