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Love Letters
Let our Malina brides inspire you through Love Letters, an article series that takes you inside the weddings of our beautiful real-life couples dressed in Malina from all around the world, sharing their best tips and experiences from their biggest day in life
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wedding in Mafra, Portugal
Get inspired by the beautiful couple Linn and Jacob and their wedding at Quinta de Sant'Ana in Portugal. Photographer: Luis Piteira @piteiraphotography.
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How did you choose your wedding dress?
I was introduced to Malina's wedding dresses through my husband Jacob, who happens to be a cousin to the founder Malin Ek Andrén. I traveled to Stockholm with my bridesmaids to try on different Malina dresses in your showroom. I was looking for an elegant, timeless dress and simply fell in love with the Blanca model with its open back and short lace sleeves
Bridal dress: Blanca bridal gown
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What is your favorite detail with your wedding dress and what was your choice of flowers and accessories?
I was looking for an elegant and streamlined dress that would be suitable for a slightly warmer climate. When my bridesmaids and I went up to Stockholm and visited your showroom, I tried on several different dresses. In the end, I simply fell in love with the Blanca model with its open back and short lace sleeves, a choice I am super happy with! I wanted the flowers to exude the same sleek and elegant feeling as the dress, so I went for natural colors and light flowers that blended in well with the rest of the look. I chose to only wear a pair of simple silver drop earrings as a more discreet complement, with the aim of letting the dress speak for itself.
Bridal dress: Blanca bridal gown
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Tell us about your wedding location
My husband Jacob and I got married at the beautiful Quinta de Sant'Ana in Mafra, Portugal, just outside of Lisbon. My parents and sister live in Lisbon, and during a vacation in the city after our engagement, we discovered this amazing vineyard. A place that is definitely worth a visit if you're in Portugal!
Bridal dress: Blanca bridal gown
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Where did your wedding venue take place and what was the highlights during the ceremony?
The ceremony offered many beautiful highlights and it was a completely unforgettable experience. My best friend acted as the officiant, and two of Jacob's three best men sang a Håkan Hellström song that added a Gothenburg touch to a picturesque Portuguese wedding. It was a very personal ceremony that we will carry with us in our memories for the rest of our lives.
Bridal dress: Blanca bridal gown
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Was there any moment during your wedding day that was extra special?
It's very difficult to choose a specific moment, but the dinner with all the lovely speeches is of course a definite highlight. We also had the jazz band Cottas Club playing wonderful jazz songs from the end of the ceremony until dinner was served. It was something that brightened the mood and contributed to the special atmosphere.
Bridal dress: Blanca bridal gown
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What food and drinks did you have for the guests?
During the reception, we had an open bar with a selection of mixed summer drinks to choose from. For dinner, we served the vineyard's own red and white wines. As the dancing started, we offered more cocktails and beer. The dinner consisted of a four-course meal. We began with "cod flakes on toast" followed by the first main course, which was "braised seabass with creamy crab and lime rice." The second main course featured confit duck with potato rösti, and the meal concluded with a classic Crème brûlée.
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Did you have a specifik theme for decorations and table setting?
We went for a bright, summery, and slightly rustic theme that complemented the vineyard and its stunning surroundings. Natural colors and light table settings blended seamlessly into the environment.
Bridal dress: Blanca bridal gown
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Tell us a short story on how you met your husband
My husband Jacob and I met at university while studying economics with a focus on China at the School of Business, Economics and Law in Gothenburg. As part of our studies, we spent three months in Shanghai in the spring of 2014, and that's where we really noticed each other, and the rest is history.
Bridal dress: Blanca bridal gown
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What advice or tips do you have for other couples planning their wedding?
Overall, our advice is to start planning as early as possible. This way, you'll have enough time to really think about how you want your wedding day to look and feel without feeling stressed about organizing everything. We looked for a lot of inspiration on Pinterest and saved pins that we felt reflected the vibe and theme we were going for. Otherwise, I believe one of the most important tips is to make sure to start the dinner on time so you have plenty of time for the party and dancing. And last but not least, don't forget to take some breaks during your big day to just soak it all in!