Weddings in Mallorca

There’s a long list of talented event caterers on the island who are experienced in both large and small scale events. Many venues work with their own catering companies but, if you are in a position to decide yourself, you will find you are spoilt for choice. Many of the island’s top restaurants have a side business as a catering service, including Michelin-starred eateries like Marc Fosh or Jardin by Maca de Castro, so be sure to keep these in mind too.

With brides and grooms travelling from far and wide, Mallorca has become well versed in hosting weddings. You can have it all, from smaller intimate gatherings to traditional weddings or dance-till-dawn parties. From coastal hotels and beach clubs to mountain escapes and inland retreats, the island offers many different options to choose from. Picture getting married in a clifftop venue overlooking the sea? Or perhaps a rural vineyard estate might take your fancy? For a more private affair, you could hire a yacht to take you and your guests off into the sunset – the list of options in Mallorca is endless. And, with endless sunshine and warm temperatures, the one thing you won't be worrying about here is the weather.

The most popular time of year to get married in Mallorca is between April and October, especially June and September, so it's worth planning a year or more ahead if you're considering getting married in either of these two months. If you want to have an outdoor wedding in the peak summertime, we would also recommend a late-afternoon ceremony from 16:00 onwards, so that you and your guests are not outside in the heat of the day.

Yes! However, there are restrictions as to who can get legally married in Mallorca. Legal residents on the island, those who are registered at one of the local town hall registers (or 'padrón') can get legally married in Mallorca. Roman Catholics can also marry here legally, regardless of their residency status. All the rest need to get legally married in a registry office in their home country before or after the non-legal ceremony or blessing in Mallorca.

Roman Catholic weddings in Mallorca
If you or your partner are Roman Catholic and looking to get married in a Catholic church, then this is permitted even if you're non-residents. You will need to start the process early at your local church, where they will help you with the official paperwork. Some of the documents they need to send to the Spanish diocese where you want to hold your ceremony are your passport or ID card, birth certificate, a certificate of your and your partner's single, divorced or widower status issued by your home parish, certificate of baptism and confirmation, your local parish church permission to get married abroad and a certificate of having completed the marriage preparation courses.

Civil weddings in Mallorca
Civil partnerships in Spain are fully legal and recognised around the world, although they are only available for those who have resided in the country for at least two years. You will need to register your marriage in the local registry office by presenting your passport or ID card, birth certificate, certificate of residence and a certificate of your and your partner's single, divorced or widower status. As of July 2005, same-sex couples can also get legally married in Spain.

These civil weddings can be celebrated in civil registries, legal courts and town halls and must be performed indoors. In Palma, civil ceremonies are held at the City Council, also known as Cort, located inside a 17th-century Baroque palace, and in the 14th-century Bellver Castle which overlooks the Bay of Palma. There are no civil ceremonies in the city during the months of January, August and December.

Symbolic wedding blessings in Mallorca
In Spain, legal civil ceremonies must be performed indoors but there are no restrictions regarding non-legal blessings which can be performed anywhere – even on beaches or mountain tops overlooking the Mediterranean sea! You can either have the symbolic ceremony first and then return to your home country for the legal ceremony or, as most couples do or have the legal wedding first then to Mallorca for the blessing and wedding celebration. Many wedding celebrants from different nationalities live in Mallorca, including a bunch of English-speaking ones. It’s also possible to have religious leaders from home conducting ceremonies.

Anglican Church blessings in Mallorca
The Anglican Church has a branch in Mallorca and celebrate marriage blessings at their churches in Palma and Port de Pollença, as well as at the Roman Catholic church in Cala d'Or. Thanks to their good relationship with the island’s Roman Catholic priests they can also often arrange for Anglican-rite marriages and wedding blessings to take place in other churches on the island.

Swedish Church marriages in Mallorca
It's not only Roman Catholic non-residents who can legally marry in Mallorca, but Swedish citizens can also officially seal the deal on the island. This is possible thanks to the branch of the Swedish Church in Palma. If both parties are Swedish citizens – and at least one of them a member of the Swedish Church, then the marriage is official in Sweden as well. Ceremonies usually take place in Palma, both in the church or the small marina located just in front, and in Alcanada Beach in Alcúdia.

The cost of getting married in Mallorca can vary immeasurably – we're here to give you a rough guide. You might have read about celebrities spending hundreds of thousands on their lavish weddings in Mallorca – the island boasts world-renowned venues, Michelin star catering and high-class entertainment with elite prices to match. However, getting married in Mallorca doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive.

How much does wedding venue hire cost in Mallorca?
Some of the island's hidden treasures don’t charge very much. For instance, finca-style venues usually have a set price for the venue hire, usually ranging between €1,500 and €5,000. Hotels tend to have set fees that vary depending on the establishment, some may even require booking out the whole hotel exclusively for the wedding, including all their bedrooms, whilst others can accommodate individual needs – this will also affect the price.

What do wedding packages include in Mallorca & what's their price?
Whether you use a wedding catering company or choose a hotel, the cost is usually defined by the number of people attending the wedding. For instance, packages could be priced at €100 per person but this includes food, decorations, crockery, tables and chairs, serving team and more. It’s possible to choose from BBQs and buffet-style catering through to sophisticated Michelin-starred, sit-down, three-course meals. It is worth mentioning that, in Mallorca, the ‘barra libre’ or open bar is often included in the packages. This means open bar for a set period of time, which you can usually negotiate.

Each venue works differently and some catering companies have exclusive rights to cater to specific places but the good news is that they tend to offer various packages to suit budget requirements. In this instance, we would recommend getting in touch with the catering companies directly to discuss your budget and wishes and view the venues they work with – they should be able to send you a list and will organise the viewings with you.

Music and entertainment, flowers or photography services tend to be an additional cost, these are not usually supplied by the hotel or catering company but they obviously do make recommendations. There’s an element of flexibility with the choices you make in terms of catering, flowers, entertainment, etc. If you are very specific about what you want for your special day, we would recommend organising a wedding planner to help arrange everything your heart desires. This will add to the cost.

Every wedding is a little bit different but, on the whole, in Mallorca, it is common for the day to kick off in the mid to late afternoon with many ceremonies starting at 15:00 or 16:00. This is generally due to keeping guests out of the heat of the midday's sun. It also means that dinner is later and, in true Spanish style, is usually followed by late-night dancing. Each venue has a different policy on timings for the celebrations to finish, and some will permit a longer license for an additional fee.

The island offers a huge choice of venues so you will surely find the ideal spot to hold the wedding of your dreams. Historic mansions, imposing castles and fortresses, luxury hotels, charming rural fincas and sophisticated beach clubs are all options to consider. They all have their own unique selling points, while the services that come along with each location vary; some even offer wedding planners and suppliers, whilst others let you take the lead on your special day. These are some of our top picks:

Historic mansions
Mallorca’s countryside encompasses some stunning historic mansions that have been tastefully restored but still retain much of their original charm and possess some pretty splendid gardens. Son Julia Country House Hotel & Spa is a charming 15th-century mansion near Llucmajor with extensive grounds providing plenty of options for couples. The 15-minute drive from the airport, the 30 bedrooms available for guests and the in-house wedding planner are all features that make this place stand out from the crowd.

Ca’s Xorc Boutique Hotel is another fabulous choice set in the hillside overlooking Sóller. This converted finca and oil mill has managed to retain much of its historic features allowing you to soak up some of the best of the real Mallorca. Paired with professional service and first-class cuisine, you have all the ingredients needed for your big day, including breathtaking views over the valley.

Castles & fortresses
Mallorca's castles and fortresses are possibly the closest you could come to a fairytale wedding. Castell Son Claret is a real-life medieval castle dating back to 1450, which has been refurbished to the highest standards to become one of the most prestigious hotels on the island. The palatial terraces and historic courtyards offer an unrivalled romantic setting and, when it comes to the food, you know you are in good hands as its restaurant, Zaranda, is the only two-Michelin star eatery on the island.

Luxury hotels
Luxury hotels offer a refined, well-rehearsed experience and are great for housing the wedding party and their friends and family all under one roof. St Regis Mardavall Hotel is a popular choice for weddings in Mallorca, perhaps due to the signature St Regis butler service that comes with its name. The setting within the stunning Tramuntana mountains is exquisite, with the sparkling Mediterranean sea on its doorstep. The grounds are vast, with many different options available to suit each couple’s style.

Carrossa Country House Hotel & Spa is a five-star hotel centred around a historic country estate but with all the contemporary furnishings, fixtures and fittings one could want for. Positioned in the north of the island, the backdrop to this venue has a certain wow factor, owing to the Serra de Levant mountain range and the sea views.

Rural fincas
There are dozens of hidden rural gems dotted all around the island's countryside that have been set up especially for weddings. Son Togores is a pretty country house located at the edge of the Serra de Tramuntana, offering various options to couples. From a wedding in front of the main entrance in a cobbled courtyard area, through to a ceremony under the trees in the magical estate. Its terrace is a superb location to hold the wedding breakfast.

Sa Barrala is a wonderfully rustic finca which gives couples the chance to take the venue for three days if they wish to. With 12 bedrooms on-site, it's perfect for a wedding weekender. Situated in Campos, near the stunning beach of Es Trenc, this authentic Mallorcan farmhouse is ideal for a country ceremony and to party the whole night long.

If the romantic capital city of Palma has won your heart, then perhaps this is where you want to say your ‘I dos’. The magical Nuevo Pueblo Español is an enchanting option. This mini-village replicates some of Spain’s most iconic architecture with Arab, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles on display. With various areas available for use for events, it could be the perfect place to host a wedding party. 

Alternatively, there are some fabulous hotels to choose from. If it has always been your dream to get married in a castle then the Castillo Hotel Son Vida could be the one for you. This large five-star hotel is housed within a 13th-century castle and offers the most breathtaking views over the city of Palma. Just outside of Palma, Cap Rocat is a renovated fortress overflowing with history, with a magical atmosphere that hits you as soon as you arrive at the entrance. Its unique architecture, breathtaking sea views and unparalleled service make this one of the most sought-after locations to get married on the island.

An event planner can take away the stress of organising your big day in a different country where geography, language and logistics can get in the way. With their help, your dream wedding will run so smoothly you really will be able to relax and cherish every moment, safe in the knowledge that behind the scenes someone else has taken the stress out of putting together a flawless and memorable event.

Lane Productions is an event planning service working with some of the island’s favourite venues to create a wedding tailored to your desires. From quaint and boho to grand and luxurious, they have it all. If you aren’t sure where to start and want some help with finding your venue and looking for a one-stop-shop to plan your wedding, we would highly recommend looking at a company like Totapunt. They help you book your perfect venue, provide first-class catering service, offer rental of chairs, tables, decorations and more. Once you have found the venue of your dreams. They also hold a wedding fair where everything is on display and you can just go along and pick what you want for your wedding.

There is a range of multilingual wedding photographers on the island, so you can take your pick. Two of our favourites are Aimee K and Ilona Antina, both of which are well-versed in working for English-speaking couples. In any case, we recommend you check out their work before hiring a photographer to see which of their styles would suit you and your day the best.