Wedding in Monte do Ramalho, Alentejo — Catarina & Marco — Portugal Wedding Photographer

This couple came to me all wrapped up. Initially, it wasn't me they had hired, but unfortunately, the person who was supposed to photograph them, Mariana Gama, wouldn't be available on the big day for the best reasons. Mariana carried a greater happiness in her belly, and the distance, heat, and demands of the day are very difficult to manage when there's a pregnancy involved. So, Mariana recommended me because we have a similar approach, and she knew I would take care of these two loves as if they were my own from the very beginning. We spoke on the phone and then through video calls. We didn't have a session since they had already done one with Mariana, but we moved forward strongly for one of the dearest weddings of the year!

The wedding would take place in one of my favorite places, Monte do Ramalho, a rural tourism unit in Alentejo surrounded by the beautiful Alentejo landscape and fortunately, a very blue sky. Monte do Ramalho is located in the district of Portalegre, a few kilometers from some important towns and cities in the district of Évora, connected by good roads with little traffic. It is a region rich in historical, cultural, and scenic heritage, and nearby I would highlight Marvão, Alter do Chão, Vila Viçosa, and Monsaraz.

We arrived early to be able to familiarize ourselves with Monte, discuss the timeline a bit, and settle in — since the drive took more than two hours each way, I ended up (actually, both me and my second photographer stayed) sleeping at a local accommodation called Rossio House to get some rest after the long, hot day ahead. We had a warm meal that tasted great at the A Cascata restaurant.

Why is it important to stay at least one night when we're photographing outside of our residential area?

Because driving for over an hour and a half after 12-13 hours of work is a recipe for disaster, accidents, and it's prone to avoidable mistakes due to fatigue. As an extra measure, if a wedding starts early with the ceremony at around 11 a.m. or noon, I recommend discussing two nights to ensure there are no delays.

After our delightful lunch, we headed to Monte where we greeted the videographers, I Do Films, and then went our separate ways. Patrícia went to Marco's room, and I stayed with Catarina.

She got ready with her mother, with the door of the room constantly opening as family members peeked in, congratulating her on the day and toasting with her. It was constant laughter that made the minutes flow until it was time to leave for the ceremony.

Fotografia documental de Tania Carvalho no Monte do Ramalho

Marco got ready with Paco nearby, with the help of his brother. The designated room was right in front of the ceremony location, so he had more time before the big moment. But that didn't make him relax; he wanted to be ready to greet the people as they arrived.

The photographs of Marco's preparation are taken by Patrícia Carvalho, with my selection and editing.