It is a great pleasure to us when a couple wish to have their wedding blessed by the church. Our Chaplaincy offers prospective couples an attractive choice to hold their Wedding Blessing or Renewal of Vows. Each church has its own section on the website, but an outline of features is given below. Other venues may be considered including churches belonging to our Roman Catholic friends. For more information see below.
To hold a Wedding Blessing service in Portugal, it must be preceded by a legal/civil marriage ceremony.
If you are not a resident, the legal ceremony is best performed in the UK, or Gibraltar, but before conducting the blessing ceremony, it will be necessary for our Chaplain to see the marriage certificate.
However because couples will be legally married before a church wedding blessing takes place, the church blessing ceremony is almost identical to a church wedding in England.
The service can be held at any one of our three churches, or by arrangement, in a church owned by our local Roman Catholic friends.
When the wedding blessing takes place in one of our three churches, we can provide an organist; play your choice of recorded music, and if required, arrange for a choir.
It is sometimes possible for one of our priests to conduct a wedding blessing in other venues e.g. hotel or garden, but this is at the discretion of priest who will consider if the location is suitable for conducting a religious service.
The service can be held at any of our three main churches:
The 'church on the beach' offering a stunning coastal setting.
Central Algarve location with traditional charm.
A beautiful consecrated church in superb countryside surroundings.
Other venues, including local Roman Catholic churches, may be possible by arrangement.
Dear Sue,
I cannot quite believe it has been 5 weeks since our big day!
I just wanted to express our immense gratitude for everything you did to ensure that our wedding day was the best day of our lives. Since meeting with you back in January you have been so helpful and kind! I genuinely cannot thank you enough.
I am sure we will visit St Lukes next time we are in the Algarve.
Thank you once again.
Very best wishes
Caroline and Stephen McCluskie
Thank you for all your help and advice in the run up to our Wedding Blessing and also for your help on the day itself. We really did have the most amazing day! Thank you again.
Tim and Leanne Turner
My daughter Kirsty was married to Alan in September of last year in the beautiful St Luke’s church, Gorjoes. Inside the church there is warm welcoming presence. Our 45 guests who travelled from Northern Ireland all commented on the beautiful surroundings, the warm welcome they received and especially the well conducted service and wedding ceremony.
During the weeks leading up to the wedding, I have to mention the tremendous help, advice and the very quick responses to our questions from Reverend Lars, David, Sue and pianist Mary who put our minds completely at rest. All of them attended the rehearsal the day before the wedding and we were completely put at ease. On the special day of my daughter’s wedding, they had prepared the church to reflect its charm and beauty and welcomed all our guests individually. It was a day to be remembered.
We travel each year to Vale Do Lobo and Quinta de Lago on holiday. We have had so many happy family occasions celebrating in Portugal and we very much look forward to going back to St Luke’s this year for my daughter’s first wedding anniversary.
My sincere thank you to you all. God Bless, The Thompson family. (Northern Ireland)
Praia da Luz
Boliqueime
Palhagueira
