Destination Wedding
Palaces, Coastlines and Old-World Cities
About Europe
Europe gives couples historic settings that the Caribbean cannot: palace hotels in Seville, a monastery estate in Sintra, Bosphorus ballrooms in Istanbul. Spain adds the beach resorts of the Costa del Sol and the year-round mild weather of Tenerife, while Belek on Turkey's Mediterranean coast has large all-inclusive resorts built for big multi-day weddings. Most guests from Canada connect through a European hub, and a symbolic ceremony with the legal marriage completed at home is the simplest route in all three countries.
Tiled plazas, palace gardens and orange-tree courtyards give ceremonies and photos a strong sense of place.
Hilltop palaces and landscaped gardens provide dramatic settings for photos and ceremonies.
Bosphorus views, historic mosques and waterfront hotels in a city where Europe and Asia meet.
Beach resorts on the Costa del Sol, in Tenerife and in Belek, with the room blocks and ballrooms large weddings need.
Where in Europe
The capital of Andalusia, known for the Real Alcázar gardens, the tiled Plaza de España and orange-lined streets. The city is inland, so summers are hot, and spring and autumn are the practical wedding seasons. Hotels range from historic palace conversions to larger modern properties.
Best for
Couples who want a historic, architectural backdrop and a city setting with food and sightseeing for guests.
A resort coast on Spain's southern shore, with beach hotels, a walkable old town around the Plaza de los Naranjos and a long dry season. Summers are warm but cooler than Seville because of the sea. Málaga airport (AGP) is the usual gateway.
Best for
Couples who want a beach resort setting with easy airport access and plenty of dining and activities.
The Canary Islands sit off Africa's northwest coast, and the south of Tenerife is dry and mild year round, with coastal averages of about 64 to 68°F in winter and 75 to 79°F in summer. Resorts cluster along the south coast, with Mount Teide inland.
Best for
Couples planning outside the summer peak who want mild weather in winter months.
A hill town about 25 km west of Lisbon with palaces, forests and gardens, much of it protected as a cultural landscape. Weather is often cooler and cloudier on the hills than in Lisbon. Roads are narrow, so group transport takes planning.
Best for
Couples who want a palace-and-garden setting and a more scenic, romantic backdrop.
The coast west of Lisbon runs from the Cascais and Estoril resort towns to the wilder beaches near Guincho and Cabo da Roca. Hotels here offer sea views and a quicker route to the airport than Sintra. The Atlantic can be breezy.
Best for
Couples who want sea views and a resort-town base with easy access to Lisbon.
Turkey's largest city, with the Bosphorus waterfront, historic mosques and palaces, and a wide hotel market. Weather is cooler and windier than on the south coast, with about 800 mm of rain a year, and a city wedding works best in late spring or early autumn.
Best for
Couples who want a historic city setting and sightseeing for guests.
Turkey's main beach-resort area on the Mediterranean, with large resorts along the coast and the old harbour district of Kaleiçi in Antalya. Summers are hot and dry with highs near 95°F in July and August, and the sea is warm into autumn. Antalya airport (AYT) serves the area.
Best for
Couples who want a beach resort with large room blocks and reliable summer weather.
A sheltered bay on the Aegean coast with forested hills and boat trips. Summer climate is very similar to Antalya, with highs near 95°F, and winters are wetter. Most guests arrive via Dalaman (DLM) airport, then transfer by road.
Best for
Couples who want a quieter bay setting and boat excursions for guests.
Plan Your Date
| Month | Avg Temp | Rainfall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Seville 43-61°F, Lisbon 46-59°F, Antalya 43-59°F | Seville 56 mm, Lisbon 97 mm, Antalya 211 mm | Wettest stretch in all three regions. Tenerife stays mild. |
| February | Seville 45-65°F, Lisbon 47-62°F, Antalya 44-61°F | Seville 46 mm, Lisbon 74 mm, Antalya 113 mm | Cool and changeable. Istanbul is colder still. |
| March | Seville 49-71°F, Lisbon 51-66°F, Antalya 47-65°F | Seville 47 mm, Lisbon 66 mm, Antalya 94 mm | Warming up. Rain becomes less frequent late in the month. |
| April | Seville 53-75°F, Lisbon 53-69°F, Antalya 52-71°F | Seville 52 mm, Lisbon 75 mm, Antalya 63 mm | Comfortable highs in Seville. Popular for spring ceremonies. |
| May | Seville 59-83°F, Lisbon 59-74°F, Antalya 60-80°F | Seville 34 mm, Lisbon 48 mm, Antalya 37 mm | Warm days. Marbella highs are near 72°F (1981 to 2010 data), Seville is hotter. |
| June | Seville 65-91°F, Lisbon 66-79°F, Antalya 68-89°F | Seville 6 mm, Lisbon 27 mm, Antalya 10 mm | Hot in Seville. Marbella highs are near 77°F, so coastal ceremonies are more comfortable. |
| July | Seville 69-97°F, Lisbon 69-83°F, Antalya 74-95°F | Seville 1 mm, Lisbon 10 mm, Antalya 4 mm | Very hot inland in Seville and on the Turkish coast; the Lisbon coast and Marbella stay milder. |
| August | Seville 70-97°F, Lisbon 69-82°F, Antalya 75-95°F | Seville 2 mm, Lisbon 15 mm, Antalya 5 mm | Peak heat and peak demand. Plan evening ceremonies. |
| September | Seville 65-89°F, Lisbon 65-78°F, Antalya 68-89°F | Seville 33 mm, Lisbon 42 mm, Antalya 22 mm | Still hot inland, easing toward the end of the month. First autumn rains arrive. |
| October | Seville 59-79°F, Lisbon 59-72°F, Antalya 61-81°F | Seville 75 mm, Lisbon 83 mm, Antalya 77 mm | Pleasant temperatures. Rainfall rises noticeably. |
| November | Seville 50-69°F, Lisbon 51-64°F, Antalya 51-71°F | Seville 73 mm, Lisbon 121 mm, Antalya 152 mm | Rain returns across the region; Tenerife is the mild option. |
| December | Seville 45-62°F, Lisbon 47-60°F, Antalya 46-62°F | Seville 77 mm, Lisbon 113 mm, Antalya 262 mm | Cool and wet on the mainland. Tenerife averages in the 60s °F. |
Legalities
Civil marriage rules differ by country. Spain requires at least one partner to be a Spanish resident, Portugal allows two foreigners to marry with authenticated paperwork opened in advance, and Turkey recognises only civil marriages held at a municipal marriage office. Most couples hold a symbolic ceremony and complete the legal marriage at home.
A symbolic ceremony can include vows, rings, an officiant and your cultural traditions at any hotel or venue, with no legal effect. Couples then complete the legal marriage at home before or after the trip.
Spain: a civil marriage needs at least one partner resident in Spain, with a case file opened at the local Civil Registry. Portugal: the process opens at a civil registry (Conservatória do Registo Civil) at least a month ahead, with apostilled and translated documents; the registry fee is 120 euros, or 200 euros for a ceremony outside the registry. Turkey: foreigners apply at the municipal marriage office (evlendirme dairesi) with apostilled documents and sworn Turkish translations. Canada issues a statement in lieu rather than a certificate of non-impediment, and each authority decides whether to accept it.
Budgeting
Costs vary widely by country, hotel, season and guest count, and most European hotels price weddings per event rather than as all-inclusive packages, so DreamWed prepares a quote from the specific property.
Venue and catering
Priced per event and per guest by each hotel.
Varies
Guest rooms
Depends on hotel, season and length of stay; most European hotels are room-only or bed and breakfast.
Varies
Civil registry (Portugal)
Process and registration fee, higher for a ceremony outside the registry.
120 to 200 euros
Flight estimates are indicative only. Airfare varies by season, route, departure city, and how far ahead you book, and is not included in our planning fees or resort packages. We help your group secure the best available fares closer to your travel dates.
Getting There
Seville and Andalusia inland. Direct service from Canada is limited, so most guests connect in Europe.
Marbella and the Costa del Sol. Roughly a one hour transfer to Marbella (approximate, confirm with hotel).
South Tenerife resort coast.
Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais and the Lisbon coast. Roughly 30 to 60 minutes by road depending on traffic and destination (approximate).
Istanbul (European side) and the main international hub for connections to Antalya and Dalaman.
Istanbul (Asian side). Mostly short-haul and low-cost carriers.
Antalya and Belek. Roughly 30 to 45 minutes by road to Belek (approximate).
Marmaris and the Aegean coast. Roughly 1.5 hours by road to Marmaris (approximate).
Where to Stay
The properties we book for weddings in Europe, grouped by where they are. Use the arrows on any photo to see more of a resort.
Four Seasons · 2–200 guests
A 65-room Four Seasons in a restored early 20th century neoclassical building in Sultanahmet, steps from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, with a courtyard garden and rooftop terrace for celebrations.
The Ritz-Carlton · 2–450 guests
A 239-room Ritz-Carlton tower above the Bosphorus in the Dolmabahce area, with a divisible ballroom for up to 650 guests, a rooftop pool terrace and Nobu on site.
Swissôtel · 2–800+ guests
A 567-room Swissôtel beside Dolmabahce Palace with Bosphorus views, historic gardens, and a 1,000-guest ballroom plus a garden for up to 800.
W Hotels · 2–70 guests
A 140-room W Hotel in the restored 1870s Akaretler Row Houses beside Dolmabahce Palace, with small event studios, a secret garden and the W Lounge.
Kempinski · 2–300 guests
A Seljuk-style, beachfront all-inclusive hotel in Belek with 175 rooms, suites and villas, set between two championship golf courses and run with an in-house wedding planner.
Rixos · 2–800+ guests
A large Accor-run Rixos all-inclusive resort in Belek with roughly 700 rooms, suites and villas, eight restaurants, a private beach and a Diamond Hall for large events.
Maxx Royal · 2–650 guests
An ultra all-inclusive Belek golf resort of suites and villas with a Colin Montgomerie course, a large convention centre and halls seating up to 650 at a banquet.
Limak · 2–650 guests
A family-oriented ultra all-inclusive resort in Belek of about 373 rooms with a pier beach and two large halls, Galaxy I and Limra, that hold up to 1,000 for a reception.
Luxury Collection · 2–320 guests
A 148-room landmark opened in 1928 beside the Royal Alcázar and Seville Cathedral, with Moorish and Andalusian interiors, gardens and an outdoor pool.
Gran Meliá · 2–200 guests
A 178-room landmark in central Seville built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, with a modernist dome, a rooftop pool and Gran Meliá service.
Where to Say I Do
Browse by setting, or jump straight to the largest spaces.
Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul · up to 800+ guests
Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul · up to 800 guests
Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort · up to 650 guests
Penha Longa Resort · up to 650 guests
Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora · up to 550 guests
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace · up to 500 guests
Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora · up to 500 guests
Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul · up to 480 guests
The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul · up to 450 guests
Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville · up to 320 guests
Kempinski Hotel The Dome Belek · up to 300 guests
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace · up to 300 guests
Essential Information
Good to Know
It depends on the country. Spain requires one partner to be a Spanish resident, Portugal allows two foreigners to marry with paperwork opened in advance, and Turkey allows a civil marriage at a municipal office. Most couples hold a symbolic ceremony and sign the legal paperwork at home.
No visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Check passport validity (three months beyond departure for Spain and Portugal, 150 days from entry for Turkey) and the EU ETIAS requirements before travel.
Belek in Turkey and Tenerife in Spain have resorts with ballrooms for several hundred guests, and Istanbul has hotel ballrooms that seat over 1,000. Seville and Sintra suit smaller, more historic celebrations.
April to June and September to October are the most comfortable. Tenerife is mild through the winter, while Seville and the Turkish coast are very hot in July and August.
The Government of Canada advises a high degree of caution for Turkey and warns against travel to areas near the Iraq and Syria borders and certain southeastern provinces. Resort regions on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts are far from those areas. Guests should read the current advisory and consider travel insurance.
Most guests connect through a European hub to Seville, Málaga, Lisbon, Tenerife, Istanbul or Antalya. We check current routes when we plan a room block.
