Religious marriage in spain?

Question

is it possible to have a religious wedding in spain without having the civil ceremony as well. For example, if a couple wanted to get married in the synogogue or mosque etc while they were on holiday in spain, would they need a civil wedding as well?

thanks.

thanks.

Answer 1

My initial guess would be no since you are not a member of XYZ Mosque/Synagogue. Plus, the ceremony would be in Spanish - and you don't mention if you understand Spanish, a probably requirement for those getting married in Spain. The paperwork just for having a civil ceremony is incredible. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have a religious ceremony as well. And neither of you is a Spanish citizen? If not, well, that may seal the deal right there. I've heard that it is possible but with great difficulty. And as someone said above, you'd still have to have a civil ceremony in your home country upon returning to make it legal there.

Many people do a kind of "Mock Wedding" when on vacation. It has all the ceremony components of a real wedding but it's all ceremony and not legal. Then they just sign civil marriage papers in their home country upon returning and they can still tell people they were "married" in Spain, show photos, etcetera.

Best of luck!

Saludos, BarcelonaMan(.com)

Answer 2

Actually, this is to Barcelonaman.  I rarely have anything to add after he has posted, but I have to add this.  Sure, a Christian ceremony would be held in Spanish, which, if you don't speak the language, would probably be a problem.

However, If it's a Jewish Ceremony, it will be held almost entirely in Hebrew, just as it would be in any other country, and would have just as much spiritual significance as the ceremony in any other country.  I suspect the same would be true of a Muslim ceremony.  The only time I went to a Muslim wedding, much of it was in Arabic, so, yeah, that part would not exactly be prohibitive.

And, I'm pretty sure, it would be much like in the States...if you are willing to pay the officiant enough money, they would be willing to perform a ceremony for you, but you would have to communicate directly with any given house of worship, and/or officiant.

Can you do it without the civil part?  I would GUESS that would be possible, but, again, you would have to speak to the officiant for proper details.  I DO believe Barcelonaman regarding the red tape.  I have heard that ALL beaurocracy in Spain is out of control!

Answer 3

Sorry but my English is bad. In Spain the religious wedding is at the same time a civil  wedding. If you married some in a church, in the synogogue or mosque, it is the same that if you did in the Court.

Answer 4

Do you mean a civil service in spain? Or you in your country of origin?

I had a religious ceremony in Spain but didn't do any of the paper work so then when I got back to the states I had a civil service so that it would be legal too.