Melissa & Josh · Palácio de Seteais
Melissa and Josh travelled to Sintra for an intimate elopement that began at Convento dos Capuchos and continued through the salons and gardens of Palácio de Seteais, an eighteenth century neoclassical palace turned boutique hotel set against the forested hills above Lisbon. The day unfolded across azulejo lined courtyards, a moss covered stone fountain, and gilded interior salons, settings that gave even the quietest moments of the day a sense of theatre.
Melissa wore a gown by Elysee, sourced through The White Closet Bridal, finished with Valentino heels and a veil by House of Flora. Her bouquet, designed by Oh Maria Flores, combined dark calla lilies, speckled purple orchids, and white ranunculus bound in black satin ribbon. Josh wore a tuxedo by Theory, with accessories from Gucci and Simon G Jewelry.
For an elopement, Palácio de Seteais offers something rare: the scale and architectural weight of a full palace wedding, condensed into a single, considered day. If you are planning an intimate elopement in Sintra or elsewhere in Portugal, we would love to hear from you.
Read what melissa said about her day with us
“Savannah and Rui are nothing short of amazing! Their keen eye for detail and ability to evoke genuine emotions in their photos truly sets them apart. We had a very specific/different vision for our special day and they executed it perfectly! Their collaborative approach ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience for couples, making the entire elopement process both professional and personal. If you're looking for elopement photographers who combine creativity, professionalism, and a genuine passion for their work, Savannah and Rui are an excellent choice to beautifully capture your special day. Will be recommending to many of our friends! We are so incredibly happy with these photos that we will cherish forever!”
— Melissa & Josh
Vendor Credits
Photography ⎜ The Lopes Photography — thelopesphotography.com
Locations ⎜ Convento dos Capuchos (visitsintra.travel/pt/visitar/monumentos/convento-dos-capuchos) | Hotel Valverde Palácio de Seteais (valverdepalacioseteais.com)
Florals ⎜ Oh Maria Flores — ohmariaflores.com
MUAH ⎜ Kantovick — instagram.com/kantovick
Bridal Gown ⎜ Elysee (elyseebridal.com) via The White Closet Bridal (thewhitecloset.co.uk)
Veil ⎜ House of Flora — houseofflora.co.uk
Bridal Shoes ⎜ Valentino — valentino.com
Clutch ⎜ Cult Gaia — cultgaia.com
Necklace ⎜ Subsurface TV — subsurface.tv
Second Outfit ⎜ Cherie Attire — cherieattire.com
Engagement Ring ⎜ Ackerman Jewelers — ackermanjewelers.com
Bride's Wedding Bands ⎜ Brilliant Earth — brilliantearth.com
Groom's Tuxedo ⎜ Theory — theory.com
Groom's Belt and Tie ⎜ Gucci — gucci.com
Groom's Shoes and Shirt ⎜ Nordstrom — nordstrom.com
Groom's Wedding Band ⎜ Simon G Jewelry — simongjewelry.com
Planning an Elopement at Palácio de Seteais? Questions We're Often Asked
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Yes. The palace operates as a boutique hotel and can host small private ceremonies and intimate receptions on select dates, alongside the nearby Convento dos Capuchos for couples wanting a more rustic ceremony setting. Most international couples coordinate the booking directly with the hotel or through a planner familiar with Sintra's historic properties.
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Pricing for a private elopement at Palácio de Seteais varies by date, guest count, and which spaces are reserved, and is best confirmed directly with the hotel. As photographers who have worked there, we are happy to share planning insights during a call.
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Spring and autumn offer the most reliable light and weather in Sintra, with cooler temperatures that suit the palace's stone interiors and gardens. Melissa and Josh married in November, when the soft autumn light gave the azulejo courtyards a particularly warm, intimate quality.
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Yes. Between its gilded salons, azulejo tiled courtyards, and stone garden fountain, Palácio de Seteais offers an unusual range of settings within a single property. The Lopes Photography has photographed elopements and full weddings across several of Sintra's historic palaces
If you are planning an intimate elopement at Palácio de Seteais or elsewhere in Sintra, we would love to hear from you.