Because the wedding will be in Algarve, we recommend flying into the closest airport, Faro (FAO). Another option we would recommend is flying into Lisbon (LIS) and renting a car to drive to Algarve or taking a bus or train. This allows you to drive up the coast of Portugal and see some beautiful sights and make stops along the way.

If you do not want to rent a car, Uber and Bolt are two rid apps that are available and are very affordable. There are also plenty of busses available and easily accessible.

For airlines, we recommend flying with TAP Air Portugal, United Airways, or American Airlines depending on what airport you are leaving from. If you need any advice or guidance please reach out to Melina at +1 (757)-309-9015.

We want our guests to have an amazing time in Portugal! With this we would reccomend a few different areas to stay in Algarve to get the most out of your stay.

Our top recommendations include:

1) Old Town Albufeira

2) By Falésia Beach in Albufeira

3) Vilamoura, Algarve.

If you plan to rent a car another beautiful place we would recommend is Praia da Rocha in Portimão. This is one of Drew and Melina’s favorite places, however, it is a bit further away from the hotels we’re presenting through our travel agent.

All of these recommendations are also great places for day trips! We would highly recommend all of these places to visit on your vacation!

The official currency of Portugal is euros. We highly recommend ordering Euros ahead of time to take there with you, as a lot of times places will give you a discount and not include taxes in your final bill if you pay in cash. You can talk to your local bank about ordering euros (we recommend doing so about a month to a month and a half before departure) or you can order them online or at your nearest AAA.

If you would rather pay via credit card, note there will be a currency exchange fee (unless you have an international or travel credit card that waves this) and you should let your credit card provider know ahead of time that you will be traveling so they do not lock your card. ATMs are available and you can use your cards to get cash out.

Using your debit card is possible, however not recommended as ATMs can’t be guaranteed to be 100% secure everywhere you go, and it is much more likely to get your money back if fraud occurs on a credit card. If you choose to use your debit card, alert your bank two weeks prior departure so that they won’t block your charges.

If you plan to use your own cell phone provider, make sure to contact them (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) about two weeks before departure so they can set up an international travel pass and ensure you’ll have data during your trip.

Wi‑Fi is widely available throughout the Algarve, so another option is to keep your phone on airplane mode and connect to Wi‑Fi as needed. While you won’t be able to make regular calls or send SMS texts this way, you can stay fully connected through WhatsApp — the most commonly used messaging app in Portugal and throughout Europe. WhatsApp allows calling, texting, photo sharing, and group chats entirely over Wi‑Fi.

As it gets closer to the wedding, we’ll be creating a WhatsApp group chat for guests so everyone can easily stay in touch, receive updates, and coordinate throughout the weekend.

If you’re staying longer or traveling elsewhere in Europe, we recommend purchasing a local SIM or eSIM upon arrival. They’re very affordable (usually €20–€40 for 5G and unlimited data for your entire stay). You can buy them safely at airport shops, where staff can install them for you—either as a physical SIM or an eSIM.

We are pleased to offer complimentary transportation to and from the wedding, so everyone can relax, celebrate, and enjoy the night to the fullest.

Pickup:

Time: 3:00 PM (15:00)

Location: Albufeira Marina

Please plan to arrive no later than 2:45 PM (14:45) so the buses can depart on time.

Return Drop‑Off:

The buses will depart the venue at 1:30 AM (01:30) and return everyone to the same pickup point at the Albufeira Marina.

Guests are welcome to leave earlier if needed — Uber does service the venue, and rides can be requested at any time.

Wedding Venue Address:
São Bartolomeu de Messines 8375‑025

As we get closer to the big day, more transportation details will be shared, including any updates or logistics reminders.

Dress to impress! There will be a professional photographer and videographer, so we ask that you dress formally and please refrain from wearing any white dresses. Check out our Pinterest board with outfit ideas for this European summer wedding. Keep in mind that because it is summer season in Algarve, it will likely be hot and cool off a bit at night, so please plan accordingly. There will be lots of dancing so please wear something that you feel comfortable in.

In June, the daytime temperature reaches an average high of 80°F, while the temperature falls to 62°F during an average night. June is a reliably sunny month, especially near the coastline.

The humidity at this time of year is relatively comfortable at just 41% to 65%, compared to the winter months which can become very humid, where humidity levels can reach an average maximum of 85%.. The sea temperature during June averages about 66°F, which is swimmable and perfectly fine for water sports.

Algarve offers a perfect blend of beaches, adventure, vibrant nightlife, and amazing food. Here’s a guide to some of the best activities and places to explore in the area.

The Algarve is known for its fresh, coastal‑inspired cuisine—full of bright Mediterranean flavors and incredible meats and seafood. You’ll find iconic dishes like cataplana, an aromatic seafood stew cooked in a traditional clam‑shaped copper pot, which is one of the region’s most iconic dishes.

For those who aren’t the biggest fans of seafood, the region is also famous for piri‑piri chicken, a spicy, smoky grilled specialty with deep roots in the Algarve region of Portugal. For our spicy food lovers, you will definitely want to take home a bottle of the regions Piri Piri sauce!

For anyone with a sweet tooth, the Algarve offers treats like the beloved beach donuts (“bolas de Berlim”), fluffy, sugar‑coated, and the ultimate beach treat. Pro tip: look for people carrying coolers on the beach and have a couple of euros ready!

If you’d like to explore more local flavors, here’s our full guide: Our Portuguese Food Guide.