Information

Question

Are children invited?

Answer

No. All events including the Welcome Dinner, Wedding Ceremony, and Reception are adults-only.

Question

Event Attire

Answer

WELCOME EVENT: Semi-Formal Attire Men: We suggest suit and jacket (tie optional) or slacks and sport coat with button-down shirt (no polos). For footwear, consider dress shoes, loafers, or boat shoes. Women: We suggest maxi, midi, or cocktail length dresses or dressy rompers, jumpsuits, or separates. Pantsuits are also welcome. For footwear, consider low or block heels, flats, or dressy sandals (no flip flops). Note: Festive colors and patterns are encouraged, but please refrain from wearing colors traditionally reserved for the bride (whites and creams). WEDDING: Cocktail Attire Men: We suggest suit, jacket, and tie plus matching dress shoes or loafers with wooden/leather soles. Please no tuxedos, slacks, or boat shoes. Women: We suggest floor length, midi, or knee-length dresses or a formal jumpsuit or pantsuit. For footwear, note that the venue does have uneven cobblestones and pea gravel; best to skip the stilettos and opt for a chunky heel or dressy flat. A pashmina is also recommended should the weather be cooler. Note: Neutrals, brighter colors, and patterns are all welcome, but please refrain from wearing colors traditionally reserved for the bride (whites and creams).

Question

Transportation to/from the wedding venue

Answer

Vandelli Botanical Gardens is ~10 miles and ~15-20 drive from Lisbon center city. We will be providing two mini buses to and from Vandelli Botanical Gardens. BEFORE WEDDING: The buses will depart from Restauradores Square (Praça dos Restauradores) promptly at 3:00pm. Please do not be late! AFTER WEDDING: We will have a small van beginning around 11:30pm for those wishing to leave earlier in the night. The mini buses will arrive at 12:30am and leave around 1:00am from Vandelli and drop us off at Restauradores Square (Praça dos Restauradores). Provided buses are not mandatory. If you prefer to travel on your own, taxi and uber are available. The venue address is: Calçada do Galvão E, 1400-171 Lisboa, Portugal. *Please note that if arriving/departing on your own, the proper entrance is on Calçada do Galvão, not Calçada da Ajuda.

Question

Getting around in Lisbon

Answer

CARS: You do not need to rent a car in Lisbon. Instead, consider an Ubers or taxi. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Lisbon has a large and safe network of subways, buses, and trams. Tickets can be purchased at relevant stations. WALKING: Lisbon is a pedestrian-friendly city and quite walkable. However, like San Fransisco, certain areas have very steep hills. Plan footwear and travel times accordingly.

Question

Portuguese Language

Answer

You do not need to learn Portuguese unless you really want to for personal reasons :) We recommend downloading the Google Translate app while traveling. You can both text-to-talk and take a photo of the map/sign you wish to translate into your preferred language. That said, like anywhere else, it is polite to ask first if the person you're speaking to speaks your preferred language. Please do not assume English or Spanish proficiency. The correct phrase is "Você fala [inglês/espanhol]?" We also recommend learning a few additional words and phrases to make your stay easier. A helpful guide for English speakers can be found here: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/basic-portuguese-words-phrases-for-travel.

Question

Passports and Visas: US Passport Holders

Answer

PASSPORT RENEWAL: 1. Please check your passport expiration dates and renew if needed as quickly as possible! Current processing time is ~8-12 weeks. 2. For more information on the renewal process and to get started, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport.html. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING PORTUGAL: 1. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months (180 days) beyond the end of your stay (example: If you plan to leave on May 1, then your passport must not expire before Nov. 1, 2025). 2. ETIAS visa-waiver: Beginning in 2025, US passport holders will need to fill out an ETIAS waiver application before disembarking the US. More information can be found here: https://etias.com. UPDATE March 2025: ETIAS has been officially put on hold until late 2026. No visa is required. 3. The EU has rolled out electronic passport control. When entering and existing Portugal or other major airports within the EU, you can skip the long lines and follow the signs for biometric/digital/electronic passport control. YOU WILL STILL NEED YOUR PASSPORT BOOK. Passport cards are not a valid form of entry identification. TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF PORTUGAL Please visit the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en) as well as the respective websites for all relevant countries if you are: 1. A US passport holder but plan to travel outside of Portugal before/after the wedding 2. A US passport holder and have connecting flight(s) in countries other than the US and Portugal.

Question

Passports and Visas: All Other Passport Holders

Answer

Please visit the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en) for more information on specific visa requirements. Kindly reach out to Krista or Vadim directly should your visa application require: 1. A Statement of Responsibility 2. An official Letter of Invite