Simple Wedding Ceremonies in Spain

A traditional ceremony lasts approximately 20 minutes and does not include your love story. It is a bit like a registry office style ceremony but just a little nicer. It’s simple and straightforward which is all some people want.

A bespoke wedding ceremony lasts around 40 minutes depending on how many readings or rituals you may want incorporated. It is a ceremony that has bells and whistles! Your love story is told from the very start, from how you first met, who caught the other’s eye first, who asked who out and who said I love you first etc. It includes fun times and experiences you’ve shared together from holidays to life events. It is a ceremony that stands out as being memorable for everyone – it’s part of the main event and will have your guests smiling and becoming engrossed in your story and definitely not dropping off waiting for the party to begin!

This is not included within a traditional wedding ceremony however I adore doing bespoke personalised ceremonies as it leaves everyone in the wedding party finding out little things that they’d maybe not heard before. It can contain humour from funny occasions that stand out for you both. I detail what it is you love about the other along with your differences, and I can even help you write some meaningful vows or if you want to have a go yourself I can send you some ideas to try and help get your creative juices flowing!

Within reason you can hold your ceremony anywhere you want and can have it at any time of the day! With so many beautiful towns, cities and beaches in Spain there is so much on offer. From beachside restaurants, to villas in the mountains, fincas, haciendas, even castle’s.

If you do want a beach ceremony then unless it’s an elopement ceremony you are likely to need a license which a wedding planner can help with. Not only can you hold your ceremony anywhere you want and can have it at any time of the day, being blessed with over 320 glorious days of sunshine we experience each year here in Spain, you can pretty much slot in your ceremony anywhere from dawn to dusk!

I’ve had the pleasure of being a celebrant at different locations and for different couples. I believe that love comes in many guises and colours and wedding ceremonies of today should be as unique as you. When we work together it is your day, your way.

The thing about escaping to do a destination wedding is usually because couples are wanting something different to what they can get in their home country. They want somewhere where not only is the sun shining but a place where they can hold their wedding ceremony outside without any fear of rain. On the plus side it also becomes your wedding and your honeymoon – bonus! No having to even think about anything else but enjoying yourselves…what’s not to love!

Getting legally married in Spain is not easy, and even Spanish residents living here can find it tricky as Spain in general loves bureaucracy and paperwork! As a guide, to be legally married you do need to involve a Registrar, whether that be in Gibraltar, or in the UK or whichever country you reside in.

Contracting your marriage in front of the Gibraltarian Registrar is the legal part of getting married. The Registrar can only conduct your marriage at one of their approved venues with a non-religious ceremony under registration guidelines.

See the Guidance Document for Marriages and Civil Partnerships in Gibraltar

However, legislation changes all the time, so if you do fit the relevant brief to have your civil partnership here then you will need to register your relationship as “pareja de hecho” at your local council or “ayuntamiento” and take it from there.