Planning a destination wedding in Portugal? As a Portugal wedding planner specializing in destination weddings, we guide couples through every aspect of their celebration—including choosing the best time of year for their event(s).
With around 300 days of sunshine per year, Portugal is an incredible location for outdoor weddings. However, factors like weather, tourist crowds, and pricing can influence your decision.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best times of the year to get married in Portugal, helping you find the perfect season for your dream wedding.
Portugal is known for its lovely weather, making it one of the best wedding destinations in Europe. The main wedding season runs from May to October, ideal for couples who dream of outdoor ceremonies and warm, sunny days. However, within this period, some months might suit your preferences better than others:
a) If you want to avoid extreme heat, avoid July and especially August, when temperatures can soar due to occasional heat waves.
b) If rain is your biggest concern, July and August are the driest months. Taylor and Paul, for example, had a beautiful August 2024 wedding in the heart of Lisbon (link here). June and September, however, offer a great balance—providing warm weather with fewer heat extremes. September, in particular, tends to be slightly warmer and has a lower chance of rain compared to June. Hailey and Alex chose a September wedding in Sintra in 2023, and it was absolutely stunning (link here).
c) Regional differences matter too—the further south you go, the drier and warmer it gets. The Algarve has the longest summer, while Porto and the Douro Valley in the north tend to be cooler and more humid.
That said, climate change has made weather patterns increasingly unpredictable. Rain can happen even in summer, and heat waves can occur outside peak summer months. Because of this, we always prioritize a solid Plan B for our couples. At Blô, as an experienced Portugal wedding planner studio, we discuss backup options early on, ensuring venues have suitable indoor spaces or making arrangements for a tent if needed. The last thing we want is last-minute stress due to unexpected weather!
Tourism in Portugal has been booming, and crowds can be a factor, especially in popular locations like Lisbon, Sintra, and the Algarve. While tourists visit year-round, peak season runs from July to August, when the most famous areas are busiest.
If you prefer a quieter and more private wedding experience, consider:
a) May, June, September, and October, when the weather is still great but with fewer tourists.
b) A more remote location, like Alentejo, where you can privatize a stunning hotel and host an intimate wedding weekend. We love L’AND Vineyards, which offers a perfect setting for this kind of experience—check out Georgie & Joe’s wedding (link here) and Jo & Remy’s wedding (link here).
Even if you choose a busier area, your wedding will always remain private. Crowds may only impact your experience if you plan to explore the country as a tourist before or after the wedding. However, you can still enjoy an incredible experience in Portugal, even during the peak of summer!
Just like with tourism, wedding pricing fluctuates throughout the year. May to October is peak wedding season, so most venues and vendors adjust their prices accordingly. However, there are ways to optimize your budget:
a) Off-season weddings (November–April) can be more budget-friendly, but it's essential to consider cooler temperatures and a higher chance of rain. Selecting a venue with beautiful indoor spaces is key, as outdoor dinners are not ideal due to chilly evenings. It's also important to note that while venues often offer lower rates during this period, most vendors maintain their standard pricing.
b) Hotels charge higher rates in July and August, as those are peak months for accommodations. Some hotels even restrict weddings during this time or require a higher minimum stay. If you're considering a hotel venue, May or October may offer a much better deal on exclusivity fees.
c) Private properties generally maintain more stable pricing throughout the wedding season, but May and October tend to be more budget-friendly than peak months—at least in some cases.
d) Opting for a weekday wedding—especially between Monday and Thursday—can be a great strategy to secure more affordable rates at many venues. Fridays often have pricing similar to weekends. When it comes to vendors, nearly all maintain the same rates regardless of the day. Another advantage of choosing a weekday is the increased availability of venues and top vendors, which is especially helpful if you have limited date options for your wedding.
The best time to get married in Portugal depends on your personal preferences, priorities, and budget. If you dream of a sunny, warm wedding with no rain concerns, July and August might be your best bet—but keep in mind the heat and tourist crowds. If you prefer a milder climate with fewer tourists, May, June, September, and October offer a great balance. And if budget is your main concern, a weekday wedding can be a great option, while an off-season wedding (November–April) can be a cost-effective alternative—though we don’t generally recommend this due to weather uncertainties.
At Blô Wedding Studio, we guide our couples through every detail, helping them choose not only the perfect time of year but also the best venues, vendors, stunning decor, and all the essential elements that bring their dream wedding in Portugal to life. If you're planning a destination wedding and need expert guidance, we’d love to help!
Planning a destination wedding in Portugal? As a Portugal wedding planner specializing in destination weddings, we guide couples through every aspect of their celebration—including choosing the best time of year for their event(s).
With around 300 days of sunshine per year, Portugal is an incredible location for outdoor weddings. However, factors like weather, tourist crowds, and pricing can influence your decision.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best times of the year to get married in Portugal, helping you find the perfect season for your dream wedding.
Portugal is known for its lovely weather, making it one of the best wedding destinations in Europe. The main wedding season runs from May to October, ideal for couples who dream of outdoor ceremonies and warm, sunny days. However, within this period, some months might suit your preferences better than others:
a) If you want to avoid extreme heat, avoid July and especially August, when temperatures can soar due to occasional heat waves.
b) If rain is your biggest concern, July and August are the driest months. Taylor and Paul, for example, had a beautiful August 2024 wedding in the heart of Lisbon (link here). June and September, however, offer a great balance—providing warm weather with fewer heat extremes. September, in particular, tends to be slightly warmer and has a lower chance of rain compared to June. Hailey and Alex chose a September wedding in Sintra in 2023, and it was absolutely stunning (link here).
c) Regional differences matter too—the further south you go, the drier and warmer it gets. The Algarve has the longest summer, while Porto and the Douro Valley in the north tend to be cooler and more humid.
That said, climate change has made weather patterns increasingly unpredictable. Rain can happen even in summer, and heat waves can occur outside peak summer months. Because of this, we always prioritize a solid Plan B for our couples. At Blô, as an experienced Portugal wedding planner studio, we discuss backup options early on, ensuring venues have suitable indoor spaces or making arrangements for a tent if needed. The last thing we want is last-minute stress due to unexpected weather!
Tourism in Portugal has been booming, and crowds can be a factor, especially in popular locations like Lisbon, Sintra, and the Algarve. While tourists visit year-round, peak season runs from July to August, when the most famous areas are busiest.
If you prefer a quieter and more private wedding experience, consider:
a) May, June, September, and October, when the weather is still great but with fewer tourists.
b) A more remote location, like Alentejo, where you can privatize a stunning hotel and host an intimate wedding weekend. We love L’AND Vineyards, which offers a perfect setting for this kind of experience—check out Georgie & Joe’s wedding (link here) and Jo & Remy’s wedding (link here).
Even if you choose a busier area, your wedding will always remain private. Crowds may only impact your experience if you plan to explore the country as a tourist before or after the wedding. However, you can still enjoy an incredible experience in Portugal, even during the peak of summer!
Just like with tourism, wedding pricing fluctuates throughout the year. May to October is peak wedding season, so most venues and vendors adjust their prices accordingly. However, there are ways to optimize your budget:
a) Off-season weddings (November–April) can be more budget-friendly, but it's essential to consider cooler temperatures and a higher chance of rain. Selecting a venue with beautiful indoor spaces is key, as outdoor dinners are not ideal due to chilly evenings. It's also important to note that while venues often offer lower rates during this period, most vendors maintain their standard pricing.
b) Hotels charge higher rates in July and August, as those are peak months for accommodations. Some hotels even restrict weddings during this time or require a higher minimum stay. If you're considering a hotel venue, May or October may offer a much better deal on exclusivity fees.
c) Private properties generally maintain more stable pricing throughout the wedding season, but May and October tend to be more budget-friendly than peak months—at least in some cases.
d) Opting for a weekday wedding—especially between Monday and Thursday—can be a great strategy to secure more affordable rates at many venues. Fridays often have pricing similar to weekends. When it comes to vendors, nearly all maintain the same rates regardless of the day. Another advantage of choosing a weekday is the increased availability of venues and top vendors, which is especially helpful if you have limited date options for your wedding.
The best time to get married in Portugal depends on your personal preferences, priorities, and budget. If you dream of a sunny, warm wedding with no rain concerns, July and August might be your best bet—but keep in mind the heat and tourist crowds. If you prefer a milder climate with fewer tourists, May, June, September, and October offer a great balance. And if budget is your main concern, a weekday wedding can be a great option, while an off-season wedding (November–April) can be a cost-effective alternative—though we don’t generally recommend this due to weather uncertainties.
At Blô Wedding Studio, we guide our couples through every detail, helping them choose not only the perfect time of year but also the best venues, vendors, stunning decor, and all the essential elements that bring their dream wedding in Portugal to life. If you're planning a destination wedding and need expert guidance, we’d love to help!
