Gibraltar Wedding
Gibraltar, home of the famous apes and a mixed population of 30,000 British, Moroccans and Indians on a six square kilometres location is fast becoming one of the top hot spots for couples to hold their wedding ceremonies on.
Brides and grooms are following in the footsteps of such famous couples as Sir Sean Connery with his frist wife Diane Cilento and again with his present wife, Micheline Boglino. The most famous couple to have said their vows on the Rock of Gibraltar was the late John Lennon and Yoko Ono back in 1969.
For those that want to get married in the sunshine Gibraltar is an english speaking location that can accommodate those family and friends you want with you without the added costs and long translantic flights.
Fountains and waterfalls with tropical flowers and beaches will all add towards the romance of your wedding.
See also Gibraltar Honeymoon
Gilbraltar Marriage Process
To get married in Gibraltar is a relatively easy procedure as there are no residential requirements and the marriage is legal and recognised world-wide. You can therefore get married with just 24 hours notice.
Documentation you need will be your birth certificate and your passport. If you have been married before, your divorce decree absolute and previous marriage certificate is also required. All documents are to be originals and photocopies will not be accepted.
Bringing Gibraltar into the modern world it is now possible to get married outside of the registry office and four of the top hotels have been allocated special licences to hold weddings. As well as the hotels and registry office, you can choose to get married in one of the historical buildings or if you want it outside, you can have the choice of such natural settings in ‘The Mount’ and ‘The Alameda Gardens’.
- Built in 1797 The Mount was formerly used as the official residence of the senior officer of the Royal Navy. Today it is an officially listed building and can boast fascinating gardens.
- For the purpose of providing civilians with an area of great beauty to relax and enjoy, The Alameda Gardens were developed in 1816. The gardens have been transformed into Botanic Gardens and many wedding services are held in ‘The Dell’. This Italian style garden was laid out in 1842 by the hands of a Genoese gardener.
Hotels on Gibraltar
While the Rock has only 4 hotels that can provide a wedding ceremony, there are others that offer a selection of wedding packages to suit a variety of budgets, styles and party sizes. The main hotels’ wedding packages include flights, taxes and hotel accommodation. The packages can be from three to seven nights.
The Rock Hotel, The Caleta Hotel, O’Callagham Eliott Hotel and The Queen’s Hotel all have their own teams of advisors on hand to help you with the arrangements of your wedding. From the legalities of the ceremony to the catering, photography and flowers, they are happy to organise it all for you, or assist you if you wish to organise it yourself.
Most of the hotels have a selection of actual venues where you can say your vows as well as a selection of rooms for you and your guests to celebrate your wedding day on wisteria covered terrances and poolside areas.
Tourist Board
Gibraltar is inviting with the Mediterranean climate, picturesque and unique settings and uncomplicated paperwork. The tourist board are committed to achieving growth and are keen to promote the Rock for wedding venues.
Peter Canessa, the former chief executive of the GTB and now the Permanent Secretary at the Gibraltar ministry responsible for tourism told the BBC: "For the UK market, it's appealing because it's on British soil and everything is in English. People are familiar with the legal terms because the Gibraltarian law is based on UK law. And because it's two and a half hours from England, it does not cost the earth. It has really taken off, and that's why we are specifically advertising it."
Short British History of Gibraltar
Britain first became interested in Gibraltar during Cromwell times but it was not until the ‘War of the Spanish Succession’ in 1830 when it was captured that it was declared a colony.
Since then Spain has tried to recaputure the Rock first in 1727 and again during the American Revolution when Spain joined forces with France in the hope of regaining back control of Gibraltar.
During World War II Gibraltar was a vital factor in the British military strategy as a foothold on the Continent of Europe. The Rock controlled virtually all naval traffic in and out of the Mediterraniean Sea from the west.
Gibraltar came under attack by aerial bombing as well as underwater attacks and the Allied invasion of French North Africa in November 1942 was coordinated from the Rock by Dwight D. Eisenhower.