Why choose Portugal for your Indian Destination Wedding?
As South Asian weddings in North America are becoming more and more expensive, couples are looking for alternatives to still get married in elegance. In North America, mainly in the US and Canada, and in the UK for every dollar or pound spent, couples are getting less value than if they were to host a destination wedding. Instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in a ballroom where the AudioVisuals are barely working and where another couple is getting married next door, couples and families are deciding to invest their money to create an experience not just for them but also for their guests. Often the choice of a destination wedding is based on the location and breathtaking views, but when it costs an arm and a leg to get there and to source vendors, this makes couple rethink their choice. However, it does not have to be that way.
Portugal is a great in between for an Indian destination wedding with a local feel. Indeed, it is home to great Sikh, Hindu and Ismaili communities which allows you combine culture with a blend of Portuguese history. In this blog post, we will explore a few reasons why you should host your Indian wedding in Portugal.
Portugal Offers Exceptional Value Compared to Other European Destinations
One of the biggest advantages of hosting an Indian wedding in Portugal is the value it offers without compromising on elegance. Compared to destinations like Italy, France, or Spain, Portugal provides stunning venues, high-end hospitality, and world-class service at a more accessible price point. This allows couples to invest more in décor, guest experiences, and multi-day celebrations without exceeding their budget. Great hotels, heritage palaces, oceanfront resorts, and private estates in Portugal are generally more flexible in pricing, minimum stays, and event requirements, which is an important factor when planning multi-day Indian wedding celebrations.
Portugal has so much diversity to offer when it comes to venues.
Couples have the choice to pick from historical venues (Such as 13th century Monasteries and castles), sea and cliff views, vineyards, or botanical gardens. Having so much diversity in the same country allows you to have a unique experience without having to worry that you will have the same wedding vibe as a friend or family member who got married in Portugal as well. Many of our couples chose venues that are located in Sintra for it’s romantic and historical aspect, and even though the venues are the same, every event has a different vibe based on the couple’s choices and personalities. Portugal is not limited only to Lisbon. Porto offers great landscapes to host a wedding, and Algarve also gives you access to the sea, in a very elegant way!
Portugal is home to many South-Asian communities
Whether you are looking to get married in an Anand Karaj, a Hindu or an Ismaili ceremony, you won’t have to look too far. Many South Asian communities have settled in the Lisbon region and have developed their own crafts and expertise. This means that you can source local vendors for your Mandap, Varmalas, or Mehndi without the extra costs associated with transport. If you were to get married in Greece for example, the majority of your South-Asian vendors would come from either the UK or Portugal.
You can host your wedding outdoors
When you think about it, in many regions of North America, summers are know to be humid and rainy. If you decide to get married in your hometown, it is likely that your ceremony will be hosted indoors. While we do plan for rainy day weddings in Portugal, summers are generally sunny and dry, without a cloud! This means that you get to host your ceremony, wedding lunch and even reception outdoors!
Portugal is the middle ground between North America and India
Portugal is the ideal middle ground between North America and India, which is why it has become an increasingly popular choice for an Indian wedding in Portugal. When guests are traveling from multiple continents, the main challenge is finding a destination that feels manageable for everyone. Portugal’s location in balances travel time for all guests, as flying from major North American cities like Toronto or New York can make you reach Lisbon in approximately 6 to 7 hours, while guests traveling from India typically arrive in 10 to 12 hours, often with just one stop or even direct seasonal connections. This means no side of the family feels burdened with extreme travel, long layovers, or excessive jet lag.
An Indian wedding in Portugal offers the perfect balance of accessibility, value, and European elegance. With stunning venues, experienced local teams, favorable weather, and a location that works for guests traveling from around the world, Portugal stands out as an ideal destination for multi-day Indian wedding celebrations. If you’re considering hosting your wedding in Europe and want a destination that is both practical and unforgettable, Portugal delivers on every level.
At Vivah Portugal, we specialize in planning Indian weddings in Portugal and offer end-to-end support, from venue sourcing to flawless execution. Visit our services page or book a consultation to start planning your dream wedding!
