7 Insider Tips for Your Destination Wedding on the Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol - Spain’s famous “Sun Coast” - is one of Europe’s top wedding destinations, and for good reason. With an average of 315 days of sunshine a year, stunning beaches, picturesque mountain villages, and luxurious venues, it’s no wonder so many English-speaking couples choose to get married here.
As a professional wedding guitarist in Spain, I’ve had the pleasure of performing at over 600 beautiful weddings along the Costa del Sol. Whether you’re planning a beachfront ceremony in Marbella or a rustic finca celebration near Málaga, these five tips will help make your day unforgettable..
1. Choose the Right Time of Year
Mid summer is hot! No, I mean seriously hot. Most couples will come for venue viewings before committing, and usually they come in early spring or late autumn. This is not a good indicator of what your mid summer weather will be. Not every month is ideal for a wedding.
Best months: May, June, September, and October. These offer warm temperatures without the extreme heat of midsummer.
Even March, April and November can deliver beautiful weather, and will be significantly cheaper for travel, accommodation, and possibly even venues.
Avoid: Late July and August particularly if your venue is outdoors—temperatures can exceed 35°C and shade is limited. Hot irritable guests and a Bride with heat stroke, are not the memories you want to create!
If you have no choice, and have to come in July or August, then here are 2 extra tips:
1. The location of your venue is critical. Even in Southern Spain there are certain areas that have more pleasant summer temperatures. Ask me for some ideas.
2. It does cool down, but not until much later than most people think. A 5pm ceremony is actually going to be at one of the hottest times of the day. Either leave it until 7pm or, make sure your venue has an indoor air conditioned or cool space for the ceremony. Perhaps an on site chapel? Ask me for my suggestions.
Insider tip: Sunset ceremonies in spring or autumn offer stunning golden light and comfortable weather.
2. Book Local, English-Speaking Vendors Early
Destination weddings take more coordination than local ones, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. Booking early helps you secure top-quality vendors who understand your vision. Typically, well established and respected vendors will be booked for popular dates, at least a year in advance.
Look for:
Wedding planners who specialise in English-speaking clients. Look for reviews from multiple sources.
This is a tip often overlooked: your hair and makeup provider is the most important vendor to source, after your planner! The climate is different here, and these professionals know exactly what is needed for you to look perfect for the whole day. There is no point in hiring expensive photographers and videographers if you are not going to be wowed with the way you look every time you look back at photos and video of your special day.
Celebrants are booked very early, and a good one makes your ceremony unique and memorable.
Photographers and videographers with experience in Costa del Sol lighting and landscapes.
Live musicians (like myself!) who can adapt to your style and venue,
DJ or live band to make your after dinner party a night to remember.
Why it matters: The best venues and suppliers book up quickly - especially for weekend dates from May to October
3. Don't waste your beautiful vows!
Many weddings I attend don't plan for this part of the ceremony adequately. You've spent hours agonising over your vows, make sure your guests and videographer can hear them! Ensure that your celebrant has a microphone, and get them to hold it while you read your vows. They know how close the mic needs to be to your mouth in order to make your voice clear. If you have readings, make sure the speaker knows they need to be no more than a thumb length from the mic to be heard.
4. Consider a Live Musician for Your Ceremony or Cocktail Hour
Live music brings elegance, romance, and a personal touch to your wedding day. Especially if they can add value by providing extras, like learning your favorite song or being able to mix live and recorded music seamlessly, or provide microphones.
Consider using them for:
Welcome drinks: the perfect time to remind your guests where they are. It just has to be Spanish guitar!
Ceremony: Walk down the aisle to a custom guitar version of your favorite song
Cocktail hour: Set a relaxed, stylish tone with live guitar or instrumental pop. Why don't I recommend a band or singer? This is the part of the day where the photographers do their best work. The lighting is perfect and everyone is still looking their best. There will be bride and groom photos, bridesmaids, parents, family, and various groups of friends. You'll want photos of them all. The cocktail hour is a constant move of people in and out of the area. The last thing you need is a performer holding attention and making it difficult to get people to where they are needed. You only have so much good light. I normally play a mix of genres during this time and include something for everyone to smile at, without drawing to much attention. Basically, providing the perfect soundtrack for this crucial part of the day.
Venues on the Costa del Sol, from beachfront resorts to hillside villas, are perfect for acoustic performances that blend naturally with the setting. All my equipment is battery powered, so there is no restriction on venue.
5. If young children are attending, hire a nanny.
When children are subjected to heat that they are not used to, and then suddenly find that attention is focused elsewhere, it can often result in fractious behaviour. I have seen many ceremonies having to be halted and others just ruined, because of this. Having someone on hand whose sole responsibility is to keep children amused and safe, is a must. None of your wedding guests want to miss the main event because they are required to step in and take children elsewhere. Honestly, no matter how well behaved children are usually, when everyone is focused on the couple and trying to be quiet and listen, that's exactly when they will want everyones attention.
6. Plan for the Heat and the Light
Even if your wedding isn’t in peak summer, the sun can still be intense—especially in the mid and late afternoon.
What to consider: Schedule outdoor ceremonies for 5pm or later.
Provide shade for guests, with parasols or under trees, have fans and cool drinks in the ceremony area.
Ask your photographer about the best lit positions for ceremony portraits.
Music tip: If hiring a live musician, make sure there's some shade for them and their instruments—they don’t like 40°C sunshine any more than you do.
7. Embrace the Local Flavour
Adding Spanish flair to your wedding makes it even more memorable:
Include Spanish guitar music during welcome drinks or dinner.
Serve local wines, tapas, or paella, during cocktail hour.
Consider a flamenco performance for after the speeches and before the cake cutting.
Use some local olive oil or wine as party favors.
You don’t need to go overboard - just a few touches will make your guests feel like they’ve truly experienced something special.
Bonus Tip: Relax and Enjoy the Moment
You’ve chosen one of the most beautiful places in the world to get married. With a good team, a solid plan, and a relaxed mindset, your Costa del Sol wedding will be everything you dreamed of—and more.
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Looking for live music for your Costa del Sol wedding?
I provide elegant, romantic guitar music for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and dinners—perfect for English-speaking couples marrying in Spain. Marbella or anywhere on the Costa del Sol. I’d love to be part of your day.