“Regressar à minha terra natal para casar-me com o amor da minha vida foi sensação indescritível,” stated Grayson Judge after he and Kathryn Mawhinney exchanged vows in Fajãzinha, on Flores Island in the Azores.
The couple from San Francisco, California, shared images of their wedding on social media, drawing widespread attention to the remote Atlantic archipelago, Notícias ao Minuto reported. The celebration combined deep personal heritage with meticulous historic preservation.
Judge’s maternal family originated from Flores Island, a connection that inspired the destination. “A minha herança açoriana sempre foi motivo de orgulho para mim e a para minha família,” Judge said.
To accommodate their guests, the couple rented Aldeia da Cuada, a 17th-century stone village transformed into a hotel. “As casinhas foram originalmente construídas na parte mais alta da ilha para proteger os visitantes dos piratas. O local parecia um conto de fadas,” Mawhinney stated, as reported by Notícias ao Minuto.
Carlota, the owner of Aldeia da Cuada, coordinated with civil and parish authorities to secure permission for the event. Grayson noted that her team went above and beyond, allowing the property to host its first wedding in more than 20 years.
The ceremony took place at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, built in 1776. Mawhinney wore a gown by Sareh Nouri paired with Amina Muaddi shoes and vintage earrings, while Judge wore a Giorgio Armani smoking.
Conducted in both English and Portuguese, the ceremony drew local residents who gathered to watch. “Foi emocionante tê-los lá,” Mawhinney told Notícias ao Minuto.
| Wedding Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Couple | Kathryn Mawhinney and Grayson Judge |
| Location | Fajãzinha, Flores Island, Azores |
| Venue | Aldeia da Cuada and Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios |
| Attire | Sareh Nouri dress, Amina Muaddi shoes, Giorgio Armani smoking |
