Gibraltar Weddings - Wed On The Rock

Home

Wed On The Rock

A Civil Wedding

GETTING WED ON THE ROCK

A whole host of famous people have been married in Gibraltar with perhaps the most recorded being the ceremony between John & Yoko in 1969.

However, the first celebrity wedding was Lawrence Harvey and Margaret Leighton. The Rock also has a strong 007 connections with Sean Connery being married in Gibraltar twice to Diane Cilento and to his present wife, Micheline Boglino Roquebrune. Also let us not forget not to be shaken or stirred Roger Moore who started his honeymoon there. Indeed the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana also embarked on their honeymoon cruise from the Rock but that is another story.

The Gibraltar Tourist Board is naturally keen to promote the Rock as a venue for weddings. Nicky Guerrero, the chief executive of Gibraltar’s Tourist Board told wedgibraltar.com: “The Gibraltar Tourist Board is committed to achieving growth in this market. Couples are attracted to The Rock because of the Mediterranean climate and the picturesque and unique settings that Gibraltar provides for that special day. The uncomplicated paper work and efficiency of Gibraltar's Marriage Registry helps. In addition the excellent range of wedding services providers in Gibraltar, from hotels and restaurants to florists, makes the process of organising such an event that much easier."

Peter Canessa, the former chief executive of the GTB and now the Permanent Secretary at the Gibraltar ministry responsible for tourism told the BBC: "For the UK market, it's appealing because it's on British soil and everything is in English. People are familiar with the legal terms because the Gibraltarian law is based on UK law. And because it's two and a half hours from England, it does not cost the earth. It has really taken off, and that's why we are specifically advertising it."

Indeed apart from having a civil wedding at the Registry Office the Rock’s hotels are now able to act as venues as are The Mount, The Dell at the Alameda Gardens, the top of the Rock and the Garrison Library. The Mount was built in 1797, is now an officially listed building that was formerly the official residence of the senior officer of the Royal Navy in Gibraltar and which boasts fascinating gardens. The Alameda Gardens were developed in 1816 for the purpose of providing civilians with an area of beauty for rest and relaxation. Today the gardens have developed into the Botanic Gardens. Wedding services are permitted in "the Dell", an Italian style garden laid out by a Genoese gardener in 1842. The Garrison Library was built in 1801 and is set in its own grounds. The top of the Rock (currently closed for refurbishment) is truly a spectacular venue.

The GTB produces a very helpful booklet that gives you the gen on wedding venues, churches, synagogues, temples, florists, wedding cake confectioners, venues for receptions, photographers, special car transport, wedding specialists and accessories, wedding planners, wedding gowns and suits. Included in the pack is the official Gibraltar Marriage Registry booklet. To obtain a copy contact the Gibraltar Tourist Board, Casemates Information Office, Casemates Square, Gibraltar. Tel: 00 350 200 45000. Fax: 200 45865. To email the GTB click here or simply email us at info@wedgibraltar.com and we’ll organise it for you!