“Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay” – Dalaï Lama.

Why having a Destination Wedding in Barcelona? There are a number of reasons to say ‘I do’ in the Catalan capital and surrounding areas, including the fact it’s home to so many idyllic locations along the coast and in the countryside, right under the Mediterranean sun.

In order to prepare for such a magical day, you must take several steps to be sure everything goes just as you’d like.

Here are some great tips from wedding planner Farah Casabianca, founder of Première Plume.

 

1 – A wedding in Barcelona and in Catalonia: choose a venue

If the charm of Barcelona seduces you at first sight, you still need to more precisely define your wishes and choose an exact location. The Catalan capital offers the benefits of all major cities: plenty of choices.

On the one hand, there are incredible hotels and palaces allowing you to stay right in the heart of Barcelona. On the other hand, the surrounding areas boast exceptional venues for an unforgettable wedding. Catalonia is a territory nestled between the land and the sea. Villas along the Costa Brava, for example, provide spectacular views over the Mediterranean Sea.

In the countryside, there are elegant stately homes and vineyards for a more rural day. If you’re looking for an unusual place, nothing compares to a monastery near Girona or a castle, like the one in Tamarit. Depending on the location and its capacity, you may find accommodation on site or nearby.

In any case, booking the reception venue well enough beforehand is highly recommended. This step is crucial to having choices. Some venues must be booked a year or even two years in advance.

Getting married in Barcelona or in Catalonia is an opportunity to enjoy an exotic weekend with your loved ones. Consider organizing activities and tours on the days before or after the wedding.

 

2 – Choose a wedding planner or organize your wedding in Barcelona yourself

The future bride and groom must think about whether they wish to use the services of a wedding planner or not. When it comes to a wedding abroad, the experience and expertise a professional can offer is a real plus. If they’ve already organized weddings in Barcelona, they’ll have plenty of knowledge on the venues as well as an extensive address book to save couples time.

What’s more, an expert from a wedding planner agency will also be proficient in Spanish and Catalan culture. They can offer advice, negotiate, manage budgets and coordinate everything.

 

3 – Find the best wedding service providers in Barcelona

By getting married in a big city and a territory as dynamic as Catalonia, the bride and groom will have plenty of choices when it comes to services. You’ll find the right match for you by checking search engines and social networks. Many speak English or French, in addition to Spanish.

Out of inspiration? Here are some of the wedding service providers most highly in demand:

  • Accommodation
  • Transport
  • Catering
  • DJs
  • Music groups
  • Decoration
  • Hair/Make-up
  • Photography
  • Video
  • Specific entertainment (i.e. magicians)
  • Photobox
  • Brunch the next day

4 – Have your wedding coordinated in Barcelona

Wedding coordination in Barcelona is very important, especially if you aren’t familiar with the city or country.

When booking service providers, make sure you understand all the conditions at the time of the reservation: the contract, deposit, insurance, etc. A few weeks before the wedding, remember to remind them of the specifics such as the timetables and venues. Preparing a detailed plan for D-Day is recommended in order to avoid any unwanted surprises.

5 – Don’t forget all the administrative stuff

The requirements can be different when getting married abroad.

Première Plume can handle all the steps of planning a wedding in Barcelona based on your own needs. Your wedding planner will search for the best service providers, give you advice, negotiate all aspects, manage the budget, share their own lists of contacts and expertise as well as coordinate it all.

Find out about the different wedding organization plans Première Plume can offer you.

  • Wedding Organization
    For comprehensive wedding planning, where we organize everything from A to Z.
    Find out more
  • Wedding Coordination
    For support on your wedding day only.
    Find out more
  • Elopements & Intimate Weddings
    For the ones who prefers to have a more intimate ceremony and reception.
    Find out more
  • Engagements & Marriage Proposals
    For those who want to show how much she or he means to you.
    Find out more