Algarve, Portugal | 28–30 June 2025

A Love That Found Its Way

Monica & Viral — A Three-Day Indian Wedding Rewritten by Heart

Valentine’s Day is often spoken about as love between two people. But to us, love is far bigger than that.
Love is community.
Love is trust.
Love is resilience.
Love is the people who show up for you when everything falls apart.

This Valentine’s Day, as we launch our blog, we’re proud to begin our journey by sharing Monica & Viral’s story.

This is not just the story of a wedding.
It’s the story of love being held together by kindness, courage, and the unwavering belief that things can still be beautiful — even when everything goes wrong.

When Everything Unravels

Wedding couple on the beach — Monica and Viral, both dental professionals living in Leicester, UK, had spent nearly 12 months planning their destination Indian wedding in Portugal. Like many busy couples, they placed their full trust in their wedding planner, believing everything was progressing smoothly behind the scenes.

There had been a few hiccups along the way — moments that felt slightly off — but Monica, ever kind-hearted and understanding, always chose to give the benefit of the doubt. With demanding careers and full schedules, they trusted the planning was ahead of schedule, not falling behind.

Then, just days before flying to Portugal, communication began to break down.

Pressure mounted. Answers became vague. Anxiety crept in.

Still, with everything paid for — or so they believed — they boarded their flight to the Algarve, ready to welcome 150 guests from around the world for a three-day exclusive celebration at the breathtaking Palácio de Estoi.

What awaited them upon arrival was unthinkable.

At check-in, they were informed that the hotel had received only a partial deposit. The final payment for exclusivity had never been made.

Their wedding planner was meant to meet them at the hotel but never showed up. On the next morning, she finally called to admit she had mismanaged their funds. She confessed she hadn’t come to meet them because she had been trying — unsuccessfully — to source money elsewhere to cover the outstanding payments.

Within hours, the full truth unfolded: there was no money to pay the hotel, the caterers, the AV team, or most of their suppliers.

With guests already en route, their wedding — all five events across three days — simply did not exist.

The only confirmed services were those they had booked directly from the UK: hair and makeup, photography, videography, and their DJ. As they began calling local suppliers, some from Lisbon and some from the Algarve, they discovered that no one had received payment — meaning no services had been secured.

In shock and disbelief, one of Monica’s calls that night was to Louise Hayes of A Taste of Decadence — their wedding cake supplier… or so she thought.

Miraculously, Louise was still available to create their cake.

At first, given everything that was happening, Monica and Viral considered cancelling the cake. It didn’t feel like a priority in the middle of such a crisis. But Louise was so incredibly kind and supportive that they simply couldn’t let it go.

And it was during that call that she said:

“My friend is a wedding planner. Let me see if there’s anything she can do to help.”

Bride and groom wearing festive attire carrying decorated pots on their heads during an Indian wedding celebration at an outdoor Algarve venue at night. — *Monica & Viral celebrating with the traditional Ghara Balau procession under twinkling lights at their sunset wedding reception in the Algarve.*

A Call at 10pm That Changed Everything

That same night, Louise called Cláudia, Algarve Dream Weddings

It was late. We couldn’t attend the call immediately. But something told her to persist — and something told us to answer.

At first, I believed they simply needed décor styling. But the following morning, when Cassandra and I spoke with them directly on Thursday morning, we realised the truth:

They didn’t just need styling.
They needed an entire three-day Indian wedding rebuilt from scratch.
They needed a day before venue, suppliers, logistics, timelines — everything — and they needed it within 24 hours.

By some miracle, we were free that weekend.
In June.
In peak wedding season.

A weekend I had repeatedly said felt “strangely quiet”.

Then we understood why.

We drove straight to Palácio de Estoi to meet them in person. They were exhausted, overwhelmed, and carrying a heartbreak no couple should ever experience — yet they remained gentle, kind, and full of grace.

Without hesitation, we said yes.

Bride and groom embracing outdoors at sunset during a luxury Indian wedding in the Algarve, Portugal. — *Monica & Viral during their Algarve wedding celebrations* at the breathtaking Palácio de Estoi.

When Community Becomes Everything

What followed was endless hours of non-stop work, phone calls, problem-solving, and coordination — powered by determination, trust, and an extraordinary community of suppliers who stepped in with open hearts.

A welcome party venue had vanished.
Then — impossibly — Água Qlub in Vilamoura had a Saturday night rooftop available. Even they couldn’t explain how.
We knew.

It was meant to be.

Monica and Viral had to pay for everything again. Their savings were gone. And without being asked, their families and friends came together to support them — financially, emotionally, and wholeheartedly.

There were tears. Many of them.
Tears of fear.
Tears of exhaustion.
Tears of relief.
And eventually — tears of pure joy.

For four days, none of us slept. We survived on water, quick snacks, and an overwhelming sense of purpose. Love and gratitude carried us through.

The task before us — together with every professional involved — was bigger than simply saving a wedding. It was about protecting the integrity of our industry. It was about honouring the reputation of the incredible professionals who pour their hearts into their work. And most importantly, it was about restoring the dream and hope of what was meant to be “the best days of their lives” — celebrating their union in Portugal.

And somehow… everything worked.

Wedding day celebration with a couple surrounded by loved ones, capturing emotions of happiness and togetherness. — *The “baraatis”* supporting the groom on his new journey, and celebrating with him.

Three Days. Five Events. One Unforgettable Celebration.

From 28–30 June 2025, Monica & Viral’s wedding unfolded flawlessly.

Five distinct events.
Three full transformations.
An exclusive palace setting.
Guests who never once suspected the chaos that had preceded it all.

The weekend was joyful, elegant, vibrant, deeply emotional — and filled with so much love it was almost tangible.

But what made it truly special was them.

Monica and Viral are rare humans: gentle, humble, generous, and endlessly kind. From the moment we met them, we fell in love — not just with their vision, but with their hearts.

They will forever hold a special place in ours.

To Monica &Viral, and to all their beautiful, kind, and loving friends and family, all our love to you!

Happy Valentines Day!