The National Palace of Queluz is an imposing architectural marvel that closely reflects the lives of three generations of the Portuguese Royal Family. It is also a place of intense emotions, with a history that crosses different periods and styles: Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassicism.
The Palace’s surrounding scenic gardens offer a glimpse into the court’s lavish parties, which included gondola rides along the canal, theatre performances, hunting, musical and literary performances, masked balls, games, and open-air recitals. This dreamlike setting, animated by waterfalls and delicate water games, leaves a lasting impression on anyone who sees it.
With Sofia Nascimento Studios‘ creative direction, the royal editorial took place in this captivating venue. Sofia says: “My main inspiration for this shooting was the venue’s architecture, majestic corners, and richness in details. The palace embodies the evolution of the different styles of that time. The words chosen to describe the whole mood of this intimate wedding inspiration and guide me through the process were bold, majestic, feminine, and exuberant.“
The editorial was meticulously planned and executed perfectly, which was truly inspiring. Rubana Gaspar, the founder of Crimson Letters, designed all the utterly beautiful and bespoke stationery. The gifted artist had dreamed of creating extraordinary paper couture for an editorial at the National Palace Queluz.
Rubana’s attention to detail was remarkable. She customized everything to be complete with the venue, story, and different expressions of the bride shown in the shoot. The artist skillfully blended the contrasting shades of dark and light and incorporated various three-dimensional elements and textures into her work. Her color palette comprised black, light tones ranging from beige, sage green, blush and tarnished gold, giving the artwork an exceptional shine. The palace’s intricate moldings were intertwined with delicate calligraphic letters, evoking grandeur suitable for majesties.
The shooting started in the beautiful Queluz gardens, designed by French architect Jean Baptiste Robillion. The upper gardens are separated from the rest of the park by balustrades adorned with stone sculptures. The landscapes are decorated with lakes, vases, urns, and Italian marble statues and have geometric flowerbeds bordered by boxwood bushes.
The bride looked stunning in a gorgeous white dress that featured a strapless neckline. The hem of the dress was adorned with voluminous intricate ruffles that added sophistication to her overall look. For the ceremony, a puffy and elegant bolero was added to the dress to make it more saturated.
The second dress was made of tulle and had an asymmetrical design with open back. Its delicate and lavish appearance complemented the bride’s hair, adorned with a voluminous headband resembling a blossoming tree, casting a halo-like aura around her. The ensemble was harmonious and crafted a beautiful, angelic look.
These photos were taken in the palace’s tiled corridors, which were adorned with depictions of the seasons, continents, classical mythology scenes, hunting parties, and chinoiseries.
The reception was set in the Throne Room. This is the largest of the reception halls in the Palace, built around 1770. Amongst the refined decoration in gilded wood, the Regency-Rococo style with the enormous Atlases standing in the room’s corners. The numerous mirrors reflect the light from the massive chandeliers and the French windows that open directly onto the garden.
The table was adorned with exquisite floral arrangements in pastel hues, Rubana’s enchanting illustrations, and culinary masterpieces.
The third dress was a splendid model of elegance. The voluminous sleeves, plunging neckline, and intricate arrangement of three-dimensional flowers on the bodice all created a truly mesmerizing effect. The dress’s bold and unique punch color made it unforgettable, adding to its already striking presence. It was impossible to look away from such a stunning piece of fashion.
Susana of the Edelweiss cake-baking studio created an incredible three-tiered cake for the shoot. It consisted of cubes of different sizes and combined soft yellow and silver colors. The cake was decorated with moldings and perfectly matched the interior design of the Ambassador Room, which had large ceiling paintings.
For the next look, the model’s hair was artfully arranged in loose, flowing waves, evoking the glamour of Hollywood’s silver screen era. A shimmering silver dress adorned with sparkling stones and delicate feathers along the hem accentuated her features.
The editorial’s final look featured a stunning black tulle dress with intricate sheer details that added depth to the ensemble. Vibrant emerald green earrings accentuated the dark elegance of the attire, adding a pop of color and contrast. The model embodied an unexpected yet mesmerizing image of a black swan, exuding grace and mystery against the backdrop of the avant-garde fashion narrative, culminating in this batch of inspiration.
STATIONERY Crimson Letters | STYLING & FLORALS Sofia Nascimento Studios | PHOTOGRAPHER Diane Sotero | MUAH Tom Perdigão | DRESSES Marchesa Bridal, Millia London | GROOM’S ATTIRE Nuno Gama | JEWELRY Bounkit, Cremilde Bispo | SHOES Bella Belle | VIDEOGRAPHER Videoart | HEADPIECE Erin Rhyne | RENTALS Rental Collection | CAKE Edelweiss | CATERING The MAD Kitchen | VENUE Palácio de Queluz
