Planning a Pre-Wedding Visit to Marbella? What Couples Should and Shouldn’t Do
- Laura Charles
- Jan 3
- 5 min read
Planning a destination wedding in Marbella almost always includes a pre-wedding visit and done well, it can make the rest of your wedding planning feel calm, clear and under control. Done badly? It can feel rushed, overwhelming and oddly unproductive.
If you’re travelling to Marbella to plan your wedding, here’s exactly how to make the most of your visit plus we hope this post serves as a practical checklist to keep you focused.
If you have an experienced wedding planner this is perfect as they will be able to plan your pre-wedding visit for you.
If you are going it alone here are some helpful tips to make the most of your pre-wedding visit to Marbella.
What a Pre-Wedding Visit Is Really For
This trip isn’t about seeing everything. It is about confirming key decisions, meeting the people who will bring your day to life, and leaving with confidence and hopefully a shorter to do list.
As Marbella quietens down during the winter the first thing you need to do before you book flights is to make sure venues are open, the caterers have availability for your food tasting, the hair and makeup girls are here! Many of our wedding suppliers have hot footed it to warmer climes, can't blame them!
Likewise, don’t assume you are the only couple flying in for that second weekend in February and everyone will be available. Caterers are booked months in advance for food tastings as are our hair and makeup girls. Easyjet & Ryanair will be packed with couples all coming to the Costa Del Sol to start their wedding planning journey.
Once you have established the venue is open and free for a walkabout, the caterer can do your food tasting and the girls who will transform you on your wedding day are free then book the flights!
What you Should Check when Visiting your Wedding Venue
Winter in Marbella is very different to the summer months. This time of year, especially after the wet winter we are currently experiencing, a lot of venues look like they could do with a freshen up as could my house!
The 'freshen up' season usually begins at the end of March or beginning of April, painting gets underway, gardens get tended to and the sound of jet washers fill the air as patios, steps and outside areas are cleaned!
Have a walk around, check out where the ceremony, cocktail, dinner and dancing areas are and imagine how your wedding will look in the summer and how it will flow from one area to the next.
Do also check with the venue if they are planning any changes/upgrades. You don’t want to plan your decor based on the style of chairs they currently have only to find out they have replaced them in April. We had a venue here who painted over a gorgeous Mediterranean blue, it looks lovely but if a couple had planned their decor based on the colours of that venue it would have been a little disappointing.
For this reason many venues invite wedding planners along in the Spring after the 'freshen up season' to show them any upgrades, new ideas and decor they have completed during the winter months.
Food Tasting & Menu Decisions
Wedding food tasting in Marbella will be one of the highlights of your trip!
Do make sure you don’t eat a lot before you go as food is life here in Spain and you will be presented with a lot of it! Don’t book two food tasting in one day, you will regret it!
During your tasting finalize your menu, don’t leave maybes. Discuss any dietary requirements and options available for those who have food intolerances or special diets.
Discuss timings and ask about the service style, for example if you are having shared style tapas plates on the tables then you need to consider your table decor so the shared plates work being presented on the tables.
Many caterers include tables, chairs, crockery, etc in their menu packages. Check what these are and if you can upgrade anything, for example if a white chiavari chair is included but you would like a wooden crossback or a gold chiavari, this maybe an extra cost per head because the caterer has to hire them from another provider. Some of our caterers will have table set ups available for you to look at.
Wedding Tip - Take photos of each dish so you can remember them and make a note of what they were, it is easy to forget these details when you are back home.
Hair & Makeup Trials (With Realistic Expectations)
Trials are about trust and comfort, not perfection, it gives your wedding beauty team a good idea of your style, skin and how they will work with you on the day. Make sure you have sent them plenty of inspiration before you arrive so they are equipped with the right products for your trial.
Discuss timings, how many people will be using the hair and makeup team and check your venue has enough room and a good light for ‘getting ready’. The hair and makeup team will come with a lot of equipment and the last thing you need is everyone fighting for space or trying to do your makeup in a dark room.
They will also recommend a skin care regime and products to use leading up to your wedding day.
Wedding Tip - If you are having a spray tan book this in before your hair and makeup trial, not after.
Your look will always feel better on the wedding day itself and the hair and makeup trials are designed as an experiment and seeing what styles really work best for you. If you are planning on wearing a veil or head piece take this with you.
Meet Key Suppliers in Person If Possible
Putting faces to names will be hugely helpful particularly for the suppliers who will be working closely with you on the day.
If schedules allow, try to meet your celebrant, photographer, videographer and florist. Some maybe away, it is a popular time for holidays, but it isn’t going to put a damper on your wedding planning just arrange a video call with them when you get back.
Do bear in mind some florists are happy to create ‘mockups’ for a cost but it maybe they will be unable to get the exact flowers they have proposed for your wedding day. As an example peonies are a very short lived season only available from May to the end of June therefore if you are visiting here in February they won't be able to show you peonies.
If you have time pop along to the hotels you have on your recommended list, visit some of the venues you may have earmarked for other events such as a welcome drink or post wedding gathering. Again bear in mind many of the ‘beach’ venues will be closed until Easter.
A pre-wedding visit to Marbella should leave you feeling reassured, excited and confident, not utterly exhausted!
With the right appointments, realistic expectations and a little breathing space, it can be one of the most enjoyable parts of your wedding planning journey.
If you’re looking for trusted local suppliers, planning advice and inspiration, you’ll find everything you need inside The Marbella Wedding Directory.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it useful, if you wish to be on our mailing list with plenty of tips, inspirations and real weddings to study you can sign up here.
Images from Ruth BB, Jeremy Standley, Sana Catering & Kabana Glow.
Comments