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Getting Married in Spain
Thinking of having your wedding in Spain? Before you say I
do—si, if you’re really getting into the spirit
of things—there are some things you should know.
Thinking of having your wedding in Spain? Before you say I
do—si, if you’re really getting into the spirit
of things—there are some things you should know.
Getting married in Spain is more involved, bureaucratically speaking,
than it is here—it can take anywhere from 30 to 45 days for
Spanish authorities to approve a couple’s marriage application,
according to the UK. Embassy in Spain. Generally speaking, marriages
performed in Spain are recognized in the United Kingdon.
In Madrid, foreigners who are not legal residents of Spain are allowed
to wed, but outside of the capital, it may be necessary for one
party to be either a Spanish citizen or resident—so be sure
to contact regional officials before making any plans. Catholic,
Protestant, Islamic and Jewish marriages are recognized in Spain
and preclude the need for another, civil ceremony. In the case of
Catholic marriages, the couple is required to present a number of
documents—including Baptismal certificates, translated into
Spanish—to the priest who will be performing the ceremony.
Las Islas Bonitas
Now that you know the rules, you’ll want to pick exactly where
you’ll exchange vows. There are plenty of wonderful places to
get married on the mainland, but you might also want to explore possibilities
in the Balearic Islands, located 120 miles south of Barcelona off
the east coast of Spain. The islands are known for their breathtaking
coastlines and woodlands and their hospitable weather—there
are 300 sunny days a year, so the odds are pretty good that there
won’t be rain on your wedding day. The main islands in the group
are Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. Here are just a few possible venues:
- The operators of Can Truy—located inland, near
the town of Santa Eulalia, Ibiza—bill their establishment
as ”a very special place for fairytale weddings.” Couples
exchange vows under an arbor of white roses, set amid the gardens
of a centuries-old farmhouse. At night, if you’re so inclined,
you and your beloved can experience Ibiza’s notoriously wild
nightlife. Get a look at the Can Truy here: www.Ibiza-spotlight.com/century.
Telephone: (0034) 971 325 073. E-mail: cantruy@ibiza-spotlight.com.
- The Anglican Parish of St. Philip & St. James is a modern,
interdenominational church in Palma, Mallorca. The church says
it will host weddings for people of any nationality or faith and
can often arrange for Roman Catholic nuptials elsewhere on the
island. Check it out at eltoro2000.com/anglicanpalma/main2.htm
. Telephone: (00 34) 971 73 72 79. E-mail: anglicanpalma@terra.es.
- Also in Mallorca, in the city of Valldemossa, is the Palace
of King Sancho, a 14th century royal residence that later
served as a monastery. For a look at the glorious interior, visit
menumallorca.com/menumallorca/pages/san/htm.
The online services worldbridal.com
and overseaswedding.com
will arrange for you to hold your nuptials there.
Social Currency
Once you’ve completed the required paperwork and reserved a venue,
you might want to research Spanish wedding traditions to incorporate
into your big day.
One popular Spanish custom is the giving of monedas or arras,
in which the groom gives 13 coins to the bride prior to their wedding
ceremony. The coins are a symbol of the groom’s commitment to
supporting and caring for his wife-to-be. During the ceremony, the
bride carries the change in a small bag or has a young girl carry
it on a pillow or handkerchief. And if that sounds too patriarchal
for your tastes, why not give 13 coins to the groom instead?
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