Planning a Destination Wedding in Portugal? Start With This Venue Checklist

Before falling in love with a venue, take a step back and think about the kind of celebration you actually want. The right venue is not only about how it looks, it also needs to fit your guest experience and practical needs.

Use this checklist to guide your decision:

• What is your realistic guest count?

Start with the number of people you expect to invite, but keep in mind that destination weddings often have a drop-off rate of up to 30% due to travel costs, holidays, family situations, and time commitments. Of course, this does not apply to every wedding, but it is worth considering before booking a venue.

Ask yourselves:

☐ How many guests are we inviting?

☐ What number do we realistically expect to attend?

☐ Would the venue still feel warm and full with a smaller group?

☐ Do we want flexibility if more or fewer guests attend?

If you are unsure, choose a venue with multiple setup options, so the spaces can be adapted for different group sizes.

Who are your guests?

Your guest list influences much more than capacity. Think about who will actually be attending:

☐ Older guests who prefer easier walking access

☐ Pregnant guests who may need comfort and shade

☐ Children and their ages and needs

☐ Guests with reduced mobility or accessibility requirements

☐ Families who appreciate child-friendly spaces

☐ Guests travelling internationally who may prefer convenience

What style of venue fits your vision?

Now comes the fun part: What atmosphere do you imagine for your wedding?

☐ Castle and romantic

☐ Rustic countryside

☐ Historical and elegant

☐ Authentic Portuguese character

☐ Modern and minimalistic

☐ Luxury and exclusive

☐ Clean and contemporary

☐ With pool or without pool

Try to choose a style that reflects both your personalities and the experience you want to create.

Private villa or venue with accommodation?

Accommodation can shape the entire destination wedding experience.

Ask yourselves:

☐ Is onsite accommodation important to us?

☐ Do we want everyone staying together in one place?

☐ Are there beautiful nearby hotels where guests can stay together?

☐ Would splitting accommodation actually create a nicer experience?

Sometimes a venue without accommodation can work perfectly if there are great nearby hotel options and it may even create more comfort for your guests and a better experience, if this means, all of you stay together all the time. 

Outdoors or indoors?

Portugal offers incredible outdoor venues — but weather should always be part of the decision.

Think about:

☐ Outdoor ceremony or indoor ceremony?

☐ Outdoor dinner or covered backup plan?

☐ Evening temperatures depending on the season?

☐ Shade during warmer months?

The perfect venue is where style, practicality, and guest experience come together, but does the perfect venue exist? Maybe not. 

Make a MUST HAVE (non-negotiable) and a NICE TO HAVE-List and see, where you and your partner are willed, to make compromises. 

3. Set Your Budget Before You Fall in Love With a Venue

Before contacting venues, decide what you can realistically spend on your entire wedding — including dresses, suits, travel, accommodation, photography, and all extra costs. Then subtract those personal expenses.

What remains is your celebration budget,  the amount available for your venue, catering, decoration, entertainment and other wedding-related costs.

Set your maximum and stick to it

Decide together:

☐ What is our comfortable budget?
☐ What is our absolute maximum?

Having a clear limit from the beginning makes decisions easier later.

💱 Remember currency & payment differences

Portuguese venues usually work in euros (€), so always check which currency people refer to when discussing budgets online.

Also remember:
☐ Exchange rates
☐ International transfer fees (outside SEPA)
☐ Payment costs

Small extra costs can add up quickly.

A clear budget helps you focus on what matters most.