With the warm climate, historic landmarks, and picturesque coasts, Portugal is becoming a popular destination wedding for UK couples. The country is full of history, which is perfect for weddings in old monasteries, castles, or chapels. And it is also home to sandy beaches with all-year sun for those perfect Portuguese beach weddings.
If you are thinking about weddings in Portugal, but aren’t sure how much it will cost or what you need to do, our complete guide has you covered.
How To Plan A Destination Wedding In Portugal
You can quite successfully plan your wedding in Portugal like you would plan a wedding in the UK. You can research the perfect place for the ceremony, find a nearby venue for the reception that provides food and drink, and also suggest travel routes and hotels for your guests. Liaising with people in Portugal to organise all of the aspects of your wedding is made easy with the country sharing the GMT time zone.
However, researching the right venue and communicating to all of the different companies involved can be difficult from a distance, with time limitations, and a language barrier. So even though you can plan a destination wedding in Portugal by yourself, many couples opt to partner with a wedding planner in Portugal for ease and less stress. A wedding planner who is based in Portugal will have local knowledge, meaning you can often get better deals and sometimes undiscovered beauty spots perfect for a wedding ceremony.
But however you choose to plan your wedding in Portugal, don’t forget that you will still need to be in charge of obtaining and taking a few important documents to make your marriage legal.
There are also some quaint Portuguese wedding traditions you might want to incorporate to give the ceremony a local feel.
Can Foreigners Get Married In Portugal?
Yes, you can legally get married in Portugal with both church weddings and civil ceremonies legally recognised. There is no residency requirement for couples who wish to get married in Portugal, so foreigners can get married in Portugal without needing to live there.
It is worth noting though that if you are marrying a Portuguese citizen, you will not automatically gain Portuguese citizenship yourself. You will need to apply for this after three years of being married.
How Much Does A Wedding In Portugal Cost?
The cost of a wedding in Portugal will vary depending on what you have planned, including:
- Flowers
- Food
- Transport
- Venue
- Accommodation
- Number of guests
- Hair and makeup
However, on average you can expect to pay around €5000 for a wedding of 25 guests, where the guests pay for their own accommodation. This figure is a guide but can help you to budget and save up for your ideal wedding in Portugal.
What To Wear To A Wedding In Portugal
Traditional weddings in Portugal are not too dissimilar to the wedding customs we are used to in the UK. Typically, the dress code is formal and conservative, with men opting for suits and women for long dresses.
However, if you are planning your own wedding it can be up to you what your guests should wear to your ceremony. It may be helpful to specify on your wedding invitations so that guests are not unsure and know exactly what clothes they need to bring when they fly out to Portugal.
When deciding on what guests and you should wear, don’t forget to carefully consider the weather and location. Seasonality will play a big part in what you will feel comfortable in, as the temperature in Portugal in the summer months can easily be 25°C even near the coast.
What To Wear To A Summer Wedding In Portugal
If your wedding in Portugal falls in the Summer, you should take this into careful consideration in what you and your guests choose to wear. A long, thick wedding gown or three-piece suits are likely to be unsuitable for the hot summer sun, whether you get married inland or by the sea.
