Essential Tips for UK Couples Getting Married in Spain
Plan your dream wedding in Spain with our complete guide for UK couples, from legalities to venues on the sunny Costa del Sol.
The dream is simple: clear blue skies, a warm Mediterranean breeze, and a backdrop so stunning it feels made for your love story. For many couples, a wedding in Spain, particularly along the Costa del Sol offers that perfect blend of sunshine, romance, and effortless style.
But making that dream a reality from the UK requires more than just booking flights and finding a pretty venue. It’s about understanding the legalities, choosing the right wedding venue in Málaga, and ensuring your guests have the time of their lives.
Here’s your complete guide to planning a destination wedding in Spain, from the first idea to the final toast.
Step 1: Know the Legal Requirements
For UK citizens, the legal marriage process in Spain can be more complex than at home. In most cases, at least one partner must be a Spanish resident to marry legally in Spain. Many UK couples choose to complete the legal ceremony in the UK, followed by a symbolic or blessing ceremony in Spain, allowing full flexibility with the location, timing, and style.
Working with a bilingual wedding planner in Málaga know us ensures all paperwork and ceremonial options are explained clearly. They can also connect you with celebrants who specialise in English-language wedding ceremonies in Spain.
Step 2: Choose the Perfect Location
The Costa del Sol stretches along southern Spain’s coastline, offering an incredible variety of venues. From vineyard weddings in Málaga to luxury beachfront resorts in Marbella and rustic fincas in Andalusia, each setting tells its own story.
The Axarquía region is ideal for couples seeking charm and privacy, with hilltop villages like Frigiliana and Cómpeta providing dramatic backdrops for your wedding photos. For something more glamorous, consider a seaside villa with panoramic Mediterranean views.
Your wedding planner will guide you through practical considerations: guest capacity, accessibility, and backup plans in case of unexpected weather, all while ensuring your venue reflects your personal style.
Step 3: Understand the Climate
One of the biggest reasons UK couples choose a destination wedding in Spain is the weather. The Costa del Sol boasts over 320 days of sunshine a year, making it one of Europe’s most reliable spots for outdoor celebrations.
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are especially popular, offering warm days and cooler evenings, while summer brings long, golden nights perfect for dining under the stars. Winter, though quieter, still provides mild afternoons and cosy indoor venues, ideal for intimate celebrations..
Step 4: Plan Your Guest Experience
Your wedding isn’t just a single day, for your guests, it’s an adventure. Many couples turn their celebration into a wedding weekend in Spain, starting with a welcome party (think tapas and sangria in a candlelit courtyard), followed by the wedding day, and ending with a relaxed farewell brunch.
A local Málaga wedding planner Learn more about our bilingual wedding planning services in Spain.can suggest experiences like boat trips along the coast, wine tastings in local bodegas, or guided tours of the Alhambra in nearby Granada. These activities transform your wedding into a shared holiday, giving your guests stories to remember long after the big day.
Step 5: Work With the Right Planner
Hiring a destination wedding planner in Spain is the most effective way to remove stress and enjoy the process. They’ll coordinate suppliers, negotiate with venues, and handle the language barrier, all while bringing your vision to life.
A bilingual wedding planner in Málaga will also know which venues suit your guest numbers, budget, and style, plus they’ll ensure every detail runs smoothly on the day. Their expertise turns challenges into seamless solutions, giving you freedom to focus on the joy of the moment. Contact us
Step 6: Budget and Book Early
Popular wedding venues in Málaga can be booked up to two years in advance, especially for spring and autumn weekends. Early booking ensures the best choice of suppliers and accommodation.
Budget realistically for travel, accommodation, and entertainment, and remember that a destination wedding in Spain can often offer more value than a UK wedding, particularly when it doubles as a beautiful holiday for you and your guests.
Get in touch to start planning your destination wedding in Spain.
Couples sometimes underestimate just how different wedding planning abroad can be.
Common pitfalls include:
- Misinterpreting supplier contracts in Spanish.
- Forgetting to factor in travel logistics for guests.
- Overlooking the need for permits for beachfront ceremonies in Spain.
- Assuming UK-style timelines apply, when Spanish weddings often start later in the day.
Your planner’s role is to anticipate these challenges, ensuring your journey to “I do” feels effortless.
To sum it all up, planning a destination wedding in Spain isn’t just about logistics, it’s about creating an experience that you, your partner, and your guests will never forget.
From the UK to the Costa del Sol, a wedding in Spain is more than a location choice it’s a lifestyle statement. It’s warm evenings by the sea, the clink of glasses under fairy lights, and the kind of hospitality that makes you and your guests feel truly at home.
With the right planning, explore more your destination wedding in Málaga can be as seamless as it is spectacular. And when the sun sets on your wedding day, you’ll know it wasn’t just a dream it was the start of your greatest adventure.