Top Ten Wedding Readings

How to choose a reading for your Algarve wedding ceremony

From my experience as a wedding celebrant in the Algarve. I recommend you have at least one reading in the proceedings. It is a great way to involve a special person in your ceremony and you can choose a reading that reflects your personality and love story.

I have compiled my Top Ten wedding readings, which are a mix of romantic, funny, insightful and meaningful. These are just some of the examples I have come across, but it is fun to find your own. I have also officiated at weddings where a family member or friend has written a poem or reading themselves. If you are lucky enough to have someone who will do this for you, it is wonderful to have something personal in your ceremony.

Some couples I h ave married have also integrated song lyrics that mean something to the couple or have been part of their love story, so you may like to consider that aswell.

An example of this was a One Direction song that was playing when a couple first declared their love to each other.

Little Things

I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth

But if I do, it's you

Oh, it's you, they add up to

I'm in love with you

And all these little things

Or how about a quote from a movie you both love? This quote is spoken by Kate Winslet's character, Iris, at the very beginning of the film The Holiday.

"I've found almost everything ever written about love to be true. Shakespeare said 'Journeys end in lovers meeting.' What an extraordinary thought. Personally, I have not experienced anything remotely close to that, but I am more than willing to believe Shakespeare had. I suppose I think about love more than anyone really should. I am constantly amazed by its sheer power to alter and define our lives."

So here goes with my Top Ten picks of readings for your Algarve wedding ceremony.

Number One

The One by Cheryl Barclay

This beautiful poem is very popular with my couples. It´s a timeless ode to eternal love and intoxicatingly romantic. To me, the sentiment within it seems to sum up marriage, capturing the essence of that special bond between two souls. Brimming with heartfelt emotions and lyrical finesse, this poem is a perfect addition to any wedding ceremony. The reader can almost feel the soft whispers of affection and see the sparks flying between the two hearts destined to be together.

The poem's structure unfolds with an elegant simplicity, allowing the verses to flow seamlessly, making it easy for your reader to deliver. "The One" is a timeless staple in the celebration of love, a perfect choice to inspire and uplift couples on their wedding day.

“When the one whose hand you’re holding,
Is the one who holds your heart.

When the one whose eyes you gaze into,
Gives your hopes and dreams their start.

When the one you think of first and last
Is the one who holds you tight.

And the things you plan together
Makes the whole world seem just right

When the one whom you believe in,
Puts their faith and trust in you,
You’ve found the one and only love,
You’ll share the whole life through”

Number Two

The Art of Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

This is another classic, one of the most popular readings of the last half a century. It addresses timeless sentiments and is sure to have your guests nodding in agreement with it wisdom and smiling and its sweet simplicity.

“Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.”

Number Three

Blessing of the Hands

I recommend reading this after the handfasting blessing. As the couple's hands are bound together in this ancient ritual, I love the sentiment in this poem that your hands will remain bound together for a lifetime with all the experiences, loves and tears that you will experience as a married couple. 

“These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving the you same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”

Number Four

Captain Corelli's Mandolin Louis de Bernières

I had this reading at my own wedding, so this review is slightly biased! It is from Captain Corelli's Mandolin, a heartwarming and poignant novel that captures the essence of love and sacrifice. It tells the tale of a forbidden love between Pelagia, a young Greek woman, and Captain Antonio Corelli, an Italian officer stationed in Greece during World War II. The novel offers not only a captivating love story but also thought-provoking messages about the power of love, the strength of the human spirit, and the resilience of the human heart. 

As a wedding reading, Captain Corelli's Mandolin offers a beautiful reflection on the transformative and enduring nature of love. The passage resonates with couples because it encompasses the trials and challenges that often come with love while still emphasising its ability to overcome and triumph. Furthermore, it reminds us of the importance of cherishing love and finding joy in the simple pleasures of life. The passage encourages couples to appreciate the beauty and intimacy that come with an enduring relationship while reminding them that love is not without struggle but is ultimately worth fighting for.

“Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.

Because this is what love is.

Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do.

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.

Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.”

Number Five

To My Valentine – Ogden Nash

This little reading is an unconventional take on love!  It combines humour, wit, and genuine affection. It adds a light-hearted and playful touch to the wedding ceremony, making it enjoyable and memorable for the couple and the guests. The poem celebrates love in a unique way, expressing the joy and happiness that comes with finding a soulmate. Overall, it is a lighthearted and unconventional choice that can bring a smile to everyone's face while still conveying a heartfelt message about love and commitment.

“More than a catbird hates a cat,
Or a criminal hates a clue,
Or the Axis hates the United States,
That’s how much I love you.

I love you more than a duck can swim,
And more than a grapefruit squirts,
I love you more than a gin rummy is a bore,
And more than a toothache hurts.

As a shipwrecked sailor hates the sea,
Or a juggler hates a shove,
As a hostess detests unexpected guests,
That’s how much you I love.

I love you more than a wasp can sting,
And more than the subway jerks,
I love you as much as a beggar needs a crutch,
And more than a hangnail irks.

I swear to you by the stars above,
And below, if such there be,
As the High Court loathes perjurious oaths,
That’s how you’re loved by me.”

Number Six

Marriage (Anon)

This lighthearted poem will have your married wedding guests nodding their heads in agreement and the last line is sure to raise a laugh! It´s a modern and non-sentimental view of marriage which will appeal to couples who aren´t big into gushing sentimentality and have a sense of humour. I actually find it quite touching and it fits in perfectly with the vows ‘for better for worse’ as we remind ourselves that marriage is for good times and bad.

“Marriage is about giving and taking
And forging and forsaking
Kissing and loving and pushing and shoving
Caring and sharing and screaming and swearing

About being together whatever the weather
About being driven to the end of your tether
About sweetness and kindness
And wisdom and blindness

It’s about being strong when you’re feeling quite weak
It’s about saying nothing when you’re dying to speak
It’s about being wrong when you know you are right
It’s about giving in, before there’s a fight
It’s about you two living as cheaply as one
(you can give us a call if you know how that’s done!)

Never heeding advice that was always well meant
Never counting the cost until it’s all spent
And for you two today it’s about to begin
And for all that the two of you had to put in
Some days filled with joy, and some days with sadness
Too late you’ll discover that marriage is madness.”

Number Seven

Time Travellers by Terah Cox

This poem offers a captivating and heartwarming perspective on love and commitment, making it a suitable wedding reading for a civil ceremony. Time travel is presented as a metaphor for the couple's journey through life together. It adds a touch of whimsy and imagination to the ceremony, making a memorable statement for your guests.

The poem emphasises the commitment and dedication needed to make a relationship work, which is an important aspect of a wedding ceremony. It reminds the couple and their guests of the importance of cherishing every moment and working together to create a beautiful future. 

“May you take on the world together with all your hopes and dreams, 

may you be each other’s anchor in smooth or rocky seas.

May you bend to the world’s winds and brave stalls and storms,

may you find common ground in all its changing forms.

May you cross stubborn boundaries and turn many a stone,

may you find haven for your souls, may you have heart and home.

And if some days are grey and some nights are long and cold, 

May you be each other’s sun and moon as your destinies unfold.

And should you lose sight of each other and start to drift apart,

may you circle back by following the compass of your hearts.”

Number Eight

"Marriage Is" by Emily Mathews 

A charming and heartfelt poem that perfectly captures the essence of what marriage truly means. With its lyrical flow and beautiful imagery, it is a wonderful addition to any wedding day. It evokes a sense of romance and unity, creating a beautiful visual representation of a loving partnership. The poem's elegant rhyme scheme and rhythm make it easy to read aloud as the words flow effortlessly, making it easy for the reader to get lost in the enchanting language of love.

“Marriage is…

Someone to believe in

And to put their trust in you

Someone who appreciates

The special things you do,

Someone to be close to,

In your heart and mind,

Someone who’s the love

You might have thought you’d never find,

Someone who stands by you

And whose faith can make you strong,

Someone you will cherish

Every day, your whole life long.”

Number Nine

‘What is a Soulmate’ by Emily Matthews

Making a second appearance in my chart, Emily Mathews has also contributed this wonderfully romantic offering to the pantheon of ceremony readings. It features a lovely rhyming rhythm, making it suitable for even the most inexperienced public speakers. 

“If you have found a smile that is the sweetest one you’ve known.
If you have heard, within a voice, the echoes of your own.
If you have felt a touch that stirs the longing of your heart,
And still can feel that closeness in the moment you’re apart.
If you are filled with wonder at the way two lives can blend,
To weave a perfect pattern that is seamless end to end.
If you believe some things in life are simply meant to be,
Then you have found your soulmate, your hearts own destiny.

If you can always be as close and happy as today,
Yet be secure enough to grow and change along the way.
If you can keep for you alone your love as man and wife,
Yet find the time to share your joy with others in your life.
If you can be as one and walk through marriage hand in hand,
Yet still support the goals and dreams that each of you have planned.
If you can dare to always go your separate ways together,
Then all the wonders of today will stay with you forever.”

Number Ten

That Still And Settled Place by Edward Monkton

And finally, if you are looking for something short and sweet, this beautiful and heartfelt poem would be a perfect addition to any wedding ceremony. Monkton's poetic and whimsical style creates an enchanting atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of love and marriage. The reading emphasises the need for a strong and enduring love that can weather any storm while also promoting the idea of embracing change and growth within a relationship. It encourages couples to create a haven, a "still and settled place," where they can find solace and support in one another.

Its poetic nature adds elements of beauty and romance to any ceremony, making it a memorable and touching addition to a wedding celebration and an excellent choice for couples looking for a meaningful and memorable reading for their special day.

“In that still and settled place
There’s nobody but you
You’re where I breathe my oxygen
You’re where I see my view
And when the world feels full of noise
My heart knows what to do
It finds that still and settled place
And dances there with you”

So have fun choosing your wedding reading, it will make your wedding live in you and your guests memories and reflect your unique love story.

The Loving Cup

When it comes to wedding ceremonies, nothing captures the essence of love and unity quite like the Loving Cup ritual. This unique and fascinating item has a rich history dating back centuries, and its presence in weddings today continues to serve as a testament to tradition, connection, and the sharing of joy. 

This element, which I include in my list of blessings, incorporates a very ancient ritual, but I think it is a lovely symbolic gesture for the ceremony as it is the first drink the bride and groom will take together as man and wife. As you drink from this cup, you acknowledge to one another that your lives, separate until this moment, have now become one.

In modern wedding ceremonies, the Loving Cup is often used to symbolise love, unity, and the joining of two families. The couple shares a drink from the cup, representing the joining of their lives and their willingness to face life's joys and challenges together. It serves as a beautiful reminder of the commitment they have made to one another and the bond they vow to uphold.

Before the couple drinks, I often use the words, “All the sweetness life's cup may hold for each of you will be the sweeter because you drink it together. Whatever drops of bitterness it may contain will be less bitter because you share them.”

Some couples opt to take part in the ritual on their own, but for others, it´s an opportunity to include the wedding party by inviting them to the ceremonial space to sip from the loving cup. It can also symbolise the coming together of two families, so could be shared with the bride and groom´s parents.

The wedding party can promise to be there for the bride and groom with their love and support in good times and bad. To be a source of strength in their married life, offering advice and wisdom. I love the analogy between love and the maturing of grapes, the warm sun makes the grapes sweet but cold winds turn them bitter. We can use the words in the ceremony “As you have shared the wine from this Loving Cup, so may you share your lives. May the rich aromas of the Loving Cup imbue your souls with love and devotion. From love, all things proceed and unto love they must return,  enriched by the joy of family and friends.”

One of my couples made damson gin together and so they brought it out for this ceremony, but more often than not, we use a ten-year-old port as it is particular to Portugal. A bride and groom could also bring a tipple that is meaningful to them or which comes from their hometown or region.

I like to use a 10-year-old tawny port as it has been aged in French oak barrels for ten years, and this quality makes it feel special for a ceremonial occasion. This wine has a deep brick colour with an amber edge, and we can compare marriage to a cup of port! Some words I often use are, “Marriage is like this cup of port…….Subtle aromas of nuts and red fruit compote. In the mouth, it is elegant and smooth and has a delicate finish and it always leaves you wanting more!”

The use of the loving cup in a wedding ceremony is a Celtic tradition and so it is particularly pertinent for those with Irish or Scottish heritage. An Irish couple I married brought a beautifully carved goblet to the ceremony, which they had discovered in a local craft shop. In 17th century Ireland, when a young man fell in love with a young woman, he lovingly carved a goblet to present to her. The goblet contained two captive rings crafted from a single piece of wood, which symbolised unity and eternity. At their wedding feast, they both drank from the goblet and thereafter kept it in a safe place for, as long as their rings remained unbroken, they would love one another for eternity. So, in their ceremony, we re-enacted this tradition, which felt really meaningful.

We can also use a quaich cup for this ceremony. It is symbolic of the cup of life. The Quaich Cup originated in Scotland, and its name is derived from the Gaelic word "cuach," meaning a shallow cup or bowl. Historically, the Quaich Cup was primarily used to share and toast whisky or other spirits. Originally made from shallow wooden bowls, it evolved over time to be crafted from precious metals, adorned with intricate carvings and included handles for easy handling.

The rounded shape of the Quaich Cup symbolises the cycles of life, while the two handles represent the bond between the couple and the families they are joining. The act of sharing a drink from the same vessel embodies trust, balance, and respect for one another. 

In an era where wedding traditions are ever-evolving, the ritual of the Loving Cup remains a steadfast symbol of love, unity, and tradition. From its ancient origins to its presence in contemporary ceremonies, this timeless vessel embodies the essence of marriage and the values that underpin it: trust, togetherness, and the celebration of shared joy. As couples continue incorporating the Loving Cup into their wedding ceremonies, this ancient tradition lives on, forging lasting connections and celebrating the power of love.

The Sacred Space

Since the dawn of time, humankind has performed ceremonies. In order for a ceremony to feel binding and consequential, we have created a space in which to perform them. In this realm, a normal environment becomes meaningful. An event takes on significance. Something ordinary becomes sacred. 

We only need to look at Stonehenge and other stone circles throughout Europe for one of the earliest pagan examples of this. We can only imagine the spectacular ceremonies that occurred as the sun passed through these ancient monoliths. Bronze Age priests celebrated astronomical events, worshippers marked the passing of seasons, and civilisations buried their leaders.

More recently, these spaces took on a religious meaning, with huge stone cathedrals built to reflect divine beauty. Their vaulted ceilings and gilded frescos remind congregations of the gods they worship and ask to bless our ceremonies. The minarets and domes of mosques were established to worship Allah but also to unite couples in the Nikah ceremony.

If you are having a non-religious ceremony, it doesn´t mean we cannot create a ‘sacred’ space which we can give significance. Giving an everyday space such as a beach, restaurant or pergola a special aura is the job of the celebrant.

For a wedding, the ritual begins when the wedding party enters. What once was ordinary now becomes a sacred space. The bride and groom, who are about to make solemn vows, arrive in a joyful procession. It is often the case in wedding venues that a table or arch takes the place of an altar. Altar literally means ‘high place’; often, the bride and groom are elevated from the congregation to give them significance.

I like to begin the ceremony by inviting the bride and groom to imagine that they have entered an imaginary sacred space. I ask the couple to visualise a symbolic circle of their love for each other. Then I ask them to bring into this sacred space all the love, good wishes and blessings which are being sent to them from family and friends both near and afar. This creates a sense of momentousness. We are no longer in a wedding venue. We are stood in our symbolic stone circle, embalmed with tradition, meaning and solemnity.

If couples choose, we can actually mark this space physically. It worked beautifully for Gary and Maria. I acted as a celebrant for their vow renewal held on their 30th wedding anniversary. It was just the three of us on the edge of the river in Vilamoura, with the crystal blue water flowing past us into the ocean. I marked a circle with 30 shells, each shell representing a year of their marriage. At the end of the ceremony, we put the shells in a bag and I asked them to add another shell on their anniversary for each year of their marriage to come. It created a beautiful and symbolic element to the ceremony.

So while we might not be standing in an ancient monument or have the theatre of a spectacular church, this is how we create the magic and give ceremonies and vows the essence of the sacred space.

Handfasting

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition which can incorporate a beautiful and symbolic piece of theatre into your wedding ceremony. 

As ancient as stone circles, it symbolised a couple's betrothal and it came from the Old Norse word hand-festa which meant to strike a bargain by joining hands. 

It referred to the pre-Christian practice of symbolically fastening or wrapping the hands of a couple together during the wedding ceremony.

The terminology and practice are especially associated with Germanic peoples, including the English and Norse, as well as the Scottish Gaels. As a form of betrothal or unofficial wedding, handfasting was common in England during Todor times as a form of temporary marriage. It was also practised in 17th-century Scotland and has been revived in Neopaganism.

The symbolism of handfasting remains in our culture when we shake a person's hand to confirm an agreement. When we love someone, we will often hold their hand to feel close to them. When I use this ritual in a ceremony I invite the congregation to hold the hand of the person next to them in order to feel the warmth and feeling of connection this brings.

In Chinese culture, the tying of a knot was said to be a symbol of good luck and good things to come. Knots symbolically represent bonds and I normally tie the cord in a figure of eight to represent eternity. You could also use a mariners knot if the couple were keen sailors.

I create the handfasting cords myself by plaiting ribbons or cords together. I can make these symbolic. For example, I have used the colours of the Portuguese flag or red to represent passion or blue for purity. I normally use three cords to represent the couple and the universe, but more could be used to represent the couple and their children. 

You could also be creative with the materials for example using cloth, ribbons, or even shoe laces. It is also nice to suggest that the cords are imbued with the love and good wishes of all the couple´s friends and family watching. 

The bride and groom are welcome to make their own handfasting cord and included tokens or charms. It is also a good opportunity to include a close family member like the bride´s mother by asking them to tie the knot. You could also bind a child´s hand in the knot as a symbol of a family united by marriage.

With this element in the ceremony, I try to use imagery which suggests the binding together of two separate lives for example, “This ribbon represents your life, your love and the eternal connection you share. As your hand are tied so are your lives.”

The cord will also act as a beautiful momento of the day. I like to say as I tie the knot, “May your love stay strong as long as this knot holds fast.” So you will be able to keep the cord and the knot forever as a symbol of your eternal bond.

Here is an example of how it can be used in the script of the ceremony.

Meghann and Jamie, your joining of these cords represents the joining together of your separate lives and symbolises your commitment. As I join your hands, so your lives are tied together as you quite literally tie the knot.

This ribbon represents your life, your love and the eternal connection you feel for one another.

Woven into this handfasting cord and contained within its fibres are the hope, good wishes and love that you and all your family and friends feel today for your married life.

I tie this knot in a figure of eight to represent eternity. Left hand to left hand as the ancients believed the vein of love ran from the left finger to the heart. Into this knot may love, laughter and happiness create an eternal tie.

There is a lovely poem that I also suggest is read by one of the bridal party after the tying of the cord:

"Blessing of the Hands"

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving the you same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Your Love Story

Here is an example of how I can incorporate your love story into the ceremony:

Love Story:

Sophie has always loved the story of Pride and Prejudice, from the time she first read the book when she was a teenager, to the memorable TV adaption starring Colin Firth. She always said she was looking for her Mr Darcy. 

The novel follows the character development of Elizabeth Bennet, the dynamic protagonist of the book, who learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments and eventually comes to appreciate the difference between superficial goodness and actual goodness. Along the way, there are many comedy moments, some excellent dances, an infatuation with a cad and some great girly chats. 

Eventually, she recognises that Mr Darcy is not flash or good with words, but he is basically a decent chap and by the way, he has a really great pad. All things which Sophie thinks can equate to her love story with Nick.

So as a special gift to Sophie and Nick, this is their love story as told in the genre of Pride and Prejudice.

Sophie is the heroine of our novel, a vivacious party-loving PR girl she enjoys a good book and long country walks.

After three years of working in the heady world of London PR, she begins to grow tired of the endless balls and socialising and wants to settle down with a man that looks good in britches and earns a good living.

Her mother Mrs Hollow is very determined that she will marry well, but has almost given up hope of a good match. Mrs Hollow tells her "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

However, Sophie ́s experience to date, tells her that most men are after a good time and no commitment. She remarks to a friend, “Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony. So I will die an old maid.”

Having grown tired of dating men who are fickle and unwilling to settle down, Sophie is beginning to think that she will never be able to love a man and confides in a friend; “There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it, and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.”

 Her father, a good sort, tells her; “A girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then.”

It is something to think of.” But Sophie is not convinced. She contents herself with enjoying the company of her many girlfriends and making witty and intelligent remarks, from the peripheries at the many balls she attends while sipping a glass of wine!

She meets  Mr Sadler at a Ball, or in this case a press launch in France. Busy with clients he appears aloof and uninterested, while his friend James is Sophie ́s colleague and is outgoing lively and a hit with the ladies.

Mr Sadler thinks that Sophie is just a flippant party girl and when they talk he tells her: “My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.” He believes that she is in love with James and wrongly assumes they are having a sordid affair.

When a colleague remarks on Sophie´s good looks he responds: “Thoroughly tolerable, I daresay, but not handsome enough to tempt me.”

Time passes and Sophie attends more balls and tries to facilitate her friend Jane´s betrothal to a very eligible bachelor with €30,000 a year and a nice estate in Clapham.

As fate would have it Mr Sadler is launching a new office in Portugal and Sophie has an invite and grudgingly feels she should accept. She travels to Mr Sadler ́s extensive estate with some journalists to write about the office launch and the increasing price of property in Mr Sadler’s county.

“She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in their admiration, and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!”

During their time in Portugal, Mr Sadler realised that Sophie was not attached to another man and she started to see his good character; “Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of both were overspread with the deepest blush.”And so they started to realise they had feelings for each other.

However, there is to be one further misunderstanding. It transpires that Mr Sadler ́s Aunt resides in the same village as Sophie ́s Aunts. On making enquiries about the good character of Mr Sadler her Aunt reports to Miss Hollow that Mr Sadler has had a string of girlfriends and “loves and leaves them.”

Horrified that she has met another cad, Miss Hollow rejects the advances of Mr Sadler saying “You are mistaken, Mr Sadler, if you suppose that the mode of your declaration affected me in any other way than as it spared the concern which I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner."

It finally comes down to another work trip when their paths cross again for someone to assure the heart-broken Sophie of Mr Sadler ́s good character and for her, finally to realise that she has been prejudiced against the squire.

In his turn, Mr Sadler realises his pride has got in the way of asking Sophie out and they have a heart to heart, shortly after Mr Sadler has jumped in his pool and his damp shirt is clinging to his attractive torso. 

He says: “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.”

Sophie assures him her opinion has totally changed and so he declares to her: “You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. And wish from this day forth never to be parted from you.'

Sophie admits: “I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.”

And as Mr Bennet says; “A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.”

And so, Sophie ́s dreams started to turn to marriage and Mr Sadler was finally persuaded by Mrs Bennett that this was the honourable thing and that is how dear readers we find ourselves here today.

I hope you enjoyed our retreat into Georgian England and now back to the present day and Portugal! When Sophie and Nick finally overcame their pride and prejudice, they realised they were meant to be together and as this is the present day, they have had a rather long engagement of six years, before Nick proposed to Sophie on a country walk in the county of Devon.

From the time they realised they were meant to be together, Sophie moved to Portugal to live with Nick, they built up a successful business and became foster parents to two dogs and four cats.

They have built a great life in the Algarve making many friends, enjoying the lifestyle but still keeping close ties with the family and friends from the UK.

A wedding ceremony cannot create a marriage. Marriage is created through years of love and support, through many tiny acts of tenderness, through talking, listening, sharing, forgiving, helping and believing in each other. 

Sophie and Nick have created this house together, which has not always been easy for them. They have suffered setbacks and financial worries, but it has all come together as we can see around us.

And that really is what marriage is all about. It’s about two people wanting to work together to build something special and share themselves and their experiences with each other.  

Like we see in Jane Austen's novel, marriage requires a willingness to accept each other's flaws and still love them for who they are. 

It is like the lemon tree which needs watering, nurturing, commitment and patience in order for it to grow fruit. It needs to mature and grow, to feel the warmth of the sun and to have strong roots in the ground.

Sophie and Nick ́s impending marriage is built on a firm foundation of love and friendship and that’s the best grounding for any marriage. 

Sophie and Nick, take each other’s hands because it’s now time to pledge your love to each other and become husband and wife. May the words you’re about to say to each other inspire and sustain you in the years ahead.

A Destination Wedding - Why choose the Algarve?

The Algarve is the perfect romantic getaway for your destination wedding.

The local area is defined by its spectacular coastline with Azur seas and sandy beaches framed by sculpted limestone rocks forming magnificent caves and grottoes.

Along with the tourists cooling themselves in the sparkling waters the ocean forms the focus to the Algarvian way of life. Visiting the area you will observe the locals wading in the ocean at low tide to collect cockles and barnacles. Fishing boats are still launched from the beaches in the little fishing towns of Luz and Burgau and fishermen who learnt their trades from their father´s fish for mackerel and sardines. These delicacies can be relished at the abundance of simple restaurants where the joys of fresh fish, grilled and drizzled with local olive oil and washed down with the local green wine will have your mouth watering.

A great many water sports are on offer for all tastes. Water sports concessions operate from several of the beaches offering high-speed rides on inflatables, water skiing or wakeboarding. For those that like a more sedate journey chartering a yacht or sun-seeker may be the option for you. Fishing trips, pleasure boats, kayaking tours and paddleboarding are all popular with visitors.

The West Coast of the Algarve is a reason in itself to visit Portugal. Driven by the immense power of the Atlantic Ocean pounding the immense stretches of sandy shores unmarked by a footprint, it feels wilder than the south coast. This majestic coastline has become a mecca for surfers, while the undeveloped coastlines are ideal for bird watching, spotting dolphins, cliff top walks and discovering deserted sandy coves.

The coast between Lagos and Sagres is unspoiled and beautiful; thanks to the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, which prohibits large-scale building on the coastline. Most of the coast is linked by a coastal path offering pretty routes between the villages.

Lagos

Set in one of the largest bays in the Algarve, Lagos is a picturesque town with a bustling historic centre with a maze of cobbled streets to explore punctuated by local craft shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. The centre throbs with life in summer with visitors siting on the tables in the winding streets enjoying a meal or a drink.

Lagos still has a thriving fishing industry which helps it maintain its character independent of the tourist industry. Its cosmopolitan marina is busy throughout the year offering an attractive location to enjoy a meal or embark on one of the boat tours around the grottoes or one of the exciting high-speed dolphin viewing trips.

Praia da Luz

An attractive family resort which tourists return to year after year, due to its safe sandy beach, perfect for children and a friendly atmosphere. The cove is framed by the spectacular “Rocha Negra” to the east, a remnant from a volcanic age and the rock pools to the west which are perfect for children to explore. In the main tourist months bouncy castles appear on the promenade to entertain the younger visitors and the restaurants and bars buzz with activity.

Inland

Inland, the tranquil hillside villages, surrounded by forests of cork, pine and eucalyptus are a stark contrast to the busy coastal areas. The wooded Serra de Monchique is an area of outstanding natural beauty and to visit this area is to go back in time to a forgotten age where people live off the land where the locals collect berries to make Medronho the local “firewater”. Olives, oranges, carobs and almonds are picked from the trees to be sold at markets and in the local villages, you will find whitewashed houses, cafes old cloth capped men sitting in the town squares watching the world go by and elderly ladies adorned in black garbs grilling sardines in the street.

Its highest peak is Foia which is 900m and on clear days offers breathtaking views of the coastline and the town of Monchique and its weekly market are a must-see along with the eerie ruins of the convent which look down over the town.

There are numerous cycling routes through the beautiful scenery which can be enjoyed with one of the adventure companies offering guided cycle tours.

Getting married in Portugal

Celebrants are not a registrar and cannot legally marry you. If you wish to have a registrar at the wedding you will also need a translator present. Most couples, therefore, decide to have a legal union in their home country before arriving in Portugal. This can avoid many of the logistical problems of a “legal” wedding abroad. I promise though that a Sun Blessed Ceremony will be the more meaningful to you and can incorporate the traditional elements such as walking down the aisle, vows, exchanging rings and readings as well as the bespoke elements you choose.

If you do wish to have a LEGAL ceremony it will be more expensive and complicated but give me a call and I can try to help you achieve your dream wedding.

With an average of 300 sunny days a year, the Algarve is a dream location for a destination wedding. The Algarve clinched the World’s Leading Beach Destination at the World Travel Awards 2020, so you and your guests can also relax in one of the most beautiful locations on the planet. If action is more your thing, I can help organise a range of activities for you to make the event special. The western Algarve is famous for its surfing beaches, but a whole host of other activities await such as paddle boarding, sailing, coasteering, hot air ballooning, skydiving, cycling or water sports.

If you are looking to enjoy the local gastronomy there are a whole range of beach bars where you can enjoy freshly cooked fish and a glass of the local green wine or restaurants hidden in the maze of cobbled streets in the medieval centre of Lagos. If you wish to have your hen or stag dos while you are here, the local nightlife is infamous. As a student Prince William attended a stag night in Lagos, as it is low-key and trendy. Or you can opt for a more wild night out in Albufeira famous for its bars and clubs.

Whatever you wish for on this special occasion the Algarve will make your dreams come true.