When is the Best Time of Year to Get Married in Marbella?

In 2024 Marbella won the top destination in Europe award making it one of the most sought after wedding destinations in Europe.

Image from Ocean Weddings in Spain, by Victor Alaez

Boasting a mild Mediterranean climate, a stunning coastline, beautiful venues and many activities to entertain your guests it is the perfect location to host a destination wedding.

But when is the best time to host your wedding or event in Marbella, in this blog post we will break down the most popular months and the pros and cons of each season plus a few tips to help you style your wedding!

Springtime Weddings in Marbella

Ocean Weddings in Spain, image by Victor Alaez

The Marbella Wedding Season typically starts in April as the weather becomes warmer. There is always a flurry of activity as beaches are cleaned, restaurants who have been closed open and Marbella prepares for the summer season.

Often we see launch parties of the beach clubs such as Nikki Beach, Ocean Club and many more ready for the Easter holidays.

Easter in Marbella is busy as we have the processions and often the Easter week can be wet which is a shame so avoid this week if planning your wedding here. Although tempting as it is a holiday do remember flight prices will be higher too.

May is a perfect month, usually in the middle of May the summer 'switch' comes on as we say adios to the rain for months! You can feel the temperatures rising and a sure sign summer is on its way.

The temperatures range from 18°C to 25°C (64°F – 77°F), making it pleasant for outdoor ceremonies during the day but do recommend a wrap or jacket in the evening once the sun goes down.

In May the sunset is around 9.15pm and becomes later as we head into June. If you wish to have your meal dining under fairy lights this is useful to plan to sit down around this time as it gets dark so when planning your wedding timeline work backwards from the sunset time.

Your photographer will also want to take what is referred to as ‘golden hour shots’, those dreamy, romantic photos of the sun setting so it is always a good idea to factor about 10 to 15 minutes for these and get them done whilst your guests are being seated.

In May Marbella is full of the most spectacular jacaranda trees and agapanthus, the town is awash with the most stunning hues of purple and lilac shades.

This could be a lovely inspiration for a May wedding in Marbella combined with the orange side of the colour spectrum and also a nod to the many orange trees in Marbella. For the peony lovers May and June is their season and come July it has finished.

May and June are two of the most popular months for weddings, not only destination weddings but of course the locals so booking early is recommended. Usually a good lead time is about 18 months ahead and always try to pick a venue that does have a plan b for rain just in case, particularly the first 2 weeks in May.

Summertime Weddings in Marbella

Marbella Wedding, image by Eloy Munoz Photography

Summer is the most popular season for Marbella, the tourists arrive and it becomes busier especially for beachside and luxury resorts and hotels.

With temperatures averaging 30 to 35°C expect plenty of sunshine and warm evenings, ideal for open air receptions and it is highly unlikely to rain.

Sunset times are now later and June sees daylight until around 9.45pm so again if you wish to have that gorgeous romantically lit dining under the stars plan your meal to start around this time and work backwards.

Usually we would plan 2 hours for a meal, here in Spain the meal is an important part of a wedding, as it is with any Spanish celebration!

Therefore work backwards if your guests are seated at 9.30pm and you are having speeches ready to eat at 10pm then your ‘cocktail hour’ should start around 8pm. You can read more about the ‘cocktail hour’, what is it and some ideas here.

With these timings your ceremony should start around 7.15pm to 7.30pm depending on how long it is going to be so ask your guests to arrive at 7pm.

This is a rough idea on timings for a summer wedding however if you are hosting a Catholic Church wedding the timings will need to be adjusted.

For example a 5pm church wedding will last until 5.45pm then perhaps drinks for an hour in Marbella whilst you two get some gorgeous ‘old town’ photos done then transported to the venue for a 7pm cocktail hour.

This all may seem a little late compared to many Northern European weddings and the main reason is the heat in the summer. It is one thing to be in a swimsuit, sipping ice cold cocktails as you cool down in the pool but a completely different story in formal clothes and trying to stay fresh and composed isn’t going to happen!

There are many other logistics involved when getting married in a hotter climate and it is always wise to have a wedding planner to help and advise you.

From the catering, cakes and drinks to what flowers will survive the heat are all considerations you need to take into account.

The Spanish also like to party and love dancing but at night! Not in the extraordinary heat of the afternoon Mediterranean sun unless in a swimsuit and on the beach!

Marbella in the summer is a mix of glorious bright colours, a riot of hibiscus, bougainvilleas, geraniums in pinks, reds and purples. If you wish to host a colourful Mediterranean style wedding so consult with your florist as to the best florals for a wedding in the heat. You can read more about what flowers should you choose for your wedding in Marbella here.

The only downsides of a summer wedding in Marbella apart from managing the heat is it is busy, peak tourist season means it is crowded and you need to plan way ahead with restaurant bookings and booking suppliers who not only do weddings but are very much involved in the summer Marbella entertainment scene too.

In August many suppliers won’t work, due to the heat and the crowds. Parking becomes impossible and the coast road is always full of traffic jams. Do bear in mind Marbella is where many Spanish flock to in August for the month as the cities close for this month.

Autumn Weddings in Marbella

Credit to Ocean Weddings in Spain and Victor Alaez

Autumn in Marbella is a favourite among couples seeking a balance between great weather and fewer crowds. The crowds disperse as the school holidays end and pleasant temperatures range between 22°C and 30°C, the sea and pools remains warm from the summer heat.

September is particularly popular for weddings and wedding season runs into October too.

As Marbella heads into Autumn there is a sense of peace after a hectic summer and the sunsets are now earlier at about 8.30pm so when planning your wedding timings it can be earlier.

With May, June and September being the most popular months for weddings in Marbella it is highly recommended you book as soon as you can. Secure the venue and the main and popular suppliers as chances are they are already booked for these weekends. Consider a weekday wedding too, many venues have cheaper weekday rates but not the suppliers.

The autumn months here in Spain are amazing, still warm and the summer flowers are still abundant. A perfect wedding style for an autumn wedding would be to include olives, oranges or something more elegant such as a fresh white and green colour scheme.

A little tip though from many photographers is a white bouquet is quite difficult to capture against a white wedding dress so do bear this in mind when planning your wedding bouquet.

Whilst rain is unusual in September the rain season does start again so always choose a venue with a plan b just in case and as you head into October and November there will be a much higher chance of rain.

Winter Weddings in Marbella

While winter may not be the first choice for a Marbella wedding, it offers a unique charm, especially for couples who prefer a more intimate and cost effective celebration. With temperatures averaging 12°C to 18°C outdoor weddings are still possible, particularly in December as long as you can go inside or have heaters set up for the evening.

December tends to be a dry month and hosts the most beautiful winter sky sunsets which are around 6pm as we lose daytime hours.

The cost to host a winter wedding in Marbella is significantly lower and there are many cozy and romantic indoor venues and restaurants available.

A winter wedding is always a good excuse to throw in a bit of sparkle into your wedding and explore the culture Spain has to offer.

Many suppliers do take time off during the winter months so it is always wise to check who is available. You can find a huge range of fabulous suppliers here to help you plan your wedding in Marbella.

Wedding planner Ocean Weddings Spain

Photographer Victor Alaez images 1,2 and 4

Image 3 Eloy Muñoz Photography