So, you’ve made the hardest decision – out of all the places in the world, you’ve chosen the Douro Valley for your wedding! First of all, we think that’s an excellent choice. Now comes the next important question: when should you tie the knot?
Everyone loves a summer wedding and the Douro truly shines during the warmer months. With endless blue skies, evenings perfect for celebrating outdoors and minimal rainfall, summer offers ideal conditions. But what about the rest of the year?
The Douro enjoys mild temperatures year-round, with average highs reaching nearly 15ºC, even in the cooler months. However, it’s worth noting that while midday can be pleasantly warm, mornings and evenings can get quite chilly, sometimes even dropping to freezing in winter. In April and November you can have up to 11 days of rain per month but they also bring stunning blue-sky days that create a magical atmosphere.
Although the weather does not necessarily make or break a wedding, of course a lot of our destination wedding clients have chosen Portugal at least in part for the good weather. Choosing a wedding outside of the peak months (May to September) has its advantages. Venues tend to have greater availability and we can often negotiate excellent discounts on your behalf.
No matter the season, we as your destination wedding planners always ensure a solid Plan B in case of unpredictable weather. While many Douro Valley weddings we organise have at least part of the wedding held outside (for example the ceremony and aperitifs), we’ll have a beautiful indoor alternative ready, just in case the heavens open.
While summer offers incredible conditions, it’s important to keep in mind that temperatures can soar, especially further east in the Douro Valley. It’s not uncommon for the heat to climb to levels where shade and hydration become essential. But once the sun sets, the Douro transforms into a dreamy open-air venue.
Whether you’re envisioning a sun-drenched summer wedding or a cosy autumn celebration, we’re here to help you navigate these decisions and ensure everything is perfectly planned. If you have any doubts or questions, just get in touch – we’re happy to share our local knowledge and experience to make your Douro wedding truly magical.
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