romantic first look elopement at penha longa sintra
romantic first look elopement at penha longa sintra
Nicole and John planned their elopement as a true reflection of their relationship: adventurous, untraditional, and uncomplicated. Their day began with a romantic first look at Penha Longa Resort, one of the most unique venues in Sintra.
Romantic First Look at Penha Longa Resort in Sintra
Nestled in the mountains and surrounded by forest, Penha Longa is a former 14th-century monastery and palace filled with history and atmosphere. The old cloisters, hand-painted walls, and traditional Portuguese tiles create a peaceful and almost mystical setting. For their first look, Nicole and John chose a small chapel with green tiles and a beautiful vaulted ceiling. It was intimate, quiet, and full of character.
Exploring the Historic Monastery and Gardens
After their first look, we spent some time exploring the monastery and gardens together. We walked slowly through the cloisters, admiring the painted walls and seasonal tile mosaics while enjoying the calm atmosphere of the property.
A Relaxed and Meaningful Sintra Elopement Experience
As a Sintra elopement photographer, these unhurried moments are always my favorite part of the day. They allow the couple to stay fully present and focus on each other instead of rushing through a timeline. We also explored hidden corners of the property, including the beautiful Nuncio Garden, a peaceful space created in the 16th century for meditation and contemplation. The monastery gave us the perfect setting to create a modern elopement with a timeless, fairy-tale feeling.
An Intimate Destination Elopement in Portugal
While Nicole was getting ready, John went to a local flower shop to buy her bouquet. The florist only spoke Portuguese, so he used hand gestures to explain what he needed. In the end, she created a bouquet with pink roses and sea pink flowers, Nicole’s favorite blooms. It became one of the sweetest and most personal moments of the day.
Nicole wanted a wedding dress that felt modern, effortless, and elegant in movement. She chose the Rain Cloud dress by Leanne Marshall because it perfectly matched the vision she had for her elopement. Since the dress had no heavy embellishments or beading, she paired it with a dramatic celestial-inspired Vega headpiece by Jennifer Behr for a more artistic and untraditional look.
John wore a light linen suit from J.Crew, ideal for the warm weather in Portugal. He completed the look with accessories from Brooks Brothers, keeping everything classic, relaxed, and timeless.
This elopement was featured at Green Wedding Shoes Blog, thank you very much!
wedding dress: Leanne Marshall // wedding dress boutique: Leanne Marshall Bridal // hairpiece: Jennifer Behr // bride’s ring: Doyle and Doyle 1930’s art deco ring // hair stylist: Cati Beauty // makeup artist: Cati Beauty // groom attire: J.Crew and Brooks Brothers // groom’s shoes: Cole Haan // groom’s ring: Blue Nile
