Planning a destination wedding in the stunning south of Spain is a dream for many couples. The scenery, the food, the sunshine—it all sets the stage for an unforgettable celebration. But like any international wedding, there are a few surprises — some pleasant, some… well, manageable with a glass of cava in hand! From beach wedding myths to dealing with Spanish vendor quirks, here’s what you need to know.
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Myths & Misunderstandings: Let’s Clear These Up!
Myth #1: You can host your wedding ceremony on any beach
Think again. In Spain, private beaches barely exist, and public beaches come with restrictions of use and regulations. You can procure your own licence at the city hall (the ayuntamiento) of your preferred location, but this will likely be an adventure on its own.
Another thing to consider is your privacy – public beaches mean public space and this potentially brings tourists and curious non-guests at your otherwise most intimate and private moments, like the ceremony and photo session.
If you imagine yourself marrying barefoot in the sand with private surroundings, you’ll need to be intentional – look for event spaces and venues that are beach front and have the proper licences. You will actually “borrow” their licence for the ceremony and then you can host the reception and party using the space of the beach club or restaurant.
Myth #2: Destination weddings in Spain are a cheap alternative to (insert your local country)
This is probably one of the most misleading statements you’ll hear when planning for your wedding.
While Spain has a reputation for more affordable living, most weddings, especially in hotspots like Marbella, can be as costly as those in Italy or France. Want the five-star experience? You’ll be paying for it.
It’s true that Spain offers a wide range of options, but don’t expect to find a quality menu for 50€ or for services to be discounted heavily without reason. In the end, as with any service and market, you will get what you’re paying for.
Myth #3: Weddings Last All Night—No Cut-Off Time!
Yes, the Spanish love a good fiesta, but noise restrictions are enforced and have become stricter over time.
Most outdoor venues have a cut off for music at midnight. If you want to keep the party going, you’ll need to plan an indoor after-party. So while you can dance until dawn, you’ll most likely need to move it inside. With very few exceptions, the outdoor venues we work with also provide the perfect inside “disco” space for you and your guests to enjoy the party until morning, if that’s your wish.
Myth #4: It’s All Siestas and Fiestas
We’ve all heard it—Spain has a laid-back pace, so your wedding will be a breeze to plan, right? Well, sort of.
Yes, Spain’s “mañana” vibe is real, but wedding vendors aren’t lounging around. They work hard, but the pace can be slower compared to the hustle of other countries, especially during peak wedding season. So, if you’re expecting quick email responses at the height of summer, prepare to sip on some patience along with your sangria. But there’s nothing like a great wedding planner to get you through those in-between emails and meetings!
Key Cultural Insights: The Planning Stage
Language Barrier: Hola, ¿Hablas Español?
If your Spanish skills extend to ordering tapas and cerveza, you might hit a few bumps when it comes to contracts and communication. Most venues and vendors have a basic understanding of English, but fluent conversations are rare. You’ll receive contracts and documents in Spanish, so working with a bilingual wedding planner is a lifesaver. Think of us as your personal translator (and stress manager, oftentimes).
Wedding Season & the ‘Spanish Rhythm’
Wedding season in Spain is all about timing. Peak months (April to September) bring beautiful weather —and slower vendor responses. In August, many locals are on holiday, so don’t be shocked if you hear radio silence.
Off-season weddings mean quicker replies but may come with limited availability. Build some buffer time into your planning and trust the slower pace.
Understand what your venue is actually offering
Many Spanish wedding venues (particularly non-hotel and non-restaurant ones) won’t include basics like tables, chairs or cutlery. Catering companies handle all the logistics in this case, but often some items can be personalised at a cost or rented separately. When you start designing your wedding, it’s good to consider all the spaces and moments.
Unless you want guests standing at the ceremony, you will need chairs rented particularly for this. And if you don’t want your vendors to eat from their hands, you’ll also need to add them to the final count. It’s not a bad thing, just something to plan ahead for — especially if you’re eyeing a venue with authentic Spanish vibes.
Vendors: Have Clear Expectations
Bringing international vendors on your team? Make sure they know how things work in Spain. For example, photographers or bands might expect to be fed at the same time as the guests. In Spain, however, vendor meals are often served after the main course. This can cause a some confusion or frustration, so clear communication is key.
Of course you can always treat your vendors with a full meal at same time with guests dinner, if that’s your preference and it usually is even better received than a random gift or a tip. In this case, you need to communicate with your planner and have the timeline sorted out with catering and/or venue ahead of time.
Other common expectations like proper sound check time, a green room or storage space are often overlooked – never hurts to get every request in writing — specific and clear will work better than acting on common sense here.
On the Day: Cultural Surprises
Spanish Feasts: More Than Just Tapas
Get ready for a culinary experience. Spanish weddings go big on food, with multi-course meals featuring local specialties or internationally flavoured dishes.
However, it’s interesting to note that coffee and tea typically come after dessert and it’s almost never available during the meal. If you need your caffeine fix earlier, arrange that with your caterer in advance. Otherwise, you’ll be waiting till post-dinner.
Long Speeches? Not So Much
While you might want to squeeze in those heartfelt toasts from family and friends, long speeches aren’t the norm in Spain.
Modern destination weddings tend to focus more on the celebration and less on formalities. If speeches are a big part of your plan, make sure to work them into the schedule with your planner. Not once we’ve seen speeches getting in the way of dinner service — and the last thing your guests will appreciate is a cold paella station or stale vegetables on their plates.
Ceremony Rehearsal? Not on your venue’s mind
Unlike in the US or UK, Spanish venues don’t typically include a rehearsal. If you want a well-orchestrated ceremony, you’ll need your planner or coordinator to step in and organize it. Otherwise, things might feel a bit spontaneous (and not in the way you want). You’ve been warned!
Regional Quirk: The Difference Between Malaga and Marbella
The Cost Factor
If you’re comparing prices between venues in Malaga and Marbella, you will be surprised at the differences. Costs can vary significantly even for the same service or provider. Why? Marbella is a hotspot for luxury tourism and often caters to couples with higher budgets. If you’re looking for the full Marbella experience, you may also want to plan pre-wedding and post-wedding events, which are common in the destination wedding scenery and can stretch your celebrations out across multiple days.
There’s more to South of Spain than Marbella and center Malaga
The eastern side of Costa del Sol, Axarquia, offers a more relaxed vibe than the western part. Think beautiful coastal views, charming venues, and delicious food, but without the feeling of “luxury competion” on every item. Want even more authentic Spanish feels? Go upwards to Antequera or Ronda and you’ll discover the inlands of the province, home to some of the best private properties surrounded by nature, olive tree groves and a tranquil pace of living.
Flexible Planning with Regional Flavour
No matter the region, the best approach to planning your Spanish wedding is flexibility. This means working with vendors who may prefer a more laid-back timeline or who prioritize nearby weddings over distant future ones.
I always create a planning timeline with flexible deadlines and tackle sensitive aspects (like the menu tasting and seating arrangements) well in advance. This gives everyone the breathing room they need to ensure a perfect day.
How to Make Your Spanish Wedding Dream a Reality
- Hire a Wedding Planner: Especially if you’re not fluent in Spanish or familiar with the local customs. They’ll handle the language barriers, local quirks, and vendor logistics.
- Plan for the Heat: In the summer, Southern Spain can get hot. Afternoon weddings? Forget it. Plan your ceremony for the early evening when the sun starts to dip, and your guests won’t be wilting in the heat.
- Have a plan B in case of rain: While we count on sunshine mostly all year round, summer showers or strong wind blows can happen.
- Be Flexible: Spain has its own rhythm, and things can take a bit longer. But trust your vendors—they’re experts, and they’ll give you their full attention when your day arrives.
Destination weddings in Spain offer something truly magical—a beautiful blend of culture, food, and breathtaking scenery. While there are cultural differences and some aspects that may not align with your initial expectations (hello, heat and noise restrictions), embracing these elements and working with a planner who understands the local landscape will ensure your wedding is everything you’ve dreamed of and more.