Matilde Mourinho's wedding: Photos and all you need to know

Last Updated Oct 14, 2024

Against the magnificent backdrop of the family's ancestral estate in Azeitão, Portugal, Matilde Mourinho, daughter of the legendary football coach José Mourinho, got married in a lavish wedding spanning three days and three nights from October 11-13, 2024. Since it deftly combined the spheres of football, high society, and close family ties, this event became known in the South European nation as the “wedding of the year.”

Its luxurious surroundings and exclusiveness also exposed a wonderful story of the family's legacy and the couple, Matilde and her long-term partner, Danny Graham, who celebrated their marriage with grace, privacy, and deep personal meaning. 

Wedding details

The wedding began with an intimate pre-celebration dinner at the prestigious José Maria da Fonseca wine estate, where eighty handpicked guests assembled under the cosy glow of candlelight in a wonderfully decorated dining hall surrounded by wine barrels. 

This magical evening brilliantly captured the mix of Portuguese history and contemporary elegance, preparing the ground for the grand celebrations to come. 

Before the main event—which was scheduled to take place spectacularly over the weekend and welcome over three hundred guests to see the ceremonial union of two eminent families—close friends and family delighted in this unique opportunity together.

Wedding ceremony

The event took place on the peaceful, beautifully restored grounds of the Mourinho family estate, Herdade do Peru, which had been painstakingly rebuilt for this historic occasion.

Apart from offering a breathtaking backdrop of undulating vineyards and gorgeous hills, the venue reflected a strong link to the origins of the Mourinho family.

Just a short distance from José Mourinho's childhood residence, this estate represented the strong ties to their Portuguese background, adding to the emotional significance of the wedding for the bride and her father, who has always shown his love for his native country despite his globetrotting career.

What happened in those three days?

The festivities took place brilliantly at several sites, including the energetic Quinta de Catralvos, where the second day brought even more delight, and the peaceful Herdade do Peru, which welcomed a laid-back but sophisticated assembly on the last day. 

Every element of the planning was clearly deliberate, each one carefully chosen to honour the rich cultural traditions of Portugal and the United Kingdom while reflecting the particular personalities of the bride and groom. 

This marriage not only honoured their love but also deftly combined two different heritages, honouring a loving family celebration and a hopeful look ahead for them together.

Who is Matilde Mourinho?

28-year-old entrepreneur Matilde, who has her own London sustainable jewellery company, wore a custom-made wedding gown on her big day that exquisitely highlighted her sophisticated style sense and environmental awareness.

Offering a contemporary interpretation of classic bridal elegance, the gown had flowing silk and delicate lacework. 

Her path from graduate of the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design to a well-known businesswoman in sustainable fashion is simply amazing. 

Her father, José Mourinho, usually known for his commanding presence on football sidelines around the globe, embraced a more emotional role, proudly walking his daughter down the aisle and celebrating with heartfelt emotions.

Who is Danny Graham?

Danny Graham, the groom, is a British real estate consultant who has spent almost a decade consistently in Matilde's life. Like any relationship, theirs started in 2015 during a holiday in Portugal and encountered difficulties, including a brief split in 2019. 

Still, they reconciled and strengthened their bond, which resulted in their engagement in the summer of 2023. José Mourinho, who had first expressed reservations about Danny's playboy reputation, was delighted by this news.

Danny not only won Matilde's heart but also got her father's approval over time, completely merging into the Mourinho family

The exclusive nature of the wedding

With strict security policies in place to guarantee that only those on the carefully selected guest list could join in the celebration and the media firmly excluded from the events, the wedding exuded exclusivity. This produced a magical aura around the event. 

Still, only a few honest pictures, shared by close friends, have come to light despite the dedication to privacy. These pictures show the amazing floral arrangements, luxurious décor, and the couple's beautiful clothes, all of which accentuated the sophisticated and refined atmosphere of the occasion. 

What this means for Mourinho

For José Mourinho, the wedding marked more than just a moment of personal pride as a father; it was a major event that turned his family's story back into public view in a positive direction away from the constant scrutiny of the football scene.

Having excelled under pressure and guided teams to win some of the most prestigious events worldwide, including several Champions League and Europa League medals, he seized the opportunity to play the loving parent. 

His earlier hints on the delight of maybe being a grandfather just accentuated the emotional depth of an already moving weekend.

Mourinho's family heritage - Happy married life

The narrative of this wedding revolved mostly around the rich legacy of the Portuguese family. Despite years spent living overseas, José Mourinho and his wife, Matilde Faria, who shares a name with their daughter, have raised a great respect for their Portuguese heritage in their children. 

Celebrating the wedding in Azeitão, a site of great significance for the Portuguese family, not only highlighted this link but also offered a backdrop reflecting their common past.

As Matilde and Danny start their fresh life together, this scene brilliantly represents the path from the past to the future.

Combining the grace of a high-society event with the sincere intimacy of a family gathering, Matilde Mourinho's wedding to Danny Graham was simply remarkable. 

It honoured the legacy of the Mourinho family, whose influence in football and culture still inspires, while also brilliantly displaying the close relationships among the bride, groom, and their loved ones. 

Everyone lucky enough to be present at this remarkable event will always remember it for love, laughter, and a great feeling of belonging.