Weddings in Barcelona: Why do couples from all over the world choose this city?

Google trends reveal that terms like “Barcelona wedding” or “marry in Barcelona” generate growing interest in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and India. The city’s location on the shores of the Mediterranean and close to the Pyrenees, its excellent climate, rich culinary tradition and architectural and cultural offering make it an ideal destination to walk down the aisle.

Why hold a wedding in Barcelona?

Increasingly, couples who want to get married are considering holding the ceremony away from home, either because of their family ties or because they want to enjoy a memorable experience that brings together a wedding, honeymoon and holidays for guests.

For this reason, places with good weather and beautiful landscapes (from well-known beaches to dreamy environments such as mountains, forests, vineyards and historic sites) factor considerably in the choice of a place to join in marriage—especially if they have luxury services at more affordable prices than in many countries of origin and wholly personalised experiences, as is the case of Barcelona.

Barcelona is a well-connected city, with flights from most European cities and major cities around the world. It is three hours by high-speed train from the capital of Spain, Madrid, and is an attractive departure point by helicopter or yacht to the Costa Brava or the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, Formentera).

A wedding in Barcelona is synonymous with success, especially if guests are a select and intimate group. A large part of the budget that would normally be spent on covering the cost of guests who are invited out of obligation in a traditional wedding (from the boss and co-workers to the cousin of the second uncle) can be allocated to choosing an unforgettable location. We mustn’t forget that the wedding venue constitutes 70% of the event’s success.

Where to celebrate a wedding in Barcelona

Beach weddings

Conventional weddings have long since been left behind. Couples seek new experiences and celebrating a casual ceremony by the sea is one of the most in demand. At dawn or dusk, in broad daylight or illuminated by candles at midnight, getting married on a beach will endure in the memory of the bride and groom and the attendees. Barcelona offers a wide range of beach destinations where couples can enjoy a perfect setting to celebrate a simple, elegant and sea-inspired wedding.

To find a venue on the seashore, it is best to have the help of an experienced wedding planner, especially if you do not know the language and place. An expert in weddings where personality is key component, such as a wedding on the beach, will have an extensive portfolio of providers in ideal locations, like hotels and restaurants on the seafront (for example, Le Meridien or Arenal), or can suggest an even more exclusive event on a yacht to turn a wedding into a truly one-of-a-kind event.

Rural weddings

Barcelona is a wedding destination that differs from other parts of Spain and the Mediterranean because its wonderful climate offers the possibility of taking advantage of much more than its beaches and the local culture. Getting married in masias (old rural buildings that can date back to the feudal era), private villas or medieval castles in the middle of forests, vineyards or valleys allows you to combine a wonderful ceremony with memorable experiences for the wedding party and guests. Tastings of exquisite wines and products with protected designation of origin, excursions, SPA experiences and horse riding are just a few of the unforgettable experiences guests will love.

Masias

• Mas Salvi. A masia located in a protected area of ​​the Empordà, in the middle of the Costa Brava between Barcelona and France. 70,000 m2 of forests and private Mediterranean meadows surround this rustic construction that has become a magical place to tie the knot. For the banquet, you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine with the signature flavours of chef Eduardo Puig, a renowned professional who will design an exclusive menu.
• Mas de Torrent. An exclusive and reference establishment in the Empordà. It has spectacular views, an outdoor pool, extraordinary gardens and a beautiful patio. It offers wedding packages with incentives such as spa experiences, tastings and short trips, as well as the option of spending the night in its luxurious suites. What’s more, it has a heliport that offers guests the chance to trips to the Costa Brava and the Balearic Islands.
• The Vella Farga. A Catalan farmhouse that is known for its privacy, exclusive location, peace, warmth and familiar treatment. It has a wide variety of rooms, halls and impressive wine cellars that stand out for their architectural elements and are ideal for an unforgettable wedding day surrounded by nature and fresh air. The wedding party and guests also have the option of booking luxurious hotel rooms.

Private villas

• Villa Catalina. An exclusive 700m2 villa located just 5 minutes from Sitges, south of Barcelona. This villa is the definition of rustic luxury, as it retains all the historical elements that make it unique yet offers the most exquisite services. It has spectacular views of the quintessential Mediterranean landscapes, especially the vineyards. The villa can accommodate up to 250 people, and guests can spend the night there.
• Almiral de la Font. A luxury villa located on top of a hill in the wine region of Penedès. It is surrounded by the Garraf National Park and offers spectacular views of the sea and the mountains. The interior hall is ideal for intimate ceremonies, with a capacity for 75 people, and the outdoor patio has a capacity of up to 120 people for the reception and can be covered with a canopy in case of rain.

Castles

• Castell Torre Cellers. One of the best preserved castles in Catalonia. It has large gardens that look straight out of a fairy tale. It is an exclusive, intimate and unique place to celebrate that most important day.
• Castell de Sant Marçal. A magical and special place to celebrate a movie-like wedding, chosen by couples from around the world who want to hold the most fashionable celebrations. It has gardens that are ideal for walking, taking the professional wedding photos and holding an outdoor ceremony in summer time. Its great versatility allows the couple to plan all kinds of themes for the ceremony.

Urban weddings

Cosmopolitan weddings in museums and art galleries, buildings rooted in the history of the city, like the Gran Teatre del Liceu, or World Heritage monuments, like Casa Batlló, are choices that are a sure bet.

• Casa Batlló. Taking your vows in one of Barcelona’s most symbolic buildings is actually possible. The world-famous Casa Batlló, by world-renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, has more than 3,000 square meters of works of art at an architectural and cultural level. It has different rooms and spaces, both exterior and interior, like the Noble Floor, a living room and patio full of decorative elements that can accommodate up to 100 people. The Sala Jujol, located on the first floor of the building, offers two independent rooms that are very versatile and can accommodate 120 to 130 people. The Cotxeres i Carboneres, a two-floor space with a capacity for banquets of 300 and 200 guests, is the ideal setting for the end of the party. And finally, the Terrat i Xemeneies, a singular hall with beautiful parabolic arches characteristic of Gaudí’s style opens to the roof where the building’s peculiar chimneys are located. The living room has a capacity of 70 people and the chimney area can accommodate 150 guests.
• The Gran Teatre del Liceu. Located in the heart of the Rambla de Barcelona, ​​it is one of the most emblematic places in the city, ideal for couples who love music. It allows couples to fulfil the dream of getting hitched in what was the first Opera House in Spain. Despite its chequered past, the Gran Teatre has returned to splendid present condition and boasts agreements with wedding planners specialised in designing and organising luxury weddings in Catalonia.
• Basílica of Santa Maria del Mar. Although a church is a more conventional environment, this Gothic church is thought to be the only one in Catalonia of its period that is perfectly finished. It is always a successful setting for a religious wedding thanks to its extraordinary beauty.
• Casa de la Seda. An elegant and singular space located in the historic centre of Barcelona, ​​it’s a modernist jewel hidden behind the brightness of the famous Palau de la Música Catalana. It has different interior and exterior rooms that are characterised by their architectural beauty and their luxurious and distinctive style and are ideal for celebrating a dream wedding.
• The Palauet. This palace is located in the heart of Passeig de Gràcia, ​​the most exclusive area of ​​Barcelona. It is a unique modernist building that has six spaces distributed over two floors and a large, completely independent room, El Tinell, ideal for celebrating such a special day.

Down to the last detail

Keep in mind that a wedding in Barcelona offers multiple incentives, like enjoying a beautiful celebration and a wonderful honeymoon at the same time—not to mention a holiday for guests, who have already paid for the ticket. Hiring a professional wedding planner allows you to take advantage of exciting options for the bride and groom, such as spa experience packages, gastronomic activities, getaways and much more.

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