A Planners Guide to Destination Weddings in The Algarve
What To Expect For Your Destination Wedding In The Algarve
While we loved exploring the Algarve coast and discovering our own favourite spots, we knew we wanted to connect with a local expert and learn what treasures could be found “off the map”! Luckily, we struck gold with Filipa and Sara, the planning duo behind ByMATILDA. Filipa was born and raised in the Algarve and Sara moved there as an adult, resulting in a blend of experiences that lend both local savvy and global impact to everything they touch. We loved chatting with them about the area’s best-kept secrets, the most creative local suppliers, and charming nearby towns and beaches! Keep reading to discover the untapped potential of this idyllic destination.
THE BEST KEPT SECRETS OF ALGARVE VENUE SEARCHING
The Algarve is a very special place that many consider a true hidden gem. It is the southern region of mainland Portugal, attracting couples year round with the beautiful weather, welcoming people, delicious food and amazing diversity. From beaches to the countryside, each couple can find their ideal niche among the landscapes and experiences the Algarve has to offer. Each town has its own charm and can be reached in less than two hours’ drive from the airport.
The key is to know beforehand which type of wedding you’re looking for. Think about the concept you envision for the big day - outdoor dinner, long weekend celebrations, barefoot in the sand… There are a lot of different offers in this region, but we dare to categorise them in two main clusters: weddings by the beach and at countryside venues.
WEDDING VENUE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD BE ASKING
When searching for a venue it is important to know the latest the party can go as some venues have strict noise restrictions.
One of the things that really stands out for our foreign couples is how complete the catering offers can be. In Portugal a wedding has to have amazing food and (lots of) drinks! The vast majority of the venues will have a very complete catering proposal that will consider the different moments of the wedding day. So, we find it important to clear out the quantity and variety of food and drinks considered for cocktail, dinner and buffets after, number of service hours and when does it start. Also doesn’t hurt to check the quality of the catering right from the start.
THE BEST PHOTO LOCATIONS AROUND The Algarve
One of our favourites is Cacela Velha town, with its typical small Portuguese roads and small village houses overlooking the ocean – it’s perfect for bringing the Portuguese vibe into your wedding photos. There’s even a staircase connecting the village to the beach, but be aware of the tides schedule, as at high tide, the beach is barely nonexistent. Also, it’s a very popular place for tourists, so it’s a better option if the wedding date is not in high season.
And how could we not mention the beaches and their cliffs? The postcard for this region! There are many amazing ones, and choosing will mainly depend on the location of the wedding venue. This landscape starts in the Vilamoura region, at Praia da Falésia, and ends in Sagres. In between, you can find Maria Luisa beach, Albandeira beach, Marinha beach with its natural arch, Praia Joao de Arens or Camilo beach. Better to plan for extra time to walk between the beach and the top of the cliffs if you want both settings.
And why not take a different perspective of this beautiful coastline by taking a charter to drive you along the coast?
Many photographers will agree with us the best hour to photograph is the golden hour, right before sunset. We’ve found it’s important to take this into consideration when outlining the timeline of the wedding day or booking an engagement photoshoot.
Ceremony Tips:
Civil or Symbolic?
This is a very good question and our approach is to ask the bride and groom if it is important for them to sign the papers at the ceremony. If it is important, our recommendation is to hire a lawyer to help them navigate the necessary documents, deadlines and submit the wedding process at the registry. For each nationality different documents can be required and there could be different ways for these to be obtained.
Even if you have a civil ceremony, we recommend to still have a wedding celebrant or a family member to officiate to make the ceremony more personal and memorable, since the registry officiant would be present at the ceremony to only read the contract that is then signed.
If singing the papers at the ceremony is not a must, then consider doing it at home and just worry about the special moments you want for your symbolic ceremony.
Local traditions to incorporate into your wedding
Some of the most famous traditions among the Portuguese are to save one slice of the wedding cake to eat during the first wedding anniversary, to steal the cake topper, and not to wash the wedding dress for a whole year.
Another one, that is not a tradition but more of a custom is that it is very common to have weddings last through the night and wrap up at sunrise.
NAVIGATING AROUND THE ALGARVE TIPS
You can arrive in the Algarve via one of two main ways: either by car from Lisbon or Seville’s airports or by flying in directly to the Faro airport. Once you are here the best way to travel is by car, either hiring one or booking transfers or taxi/uber. Opting for one or the other will depend on the length of stay and what plans someone has in mind. We recommend our couples to advise their guests to stay in a particular area, either because is close to the venue or some plans for the day before or day after are being hosted there. This makes it easier to arrange transportation for them, so they can fully enjoy the wedding day!
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF EVERY SEASON WHEN PLANNING YOUR ALgarve WEDDING
In Portugal, the wedding industry lasts pretty much year around. The only dates that would require special planning are Christmas and New Year. Every other day of the year is a potential wedding date. Choosing a wedding date is a very personal choice for the bride & groom. Each season has its charms, but if you are looking for warm and sunny weather, then definitely between May and October.
A special thank you to ByMatilda for sharing their local knowledge.
Photo Credits: Lapela Photography, Mitt Photography, Tropeço de Riso - Fotografia