Javea-Organisers

There are many different rules and by-laws in various towns and these can change regularly. For this reason we always have to obtain the most recent information in the Town where you want your wedding before we can advise you on the procedure, types of venue, and paperwork.

A Civil wedding in the Costa Blanca is conducted in Spanish by the Mayor or the Council officer authorised for that Town. In some Towns- an English speaking Officiator is available. Some of them offer a Spanish/English translator.

Two witnesses ( not related) are required.

Outdoor Civil Weddings in the Costa Blanca

These are allowed in certain Public areas- with permission of the Town Hall and payment of a fee e.g.You can have your Civil Wedding at Moraira Castle on the sea front ( as seen below) , Santa Pola castle, and at Xativa Castle near Valencia.

Moraira Castle for Weddings

Other outdoor legal Weddings can be held in any venue, on private premises or land - where the Town Hall agrees.

Civil Weddings in a Hotel, Restaurant or Villa in Spain

In some areas weddings in Hotels, Restaurants & Villas are not approved as yet, so the wedding is held in the Town Hall Registry Office. However, some councils are changing their ideas and rules- so at the time of your enquiry, the up to date information is checked in the area in which you request to be married. Certain Towns now state that you can have a Civil Marriage in a Holte or other venue that they agree to.

Civil Weddings on a Beach in the Costa Blanca

A few Councils will allow beach legal weddings in this area. Again, rules are changing so we check up to date information for your area of choice.

Same sex Civil Weddings

Same sex Civil weddings are legal since June 2005- as equal rights for everyone in Spain.

Dec. 13 2007 - UK Civil Partnerships are now recognised in Spain.

However, the application of the law varies from town to town. Some Councils are still reluctant to comply, so it is important that we obtain the most recent information regarding the current situation when clients contact us with a Town in mind for their marriage.

In the Costa Blanca area many Towns have already held same sex weddings, and other places are expected to follow suit before too long.

None of the Churches in Spain will agree to same-sex weddings, therefore they will only be at Civil Registry Offices or another venue, depending on the Town and what they will allow.

Catholic Weddings in the Costa Blanca

These are legal marriages and allowed if you are a practising Catholic - you do not have to be registered as living in Spain. A pre-wedding ( pre- caña) Course of about 6 hours is required in your own Country or in Spain. If one of the couple is not a Catholic, then dispensation is required from your Church. You cannot be divorced.

Many of the beautiful Catholic churches as seen here allow you to bring your own Priest. Although you do not have to live here in Spain, some Priests now prefer that you have family living here and they attend the Church.

Those that live here need to have at least one of the couple with a minimum of 2 years registration in Spain.

After the wedding you have to register with the Civil Registry here after the marriage to obtain the 'Libro de Familia' - so it is legal in the UK and elsewhere.

Arras- 13 Gold Coins ceremony

Some Catholic Churches offer incorporation of this old tradition into a wedding ceremony. Thirteen gold coins (arras) are given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying his willingness to support and care for her.

These are usually presented in ornate boxes or on a gift tray, and represents the brides dowry and good wishes for prosperity. The coins become a part of the family heirloom.

The coins are available from us at a very reasonable price - but are, of course, not real gold. Genuine gold ones are also available if requested.

Documentation for Civil Marriages

Paper work can be very slow and confusing! Although many articles and websites state up to 6 weeks- we know from experience it can take many months. Bear in mind that some of the Town Halls here close for parts of August and many businesses, including Lawyers, have the whole month of August on holiday.

You can organise the paperwork yourselves. It is quite costly. Personal application is required. We can assist and you can also use the services of a good Lawyer for a fixed fee.

Documentation for Catholic Marriages

Catholic marriage documentation can take many months.

Much of the paperwork is as above, but your own Priest and church will advise of their procedure and we can assist. Visit your own Parish Priest at least 9 months prior to your date.You need to complete a pre- marriage course in your own Country or here in Spain.

WEDDING BLESSINGS IN THE COSTA BLANCA

A much easier and less expensive alternative to being married legally in Spain is for the couple to have a wedding in their own Country, or if you are British -a visit to Gibraltar or to travel elsewhere to be married, then have a full 'white' blessing ceremony and reception here.

If you require - the ceremony can be very similar to a real legal wedding- guests would not know the difference.

Wedding Blessings in Churches in the Costa Blanca

Catholic Church Blessings are not normally allowed as in any Country.

The Anglican Church states -

"A legal wedding here or in the couple's own country can be followed by a wedding blessing, normally in one of our 8 churches. The second event should follow the first, as soon as is conveniently possible. It is not possible to hold a wedding blessing for a marriage which has already taken place in church.

Those eligible for a wedding blessing will include at least one of the couple being resident here; or at least one of their parents. We are unable to provide this service for those with holiday homes, or parents with a holiday home, or for visitors just for the occasion. Whilst a prior divorce is not necessarily an impediment, we cannot perform a blessing for those unable to marry again in another Christian denomination; nor are we merely an English-speaking Church for those who are not Anglican."

Other types of churches vary on their stance and have to be consulted at the time.

Wedding Blessings in Private Villas, Hotels,other venues

Not a problem, no regulations- a local Minister or other suitable person may conduct the ceremony. For this religious blessing Couples must provide a photocopy of their marriage certificate on first meeting with the Minister. They must have been married legally prior to the blessing ceremony.

Wedding Blessings on a beach

Certain areas will allow a blessing on a beach , and there are private beaches that may be used - such as those belonging to a Hotel.

Wedding Blessing in an inflatable church

If you have spacious grounds why not make your blessing the most spectacular event! Hire the amazing inflatable church. The attention to detail is heavenly - complete with plastic "stained glass" windows and airbrush artwork which replicates the traditional church.

Inside the church has an inflatable organ, altar, pulpit, pews, candles and a gold cross. Even the doors are flanked by air-filled angels. Set up in just two hours- and dismantled in less than one hour. No problem with high heeled shoes either.

Same sex Blessings in the Costa Blanca

Following a legal Civil marriage in Spain or a Civil Partnership in another country we can

arrange a Blessing ceremony- tailor made to be as you want - religious, humanist, or romantic.

HUMANIST CEREMONIES

These may be held in any venue- Villa, Hotel, Restaurant, or on a boat- no documentation required. The ceremony can be similar to a real wedding if required.

COMMITMENT CEREMONIES

For any couple who wish to show their love and commitment to each other prior to their legal wedding, or if for some reason they cannot be legally married.

RENEWAL OF VOWS IN THE COSTA BLANCA

If you have a special Anniversary or would like a day to remember, why not celebrate with a renewal of vows ceremony in the Costa Blanca. It can be just like a real wedding all over again. Religious, non religious or mixed - choose your own vows if you want.

Contact us for more details....

Call 00 34 - 96 649 33 70 -09.30hrs to 019.30 hrs Monday to Friday- leave a message if unattended

or 00 34 - 619 733 198- mobile for urgent enquiries

email- info@javea-organisers.com

Javea Organisers have many years of experience of Weddings, Blessings & Catering in the Costa Blanca. We cover a large area for weddings and blessings including Javea, Moraira, Benitachell, Calpe, Benissa, Oliva, Denia, Orba, Pego, Pedreguer, Gandia, Altea, Albir, Valencia, Alicante, Villajoyosa, Santa Pola, Torrevieja, Elche, Orihuela, and inland in this region.

If you have a problem with this site - contact - info@darocas.com