Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the wedding?

When: Monday, July 18, 2022

Where: Forte da Cruz, a beachside fort in Estoril, Portugal

We will have a brunch the following day (RSVP required).

Where should we stay? Is there a room block?

See our accommodations page for details. We have a 10% off promo code at the Palacio Estoril hotel. Our advice: stay in Lisbon for a night or two, then head to Estoril the night before the wedding.

What’s the Dress Code?

We ask that guests conform to Formal dress; please do not show up in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. For guys, we understand that tux rental logistics are tricky for international trips - a regular suit is just fine.

Do you have a registry?

No - we realize it’s a big commitment to come and celebrate with us. All we ask is that you have fun and explore and enjoy a different part of the world!

What is there to do in Portugal?

Lots! You can meet up with us while we’re there. Or you can see where we’ve been before for inspiration. Please feel free to ask us directly for suggestions tailored to what you’d like to do.

What airport should we fly into?

You will want to fly into Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (code LIS).

How much are flights?

It depends. Low end is what we did in July 2021, $330 direct from Newark to Lisbon (about 6 hours…similar to a flight to Los Angeles). If you see something direct at $550 or lower, book it, that’s a good price. Prices fluctuate constantly, but one thing is for certain - you should buy tickets at least 3 months in advance, don’t wait until the last minute. For international travel, opposite season booking (book summer trips in winter) is usually cheapest. We will probably book our flight in January.

We strongly recommend using Google Flights to see prices over a range of dates and carriers. We also recommend booking with the airline directly instead of using a third party (this makes schedule changes/connection changes much better for you, among other things).

If you live in the Philadelphia area, you should consider flying out of Newark NJ (EWR). It’s 1 hour 30 minutes by car, but they have direct flights that are cheaper. For trips like this, we always fly out of Newark.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. And if you’re bringing the kids, they will need passports as well. We discuss this more in our passport guide. We also recommend registering for TSA Precheck/Global Entry - more on that too in the guide.

Do they speak English in Portugal?

Yes - in major cities, most people speak English quite well. You should know a few words of Portuguese just in case.

What’s the weather like?

Warm and dry. Should be low-80s and sunny during the day, mid-60s at night. Not a bad idea to pack one warmer piece of clothing you can throw on at night if you’re out and about.

Can I use US dollars?

No. You can use your credit cards as you would normally, or get Euros from an ATM or your bank. We have written up a money guide to help you out.

Can I use my cell phone?

Yes, but you likely need to make arrangements first with your carrier. We have a phone guide which walks you through the process.

Can I plug in my electronic devices?

You’ll need to buy an adapter. They are cheap and readily available on Amazon. Read more in our power adapters guide to see which to get.

Should I tip at restaurants?

Prices include gratuity, but it’s good form to leave a few Euro on the table after a meal. 5% of the bill is a good rule of thumb if you’re unsure. Don’t leave more than 10%.

What did you do on your previous trip?

Good question! We covered a ton of ground - Lisbon, Cascais, Sintra, Porto, Algarve…about 1,000 miles of driving - so we could see as much as possible to pick a venue and prepare for the wedding.

We took detailed notes if you’re curious about how the sausage was made.

How do we all stay in touch overseas?

One of the perks of our Facebook Group is that you can post there and everyone can see it in real time. So please feel free to ask questions or say what you’re up to in case you want company!

We will both have our cell phones and will be keeping our US numbers, so we can receive calls and texts as normal.

Anything else I should know?

This is a great opportunity to see Europe. There are direct and cheap flights from Lisbon to, say, Paris or Rome (each is a ~2.5 hour flight for $100-$125 round-trip). We think it’s a great idea to attend the wedding and then fly somewhere else for a few days to see more of Europe.