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 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
Photographing an Elopement at Palácio de Seteais
Starting at Convento dos Capuchos
Melissa and Josh's day began at Convento dos Capuchos, a Franciscan convent in the Serra de Sintra built from 1560 and known for its simplicity. Its raw stone spaces gave the first portraits of the day a quiet, earthy register before the gilded rooms of the palace.
The Salons
Inside Palácio de Seteais, the patterned rugs, gilded details and the ornate grand piano carry an image on their own, so we keep the compositions simple and let window light do the work. Melissa's veil spread across the rug in front of the piano, and a staircase gave us a seated portrait of the two of them that needed nothing added.
Into the Evening
Melissa and Josh married in November, when the light goes early in Sintra. We planned the outdoor portraits around the last daylight, and the evening continued with night portraits outside and relaxed frames of the two of them at the bar.
More answers about how we work, from timelines to gallery delivery, are on our FAQ page.
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. Melissa and Josh's elopement began at Convento dos Capuchos and continued through the salons and gardens of Palácio de Seteais. Ceremony terms, spaces and dates are set by each venue, so we confirm them with the venue at the start of planning.
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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.
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Yes. 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.
