At Penha Longa Resort: The Wedding Photographer in Sintra

The bride and groom in conversation during the wedding ceremony, in the Church of Penha Longa Resort, by the wedding photographer.

IN THE FRESHNESS OF THE HILLS FOR THE WEDDING PHOTOS

The bride and groom in conversation during the wedding ceremony, in the Church of Penha Longa Resort, by the wedding photographer.

The ceremony and the wedding party were at Quinta da Penha Longa Resort in Sintra


• Pode ler este artigo em Português. 

An American in Sintra

The bride's shoes draped over the back of the bed.

One day, Carolina and Craig met. She was Portuguese, he was American. Lisbon was the backdrop.
Later, when they decided to get married, they chose the Quinta da Penha Longa for both the wedding ceremony and the celebration.

The Penha Longa Resort served as the preparation venue for the bride and groom. In the magnificent natural setting of the Sintra Mountains, the day was bathed in brilliant sunshine, a blue sky, and greenery from trees and plants that could not have better matched the day’s unfolding events. Capturing wedding photography in a location like this is an opportunity not to be missed.

A stunning setting for wedding photography in Sintra

View of the room with the bride having her hair done, at Penha longa Resort in Sintra.

The ceremony took place at the beautiful Penha Longa Church, also known as the Church of Nossa Senhora da Saúde, offering any wedding photographer a breathtaking atmosphere and giving the ceremony all the importance it truly holds.

For the celebration, the rooms were dressed accordingly, hosting dinner, mingling, and dancing that carried on into the night. I must thank Carolina and Craig for their great kindness, as well as their families from both sides of the Atlantic. Thank you both.

Bride looking at herself in the mirror, judging her hairstyle.

A dream setting for wedding photography in Sintra

The groom getting his haircut at Penha Longa Resort.

Places like the Penha Longa Resort offer a natural and historic backdrop that enhances any wedding photography session, from preparations to the end of the party. Located in Linhó, Sintra, this luxury resort occupies a former 14th-century monastery, surrounded by the Sintra Mountains, lush wooded areas, and a golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., ideal for capturing timeless moments.

  • Location: 30 minutes from Lisbon, about 10 minutes from the Riviera beaches, with excellent access for wedding guests.
  • Space versatility: from gardens and cloisters to the scenic setup of the indoor halls and the historic church, countless settings to capture the wedding day.
  • Enchanting environment: natural light, lush vegetation, and classical-Renaissance architecture create perfect conditions for quality photographs.

Summary:

  • Ideal for the preparation of the bride, groom, and guests.
  • Diverse natural and architectural backdrops.
  • Easy access and added value for guests arriving from abroad.
The groom, in the mirror, fixes his hair.

Wedding ceremony: Penha Longa Church (Nossa Senhora da Saúde)

The Penha Longa Church, also known as the Church of Nossa Senhora da Saúde, is part of the former Penha Longa Convent, classified as a National Monument since 1910. This temple features Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque elements, with a Latin cross layout, vaulted ceilings, side chapels, and a Johannine gilded altarpiece.

From a wedding photography perspective, this small church offers:

  • A solemn and historical atmosphere, perfect for capturing the bride’s gaze, the groom’s expressions, and guests’ emotions.
  • Architectural details, such as the choir loft, vaulted ceilings, and the dome-topped bell tower, can form artistic frames in the photos.
  • Controlled natural lighting, with light entering through side windows, highlights the most meaningful moments.

Additionally:

  • A symbolic and monumental space for the exchange of vows.
  • The bride and groom benefit from richly detailed scenes to capture emotion.
  • Contributes to cinematic-quality photography throughout the full gallery.
Smiling groom.

Wedding party at Penha Longa Resort: elegance and celebration

After the ceremony, the celebration at Penha Longa Resort continues to impress. The monastery’s halls, such as the Sala Coroa, Sala Nobre, the tile-decorated cloisters, and the gardens, provide versatile spaces for dinner, mingling, and dancing.

  • Sala Coroa: maximum capacity, ideal setting for dinner, and elegant dance floors.
  • Cloisters: surrounding areas with tiles and a mix of indoor/outdoor settings – perfect for the cake, lighting/video setups, and intimate corners.
  • Outdoors and gardens: ideal for sunlit receptions, cocktails, and guest group portraits.

The resort also stands out for:

  • High-end gastronomy and service, including in-house catering and a Michelin-influenced restaurant.
  • Support infrastructure: transport, spa, pools, and bridal suite – the perfect venue for a full day of celebration.
  • Ideal for meals, music, and lively joy.
  • Photogenic corners to capture the wedding guests’ moments.
  • Comfortable setting and refined atmosphere until the end of the night.
Bride, standing, with the train of her dress in her hands.

Immortalise your day with a professional eye

To photograph your wedding day at Quinta da Penha Longa, from the preparation of the bride and groom to the celebration, with professional quality and an experienced eye, contact me. I am also a wedding photographer in Sintra. I guarantee authentic, emotional, and elegant records of the bride, groom, and wedding guests, in one of the most iconic and romantic settings in Portugal.

Give me a Call
You can see a complete colour wedding ceremony story at S. Jorge Castle in Lisbon
The bride's shoes, with bows, on a chair.
Bride, sitting in an armchair while her feet are taken care of.
Taking care of the bride's hair.
The cufflinks.
Shoes on the bed, shirt and vest on the guards and the groom starting to dress for his wedding.
Black and white portrait of the groom, ready to go to the wedding ceremony.
Bride's dress hanging on a column in the room, with staff in the background.
Groom, in the mirror, with the hairdresser's hands in his hair.
Room, at Penha Longa Resort, with the bride having her hair done and a friend taking care of her hands.
Bride sees herself in a square mirror.
Bride, in the mirror, retouching her eye paint.
Bride with her mother who helps her dress.
Bride, in a mirror, sees how the veil looks.
Hand holds the bride's veil.
The bride with her mother, at the Penha Longa Resort Hotel on the way to the wedding ceremony.
The bride smiles as she arrives at the door of the Church of Santa Maria de Sintra.
Bride, with her father, in the church on her way to the altar.
The bride's father gives his daughter to the groom at the wedding ceremony.
Groom, seated, in the Church of Santa Maria de Sintra, at Penha Longa Resort.
The couple in front of the church altar at the wedding ceremony.
View of the church of Santa Maria de Sintra with the bride and groom, priest and guests.
Leaving the church, at the end of the wedding ceremony, by the bride and groom.
The groom receives a congratulatory kiss as he leaves the church.
Wedding guests outside the church after the wedding ceremony.
The bride chats with two guests when the wedding ceremony is over.
Bride and groom in front of guests, walking to socialize at Penha Longa Resort.
In the garden of Penha Longa Resort, musicians entertain wedding guests.
Bride and groom on a balcony with yellow behind and blue flowers in front.
The couple looks at the bride's bouquet.
The bride, in a very soft light, poses for a portrait by the wedding photographer.
Groom, portrait by wedding photographer, on his wedding day.
Bride sitting in a garden chair, with the groom, out of focus, looking at her.
The bride and groom stroll through the Penha Longa Resort in the photo session.
The newlywed couple descends a staircase, holding each other.
The bride and groom chatting with the green of the Penha Longa Resort garden.
The couple, on the grassy field, under the bride's veil.
On the grass of the golf course, the couple embraced.
The groom laughs, with the bride hugging him from behind.
The newlywed couple enters the wedding dining room.
Groom, sitting and smiling in the midst of guests.
Groom's best man makes a toast.
The groom during a speech.
Bride listens to the groom's speech at the wedding dinner.
Hands hold Havaianas offered by the bride and groom.
The bride walks around the tables talking to the guests.
The groom and the bride with a basket of gifts for the guests.
Opening the ball, the groom and bride smile at each other.
The bride and groom open the ball in the wedding party room at Penha Longa Resort.
Bride dancing with her father.
The bride dances at her wedding party.
Instead of cutting the cake, the bride and groom are among the guests.
Detail of the wedding cake, as it is cut by the bride and groom.
The bride gives the groom the wedding cake approve.
The bride, in the midst of two guests, carries the bouquet in her hand.
Bride's bouquet in the air, on her way to the single women who await him.

By Fernando Colaço

Fernando Colaço, wedding photographer in Portugal. Natural, discreet and documentary. The photos will tell the story.

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