Breathtaking Pared Back Wedding Ideas on a Clifftop in Portugal

With the new year thoughts naturally turn to new adventures, beginnings and travel. These beautiful wedding ideas today give me that fresh, breezy feeling thanks to the stunning clifftop location in Portugal. This editorial shoot was set at Sao Martinho do Porto at sunset and provides the perfect inspiration for intimate destination elopements. Do locations get any more romantic? I think not!

Everything was kept super simple, with a focus on the backdrop. The images captured by John Barwood are just breathtaking, especially the portraits of the bride in her beautiful button adorned gown. There was a pretty bouquet tied up with black ribbon and a pared back sweetheart table decorated with stylish ceramics, florals, candles and gold cutlery. Perfection. Be sure to also enjoy the beautiful film by 24 Frames Cinematography, it’s just gorgeous.

Black Ship

It was a Fado from Amália, Black Ship, that inspired us for this bridal session.

Sonia (the model) represents the women who, between pain, unbelief and faith, waited for their men on the beach to return home, even when it seemed improbable.

The feeling of ‘Saudade’ remains as part of Portugal’s history. The Fado music genre is something you must hear if you visit this country.

GUIDA Event Design

Sao Martinho do Porto

Portugal has been on our wishlist to shoot in for a very long time. The backdrop of Sao Martinho do Porto is incredible, so many remarkable colours in the earth and flora, and with the sun setting right out to sea, it’s a perfect place to hold an elopement ceremony or portrait shoot.

Because the backdrop is so epic, we wanted to keep the styled shoot as simple as possible, combining a few classic elements along with Portuguese traditions inspired by the Portuguese Fado, Amália, Black Ship.

The dress by Pureza Mello Breyner was incredible to photograph, and the colour in the unique buttons was mirrored in other details like the black ribbon bouquet, and table setting to tie elements together, beautifully styled by Guida Event Design.

We are definitely in a hurry to come back here again!

Photographers John & Soph Barwood

Credit Where Credit Is Due

So inspirational. Thanks so much to the whole team above for sharing these wonderful images with us xo Lou