A Historic Castle Location
for a
Destination Editorial Wedding in Portugal
ABOUT THE WEDDING
HOSTESS Jenna Mcelroy, The Editorial Series // DESIGNER & PLANNER LBV Design House // VENUE Casa Dos Penedos //
FLORALS Kck Liko // CAKE Edelweiss Cakes // HMUA Luxe By Lexi // DRESS BOUTIQUE Julian Gold Bridal //
WEDDING DRESS DESIGNER Monique Lhuillier Bride // WEDDING SUIT DESIGNER Zara // GROOM SHIRT AND TIE Don Morphy Weddings //
INVITATIONS & PAPER GOODS Merci Studios // LINENS Nuage Designs Inc. // RENTALS Rental Collection // MODEL AGENCY Elite Lisbon
The Dream Location for an Editorial Wedding Photographer// Portugal
There is nothing more romantic than the green hills of Portugal dotted with the most vibrantly colored castles I have ever seen. As an editorial wedding photographer, Portugal has become one of my most sought-after destinations, and for good reason. The landscape, the light, the history embedded in every stone—it all combines to create the perfect canvas for editorial wedding photography. I have always been drawn to travels far and wide, which ultimately drew me to becoming a destination wedding photographer. My husband and I were drawn to Portugal back in 2022 after our wedding. We took our honeymoon around Lisbon, the main port city, and ended up at the islands off the coast, The Azores and Madeira. That first trip planted a seed, and when the opportunity came to return as an editorial wedding photographer, I knew I had to capture the magic I felt that first time.
Why Portugal for Your Editorial Wedding Dreams
Coming back for a second time felt like I was right at home, especially for a destination wedding photoshoot. If you're searching for an editorial wedding photographer Portugal can offer, there's truly nowhere else quite like it. Being in Sintra, Portugal surrounded by all the castles, green trees, massive gardens, historic walls and streets felt like I was pulled straight into a Disney movie. The trailing vines everywhere, drinkable fountains and the most lush greenery was catching my eye at every turn. For couples considering a destination editorial wedding, this is a vision that's entirely achievable. The mixture of old-world European charm and untouched natural beauty makes Portugal an editorial wedding photographer's paradise.
What sets Portugal apart from other European destinations is its accessibility to film-worthy locations combined with its authenticity. You're not photographing a manicured destination—you're capturing genuine history, real textures, and authentic architectural details that have stood the test of centuries. Every narrow street, every weathered wall, every ornate doorway tells a story that translates beautifully through the lens of an editorial wedding photographer.
The Perfect Weather and Conditions
I have never been in more perfect weather than up in the mountains of Sintra, Portugal. For an editorial wedding photographer, weather is everything. Those soft, diffused light conditions can make or break an editorial shoot, and Sintra delivered flawlessly. The elevation offers protection from harsh direct sunlight, while the atmospheric conditions create naturally soft, beautiful light that's the dream for film photography. The temperate climate means you're not battling extreme heat or unpredictable storms—you get consistent, reliable conditions that allow you to focus entirely on the creative vision.
The perfect mix of history and nature creates a unique environment that you simply cannot replicate. Anywhere in Portugal is a wonderful place to say I do, but Sintra in particular offers the densest concentration of editorial-worthy backdrops imaginable. For destination wedding photography, this is the gold standard.
My Vision as an Editorial Wedding Photographer
When I set out to create this destination editorial, my goal was to capture the romance and history of the buildings of Portugal in a way that honored both the location and the couple. As an editorial wedding photographer, I'm not just documenting moments—I'm creating a narrative through intentional styling, location scouting, and careful curation of every frame.
My specific vision for this shoot was to focus on the textures, colors, and unique wallpapers as backdrops for the couple. Portugal's architecture is a storyteller's dream. Crumbling plaster walls reveal layers of paint in faded blues and pinks. Ornate tilework (azulejo) displays intricate geometric patterns and faded pastels. Weathered doors frame intimate moments. As an editorial wedding photographer, I deliberately chose locations where the architecture itself became a character in the story. These weren't just pretty backgrounds—they were intentional choices that reinforce the narrative of romance, history, and timelessness.
The textures in particular fascinated me. Running my hands along the rough stone walls, photographing the peeling paint, capturing the grain of ancient wooden doors—these details matter in editorial work. They add depth and authenticity to the images. When couples see editorial wedding photography from Portugal, they're seeing not just a beautiful couple, but a beautiful couple within a world of carefully chosen details that amplify the emotional resonance of every image.
Shot on Medium Format Film
This destination wedding editorial was shot on medium format film, which was essential to achieving the aesthetic and quality I was aiming for. Film photography has a distinct look that digital simply cannot replicate—a certain warmth, a particular way of rendering skin tones, and a richness in shadow and highlight detail that feels distinctly romantic. For an editorial wedding photographer working in Portugal, film was the only choice.
Medium format specifically allowed me to capture incredible detail and resolution, essential when you're showcasing both intimate moments between the couple and expansive environmental portraits that emphasize the locations. The format's natural aspect ratio also perfectly suited the architectural elements I was highlighting. Medium format film has a timeless quality that matches the timeless nature of Portugal's historic locations.
The process of shooting film also shapes the entire approach to editorial wedding photography differently than digital. There's intentionality in every frame because you can't simply shoot hundreds of exposures. You must be strategic, thoughtful, and present in the moment. This discipline elevates the final images and ensures that every photograph included in the editorial has genuine purpose and meaning.
The Practical Details Behind the Editorial
Creating an editorial wedding shoot of this caliber requires an incredible team, and I was fortunate to collaborate with some of Portugal's finest professionals. The designer and planner from LBV Design House brought the vision to life with precision and creativity. The florals by KCK Liko perfectly complemented the rustic romance of the locations. The hair and makeup team at Luxe By Lexi ensured the bride looked editorial-perfection in every frame, with looks that felt authentic rather than overly styled.
The dress itself—a Monique Lhuillier creation sourced through Julian Gold Bridal—was perfection. It photographed beautifully against the weathered stone and historic architecture, with the kind of movement and grace that editorial wedding photography demands. Every vendor involved understood that this was editorial work, which means nothing was left to chance. Every element was considered for how it would photograph, how it would contribute to the narrative, and how it would work within the specific aesthetic of this Portugal editorial wedding.
Why Editorial Wedding Photography Matters
For couples considering their wedding photographer, understanding the difference between editorial wedding photography and traditional wedding photography is important. Editorial wedding photography prioritizes creative storytelling, intentional composition, and artistic vision alongside capturing genuine moments. An editorial wedding photographer Portugal-based will focus on creating images that could appear in wedding magazines—images that are beautiful first and foremost, with emotional authenticity as the foundation.
This approach requires additional planning and collaboration, but the results are worth it. Editorial wedding photography produces images that stand outside of time, that look as beautiful in ten years as they do today, and that tell a complete story through a carefully curated sequence of images.
Planning Your Own Editorial Wedding in Portugal
If you're inspired to create your own editorial wedding in Portugal, know that it's entirely possible with the right planning and team. Portugal is increasingly becoming a destination for editorial couples who want something beyond the typical European wedding destination. The combination of affordability, accessibility via Lisbon, and genuine visual storytelling opportunities makes it ideal.
Whether you're drawn to the castles of Sintra, the coastal landscapes near Lagos, the historic streets of Lisbon, or the wine country of the Douro Valley, Portugal offers endless editorial possibilities. Work with an editorial wedding photographer who understands both the technical demands of the location and the artistic vision you're trying to achieve.
The Lasting Magic of Portugal
As I look back at this editorial wedding photography shoot, what strikes me most is how naturally Portugal lent itself to the story we were trying to tell. The locations didn't need enhancement or manipulation—they simply needed to be seen, to be lit beautifully, and to be photographed with intention. The green hills, the ancient castles, the weathered walls, the warm light filtering through Mediterranean haze—these elements combined to create something magical.
For any editorial wedding photographer, Portugal represents an opportunity to create work that matters, that resonates, and that beautifully captures the romance and history that couples are seeking. The perfect mix of history and nature creates an environment where editorial wedding photography doesn't just happen—it flourishes.
If you're searching for an editorial wedding photographer Portugal can offer the perfect backdrop for, I'd love to work with you to create something equally timeless and romantic.
