Photography by Rhode Photo & Film | @rhodephotoandfilm
These lovebirds felt like they were in their own little world at the Bradley Estate, where the ceremony area was a garden oasis.
The Meet Cute: Edelinda and Bruno started off as classmates who only acknowledged each other with a polite smile in their English class at Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts. In May 2017, during an end-of-semester party, Edelinda was riding on a scooter she found on the ground. Bruno stared in awe at Edelinda scooting around. Intrigued, she rode over to him and struck up a conversation.
The Engagement: Passports in hand and ring in his suitcase, the pair took a trip to London, followed by a visit to Oslo. “I was looking for somewhere to propose while staying in Oslo, and one day we ended up at the Akershus Fortress,” Bruno says. Standing under a stone archway, Bruno put his phone down to record a video under the guise that it would be a TikTok. Once they were alone, he got down on one knee. They later treated themselves to the best burgers they’ve eaten in their life. “Or maybe I was just really happy, who knows?” says Bruno.
The Venue: The Bradley Estate in Canton, Massachusetts, felt like their own little world for the night. Prior to the ceremony, the couple had their first look in a wooded area, where Bruno eagerly awaited the bride tapping his shoulder. The waterworks began for them both as soon as he turned around. “It was incredibly emotional because we put a lot of work into this,” says Bruno, referring to the wedding planning and their relationship.
The Ceremony: The priceless image of their family, friends and Bruno looking back at Edelinda as she walked down the aisle with her dad — plus Xavier Omar’s “So Much More” filling the air — is ingrained in her memory. “I thought the first look would’ve eased my nerves, but my emotions were heightened,” she says. Having her brother, Eder, as the officiant was a comforting addition to the ceremony. “He included an inside joke between me and him, getting a surprised reaction out of me and making the guests laugh,” she adds.
The Reception: Music is a big part of their lives, so Edelinda and Bruno requested songs that represented their Cape Verdean and Brazilian cultures. The selections were so irresistible, Ramu and the Crew didn’t even have to make an announcement that the dance floor was open: Guests were on their feet before they finished their food.
The Highlights: Besides saying their vows and taking photos with every table during the photo dash, the pair appreciated the impromptu money shower dance, where guests inserted money — going toward the honeymoon — into their clothes. “We would also escape for a bit, whether it was to take photos with Margarita of Rhode Photo & Film, or just step back and look at the guests enjoying their time,” says Edelinda. Ending the night with a private last dance in the garden was the icing on the cake.
The Details
Ceremony and Reception: The Bradley Estate, Canton, MA | Catering: Fireside Catering | Cake: Nicolette Amaral of Bake Me Away | Hair: Claudia Freitas of Moroccan Hair Design, Providence | Makeup: Sister/maid of honor, Melinda | Bridal Attire: Lovely Bride, Providence; reception dress from David’s Bridal | Groom’s Attire: Sayki | Florals: Copper Penny Flowers, Concord, MA | Officiant: Brother/groomsman, Eder | Entertainment: Ramu and the Crew | Transportation: RI Wedding Shuttle by Experience Rhode Island