Quinta de Vale Flores: a beautiful wedding day

In the garden of Quinta de Vale Flores, the bride and groom smile together, between the trees.

FLOWING FABRICS by THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN LISBON

In the garden of Quinta de Vale Flores, the bride and groom smile together, between the trees.

Photos of a wedding day, with ceremony and party at Quinta de Vale Flores, in Carregado


• Pode ler este artigo em Português

Impressions in the Memory, in the Wedding Photographs

The bride, still at the hairdresser, with a towel on her head, preparing her hair for the hairstyle.

Today, I chose the photographs from the day I spent with Dora and Pedro on their wedding day. It’s been a while, but the impressions in my memory are still fresh, just like the ones captured in the photographs I took throughout that day. The wedding took place at Quinta de Vale Flores in Carregado, which proved to be a great space for both photography and socialising among guests. Here are some photos so you can see what it was like.

What also stayed with me as a photographer were the more trivial things — the kinds of struggles that, in a way, make certain photos possible and that go beyond the photographer and their equipment.

Photos for a Perfect Wedding Day

In profile and with a towel on her head, the bride looks into a mirror with lights.
  • The running between various locations as the day unfolds
  • From “take it slow, we have time” to “that guy won’t move and we’re going to be late”
  • Arriving last at the parking lot, with no space saved for the photographer
  • Sprinting to the ceremony like we’re in the Olympic Games
  • Dealing with drifting pergola fabrics and mischievous wind at the perfect shot

There’s the running between all the places where this unscripted play takes place — from the calm start to the frantic “we’re running late” moment at a crossroads where it seems every car in town decided to turn into our street. Then there’s being among the last to arrive at the car park and no one having thought to leave the closest spot for the photographer, forcing us to show up at the ceremony venue like we’ve just finished an Olympic sprint.

There, in the courtyard of Quinta de Vale Flores, beautiful floating fabrics over the pergola, celebrating the bride and groom, were immediately marked in my mind for some amazing shots — only to be relocated mid-frame by playful, indecisive winds the second I pressed the shutter… Many other things, both fascinating and frustrating (at least for me), are the connecting elements without which I wouldn’t be able to do what I do, or do it the way I do.

Love in the wedding cake

Amid blurs, the bride smiles as she gets her hair done.

Needless to say, everyone had fun into the night, love was shared in every slice of wedding cake, and even one of the single guests found out she’s the next to get married, having caught the bride’s bouquet that flew gracefully through the air. Nothing better for a wedding photographer always on the run.

This is my tribute to the unpredictable moments of a perfect day.

A Day Full of Light and Emotion

The groom's bow along the flowers to the coat lapel.

On a day full of light and emotion, I had the privilege of photographing Dora and Pedro’s wedding at the charming Quinta de Vale Flores, located in Carregado. This venue, with its traditional Portuguese architecture and natural surroundings, provided the perfect setting for a day of celebration and love.

Preparations and Expectations

The cufflinks for the groom's shirt.
  • Careful planning to ensure every moment was captured
  • Clear communication with the couple to align expectations
  • Meticulous preparation of photographic equipment
  • Anticipation of key moments throughout the wedding day

From the beginning, Dora and Pedro showed contagious joy, making the entire planning process smooth and ensuring their wedding day was captured with authenticity.

Quinta de Vale Flores: A Place Full of History

The groom, seated, tightens his shoelaces.
  • Privileged location about 30 km from Lisbon
  • Traditional Portuguese architecture with spacious outdoor areas
  • Wedding planner services for a personalised experience
  • Warm and elegant setting, ideal for weddings

Quinta de Vale Flores is a venue that enchants at first sight. Its well-kept gardens and harmonious architecture create the perfect environment to celebrate love. The team at the venue is attentive and committed to making every wedding day unforgettable.

The Ceremony: Emotion and Joy

The groom's father holding the bow in her hand before placing it around her son's neck.
  • Ceremony held in the gardens of Quinta de Vale Flores
  • Active participation from the wedding guests makes the moment even more special
  • Wedding photographs capturing the essence of the couple’s love
  • Relaxed and emotional atmosphere

The ceremony took place in a serene setting, where every glance and smile told a story. The involvement of the wedding guests added an extra emotional layer, making each wedding photograph a living memory of that unique moment.

The Party: Celebration and Fun

In the mirror, the groom adjusts the bow around his neck, after dressing for the wedding.
  • Lively reception with music and dancing
  • Personalised decor reflecting the couple’s personality
  • Wedding photographs capturing spontaneous and fun moments
  • Warm atmosphere encourages guest interaction

The party was a true celebration of love. The contagious energy of the couple and their wedding guests created a vibrant atmosphere where every moment was lived intensely and captured in wedding photographs full of life and emotion.

Challenges and Unforgettable Moments

A portrait of the groom, smiling, after getting ready to go to the wedding ceremony.
  • Adapting to unpredictable situations throughout the wedding day
  • Capturing unique and spontaneous moments
  • Efficient management of time and available resources
  • Creating a wedding album that reflects the day’s essence

As a wedding photographer, each event comes with its challenges. In Dora and Pedro’s case, their spontaneity and joy made it easy to capture genuine moments, resulting in wedding photographs that authentically tell the story of their day.

Conclusion: An Unforgettable Day

The bride's shoes on the back of a red armchair.
  • A rich and rewarding experience as a wedding photographer
  • The couple’s trust is reinforced through authentic work
  • Wedding photographs that immortalise a love-filled day
  • Gratitude for being part of such meaningful moments in people’s lives

Dora and Pedro’s wedding was more than just an event — it was a celebration of love in its purest form. As a wedding photographer, I feel honoured to have been chosen to eternalise this very special day.


Count on me

Are you planning your wedding day? Count on a professional wedding photographer to capture every moment with authenticity and emotion.



The bride with her mother buttoning her dress.
The bride, in profile, as her mother and a friend help her with the dress.
The bride's father talks to her while the women of the family help her with her wedding dress.
The bride, after dressed for the wedding, looks out the window that reflects the building in front.
The bride seen through a half-open door, with the bouquet in her hand.
The bride, in front of her father, gets into the car to go to the wedding ceremony.
At the wedding ceremony site, at Quinta de Vale Flores, the groom waits for the bride.
Through the car window, with the reflections of the trees at Quinta de Vale Flores, the bride smiles as she prepares to leave for the wedding ceremony.
The bride's father greets the groom as he arrives at the wedding ceremony.
The couple, next to each other, when in front of the officiant of the wedding ceremony at Quinta de Vale Flores.
The groom, next to the defocused bride, looks at her smiling.
The groom at the moment of yes, I accept, of the wedding ceremony.
The bride, with the groom, when she says yes, I accept, at the wedding ceremony.
The couple sitting at the wedding ceremony table, with the conservative officiant.
Seen through transparent cloths, the bride and groom listen to the officiant of the wedding ceremony at Quinta de Vale Flores.
At the end of the wedding ceremony, the groom, laughing a lot, is greeted by a guest.
In the midst of guests, the bride hugs a guest who congratulates her on her wedding.
After the wedding ceremony, the bride chats with guests who greet her.
The groom, smiling, is hugged by a guest at the moment of greetings for the wedding.
With the bride sitting on the groom's leg, together, amidst the flowers of the Quinta de Vale Flores garden.
Under a trellis and next to a wall, the bride and groom posing for the wedding photographer.
The couple sitting in a yellow Mini Cooper during a session with the wedding photographer.
The bride smiling at the wedding photographer, next to plants from the garden of Quinta de Vale Flores
The bride, standing with the bouquet in her hand, in front of a staircase at Quinta de Vale Flores.
The groom sitting on the steps of Quinta de Vale Flores, during the session with the wedding photographer.
The bride and groom, seated on the stone stairs of Quinta de Vale Flores, seen from above by the wedding photographer.
The bride and groom enter the Quinta de Vale Flores building to enter the dining room with their wedding guests.
In the dining room at Quinta de Vale Flores, the bride and groom cross among the guests.
The Quinta de Vale Flores wedding dining room, with the bride and groom and guests.
The groom laughing a lot with a friend couple at the wedding party.
The bride and groom at the opening of the wedding party ball at Quinta de Vale Flores.
The groom dancing with his sister and the bride with her father, at the opening of the wedding party ball.
The bride dances at the wedding party at Quinta de Vale Flores, in the midst of other guests.
The bride and groom, together, dancing.
The bride and groom, in the midst of the guests with chopsticks with lights, as they head towards the cutting of the wedding cake.
The wedding cake being cut.
In front of the wedding cake, the bride gives a slice to taste to the groom.
The wedding guests applaud the bride and groom as the wedding cake is cut.
On a balcony at Quinta de Vale Flores, the bride chats with friends during the wedding party.

By Fernando Colaço

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

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