Getting Married in Spain from the UK: Legal Requirements, Costs and a Realistic Timeline
Getting married in Spain from the UK is easier than most couples think, as long as you know one thing from the start: the legal marriage and the wedding celebration do not have to happen in the same place. 💍
This guide covers the legal requirements, the route almost every British couple takes, what a Spanish wedding costs, and a realistic timeline, with examples from Hotel Vall Amagada del Molí, an exclusive use wedding venue in a 1789 watermill in Girona.
Can you legally get married in Spain as a UK citizen?
In theory, yes. In practice, rarely. For a civil marriage in Spain, at least one partner must be a Spanish citizen or have been a registered resident in Spain for around two years. Two non resident British citizens generally cannot have a legally binding civil ceremony in Spain.
Catholic church weddings follow different rules, but they come with their own paperwork, preparation course and parish requirements, and they are not an option for most couples looking at a venue wedding.
If one of you does qualify, the marriage file (expediente matrimonial) is handled by the Spanish civil registry, and a Spanish marriage certificate is recognised in the UK.
The route almost every UK couple takes
Legal marriage at home. A short ceremony at your local register office in the UK, often a few days or weeks before you fly out, with just two witnesses.
The real wedding in Spain. A symbolic ceremony at the venue with your own celebrant, your own vows and all your guests, followed by dinner and the party.
Nobody at the wedding will feel the difference, and you get complete freedom: any time, any place on the property, any language, any rituals.
Giving notice in England and Wales
You must give notice at your local register office at least 29 days before the legal ceremony, and you must have lived in that registration district for the previous seven days. The ceremony has to take place within 12 months of giving notice.
Giving notice in Scotland
Each partner completes a marriage notice form (M10) and sends it to the registrar in the district where the marriage will take place. The minimum is 29 days before the date, but registrars recommend about ten to twelve weeks, and notice cannot be given more than three months ahead. Scottish couples planning a handfasting should also read the guide to a handfasting ceremony in Spain.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has its own notice rules. Contact your local registrar's office for the current requirements.
EN: A symbolic ceremony on the meadow, with the 1789 watermill behind. CA: Una cerimònia simbòlica al prat, amb el molí de 1789 al fons. ES: Una ceremonia simbólica en el prado, con el molino de 1789 al fondo.
What does a wedding in Spain cost?
Budgets vary enormously, but these are real 2027 prices at Hotel Vall Amagada del Molí, where a wedding always includes exclusive use and accommodation:
Midweek Wedding, 3 days: from €7,750.
Weekend Wedding, Friday to Sunday: from €8,500, with a minimum total spend of €25,000 including food, drinks and the weekend package fee.
Extended Weekend, 4 days: from €11,500.
Food: paella night about €52.50 per person, family style barbecue about €62.50, sit down dinner from €85 for three courses.
Drinks: packages from €15 to €19 per person per hour.
On top come your own choices: photographer, celebrant, flowers, music and transfers. The hotel can introduce trusted local suppliers, from photographers and florists to multilingual celebrants, DJs and hair and make up.
A realistic planning timeline
12 to 18 months before: choose the venue and the date. Peak weekends in late spring and early autumn go first.
10 to 12 months before: send save the dates, so guests can book flights and annual leave.
6 to 9 months before: book photographer, celebrant, music and flowers. Agree the menu and drinks package.
3 months before: book your UK register office appointment and give notice in good time.
The weeks before: the legal ceremony at home, then fly out for the real wedding.
What a wedding weekend in Girona looks like
Friday: guests arrive from Girona or Barcelona airport, welcome drinks on the pool terrace, a relaxed paella night.
Saturday: ceremony on the meadow or under the stretch tent, aperitif in the stone patio, dinner and dancing.
Sunday: a long brunch, a dip in the pool, goodbyes, or a few more days exploring Girona and the Costa Brava.
EN: Wedding dinner under string lights in the stretch tent. CA: Sopar de casament sota garlandes de llums a la carpa. ES: Cena de boda bajo guirnaldas de luces en la carpa.
EN: A suite with a freestanding bathtub, often chosen as the bridal suite. CA: Una suite amb banyera exempta, sovint la suite nupcial. ES: Una suite con bañera exenta, a menudo la suite nupcial.
Frequently asked questions
Is a wedding in Spain legal in the UK?
A legal Spanish civil marriage is recognised in the UK, but non resident British couples usually cannot have one. Most couples marry legally in the UK and hold a symbolic ceremony in Spain.
How long do you have to be in Spain before getting married?
For a civil marriage, at least one partner normally needs around two years of registered residence in Spain, unless one of you is a Spanish citizen.
Can we have a Spanish wedding without the legal paperwork?
Yes. A symbolic ceremony has no legal formalities, so you can choose the celebrant, the words and the setting freely.
How much does it cost to get married in Spain?
At Hotel Vall Amagada del Molí, exclusive use with accommodation starts from €7,750 midweek or €8,500 for a weekend, with a €25,000 minimum total spend at weekends including food and drinks.
Which airport is closest to the venue?
Girona airport is about 35 minutes away and Barcelona El Prat about an hour and a half.
Next steps
See the weddings page, ask for the wedding brochure, or read why an exclusive use masia suits UK couples. Questions are welcome at frontoffice@vallamagada.com or on WhatsApp at +34 872 290 725.
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