Firsthand visit: 2017
Marbella has long attracted visitors for its sunshine, glamorous beach clubs and lively social scene. Yet beyond the familiar images of Puerto Banús and its luxury yachts lies another side of this Andalusian city, one that makes a compelling case for a destination wedding.
Historic churches, private estates, Mediterranean gardens and hotels overlooking the sea offer couples a remarkable choice of settings. There is also the pleasure of bringing family and friends together somewhere that encourages them to stay a little longer, enjoy excellent food and experience the coast beyond the wedding celebrations.
We travelled to Marbella in 2017 at the invitation of Marbella Tourism, Confetti Magazine, The National Wedding Show and Expobodas Marbella 360 to discover what the destination could offer couples planning a luxury wedding.
Our itinerary took us from the Old Town to the Golden Mile, through some of the region’s most celebrated hotels, restaurants and beach clubs, and out onto the Mediterranean itself.
It proved to be a particularly enjoyable introduction to Marbella as a wedding destination.
A Mediterranean welcome at Vincci Estrella del Mar
Our journey began with an early morning flight and a limousine transfer to Vincci Selección Estrella del Mar, our hotel for the visit.
After a 5am departure, arriving at such a beautiful property was very welcome.
The hotel combines contemporary Mediterranean design with architectural influences from the region’s Moorish heritage. Tiled floors, elegant courtyards and terraces overlooking the coast give the property a distinctive character.
Our room provided a comfortable place to settle in before the start of a particularly full itinerary.
The spa was another attraction, offering treatments and opportunities for private use. For couples planning several days of celebrations, facilities of this kind can be particularly appealing, allowing guests time to relax between events.
We also explored the Estrella del Mar Beach Club, with its pools and coastal setting.
For a wedding weekend, the appeal was immediately apparent. A ceremony overlooking the Mediterranean, cocktails beside the pool and a relaxed celebration by the beach would make a lovely combination.
What impressed us was the opportunity to create different experiences within one destination, rather than expecting every part of a wedding to take place in the same room.
Discovering Marbella’s historic Old Town
Our tour of Marbella continued with a chauffeur driven journey through the city, courtesy of Cabify.
One of the highlights was the Old Town.
The historic centre has retained much of its traditional street layout, with narrow streets, whitewashed buildings and architectural details that reveal centuries of Andalusian history.
It feels quite different from the modern resort areas along the coast.
We visited Marbella Town Hall, where the historic architecture includes Gothic and Renaissance influences and decorative frescoes.
We were also fortunate enough to meet the mayor during our visit. The occasion attracted the attention of the local press, and our group subsequently appeared in the newspaper.
For couples considering a wedding in Marbella, the Old Town deserves time in the itinerary. It offers a sense of place that is difficult to replicate within a resort, and its streets and historic buildings provide beautiful opportunities for wedding photography.
Historic churches and traditional ceremonies
Marbella’s churches were another memorable part of our visit.
Inside, ornate architectural details, religious paintings and gilded decoration create impressive settings for a traditional Catholic ceremony.
These historic sanctuaries offer an entirely different wedding experience from a beachfront celebration.
Couples considering a religious wedding in Spain should establish the relevant church requirements and marriage arrangements well in advance, particularly when travelling from abroad.
For those able to marry in one of these churches, the combination of a traditional ceremony in the Old Town and a reception elsewhere along the coast could be particularly special.
The pleasure of dining in Marbella
Food was one of the great pleasures of our visit.
Marbella’s coastal location makes seafood a natural part of the dining experience, and we enjoyed some excellent meals throughout our stay.
One buffet was especially memorable for its selection of lobster, crab, langoustines and shellfish, beautifully prepared and presented.
Guests could also choose their own lobster or crab to be cooked for them, a lovely touch that made the meal feel more personal.
There was traditional Spanish paella, too, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local cuisine.
For a destination wedding, food becomes part of the wider experience. A relaxed seafood lunch, a formal wedding breakfast and a leisurely gathering the following day can each have their own character.
Marbella offers couples the opportunity to make dining a memorable part of the celebrations.
An evening at Olivia Valère
One of our most striking dining experiences took place at Olivia Valère.
The venue’s Babilonia Palace restaurant was designed to evoke the courtyard of an Arabian palace, with elaborate architectural details and hundreds of candles illuminating the space.
It was wonderfully theatrical.
The restaurant had an unmistakable sense of occasion, making it easy to imagine an evening celebration with guests dressed for dinner, enjoying excellent food before continuing into the night.
For couples drawn to a more glamorous style of wedding, Marbella has venues that embrace that spirit wholeheartedly.
Puerto Banús and the Sala Group
No visit to Marbella would be complete without spending time in Puerto Banús.
During our trip, we met Justin Boland, then Sales and Commercial Manager for the Sala Group, who introduced us to several of the group’s hospitality venues.
Each offered a different experience, from relaxed beachfront dining to late evening entertainment.
La Sala by the Sea
La Sala by the Sea was one of the group’s best known beach clubs, combining Mediterranean views with a lively social atmosphere.
The coastal setting made it an attractive option for a gathering before or after a wedding.
A beach club celebration gives guests an opportunity to enjoy the destination in a more informal way, particularly when everyone has travelled to Spain for several days.
La Sala Puerto Banús
La Sala Puerto Banús offered a different experience, with several dining and entertainment areas, including a terrace and live music spaces.
It was the kind of venue where guests could begin with dinner and continue enjoying the evening without moving elsewhere.
For a wedding party, that flexibility is valuable, especially when arranging events for different groups of friends and family.
OAK Garden & Grill
OAK Garden & Grill provided a more intimate contrast.
Set within the garden of an Andalusian style villa, with La Concha rising in the distance, the restaurant combined an attractive outdoor setting with a menu focused on grilled dishes and established favourites.
The garden setting was particularly appealing.
It offered the possibility of a more relaxed dinner, perhaps for close family and friends before the main wedding celebrations.
Marbella after dark
Our 2017 itinerary also introduced us to Aqwa Mist and plans for Mahiki Beach, reflecting the city’s reputation for nightlife and entertainment.
These venues were part of Marbella’s social scene at the time of our visit.
For couples who want to include a lively evening with friends, the wider Puerto Banús area has long been an important part of the destination’s appeal.
The advantage of Marbella is that a wedding weekend can include both elegant, private celebrations and a more energetic evening out.
Marbella Club: Weddings on the Golden Mile
Our visit to Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa was another highlight.
The property occupies a particularly desirable position on Marbella’s Golden Mile, an area known for its exclusive villas, established hotels and proximity to the Mediterranean.
We explored the wedding possibilities available at the hotel, including Villa del Mar, the Beach Club and beachfront settings.
Each presented a different vision of a wedding.
Villa del Mar offered the appeal of a private residence, while the beach settings introduced the sea as an important part of the occasion.
For couples planning a destination wedding, this choice matters.
Some will want a formal celebration with a strong sense of privacy. Others may prefer a ceremony and reception that make the most of the coastline.
Marbella Club demonstrated how both approaches could work within the same destination.
Private celebrations at Finca Palma
A short journey from central Marbella brought us to Finca Palma, a venue presented during our visit by Catering Alabardero.
Its gardens, pathways and water features offered a charming setting for an outdoor celebration.
At the time, the property was described as suitable for events of up to 250 guests.
What appealed to us was the contrast between the busy coastal areas and the more secluded character of the grounds.
For a couple wanting a garden wedding in Andalusia, a property of this kind offers the opportunity to create a celebration with a very different atmosphere from a large hotel or beach club.
It also demonstrates why couples should explore the countryside around Marbella rather than limiting their search to properties directly beside the sea.
Río Real Golf Hotel: A quieter side of Marbella
Río Real Golf Hotel introduced us to another aspect of the destination.
Set within the Río Real golf course, the hotel combined Andalusian architectural influences with contemporary comforts.
The golf course extends through an attractive landscape between the mountains and the Mediterranean coast.
For couples who prefer a smaller hotel setting, or whose guests enjoy golf, properties of this kind can offer a welcome alternative to the larger coastal resorts.
The surrounding scenery was particularly appealing.
Marbella’s mountains are an important part of its character, and their presence gives the destination a sense of scale that is easy to overlook when concentrating on the beaches.
The Golden Mile, the mountains and the marina
The scenery around Marbella was one of the lasting impressions of our visit.
Although the weather was a little cloudy during part of our stay, the views towards the mountains were spectacular.
The Sierra Blanca range rises behind the city, while the Mediterranean stretches out in the opposite direction.
This contrast between mountains and sea is one of Marbella’s great advantages as a wedding destination.
The Golden Mile is home to some of the area’s most prestigious hotels, villas and private estates, many of which make the most of these views.
For couples looking for a private wedding property, the area is well worth exploring.
A yacht excursion from Puerto Banús
We also spent time at Puerto Banús Marina, where the harbour was filled with an impressive collection of yachts.
Marbella Boat Charter welcomed us aboard for an excursion on the water.
It was tremendous fun.
Being out at sea gave us another perspective on the coastline, and it was easy to imagine arranging a similar experience for wedding guests.
A private yacht excursion could be a lovely addition to a wedding itinerary, whether for a small gathering before the ceremony, a family outing or a honeymoon experience.
The opportunity to enjoy the Mediterranean from the water adds something special to a stay in Marbella.
Beach clubs and days beside the Mediterranean
Marbella’s beaches are central to its appeal, but there is considerable variety in how visitors can enjoy them.
Our hotel offered access to its beach club and several swimming pools, so there was no shortage of places to spend a relaxing afternoon.
We also visited Nikki Beach, a well known name in international beach club hospitality.
Its position beside the Mediterranean and its distinctive approach to beachside entertaining made it another interesting stop on our itinerary.
For couples bringing guests to Marbella, beach clubs can play an important role in the wedding weekend.
Not every gathering needs to be formal.
A leisurely lunch, an afternoon beside the pool or a relaxed celebration after the wedding gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy the destination together.
These occasions can become some of the most enjoyable memories of the trip.
Shopping and exploring beyond the wedding
We also found time for a little shopping.
El Corte Inglés in the Costa Marbella area offered a selection of international fashion and beauty brands, including the sort of designer names that appeal to visitors looking for something special.
For wedding guests staying several days, Marbella offers plenty to do between organised celebrations.
Shopping, golf, spa treatments, historic sightseeing, beach clubs and yacht excursions provide a varied programme without requiring everyone to travel far.
That flexibility is especially useful for destination weddings with guests of different ages and interests.
Some may want to explore the Old Town, while others will prefer a day beside the sea.
Marbella accommodates both beautifully.
Why Marbella works for a destination wedding
Our visit showed us that Marbella is much more than a glamorous holiday resort.
Its appeal lies in the variety of experiences available within a relatively compact area.
Couples can choose a traditional church ceremony, a private villa reception, a celebration at a luxury hotel or an event beside the Mediterranean.
They can welcome guests with dinner in Puerto Banús, arrange a day at a beach club, enjoy a yacht excursion or organise a relaxed lunch featuring the region’s seafood.
The surrounding mountains, historic architecture and established hospitality scene give the destination considerable depth.
For British and international couples, Marbella also offers the attraction of making the wedding part of a longer holiday.
Rather than arriving for a single celebration and leaving the following morning, guests can spend several days discovering the coast and enjoying time together.
That is perhaps what impressed us most.
A destination wedding should give people a reason to travel, but it should also reward them for making the journey.
Marbella certainly did that for us.
Our verdict
We arrived in Marbella familiar with its reputation for beaches, luxury hotels and nightlife.
We left with a much greater appreciation of its wedding possibilities.
The historic Old Town, beautiful churches, private estates, excellent restaurants and Mediterranean coastline offer couples a wide choice of settings and experiences.
There is glamour when you want it, privacy when you need it and plenty to enjoy beyond the wedding day itself.
Our 2017 visit was a memorable introduction to the destination, and Marbella remains a place we would encourage couples to explore when considering a wedding in southern Spain.
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Editorial note: This feature is based on our firsthand visit to Marbella in 2017. Venue names, ownership, event capacities, facilities and wedding services may have changed since our visit. Couples should confirm current arrangements directly with their chosen venues.
Visit acknowledgements
Our visit was arranged in collaboration with Marbella Tourism, Confetti Magazine, The National Wedding Show and Expobodas Marbella 360.
Hospitality and experiences during the visit included Vincci Selección Estrella del Mar, Olivia Valère, the Sala Group, Río Real Golf Hotel, Catering Alabardero, El Corte Inglés, Nikki Beach and local marine hospitality providers.
