From the moment I laid eyes on this couple, I fell madly in love with all the festive details and with their zest for each other.  There was no turning back, as my quest to learn more about Kristy and Rodrigo became all consuming.  I was introduced to the work of Martine Cotton, and have been an avid fan ever since.

Today’s real wedding inspiration is the ultimate carnival quilt woven together by the laughter of close family, the shutters of a beachfront chapel, the symphony of Portuguese dialogue and the tropical palette of a Far North Queensland port.  For Australian bride – Kristy, and her Brazilian beau – Rodrigo, It was all hands on deck on September 4, 2010, for their DIYD (Do-It-Yourself-Destination) affair, in which most of the details were coordinated remotely, or designed by the bride.

The day kicked off with a very intimate ceremony for 55 invited guests. the ceremony was held in a restored 1800′s chapel, complete with wooden shutters, luscious green foliage and creaky wooden floors.

A hop, skip and sunshade-sportin’ strut later, the reception unfolded to a very different and festive tune in which family and friends converged at a coastal resort and danced the night away, carnival style.  This wedding was featured in the summer issue of Wedding Nouveau magazine and now you can see the conclusion in part 2 of Kristy and Rodrigo’s wedding, here.

{CREDITS: Photography- Martine Cotton; Event Coordination – Ward Benedict; Wedding Dress – Maria Chioda; Groom’s Suit – “The Sinatra” by Roger David}