If you like the idea of walking barefoot down the aisle, or seeing glistening waves in the background of your ceremony, then a beach wedding might be just right for you. And what better place to do it than in the sunny Costa del Sol?
In this guide, you can learn how you can get your dream beach wedding in Spain. Draw inspiration from a couple who chose to say their “I do’s” on a beach in Marbella, and get help to start planning your special day.
RULES FOR A BEACH CEREMONY IN THE SAND
Most couples opting for a beach wedding imagine having their ceremony on the actual sand. This is totally doable, but it is not as straightforward as just showing up on the day and setting up your aisle. Most importantly, there are two things you need to be aware of:
1. BEACHES IN SPAIN ARE PUBLIC
The beaches in Spain are open to the public all year round and you won’t be able to “reserve” the beach for your event. This means that if you don’t plan well, you might end up having your wedding in the middle of a crowded tourist spot. In order to enjoy a ceremony that is as intimate and secluded as possible, you need to consider:
- The timing: By choosing your date and time of day wisely, you can avoid peak seasons when the beaches will be filled with sunbathing tourists.
- The venue: There are beaches all along the coast so you won’t need to choose the spot that is the biggest tourist attraction.
Don’t choose a venue that is too secluded, as you need to ensure that guests can easily find and access it.
2. YOU NEED A LICENSED VENUE
If you want to have your wedding ceremony at the beach, you can’t just show up on the day and set up. You actually need a specific license to celebrate the ceremony on the sand, since it is public property. This means that you can’t just choose any spot, but not to worry, as there are plenty of beach-side venues that have all the required paperwork in place.
You can choose from stunning hotels, restaurants and more that have the needed license in place – as well as chairs and everything else needed, catering for after the ceremony, etc.
BEST RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A BEACH WEDDING
A beach wedding in Spain can be an amazing experience for both you and your guests, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure it becomes as perfect as possible.
CHOOSE YOUR DATE WISELY
When deciding on your date, you need to take tourism and the weather into account. You probably imagine a nice, summery day with the blue water washing into the bright sand, and luckily Spain has a lot of sunny days to choose from. But you will want to hit a sweet spot where it is bright and sunny, without it being too hot or touristy.
To get this, weekdays in May or October are your best options. You will be able to enjoy a comfortable temperature and natural light, without the beaches being full of tourists and locals alike. In general, weekends are not ideal as the beaches tend to be more crowded, and the months from June to September are peak tourist seasons.
Even though May and October normally boast beautiful weather, it is also important to always have a plan B, should the weather turn. You (probably) don’t want a beach wedding in the rain!
KEEP COOL
On the beach, you might experience a slight breeze from the sea, but there won’t be a lot of natural shade. This can make it very hot for both you and your guests. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to ensure comfort – with the focus of “keeping cool”:
- Keep hydrated: Serving water or a refreshing (non-alcoholic) drink such as lemonade is recommended to keep everyone hydrated. This can be done very nicely as a welcome drink upon arrival.
- Consider relevant party favours: In addition to the drink, favours such as fans, small parasols, hats or sunglasses are great ideas to give your guests. These can be personalised and offered to guests before the ceremony – or encourage your guests to bring their own.
- Think about the dress code: A beach wedding can have any theme and style you want, but it can be worth considering a more casual dress code. Something as simple as making shoes “optional” or handing out flip-flops, can make a huge difference in your guests’ comfort.
REAL BEACH WEDDING IN MARBELLA, SPAIN
© Adrián Ballesteros
© Adrián Ballesteros
Beach weddings can have any theme, colour palette, set-up etc you like. And you won’t need to stay on the beach for the whole thing!
For Jessica and Brice from France, the dream was a rustic and casual, yet romantic and beautiful, wedding in Spain. And it all started with an intimate ceremony on the sand, attended by 30 guests all travelling from France.
The guests here got to experience a beautiful ceremony with the Mediterranean as a backdrop. The beach ceremony fittingly included a sand ritual – the act of pouring sand from separate vessels into a unified one as a representation of two people becoming together in marriage.
After the ceremony, canapes and drinks at an exclusive Marbella venue followed, before the wedding moved to a boutique hotel for the dinner and party. The wedding perfectly incorporated different venues, letting guests experience different aspects of Spain from day to night.
© Daniel Peinado
NEXT STEPS TO PLAN YOUR BEACH WEDDING
If you are feeling inspired to plan your beach wedding in Spain, you should start by thinking about:
- Date: The more flexible you are, more venue options you will have.
- Guest list: Imagine approximately how many guests you will invite.
- Budget: Note that the starting budget for most weddings in 2024 is €40,000.
If you find it challenging to navigate the planning and details, the help of a wedding planner can be a good idea. We at Malaga Weddings have planned many beach weddings and other weddings in Spain, and can help create the perfect day for you. Get in contact to schedule a free consultation with one of our planners and start your wedding journey.
If you are feeling inspired to plan your beach wedding in Spain, you should start by thinking about:
- Date: The more flexible you are, more venue options you will have.
- Guest list: Imagine approximately how many guests you will invite.
- Budget: Note that the starting budget for most weddings in 2024 is €40,000.
If you find it challenging to navigate the planning and details, the help of a wedding planner can be a good idea. We at Malaga Weddings have planned many beach weddings and other weddings in Spain, and can help create the perfect day for you. Get in contact to schedule a free consultation with one of our planners and start your wedding journey.
