Linda and Jöerg (pronounced “York”) are graphic designers from Berlin, and nothing about their wedding in Goa was ordinary. When I met them on the morning of their wedding, Jöerg’s first question was if I knew where to find cheap wedding rings—not because they wanted to save money, but because they wanted something authentic. “The rings should come to us,” he said. I agreed.
How do you tell the story of a couple who chose a destination wedding in Goa that was small, deeply personal, and shared only with two guests—the groom’s mother and the bride’s grandmother? If you imagined a grand celebration with dozens of friends and family, this intimate wedding will surprise you with its heartfelt simplicity and genuine connection.
Only Four People, Including the Couple, at This Destination Wedding in Goa
Linda and Jöerg had planned to spend their vacation in Goa—a “real vacation on the beach” after missing India for a while. They ruled out the Mediterranean and chose Goa for its laid-back charm, amazing food, and that subtle but unmistakable India vibe that isn’t too overwhelming.
When it came to the wedding itself, they knew they didn’t want the classic big event with a long guest list. Instead, they opted for a simple, intimate ceremony with just the two of them. Since Goa was already their honeymoon destination, combining the wedding and honeymoon made perfect sense.
The idea of including Linda’s grandmother and Jöerg’s mom came a bit later. Initially, they planned to register the marriage in India too, but India’s bureaucracy and legal requirements—including needing witnesses from Germany—made that impossible. They settled on doing the legal registration back home on a small island near Berlin, also without guests, and just holding the church ceremony in Goa.
But the thought of sharing this special India experience with the two most important women in their lives wouldn’t let go. Just weeks before the wedding, the ladies warmed to the idea and got excited about the trip and the ceremony.
We all met at the stunning Alila Diva hotel in South Goa, where Linda even put on her own makeup. From there, we headed to Panaji, stopping at the flower market and the main market for rings—because even a simple destination wedding in Goa deserves thoughtful details.
The church ceremony was intimate and emotional, held at a beautiful Portuguese church in Panaji. After mass, we took a relaxed stroll through the Portuguese quarter for a fun photoshoot before ending the day with street food on Miramar beach—pav bhaji and sev puri, just the way it should be.
This wasn’t the destination wedding in Goa you might expect—but it was perfectly them: authentic, intimate, and unforgettable.
Sephi Bergerson is a destination wedding photographer based in Goa and available for assignments worldwide. See more weddings in Goa