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FAQ's
How do I know my deposit's safe with you?
It's true that there has been the occasional case of fraud commited against couples who send their payments for a wedding ceremony, only to find that the person has disappeared with their money. So please, just be aware.
There are an increasing number of people offering their services as a celebrant, especially due to the current situation. Their prices may be cheaper but please, please, please, before booking make sure they are well established, experienced and have a Facebook page with independent reviews posted by real people.
I have been established for nearly 10 years on the Costa del Sol and have over 60 independent reviews on my facebook page , ALL 5 out of 5 I am proud to say! And over 260 fantastic reviews on my testimonials page. So you can put your full trust in me!
Can I legally get married in Spain?
Getting married in Spain is complicated legally. It is possible to marry civilly in Spain, but a proof of local residency of a minimum of 2 years is required (called a Empadronamiento in Spanish). Application for a civil marriage must be made at the Civil Registry in the place where the couple reside in Spain. 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 their 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 signing with no family and friends. If you look at this as just completing your paperwork and the Ceremony in Spain is your actual wedding day.
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!
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 would like to, but it is not a requirement! Whatever suits you! 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! So no stress!
How long does the ceremony last?
This depends on the content you wish to include e.g. reading(s), rituals, songs etc. Some last 20 minutes, others 40 minutes (Spanish or Irish weddings tend to like longer). On average, though, a ceremony is approx. 25 minutes. But this can be shorter or longer depending on your requirements.
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.
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 if you wish - 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.
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. It’s 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 you and will be totally sincere. The ceremony could follow a traditional Church Ceremony with the religious parts replaced with readings and vows or it could be a light-hearted ceremony with humorous readings and vows. There is great flexibility.
Can I include a symbolic ceremony / ritual?
Yes these are lovely! If you wish you can include a symbolic unity ceremony / ritual such as Unity Candles, Sand Ceremonies, Hand fasting, Passing of the rings, Rose ritual etc.
Please see the my rituals page. If you have children it’s a fantastic way to include them – I highly recommend the sand ritual as they enjoy pouring this in and you get some fantastic photos!
Or the wine ceremony if you fancy a glass of wine during your ceremony!! Or the Quaich ritual includes whiskey!
A family member / friend has passed away, can we remember them in our ceremony?
Yes absolutely! If you want to remember a loved one a memory candle can be lit (I can supply this for free) and/or a poem read.
Or you could also include a photo / keepsake of them on the altar table.
Do we have to read out our own wedding vows during the ceremony? I don’t wish to speak in front of everyone!
Not if you don’t want to! You can choose from any of the vows I email you. Some you simply say “I do” or “I will” after each vow. Some are repeat after me. You can choose whichever suits you best: from traditional to humorous.
Of course, if you wish to write and read your own personal vows to each other I will help you with this every step of the way. I have examples and help with personal vows that I would email you.
Can I include readings / poems in my ceremony?
Yes of course, I encourage it!
You can include as many readings as you wish – romantic / traditional / popular or more humorous or sentimental. This is a great way to include a friend or family member in your ceremony. They can even choose to write something personal for you. Or email me their reading which is a surprise for you for the day.
I have many examples I can email you if you need some inspiration!
Can I include music in my ceremony?
Yes of course! Some couples include songs, hymns and any other music they wish.
I can arrange live music (Guitarist, Violin & Cello) or a DJ or you can play your own music through my PA system that I bring on the day.
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!! And of course we have the sunshine!
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.
Do you perform same Sex Marriages?
Yes of course! I love to! I welcome any sexual preference or gender orientation.
Legally as of July 2nd 2005, gay couples can be married civilly in Spain.
However, the same rules apply (see information about the Civil Ceremony in the first about legalities) and proof of 2 years residency is required.
Therefore, as many of my couples do not live in Spain, they choose my services for their bespoke Ceremony in the sunshine in Spain.
What types of ceremony do you conduct?
Wedding ceremonies, commitment ceremonies, vow renewals, elopements, baby naming ceremonies.
Even ceremonies on boats!
Where can you conduct our ceremony?
Anywhere you choose! As the ceremony is not legally binding there are no limits or restrictions.
You can hold your ceremony on a beach, in a private villa next to the pool, or in an Olive Grove. I’ve even conducted a ceremony in a swimming pool!!!
Do you travel to other areas of Costa del Sol or the rest of Spain?
I am based in the Malaga area of the Costa del Sol and I cover Benalmadena, Mijas, Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Estepona, Marbella, Sotogrande, Ronda, Malaga, Nerja and this part of the coast. I am happy to travel to other coastal areas of Cadiz and inland to Seville and Granada.
Please check with me for other areas and I can give you a quote or recommend someone more local to keep your budget down!
Some destinations will incur an extra travel cost. But I will always state this clearly.
Does it matter which culture I am from? Which religion I am, if any? Which faith?
Of course not. Your ceremony is not restricted to any culture, religion or faith.
If you wish to also incorporate a cultural or religious tradition into your ceremony, of course you can.
If you are both of different cultures / faiths / religions the ceremony can be a perfect blend of the two. If you are both not religious but your parents are, you can include for example a religious poem to keep the peace!!
When will you arrive on our ceremony day?
I will arrive a minimum of one hour before your ceremony.
I will have co’ordinated with your wedding planner if you have one.
I will speak with the photographer, videographer, florist etc to make sure the ceremony is set up accordingly. I’m fussy!!! ☺
I will make sure any musicians / music will run smoothly during the appropriate parts of your ceremony.
I will have a chat with the Groom(s) / Bride(s), wedding party and calm any nerves! And answer any questions and queries!
Are you a wedding planner in Spain?
My role as celebrant is the writing of the ceremony and then organising and performing the ceremony on the day. I'm quite particular about things being done properly (as my husband keeps telling me!) and see my role as doing everything necessary to make the ceremony flow as smoothly as possible. I will arrive on the day with plenty of time to make sure the ceremony area is set up to my high standards!!
After working for so many years in this job, that I love, I have experience with lots of venues and suppliers. I can offer advice and suggestions, as it is a very personal choice for each couple. I have venues on my venues page and can book these for you and you can choose the wedding menu that suits you best. I can help with the flowers, music, photography etc.
It can be daunting booking everything from abroad so I will keep you informed every step of the way. Please ask as many questions as you wish as you need to be 100% happy with your big day! Please see my wonderful testimonials from my previous couple’s link to testimonials page.
In conclusion, I'm not a wedding planner as such, but if you're on a budget or would like to organise everything yourself I'm happy to point you in the right direction and help with booking of suppliers.
We would like to book! How do we do this?
This is simple!
- Please contact me to check if I am available to officiate your wedding ceremony.
- If you wish we can either meet up in Spain, if you are planning a visit, or video call to discuss your personal ceremony requirements.
- Once we have confirmed your ceremony date then you will need to pay the booking deposit please. Either to my Spanish account or to my UK account, whichever is easier for you.
- I will then email you a questionnaire. That is detailed and gives me a really good idea of what you are looking for in your ceremony and your personalities / qualities as a couple.
- I will email info and help on vows / personal vows / readings and rituals for you to look through as a couple.
- From all your choices / completed questionnaire I will write your bespoke ceremony and email it to you for your approval. This is when couples really relax, as you will see exactly how your ceremony will go - from seats that need to be saved, to where you will stand, to the actual ceremony itself.
- I officiate your ceremony on your big day!
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I would be delighted to hear from you!
I’m here at the end of any email or call!