Our Top Portugal Destination Wedding Picks!

There are many wedding trends that come and go; however, there has been a general shift in what couples want to experience and plan for their weddings. The desire to host a more personalized ‘wedding experience’ is something we hope stays for a long time to come. With rising costs and the wish to plan a wedding based on what feels authentic as opposed to common traditions has lead many couples to think about destination weddings with smaller guest counts. Destination weddings allow couples to enjoy quality time over multiple days with their closest family members and friends in a beautiful location - making them unforgettable experiences!

Portugal is becoming one of Europe’s fastest growing European destination wedding locations due to its close proximity to the Americas, it’s fascinating history, natural beauty, amazing food and the over 850km of coastline! Unlike some European countries that impose inconvenient requirements for non-resident couples, legal weddings can be held in almost all Portugal venues, even those without a special wedding license.

Read below for some of our top picks for Portugal destination weddings!

1. LISBON

Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal and is one of the oldest cities in the world; the second-oldest European capital city (after Athens), predating other modern European capitals by centuries. It’s rich in culture and architecture, making it the perfect backdrop for photos and unforgettable memories. It has a Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and warm to hot, dry summers. Due to its variety of old vs new ensures that there are venues to suit every style and look.

2. SINTRA

Sintra is a town and municipality in the Greater Lisbon region of Portugal, located on the Portuguese Riviera. A major tourist destination famed for its picturesqueness, the municipality has several historic palaces, castles, scenic beaches, parks and gardens. Long the home of Portugal’s monarchs, Sintra’s historic mansions, villas and castles are set against the backdrop of lush hills making destination weddings both intimate and private. Many Quintas can be rented to both accommodate guests overnight and to host weddings which can ease the logistics of hosting international guests.

3. THE ALGARVE

The Algarve is a personal favourite of Junilo and mine! It’s long sandy beaches, stunning cliffs and quintessential Mediterannean lifestyle makes us want to keep going back! The Algarve’s expat community, award-winning golf and country clubs and whitewashed beach towns make it an ideal vacation spot for guests attending weddings there. Portugal’s well maintained toll routes, make the drive to the Algarve incredibly easy. It can be done in under three hours from Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport. We would highly recommend many different venues in the Algarve to couples looking to host their unforgettable Portugal destination wedding!

Whether your plans include a small destination elopement or hosting a large number of international guests, Portugal has something for everyone! Please contact us below for more information on our European destination wedding collections and availability!

Romantic and Colourful Destination Wedding Inspiration

Destination weddings continue to become increasingly popular as couples continue to move away from traditional expectations and focus on making their weddings a very meaningful experience for themselves and their guests. An intimate celebration in an unforgettable location is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that a couple and their guests will never forget!

Many couples are surprised to hear that destination weddings can actually be more affordable and less stressful than traditional weddings. According to Canadian travel company, Transat, destination weddings can cost up to 30% less than weddings at home, depending on the location and the number of guests.

Very often, destination wedding venues include all the services a couple needs for their wedding day, including the event space, AV, food, drinks and accommodations for their guests. They also can refer couples to a professional destination wedding planner who can handle all the details, from booking the venue and vendors to arranging legal paperwork and travel documents.

Another huge advantage to destination weddings is the amount of time a couple can spend with their loved ones as the wedding celebrations usually stretch over several days as opposed to just one! Welcome parties, rehearsal dinners and excursions can all part of the experience-making the time with their friends and families incredibly memorable.

We couldn’t have been more honoured to be a part of this beautiful day with some of North America’s most well-known wedding vendors! Showcasing the incredible beach of Amelia Island, Florida, we spent the afternoon photographing this intimate affair, inspired by the senses and a love for the coast!

Please reach out to inquire about our bespoke destination wedding collections. We cannot wait to hear about your destination wedding plans!

Host: Manda Weaver & The Hybrid Co | Designer & Wedding Planning: Pamela Barefoot Events & Design | Photographer: Ugo Photography | Venue: Omni Amelia Island Resort | Florist: Iron & Clay Flowers | Hair & Makeup: Emma Collins Beauty | Dress: Oscar de la Renta at Carine’s Bridal Atelier | Suit: Tuxedos by Sarno | Plates, glassware & flatware: Case de Perrin | Chairs & tables: Beach View | Linens: Stradley Davidson | Flatware, napkins & napkin rings: Something Vintage