Wedding Planner in Barcelona

We interview one of the top wedding planners in Barcelona and ask her the questions about the things you want to know about getting married in Barcelona.  Valerie O'Donoghue, below, has lived in Barcelona for many years, speaks English and Spanish and runs a well established business here.

Why do people want to get married in or around Barcelona?

Most people assume it is all about the sun and keeping costs down but really the main reason people opt to get married abroad is because they want to do something different. They are very fed up with going to the same ballroom in the same hotel with the same food and same music as all of their friends. Not only is Barcelona easy to get to, it offers an overwhelming myriad of venues; everything from rustic villas and baroque palaces to boutique and luxurious hotels to museums and art galleries to traditional and modern restaurants to architectural masterpieces and wineries. Barcelona really does have something to suit every taste and budget! The high quality food and wine and cava and the relaxed atmosphere is also a big draw.

How long does it take to organise the wedding?

The advance planning can help to ensure that a couple will get their chosen date in their preferred venue/church, but there can be such a thing as too much time, as some venues and churches will not take bookings too far in advance. Most couples get in touch with me a year prior to their proposed wedding date. However a year is not at all essential, we can get things sorted a lot more quickly than that! If couples are open to getting married on a week day rather than a Saturday they are much more likely to get their venue/church, as there is a lot of competition for Saturday weddings. I have had couples come to me just a couple of months beforehand and everything has run very smoothly. But it should be noted that the legal and religious paperwork involved for a church ceremony needs to commence 6 months prior to the wedding.

 
How many visits do the couple make here before the big day?

The couples usually make two trips to Barcelona prior to the wedding; one to meet with me and see venues together. This is the hard part for the bride and groom as this is the biggest decision! The second trip is the fun one where they get to taste and select the food and wine, do hair and make-up trails etc. I of course assist the couple in finding suitable accommodation for these trips and indeed for their guests for when they come over for the wedding.

 
Where is the most popular wedding venue?

The majority of the couples I have assisted have opted for one of the many beautiful “masias” on the outskirts of the city. These are country houses, many of which used to be wineries or homes to cava producers or famers, and have been beautifully restored as either restaurants or event venues that you can rent. These masias act as beautiful backdrops for photographs and usually have enough space for outdoor dining in the evening sun and even dancing under the stars...giving couples that different setting they were seeking.

Is it expensive to get married here?

In general you get a lot more for your money here than you do at home! However it can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you like it to be! Of course you can spend a fortune, but you can also have a beautiful wedding on a small budget. It really depends on your personal needs, wants and tastes. A big plus factor for Barcelona is the frequency with which the low cost airlines fly to Barcelona El Prat airport and nearby Girona and Reus airports. Not only are the flights short and economical, they are so frequent that guests can even just make it over for the wedding night if necessary, which means that you are not imposing too much cost or inconvenience on your family and friends.

What kind of wedding service do the couples have? A full church service or in another building/location?

This depends on the couple and their religion. Catholic church weddings double as a religious and civil ceremony even if neither of the couple is a resident in Spain and so most Catholic couples do opt for the full church service. Non-catholics simply opt for a symbolic ceremony in a romantic setting.

Where do the couples go for their honeymooon? Do they stay in Barcelona?

More often than not the couples spend the best part of the wedding week in Barcelona, as do most of their friends and families. By the time the wedding day comes everyone is relaxed, bronzed and in holiday mode and so the wedding is great fun for everyone involved! Some couples stay on for an extra few days to wind down and have some time on their own after the madness is over. More often than not couples decide to rent a car in Barcelona and use the city as a starting point for their honeymoon touring around Spain, France and Italy.

Any major tip for a bride and groom thinking about getting married in Barcelona? 

Hire a wedding planner.  It will be the best investment you make in your wedding! Getting married somewhere where you don’t speak the language, the venues, the catering companies, the musicians, the transport options, the culture and the way things work would be very daunting without the help of someone there to guide you through it all. Not only will your planner have the necessary language and knowledge to ensure you plan the wedding you want, he/she will also be there on the day to ensure the smooth running of everything...so that you can just concentrate on enjoying the day! If there is one thing I hate it is seeing a stressed bride (or groom)! Remember I can be there to do any necessary stressing so you don’t have to! 

To contact Valerie O'Donoghue click on Barcelona Wedding 

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