Barcelona Weddings

Are you dreaming of having a beautiful and exciting destination wedding in a glamorous location? If so, then we humbly suggest you consider adding Barcelona to your list of possible wedding places.

Between the stunning Mediterranean coastline, the nearby mountains, and all the gorgeous architecture in the city centre, there are all kinds of places to choose from in Barcelona to make your dream wedding day become a reality.

The romantic back streets of Barcelona

Still, let’s be realistic here too. Planning a wedding can be nerve-wracking, and doubly so for a destination wedding. But don’t worry – we’re here to help with a handy guide.

Oh, and congratulations on your upcoming big day!

Why Get Married in Barcelona?

Located in the region of Catalonia, Barcelona has a mild climate all year round. Even in the middle of winter, there are often sunny days. The city combines the highlights of a European city with the added bonus that it’s right on the Mediterranean Sea.

It boasts fantastic architecture that’s like nothing else you’ve ever seen, great shopping, world-class museums, pretty parks, fabulous sports teams, and some excellent nightlife. Barcelona is also home to some of the best food in the world as a leader in Spanish gastronomy.

Stopping for a kiss on Plaça Espanya

With all of this combined, it’s hard not to fall in love with Barcelona. Just try not to as you walk through the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter listening to the gentle strains of a guitar, or as you gaze upon Gaudi’s impressive modernist works. Ahh!

Barcelona is a definitely a romantic city – so it’s ideal for a wedding day celebrating amor.

The city of Barcelona is full of wonderful places, but there are also plenty of gems to discover in the region of Catalonia as well, from the beautiful Penedes wine region to the wild Costa Brava beaches to dramatic mountains.

No matter what sort of location you’re imagining yourself getting married in, you’ll be able to find it here (and come away with some seriously amazing wedding photographs too!). There really is something for everyone.

What is Typical Wedding like in Spain?

In Spain, weddings can go on for a few days, so get ready to party!

Weddings are usually held later in the day in Spain than in other countries. A typical ceremony starts around 6 or 7 p.m., and the reception party can go as late as 5 a.m.! The ceremonies start late to avoid the hottest part of the day.

Family is a big part of Spanish culture, so it’s no surprise that Spanish weddings often involve 200 guests or more. The groom’s mother will walk him down the aisle, while the bride’s father walks her down the aisle. The people who play the biggest role at the ceremony (apart from the couple) are the couple’s godparents.

Being showered with rice and petals

Normally, Spanish brides and grooms do not have bridesmaids, groomsmen, usher, or flower girls. There will be a best man, although he doesn’t stand with the couple at the alter. Instead, he picks out the wedding bouquet for the bride and gives it to her along with a handwritten poem.

Speeches are not typically given at Spanish weddings. And if a guest is hoping to be the next person to get married, they won’t wait to catch a bouquet. Instead, the newlyweds give a set of dolls called the “Munecos de Novios” to the guests they hope will be the next to get married, building anticipation as they wind their way through the party to find the lucky recipients.

When the couple leaves the church after being wed, they’ll be greeted with a shower of rice and petals… and also firecrackers!

Oh, and there aren’t usually rehearsals for weddings in Spain. If you want to have one to make sure things go smoothly, make sure to bring it up.

Of course, you can choose whether or not to incorporate these elements into your wedding. Most venues are completely understanding of different cultures’ weddings, so there’s no pressure to have to give up any of your traditions.

If you’ve always dreamed of having your best friends at your side when you get married, there’s no problem with having bridesmaids or groomsmen. If you shudder at horror at the thought of the best man picking out your flowers, then do it yourself! Have as many speeches as you like, or have none at all.

You could add a Barcelona touch to your wedding with something like a tapas cocktail hour or a cava reception after the ceremony. Or perhaps you’d love to hear some romantic Spanish classical guitar music being played.

And if you’re coming to Barcelona for your wedding, you might as well take advantage of being in such a fantastic place. We’ve got plenty of ideas for fun days out for you and your guests to enjoy!

What About the Paperwork and Legal Stuff?

As far as paperwork goes, you’ll want to leave yourself plenty of time to get all your documentation in order. For any forms that are not in Spanish, you’ll need to get a sworn translation and have it stamped by the Hague Apostile (ask your country’s foreign affairs office for advice). Most forms must be sent in advance of the ceremony, so don’t leave this until the last minute!

Nice day for a white wedding…

There are a few different types of weddings in Barcelona. Each comes with its own kind of paperwork and documentation requirements.

For Catholic weddings in Spain, at least one member of the couple must be a Catholic. Neither may have been previously married in the Catholic church. A Catholic wedding performed in Spain will be officially recognized throughout Europe and the U.S.

You will need at least 6 months to complete all the documentation, and you will also need to contact your priest at home to talk about getting married abroad.

If you’re having a non-Catholic religious ceremony, you will need to have a legal wedding at home before travelling to Barcelona. Here, you can have a celebration, blessing, or symbolic wedding.

For civil weddings, at least one member of the couple must be a resident of Spain. If neither of you is a resident, then you can still celebrate your wedding in Barcelona, although you’ll need to get married in your country of residence first.

Barcelona Wedding Venues

You’ll need to decide on a budget, the time of year you want to get married, and how many people you’ll be inviting to help you it down. You definitely won’t be short on options – there are almost endless choices here.

Remember, unless you’re having a Catholic wedding ceremony, your legal wedding will take place in your home country. That means that a symbolic wedding or celebration can take place anywhere you like.

If you’re putting together a glam wedding, you might want to stay in one of the fancy hotels in the city. Others might prefer a “masia” – that’s a traditional Catalan country house that usually have gorgeous outdoor spaces, ideal for a rustic wedding. There are even a few castles you can stay in for something really unique!

You can get married or hold a reception in a hotel, a restaurant, in a church, a countryside villa, on the grounds of a cava vineyard, in the countryside, on the beachfront, in a palace – pretty much anywhere you can think of.

With so many great choices, you’ll be able to find the perfect wedding venue for you and your partner in Barcelona.

Other Wedding Services

You’ll probably want pretty much the same things you’d want for a wedding back at home – transportation, music (DJs or bands), food, decorations and flowers, photography and videography, and accommodation.

Depending on the type of ceremony you are having (more on that later), you’ll also be looking for some kind of officiant for the wedding.

You may want to consider make up and hair services, babysitters, insurance, and help with sound and lighting on the day of the ceremony.

A beach photoshoot can be a nice touch

Some couples also want to find dresses and suits for the wedding party in Barcelona, as well as things like invitations and gifts for guests. Other prefer to shop for these things at home and bring them over to Barcelona.

There are a range of options for all sorts of budgets, so make sure to research your options carefully. Alternatively consider hiring a wedding planner to do it all for you!

– Wedding Photography

Given the importance (and expense!) of the occasion, you’ll want to hire a professional wedding photographer to help capture the beauty of the day, from you and your partner in your stunning attire, to your beloved family and friends in theirs. If you don’t know anyone reliable in Barcelona, let us put you in touch with some experienced photographers who can chronicle your special day. Just email us and we’ll put you in touch.

– Wedding Band

You can’t have a party without great music, whether it be a DJ spinning your favourite tunes or a live band singing about love. We’re in touch with a very talented bossa nova band, with experience playing at weddings, events and festivals around Barcelona and Europe, so drop us an email if you’d like to get a quote or find out more.

The timeless sound of Bossa Nova

What About Wedding Planners?

If you don’t speak Spanish or Catalan, then a wedding planner can definitely be a huge help in your planning process. Even if you do speak the local lingo, it’s nice to have a professional who knows exactly what they’re doing take care of things to make sure your special day goes smoothly.

There are plenty of wedding planning companies in Barcelona that cater to people from abroad getting married here. They usually have teams of both expert locals and native English speaking expats, so don’t worry about language barriers being an issue with a planner. Planners will also be able to help you find services in English, from priests to photographers.

As you’ll be spending a lot of time working closely with your planner, it’s important to find the right one. We’ll have a list of recommendations for wedding planners in Barcelona coming soon!

Pre-Wedding Hen Nights & Stag Dos

OK, so the actual wedding ceremony is the most important day in all of this, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have some fun leading up to the ceremony! We can help you sort out a fabulous hen night or crazy stag do in Barcelona.