Wedding in Spain

Enchanting, Romantic, Colourful, Energetic…a wedding in Spain will offer an extraordinary palette for you to create your perfect wedding abroad.

If you are looking for a remarkable wedding destination, blessed with a favourable climate, 4000km of coastline, a rich artistic heritage and a cuisine which is an art form in its own right, then a wedding in Spain may be just the ticket.

Why a Wedding in Spain

You will not be disappointed with the endless possibilities that this amazing country offers as a wedding destination. Spanish hospitality, delicious cuisine and a fantastic climate will ensure that your wedding in Spain is a truly memorable day.

With a huge variety of wedding venues in Spain, there is something to suit every budget. From a modern hotel in Madrid, the lively heart of Spain, a captivating villa in Barcelona, a beach wedding in the Balearic Islands, or a luxury yacht in Marbella’s Puerto Banus, there is a setting to inspire all.

Cost of a Wedding in Spain

Obviously, the cost of a wedding in Spain will vary from location to location, what time of year you decide to get married and your personal preferences, however the feedback we receive is that it’s possible to get value for money.

That being said, do not expect to have a full wedding for pennies! But, what comes as standard are a wide choice of venues, favourable weather, delicious cuisine, great wine and fabulous service!

In the initial planning phase, we suggest obtaining between 3 and 5 quotes from the key suppliers. This will provide you with a realistic idea of the options available in your chosen location and will also be a key factor in determining guest numbers.

Good to Know

• Meeting the legal requirements for non-nationals can be particularly difficult, as a solution, most couples will usually have a symbolic ceremony in Spain.

• As a non-national, there are only two ways you can be legally married in Spain:
  a). Get married through the Catholic Church,
  b). Civil ceremony if you or your partner have been a Spanish resident for at least 2 years.
• You may have a legal ceremony in Gibraltar (UK requirements to be met) followed by a symbolic ceremony in Spain.
• Several in person visits are usually required to secure a church booking (by the couple or their planner).
• Same sex weddings are legal in Spain.
• Don’t expect things to work the same way as they do in your home country. Ask as many questions as many times as you need to in order to make sure you get the answers you need.

Our Hot Tips for a Wedding in Spain

• When getting married abroad, the Grooms attire for a beach wedding or hot weather can actually be quite tricky. We take a look at the options here. 
• Plan ahead, some of the more popular wedding venues can be booked up 12 to 18 months in advance.
• As soon as you know your wedding date, book your photographer and videographer.
• For those planning a DIY wedding, use our Digital Destination Wedding Planning Tool Kit to help you stay on track which comes free when you book a 90 Minute Personalised Planning Consultation.
• Provide guests with as much information as possible. Read our Guest Information Guide, and download our Guest Information Checklist which covers everything from guests expenses, to creating a personal wedding website.
• To save on costs think outside the box, watch for hidden fees and consider having your wedding in Spain on a weekday or out of high season. Between November and April most venues will reduce their cost by an average of €1,000 and the weather is often very pleasant up until December.
• Don’t expect things to work the same way as they do in your home country. Ask as many questions as many times as you need to in order to make sure you get the answers you need.

Tips from Spanish Wedding Planning Experts

• Having activities before and after your wedding with your guests, such us private parties, boat trips, adventure or recreational activities, will make of your wedding an unforgettable experience. – My Natural Wedding Spain
• Opt for companies that mostly work with locals. The prices are lower and you will be able to offer your guests a more authentic experience. – Barcelona Brides
• I really recommend organising an Ice Breaker before the wedding. A fun and welcoming Tapas night with lots of flowing wine and cava is an excellent opportunity for everyone to get to mingle before the big day, and it will also give you the opportunity to talk to all your guests in a relaxed atmosphere. – Just Married Barcelona
• If you are a fan of Game of Thrones you can visit the locations where some of the series was filmed i.e. Italica in Sevilla (dragonpit), Castillo Almodóvar del rio in Córdoba (Casterly rock -house Lannister). – Marie Fagan Weddings
• Planning a destination wedding is totally different from a ‘home town’ wedding. Language, making and respecting agreements, cultural differences, and laws are difficult to overcome from a distance. So, the best way to avoid disappointment is to entrust the planning to a locally based, language speaking, Full time experienced and professional planner. Though DIY may seem an option, as a one time customer to the venue and vendors, you’re not able to negotiate the prices and services a professional can. – Costa Blanca Events

Real Experiences – Why did you choose Spain?

We felt that by having a wedding abroad they could create a “wedding holiday” and would be able to spend more special time with their friends and family. We chose the village of Sitges as our wedding destination and held our wedding in a Castle a little further south. We felt Sitges had something for all our wedding guests to enjoy, lovely beaches, to the historical centre with small boutiques, cafes, restaurants and night life. It is also only 30 minutes from Barcelona airport by train, and has very good connections to the centre of Barcelona.

Laura and Sam, United Kingdom

We had family who travel to Spain a lot and they recommended it to us, so a year prior to our wedding we travelled out there ourselves and decided it was indeed the perfect destination. Before we flew out to Spain, we had originally decided on Marbella but ended up marrying in the locality instead as there were so many other fantastic options in the area.

Tracy & Danny, United Kingdom

We had visited Marbella before after hearing about it from someone else who had been married there. Originally we were going to get married in Marbella but then we thought it would be nice if we could find a small village outside Marbella so our guests who would be staying in Marbella could see somewhere else on their trip. When our Wedding Planner took us to Benahavis and showed us the church and hotel we knew it was the perfect setting for our wedding.

Teresa & Padraig, Ireland

Spain Wedding Suppliers, Legalities, Advice & Tips