For couples from the UK
Getting married abroad in Rio de Janeiro
A wedding abroad that is still easy for your guests: a direct flight from London, no visa for British passports on a short stay, and one team in Rio that plans and runs the weekend in English.
From London
Why Rio for a wedding abroad
- One flight. Around 12 hours direct from Heathrow to Rio, and 55–90 min by road from the airport to our estate. No second flight, no ferry.
- A small time difference. Rio is 3 hours behind the UK in the British winter and 4 in the British summer, so guests do not lose a day to jet lag.
- The seasons work in your favour. The British summer is Rio’s dry, mild season; May, June, September and October are the months couples usually choose.
- Priced in US dollars. Our three-day package is from US$ 40,000 (60 guests), so you can compare it with any other wedding abroad.
Decide this first
The legal part, for UK couples
You have two ways to do it, and most British couples choose the second.
- Marry legally in Brazil. A marriage abroad is generally recognised in the UK if it was legal where it took place, and it is not registered again in the UK. The Brazilian process asks for apostilled documents, sworn translations and a registry procedure with waiting periods. How the Brazilian side works.
- Marry legally at home, celebrate in Rio. A register office ceremony in the UK, then the ceremony you will remember here, with none of the Brazilian paperwork.
Check the GOV.UK guidance on getting married abroad, and the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Brazil, before you decide. Rules change; we do not give legal advice.
Where to say yes
Three ceremonies, one party
In our garden among the palms, at the foot of Christ the Redeemer, or in a private garden by the sea at Grumari. The party is always at Além do Sonho, with welcome drinks the night before and an after party the night after.
Straight answers
Questions UK couples ask
Is a wedding abroad in Brazil legal in the UK?
A marriage abroad is generally recognised in the UK if it was legally carried out under the law of the country where it took place, and there is no UK registration afterwards. Many UK couples instead marry legally at a register office at home and hold their ceremony in Rio, which avoids the Brazilian paperwork entirely. Check the GOV.UK guidance on getting married abroad before you decide.
Do UK guests need a visa for Brazil?
British passport holders do not currently need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Rules change, so every guest should check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Brazil before booking.
How long is the flight from London to Rio?
Around 12 hours on a direct flight from London Heathrow to Rio’s Galeão international airport. From Galeão to our estate it is 55–90 min by road.
When is the best time for a wedding in Rio for UK couples?
May, June, September and October are the months international couples usually choose: the driest part of Rio’s year, with heat that is manageable for guests coming from Europe, and outside Carnival and New Year.
How much does a wedding abroad in Rio cost?
Our three-day package — welcome drinks, the wedding and an after party, with planning — is priced in US dollars, from US$ 40,000 (60 guests). Hotel nights are not included.
Written by Thatiane Pacobahyba, of the Além do Sonho Eventos team.Updated on .
See the venue and get a proposal for your date
Schedule a visit
Visits are by appointment, Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, guided by a consultant. You walk the whole property and leave with a proposal for your date.