Wedding Guide to Azores

Why get married in Azores?

Imagine exchanging vows in a land of lush green mountains, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic volcanic landscapes. The Azores offer a unique blend of natural beauty and intimate charm, making it the perfect setting for your special day. Local vendors, from florists to caterers, are keen on creating personalized, high-quality experiences for all couples.

Whether you’re envisioning a cliffside ceremony with panoramic ocean views or a simple elopement in a quaint, quiet setting, the Azores provide countless picturesque locations to suit any wedding style. 

And let’s not forget the incredible adventures awaiting you post-ceremony—whether it’s whale watching, hiking, or simply soaking in the natural hot springs, the Azores offer countless ways to extend your celebration into an unforgettable honeymoon. 

Best time to have a wedding in Azores

The Azores offer a mild climate all-year round meaning you can plan your celebration almost any time of the year without worrying about extreme weather. We have had couples celebrating weddings in all months of the year with clear sunny skies. In fact, temperatures in the Azores are pleasant all year round – they rarely surpass 28°C / 82°F in summer months or drop below 10°C / 50°F in the winter period.

If you want higher chances of warm, sunny weather, the best months to aim for are June, July, and August. This comes with a drawback though – more tourists in the islands which can make some of the most popular sights packed.

On the other hand, if you like it quieter and have no problem with slightly cooler temperatures, April, May, September and October are great options, even though the chance of variable weather conditions is higher. 

Take Azorean weather forecasts with a grain of salt though! Weather in the islands changes very quickly and even largely varies depending where you are in the island. When planning an outdoor wedding, always make sure to have a plan B in case it starts raining heavily.

Best wedding venues in Azores

Whether you’re dreaming of a beachfront ceremony, a historic manor, or a botanical garden setting, the Azores have the perfect spot to say “I do.” Here are some of the most enchanting venues to consider for your special day in São Miguel island:

1. CK Events Villa
   Boasting of the most stunning views in the island over the Atlantic and the Vila Franca islet, this villa is fully equipped with everything you need: dining space with capacity for 100 people, chapel, outdoor swimming pool, DJ booth and even includes accommodation!

2. Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
   Nestled within the renowned Terra Nostra Park, this Art Deco hotel offers lush botanical gardens, thermal pools, and elegant indoor spaces, perfect for a fairytale wedding.

3. Sensi Nature & Spa
   For something more secluded – if you’re looking for a small, intimate wedding , Sensi could be a good choice.

4. Quinta das Rosas
   Located in the heart of Ribeira Grande in the northern coast of São Miguel, this charming countryside estate offers a tranquil and picturesque setting. With its beautifully landscaped gardens and rustic elegance, it’s perfect for a romantic and intimate wedding.

See more wedding venues in Azores.

Legal requirements for a wedding in Azores

While Portugal makes it a lot easier than other European countries, it still requires steps like the submission of documents prior to your wedding day and all foreign documents to be translated into Portuguese by a certified translator. Also, the actual ceremony must be conducted in Portuguese.

What we usually suggest our couples is to have a legal ceremony back home and a symbolic one in Azores. This way you can bypass all the bureaucracy and paperwork abroad and focus on your memorable ceremony in the islands. 

If you do still want your ceremony to be legally binding, know that you do not need a legal residency to get married in Portugal and neither you need a property in Portugal or a relative residing here to qualify. You will need the following papers to be sent to officiant in Azores at least 30 days before landing:

1. Birth Certificates: Original or certified copies of both parties’ birth certificates.
2. Affidavit of Marital Status: A document stating both parties are free to marry, obtained from their respective consulate or embassy.
3. Marriage License Application: Submit an application for a marriage license at the local Civil Registry Office (Conservatória do Registo Civil).

You will also need:

1. Valid Passports: Both parties must have valid passports.
2. Witnesses: Two witnesses over the age of 18 (can be family or friends).
3. Translations and Apostilles: All foreign documents must be translated into Portuguese by a certified translator and may require an Apostille stamp.

The specific requirements for getting married in the Azores may vary depending on your nationality and the location of your wedding. It’s a good idea to consult with a local wedding planner, the local authorities or even your laywer to ensure that you have all of the necessary documents and papers in order before your wedding day. 

Is a wedding planner recommended in Azores?

We strongly suggest getting a wedding planner in Azores to help you with the coordination, organization and execution of all the logistic and operational details of your ceremony. For a destination wedding like in Azores, a wedding planner is able to make use of the local connections and rally all vendors to make sure everything runs smoothly even before you ever set foot in the Azores.

Also keep in mind things do tend to run at a island pace, so getting a head start to schedule deliveries and timelines is essential and a wedding planner goes a long way here. Glam Azores offers this service, please contact us for more information.

Where to go for the wedding party?

While having some nightlife options in São Miguel island, the Azores are not really a party destination so the choice of bars and clubs are limited. If you want to throw a stylish wedding party, you’re generally better planning to take place on the wedding venue itself.

LGBTQ+ weddings in Azores

Portugal was the 6th European country to legalize gay marriage in 2010 and the first same-sex marriage in the Azores was performed on 29 August 2010. Even though the Azores are remote islands that can be perceived as less progressive than other cities, it’s a gay-friendly destination and same-sex weddings in Azores are not uncommon. Vendors working on the wedding industry in Azores are used to ceremonies involving same-sex couples, Glam Azores happens to be expert on it. 🙂