The ALGARVE, Portugal: The Ultimate Wedding Guide
Portugals’ Algarve region is one of the finest for couples looking for a dream destination wedding location. With short flights from the UK, stunning coastlines as your wedding backdrop and areas to suit all tastes and personalities it’s well worth exploring having an Algarve wedding. In this blog we’ll cover:
Why you should get married in Portugal
The important legal information to understand
When the Algarve wedding and elopement season is
The best venues across the Algarve
Why should you get married in Portugal?
If there’s one thing that’s up there on the list of must-haves on your wedding day, it’s good weather. And with 300 days of sunshine per year, you absolutely cannot go wrong with a gorgeous destination wedding in the Algarve, Portugal. But the weather isn’t the only star quality of Portugal's southern region, the Algarve is home to stunning beaches, fairytale-esque cobbled villages, wineries and the best pastel de nata you'll ever try. There are so many stunning wedding venues to choose from in the Algarve.
Can I legally get married in Portugal? The Legal Requirements
If you dream of saying "I do" amidst the Algarve sun and sea you need to ensure your marriage is legally recognised. In Portugal, both residents and non-residents, of opposite sex or same sex, over 18 years of age (16, with parental consent) have the opportunity to exchange vows in a legally binding ceremony.
Non-residents will need to provide these documents:
Valid passports
Birth certificates
A prenuptial agreement
Certificate of No Impediment
These documents must be submitted to the Portuguese Civil Registry Office at least 60 days before the intended wedding date. Understanding and fulfilling these legal requirements will pave the way for an enchanting wedding experience in the idyllic Algarve region.
When you apply for your marriage licence you should indicate the type of wedding you want to host and include the day, time and location of your wedding plans as well as the matrimonial regime.
Please note: If you want to have a beach wedding, you must obtain a marine police licence for the big day.
Do you have to pay any legal fees to get married in portugal?
The legal costs of getting married in Portugal can vary depending on what day you get married and can cost between 120€ to 200€.
When is the algarve wedding and elopement season?
The wedding and elopement season kicks off in the Algarve come March and lasts until the end of October, with peak season from June through to September. But don’t rule out weddings out of this time, the Algarve is warm and breezy with sunshine even in March, April and October.
If you’re trying to avoid the weather extremes, the months to avoid would be February as the chance of rain is probably highest during this month and if you can’t handle the heat, the end of July and August are the hottest months so do take this into consideration when planning your dates. A benefit of having a wedding outside of the hot summer months means accommodation and costs will be more wallet friendly.
The 10 Best Algarve Wedding Venues
Portugal is home to some of the most luxurious and beautiful wedding and elopement spots, and we have ten of the best right here for you…
Pine Cliffs Hotel & Resort
The backdrop for your wedding ceremony at Pine Cliffs Hotel & Resort will be truly stunning. Glistening ocean for miles, perfectly preened lawns with stunning flower arrangements, a flower walkway and saying “I do” under the pine trees. Perfection.
As part of your package at the venue you can have exclusive use of the venue on request, champagne for all guests during the speeches, lighting, a wedding cake, a suite for the happy couple, special accommodation rates for your guests and choices in your decor. Not to mention the cocktail hour which you can choose to have before or after the ceremony. For your wedding dinner you can opt for a set menu, a buffet or a barbeque depending on your preferences.
Your reception can be held at one of the many spaces across the 72 hectares resort and party the night away to your heart's content.
Sao Rafael Atlantico
Where better to tie the knot than a luxurious 5-star hotel, perched on the cliff top overlooking the crystal clear waters of São Rafael Beach, Albufeira. This breathtaking venue is the perfect backdrop for your dream beachfront wedding in the heart of Algarve.
You can have your ceremony at a number of spots. ‘The Pergola’ with the waves as your backdrop and the sound of the sea as your soundtrack. ‘Wedding Tent’ which is a versatile space surrounded by greenery and can be customised to your design preferences or, last but by no means least you can say “I do” at the Arabian Sea Rooftop. Located on the top floor of the hotel this rooftop exudes glamour and offers 360 degree views of the sea. It’s a tough decision to make.
You and your guests can enjoy the spa, fitness centre, and outdoor pools in and around the festivities and if you’re wanting to venture a little bit further, the hotel has a prime location on the beachfront and close to the Albufeira city centre.
Vivenda Miranda
A luxury boutique hotel perched on the coastline of Lagos, this is the perfect venue for couples looking for something more intimate that offers style, sophistication and seclusion. With colourful landscaped gardens and the cliffs of the Western Algarve this venue is really one to remember. Vivenda Miranda is available for private and exclusive use and is for a maximum of 54 guests and a minimum of three nights stay.
For your ceremony here you can opt to have a “Blessing in the gardens over the sea” set in the lush gardens overlooking the ocean.
In addition to stunning coastal scenes Lagos’ old town has gorgeous cobbled streets to stroll dating back to the 16th century, filled with colourful patterns, tiles, buildings, cafes and doorways. Lagos Old Town exudes romantic charm and is a perfect place to explore with your guests.
Our Lady of the Rock
A tale as old as time, Our Lady of The Rock is also known as The Fort os Nossa Senhora and is a mediaeval castle, supposedly dating back to the 8th century. And it’s possibly one of the most picturesque venues in the Algarve. If you’re searching for an iconic viewpoint for your wedding ceremony, Our Lady of The Rock is unparalleled. Situated on the edge of a rocky peninsula overlooking the ocean with nothing but views of sea and sky for miles, this white washed chapel and its aisleway are perfect for iconic wedding photography and a ceremony to remember.
Post ceremony there are so many avenues to go down for your wedding reception, you could have a glamorous reception in a villa with all your family and friends, a BBQ on the beach or a lavish reception at a luxury hotel.
Praia dos Tres Irmaos
Does your dream wedding involve being barefoot on the sand, with the sea waves at arms reach? Praia dos Tres Irmaos is a brilliant wedding spot for beach lovers. The towering rock formations make the beach secluded, perfect for those looking for something more intimate like an elopement where they can have a stunning elopement wedding shoot.
The name for the beach means the beach of three brothers due to the three rocks that stand together in the sea.
Casa do Campo
If immersing yourself in Algarve tradition sounds like your ideal wedding then Casa do Campo could be the answer with it’s charming restaurant, baroque style gardens that house the oldest camellia tree in Portugal (the tree is 250 years old and is the only place in the world that these trees form arches and alleyways), fountains and stone features. All the elements of Casa do Campo blend together to create a magical wedding venue.
Tivoli Carvoeiro
If you’re looking for incredible hospitality and incredible views as the backdrop to your ceremony then Tivoli Carvoeiro is the perfect combination of both. With steps leading right down to the beach you have the benefit of the location's prime real estate to enjoy the crystal clear waters.
The venue has on-site hairdressers, makeup artists, masseurs, and caterers in the run up to your big day to ensure you feel relaxed and at your best. With a big focus on post-wedding celebrations the venue can also offer a big BBQ for you and your guests or the opportunity to indulge in some local experiences.
Having your wedding at Tivoli Carvoeiro includes a voucher for celebration of the first anniversary of marriage including one night stay for two guests with breakfast, 10% off rates available on the website for your guests, 10% off all rates available on the website for your Honeymoon at any hotel in the group.
Conrad Algarve
The best thing about destination weddings is making a holiday out of your celebrations and this venue offers so much to do around your wedding celebrations.
Aside from having your ceremony on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, this breathtaking resort offers a whole host of things to keep your guests entertained. The Conrad is nestled between the idyllic Ria Formosa Nature Park and the Atlantic Coastline for all your nature's callings.
Once you’ve finished exploring you can make use of the state of the art spa and one of the world’s greatest golf courses or head out to the local vineyard or go clam picking! Then when you’re hungry after all your dining and doing, you can treat yourself to a delicious meal from the multi-Michelin star chef who uses local and flavour filled ingredients. Perfect for the foodies !
Quinta das Oliveiras
Searching for the perfect luxury country estate wedding venue? Quinta das Oliveiras is the ideal setting for a chic, sophisticated and classy wedding.
The impressive pool terrace can host anywhere from 50 -180 guests or for even larger celebrations a marquee on the tennis court area can suitably accommodate up to 300 guests.
The property is available on a private dry hire basis or alongside its experienced event services. Choose from on the day co-ordination or a fully bespoke wedding planning service. This is a venue where you can really let your creative juices and dream wedding designs come to play with the lush gardens, the pool for your own use and the three storey villa.
Couples can choose to stay in the apartment and there are a whole host of wonderful local hotels all within close proximity ideal for guests.
Casa Monte Cristo
This is a family run luxury property that perches high on the top of Funchal Ridge overlooking Lagos and is the ideal spot for an idyllic, secluded villa garden ceremony, with a large sun terrace, pool and spectacular views of the sea.
Villa and apartment accommodation can accommodate up to 40 people or 100 with a combination of event spaces meaning you can choose just how big you want your guest list to be, and know your guests are all in the same vicinity to party all night long as is the norm with luxury villa weddings. Get the champagne towers at the ready! The villa offers wedding planning services if required to help you find the perfect suppliers and get your space ceremony ready.
Picked your perfect venue and ready to start planning, we have the ultimate wedding planning checklist complete with a year timeline to help you navigate everything you’ll need. Want to look at some of the weddings and love stories we’ve captured across the globe, you can browse them right here.