LAUREN AND ROBEL

.
Wedding

Ceremony

September 4th, 2027

Pousada Mosteiro Amares

Amares, Portugal


Our Itinerary

September 1st, 2027 - September 5th, 2027

We’re so excited to share this special time with you! Our wedding journey will take us through two beautiful areas of Portugal: Porto and Braga / Amares.

From Wednesday, Sept 1st, to Friday, Sept 3rd, we’ll be in Porto for pre-wedding celebrations. We'll share more details of our exact plans in Porto closer to the date if you'd like to join.** In Porto, we’ll be staying at the Torel 1884, but guests are welcome to stay wherever they choose! See the Travel & Accommodations section of our wedding website to view our hotel recommendations at a variety of price points to help you find the perfect fit.

On Friday, Sept 3rd, we will provide transportation for guests in Porto to our Braga / Amares hotels - the INNSiDE by Meliá Braga Centro and Pousada Mosteiro Amares.

WEDDING IS SATURDAY, SEPT 4TH.

We understand that switching locations and hotels might feel like a bit much, but trust us — it’s worth it! This plan allows you to enjoy the rich history, culture, and flavors of both Porto and Braga.


**Pre-wedding activities / festivities will not be hosted and are completely optional to join.

The Evening Before

Friday, September 3rd, 2027

Casa Lata - Agroturismo

On Friday, we'll kick off our celebrations with an evening of drinks and music. We’ll gather for a casual evening to hang out with our guests and get the party started.

Dress Code: Countryside chic

The Wedding

Saturday, 4th September, 2027

Pousada Mosteiro Amares

A celebration of our love, our story, and the next chapter we are beginning together.

Our Wedding Venue

POUSADA MOSTEIRO AMARES

Nestled between the city of Braga and the Serra do Gerês mountain range, Pousada Mosteiro Amares is a beautifully restored 12th-century Cistercian monastery. The restoration was carried out by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, and the building is classified as a National Heritage site in Portugal. The venue offers a seamless blend of historic indoor spaces and stunning outdoor grounds. All rooms feature panoramic mountain views, and activities nearby include hiking, canoeing, and horse riding — making it the perfect destination for guests looking to extend their stay and explore the Portuguese countryside.

There are a limited number of rooms available at Pousada Mosteiro Amares. These rooms will be reserved for our families and then opened up for other guests to book if there is still space available.

Flight Details

The closest international airport is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), based in Porto, also known as the Porto Airport. Direct flight options are available from most major US cities. We recommend booking flights as early as possible for best pricing and options.

Recommended Travel Dates (For Flights)

Direct Flight Options:
JFK - OPO | TAP
BOS - OPO | TAP
EWR - OPO | TAP and United Airlines
MIA - OPO | TAP (via Lisbon connection)
IAD - OPO | TAP and United Airlines
PHI - OPO | American Airlines (via connection)

Accommodation for Braga & Amares

INNSiDE by Meliá Braga Centro

Av. Central 107, 4710-310 Braga, Portugal

We're recommending the INNSiDE by Meliá Braga Centro as our host hotel for guests on Friday and Saturday night. The hotel is located in the center of Braga, an increasingly cosmopolitan yet ancient city.

Its central location, incredible facilities and first-class service are just the start. Take a dip in the indoor and outdoor pools, work out in the gym or relax in the spa. And if you want to visit the most iconic sites in the city, you can easily walk to the Portas de Braga or the Sé de Braga Cathedral. Fancy a snack? Stimulate your senses in our restaurant with delicious dishes, live music and a lively atmosphere.

Our Favorite Places

We'd love for you to make the most of your time in Porto! The map above shows some of our favorite places around Porto that we think are worth a visit. There are also many fantastic restaurants and bars around the city (too many to list here), but if you want recommendations from us just reach out.


Activities

Whether it's exploring centuries-old cathedrals, going horseback riding through Gerês Nature Park, or taking a cable car ride over the rooftops of Porto — there's so much to discover. We've rounded up some of our favorite spots and experiences to help you plan the perfect trip.

Gerês Nature Park

Just a short drive from the Pousada Mosteiro Amares, Peneda-Gerês National Park is Portugal's only national park — think lush valleys, mountain trails, and waterfalls. Horseback riding through the park is an unforgettable way to take it all in.

Porto

Cable Car Ride over the Douro

Take the Gaia cable car for sweeping views over Porto's rooftops, the River Douro, and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge — especially magical at sunset.

Port Wine Tasting

The wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia are where port wine is stored and aged before being exported around the world. Tour the caves, learn the history, and taste your way through some of Portugal's finest.

Dom Luís I Bridge

This iconic double-deck iron bridge connects Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia across the River Douro. Designed by an apprentice of Gustav Eiffel, walking it at sunset is one of the most beloved Porto experiences.

Douro River Cruise

Sail on a traditional Rabelo boat and take in the famous six bridges and main sights from the water — a lovely, relaxed way to see both sides of the city.

The playlist

Be Ready to Dance

We've put together a few playlists to share the music and energy we're dreaming of for this weekend — give them a listen before you arrive if you want to know the vibes.

F A Q

What is the weather like in Portugal in September?

September in northern Portugal is wonderfully warm and mostly dry, with temperatures typically between 65–80°F (18–26°C). Evenings can cool down, so a light layer is never a bad idea for outdoor moments. September sees a slight increase in rain and passing showers though heavy rain is still rare.

What is the dress code?

For our welcome event, the dress code is garden party chic. Think breezy, comfortable, bright and elegant.

For our wedding, we're requesting evening formal wear. Please show up and show out! Lauren promises, you won't upstage her. She'd love for you to try (seriously).

We recommend comfortable footwear for the evening — the grounds are beautiful but contain gravel, grass and some uneven steps outside. Flats, block heels or wedges will work best.

Are children welcome?

We kindly ask that attendance be limited to adult guests where possible. That said, we truly want you there to celebrate with us! If you plan to bring a baby or younger children, please reach out to Lauren or Robel directly, so we can discuss childcare options for your little ones.

Will the events be indoors or outdoors?

Our welcome event and wedding celebration will take place both indoors and outdoors across the Casa Lata and Pousada Mosteiro Amares grounds.

Our ceremony and dinner will be outdoors while our reception and after party will move inside.

Can I bring a plus one?

Seating will be limited to invited guests only. Your formal invitation will specify exactly who is included. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out directly to us.

How do I get from the airport to the hotel?

Porto Airport (OPO) is the closest major airport. We recommend booking a private transfer (around $30 USD), renting a car, or using Uber or Bolt — all available directly from the airport. Full travel details can be found on our Travel page.

Is there transportation provided?

We will provide shuttle options to move guests from Porto to Braga or Amares on Friday, Sept 3. There will also be shuttles provided to take guests to and from our welcome event. On our wedding day, for guests staying at Pousada Mosteiro Amares, the venue is on-site — no transport needed. For guests staying at INNSiDE by Meliá Braga Centro, we will provide shuttles to and from the hotel.

Exact shuttle details will be shared closer to the date. Stay tuned.

.
Our

Story


We met the old-fashioned way: swiping despondently at white boxes on a dating app. Our first date was at a Brazilian coffee shop in Houston that somehow led to more sangria than coffee, and an afternoon that neither of us forgot in the summer of 2017.

Lauren knew immediately that Robel felt like a best friend, and she had never been on a date with someone so easy to talk to. Robel remembers how distracted he was by Lauren's smile and trying his best to be good listener. A few weeks later on White Linen Night, it became something official.

It's a lot to recap so here's how we remember it:

• 2017: We met, became official and survived Hurricane Harvey together
• 2018: We signed our first lease together
• 2019: xx
• 2020: We survived a pandemic together...and didn't get a pet
• 2021: We made the move to Boston
• 2022: We spent way too much money on travels with business school friends
• 2023: We made the move to New York
• 2024: xx
• 2025: We decided to get married
• 2026: We planned a wedding
• 2027: We're getting hitched

From Brazil to New Zealand, we've collected memories across four continents together while steadily building a life together in Houston, Boston and now New York. Whether it's watching the dawgs play or going to a Broadway show, we've found over the years that our favorite moments are the ones we share together.

When Robel finally proposed, it happened at home in our tiny New York apartment — just the two of us. On September 4th, 2027, we're asking that everyone we love joins us in Portugal to celebrate not just a wedding, but a decade of adventures, laughter, and a love that has always known exactly what it was.


Our Registry

Making the trip to party with us is present enough! No gifts are needed or expected. We are just excited to celebrate this special time in Portugal with you.