At Palácio Conde d’ Óbidos: the Wedding Photographer in Lisbon

Bride and groom looking to the side along the balustrade of the staircase to Palácio Rocha do Conde de Óbidos, by the wedding photographer in Lisbon.

LISBON, THE TEJO, AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Bride and groom looking to the side along the balustrade of the staircase to Palácio Rocha do Conde de Óbidos, by the wedding photographer in Lisbon.

The photos are from the wedding, with the ceremony at the São Domingos Church in Lisbon and the party at the Palácio da Rocha do Conde de Óbidos


• Pode ler este artigo em Português

The future and the joy of life

Bride while getting her hair done for the wedding.

Cátia and Hugo chose Lisbon as the setting and place to celebrate their wedding.
The ceremony took place at the Church of São Domingos in Lisbon, magnificent, with the patina of time and its many trials. This church could not be a better metaphor for the beginning of a life together: regardless of what life brings in terms of difficulties, it is always necessary to remain standing. Even the suffering of this church — an earthquake and a fire — did not prevent it from hosting ceremonies that are imbued with the future and the joy of life, celebrated there with even greater intensity and a deeper sense of importance.

A fabulous day for the wedding photographer

The groom putting on his tie.

Crossing through the Baixa and parallel to the Tagus, they arrived at the Palácio da Rocha do Conde d’Óbidos, home of the Portuguese Red Cross, a place chosen for its internal beauty and location: the comings and goings of the Lisbon Port and the blue ribbon of water with a bridge in the distance that the smiling locals call the Tejo.
A floral decoration matching the palace’s ambiance was beautifully arranged by Florista Pimenta, accompanied by catering from Pingo de Mel.
In short, everything came together for a fabulous day, which this humble wedding photographer enjoyed to the fullest, with a full belly (of photos).

The groom with his mother, who presses the buttons on his coat.

Cátia and Hugo’s wedding was a celebration full of meaning, beauty, and emotion, with two of Lisbon’s most iconic venues as the backdrop: the Church of São Domingos and the Palácio da Rocha do Conde d’Óbidos.

As a wedding photographer, I had the privilege of documenting every moment of this unforgettable day, capturing the emotions of the bride and groom, the wedding guests, and the unique atmosphere of these historic spaces.

The Church of São Domingos: a resilient setting for the ceremony

Bride, in the mirror, while her dress is tightened.

Located in the heart of Lisbon, between Rossio and Praça da Figueira, the Church of São Domingos is a living testament to the city’s history. Founded in 1241 by order of King Sancho II, this church was the stage for important events, including royal weddings and baptisms.
Although it has been affected by several disasters, such as the 1755 earthquake and a fire in 1959, the church was rebuilt, preserving the marks of those events, which gives it a unique aura of resilience and spirituality.

Cátia and Hugo’s wedding ceremony, held in this history-laden space, was deeply symbolic. The soft light filtering through the windows and the time-worn walls created an intimate and solemn environment, ideal for capturing wedding photographs that reflect the depth and emotion of the moment.

  • Central location in Lisbon, between Rossio and Praça da Figueira
  • Founded in 1241, with a rich history of royal events
  • Survived natural disasters, maintaining a unique atmosphere
  • Ideal setting for memorable wedding ceremonies

Palácio da Rocha do Conde d’Óbidos: elegance and history in the celebration

Finishing the bride's make-up, in the mirror.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom and their guests proceeded to the Palácio da Rocha do Conde d’Óbidos, a 17th-century building located at Jardim 9 de Abril, offering stunning views over the River Tagus. Currently the headquarters of the Portuguese Red Cross, the palace is renowned for its baroque architecture and richly decorated interiors with tiles and paintings.

The wedding reception took place in the palace’s noble halls, which were carefully adorned with floral arrangements by Florista Pimenta and catering by Pingo de Mel. The combination of the venue’s elegance with the attention to detail provided a sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for capturing wedding photographs that reflect the joy and celebration of the day.

  • 17th-century palace with views over the River Tagus
  • Interiors decorated with historic tiles and paintings
  • Ideal space for elegant and memorable celebrations
  • High-quality floral decoration and catering service

Wedding photography: capturing unforgettable moments

Bride, smiling in the mirror, with a tiara in her hair.

As a wedding photographer, Cátia and Hugo’s day was a unique opportunity to capture moments of love, joy, and emotion in historical and inspiring settings. From the solemnity of the ceremony at the Church of São Domingos to the vibrant celebration at the Palácio da Rocha do Conde d’Óbidos, every moment was recorded with sensitivity and attention to detail.

The wedding photographs from this day are not just images but visual narratives that tell the story of the bride and groom, their wedding guests, and the celebration of love in places filled with history and beauty.

  • Capturing authentic and emotional moments
  • Use of historical settings for unique compositions
  • Attention to detail and the atmosphere of each location
  • Creating visual narratives that eternalize the wedding day

The future and the joy of life

The bride sitting in the car, with reflections.

Cátia and Hugo’s wedding was more than a celebration; it was a statement of love, resilience, and hope.
They chose Lisbon, with its rich history and beauty, as the setting to begin their life together, and every moment was captured to be remembered and celebrated for years to come.


Let’s have a talk

If you are looking for a wedding photographer who understands the importance of every detail and knows how to capture the essence of your special day, I am here to turn your moments into eternal memories.

Contact me to schedule a meeting and discuss how I can help make your wedding day unforgettable.


  • You can see a full wedding story:

A detail of the bride's dress.
The bride's shoes, in a mirror.
The groom and hands that fasten his cufflinks.
Groom's face, laughing.
The groom seen through the opening of a door.
Groom leaning against a window ledge.
The bride tests, in the mirror, how to put on the veil.
The bride's bouquet, seen from afar.
The bride walks down the street with her father to the car that takes her to the wedding ceremony.
The couple, standing at the altar of the church of S. Domingos in Lisbon, with the bride in her hand.
General view of the Church of S. Domingos in Lisbon with bride and groom and wedding guests.
View of the altar area of ​​the monumental Church of S. Domingos in Lisbon, with all the wedding guests.
Bride and groom seated during the wedding ceremony in the church.
Bride, with tiara and veil in her hair.
Groom, attentive, at the wedding ceremony.
Groom, priest and godmother at the altar of the church of S. Domingos in Lisbon.
The bride at the time of vows.
The boy hands over the rings for the ceremony.
Ring on the bride's finger, by the groom.
The couple, standing, listening to the priest, out of the picture.
The priest blesses the couple after the wedding ceremony.
The couple, with blue colors around them, listening to the homily of the priest of the Church of S. Domingos in Lisbon.
Bride's hand signs the seat book in the church.
The couple, holding hands, begin to leave the church at the end of the wedding ceremony.
The groom receives greetings as he leaves the church.
The bride during the greetings of the guests.
The newlyweds enter the library of the Palace of the Red Cross.
Bride sitting at the library table, next to the groom.
Together, the groom and the bride in exchange for affection.
The bride and groom looking at something.
Bride sitting in an antique chair with the groom in the background, blurred.
Groom looks ahead with the bride in the foreground, blurred.
Seen from behind a window, the bride and groom next to an old photograph.
Bride and groom hugging on the stairs near the Palácio da Cruz Vermelha in Lisbon.
Bride leaning against a balustrade, with two street lamps behind.
The bride and groom climb the stairs, seen from behind, on their way to the Palácio da Cruz Vermelha in Lisbon.
With guests, the bride and groom laughing when they saw a movie about them.
With the guests at the back of the room, the bride and groom open the ball.
Bride and single at the wedding, with the bouquet still in the air.

By Fernando Colaço

I am Fernando Colaço a wedding photographer based in Portugal. My approach to wedding photography is open and not intruder, leaving the event just to happen. We may call it photojournalism. But, it is better to let the photos talk. I am at your service.

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