Crafting Love: An Intimate Chat with Raphaela and Kim
Crafting Love: An Intimate Chat with Raphaela and Kim
@amoureusededaninos
@the_wedding_collab
Photographed by @my.favorite.human
In their quest to celebrate love, Raphaela and Alexis choose to demonstrate that sustainability and ethical choices can coexist with the beauty and sophistication of a wedding celebration. Guided by their wedding planner Kim Zabriskie from The Wedding Collab, they partnered with Aketekete to create bespoke woven fans for their guests.
Beyond the art and beauty, this collaboration sets an example for the future, highlighting the artisans' capability to create awe-inspiring work that resonates globally, providing more opportunities for artisans and supporting more families.
1. Hi Kim and Raphaela, thank you for being part of this special interview. Can you share how you both met and decided to collaborate?
R: I love to screenshot images that I’m inspired by, and 5 years ago I took a screenshot of a wedding Kim did in New York. While the wedding mood was not necessarily something I had in mind for myself, what struck me was - without knowing the couple - how insanely well the heart and soul of the couple were captured and transformed into a ceremony and event as a whole. When it was time for my wedding with Alexis, I scrolled through my photos until I found the screenshot and decided to reach out to Kim. There was an instant connection and excitement to collaborate on this really special wedding but also on the journey of truly approaching the process from a conscious angle.
2. Kim, as a wedding planner, what are your main objectives when planning a wedding? How do you work with couples to design and create their dream wedding while being responsible and friendly to the environment?
K: As a wedding planner, my primary objective is to ensure that each wedding reflects the unique essence of the couple. I achieve this by deeply understanding their personalities, values, and vision for their special day through countless hours of conversations, not only about the planning process but also about their journey as a couple. By building a strong relationship with them, I can infuse every detail of the celebration with elements that resonate with who they are, both as individuals and as a couple.
When it comes to environmental responsibility, I approach it with flexibility, recognizing that each couple has different priorities in this regard. I strive to educate myself on sustainable practices and then come up with creative ideas to incorporate them into the wedding where possible, making intentional decisions that align with the couple's values. While achieving complete sustainability in every category may not always be feasible, I believe that every small step towards environmental stewardship is meaningful and contributes to a more responsible celebration. I also believe that the more we share ideas, the more it will become a common practice.
4. You spent two summers working in Ghana. How was that experience, and how do you see the story of your wedding and Aketekete intertwining?
R: It was one of those eye-opening moments that one gets to have in life. Growing up in the city, I rarely questioned the source, value chain, and faces of the products of everyday life that I could so easily purchase. Living in a remote area with limited infrastructure, I understood for the first time the power of having access to basic goods and constant power supply. I met an award-winning farmer who invited me to his cashew farm. At this point, I learned that the farmer could not process most of the fruit and nuts due to a lack of infrastructure and power supply, and from the price I paid for my luxurious nut in a supermarket in Europe, only a fraction got back to the farmer. These are definitely the experiences that led me to follow a conscious approach wherever possible in my life and to connect with and learn from the people at the start of the value creation.
Now, our love story has also garnered some of the most unique moments in Ghana. A few months after we started dating, I had to tell Alexis that we wouldn’t be able to see each other for several weeks, as I was going to be in Atebubu, Ghana. For Alexis, this was not an option. So against all odds, he made his way to rural Ghana instead of going for his usual summer trip. We were able to discover the kindness, tradition, and culture of Ghana together. Being together, facing such rudimental questions and situations ties one another extremely close. As we mainly interviewed local stakeholders throughout our time, be they field workers, farmers, nurses, beekeepers, or dressmakers, we were in constant touch with the people of Ghana; it felt like we knew the weavers, like we had sat under the same tree and danced to the same chants. It was the most beautiful sign from the universe that the fans that I had in mind for the ceremony were actually based on Ghanaian craftsmanship.
5. You chose to gift handmade woven fans from Ghana at your wedding. Can you tell us about your Aketekete selections and the message you wanted to convey through these choices?
K: The decision served a dual purpose; we wanted to weave multiple layers of their love story into the celebration by including a Ghanaian element while also providing shade under the beautiful Portuguese sun. The fans emerged as a perfect solution, offering both functionality and a personalized touch. Raphaela discovered Aketekete, where we found exquisite handmade fans that aligned perfectly with our vision. Collaborating with Maria and Nana Kow was a special experience, and we had so much fun working together to finalize the colors and design.
6. How do you hope the sustainable choices made for your wedding will influence your guests' future decisions?
R: We think that the biggest impact the choices and the storytelling of these decisions will have is simply in the act of sharing how we did it to inspire our guests to apply some of these ideas in their own lives. For example, it is so easy (as long as you are willing to be flexible) to work with flowers and plants that grow locally and are in season at the time of your wedding. This principle extends beyond weddings; whether buying flowers for a friend or your home, consider their origin and opt for locally grown options. Choosing potted plants over cut flowers or supporting floral vendors who prioritize local sourcing can make a meaningful difference.
7. What are your top three favorite things to do in Lisboa?
Kim:
Lisbon is filled with incredible culinary highlights, and although I have only sampled a few, I already have some firm favorites. Breakfast at Numa Café, their sunshine chia is my favorite. Dinner at Senhor Uva, is local, fresh, and all vegetarian. And for the sweet tooth, either a pastry from Juliana Penteado who infuses her baked treats with essential oils (we also worked with her for the wedding cake), or ice cream from Nannarella.
Hiking along the dramatic coastline and beach in Sao Joao Das Lampas.
Simply strolling through the cobblestone streets and exploring all the little boutique stores with treasures from the most intricate hand-sewn embroidery to a vast variety of different ceramic artisans, there is something for everyone.
Raphaela:
Strolling around the streets of Lisbon, embracing its evident beauty as well as the charm of its imperfections.
Enjoying a walk in nature with our rescue pups (#adoptdontshop), be grateful for it, and protect her for example, by picking up plastic waste I find along the way.
Spending time with friends at our friends' curated project Mirari, eating a Stack Smash Burger, and dancing and singing to Viva o Samba.