Spain is one of the friendliest LGBT+ wedding destinations in Europe and with over 320 days of sunshine the Costa Tropical just one hour from both Malaga and Granada airports is an undiscovered gem for gay weddings in Spain.
Photo Toni Bonet
Gay weddings in Spain
Spain has been celebrating same sex weddings for fifteen years now. Madrid has one of the biggest Pride parades in Europe with MADO, beautiful Sitges is a haven for many LBGT+ sun worshipers and Barcelona even has a neighbourhood affectionately called Gaixample packed with gay bars, nightclubs and restaurants. But now the coast of Granada is worthy of serious consideration.
Costa Tropical the new destination wedding secret
But where do you go, if you are seeking a truly romantic location for a gay wedding in Spain that is away from the popular social scene?
The answer is just one hour’s stunning drive along the empty Mediterranean motorway of the Costa del Sol to the lesser known coastline of Granada and the Costa Tropical.
Photo Toni Bonet
Undiscovered Spanish wedding locations
As the name suggests, this is a tropical micro climate, where palm trees line the beaches, avocados and mangoes grow in abundance and lemons and oranges literally fall at your feet as you wander the cobbled streets of the many whitewashed old Spanish villages.
Photo Toni Bonet
Andalucian tropical paradise
There is a heavy Moroccan influence in the architecture of this part of southern Andalucia with stunning fortresses and castles dotting the coastline just begging to be used as a location for your wedding ceremony – it really is a tropical paradise and yet so close to home!
Palacete de la Najarra, “Pink Palace” in Almunecar
New wedding location revealed
Almunecar is at the heart of this small stretch of protected coastline. And the final hidden gem has just revealed itself as perhaps the most romantic wedding location in the entire Costa Tropical.
The pink Palacete de la Najarra has just been restored to its full Moroccan glory. Reminiscent of a mini Alhambra this stunning building sits just one street back from the beach – where you can stretch your wedding photo opportunities to a romantic kiss as the sun sets into the sparkling Mediterranean.
Photo Toni Bonet
Pink palace is perfect secret wedding venue
Time seems to stand still in the beautiful gardens with their tiled fountains, green parrots chattering in the palm trees and a fossil table (ideal for a wedding altar) with the back drop of the mystical pink palace itself.
If you prefer to be inside in the shade, there are two formal ceremony rooms with heavy Spanish dark wood furniture, intricately carved clay tiles on the walls, coloured stained glass windows and brightly painted Moroccan styled ceilings.
Photo Lara Jackson
Real weddings at the Palacete de la Najarra
The Palacete de la Najarra doubles as the local tourist information office, but don’t let that put you off, it is truly a very special place!
Perhaps the most spectacular secret corner of the entire extraordinary building is where our real couple Fran and Miguel Angel renewed their vows to tie the knot once more with a handfasting ceremony – it’s the former bathroom!!!
Photo Toni Bonet
Facts about getting married in Spain
Spanish bureaucracy can be long-winded. Top tip is to contract your marriage at home then celebrate with a symbolic ceremony in the sunshine.
Getting married in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar is a simple process – why not have a two-centre marriage and wedding combo!
Nearest airports: Malaga and Granada are both one hour from the Costa Tropical.
Photo of Debbie Skyrme, Juanma Segura
Author bio: Debbie Skyrme is “Celebrant Spain” – an award winning celebrant officiating bilingual weddings, elopements and vow renewal ceremonies in the Spanish sunshine.
Web site: https://www.celebrantspain.es
Photo Toni Bonet
Who to contact: The fabulous team of local wedding professionals and real couples who collaborated to put together the photos for this article and can’t wait to help you celebrate your love are:
Wedding Planner: Mar Aday
Photographer: Toni Bonet
Photographer: Lara Jackson
Featured wedding celebrant and blog author: Debbie Skyrme
Wedding celebrant: Wendy Sherwood
Florist: El Rincon de Los Flores
Hair stylist: Cesar Morillas
Makeup artist: Violeta Carvajal
Bridal fashion: Rafa García
Groom’s fashion: BXS
Hair accessories: Cala by Lilian
Location: Palacete de la Najarra, Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Spain
(c) Debbie Skyrme 2021 This content was authored by Debbie Skyrme and originally published on https://celebrantspain.es/blog/
Unauthorised publishing of the text or image content in part or in full is strictly forbidden.
