Spain Destination Wedding Guide

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Spain.

Weddings in Spain: What You Need To Know

Spain is a renowned wedding destination, boasting beautiful scenery, tradition, and delicious food.

Weddings in Spain often take place in picturesque settings like castles and wineries, providing a truly unique and memorable experience for couples and guests alike.

From the beautiful beaches of the Costa del Sol to the rolling hills of the Andalusian countryside, there is something to suit every taste.

In addition to its stunning scenery, Spain also boasts a rich culture and history.

This is reflected in its architecture, food, and music, all of which can add an extra touch of romance to your big day.

With so much to offer, it is no wonder that so many couples choose to tie the knot in this sun-soaked country.

Whether you’re looking for a fairytale castle or a stunning beachfront setting, Spain has everything you need to make your dream wedding come true.

But first: you need to know where in the world Spain is…

Where is Spain?

Spain is located in the very southwest of Europe. It occupies 85% of the Iberian Peninsula, and it also includes the Balearic and Canary islands. It has an extensive coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the north, and Mediterranean Sea to the south and west. It borders Portugal to the west and France to the northeast.

Area: 195,361 sq mi (505,983 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 47,323,000, Capital: Madrid.

Spain Facts To Know:

  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)
  • Airports: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD), Barcelona–El Prat (BCN), Palma De Mallorca (PMI)
  • Official Tourism Website:https://www.spain.info/en/
  • Driving side: Right

Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Spain for your special day:

4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Spain

Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!

But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Spain:

1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests

Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Spain or closer to home.

You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.

Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:

2. Decide on a budget

When it comes to having a Spain wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.

But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.

Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:

3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget

No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.

Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Spain:

4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details

A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.

Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Spain

Spain Weddings: Key Information

Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.

To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Spain:

  • What is the average cost of a wedding in Spain?
  • What are the marriage requirements for Spain?
  • What is the weather like in Spain?
  • What should you pack for a trip to Spain?
  • What things are there to do in Spain?
  • What are the best Spain wedding venues?

Read on to find out more:

How Much Does a Wedding in Spain Cost?

The marriage license cost in Spain is €170, including the Apostille stamp to make it legal.

Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Spain

When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:

  • Valid passport.
  • A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI).
  • Long form birth certificate.
  • If you have already been married, provide the relevant documentation to demonstrate that you are either divorced or widowed.
  • Certificate of residence for Spain or Empadronamiento.
  • Name change document – generally all names on all documents need to match (including your parents’ names), otherwise proof of name change needs to be shown. 

Other legal requirements are:

  • To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
  • You should apply for the marriage license well in advance as the process can take up to 4 months.
  • The only way for foreigners to have a civil wedding is if one of the partners is a Spanish citizen or had lived in Spain for a minimum of 2 years.
  • All international paperwork must be translated into Spanish by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first.
  • Applications for civil marriages in Spain must be submitted directly to the Spanish Civil Registry or the district court where the wedding will take place.
  • A civil wedding may only be held at either the Civil Registry office or the town hall.

Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.

What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.

Catholic wedding requirements:

  • Long form birth certificate.
  • Pre-nuptial enquiry.
  • Pre-nuptial enquiry obtained from your local parish.
  • Baptismal, Communion and Confirmation Certificates issued by your parish.
  • Official letter from your parish priest declaring that you have completed your Pre-Marital Course requirements, and stating that you are allowed to marry in another Catholic Church – Letter of Freedom to Marry.
  • Special Permission from the Bishop of the diocese in which they intend to marry, which can take up to four weeks.
  • Death Certificate of previous spouse, if applicable.
  • Decree of Nullity, if applicable.
  • There are no minimum residency requirements for a Chatolic marriage.
  • Neither can be divorced if previously married in a Catholic church.
  • All documents must be original or certified copies, translated into Spanish by an agency approved by the Spanish Consulate, and validated with an apostille.
  • It is advisable to start the process at least 6 months prior to the wedding date.
  • No documents should be older than 6 months.
  • Take note that after a religious ceremony, you have 1 week to submit the church-issued certificate to the closest civil registry, so make sure you do it before your honeymoon!

Other than Catholic ceremonie, non-residents cannot have legally binding religious ceremonies in Spain.

If you have your heart set on getting married in Spain, but are unable to meet the residence requirements, we advise you ‘secretly’ get married in your home country and then have a Wedding Blessing or so called Humanist wedding ceremony later in Spain.

Some countries make it easy for foreigners to get married, however, Spain is not one of them.

What Is The Weather Like in Spain?

The summer months in the north on the Atlantic coast are often cool and rainy, making them less desirable for beach vacations. Furthermore, the water temperature is rather low even during this time of year, therefore the Mediterranean coast is a much better option, with July and August being the best months.

Apart from the Atlantic side where the summers are cooler and milder, the rest of Spain is hot, particularly in July and August, and the heat may be difficult to handle. This is especially true of the southern inland areas (like Seville and Córdoba), which are literally on fire and feel like an outpost of Africa in Europe.

In the winter, the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea (Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca) are often mild and sunny, making these regions a nice place to visit even during this time of year (at least when compared to other parts of Europe).

Spring and fall are often considered to be the ideal times to go to the southern and central regions of Spain. For visiting Barcelona and Madrid, the best months are May, June and September.

What should you pack for your trip?

Winter clothing for visiting Madrid and the plateau should include a sweater, a down jacket, and an umbrella or raincoat. For the Northern Atlantic coast and Barcelona in the winter, pack a sweater, jacket, raincoat, or umbrella.

If you are planning on visiting the south coast in the winter time, you should bring spring or fall clothes, like a sweater, jacket, raincoat, or umbrella. If you are going hiking or skiing in the high mountains be sure to pack mountain clothing and gear.

In the summer if you are visiting the Northern Atlantic pack light clothes, but also a jacket, a sweatshirt or sweater, and either an umbrella or a raincoat just in case. If you are going to Madrid and the plateau in the summer, pack light clothes as well as a sun hat, a sweater for cold nights, and maybe an umbrella.

When traveling to Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, or the South of Spain in June or September, it is a good idea to pack light clothing, a sun hat, and a sweatshirt for the evenings.

Spain Weather By Month

Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Spain:

Average Temperatures in Spain

The table below shows the average temperatures in Spain each month:

Month Min (°C) Max (°C) Mean (°C) Min (°F) Max (°F) Mean (°F)
January 5.5 14.1 9.8 42 57 49.6
February 6 14.6 10.3 43 58 50.5
March 8.1 16.5 12.3 47 62 54.1
April 10.4 18.6 14.5 51 65 58.1
May 13.9 21.9 17.9 57 71 64.2
June 17.8 25.6 21.7 64 78 71.1
July 20.7 28.4 24.5 69 83 76.1
August 21.2 29.1 25.1 70 84 77.3
September 18 26.1 22 64 79 71.6
October 14.3 22.4 18.3 58 72 65
November 9.2 17.7 13.5 49 64 56.2
December 6.3 14.7 10.5 43 58 50.9
Year 12.7 20.8 16.7 54.8 69.5 62

Average Rainfall in Spain

The table below shows the average rainfall in Spain each month:

Month Millimeters Inches Days
January 40 1.6 4
February 40 1.6 4
March 35 1.4 5
April 40 1.6 5
May 55 2.2 5
June 30 1.2 4
July 20 0.8 2
August 65 2.6 5
September 85 3.3 5
October 100 3.9 7
November 65 2.6 5
December 40 1.6 5
Year 620 24.4 56

Sunshine Hours in Spain

The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Spain each month:

Month Average Total
January 6 185
February 6.5 180
March 7 220
April 8.5 250
May 9.5 290
June 10.5 315
July 11 345
August 10 315
September 8 245
October 7 220
November 6 175
December 5.5 165
Year 7.9 2900

Sea Temperatures in Spain

The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Spain each month:

Month Celsius (°C) Fahrenheit (°F)
January 13 55
February 13 55
March 13 55
April 14 57
May 17 63
June 20 68
July 23 73
August 25 77
September 23 73
October 20 68
November 17 63
December 15 59
Year 17.8 64

What To Wear in Spain? (Packing Tips)

It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.

We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Spain so that you can make the most of your time there.

  • Remember to pack a light jacket or sweater for the cooler evenings.
  • Beachwear: Don’t forget to pack your bathing suit if you plan on spending time at the beach.
  • Sunscreen: The Spanish sun can be quite intense, especially during the summer months.
  • Hat and sunglasses: A wide brimmed hat and sunglasses will help you in the hot Spanish sunshine.
  • Insect repellent: Mosquitoes and other insects can be a nuisance when you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors. Pack insect repellent to keep them at bay.
  • Comfortable shoes: Spain is a very scenic country, and you’ll want to be able to explore as much of it as possible.
  • Camera: Spain is truly breathtaking, and you’ll want to capture as many memories as possible.
  • Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
  • International driving license if you intend on renting a car during your stay.
  • Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
  • Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
  • First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.

Things to Do in Spain

There are many different things to do in Spain, no matter what time of year you visit.

Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:

Best Spain Wedding Venues & Hotels

With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Spain?

Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:

Wedding Venues in Spain

  • Bono Beach in Marbella
  • Cortal Gran in Catalonia
  • Aiyanna Ibiza
  • Mas Terrats in Catalonia
  • Elements Ibiza
  • Ca Na Xica in Ibiza
  • Finca Morneta in Mallorca
  • Villa Catalina in Catalonia
  • Cigarral de las Mercedes in Toledo
  • Casa la Siesta in Andalusia
  • La Esperanza Granada

Hotels in Spain

  • Only YOU Hotel Málaga
  • ICON Malabar – Málaga
  • Petit Palace Vargas – Seville
  • Catalonia Gran Vía Bilbao
  • Eurostars Guadalquivir – Seville
  • Hotel Liabeny – Madrid
  • Catalonia Plaza Mayor – Madrid
  • 7 Islas Hotel – Madrid
  • ME Barcelona
  • Hotel Granvia – Barcelona
  • Hotel Jazz – Barcelona
Check out the full list here: 60+ Wedding Destination around the World

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