Madeira is commonly referred to as “Hawaii of Europe” or “Pearl of the Atlantic”. If you live in Europe, a wedding in Madeira will cost much less than any other popular exotic location, while the island is just as beautiful.
Madeira is a great compromise – a wedding in a warm, beautiful and exotic setting, famous for its great cuisine, while at the same time located very close to Europe and without experiencing a culture shock. For EU citizens, only an ID card is needed to cross the border, and no preparations are necessary. There are many convenient flight connections between Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport (yes, you read it correctly) and the main airports of Europe. Chartered flights are also an option.
Even couples with a small budget should be able to have a beautiful wedding of their dreams. Some hotels and restaurants, especially those outside the capital of Madeira- Funchal, offer prices per person comparable or even much, much lower than in most countries of northern Europe. Plane tickets to Madeira itself are also quite affordable, so more guests will be able to reach the ceremony on Madeira than long haul destinations such as Hawaii or Thailand. For me personally it was a very important reason [post] – I could not imagine that day without my loved ones and my Dad who walked me down the aisle.
Of course, the wedding trip should not last just one day. Both you and your wedding guests should stay for at least a few days and discover what the island has to offer. A multitude of trekking routes, flower parks, wonderful nature, beautiful mountains, dolphins, delicious cuisine – there is something for everyone in Madeira.
If you have already had or booked your wedding elsewhere, you can definitely choose Madeira as a destination for your honeymoon. It is also a great idea to take your wedding dress and suit to arrange a wedding photography session on the island. There are many great local English-speaking photographers in Madeira, so absolutely no need to fly anyone over. See [THIS] article for more pictures of engagement and wedding sessions in the beautiful scenery of Madeira.
Sounds wonderful! I am already married but this has inspired to me to look into a Madeiran holiday!