Quinta do Roseiral: Monica and António wedding day

Holding hands and facing each other, the bride and groom look each other in the eye through the blurred plants in the Quinta do Roseiral garden.

THE DEPARTURE MOMENT by THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN PORTUGAL

Holding hands and facing each other, the bride and groom look each other in the eye through the blurred plants in the Quinta do Roseiral garden.

The photos are from a wedding with ceremony and party at Quinta do Roseiral, in Ericeira


• Pode ler este artigo em Português

From the Bride’s Home to the Wedding Ceremony

The bride's face between two patches of blue.

One might assume that the role of the chosen wedding photographer is merely to follow a script that requires no director to be executed with some precision. If that were the case, then why do the moments before setting out to cover the day fill me with such nervousness, thinking that today I won’t be able to handle it, that I can’t be late, that the route from the bride’s house to the ceremony is very confusing and I might get lost, that today’s light isn’t ideal for what I’d like to do, that the ceremony time is too early to do everything in time at the couple’s home…

…or too late for us to do the session with both in good light or even on time, that the priest might not be accommodating for taking photographs, that the reception venue has very dim and somewhat complicated lighting for photography, because the place where they cut the cake might not be the best for photographing, in short… all the things that make it worthwhile to be a wedding photographer. Solving problems so that our couple can make the best memories with them.

A Good Ethical Sense of Responsibility by the Wedding Photographer

The bride leaning back on a cushion in her chair to start doing her makeup, with her hand sitting in the background, out of focus.

In a discussion on a forum with colleagues in this profession of wedding photographers, the general and blunt response to these issues was unanimous: when that’s no longer the case, I’ll do something else. And this reassured me because what might seem like a lack of confidence is nothing more than a great passion for what we do, a good ethical sense of responsibility towards those who have trusted us, keeping us alert and available for all the different relationships that happen and make each wedding day unique for each couple.

Mission Accomplished as Expected in the Wedding Photographs

The bride seen among the flowers in a vase, to begin her make-up.

So it was at Mónica and António’s wedding at Quinta do Roseiral. I began writing above that this nervousness exists before the start of the day. And so it is. Once the shutter button is pressed for the first time, it begins; that state disappears, like a singer after the first note, and another begins that makes time vanish until the last shot as if everything had happened in a moment.

Of course, my neck, back, and legs tell me otherwise. It was a task of hardship and satisfaction, and it ended as expected. I hope you feel that in the photographs that follow. To Mónica and António, thank you very much from your wedding photographer.

Mónica and António’s wedding at Quinta do Roseiral, in Ericeira, was a clear example of how every detail can be carefully planned to create a truly memorable day. As a wedding photographer, my mission is to capture each moment with authenticity and emotion, ensuring that the memories of this special day endure forever.

The groom sitting in an oval suspended chair watching his cell phone and reflected in a television.

Preparations and Ceremony: Emotions on Edge

Reflected in a mirror, the groom shaves his beard.

The day began with preparations at the bride’s house, a moment filled with emotions and expectations. The anxiety, smiles, and knowing glances between the bride and her family created an intimate and warm environment, perfect for capturing genuine wedding photographs.

The ceremony took place in the gardens of Quinta do Roseiral, a space surrounded by nature and with unique beauty. With over 20 hectares of area, the estate offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, ensuring total exclusivity by hosting only one event per day. The personalized decoration and serene atmosphere provided the ideal setting for Mónica and António’s exchange of vows.

  • Intimate and emotional atmosphere during preparations
  • Outdoor ceremony in the gardens of Quinta do Roseiral
  • Personalized decoration reflecting the couple’s story

The Celebration: Contagious Joy and Festivity

Next to a square light, the groom shaves, seen in a mirror.

After the ceremony, guests were welcomed with an outdoor cocktail, followed by a dinner served in the estate’s elegant rooms. The menu, crafted by Quinta do Roseiral’s catering service, combined traditional Portuguese flavors with contemporary touches, pleasing all palates.

The entertainment featured live musicians and a DJ, ensuring a festive and engaging atmosphere. The dance floor remained full until late, showcasing the joy and enthusiasm of the newlyweds and guests.

  • Outdoor cocktail and banquet with a personalized menu
  • Varied musical entertainment, including live music and a DJ
  • Festive atmosphere and active participation of the guests

Photographs That Tell Stories: The Art of Capturing Emotions

The groom, in his preparation for the wedding, holds the belt in his hands.

As a wedding photographer, my goal is to immortalize genuine and emotional moments. At Quinta do Roseiral, every corner offers a perfect setting to create images that tell stories. From the spontaneous smiles of the guests to the knowing glances of the couple, each photograph is a unique keepsake of an unforgettable day.

Collaboration with the estate’s team was essential to ensure that all moments were captured discreetly and efficiently, allowing the couple to fully enjoy their day.

  • Natural and architectural settings are ideal for photography
  • Capturing spontaneous and emotional moments
  • Effective collaboration with the estate’s team for comprehensive photographic coverage.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who values authenticity and emotion, I am available to capture every moment of your special day. Contact me to schedule a meeting and discuss how I can contribute to making your wedding unforgettable.



The bride's dress hung in a window, next to a chair with the bride's shoes.
Bride's necklaces and earrings over glass.
The groom's tie along with the vest and suit.
Sitting down, the groom tightens his shoelaces.
The groom's son helps him put the cufflinks on his shirt.
Through someone's arms, the groom looks attentively at what is being done.
The bride sitting on a bed, her daughter putting the bracelet on her wrist and a friend touching up her hairstyle.
Portrait of the groom, ready for the wedding.
The groom is talking to someone, seated in front of a glass table that reflects him.
In the midst of three women, the bride when the clasp of her dress is fastened.
The bride, when a friend adjusts her dress down, another the flower in her hair and her daughter shows her the bouquet.
The bride in front of all the women present, at the time of her preparation, with the bunch of flowers in her hand.
With a few people behind her, the bride smiles looking ahead with the bouquet in her hand.
Portrait of the bride, with the bouquet in her hand, ready to leave for the wedding ceremony.
The bride, seen through the car door with the buildings in front of her reflected in the windows, leaves for the wedding ceremony.
The bride arrives at Quinta do Roseiral, on her way to the wedding ceremony.
Arm in arm with her father, the bride goes to the ceremonial table of the wedding where the groom awaits her.
View of the wedding ceremony site, with the guests looking at the bride's approach.
The bride, arm in arm with her eldest son, makes her way through the guests to the wedding ceremony table.
The bride smiling with happiness as she arrives with the groom for the wedding ceremony.
The bride smiling next to a floral arrangement at the wedding ceremony table.
A girl holds a metallic flower with the wedding rings.
Bride smiling a lot with two girls, in the background, defocused.
The bride and groom with the wedding officiant at the ceremonial table.
The couple, at the wedding ceremony, listening to the officiating conservative.
The groom in a moment at the wedding ceremony.
The bride takes the oath of the wedding ceremony.
The groom reading his vows during the wedding ceremony.
The bride says her vows at the wedding ceremony.
The groom's hand, held by the bride's, with the ring already on her finger.
The bride, in profile, looking happy, at the end of the wedding ceremony at Quinta do Roseiral.
A wedding guest hugs the groom, congratulating him.
The bride smiling happily, in the midst of congratulating her wedding guests, at Quinta do Roseiral.
The groom at the moment just before embracing a guest after the wedding ceremony, at Quinta do Roseiral.
View of the guests surrounding the newly married couple to greet them.
The newly married couple, arm in arm and with girls next to them, on their way to the wedding party venue at Quinta do Roseiral.
The bride and groom enter the venue of the wedding party at Quinta do Roseiral, under petals of yellow and red flowers.
In the session with the wedding photographer, the bride and groom look at each other together.
Sitting in the chairs of the wedding ceremony, the couple look ahead.
Portrait of the bride, by the wedding photographer, sitting on one of the chairs at the wedding ceremony at Quinta do Roseiral.
The groom looking at the wedding photographer during the photo session at Quinta do Roseiral.
In a pose for the wedding photographer, the newlywed couple, standing face to face.
In a black and white portrait by the wedding photographer, the bride hugs the groom by the neck as they look at each other.
Together, the bride and groom look at and comment on the rings, looking at their hands.
Seen from the back, the bride and groom walk hand in hand through the Quinta do Roseiral garden.
The bride and groom, hand in hand, enter the path carpeted with flower petals between the empty chairs of the wedding ceremony.
The bride and groom talk, between the chairs of the wedding ceremony site, as they walk.
The couple enters the dining room of the wedding at Quinta do Roseiral
Quinta do Roseiral's dining room, seen from above with guests at the table.
The bride, seated, talks with her eldest son, very excited.
A wedding guest talks to the bride, who overhears her smiling.
Girl with face painting next to the bride who smiles to the side, during the wedding party at Quinta do Roseiral.
The bride and groom, seated between two chairs, look satisfied at something in front of them during the wedding party at Quinta do Roseiral.
The couple watches, seated, the guest speech, attentively and holding hands.
The newlywed couple applauds whoever spoke at their wedding reception.
Embraced facing each other, the bride and groom begin the dance of the wedding party at Quinta do Roseiral.
The bride hugging the groom, in a moment of the opening dance of the ball at the wedding party at Quinta do Roseiral.
The bride and groom dance before their guests to open the ball for the wedding reception.
A group of girls, some with painted faces, sitting under a hut in the Quinta do Roseiral garden, during the night of the Quinta do Roseiral wedding party.
The bride dances with a guest at the wedding party.
The groom dances with a guest at the wedding party.
The bride and groom in front of the wedding cake.
Grooms and guests descend a staircase at Quinta do Roseiral, with balloons in their hands.
The bride in the midst of wedding guests in a dance step.
The bride dancing in front of a group of guests in choreography at the wedding party at Quinta do Roseiral.
A wedding guest takes part in a traditional African dance in front of a female guest at the wedding party.
A wedding guest performs an African dance during the wedding reception at Quinta do Roseiral.
Wedding guests watch a female guest perform a traditional African dance.
The bride with the ribbons held by the singles ladies at the wedding.
The single lady at the wedding who holds the last ribbon cut by the bride, delighted to be chosen.

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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