Some love stories seem to be written in the stars — and the one between Rhiannon and Chaysen is exactly that.
She’s American with Indian roots; he’s half German, half American, but calls Portugal home. They met by chance in St. Tropez, fell in love under the stars of Capri, and chose Lisbon as the city to unite their hearts forever.
When we spoke with the couple, now dividing life between continents, their calm tone and glowing smiles said it all: this wasn’t just a wedding. It was the beginning of a new chapter in the place they both now call home — Portugal.
Zankyou: First things first – could you please introduce yourselves? What are your names and where are you from?
Rhiannon: I am from the Midwest (USA) and my mom is from India, so I am half Indian. I currently live in Atlanta, but will be moving to Lisbon soon!Chaysen: He’s from Germany, half American, and lives in Lisbon.
Zankyou: How did you two meet? Tell us a little bit about your love story.
Rhiannon: It truly is a fairytale or something out of a movie. I never believed love like this could exist until I was living it.
We met in St. Tropez in the summer of 2023. I was on a girls’ trip, and he was visiting family friends and his grandparents. We both happened to stay at Hotel La Garbine, where he approached me in the lobby bar. I was caught off guard and a bit dismissive — funny in hindsight!
As fate would have it, we ran into each other again that same night at a bar. We stayed up until sunrise, drinking beers by the poolside, talking about life, our dreams, and our struggles. I think we both knew then that something special had begun.
Shortly after, I visited him in Portugal for our first date, and soon after, he joined my family in Italy, where he said “I love you” for the first time under the stars in Capri. That hotel in St. Tropez became our special place — where we also got engaged a year later.
Zankyou: Why did you choose Portugal as the destination for your wedding?
Rhiannon: Portugal was a clear choice for us because Chaysen lives there and I’ll be moving soon. We love Lisbon and wanted our families to experience the city that feels like home to us.
Zankyou: Did you have the support of a wedding planner?
Rhiannon: Of course! I couldn’t have done an international wedding without one. We worked with Catarina from VOWS Portugal, and she was incredible.
Zankyou: Where did your guests travel from? Was it truly an international celebration?
Rhiannon: Yes! Our guests came from all over. My family and friends flew in from the U.S., Chaysen’s family came from Thailand and Germany, and many of our local friends from Lisbon joined us as well.
Zankyou: Looking back, what was your favorite part of the wedding day?
Rhiannon: Having our first look was one of my favorite moments. Chaysen was so nervous, and seeing me before the ceremony helped calm him down. Reading our vows to each other in front of everyone was also so emotional — I’ll never forget his reaction.
This first moment set the tone for the day with genuine emotions and heartfelt smiles, kicking off a celebration full of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
Zankyou: Did you organize any pre- or post-wedding events?
Rhiannon: Yes! We had a rehearsal dinner followed by a cocktail dînatoire at Palácio do Grilo, which was extra special since it was the place of our first date.
The day after, we hosted a relaxed beach lunch at Praia Princesa, full of rosé and surfing — the perfect way to close the celebration.
Zankyou: You included a content creation service with In White Content Creation. How was that experience?
Rhiannon: It was a last-minute decision, but one of the best ones. I love photography and capturing every detail, but I knew I wouldn’t be on my phone during the celebrations. Hiring In White allowed me to relax — they were my eyes behind the scenes, capturing everything I would have missed. I definitely recommend it!
Zankyou: What advice would you give to other couples planning a destination wedding in Portugal?
Rhiannon: I can’t recommend VOWS Portugal enough. They made everything so smooth and effortless, connecting us with vendors that perfectly matched our vibe.
My biggest advice: stay true to yourselves. That’s what makes your wedding unique. We skipped all the trends — no bridesmaids, no champagne tower, no fireworks, no getaway car just for photos. We chose simplicity and authenticity, and it felt so us.
Zankyou: Where did you go for your honeymoon?
Rhiannon: Straight to the Seychelles, and it was perfect. We stayed at Six Senses Zil Pasyon, a wellness-focused resort where we could truly disconnect — snorkeling, massages, hikes, and long games of backgammon while reminiscing about our magical wedding week.
Zankyou: Where did you find inspiration for your wedding style and details?
Rhiannon: I wanted something unique, true to me, and timeless. I made mood boards and used Pinterest for a few references, but mainly trusted my intuition.
I wanted to weave in my Indian heritage while letting the venue’s natural beauty shine. Catarina understood my vision perfectly. Many of the small details — like matchboxes and cocktail napkins — I designed and ordered on Etsy after having our logo created by Ofelia Botelia.
I love event planning and creative details, so honestly, I’m sad it’s all over!
Zankyou: Could you share your list of vendors?
Wedding planner: VOWS Portugal
Rehearsal dinner & cocktail venue: Palácio do Grilo
Wedding venue: Palácio da Fonte Nova
Post-wedding beach lunch: Praia Princesa
Hair & makeup: Patrícia Maralhas
Photographer: Dias de Vino y Rosas
Videographer: Pedro Gomes Film
Content creator: In White Content Creation you also can find them on Instagram @inwhitecontentcreation LINKKKK
Ceremony music: Duddha
Cocktail band: Duddha and the Lotus Flower
Saxophonist: Dandy Sax
Reception DJ: Holger & Improper
Catering: Penha Longa Resort
Rentals: AIDU
Florals: FLO
Cake: Mon Sucré
Wedding dress: Monique Lhuillier from Mandi Jackson Bridal
Stationery: Ofelia Botelia
Zankyou: Is there any special feedback you’d like to share about a particular vendor?
Rhiannon: I actually gave a thank-you speech during our wedding dinner because I wanted to recognize the amazing professionals who made our day possible.
Catarina from VOWS brought our vision to life so beautifully.And Magdalena from FLO — who grows her own flowers — was so inspired by my Indian heritage that she designed the most breathtaking arrangements that blended culture and venue perfectly.
Final Thoughts
As Rhiannon told us, “It’s all about doing what aligns with you and your partner.” Their celebration in Lisbon embodied that truth — elegant, soulful, and effortlessly authentic.
For couples dreaming of their own destination wedding in Portugal, their story is proof that when love is the compass, every detail falls naturally into place.
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