THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO ELOPING IN PORTUGAL. INCLUDING THE BEST ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS, MARRIAGE LAWS, PLANNING TIPS AND MORE!
Eloping in portugal: the ultimate guide
Eloping has become an increasingly popular choice for couples seeking an intimate and adventurous wedding experience. If you're dreaming of a destination elopement, look no further than the enchanting coastal towns of Portugal. With its stunning cliffs, golden beaches, and charming old town, Portugal offers a picturesque backdrop for a romantic and intimate wedding. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of planning your Portugal elopement, the best locations, and everything you need to know!
The complete guide to eloping in portugal: including locations, packages, and tips to make your day stress-free
- Why You Should Elope in Portugal
- Best Portugal Elopement Locations
- How to Elope in Portugal
- When to Elope in Portugal
- Elopement Packages for Portugal
Lagos is a stunning beach side town with tons of history and beautiful rock formations. The charming town is located on the western Algarve coastline in Portugal.
The closest airport is Faro (FAO), which is about 60 minutes away from the town. Another option is to fly into Portugal's capital, Lisbon. The Lisbon airport (LIS) is about 2 hours and 45 minutes away but there are public transportation options available to take you into Lagos. I recommend using Rome2Rio to discover the cheapest public transportation route.
Where is Lagos, Portugal?
Top reasons to choose Portugal for your elopement:
- Diverse backdrops for photos - coastal town, picturesque cliffs, white sand beaches
- Such a friendly atmosphere! Everyone is so accommodating and make you feel welcomed
- There is no shortage of activities to do afterwards for your honeymoon
- And most importantly... mouth-watering food and the best tasting sangria at every restaurant
Why you should elope in portugal:
Alright we discussed the why, now let's talk about where! As I've mentioned in this guide already, there are so many options when deciding on where to elope in Portugal. It can be overwhelming when you don't know where to start! Whether you're looking an intimate wedding venue or allowing nature be your backdrop, here are a few of my favorite Portugal destination elopement locations to consider.
Best Portugal Elopement Locations
- Tivoli Lagos Algarve Resort
- Ponta da Piedade
- Praia do Camilo
- Praia da Dona Ana
- Praia dos Estudantes
“Kristen and her husband were such a joy to work with! Not only are their photos to die for, but their kindness and flexibility are top tier! They were always there helping and asking if I needed anything and were always close by to capture those memorable moments. They found the best spots and kept me especially positive when it began to rain after our ceremony. I am beyond grateful for them and recommend them to everyone. I will forever cherish their photos!”
Captured the memories.
“Finding a photographer that fits so well with your wedding vision along with fitting your personalities as a couple can be quite difficult. Kristen and her husband were a perfect fit for us! Kristen made everyone feel a so incredibly comfortable and at ease. Which allowed the true sides of our family and friends to show. And this is what we desired out of our photographs, we wanted to remember the moments and the people we love just as they truly are."
Made us feel comfortable.
- Choose your date - Consider eloping on a Monday through Thursday. Having your Portugal elopement during the week will help ensure more privacy. If you are wanting to hike to your destination, the trails are always more crowded on the weekend. If you choose to go the venue route for your elopement, packages also tend to be much cheaper during the week.
- Make it legal - As stated above, I highly recommend making your marriage legal in your hometown. To make it legal in Portugal you will need: birth certificate translated to Portuguese, passport, divorce certificate if applicable also translated to Portuguese, and a certificate of No Impediment to marriage. The licence takes about 4 weeks to process. Once approved, the wedding must be held within 6 months.
- Plan your elopement day - I suggest hiring a photographer that will help with your timeline creation. Spoiler alert - that's me! There are endless options when it comes to planning your dream elopement and it can be overwhelming.
- Book accomodations ahead of time - A lot of AirBnbs and venues will book up fast in Portugal, especially in high tourist season. As soon as you have your date and general elopement location chosen, figure out your accommodations.
- Get your details together - Look at booking whatever other vendors you might need to fit the vibe you're going for. Florists, catering, cake, photographer, videographer, hair and makeup are a few you might need to consider. Other details to keep in mind to gather: custom vow books, wedding shoes or sneakers, jewelry, and anything sentimental you might want included.
- Elope! - Do the dang thing you've worked so hard for! As someone who eloped themselves, I can tell you firsthand how perfect it is going to be. The moment all your hard work comes together and pays off is so rewarding. The planning is stressful but hang in there, the end is worth it all!
Top tips for ensuring your Portugal elopement runs smoothly:
how to elope in Portugal:
Did you know that I help with elopement planning? It can be added on to your package when you book me as your Portugal elopement photographer. From finding the perfect vendors for you, to location scouting for the best place to hold your intimate ceremony, I'm here for it all. Let me take some of the stress off your plate!
Stressed out?
yes, please help me!
- Lagos has pretty mild temperatures year round. The best time to visit would be May - October to avoid rainy season and have the warmest weather. The Mediterranean climate means mostly dry summers and mild winters with temperatures rarely falling below 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Due to the mild winters, eloping in December could mean less crowds with temperatures still ranging between a comfortable 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Peak tourist season is usually in the spring months March - May. Prices will be higher during this time. People crowd the beach during the summer time and it can be hard to find somewhere to lay your towel.
- Wind is typically moderate, with the summer months June - August being the windiest.
Here is a guide to help you decide on what season is best for your Portugal elopement:
when to elope in portugal:
What time of day to elope in Portugal:
Benefits of having your Algarve elopement at sunrise:
- Less crowds + more privacy
- Stunning sunrises on the coast as the sun comes up over the beaches
- You can plan an entire day together as husband and wife, I also can't think of a better way to start the day than marrying the love of your life!
- More time to get ready if you're not a morning person!
- Vows at sunset sound like the perfect way to end the day
- You can plan evening activities together, like a bonfire and smores
You deserve a day that is fully customized to you and your love because everyone is different! My pricing for Portugal elopements is all inclusive, which means no hidden fees or surprise travel costs added at any point.
Eloping in Lagos, Portugal, promises an unforgettable and visually stunning wedding experience. With its captivating landscapes, rich culture, and charming old town, Lagos provides the perfect backdrop for capturing those precious moments through wedding photography. By carefully selecting the location, hiring a professional photographer like Kristen Noel Photography, embracing the local culture, considering timing, and exploring the surrounding natural wonders, you can ensure your elopement in Lagos becomes a cherished memory captured beautifully in photographs.
Portugal Elopement Packages
portugal elopement photographer
What is included in my all-inclusive Portugal elopement packages:
- Photography Coverage - one of the most important aspects of your elopement package, how long would you like a photographer there to cover your day? I offer up to full day coverage for adventure elopements. Full day adventure elopements can look like me being there from the start of you getting ready, to hiking up to your ceremony destination, all the way to you dancing under the stars by a bonfire. I offer flexibility in order for you to have the Portugal elopement you have always dreamed of.
- Access to all of elopement guides - I do all the hard work so that you don't have to! After we choose the best location for your elopement, I will put together a thorough guide detailing everything you need to know from permits to where you should hold your ceremony.
- Elopement planning - I offer an add-on to all of my elopement packages that allow you to sit back and not worry about a thing! Including finding vendors within your budget, hunting the perfect accommodation or AirBnb, and finding activities in the area for your day based on what you love.
- Customized to you - questionnaires to figure out the perfect location for you, personalized timeline for your elopement to ensure a stress-free day, activity suggestions, location scouting prior to ensure we're getting photos at the best places, vendor recommendations, unlimited phone calls whenever you need help
- Full gallery within 8-10 weeks - I don't put a hard number on the amount of photographs you will receive, you can expect roughly 50-75 images per hour of coverage through an online gallery with unlimited downloads
- Engagement session included - this ensures we get to know each other before the big day and you can be completely comfortable in front of the camera!
- full day coverage (8-12 hours) - starting at $4,700
- 2 day coverage (12+ hours) - Starting at $6,500
