Sea adventures in Gibraltar

Are you visiting Gibraltar to get married & looking for activities on the rock? There are so many great options in Gibraltar to keep you and the family entertained whilst here for your wedding day. Gibraltar is surrounded by sea, the bay of Gibraltar on the west & the Mediterranean on the east side. We have glorious weather & is a perfect destination for a wedding, in the summer we reach 30 degrees celcius and have minimal rain. Here are some of our favourite water activities when you visit.

Stand up paddle at Sandy Bay

Sandy Bay is a glorious hidden gem in Gibraltar, the best beach by far but very difficult to access. If you are mobile and able, visit the beach for stand up paddle boarding where you can rent boards for 10£. You require little experience & can float on the water and admire the beautiful rock. If you are strong, stand on the board explore the waters and caves of Gibraltar.

Yacht charter

Hire a yacht for the day. Hour Weddings can organise a boat to leave the Ocean Village Marina (contact us on info@hourweddings.com - we have some fab prices.) There arent many boats available in Gibraltar, but those who do offer this service will start in the North and travel into the Bay, where you are surrounded by dolphins & views of Africa.

A good old swim

Jump into the water at Rosia Bay, once again difficult access but for those who are able to walk, fantastic green and transparent waters, small beaches is a gorgeous way to bathe and enjoy Gibraltar (and its free!) There are also free pools in this area for those who do not like the sea. This is also a great spot to take wedding photos in Gibraltar.

Dolphin Safari

The dolphins of Gibraltar swim in the bay and 99% of the time, dolphin safaris spot large groups of majestic bottlenose dolphins in the bay. It is a pleasant ride out into the sea and not too choppy. The trip costs around 25£ - we have discounts for all of our clients.

We hope you enjoyed our sea adventures blog. Hour Weddings is a luxury wedding company offering weddings in Gibraltar & the South of Spain. We are so excited to welcome you on your visit to Gibraltar.

How to have a truly Gibraltarian wedding

Are you travelling from abroad to get married in Gibraltar? Hour Weddings Gibraltar have put together a guide on how to have a truly unique wedding like locals do. Let us know what you think below

Start late finish late

Unlike English weddings, wedding receptions in Gibraltar usually start at 6-7pm and finish at 4 in the morning (that’s an early finish) It gets dark quite late in the summer months, where the sun sets at 10pm. For a truly Gibraltarian experience, start the party a little later in the evening.

Food & drink

A Quintessential food item at a wedding in Gibraltar is the jamon serrano ( a Spanish delicacy, the leg of cured pork finally sliced.) So many of our couples loved this idea at their weddings and got incredible feedback from their guests, even the picky eaters! The jamon ham will slice piece by piece and then serve your guests. As for drink, in the Spanish side of the border you have great wines from Ronda & Sherry from Jerez. Some wedding clients opt for either of them. We have a food & wine advisor who can help you make the right choice for your wedding day

Flip flops

It is local custom to remove the high heels for the dancing and put flip flops on. We can source reasonably priced flip flops for your guests & make sure they are comfortable for dancing for the rest of the evening. In Gibraltar, everyone loves to drink and dance at weddings.

Dress to impress

It is accustom when getting married in Gibraltar, locals where full length dresses – definitely dressing to impress. Make up artist & hairdressing is also a quintessential part of the getting ready process. This is the same across the border in Spain. No hats either, hats are a no no at Gibraltar weddings and more of an English tradition.

Hour Weddings Gibraltar is a luxury wedding planning service – priding itself on excellence, elegance and experience as the oldest wedding planner agency in Gibraltar. Please contact us on info@hourweddings.com to see how we can help you wit your special day.

2023 Weddings in Gibraltar

We are now looking towards 2023 wedding trends when getting married in Gibraltar & so excited to see what this year brings. Getting married in Gibraltar or South of Spain? Hour Weddings Gibraltar is here to give you the low down on what we are seeing trending for 2023 weddings

Goodbye favours

I think couples have finally realised that favours, although cute and thoughtful, are expensive and are usually thrown away or not even taken home. We have seen this at so many weddings; so much hard work is put in to creating handmade favours & we clear so many of them off tables & chairs after everyone has left. Want an alternative? Focus on comfort for guests in the form of flip flops to dance the night away, shawls if it is breezy at night, fans if it is too hot, or heel stoppers so stilettos do not sink into the ground.

Alternative open bars

Thinking of other ways to treat your guests? Alternative open bars are on the rise at weddings, our favourites are the ice cream or gelato open bar & coffee open bar, where guests can help themselves to unlimited amounts of whatever you are offering. This is great for those who do not drink or have an older crowd (or kids) at a wedding. Not everybody drinks alcohol so it is a thoughtful idea for those who are not doing tequila shots! Hour Weddings Gibraltar has organised a cheese & chactuerie station, ice cream, coffee, slushies & juice station for clients coming to get married.

Alternative flowers

We left the traditional rose aesthetic a long time ago, but we are moving more towards wild flowers & seasonal beautiful new varieties. If you are open minded these wild flower bouquets are breathtaking, usually cheaper in price & full of colour. In Gibraltar & South of Spain we work with a fantastic florist who creates whimsical bouquets for our brides.

Candles Candles Candles

We are seeing a sharp rise in colourful tall candles used to decorate tables, however we will mention that a lot of venues in Gibraltar and South of Spain will not allow open flame in wedding venues to do venue protocol ( it is a very dry part of Spain and high risk of wildfire) However, if the venue permits candles add a romantic touch to venues & sets the scene for a night of dining and drinking with family and friends.

What do you think? Contact us on info@hourweddings.com for a professional service on wedding planning in Gibraltar & South of Spain.

A guide to getting married on your wedding day

Your wedding morning should be stress free & exciting - whilst your wedding planner (hint hint) sorts out suppliers, time line & logistics Hour Weddings Gibraltar has put together a guide to getting ready on your special day

Self care in the morning 

Lots of water, vitamins, skin care & a tea. Try to relax in the morning as you have a long day ahead. Allocate as much as you can to your bridesmaids & groomsmen. Do not leave any tasks til the morning of - the day of your marriage is supposed to be super relaxing!

Food & drink 

Remember that both bridal and groom party need feeding & beverages. It is a long day (especially for the girls) & clients forget to eat. Pre order sandwich boards & ask best man to arrange soft drinks for both parties. A couple of bottles of champagne & glasses for photos is highly recommended (pls consider your make up artist & hairdresser in your food numbers.) At Hour Weddings we will happily organise this aspect of your wedding for you

Timeline

Always start an hour earlier than you think you should - make up, hair & photos take time - a lot longer than you think. Organise your timeline ahead to ensure you are not stressed that you are going to arrive late (ask your wedding planner to help you plan your timeline!)

Gifting 

This is the prefect time to hand over gifts for bridal and groom party. Ask your wedding planner for hints on your wedding day

Payment

Make sure your hairdresser & make up artist is pre paid or you get your maid of honour to pay them on your behalf 

Hangers, robes & shoes 

Layout all the above the night before - make sure your photographer gets to take photos of these before they are used 

Other things for photos 

- invitations

-rings

-perfume 

- Polaroid photos of yourselves 

- calligraphy vows 

- shoes 

- TikTok dance routines (I’m not joking!) 

Hour Weddings will assist you every step of the way & help you structure your timeline. We will pour your champagne & be your little helper for the morning. Gibraltar & South of Spain luxury wedding planners

Weddings at the Marina Gibraltar

Weddings at the Waterfront Marina Gibraltar

Thinking of getting married in Gibraltar? Gibraltar is a prime wedding destination in Europe due to it being so easy to get paperwork done and tying the knot. That being said, the laws and regulations to marry in Gibraltar are always changing, we always recommend a wedding planner here to avoid disappointment. The marina weddings are one of our wedding venues, suitable for small elopements & wedding parties is our marina wedding venues. 

Overlooking the gorgeous Queensway quay, yachts and busy restaurants is Britain in the sun. Pay with the pound, reasonably priced pints & fish and chips on nearly every menu. If you are looking for comforts of the UK here in Gibraltar this wedding venue is perfect for you. This is what getting married in Gibraltar is all about.

We will say, this wedding venue is best in the spring summer & autumn months, there is risk of heavy rain in the winter & may be unpleasant (the nearest car drop off is a walk to the restaurants) only a couple of minutes but still something to be noted if you are dressed for your wedding.

Hour Weddings will assist you every step of the way, we will help you pick out a venue most suited to your needs, you sit back & relax and we will do the rest. We will guide you & advise you on how to make your wedding day as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Hour Weddings has the best team available to help you, we have over ten wedding agents speaking English Spanish German Italian & Hebrew, all with years of experience in this local industry. 

Still not sure on a venue? Email us on info@hourweddings.com and a rep will get back to you 

Best restaurants in Ocean Village Gibraltar

Are you coming to get married in Gibraltar? Hour Weddings Wedding Planners have put together some of the best places to eat in Ocean Village whilst you are here. Hour Weddings are one of the oldest wedding planners services in Gibraltar & operate a luxury service, here to help whenever you need. Ocean Village is a loud busy marina, perfect for a beer in the sun. Here are our favourite spots

1. Little Bay Gibraltar is hands down the best restaurants in the OV – this award winning indian restaurant is pricey, but worth the pennies. They serve a wide array of Gins and their curries are to die for.

2. Biancas, Biancas is a lovely bisto serving a bit of everything, from the English breakfast to pizzas in the afternoon, they also have a great selection of chicken fish burgers etc. There is something to please everyone & this family run restaurant has outdoor seating to relax in the sun.

3. Monte y Mar – a posh new restaurant serving premium steaks (large cowboy) and fancy seafood like oysters lobster and big prawns (their wine list is great too) This small restaurant sits on the water and has picturesque views – a perfect romantic meal whilst visiting Gibraltar for your wedding day.

4. Kamakura – a small sushi restaurant serving raw fish like nigiris & California rolls and also tempanyaki cooking (cooking on fire grill – they do a little show) If you are getting married In Gibraltar they do also do special menus. This Japanese restaurant doesn’t have any views but the quality of the food is top notch and definitely a great option if you like Asian food.

5. Cheese & wine bar (next to the Express Kiosk) this little bar has some lovely premium wines &nibbles (cheese ham crisps etc) and is a lovely drinks stop before dinner. It has a couple of bar stools and tall tables to sit and drink wine and people watch. We recommend booking this as the Gibraltar summers get very busy and usually fully booked.

Hour Weddings Gibraltar offers complimentary bookings for all of their clients including restaurants, taxis and other leisure activities whilst in Gibraltar. Please feel free to contact us to see how we can help you today on info@hourweddings.com

Wedding days in Gibraltar - what to do

The day after your wedding

Getting married in Gibraltar? Not sure what to do the day after your wedding (aside from nursing a hangover maybe?) We have put together some fun things to do whilst visiting Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a great weekend break & for a very small peninsular has great options for families and couples visiting. Here are some of our favourite things to do in Gibraltar.

1. Visit the beach ( our favourite beach in Gibraltar is Sandy Bay and can be accessed by bus on the Eastside of Gibraltar) after the long walk down to the beach you are greeted by friendly locals, crystal clear water and a local beach hut serving ice cream, sangria and fish and chips (this beach is only accessible for fully mobile adults, wheelchairs and prams best to go to Catalan Bay)

2. Early morning upper rock walk – this is only to be braved by those who have a relative level of fitness. If you fit this criteria, walking up the rock is absolutely stunning. Views overlooking Spain and Morocco as well as being surrounded by wildlife (apes birds & fauna) this is a nature lovers dream come true.

3. Sip champagne in Queensway Quay – on a warm day there is nothing better to do than sip some champagne at one of the marinas, Queensway is our Marina of choice, more upmarket and quieter than the rowdy Ocean Village. Surrounded by yachts and overlooking Spain

4. Book the Queens Private Cinema for you and your family – The Queens is a hotel based in Casemates with a private cinema at the back which can fit 16 people. Watch your favourite movie on their comfy sofas & sipping cocktails and eating popcorn. This is a brand new facility in Gibraltar & we absolutely love it!

5. If its raining? Check out the Rock Hotel for their lovely high teas served with scones or even their Sunday Roast overlooking the bay of Gibraltar.

6. Cross the border to have tapas in Spain – ensuring you have the right documents (if you are Uk a passport) you are able to cross the border even for a couple of hours to enjoy some delicious authentic Spanish food. You do not need to go far, La Linea De la Concepcion, the town across the border is the perfect place to eat some cheap tasty food.

If you require some help or information on what to do whilst here for your wedding, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@hourweddings.com

Weddings in Sotogrande: Finca Monestario

This is a venue focus by Hour Weddings Spain – a luxury wedding planner based in Sotogrande & Gibraltar. We have two dedicated teams, one on each side of the border which are both registered and insured wedding companies.

Our focus in this blog is on the Finca Monestario venue which is located 15km from the main Sotogrande area. It is inland & a beautiful rustic filled with natural beauty, trees flowers fountains and romantic. A short bus ride from the border, this wedding venue has proved popular by Gibraltarian and international brides. Here is a short snippet of what to expect from this venue.

Rooms: there are approximately 30 rooms on site at the venue which is expected to be hired out for the night of the wedding. They are all spacious double bedrooms which are all unique, some with views and other overlooking the foyer and internal picturesque rural hotel.

Facilities: there are several areas to have drinks, another for ceremony and others for the dinner reception, there are also options for wintertime when it is raining, although we need to admit that when spring blooms & summer arrives this venue is extra special. There is no need to move from this venue, you can carry out all wedding aspects at this venue.

Extras: things you need to consider are caterers, photography & moving your guests to and from the venue (it is far from most towns and taxis are hard to get) Clients usually opt for candlelight fairylights and romantic pink and white colour palate. The wedding photos are absolutely phenomenal, we are always stunned with the professional prints of this venue. Traditional Spanish building, old stone, palm trees, sultry Spanish.

Hour Weddings has had the pleasure of organising luxury weddings in this venue & if you are interested we would love to help you plan your special day. Finca Monestario is such a special venue, we cant wait for you to contact us to start planning yourspecial day – contact us on info@hourweddings.com for more information

2022 Weddings in Gibraltar

Another busy year of weddings in Gibraltar has come to an end, we are so grateful for all the couple who have trusted us over the last year with their wedding ceremonies in Gibraltar and the South of Spain.

This year saw the come back of weddings abroad, out most popular venue being the Sunborn Hotel. In the heart of Ocean Village, a busy tourist marina – the five star hotel boasts stunning views of the Rock of Gibraltar, Spain and the sea. This was a popular venue in the summer for couples who wanted more lavish & elegance for their special day full of flowers. We also hosted an indian wedding here too, a four day ceremony with a haldi, mendhi, sangeet and grand reception in the Sunborn ballroom. Here we styled traditional indian and modern elegance.

Another consideration our couples have in 2022 and 2023, is the visa & passport requirements for crossing the border into Gibraltar. Now that the UK is out of the EU there are additional requirements for those wanting to get married in Gibraltar – for up to date information on the entry requirements to come to Gibraltar to get married.

Our award winning team has also assisted with a major TV programme called ‘Married at first Sight’ France version, we hosted 16 weddings over a month for the TV series – a very busy time for our team and truly honoured to be a part of the project. Our venues included the beaches, Rock Hotel, Alameda Gardens, Mons Calpe Suite and the Upper Rock Gibraltar.

Our wedding florists have really outdone themselves in terms of wedding flowers this year, they have created some stunning pieces for our wedding clients. This year we have completed 40 weddings, we pride ourselves on quality and not quantity, giving our clients the best experience possible with a dedicated wedding planner.

Wedding Flowers in Gibraltar

Wedding flowers in Gibraltar 

If you are getting married in Gibraltar, one things you need to consider is your florals. There are great florists & then there are flakey ones, Hour Weddings Gibraltar has sifted through all florists in Gibraltar & South of Spain and partners with the best in the industry to ensure your wedding day is special.  

So what do you need to consider for your wedding flowers in Gibraltar? 

1. Location - the location of your wedding will determine how much flowers and decoration you will need for your wedding. It goes without saying that the Alameda Botanical Gardens there is no need for extensive florals / the natural beauty is enough maybe an arch and bouquet, minor. The sunborn hotel on the other hand will need more as some areas are large and need to to be filled with decor. 

2. Time of year - the time of year will also dictate your wedding flowers & what is seasonally available. May are for peonies, July for orchirds etc etc.

3. Budget - this goes without saying & fairly obvious but your wedding budget will determine your florals for your wedding in Gibraltar. On average prices are similar to UK & there aren’t very good faux floral options on the Rock. We are a big fan of repurposing flowers especially from ceremony to reception - we will transport and redecorate your wedding on your Behalf so you can sit back and relax 

For more tips & information on flowers for your wedding in Gibraltar please contact info@hourweddings.com

Spanish influences at your wedding

Here at Hour Weddings, we are well aware that there are a lot of fun Spanish traditions which are welcomed into local weddings. If you are considering getting married in Gibraltar or nearby in Spain, these are some things to think of to make sure your guests get a taste of local culture

Jamon Serrano - jamon is a Spanish delicacy, cured spanish ham, very salty and a must at a local wedding. A jamon cutter will hand slice the ham during the cocktail hour & is always a hit for guests. Jamon start cheap but can get quite expensive depending on the quality (you can get a really good leg for 400£) this is enough to serve your whole wedding party and is a nice quirk (we get all our jamons from Spain, no pigs in Gibraltar!)

Sangria or tinto verano - I know most have heard of sangria, but tinto de verano is our prefered version, it is essentially, red wine and lemonade - cold refreshing (honestly life changing) Tinto de verano is a cheaper easier option and your guests will be addicted!

Spanish guitar or flamenco- if you are looking for entertainment for your wedding in Gibraltar or Spain, a traditional guitar or spanish dancer can be really great. Sevilla nearby is home to the flamenco so we have very talented performers which can really make your day super special

Hour Weddings Gibraltar work across Gibraltar and the South of Spain helping couples get married. If you need a wedding planner, coordinator , strategist or partner email us on info@hourweddings.com

4 reasons to get married in Sotogrande

Hour Weddings Gibraltar loves the Sotogrande area as the perfect venue for a wedding. As a registered company in both Gibraltar & Spain, Hour Weddings is so excited to share some of the reasons why you should consider Sotogrande as your wedding region

1. Near an airport - Sotogrande is only a 20 minute drive from Gibraltar airport, perfect for your family coming from abroad. If you are from Gibraltar, Sotogrande is close enough to transport your guests without them falling asleep on the way there!

2. Beautiful venue options - from the beach to the mountains there is definitely something for you. Sotogrande has a fantastic selection of wedding venues in the area for all seasons of the year.

3. Natural beauty - the wonderful thing about Sotogrande is that it has a lot of natural beauty. Therefore there is not a lot you need to do to a venue to make it pretty, simple things will go a long way.

4. Great suppliers- we have teamed up with some wonderful caterers, florists and photographers in the Sotogrande area to ensure your wedding is unique and perfect.

Hour Weddings is a wedding planning agency in the South of Spain in Gibraltar, we look forward to hearing from you info@hourweddings.com

Things to do when visiting Gibraltar

When visiting Gibraltar for your wedding, there is so so much to do - Hour Weddings Gibraltar have put together some recommendations for a fun day out & activities to do whilst you are on the Rock

For animal lovers 

The dolphin Safari - the dolphin Safari leaves the Marina Bay in Gibraltar and does two trips a day. See bottlenose dolphins in the Bay in Gibraltar.

The Upper rock - see monkeys in their natural habitat by taking the Cable Car up to the Top of the Rock, here barbary apes run free, make sure you are careful with your food!

For people who love walking

Walk Up the rock - it is entirely possible to walk up the Rock or even to the Med Steps (a relative level of fitness is required) - do either for breathtaking views of Gibraltar, Spain and Morocco and the entry to the Mediterranean Sea. 

For history lovers

St Michaels Cave & Gibraltar Museum - St Michaels cave is located up the rock and is historical site in Gibraltar. Explore the stalagmites and stalactites in the ancient caves in the Rock of Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Museum is located in town where you can find most of Gibraltars history.

For food & wine lovers

If you simply want to relax and enjoy Gibraltar before your wedding day - we recommend Queensway Quay & Ocean Village for a glass of wine. Our personal favourite restaurants is Vault 13

Our most popular wedding venues in Gibraltar

To round up our 2022, we thought we would write a post on the most popular wedding venue in Gibraltar. Without a doubt the venues below are the most sought after here in Gibraltar. They both in themselves are beautiful with a lot to offer - we have so much love for both of them. 

Sunborn 

Wow the Sunborn has absolutely smashed it this year (in our books anyway!) We have had so many couples wanting to get married on the boat. The Sunborn is a 5 star Luxury Yacht Hotel with fab views of the Rock and the Sea. It is near the Ocean Village Marina, therefore close to nightlife and the heart of Gibraltar town. People love the views, the hotel rooms so close by to their venue & a romantic by luxurious feel it gives.

Alameda

There is really no reason not to love the Alameda Gardens, the only small downside is that if its raining its a Nono. However, Gibraltar has over 300 days of sun in a year so the chances are getting married there will be a success. The Alameda Gardens is a stunning botanic gardens with multiple small venues to get married. The bandstand, the lions pond, you will fall in love with each and every one - we promise. 

If you are interested in any of these venues and would like some more information on what we have to offer - please contact us on info@hourweddings.com 

Indian Weddings in Gibraltar & Spain

This July 2022 we had the pleasure of organising an Indian Wedding (Hindu ceremony) here in Gibraltar. We love organising Indian weddings, they are so colourful! In Gibraltar there are beautiful wedding venues to get married in, all very different so if you are having a multiple day wedding Gibraltar is the perfect place for you. We have previously carried out Indian weddings in Sotogrande & Marbella.

The hindu temple in Gibraltar is in the centre of town, an easy 5 minute cab ride away from most hotels. There is no need to come to Gibraltar prior to meet the priest - Monica (a Hindu herself) has strong ties with the temple and will liaise on your behalf. We will titrate to your needs, depending on how religious or contemporary you would like your wedding day to be. Our couple Bhavna & Paras decided upon a 4 day wedding with a Mehndi, Sangeet, traditional ceremony in the temple, a haldi & a classic wedding reception. All full of colour and a lot of love. They picked the Sunborn Hotel Gibraltar, which is a 5 star hotel in Gibraltar which has many rooms & areas to host your special day. They also chose the Alameda Botanic Gardens, a stunning wedding venue filled of natural light & fauna.

2023 Wedding Season

Now that 2022 Wedding Season is coming to a close, Hour Weddings Gibraltar is looking forward to our next 2023 season. Thinking of getting married in Gibraltar? Let me tell you three why you NEED to get married in Gibraltar in 2023

Gibraltar is a great destination wedding

We speak English, use the British pound as our currency & its sunny more than 270 days of the year, Gibraltar is a gorgeous gem sitting on the Med. Its got lush beaches, crystal clear water &. beautiful wildlife and natural beauty. There are fantastic venues, such as the Sunborn Hotel & The Rock, getting married overlooking the see or up the Rock!

Gibraltar is accessible

Flights coming in from the UK daily & can walk to your hotel from the airport, Gibraltar is an easy way to get your loved ones over to celebrate for your special day

Its easy to get married

Unlike other countries, in Gibraltar you need really simple paperwork to get married. Hand this all into your wedding planner and rock up 24 hours before. Its simple.

Getting to Gibraltar - Flights, Airports & Borders

Gibraltar as many of you will know is a small peninsular, attached to the most southern part of Spain an, with a border of approximately 6 square kilometres.

There are two main entry points into Gibraltar, the border with Spain & the Gibraltar International Airport.

If you are looking to get married in Gibraltar, the airport is the easiest and definitely the most comfortable option. It is a 10 minute drive maximum to all hotels in Gibraltar & has many UK flights from across the country. For more information on flight times please click here https://www.gibraltarairport.gi/

If you are flying from anywhere other than the UK, Malaga airport is probably the best airport to travel to. There is a motorway connecting Malaga & San Roque (closest town on Spanish side of the border) - usually taking 1 and a half hours (132km) to arrive at the border. Malaga airport flies to a variety of UK airports as well as other European countries & flights are usually cheaper. Malaga website info can be found here too https://www.airport-malaga.com/

If Malaga is the airport you have chosen to take, please consider the Gibraltar border. If you are looking to get married in Gibraltar, you may miss your wedding if you do not have the correct documents to cross into the Gibraltar side of the border. Traditionally visas from outside the EU may have been required, but now that UK iis out of the EU, there may be additional requirements. For more information please look at the following website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/gibraltar/entry-requirements

Remember, if you are getting married in Gibraltar, you are required one nights stay in a hotel (if you book with us we will arrange proof of stay.) Hour Weddings is here to help you every step of the way!

The Gibraltar Registry Office

The Gibraltar Registry office is located in Secretary Lane & this is where you will need to attend to sort out your marriage paperwork if you want to get married in Gibraltar.

There are many benefits to hiring a wedding planner for your upcoming nuptials in Gibraltar. Wedding planners communicate with the registry office & other suppliers on your behalf. As experts in the wedding industry with 20 years of experience, having a planner on your side could get you out of a serious pickle.

Wedding planners will know who to call and when to call them. The Registry Office has the right to turn couples away if they do not provide the correct documents.

The laws & regulations are always changing in Gibraltar, another reason to hire a planner. In the last years, fees have risen and required documents. Another major reason to hire a wedding planner in Gibraltar is the border & airport. Gibraltar is currently undergoing international talks with the EU - this affects who can come in and out of Gibraltar (some passports may require additional documentation.) To keep up with the aforementioned & ensure you can proceed with your wedding day, paying a planner seems quite reasonable!

Santa Maria Polo Club Sotogrande Weddings

Weddings in Sotogrande is our bread & butter. Every year new venues in the area are popping up, all unique and beautiful in their own way. One venue which clients ask for again and again is the Santa Mara Polo Club in Sotogrande.

Sotogrande is an exclusive urbanisation approximately 25km from the border of Gibraltar. Sotogrande has so much to offer, a gorgeous Puerto of Sotogrande (a marina) Polo Fields, beach & golf courses and much more.

The Santa Maria Polo Club is next to the Puerto, the blank canvas has always been very exciting for us. A wedding planner is definitely recommended for this venue as there is a lot of additional tasks that need to be completed to make the wedding perfect, most of which are challenging to do on your own.

Lighting, electrics, flooring, importing tables & chairs, an additional tent for the kitchen, seating for the ceremony - these are all things that need to be considered at this wedding venue. However, it does pay off. Its probably the largest venue in Sotogrande, you can host up to 400 persons comfortably here. Hour Weddings usually go for a bright, elegant vibe using white flowers, plenty of greenery and beige subtle table settings. We found lighting plays a major part here, during the day, the wedding cocktails are outside next to the fields. When the sunsets you need to think about what kind of lighting is important - low lights are a stunning sophisticated way to make the room glow.

We cant wait for 2023 for more weddings in this venue!

When to get married in Gibraltar - what season?

When to get married in Gibraltar

Getting married in Gibraltar is one of the easiest & quick processes currently available in the world, when it comes to marriage paperwork. The Registry office in Gibraltar is open all year round, however, there are definitely pros and cons of what time of year you get married. This blog is an Hour Weddings guide of what time of year is best to get married in Gibraltar.

Lets start with Summer - Summer is Gibraltars peak wedding season, wedding planners are running around like crazy at this time of year. 

Pros: the weather in Gibraltar is gorgeous (usually over 30) so if you’re thinking of an outdoor wedding you are 99% certain of no bad weather Pros: its buzzing, Gibraltar in the summer is full of vibrant young locals and tourists. Think live bands, rooftops rose and sunset beach swims. 

Cons: flights are expensive. Getting married in Gibraltar may be more expensive due to the costs of flights, which double or even triple in the summer months Cons: Hotels are expensive too. Hotels usually hike prices up in summer time, making it more pricey  Cons: It may be difficult to book your venue (which also maybe more expensive in the summer btw) because of limited availability

Autumn/ Winter This is a beautiful time of year to get married in Gibraltar. However, it may rain. In Gibraltar, when it rains it pours. Forget about the UK drizzle, Gibraltar is usually subject to torrential rain. Albeit it only rains less than 55 days a year (December hosting 10 of those)

Pros: its cooler and more comfortable Pros: its generally cheaper

Cons: you may not be able to get married in the Alameda Gardens so consider your venue carefully  Cons: may impact photoshoot for wedding 

Spring: Spring is our favourite time of year, birds are chirping. Its warm but not overwhelming. Peony is the flower of the month.

Pros: fab weather Pros: availability of venues & cheap flights

Cons: small chance it may rain Cons: I genuinely can’t think of any, its Sumer dreamy!!