GETTING MARRIED IN SPAIN

THE LEGALITIES:
     Weddings in Spain all require a civil ceremony first at which the couple become husband and wife in the eyes of Spanish law.
     This civil marriage requires at least one of the couple to have Spanish residency. Even when this is the case, it is not an easy way to proceed – you will certainly need a person who is a fluent Spanish speaker to make the arrangements with the local Ayuntamiento (Town Hall).
     If this does become a realistic option then the civil ceremony can take place at the Town Hall or possibly even at the venue for the religious ceremony. In the latter case it can come immediately before the church service.
     If neither of the couple fall into the above category than a civil ceremony is required by British law in a UK Registry Office or even in Gibraltar.
     Before proceeding with the church service we shall need to have sight of the marriage certificate.

THE SERVICE OF BLESSING:
     For this we follow the Order of Service authorised by the Church of England of which we in this Diocese in Europe are a part.
     In practice, this means that it is clearly a Christian ceremony which seeks God´s blessing on the union of a newly married couple.
     The service, in English, incorporates much of a Marriage Service – hymns and music, bridesmaids, blessing of rings etc. The only clear omission is the exchange of vows as this has to be a part of the civil ceremony. However, there is a point at which the couple re-affirm that promise.
     In short, we can promise you a memorable and enjoyable Service of Blessing. We take a lot of trouble in preparing for, and conducting such a service, and will try to accommodate your particular requests if at all possible.
     In almost all cases we will arrange a rehearsal a day or two before the service to ensure that all goes well on the day.
     Here are some points you will need to consider –

FIXING THE DATE:
Please contact us as soon as you can to ensure that the date and time are possible and put in our diary. We have had cases where couples have arranged things for a reception assuming that for us the timing is possible – but please do not take this for granted!
We strongly suggest that if your service is between June and September, you avoid the middle of the day as it will be very hot then – can be well over 40 degrees – and we don’t want you fainting in your posh clothes! You should avoid between 11.00 and 5.00.

ORDER OF SERVICE:
Almost always couples like to have a personalised form of printed service – please ask to see samples of previous ones to give you ideas.
There are parts of the service which are mandatory but plenty of opportunity for innovations too. It is usual to include the words of the hymns as well. PLEASE do let us see the draft before you get these printed – we are more likely to spot mistakes.

VENUE:
Ideally and usually, the service will take place in a Church building – our own church near Mojacar has a beauty of its own and is readily available. By arrangement a local Roman Catholic church can be used, and their priests are usually only too pleased to offer the use of it to us.
These days the use of a hotel or even a beach bar can be arranged (but NOT on a beach). If it is not to be in a church we shall need to satisfy ourselves that it is possible to create an atmosphere which is conducive to an act of Christian worship. After all, you are asking for God´s blessing on your union as man and wife!

THE COST:
     Please bear in mind that we only have an English church here because it has been possible to raise the funds to make it so.
     An important part of the revenue we manage to raise is through services such as this.
     At present the basic cost for a service of Marriage Blessing is 400 euros. To this needs to be added 50 euros for organist, cost of flowers, photos etc, and a further 50 euros for travel if the venue is a considerable distance from where we live.
     We ask that you will kindly pay this sum in euros at the rehearsal. If the person paying is also a UK taxpayer, then we invite you to gift-aid your donation which gives us a further 25% without any extra cost to you. We will provide a special envelope for you to do this.
     We also ask the ushers to take a retiring collection after the service from those attending.

PHOTOGRAPHS & VIDEOS:
     It would be a strange occasion if there were no photos!
If you are hiring a professional photographer you will get better pictures, probably, but at a cost!
     Ensure that such a person takes pictures which YOU want – after all you are paying! But please, whoever it is, only ONE photographer during the ceremony itself. If a VIDEO is being made, then it is often both a waste and disappointment unless the operator really knows how to do it.
     It is best if such a person were to come to the rehearsal if at all possible.

Photos on this page courtesy of www.lylemallenphotography.com

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
     It is customary when preparing couples for their marriage ceremony, also to spend some time in preparing them for married life!
     This is not so easy here in Spain when those concerned do not live here permanently, so here are a few words of guidance as you embark on married life together.
     It is a useful analogy to regard a couple getting married, to learning to drive a car!   As a couple you have been through the stages of courtship`and then engagement, and have now arrived at this great occasion in your lives as you become husband and wife. When one passes a driving test, there is a great temptation to whip off the L-plates and drive off with gay abandon. But of course you do not know it all and still have much to learn about driving skills etc. So it is with married life – in fact one could say that you never do stop learning!
     It is important that when the excitement and glamour of the marriage ceremony have passed, you as a couple can look to the future with confidence for the future.
     It is also important to remember that you are still two separate human beings, and you will not always think or act alike, and each one of you needs space to develop your own interests and talents.
     One last thought– the person conducting your marriage blessing service will want to build up a relationship with you as bride and bridegroom.
     If you have need, and some kind of difficulty or challenge hits your life, do please feel free to contact the one who conducted the service for you. Please remember we are here to be your friends and to support you in any way we can.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

Your contact person is: Canon Hugh Broad
Tel: (0034)950478432 / (0034)617779327
Or by E-mail via the access on our “Contact Us” page

NOTE: Some of our LINKS also carry information on this subject

Mojácar Anglican - Spain

GETTING MARRIED IN SPAIN