Marry in Spain
Say your vows at a Catalan masia or an Andalusian finca. Tell us your date, and we check every venue for it.
It comes off your final price, and is refunded in full if you don't go ahead.
Each region has its own venues, light and way of getting there.
Marrying in Andalusia means Moorish courtyards, whitewashed hill towns and long evenings on the Costa del Sol. 1 venue.
Marrying in the Balearic Islands means Mediterranean coves, mountain villages and island fincas, from lively Ibiza to quiet Menorca. 2 venues.
Marrying in Catalonia means choosing between Barcelona's Gaudi landmarks, the coves of the Costa Brava and vineyard estates in the Penedes. 4 venues.
What draws couples to Spain, place by place.
Celebrate in the region of the Alhambra, Seville's old quarter and Cordoba's Mezquita, with Moorish courtyards to explore.
Country finca celebrations suit the Andalusian hills, home to towns like Ronda, set above a deep gorge.
Mallorca mixes clear-water coves with mountains, the harbour city of Palma and the village of Soller.
The Costa Brava sets the day on clifftops and coves, with Penedes cava cellars and Barcelona within reach.
Guests fill the days around the wedding with the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and tapas in the old town.
Spend the day at the Prado and Retiro Park, then dine as Madrid does, from about 9pm.
Difficult for visitors: a Spanish civil marriage file is opened at the Civil Registry or with a notary where at least one partner lives, so couples who do not live in Spain usually cannot marry legally there. Same-sex couples who meet the rules can marry.
The steps, in order:
1. Check the residence rule: the Australian Embassy in Madrid says one partner must live in Spain and be registered with a local council. The US Embassy says applications go to the Civil Registry or District Court where at least one partner lives. 2. Contact the registry: if you qualify, ask the Registro Civil for your area, or a notary, for its document list, as requirements vary across Spain. 3. Open the marriage file: both partners sign an expediente application giving identity details, witnesses, any previous marriages, a declaration of no impediment and where you have lived over the past 2 years. 4. Get proof of single status: australians book the Embassy in Madrid for a Certificate of No Impediment and Certificate of Residence. UK nationals apply online to the British Consulate, and US citizens use the Embassy's statement that no US single status document exists. 5. Apostille and translate your documents: have home country documents apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado). 6. Marry and confirm the registration: once the file is approved, marry in a civil ceremony with witnesses before the registrar, a notary, or a mayor or councillor. Check it is entered in the Civil Registry where you married, then request a certified copy.
Choose a month that suits the region you marry in.
Coolest month, mild in the south but short days and cold Madrid nights.
Still cool, Andalusia Day on 28 February is a regional holiday.
Spring starts in Andalusia, evenings cool and showers possible.
Mild and green, Semana Santa (Easter week) fills hotels, so check dates.
Warm, long days across the south, cities and the islands.
Beach weather arrives, Sant Joan fire festivals on 23 June in Catalonia.
Hot inland, often above 35C in Andalusia, coast and islands busy.
Peak heat and island crowds, ceremonies suit evenings only.
Warm sea, cooler nights and the grape harvest in wine regions.
Mild in Andalusia, Madrid and Barcelona, island season winds down.
Wetter and quieter, the island high season ends on 30 September.
Festive cities and mild south, public holidays limit registry dates.
Flight times guests can plan around, city by city.
Places your guests will want to see before or after the celebration.
Walk the promenade around La Concha bay, then eat pintxos in the old town bars.
The limestone island of Es Vedrà rises from the sea off Ibiza's southwest coast, best at sunset.
The walled hilltop city sits in a loop of the Tagus, under an hour from Madrid by train.
Stand beneath the granite arches of the Roman aqueduct, an easy day from Madrid.
Ride the rack railway or cable car up to the Benedictine monastery set among serrated peaks near Barcelona.
Santiago Calatrava's white buildings rise over reflecting pools in Valencia's former Turia riverbed.
Tell us your date, roughly how many guests and where in Spain you are drawn to. Your advisor replies in writing.
