FAQs
Legalities
Getting married in Spain is complicated legally. It is possible to marry civilly in Spain, but a proof of local residency is required (empadronamiento). Application for a civil marriage must be made at the Civil Registry in the place where the couple reside. This can be a lengthy and complicated process, and most couples chose to marry in the UK in a registry office for all the legal paperwork and then have the Humanist ceremony/blessing here in Spain.
Even though my husband and myself were both residents in Spain, before we got married, we couldn’t face the painful process and lengthy time of Spanish Paperwork involved in getting married legally here. So we chose the simpler option of going back to the UK and having a quiet registry office wedding with no family and friends. We then had our ‘Blessing Ceremony’ in Spain with all our friends and family present. It was wonderful and I now have two Wedding Anniversaries for my husband to forget!!!! Although the one I count is the Ceremony date here in Spain.
This ceremony is exactly like a wedding, with vows, exchange of rings etc, just not legally binding. A blessing is a flexible event, and can be held anywhere - at a Wedding Venue, in a Hotel or Restaurant, on a beach; basically anywhere you choose!
Same Sex marriage
As of July 2nd 2005, gay couples can be married civilly in Spain. However, the same rules apply (see Civil Ceremony above) and proof of residency is required. Therefore many same sex couples choose to have a Humanist Blessing/Ceremony.
Getting married in Spain is complicated legally. It is possible to marry civilly in Spain, but a proof of local residency is required (empadronamiento). Application for a civil marriage must be made at the Civil Registry in the place where the couple reside. This can be a lengthy and complicated process, and most couples chose to marry in the UK in a registry office for all the legal paperwork and then have the Humanist ceremony/blessing here in Spain.
Even though my husband and myself were both residents in Spain, before we got married, we couldn’t face the painful process and lengthy time of Spanish Paperwork involved in getting married legally here. So we chose the simpler option of going back to the UK and having a quiet registry office wedding with no family and friends. We then had our ‘Blessing Ceremony’ in Spain with all our friends and family present. It was wonderful and I now have two Wedding Anniversaries for my husband to forget!!!! Although the one I count is the Ceremony date here in Spain.
This ceremony is exactly like a wedding, with vows, exchange of rings etc, just not legally binding. A blessing is a flexible event, and can be held anywhere - at a Wedding Venue, in a Hotel or Restaurant, on a beach; basically anywhere you choose!
Same Sex marriage
As of July 2nd 2005, gay couples can be married civilly in Spain. However, the same rules apply (see Civil Ceremony above) and proof of residency is required. Therefore many same sex couples choose to have a Humanist Blessing/Ceremony.
What is a Celebrant?
A celebrant is an independent person who supports and represents people who seek to have a ceremony without religious beliefs. We recognise that many people want to mark important transitions in their lives in a way that is meaningful. Celebrants provide weddings, baby namings, Vow renewals and elopements for those looking for a non-religious alternative to religious services. The beauty is it is more flexible, personal and bespoke.
Will you get to meet me before your big day? yes of course if you are visiting Spain it would be lovely to meet up and chat through all your requirements. If this is not possible then a chat through FaceTime / WhatsApp / Skype is fantastic and we can get a feel for each other. I will also arrive in plenty of time on your big day and come and say hello too!
A celebrant is an independent person who supports and represents people who seek to have a ceremony without religious beliefs. We recognise that many people want to mark important transitions in their lives in a way that is meaningful. Celebrants provide weddings, baby namings, Vow renewals and elopements for those looking for a non-religious alternative to religious services. The beauty is it is more flexible, personal and bespoke.
Will you get to meet me before your big day? yes of course if you are visiting Spain it would be lovely to meet up and chat through all your requirements. If this is not possible then a chat through FaceTime / WhatsApp / Skype is fantastic and we can get a feel for each other. I will also arrive in plenty of time on your big day and come and say hello too!
What is the Ceremony like?
It marks an important day in your lives and couples make this commitment to each other among their family and friends in a meaningful and significant ceremony. It illuminates important values and beliefs while giving expression to two peoples’ personalities. The ceremony lasts approximately 20 to 40 minutes depending on the couple and their wishes.
It has more flexibility and openness of approach that is quite unusual. All kinds of different situations can be accommodated. Quite often the couple choose a very traditional ceremony, merely omitting the religious elements they would feel to be hypocritical.
You can include a ritual - please click here to see more details on rituals. These include the Rose ritual, Candle, Sand, Handfasting, Spanish Arras coins, passing of the rings to name a few.
If you wanted to remember a loved one. A memory candle can be lit and a poem read. Or you could also include a photo of them.
It marks an important day in your lives and couples make this commitment to each other among their family and friends in a meaningful and significant ceremony. It illuminates important values and beliefs while giving expression to two peoples’ personalities. The ceremony lasts approximately 20 to 40 minutes depending on the couple and their wishes.
It has more flexibility and openness of approach that is quite unusual. All kinds of different situations can be accommodated. Quite often the couple choose a very traditional ceremony, merely omitting the religious elements they would feel to be hypocritical.
You can include a ritual - please click here to see more details on rituals. These include the Rose ritual, Candle, Sand, Handfasting, Spanish Arras coins, passing of the rings to name a few.
If you wanted to remember a loved one. A memory candle can be lit and a poem read. Or you could also include a photo of them.
The Ceremony expresses the couple in their own way: what to some people would seem flowery and sentimental to others may seem ideal. The extent of the commitment can vary from a sincerely expressed aspiration or hope to an outright promise of ‘until death do us part’. I would email you examples of vows to choose from and help with writing your own vows if you wanted to. Its totally up to you! I would email examples of readings and poems for you to include if you wish.
Each couple can use their own words, if they wish, to devise the ceremony that reflects their concept of marriage. Or I can help with ideas and passages and weave it into a whole with their own finishing touches. The ceremony will have a flavour that is personal to them and will be totally sincere.
The ceremony could follow a traditional Church Ceremony with the religioius parts replaced with readings and vows or it could be a light hearted ceremony with humorous readings and vows. There is great flexibility. Some couples include songs, hymns and any other music they wish: live music, music through my PA system, a Dj. I can help with all of this.
What is the difference between this Ceremony and a Civil Ceremony? it is not legally binding. Couples need to sign the legal paperwork in their country of residence, either before or after their ceremony in Spain. This is becoming increasingly popular as you then gain more freedom and control over your ceremony and Weddings are much cheaper here in Spain!!
What many couples are increasingly choosing to do is have a civil ceremony for the legal side (usually in the UK at a registry office) followed by a Wedding Blessing Humanist Ceremony in Spain. They consider this to be their ‘actual’ wedding Day, with vows, readings and music, and the exchanging of rings in front of friends and family, being declared ‘Married’. This is the path myself and my husband chose.
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Each couple can use their own words, if they wish, to devise the ceremony that reflects their concept of marriage. Or I can help with ideas and passages and weave it into a whole with their own finishing touches. The ceremony will have a flavour that is personal to them and will be totally sincere.
The ceremony could follow a traditional Church Ceremony with the religioius parts replaced with readings and vows or it could be a light hearted ceremony with humorous readings and vows. There is great flexibility. Some couples include songs, hymns and any other music they wish: live music, music through my PA system, a Dj. I can help with all of this.
What is the difference between this Ceremony and a Civil Ceremony? it is not legally binding. Couples need to sign the legal paperwork in their country of residence, either before or after their ceremony in Spain. This is becoming increasingly popular as you then gain more freedom and control over your ceremony and Weddings are much cheaper here in Spain!!
What many couples are increasingly choosing to do is have a civil ceremony for the legal side (usually in the UK at a registry office) followed by a Wedding Blessing Humanist Ceremony in Spain. They consider this to be their ‘actual’ wedding Day, with vows, readings and music, and the exchanging of rings in front of friends and family, being declared ‘Married’. This is the path myself and my husband chose.
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact me.