Ruairi & Jillian
Story
We love the warm and sunny vibe of this spring wedding along the Cascais Coast. It's undeniable that this Portuguese destination — with its coastal splendor and sweeping Atlantic views — is one of the most romantic places to say “I do” in Portugal. Add a modern hotel with a beautiful outdoor terrace to the equation, and you get the perfect setting for an intimate sunset wedding.
About the couple
Ruairi and Jillian’s big day is a testament to the beauty a modern hotel along the Cascais Coast offers to couples wishing to get married with sweeping ocean views. Our couple is no stranger to Europe, as they live in Ireland, but their love for the beach and all things ocean brought them to the shores of Cascais, where they had the Portuguese destination wedding of their dreams.
The perfect venue that made it happen
As we always say, picking the right venue means winning half the battle. When our couples share their wedding vision with us, we always picture the ceremony, the reception, the party— and which of the European wedding venues on our list would best bring that vision to life.
For Ruairi and Jillian, our wedding planner in Portugal needed to ask about specific features and special requests they might have, so she could narrow down the list of ocean-side venues. Fortunately, Ruairi and Jillian knew their non-negotiables right from the start, making it easy for our planner to find the right place.
Eventually, she suggested her top picks, and the couple unanimously chose a boutique hotel along the Cascais coast. The hotel ticked all their boxes: breathtaking ocean views, a beautiful terrace right by the sea for the ceremony, and sophisticated interiors for their indoor dinner and party. You can’t expect anything less from a remodeled 19th-century private mansion once owned by royalty.
Their Portuguese wedding planner turned friend
Behind the venue selection, the wedding day, and everything in between was Patricia, their dedicated wedding planner in Portugal. She wasn’t a stiff, transactional planner who simply checked off a to-do list. Patricia ensured that Ruairi and Jillian were involved in the parts that mattered most to them, while also giving them full confidence that every detail behind the scenes was handled seamlessly.
Cocktails, castles, and coastal memories
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed an indoor cocktail reception while the terrace was transformed for dinner. Meanwhile, Ruairi and Jillian snuck away for a quick photo session at a nearby fairytale castle — adding even more romance to their already magical wedding album.
After a delicious dinner prepared by the hotel’s in-house chef, everyone gathered in the reception room, ready to celebrate. With the DJ setting the vibe, guests spent the rest of the night singing and dancing their hearts out.
There’s no denying it — everyone had the time of their lives.
Their sunny outdoor wedding unfolding before their eyes
On the wedding day, Ruairi and Jillian were swept away by the view from their chosen venue. No number of photos could have prepared them for the breathtaking natural beauty — Atlantic waves crashing on the rocks below the hotel. Those very rocks were the only thing separating the ocean from the ceremony space, and it was nothing short of magical.
They dreamed of a spring wedding, and that decision brought with it golden sunlight and a relaxed beach vibe. There were touches of yellow throughout — Jillian’s sister wore a bright yellow dress that matched the bride’s vibrant bouquet. And the floral arch? It perfectly captured their love for all things bright and joyful.
They exchanged vows in a beautiful outdoor ceremony, with guests seated beneath a covered terrace, watching the unforgettable moment unfold against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Wedding photos
