Weddings

This Bride Brought Gulf Glamour to a 18th-Century Portuguese Palace

In a setting steeped in European romance, this wedding is an ode to friendship-turned-love

The Lopes Photography

They say marriage is, at its core, a friendship - one without the other is like a sky without the sun. For Hessah Alsanea and Ali, their wedding story was the natural culmination of a bond that began with genuine companionship. “We met through mutual friends. There was no pressure or rush, just two people getting to know each other organically. We even ended up working together, which allowed us to see each other in different settings and truly understand one another’s values, work ethic, and personalities. I think that’s when I knew,” Hessah shares.

Ethereal as it could be, Hessah wore a beautiful all-white Elie Saab wedding gown, a study in modern elegance with timeless romance. Crafted in luminous ivory satin, the dress features a structured, sleeveless bodice with a flattering deep V-neckline. The waist is gently cinched with a wide, sculpted band, then flows into a voluminous skirt. She paired the gown with a delicate lace-trimmed veil that drapes softly over her shoulders and trails behind her. It’s like a whisper of romance against the gown’s sleek, minimalist lines. Ali wore a white tuxedo jacket with navy trousers, a refined interpretation of classic eveningwear.

But Hessah’s journey to her wedding gown wasn’t an easy one. She had initially commissioned a custom dress, imagining a vision that, once realised, did not quite align with her heart. “I was honestly heartbroken,” she admits. It was her mother who instinctively sensed the disappointment and swiftly booked the first available appointment at Elie Saab in Riyadh.

As for the finishing touch? The shoes were never in question. “For me, bridal shoes are either Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik,” she says with a smile. In the end, she chose Manolo Blahnik, a sharply pointed-toe one with intricate crystal embroidery. Effortless and romantic - what could be more timeless than pairing Manolo Blahniks with an Elie Saab wedding gown?

Through it all, Hessah embraced her Saudi bridal spirit wholeheartedly. Central to her look was her custom shabka, gifted by Ali. “My custom shabka was intentionally bold and designed to stand out as a statement piece. It anchored the entire look and added an unmistakable energy I wanted to carry with me,” she shares.

At Palácio de Queluz in Lisbon, Portugal, the 18th-century royal palace, often described as Portugal’s answer to Versailles, with powder-pink façades, stunning Baroque architecture, opulent interiors, and manicured gardens, the couple gathered their closest friends and family for their wedding celebration. “Being surrounded by our closest friends and family in such a beautiful setting made the moment incredibly emotional for me. It was one of those rare times when you feel fully present, grateful, and overwhelmed in the best possible way,” she says. Rather than competing with the palace’s architectural richness, they chose to complement it. Soft pastels formed the backbone of the wedding palette, woven through florals and tablescapes. “Ali and I both love colour, character, and vibrancy, so when we discovered the Palace of Queluz, it felt like love at first sight.”

Hessah was meticulous with her mood board. She encouraged men to embrace colourful tuxedos and made a singular request of her female friends: avoid black. The result was immersive. Guests became part of the décor, their attire enhancing the palette in a way no additional styling ever could. It was joyful, cohesive, and undeniably photogenic. “We had early insight into the visual direction through mood boards and design concepts. What felt strongest in the final setting: romantic florals, elevated formalwear, and the palace’s architectural presence,” explains Savannah of The Lopes Photography, who captured their ethereal images.

In theory, the palace is the main attraction, but it’s the gardens that truly bedazzle. While the ceremony and reception were dazzling in their own right, it was the reception hour by the palace’s maze garden that remains most vividly etched in Hessah’s memory. “Everything aligned perfectly - the weather, the colours, the food, the atmosphere,” she says. “It felt almost surreal.”

Though the setting was European, the soul of the celebration remained unmistakably Gulf. Reflecting their heritage was non-negotiable for the couple. They had already hosted a more traditional celebration in Bahrain, but they were determined that their Portuguese wedding would still feel deeply Saudi and Bahraini at its core. “Another deeply personal choice was my bridal entrance song, Idkhile Omri by Hussain Aljasmi. Hearing it as I walked in instantly grounded me and added an emotional and cultural layer to the moment that felt incredibly meaningful,” Hessah adds. There was traditional Gulf music played live on instruments, and the way families welcomed guests followed the customs they’re accustomed to back home. “These details helped ground the celebration in who we are, no matter the location.”

For Hessah and Ali, happiness was both the guiding principle and the quiet virtue at the heart of every friendship. “What meant the most to us was seeing friendships form and bonds deepen,” she says. Guests arrived in Lisbon as individuals from different chapters of their lives, and left as one community.

In the end, that is perhaps the true measure of a wedding’s success. Not the grandeur of the setting or the sparkle of couture, “To this day, we receive messages thanking us for the experience, which reminds us how lucky we are to be surrounded by such special people who truly made our wedding unforgettable,” Hessah concludes.