While we love your little ones, we’ve chosen to make our wedding an adults-only celebration. We understand this may require extra planning, and we’re so grateful for the effort you’re making to be with us.
We’ll be in Portugal from May 22–31, 2026, soaking up the sun and spending time with friends and family. The official wedding celebrations will run from Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29. Outside of those three days, we’ll be relaxing, going to the beach, enjoying long lunches, golfing, and exploring local towns—and we’d love to see you whenever you can make it. Whether you’re here just for the wedding or turning it into a longer holiday, we’re so grateful you’re coming
Yes! If you have the time we highly suggest exploring the rest of Portugal. Lisbon is not to be missed and other areas like Porto, the Douro Valley, Sintra, and Cascáis are all amazing in their own rights. Portugal is a relatively small country so expanding your trip by a few days on either side of the wedding festivities, and even flying through Lisbon, will allow you to see much of the country in just over a week or so. Please note that we do have recommendations for you to further explore the Algarve in your spare time on the “Things to Do” page here on the website.
You won’t need a car for the wedding itself. All events over the three days will take place within the Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo area, where taxis and Ubers are easy to find and reasonably priced. However, if you’re planning to explore the Algarve coast, visit nearby beach towns, or take a scenic drive up to Lisbon, renting a car is a great idea. Cars can be easily rented from Faro Airport, Lisbon Airport, and even locally within Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo through major car hire companies. Note: Driving is on the right-hand side in Portugal, and roads are generally well maintained and easy to navigate.
No visa is required for U.S. passport holders visiting Portugal or other countries in the Schengen Area for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Please note: The ETIAS travel authorization system is expected to launch in the near future (currently planned for 2025), but as of now, no additional travel authorization is required. We’ll keep this page updated if anything changes before the wedding!
Late May is a beautiful time to visit the Algarve! You can expect plenty of sunshine, with daytime temperatures around 22–26°C (72–79°F) and cooler evenings in the mid-teens °C (around 55–60°F). Rain is unlikely, but we still recommend bringing a light jacket or sweater for the evenings—especially if you'll be near the coast where it can get breezy.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Portugal, including in restaurants, shops, and taxis/Ubers in the Algarve. That said, it’s a good idea to carry a small amount of euros in cash for smaller cafés, beach bars, or local markets, where card payments may not always be available. ATMs are easy to find in Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, and at the airports if you need to withdraw cash once you arrive. Tipping isn’t expected in Portugal, but it is always appreciated. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% at restaurants and bars is considered generous and customary for good service.
You’ll be happy to know that English is widely spoken in Portugal, especially in restaurants, hotels, and tourist areas—so you’ll get by just fine without speaking Portuguese. That said, locals always appreciate the effort, and even a few basic words can go a long way in making connections (and earning smiles!). Here are a few helpful phrases: Olá – Hello Bom dia / Boa tarde – Good morning / Good afternoon Por favor – Please Obrigado / Obrigada – Thank you (men say obrigado, women say obrigada) Com licença – Excuse me A conta, por favor – The check, please Mais uma cerveja, por favor! – One more beer, please! 🍻 Onde está a praia? – Where is the beach? No pressure to become fluent—but tossing out a “bom dia” or “obrigado” is always appreciated!