Getting Married in Spain
If you fancy hoping on a plane to say your vows, there’s one destination which has it all, with it’s picturesque landscape and dreamy islands you’ll be amazed at the wedding day possibilities Spain has to offer.
How to get married in Spain
Featuring private Spanish country houses, exclusive luxury villas and contemporary seafront platforms, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your dream destination venue. Be it trendy Marbella, bustling Barcelona, the breathtaking Benahavis mountains, the costa Brava coast, or the eclectic island of Ibiza your wedding day will be one of enviable beauty.
Why Choose Spain?
An average flight time of only 2 hours or so from the UK into Spain is an idyllic destination proximity and of course there’s the abundance of sunshine, your ideal outdoor ceremony and romantic fantasy of alfresco dining certainly suits the Spanish climate. There’s higher average temperatures, clearer skies and considerably less monthly rainfall with a comparison against the UK.
Tasty cuisine, plenty of Rioja and the relaxed culture is destined to bring a joyous atmosphere to your big day. Gaze out over mesmerising seafronts, marvel in the wondrous nature and be charmed by the Medieval backdrops, one things for sure Spain is clearly a sought-after location for dream destination weddings.
We chat to Matthew of International Wedding Planners Matthew Oliver to give you an insight into getting wed in Spain and what you need to consider;
Can UK couples get married in Spain?
Depending on the type of ceremony there are different requirements. Religious marriages are recognised as legal under Spanish law, but to obtain an official marriage certificate, the marriage must then be registered with the local civil authorities.
What are the legal requirements for UK citizens?
For UK couples to partake in a Spanish legal civil ceremony when neither party is of Spanish citizenship, either the bride or groom-to-be needs to be a legal resident in Spain for at least the previous 2 years.
Religious ceremonies on the other hand do not require a second civil ceremony or residency to take place. Catholics can apply via their local priest who can make arrangements with the priest of the church they wish to be married in. Protestant, Islamic or Jewish couple’s will need to apply through the local municipality or registry office.
You would need:
- Valid passports of both parties
- Original birth certificates for both parties
- Proof that both parties are legally allowed to get married, frequently known as a certificate of no impediment.
- Divorce/Annulment if applicable
- Certificate of residence or empadronamiento (at least one of you getting married must have been a resident in Spain for at least the past 2 years or already be a Spanish citizen)
In all cases, translations of documents will be needed.
Many UK couples opt for a blessing or symbolic service to declare their love for one another amongst family and friends during their wedding in Spain whilst undertaking the marriage legalities in the UK prior.
Advice for planning your wedding in Spain
Spain is one of our favourite destinations because of its versatility. There’s a wide range of venues and settings across the country beach side villas and luxury resorts to castles fit for Spanish royalty.
What is the best time of year to get married?
Couples should choose a time of year that suits them, ideally not too hot or too cold and a weekend where yes the venue is available but also works for them. I wouldn’t say to avoid any times of year as it is possible to get married on bank holidays. Some of our couples specifically choose long weekends so their guests don’t need to take as many days off work.
Do you need to visit Spain prior to your wedding?
This depends on the type of wedding. Each couple should check with their local contact. We do always recommend visiting ahead of the wedding to see everything in person and to meet with suppliers.
How long before and after the ceremony do you need to be in the country?
This will vary depending on the type of wedding but it’s nice to be there a few days before to acclimate and relax.
What are your favourite venues in Spain?
Our top venues right now are: Atzaro in Ibiza, Son Brull in Mallorca and Hotel Palacio Villapanés in Seville but the list goes on! We are constantly looking for and coming across new venues that take our breath away.
Expert Wedding Planners
At Matthew Oliver, we are international wedding planners and have been lucky enough to plan weddings all over Europe and the World.
We love going to new regions and venues, drawing inspiration from the surroundings and creating beautiful events. It’s what we do best. We do this by getting to know our couples, their likes and dislikes and using this information to work with them to find the venue and suppliers that best support their vision for their wedding day.
What do you love most about weddings and what you do?
The part that I love the most is seeing how happy the couple are on their wedding day. Nothing beats knowing that you have been a part in creating that happiness.
Our job can be tough and exhausting sometimes, but seeing their faces light up when everything we have been working on becomes reality makes it all worth it.
Top Wedding Venues in Spain
Wedinspire features an inspiring collection of quality venues across Spain & Ibiza, here’s just a snapshot of some of our absolute favourite’s which will have you shouting ‘I Do’ at this stunning part of the world;
This must be the place, you’ve been looking for! An incredibly unique venue positioned near Barcelona with breathtaking views over the Catalan hills perfect for your jaw-droppingly stunning wedding.
Casa La Siesta is a beautiful exclusive hire and unique wedding venue located in southern Spain. With its stylish décor, pretty gardens and courtyards Casa La Siesta is the perfect place to say ‘I Do’.
Mas Torroella, Luxury Villa & Spa, is a 14th Century Catalan manor house which offers a unique opportunity to say ‘I do’, experiencing elegance, luxury and tradition in a beautiful and unsurpassable peaceful location, yet, only a stone’s throw from the sea.
Spread spaciously over three floors and tastefully restored to retain much of its original character and charm, the property hosts up to 300 guests in their magnificient gardens.
A spectacular farm estate overlooking the ancient town of Toledo, El Cigarral is an extraordinary venue with breathtaking views across Spanish landscape ideal for private wedding celebrations.
The El Cigarral gardens are considered one of the most appreciated landscapes of Toledo, due to it’s conservation, traditional architecture, and historical-cultural origins. With gorgeous outdoor ceremony areas and spectacular lake, the estate consists of varying offerings to explore with your guests.
A property in paradise, Pure House Ibiza is a peaceful sanctuary where you can relax, unwind and say ‘I Do’ amongst an intimate oasis. Immersed in nature and secluded from the world, the retreat can host differing styles of destination weddings, from boho-chic, hippie informal or very classy but always with Ibizan-vibes.
Read: Getting Married in Ibiza & Ibiza’s Best Wedding Venue’s
The 15th century Medieval Castle estate of Cortal Gran is an idyllic spot on the Costa Brava with a collection of magical wedding spaces full of charm and character.
Cortal Gran has a wide variety of spaces to commemorate each and every moment of your wedding, such as; the imposing courtyard, the authentic arches hall, the huge great porch, the historic main arch, the iron structure temple and not forgetting the enchanting private forest and the picture perfect gardens. You are your guests will be truly spoilt for choice!
Find your unique place to say ‘I Do’
Discover more stylish wedding venues in Spain or across the world’s most desirable destinations in our Wedding Venue Finder and don’t forget to visit or blog for all the wedding inspiration you need to help plan your wedding day down to a T!