Cruises and weddings in Gibraltar - a sweet combination!

Did you know that Gibraltar is one of Europe's most popular cruise stop destinations? For decades, Gibraltar has welcomed visitors from all over the world arriving on luxury cruise ships for the day. On these days - which is almost every day in summer - Gibraltar's streets turn into a mass of colour and activity; as shoppers enjoy the great bargains to be had in Gibraltar's duty free shops, and visit the sites that make Gibraltar so famous worldwide.

With so many cruise liners arriving on a daily basis to our shores, it is no wonder that some of its passengers like the idea of getting married whilst on holiday. Gibraltar is a great destination wedding venue. With easy legislation that can be arranged in advance, it is possible for loved up couples to embark on a Mediterranean cruise and arrive in Gibraltar for the day, and leave as a married couple!  All that is required is a little planning ahead, with the help of wedding planners Hour Weddings,  and a short visit to Gibraltar to finalise the details prior to your cruise.
Last year, one of our couples did just that. Arriving in Gibraltar just before midday with their entourage of relatives and friends who were also on board the Legend of the Seas, they were whisked off to the Gibraltar Botanical Gardens to have their wedding ceremony, followed by a cocktail reception. Then, after having visited the top of the Rock for some amazing pictures, they were driven back to their ship just before it was ready to depart! It was a gorgeous day, and Monica was there throughout to make sure they had what they needed. The couple, who had arrived as Mr and Miss, departed as a very delighted Mr and Mrs!
So, if you are in the midst of planning your wedding and are looking for something different, how about making your wedding a cruise with a difference? We would be happy to provide you with options, including a list of cruise liners that are heading our way this summer.
Bon voyage, ahoy there and all the rest, matey!

Have a James Bond wedding in Gibraltar!

When Sean Connery – a.k.a. the original James Bond – got married in Gibraltar in 1973, he was very much part of the wave of famous personalities that came to the Rock to get hitched in a quiet and quick ceremony.

When his marriage ended in divorce, and he decided to tie the knot again, he came back to Gibraltar for that one too! What a treat for the people at the Registry! They still talk about it – 30 something years later! 

Round about the same time, another James Bond - Sir Roger Moore actually - honeymooned on the Rock of Gibraltar. Clearly a connection is being drawn here….

Weddings and honeymooners come to Gibraltar for various reasons – could it be the James Bond connection?  After all, did you know that the starting action sequence of “the Living Daylights” was shot on location in Gibraltar? It was stunning car chase down the Rock, with a climatic parachute drop onto a luxury yacht below! Its’ quite unbelievable – but great anyway! 

This is the beauty of getting married in Gibraltar. In a way, you can have it all, the backdrop, the drama, the fantastic climate. And yet a Gibraltar wedding is easy to enjoy. With everything close by, the extraordinary venues, and the lovely hotels, its easy to imagine why famous people came to exchange their vows in Gibraltar. Of course, with the legalities being relatively simple to process, a wedding ceremony need not be costly or tedious. It can be almost as exhilarating as that car chase down the Rock with an equally amazing ending!

Wedding planners Hour Weddings have been helping couples to get married in Gibraltar for nearly 3 years now. With their handy wedding packages, it’s now a real breeze getting your paperwork sorted out and planning a memorable wedding in Gibraltar. And if James Bond movies are your thing, why not create a James Bond theme in Gibraltar? Monica Coumbe, Managing Director at Hour Weddings is able to charter a yacht for your party. Or you could hire a speedboat and arrive at a marina in Gibraltar and head to the Registry – a short 5 minute walk – and exchange your vows. Then head off to the Top of the Rock for a stunning wedding reception at sunset.  The choices are limitless, the imagination endless. 

When the wedding is over, and the honeymoon begins, you could then head off to Tangiers, across the Straits of Gibraltar, where the beauty of Moroccan awaits you and your loved one. It’s all very Bond –like, you see? 

There is a new wedding package offered by Hour Weddings that gives you the chance to have a wedding with all the excitement of a James Bond movie without the price tag! check it out here

10 Reasons why you should get married in Gibraltar

If you’ve just been proposed to, or have just proposed to the love of your life, and been accepted (!) you are probably right now thinking - OH HECK WHAT NEXT? It’s a well-known fact that planning a wedding is as stressful as moving house, having a baby, starting a new job - all those things that get those jitters going, and the butterflies flapping in your belly.
If the only thing you’ve ever organised before is a BBQ in your backyard, then planning your wedding is going to be a challenge and a half. But before you go screaming back to your fiancé (e) that it was all a big mistake, hold on! It really isn’t that difficult, you know. These days, all you need is a good location, great weather, and a sympathetic locally based wedding planner to help you make it happen.
A Wedding abroad - away from home - is a wonderful way to bring together all your loved ones in one place where they can also enjoy a little holiday for themselves. The best weddings are the ones where all your guests wish they could do it all over again, because it was such a perfect day. Not many places can guarantee that kind of effect.


Here are at least 10 reasons we can think of why Gibraltar is a brilliant location for a destination wedding.….


1. It’s easy - A wedding made in Gibraltar is an uncomplicated affair to organise with regards to the legalities. For decades, couples have come to the Rock to tie to knot. You can book your wedding with 24 hours notice even, if you want! After that is done, the paperwork is easy, and with an Hour Weddings co-ordinator by your side, we can help you sort it out with the minimum fuss.
2. Short flights - Flights to Gibraltar and Malaga are very frequent from most major destinations, and affordable for your guests- if you are coming from the UK then the journey to the Rock is just two and half hours long.
3. Lovely venues - Nowadays the Gibraltar Registry allows weddings to take place in other venues as well as the Registry, which means you can have a very romantic wedding in one of the many beautiful locations that are licensed to perform marriage ceremonies. Take for example, Gibraltar Botanical Gardens - a beautiful location abundant with exotic and rare flora, inspired by the Italian gardens of the past. Or you could get married in the charming and luxurious Rock Hotel, with its fantastic views overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar. Or you could go for something totally different and get married at the top of the Rock! This is a stunning location that is hard to beat for that wow factor!

 If you prefer, you can also choose to have your wedding ceremony in Gibraltar then head across the border to one of the many fantastic venues available to host your wedding celebration. From the rustic charm of a finca, to the imposing yet beautiful rural monasteries, to an elegant restaurant in Puerto Banus, to a five star luxury hotel on the Millionaires strip – the range is endless, and with the help of your planner you WILL find the right place for your special day.
4. The weather! - With wonderful weather for most of the year, you needn’t worry about how your day will turn out, especially if you pick a date from March to September!
5. Experienced local wedding planning service - Hire a competent wedding planner like Hour Weddings – Gibraltar’s leading wedding and event organiser.  The experienced team can organise a wedding package to suit your individual requirements - whether your budget is limited or lavish. Or if you want just a little assistance and support on the day, they can handle that too, so that you can really enjoy your special occasion.
6. Location -The unique location of Gibraltar makes it possible for you to choose to take off for your honeymoon from Gibraltar to Spain, or Morocco, a popular destination – with flights to Marrakech from Gibraltar, you couldn’t pick a more romantic getaway.
7. Cost  – Given the current financial downturn, it is wiser today to spend your pounds and not convert to Euros. Gibraltar is a British colony, its main currency the pound sterling. It makes sound financial sense to pick Gibraltar as your wedding destination. Simple!

8. History – Follow in the footsteps of famous names like John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and Sean Connery. In his heyday, he tied the knot here on the Rock. And John and Yoko caused quite a stir when they decided to get married in Gibraltar!

9. Cruise stop – You could always plan your wedding on the Rock with a honeymoon cruise in mind – fly to Gibraltar, get married, then board one of the many luxury liners that come to Gibraltar every summer. Now doesn’t that sound wonderful? We can arrange that for you!
10. A very warm welcome - Finally, there is only one more reason we can think of – the people in Gibraltar are just great! You can be sure that you and your guests will be treated to Gibraltar’s famous Mediterranean hospitality.
Yes, Gibraltar is a wonderful wedding destination. And if you need help organising your day, well there is a growing number of wedding planners available to lend a hand. Hour Weddings have set the bar high and are worth contacting for some advice.So, consider Gibraltar as your destination wedding venue, and "imagine all the people" who will be delighted with your decision!