Choosing a wedding venue involves much more than simply falling in love with a space at first sight. Budget, capacity, location, type of ceremony and accommodation for guests are some of the factors that determine whether a venue is right for the wedding a couple has in mind. This guide organises these criteria in the order in which they generally make sense to consider them and explains how each one applies to the venues within the Casa de Reguengos group.
Explore the Casa de Reguengos group’s wedding venues
Quick checklist of criteria to consider
| Criterion | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Budget | The amount available for the venue and what is included in the price |
| Number of guests | An approximate estimate to confirm capacity and layout |
| Style and atmosphere | Garden, historic building, contemporary venue or countryside estate |
| Ceremony | Whether the venue has a dedicated area for a civil ceremony |
| Capacity and layout | Whether the room or garden can accommodate the number of guests in the desired format |
| Location and access | Distance for the couple and the majority of their guests |
| Catering | In-house catering, recommended suppliers or an external caterer of your choice |
| Accommodation | Whether on-site accommodation is available for overnight guests |
| Bad-weather alternative | Whether a covered space is available in case of rain |
| Availability | Whether the preferred date is available and how far in advance it needs to be booked |
The five venues in the Casa de Reguengos group
The Casa de Reguengos group brings together four venues with distinct characteristics, making it possible to compare different styles and formats within the same group:
| Venue | Location | Capacity (seated service) | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casa de Reguengos | Vila Franca do Rosário, near Mafra, 25 minutes from Lisbon | Up to 600 guests | Garden and terrace, main reception room with panoramic views, civil ceremony area, integrated dance floor |
| Quinta do Casal Novo | Vila Franca do Rosário, near Mafra, 25 minutes from Lisbon | Up to 300 guests | Restored 18th-century building, terrace with swimming pool and reflecting pool, spacious and versatile reception room, civil ceremony area |
| Our Quinta | Vila Franca do Rosário, near Mafra, 25 minutes from Lisbon | Up to 160 guests | Contemporary and intimate venue, civil ceremony area, accommodation with 16 double rooms, rural tourism concept |
| Herdade das Sesmarias Monte | Ferreira do Alentejo, Alentejo | Up to 150 guests | 300-hectare estate, exclusive use of the entire property during the event, accommodation for up to 48 guests, personalised catering |
| Herdade das Sesmarias Barragem | Ferreira do Alentejo, Alentejo | Up to 200 guests | 300-hectare estate, exclusive use of the entire property during the event, accommodation for up to 48 guests, personalised catering |
The capacities shown refer to a seated meal service. With a cocktail-style service, each venue may be able to accommodate a larger number of guests.
This comparison shows, for example, that Our Quinta and Herdade das Sesmarias offer on-site accommodation for guests, while Casa de Reguengos and Quinta do Casal Novo stand out for their spacious reception rooms. Each criterion is explored in more detail in the sections below.
Start by defining your budget and number of guests
Before visiting any venue, it is easier to compare options if you already have a defined budget and an approximate number of guests. This figure is particularly important because capacity varies considerably between the group’s venues: for a seated meal service, Our Quinta can accommodate up to 160 guests, Quinta do Casal Novo up to 300 and Casa de Reguengos up to 600. Weddings with a cocktail-style service may accommodate more guests than these figures indicate.
Choose the style and atmosphere you are looking for
Wedding venues can vary considerably in style. Within the same group, Quinta do Casal Novo stands out for its restored 18th-century building and distinctive historic character. Our Quinta offers a contemporary and intimate concept. Casa de Reguengos combines a garden and terrace with a main reception room offering panoramic views. Herdade das Sesmarias provides a completely different setting on a 300-hectare estate in the Alentejo, designed for those seeking exclusivity and a retreat from urban life. Defining the type of atmosphere that best reflects your vision for the wedding can quickly help narrow down the options.
Check whether the venue is suitable for your chosen ceremony
Casa de Reguengos, Quinta do Casal Novo and Our Quinta all have dedicated spaces for civil ceremonies. Always check whether the ceremony area is covered or outdoors and whether the available setup matches what you have in mind for the ceremony.
Check the venue’s capacity and layout
Capacity varies significantly between venues within the same group and also depends on the type of service selected: a cocktail-style service can accommodate more guests than a seated meal. For a seated service, Our Quinta accommodates up to 160 guests, Quinta do Casal Novo up to 300 and Casa de Reguengos up to 600, covering everything from more intimate weddings to large-scale celebrations.
Consider the location and accessibility
Casa de Reguengos, Quinta do Casal Novo and Our Quinta are all located near Mafra, around 25 minutes from Lisbon, making travel easier for couples and guests coming from the capital. Herdade das Sesmarias is located in Ferreira do Alentejo, further from Lisbon, but is particularly relevant for couples specifically looking for a wedding in the Alentejo.
Explore the locations of our wedding venues
Understand the venue’s catering policy
All venues within the Casa de Reguengos group provide in-house catering, ensuring an integrated service from menu planning through to the service provided on the day of the event.
Check whether accommodation is available for guests
If a significant number of guests are travelling from outside the region, accommodation may become a deciding factor. Within the group, Our Quinta has 16 double rooms available and operates as a rural tourism property, while Herdade das Sesmarias offers exclusive accommodation for up to 48 guests, with options ranging from standard rooms to suites with private pools.
Ask about the alternative in case of bad weather
For weddings with an outdoor ceremony or reception, it is important to ask in advance what alternative arrangements are available in the event of rain or strong winds, and whether these are included in the venue hire or involve additional costs. This information should be confirmed directly with each of the four venues.
Check whether your preferred date is available
Confirm whether your preferred date is available and how far in advance the venue recommends making a reservation. Availability tends to vary depending on the time of year, the chosen day of the week and the specific venue within the group.
Visit the venue before making a decision
Photographs and videos are useful for creating an initial shortlist, but an in-person visit allows you to assess details that are difficult to appreciate from a distance, such as the acoustics of the reception room, the natural light at different times of day or the actual distance between the different areas of the venue.
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Frequently asked questions about choosing a wedding venue
What criteria should I consider before choosing a wedding venue?
The main criteria to consider are your budget, the number of guests, the style of the venue, whether there is a dedicated ceremony area, capacity and layout, location, catering policy, accommodation options and an alternative plan in case of bad weather.
Which Casa de Reguengos venues offer accommodation for guests?
Our Quinta and Herdade das Sesmarias have 16 double rooms available for guests.
What is the wedding capacity of each Casa de Reguengos venue?
For a seated meal service, Casa de Reguengos can accommodate up to 600 guests, Quinta do Casal Novo up to 300 and Our Quinta up to 160. With a cocktail-style service, each venue may be able to accommodate a larger number of guests.
Is Herdade das Sesmarias close to Lisbon?
Herdade das Sesmarias is located in Ferreira do Alentejo, in the Alentejo region, further from Lisbon than Casa de Reguengos, Quinta do Casal Novo and Our Quinta, which are all located near Mafra.
