Ibiza Wedding Laws
Every country has its own wedding laws and Ibiza is no different. There are 3 ways for non residents of Ibiza to get married but only one of these options is a fully legal marriage. The other 2 take place as blessings which follow a civil ceremony in the UK. These are still amazing ceremonies and many couples see the civil ceremony in the UK as the ‘paper work’ of the wedding to make the Ibiza wedding possible
1st Option – Catholic Wedding in Church (only one person needs to be Catholic)
A Catholic wedding in Ibiza is your only fully legal wedding option. You must first meet with your local priest in the UK and ask him to get in contact with the priest in Ibiza. It is advised that you contact the priest as well. The application process can be quite lengthy with quite a bit of paper work; you must also attend a ‘preparation for marriage’ course. The Church likes to liaise directly with you as a couple so the organising of the ceremony will be left up to you and them.
2nd Option – Church Wedding - non Catholic (not fully legal)
Here you will have a blessing in an Ibizan Church through the English speaking Anglican Church. They offer “The Sacrament of Marriage” which is regarded as the full marriage ceremony, but you still need to have a legal civil ceremony in the UK. A marriage certificate is issued and your marriage will be registered in the Chaplaincy register of Holy Matrimony (this is not a legal certificate and references the civil ceremony in your home country). Again the Church likes to liaise directly with you as a couple, so the organisation of this will be left up to you.
3rd Option – Spiritual Ceremony or Blessing (not fully legal)
A wedding blessing is the easiest option and one that gives most flexibility for those who don’t want a church wedding. You need to have a legal civil ceremony in the UK which can be done before or after the blessing in Ibiza. The ceremony can take place in a number of locations; a private Villa, a cliff top, a beach bar, the options are limitless! The ceremony itself can also be more personal and flexible as you’re not limited to what the church insists on you having.
