I Do, Your Way by Joana Raio
Our celebrant! So wonderful!!!! I loved/we loved every second with her 💕💕💕 Dear Joana! jucamcsilva
My name is Joana Raio
Originally from Portugal, I am a professional Wedding Celebrant and international actor with a passion for storytelling and creating meaningful connections. Based in Lisbon, I have been crafting bespoke, heartfelt wedding ceremonies since returning to Portugal in 2018, celebrating love in all its forms and honouring each couple’s unique story.
My work as a celebrant allows me to bring people together through carefully designed, deeply personal ceremonies that highlight love, individuality, and shared human values. This role perfectly complements my creative background and interpersonal skills, enriching my ability to connect with others on an emotional and authentic level.
Before embracing my celebrant career, I trained as an actor at East 15 Acting School in London, where I lived and worked for 12 years. Beyond weddings, I continue to work as a voice-over artist, workshop facilitator, and theatre maker, producing plays that explore interdisciplinary approaches and verbatim storytelling.
Being a Wedding Celebrant has become the heart of my professional life, blending my love for storytelling, creativity, and meaningful human connections in the most rewarding way.
The 11th was epic! THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH 🤩 It was beautiful!
We loved the wedding, and I adored the ceremony and every word that was spoken.
We would like to thank you, Joana, for being absolutely amazing.
A big kiss,
And thank you once again!
Joana & André, 2022
Testimonials
Although we had already legally married in February, it was this ceremony, along with your serenity and joy, Joana, that made that moment the most special of all—it was there that our life together as husband and wife truly began.
You brought colour, joy, and so much personality to the script that, even though we had read it several times, when the ceremony began, it felt as if we were hearing it for the first time because of the immense emotion we felt in that moment.
Thank you so much, Joana for giving us one of the most beautiful moments of our lives.
Catarina e Ben, 2022
We recently got married in Santa Cruz and were fortunate enough to find Joana in our quest to find a celebrant for the big day.
Joana made the process of creating the words for our ceremony very simple and was she able to capture the exact mood my wife and I were hoping for. On the day she was organised and helped settle my nerves before Rebecca walked down the aisle.
Thanks Joanna for being such a fantastic part of our happy special day.
Rebecca and Alex, 2023
A Joana conseguiu contar a nossa história tal e qual como ela aconteceu, mostrou preocupação ao longo de todo o processo e lidou com todos os contratempos. O feedbcak por parte dos convidados foi super positivo e houve quem dissesse que parecia que a Joana nos conhecia desde sempre e até que fazia parte da história! Foi uma cerimónia diferente e muito especial! Todos os pedidos foram correspondidos e as pormenores tratados com muito carinho. Obrigada!