Hi everyone, how are you? Shall we continue my adventure with the dear Rui Mota Pinto?
Arriving in Mozambique to talk about destination weddings was like opening a new chapter in a book I already love writing: getting married around the world, in Portuguese, with different accents, profound stories, and an immense affection for love that transcends borders. And that, for me, already says a lot about how vibrant, curious, and super open to new ideas the African market is.
The story of this journey begins back in 2019 in Dubai, during an edition of the DWP Congress, one of the most important wedding congresses in the world. It was there that I met Margarida, from Mozambique, owner of the International Congress Event of Dreams, founder of Dois Oceanos, an elegant, determined professional passionate about what she does. We connected immediately – you know those people you meet at an event and feel that, at some point in life, you’ll cross paths again? Well. A few years later, that intuition became reality. Margarida wrote to me inviting me to participate as an international speaker at her congress in Maputo. And, of course, I said yes.
The theme of my presentation was: “Destination Wedding: celebrating love around the world”. In this presentation, I talked about: my work with Aonde Casar; the various destinations where I have planned weddings; how to think about logistics, experience, and storytelling for couples who want to get married outside of Brazil; and I gave practical tips on how to build an international portfolio, how to position yourself as a destination wedding specialist, and how to welcome couples from different cultures.
To my pleasant surprise, Mozambique draws immense inspiration from Brazil – and this was clear in every detail of the congress. Starting with the Rodízio steakhouse I visited, exactly like the ones we have in Brazil. The event’s soundtrack was a true tribute to Brazilian music: from Tiaguinho to Seu Jorge, passing through Anitta, the vibe was purely green and yellow (Brazil’s colors). And it didn’t stop there: the makeup artist who did my makeup, like many professionals there, had already been to Brazil – Rio, São Paulo – to specialize. Mozambican children are watching Brazilian YouTubers and speaking Portuguese with that Brazilian touch. I was impressed by the local passion for our culture, from the caipirinhas served with pride to the sound of pagode music echoing through the corridors. All this made me realize that, although Mozambique has its historical roots in Portugal, their hearts beat to a very Brazilian rhythm. And this cultural fusion is what makes Mozambique such a unique and welcoming destination for destination weddings.
And, as life likes to make beautiful connections, I didn’t go alone. I invited Rui Mota Pinto, a Portuguese planner, to go with me, whom I mentioned in the previous post here on the blog (about the Estoril Palace in Portugal). Rui is simply an idol in the Mozambican wedding market – largely due to the historical and linguistic relationship between Mozambique and Portugal. Mozambique was colonized by Portugal, speaks Portuguese from Portugal, and many Mozambican professionals are directly inspired by what is done in the Portuguese market. So, taking Rui with me was almost like bringing a star from the wedding “hall of fame” to the local audience. They know him, follow him, admire him.
The International Dream Event Congress took place at Vila Bonita, in Matola, about half an hour from Maputo. Vila Bonita is managed by Margarida’s company, Dois Oceanos, and was the perfect setting for an event that spoke of dreams, weddings, and encounters. The venue’s structure is the kind that makes you immediately imagine outdoor ceremonies; dinners under fairy lights; parties that last all night with music, dancing, and a mix of cultures.
Day 1
The agenda began on the 22nd, with a press conference at the hotel where we were staying in Maputo. There, I was able to meet Margarida again, now in her role as a great hostess, and get to know some of the other professionals who would be part of the lecture lineup.
It was also the moment when I first felt the curiosity of the Mozambican public: many had questions about weddings in Brazil, about my destinations in Europe, about the blog, about how to turn all of this into opportunities for the local market.
Day 2
On the main day of the congress, Vila Bonita came alive with hundreds of industry professionals. Around 400 people were present – wedding planners, decorators, photographers, venue owners, wedding coordinators, structure suppliers, travel agents, dressmakers, caterers… an entire ecosystem ready to learn, reinvent themselves, and get even closer to the world of destination weddings.
The program was divided into: inspirational talks, practical content, and extremely enriching networking opportunities. My talk was: “Destination Wedding, celebrating love around the world.” Seeing the interest in the eyes of 400 people, seeing cell phones recording, questions at the end, and then hearing affectionate feedback in the hallway… it was one of those experiences that you carry in your heart. The congress also brought together other international and national speakers, such as Nadia Duran (Australia), Závion Kotze and Dr. Tumelo Makamu (South Africa), Iris Lezi Munguambe (Mozambique), Diva Fernandes (Angola), Liliana Gomes da Silva (Portugal) and Chisala (Zambia), composing a diverse line-up that looked at destination weddings from various angles. Among the highlights, of course, was Rui Mota Pinto.
I came back with the feeling that we are living through a very special moment in the world of destination weddings: the world is looking at itself, talking to itself, opening up. From Brazil to Portugal, from Portugal to Mozambique, from my blog to African dance floors, the common thread remains the same: getting married around the world is celebrating love in all its geographies.
And I feel honored to have been invited by Margarida – this visionary Mozambican woman, whom I met in Dubai and reconnected with now in Maputo – to participate in this story. The International Congress Event of Dreams lived up to its name: it truly was a dream event. And I can’t wait to see the next chapters that Mozambique will write in the global destination wedding scene.
If you could choose a destination outside of Brazil to get married today, would Mozambique be on your list of possibilities?
See you next week!
Kisses,
Simone.
Photos: Estúdio 1128 e Olhos Fotografia
