We can all agree that Portugal is a beautiful country to enjoy a week or two on holiday, thanks to warm weather, stunning beaches and a pastel de nata or two. It can also be the perfect location to have a wedding that isn’t too far from the UK, giving a loving couple and their family an unforgettable setting.
With a reported 36 per cent of Brits preferring to get married abroad if they could, perhaps you’re looking for ideas or need a bit of convincing about taking your wedding abroad. Maybe you’ve already chosen Portugal as the destination but are not sure where to start – well below are a few locations and tips to help you make the ideal choice.
Before You Book, Always Plan for the Unexpected
It’s easy to get excited about a wedding, after all, it’s a day that is long in the planning not just for the happy couple but also for family and friends. Before you get carried away with all the details, booking a wedding abroad means you’ll also need to think about other things you wouldn’t with a local wedding at home. Alongside making sure everyone has the dates available and a valid passport, travel insurance should also be high on your essential checklist.
Just like you would for a regular holiday, you’ll want to find a good travel insurance policy that covers everything from travel delays to lost or damaged baggage. You’ll need to think about what would happen if your personal belongings were misplaced or damaged whilst away – could you afford to cover the costs from your own savings if having to repair or replace them? Choosing a comprehensive policy will ensure you’re covered as well as any unexpected medical costs in an emergency.
It can be expensive to get medical treatment abroad when compared to the UK, with survey data from insurance provider Staysure finding that more than a third (36%) of holidaymakers have needed emergency medical treatment while on holiday. Ideally, all of your guests will make arrangements for this alongside their flights (unless you’re planning to pay for them all!), so it can be a good idea to remind them in advance. Travel insurance isn’t compulsory but will provide peace of mind.
Top Wedding Locations in Portugal
As you can imagine, Portugal has many great places to consider having a wedding and a holiday together. Not only is it important to find the right venue for the big day and one that is simple for your guests to get to from the airport, you’ll also want to consider what there is to see and do in the surrounding areas, especially if you are planning a few days before or after the wedding.
Sintra
The perfect setting for a wedding straight out of a storybook, Sintra was once a summer destination for royalty thanks to its beautiful setting, found in the Lisbon region on the Portuguese Riviera. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the views of the hills and coastline are a world away from the busy capital, with Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena Palace) a standout landmark, with its golden yellow and orange exterior rising above the forest on the hillside for a stunning backdrop. Nearby, the Quinta da Regaleira with its beautiful gardens and Palácio Nacional de Sintra with two standout chimneys, are both well worth visiting in this resort town. You’ll find venues that match the setting perfectly, especially if the sound of former palaces turned into luxury hotels is ideal for you and your guests.
Lisbon
The capital city is a great choice not only as it has something for everyone and easy transit from the airport, but also for couples who want both traditional elements and modernity with their wedding. Lisbon’s historic trams and cobblestone streets are both romantic features, as well as sights such as the Tower of Belém and Jerónimos Monastery, add a timeless charm. You can find all types of venues in Lisbon, from luxury hotels to sea-view locations.
The Algarve
Already a popular region to visit thanks to its miles of golden beaches, the Algarve is not only a great holiday destination for families of all ages, it offers the perfect setting for a beachfront wedding ceremony if this is appealing to you. Towns like Albufeira and Lagos offer many luxurious resorts and villas ideal for beach ceremonies – just imagine this taking place at sunset, creating a romantic atmosphere. A great location for your guests that’s easy to get to from Faro airport, you can find panoramic garden ceremonies to those within palm tree gardens and much more.
Douro Valley
For wine lovers, the Douro Valley can provide a unique setting, where you can marry surrounded by vineyards that reach the Douro River. Another of Portugal’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a wedding in this region provides stunning landscapes and a more rustic, peaceful location. The many wine estates often provide full services for a wedding, from the ceremony to a reception featuring the valley’s renowned wines.
Madeira
The sub-tropical paradise island of Madeira is high on many people’s holiday destination lists, so having a wedding here is ideal for something more exotic. The island’s luxurious resorts and botanical gardens are vibrant all year round, so you can choose a wedding date for any month and still have perfect weather. You could have a dramatic seaside ceremony or one atop the hillside such as above Funchal Bay, which provides a great overlook of the Atlantic from the city, ideal for both breathtaking views and an unforgettable ceremony.
What You Need To Know About Getting Married Abroad
Along with the promise of great weather and perfect venues, you’ll need to think about the essential aspects of getting married in Portugal. You can find further information about getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad on the Gov.UK website, but here are a few points to remember:
- Check the law in Portugal with getting married and understand the process. If you have already found an ideal venue, they should be able to help you with this, otherwise consulting with a trusted wedding planner can ensure you know what to do first.
- You’ll need to get a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI), which is a legal document that proves there are no barriers to getting married. You’ll need to book an appointment to do so at a UK register office. This should then be accepted in Portugal but check with the venue or whoever is conducting the ceremony.
- You may also need to present other required documents alongside a CNI, such as your passports, birth certificates, and divorce or death certificates if previously married.
As mentioned, it can be best to speak to the venue as soon as possible or use a professional wedding planner so that you are fully aware of everything you will need before booking. This will make choosing to have a wedding in Portugal much simpler for you so you can focus on planning the more exciting aspects of the day.
Sun, Sea and Living Happily Ever After
It can be a big step planning a wedding abroad, from the worry of how many guests will be able to make the trip to planning all of the extra legal steps. However, many people do have and enjoy a memorable wedding day by choosing to do so. Doing what’s right for you and your partner is the most important thing, and choosing Portugal as the destination is one you won’t regret – there are certainly worse places to have a wedding!
It’s not something you have to do alone either, so speak to those who have done so before and consider hiring a wedding planner who has experience with weddings in Portugal too. That way, everything can be planned perfectly and all you’ll have to do is say “I do”.
