Are you planning to have a destination wedding in Portugal?
Picture this: a sun-kissed coastal landscape, breathtaking historical sites, and a vibrant culture that oozes charm at every turn. You may think I’m talking about some tropical island far far away, but no, I just describe my own country: Portugal.
Over the years, Portugal has become an increasingly popular wedding destination, capturing the hearts of couples from all around the world. And if you’re considering saying “I do” away from your home country, please take a couple minutes to google this Mediterranean gem. I’m sure it’ll go directly to the top of your list of choices!
However there’s a lot to do when planning a wedding in foreign country, and you’ll need the right guidance to make your dream day become a reality. But don’t worry, if you’re considering a wedding in Portugal, this blog post can be a great help for you.
So, let me share with you five essential tips you have to take into account while you’re planning your wedding in Portugal.
5 Tips for a Wedding in Portugal
#1. Get to know all the legal requirements
All countries have rules and legal requirements when it comes to this kind of ceremony. And, for your wedding in Portugal, this is one of the essential points you have to keep in mind. Whether you’re thinking about a legal wedding or just a symbolic ceremony, this best thing you can do is to get in touch with your embassy in Portugal so they can explain to you all you need to know before the wedding.
#2. Choose your date and be aware of the weather
It may seem silly to see this topic here, but believe me, choosing the date is a very important step when you’re getting married, especially if you’re planning a wedding in Portugal! Although my country has generally pleasant weather, the truth is that it varies a lot depending on the region. For example, in the south of the country – Algarve and Alentejo – you can have nice warm sunny days between April and October. But if you’re considering the north of Portugal, I advise you to choose the late spring or summer time to guarantee you have a sunny wedding day.
Another important thing you have to keep in mind is the wedding venue. While the most popular and traditional wedding venues are fully booked for Spring and Summer time and you have to make your reservation well in advance, there are other not so conventional places that can offer you greater freedom in terms of dates, and also the possibility of further customisation to your wedding.
#3. Hire a wedding planner to help you create your dream day
Well, this is an advice I would give regardless of where you want to get married, even if you decided to say “I do” in your home country. Hiring a wedding planner can be a huge help. These professionals can guide you through the entire process of finding your style and help you turn your dream day into reality, while offering you a kind of tranquillity and peace of mind that sometimes is really hard to get while you’re planning a wedding.
You should consider hiring a local professional, so they can advise you and assist you with all the things related to logistics, paperwork, and local arrangements. Besides this, a local wedding planner can also be a huge help to overcome the language barrier and cultural differences. If you’re looking for recommendations, I’ll be glad to share with you a list of professionals I work with – not only in Portugal, but also in other countries -, you just need to get in touch with me!
#4. Pick your favourite wedding venue
Regardless of the country you decide to exchange vows, the wedding venue is always a huge part of the ceremony. After all, this is where you’ll live one of the most important and special days of your life. If you hire a wedding planner, he/she can be a big help in this step. Not only will the planner have more knowledge about the available options, but he/she can also make the entire process of contacting and booking the venue easier.
Portugal has a wide range of beautiful locations, including historic buildings, vineyards, beaches, and country estates. If you’re planning a wedding in Portugal, you can also check out my selection of ten wonderful places to marry in Portugal.
#5. Find the perfect photographer to capture the moment
And, for the last essential topic, I’ll talk about something I consider one of the most essential parts of getting married: choosing a wedding photographer. Deciding who is the person who will capture this special moment is really important, especially when you decide to have a destination wedding, after all, they will be responsible to create the memories of the moments you’ll want to hold tight forever.
It’s important that you choose someone with whom you can identify, both in photographic style and personality. As it happens when you’re choosing a partner, choosing a photographer with whom you have good chemistry will make the photographs much more natural, beautiful, and special. And, of course, if you’re planning a wedding in Portugal, I would love to meet you and understand if we’re the perfect fit to create these memories together. So, don’t forget to check out some of my work on my Instagram account and get in touch with me!
Well, I know that planning a destination wedding can be overwhelming, since there’s a never ending list of things to decide and do from a distance. But, don’t worry, if you hire the right professional help, everything will become easier and you’ll be able to live the day you always dreamt about.
And, believe me, doing your wedding in Portugal will be a decision you’ll not regret! From north to south, to the islands, Portugal is a country full of special places that will make you fall in love at the first sight!
