After nine years, five children, one Piers Morgan sit-down and approximately a thousand false starts, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez have sealed the deal. The couple announced their marriage with a tantalising Instagram post showing their wedding bands. And while the newlyweds have kept the details under wraps, reports place the wedding in Cascais, the glamorous coastal town just outside Lisbon, rather than Ronaldo’s native Madeira. Beyond that, the guest list, venue and celebrations remain under lock and key. Which, frankly, feels very on brand for a couple whose wedding has been one of the internet’s longest-running guessing games.
Cascais, with its Atlantic coastline, grand villas, golden beaches and polished resort scene, is an apt place to keep a wedding secret. Once a royal retreat, the seaside town has long had a reputation for understated glamour, making it a suitably luxe setting for Ronaldo and Rodríguez’s long-awaited “I do”. But for now, their exact venue remains a mystery.
So while the world waits for white smoke from Cascais, a glimpse of the dress, the cake and guest list, we tapped wedding planning pro Radhika Nathwani, the force behind the multi award winning Radhika & You, to talk us through more destinations that deliver the same swoon in spades. Radhika and her husband and co-founder Shindy Juttla have been designing weddings across cultures and continents since 2014, from intimate elopements to celebrations well over the 1,000 guest mark. Their reputation for weaving Indian and multicultural traditions into properties that were never built with a baraat in mind, without losing an ounce of polish, is exactly what makes them the ones the world’s most demanding couples call first.
Here are six equally extraordinary European locations Radhika suggests for a wedding that looks as good on the guest list as it does in the photographs.
Sintra, Portugal for culture vultures
Half an hour from Lisbon, Sintra rises out of the hills in a tumble of pastel palaces, moss covered forests and fairy tale turrets that once drew Portuguese royalty and Byron to its cooler, cloud wrapped climate. It is a UNESCO World Heritage town built for romantics, culture vultures and couples who want their wedding photographs to look like a period film. For scale, Sintra also happens to handle very large guest lists with ease, confirms Radhika.
Where to wed
Set within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Penha Longa Resort, a Ritz-Carlton property combines historic architecture with polished five-star service. Couples can exchange vows in a 16th-century chapel or former monastery stables before moving to grand reception spaces, making it particularly well suited to a multi-event wedding weekend. The property is home to over 200 plush rooms, a golf course and seven restaurants on the grounds. “This works brilliantly for larger numbers. We’ve taken both our UK and USA clients there, and the team can turn around international and Indian menus without missing a beat. There are so many event spaces to choose from, and the hospitality is genuinely some of the best we’ve worked with.”
Algarve, Portugal for sun seekers
Portugal’s southern coastline is all golden cliffs, turquoise Atlantic waters, whitewashed towns and long, sun-filled days that only Atlantic light seems to manage. The Algarve suits the sun seeking couple, who want their ceremony to feel like an occasion rather than a holiday snap. “It is a destination built for year round celebrations, with fishing villages, hidden lighthouses and turquoise water within easy reach of every venue,” she says.
Where to wed
Radhika favours Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort to host a memorable affair. Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, the resort pairs contemporary interiors with sweeping ocean views. The 284 rooms are perfect to host a large wedding party. “The luxe property is a wonderful coastal option in the sunny Algarve. It has a beautiful setting, a variety of spaces and the flexibility to cater to both international and Indian cuisine, which is important for our clients.”
Athens Riviera, Greece for Mediterranean maximalists
The stretch of coastline south of Athens has been the playground of choice for Greek high society and international jet setters since the days of Aristotle Onassis, and it still carries that old world glamour. This destination suits the couple who wants ancient history by day, an Aegean sunset by night, and the Acropolis a short drive away for good measure. Think pine covered hills meeting golden sand and sculpted lawns that run straight to the water.
Where to wed
“Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is a dream for a coastal wedding. Set on the Athenian Riviera, the resort offers waterfront venues, sophisticated accommodation and dedicated wedding planning. With impeccable hospitality, its spaces can host everything from intimate gatherings of 10 to celebrations of up to 1,000 guests. It’s one of those destinations that does all the heavy lifting for you.”
Santorini, Greece for hopeless romantics
Santorini needs little introduction, whitewashed walls, blue domed churches and a caldera view that has launched thousands of engagement announcements. “I suggest it for the couple who wants intimacy over scale, a boutique wedding where every guest feels like part of the story rather than a number on a seating chart. The volcanic cliffs and that famous sunset do most of the work before the ceremony is over.”
Where to wed
Rocabella Santorini, cut into the cliffs of Imerovigli with an Infinity Kiosk hanging off the caldera edge and suites that open straight onto sea and volcano views. “It’s a boutique luxury hotel, so it’s ideal for medium sized weddings. There’s accommodation on site as well as nearby offsite hotels for overflow, and the different event spaces overlooking the Caldera each bring their own personality to the day.”
Condécourt, France for château connoisseurs
Condécourt is made for couples who want their wedding destination to come with a sense of history. Nestled in the French countryside, the charming commune is surrounded by centuries-old architecture, pastoral landscapes and the timeless elegance of the Île-de-France. Close enough to Paris for easy access, yet worlds away in atmosphere, it lends itself to leisurely, romantic celebrations steeped in French heritage.
Where to wed
Château de Villette is less a wedding venue than a private fantasy, says Radhika. The 17th-centure century estate has drawn everyone from Dan Brown to Tom Cruise through its gates. “It suits the couple who wants total exclusivity. Two lakes, a cascading fountain and an 18th-century chapel come as standard. You get indoor and outdoor spaces, and marquee builds are possible on site if you’re planning a larger production. It’s one of the most romantic properties we work with.”
