Your Complete Guide To Marbella Weddings

Marbella is truly a city for love! It’s hard to imagine anywhere more exciting for a destination wedding in Spain, as this coastal city truly sparkles, thanks to its inviting beaches, colorful architecture, and luxury yachting scene. Marbella is a coastal city in Southern Spain, part of Costa del Sol in the Andalusia region of the country, so Marbella weddings are blessed with glorious sunshine and warm weather!

This gorgeous beachfront city has so much to offer, including stunning scenery, sweeping views, lush gardens, five-star dining and nightlife, and delicious Andalusian cuisine. You’ll also find plenty of luxury wedding venues in Marbella, creating the makings of a decadent celebration!

Getting married in Marbella is a gorgeous choice for couples looking for a luxury beach destination wedding, with a priority on relaxation, fine dining, nightlife, and sunshine — this city was just made for leisurely days at the beach, champagne sunsets on your chartered catamaran, or just enjoying quality time together at your resort pool.  

If you’re imagining a romantic summer wedding in one of Spain’s most famous cities, this Marbella wedding guide is all about helping you create an experience unlike any other! 

Can You Legally Get Married In Marbella?

Couples from anywhere in the world are welcome to organize their destination wedding in Marbella — Spain is an incredibly welcoming and friendly country, even if you don’t speak much Spanish. 

To legally get married in Spain, at least one person in the relationship has to have Spanish residency, meaning they’ve lived in the country for at least two years. However, if you’re not Spanish, that doesn’t mean you can’t tie the knot in Marbella! 

If you’re wondering how to get married in Marbella as a foreigner, the simplest answer is to hold your symbolic wedding in Spain and a legal one in your home country, either before or after your destination wedding. That way, you can tie the knot legally in your local courthouse, but exchange your vows from the heart in Marbella, surrounded by those who matter both to you. It’s truly one of the most romantic ways to announce your commitment and love to one another. 

A symbolic wedding doesn’t take away from the significance of your celebrations though, as they’re an opportunity to create a unique, meaningful, and love-filled space to start your new life together, on your own terms! 

So, what do you need to get married in Marbella? For legal weddings where one party has Spanish residency, you’ll need your birth certificate, passport, and certificate of no impediment to marry, all translated into Spanish. But, for symbolic weddings, it’s much more simple! All you need is your venue and your celebrant. 

I highly recommend hiring a local wedding planner, as they know all of the Marbella wedding venues and can assist with all the vendors you’ll need. And if you’re based overseas, having someone local to help arrange everything can be a lifesaver for busy couples! 

Wedding Season In Marbella

May to September is traditionally the wedding season in Marbella, as you’ll enjoy warm weather and very little rain, and all of the city’s local restaurants and bars will be open — it’s peak tourism season. 

July and August are great months for a Marbella beach wedding, with the water temperatures beautifully warm for swimming, but keep in mind that the air temps can get very hot! For the comfort of your guests, consider holding your ceremony in the late afternoon or early evening, so you and your wedding party can beat the midday heat and celebrate in the milder weather later in the day. 

Summer Marbella weddings, however, are ideal to enjoy the city’s highlights, including beaches, yachting, and grand public parks. 

November through March is considered the rainy season in Southern Spain, but the rain is intermittent and Marbella stays open all year round (with the exception of beach clubs), so you could certainly still enjoy a wedding here outside of summer — and you may benefit from low season pricing also. 

Types of Marbella Weddings

It’s hard not to fall in love with Marbella, a beautiful blend of chic cosmopolitan energy and relaxing beachfront vibes. With a number of high-end resorts and historic villas, Marbella weddings are an excellent option for a luxury Mediterranean celebration. You’ll enjoy premium relaxation, warm sunshine and swimming, and delicious food and wine from local suppliers. 

Of course, you can always plan a more laid-back or casual wedding in Marbella, with plenty of beachfront wedding venues in Marbella Old Town, like restaurants and guesthouses, where you can host a smaller celebration — shoes optional! In summer, there are also lots of private beach clubs you can hire for a swanky waterfront celebration! 

No matter what type of event you desire, you can also make your destination wedding extra special by planning some fun activities that you and your guests can enjoy together, helping them see what Marbella is all about!

A destination wedding is all about experiencing a new destination and spending quality time with those who matter most, so I always recommend planning at least one extra special experience that everyone can enjoy together. 

Marbella is known for its yachting and sparkling beaches, so consider chartering a yacht for an afternoon cruise. Spend the afternoon exploring hidden bays and inlets, toasting to your love with cava, and then watching the golden sunset from the water — such a fun and meaningful way to kick off your destination wedding. 

How To Enjoy Marbella

The city of Marbella offers plenty of excitement for your wedding guests, with the historic Old Town offering one of the most picture-perfect areas for exploration. Boutique shops, cobblestoned streets, and the vibrant Plaza de los Naranjos are ideal for photography too! 

I also highly recommend visiting the ornate Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacion church and Calle Carmen, one of Old Town’s prettiest streets, decked out in colorful carnations, and white and gold stylings on the iconic Spanish residences. 

Of course, after exploring the Old Town, be sure to spend time relaxing on Marbella’s famous beaches! Some of the best to visit include Playa Cabopino, Playa de Alicate, and Playa de la Fontanilla, each offering wide, sandy beaches and beautifully inviting water, ideal for a refreshing swim on a hot summer day!

It’s also fun to explore the Marbella food scene or incorporate beloved local dishes into your wedding menu, like gambas al pilpil, gazpacho, and ensalada Malagueña. Costa del Sol cuisine is refreshing and delicious, using many local delicacies from the sea to create flavorful meals that aren’t too heavy on a warm day. But being such a diverse city, you can also find cuisine from all over the world in Marbella. 

The Best Wedding Venues In Marbella For Your Beautiful Day 

Whether you’re searching for large or small wedding venues in Marbella, you can find many incredible options for your beautiful event. I can highly recommend these venues, as they’re romantic, offer exceptional cuisine and hospitality, and have plenty of gardens, beaches, and elegant architecture — the ideal photo backdrop for dreamy Marbella weddings!

Finca la Concepcion

Finca la Concepcion is one of the finest wedding venues near Marbella — it’s only a short drive from Puerto Banus. The property features a grand historic brick building, which was once the first foundry in Spain, but also plenty of jaw dropping outdoor spaces for unique, luxurious Marbella weddings.

With a capacity for up to 500 guests, a Finca la Concepcion wedding is a great choice for large celebrations where only the best will do. With soaring palm trees, opulent fountains, spacious tropical gardens, and lots of privacy, you’ll have sole use of the venue and you can really design your beautiful wedding just as you’ve imagined it. 

As far as outdoor wedding villas in Marbella go, this is one of my favorites, as it’s just so romantic and offers a quintessential Southern Spain style for your wedding photography. 

At night, the entire space becomes a nocturnal fairytale, with sparkling tea lights illuminated throughout the property. And while there’s no accommodation on site, there are plenty of hotels and B&Bs just minutes away, along with a taxi rank, so it’ll be easy for your guests to get home after a night full of celebrations and merriment. 

As one of Southern Spain’s most iconic wedding destinations, I highly encourage you to book early, so you don’t miss out on your preferred date. 

Molino Del Duque

You’re going to love the relaxing oasis that is Molino Del Duque! Originally built as a flour mill in the 18th century, it’s now a grand luxury estate available for sole-use rentals, Located in the coastal town of Manilva, just a short drive from Marbella, there’s accommodation on site too, for up to 12 people, if you and the wedding party wish to stay at the property. 

The charming architecture of this venue really channels Southern Spain, with tall palms, pale pastels, and terracotta tiling. I also love the inviting swimming pool and impressive gardens and patios, the perfect spots for a sunset cocktail before celebrating into the evening. The experienced team here specializes in premium Marbella weddings and can organize everything you need for your day, including a local catering company.

You can set up a dance floor, dining, and entertainment in the main courtyard, ideal for enjoying those balmy Costa del Sol evenings as you party into the night under the moonlight. The spaces can also be tailored to your event size, whether you’re hosting hundreds of guests or prefer a smaller, intimate ceremony with just those who matter most. Molino Del Duque offers gorgeous luxury, but with that casual elegance that Spain is known for. 

As your Marbella wedding photographer, we’ll make full use of all the stunning locations here, so your Molino Del Duque wedding photos will be light, effortless, and will just ooze romance! 

Finca Cortesin

Just a 30-minute drive from Marbella, the luxury resort of Finca Cortesin feels a million miles away from the hustle of the city — it’s a beautiful hotel and resort that makes a fantastic choice for a destination wedding. 

This location is truly an oasis of calm, with whitewashed walls, a huge swimming pool and beach club, and lots of lux amenities, including a spa, golf course, and private beach club. If you’re dreaming of an exclusive venue that can provide the ultimate luxury for you and your guests, then a Finca Cortesin wedding could be ideal for your celebrations. With exceptional, personalized service, you can design your dream event here — imagine a premium poolside reception, everything draped in flowers and greenery, a private garden ceremony, and romantic wedding photos, the rolling hills of Southern Spain framing your gorgeous images. 

You’ll love spending a few days here, with the resort’s Andalusian architecture designed to evoke tranquility and calm. Each of the suites is spacious, with tasteful contemporary decor, Juliet balconies, and thoughtful touches like fresh flowers and a relaxing color palette. 

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I’m so excited to help you plan your celebrations in this beachfront paradise! As your destination wedding photographer in Marbella, I know the city well and can recommend both iconic and secret spots for your images, ensuring the beautiful memories of your special day stay with you forever. Let’s connect to discuss your Southern Spain wedding photography and I can’t wait to get to know you.