Content
– How to plan your elopement in Alicante
– STEP 1: Choose a location for your mediterranean elopement
– STEP 2: Pick a season to elope in Alicante
– STEP 3: Find a celebrant
– STEP 4: Find wedding suppliers and accommodation
– STEP 5: Decide what to wear
How to plan your elopement in Spain
Are you planning to elope in Spain? Well Spain is one of the most popular Elopement and Destination Wedding hotspots in the world and it’s not hard to see why!
If you’re thinking about planning your Spanish elopement or would like some new ideas, I’ve assembled a comprehensive guide on how to elope in Spain in 2023 and 2024.
STEP 1: Choose a location for your Spanish elopement
From epic beaches to wild mountains, to luscious forests and quiet lakes, Spain really has it all! And if you’re looking for a romantic city to elope in then look no further than Altea and Javea. Beautiful cities with a traditional Mediterranean soul.
We have helped lots of times to our couples to plan their elopements or their wedding destination so if you’re still not sure where you’d like to have your wedding we are more than happy to help in any way we can!
STEP 2: Pick a season to elope in Alicante
Probably it’s the most asked question and there isn’t just one answer because Spain’s weather is perfect any time of the year!
Every season has its own visual characteristics and qualities that it brings with it.
Spring (March, April, May)
In pur opinion, the best time of the year to elope in Alicante since the busy tourist season hasn’t started so it’s easier to book some really nice accommodation and other suppliers. Also, the days begin to get longer and eventhough it can sometimes still be a bit cold (especially in March), the temperature is warm and you can use a so a warm layer (coat, cardigan, shawl, scarf) that will make your look unique.
Summer (June, July, August)
I can see how appealing summer might look: Warm and long days! But, we will tell you that it can get really hot here and that you need to book in advance for a nice accommodation + most of the beaches will be crowded even during weekdays.
Days are long and sunset will come around 8pm, this is important to have in mind in your schedule.
Fall (September, October and November)
You can see how the earthy tones start covering the mountains and nights get chiller. The tourist season begins to slow down so you have more of a chance of experiencing the landscape alone. The sun sets earlier in the day so some of the nicest light can be caught early in the afternoon. The temperature is perfect, the heat and the light are not as strong and it’s more enjoyable. If you are choosing late fall (November) we would recommend bringing layers (a shawl, cardigan, coat) just in case!
Winter (December, January, February)
In some parts of Spain like the east coast, the weather in winter might be around 16 degrees Celsius during the day. Warm days continue until February, which is by far, the coldest month. Warm layers are a must at this time of the year and light is limited so a ceremony at noon or in the early afternoon is certainly the best way to go.
Since the tourist season in Spain has slowed down l, the areas that are usually busy (Jávea, Denia, Altea, Benidorm,…) are quiet and you’ll most likely have the landscape to yourself.
STEP 3: Find a celebrant
The next step in planning your Spanish elopement and depending on your preference you can choose either religious or civil or humanist celebrant.
Humanist ceremony in Spain.
Humanist ceremonies can be one of the best ways to tie the knot as they can be personally tailored and offer many symbolic gestures such as hand-fasting, wedding band warming, … If you’re eloping outdoors then a Humanist celebrant might be the best option for you as they’re always ready for a hike and are really experienced in many types of outdoor weather conditions.
We have worked with a lot of amazing Humanist celebrants over the years, and you will be more than happy to recommend the perfect one for you. Most celebrants will be happy to share their knowledge and experience on how to elope in Spain as well.
Religious ceremony in Spain.
Spain has some beautiful hermitage or chapel, and ceremonies can be held there previous approval from the church.
STEP 4: Find wedding vendors and accommodation
It might seem obvious but this is the best advice is this: the earlier you can secure your celebrant, videographer, photographer, florist, hairstylist, makeup artist and accommodation, the better!
Depending on the season (specially fall) finding vendors and suppliers can be truly difficult so definitely prioritize mid-week dates when eloping as you’ll have much better luck with supplier availability and it’s usually quieter.
We can advise you the best suppliers and artists that we have worked with over the years and we will be happy to recommend them to you!
STEP 5: Decide what to wear
This magnificent weather allows you to wear your dream outfit practically all year.
Rain is pretty rare in Alicante, where we live, but we have two main rainy seasons : May, June and September. We always say to our couples that the best thing to do to really enjoy the experience is embrace everything on your elopement day, including the weather.
For Spring and Winter we suggest bringing an extra layer of clothing and if you’re eloping in the mountains some leather boots for walking are a must as well.
One thing to take into consideration is: aesthetics are very important so while North Face raincoats are practical they don’t translate well visually in photos. We suggest looking for a shawl with earthy tones or perhaps a cardigan or a fashionable coat.
This way you will be ready to roll with anything.
I hope this guide has helped you and given you some ideas about eloping in Spain, and as well, answered a few questions about planning a Spanish elopement. If you’re searching for a Wedding Photographer and Videographer to document your elopement adventure in Spain, we would love to find out about your plans so feel free to shoot a message below!
Check out our guide on ‘The Best Places To Elope In Spain’.
