There’s a Chinese proverb that states: “A good neighbor-a found treasure.” Albert and Greg found in each other said treasure.

Their relationship started as one between neighbors. Over the course of four years, the two evolved from casual neighbors to fast friends to falling in love. “We were inseparable,” which helps explain why the two can’t recall a first date.

In 2020 the two bought a home together. Greg always said he wanted to buy a place together before getting married. So 1 month after moving in, Albert asked Greg if they could go ring shopping and he said yes. Describing their love story as “unconventional,” it is no surprise that when it came to getting engaged, the experience would be similar. Having selected rings for their engagement, Albert and Greg ‘popped the question’ in a similarly unconventional way. They simply slipped rings on each other and were engaged!

After one year of being engaged, the two traveled to Lisbon to scout potential wedding venues. “We fell in love and as soon as we got home, we started planning.” They selected Bairro do Avillez as their wedding venue, in part because it was a Jose Avillez restaurant. Jose is a Michelin-starred Portuguese chef. And, for the reception, they selected Mini Bar, at the back of the Barrio. “You accessed it by opening up a bookcase,” which the couple did to let guests in after dinner.

Their ceremony began with their friend Sally singing Sigala’s “I Came Here for Love” from on high. As she finished, Greg and Albert entered to their friend and family’s cheers. Their guests gathered below them as their friend and Bella officiated their ceremony. “We were so moved by all the love. The love we had for each other and the love we felt from everyone who traveled to Portugal to celebrate with us.”

When you pick a Michelin-starred chef, you’d better believe the food is going to be a hit. “The food at the reception was out of this world. People were too full for dessert and the late-night food during the party!” But full tummies did not deter people from dancing until the wee hours of the morning. “At 2:45 the dancefloor was packed, and no one even felt like it was late at night… or early in the morning!”

Planning a wedding overseas has its own nuances, which is why Greg and Albert advised that finding someone at the venue you can trust with every detail is essential. So too is getting a good night’s rest the night before walking down the aisle. One’s wedding day is a long one, one which for Greg and Albert was filled with so much happiness for having shared such a special day, in a special place, with those most special to them.

There’s nothing unconventional about the feeling of being surrounded by love for being in love.

 Credits

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Bairro do Avillez

Photographer Rui Vaz Franco - Love Is My Favorite Color; @love.is.my.favorite.color

Officiant Bella Zaslavsky

DJ Duarte; @duartemariaalbuquerque