Deborah Chan
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the wedding industry in Spain, with changing restrictions causing uncertainty for couples and wedding providers. During the pandemic, weddings in Spain have been subject to various measures, including capacity limits, social distancing, and travel restrictions for guests. While some couples chose to postpone their weddings, others adapted to the guidelines, benefiting from the flexibility of wedding venues and providers. As of 2021, weddings in Spain could host up to 150 guests, with social distancing and seating arrangements in place. The Spanish government has also imposed travel restrictions on international visitors, requiring health forms, negative PCR tests, and vaccination proof for entry. These measures have had economic implications for the country, particularly in the tourism sector, which accounts for a significant portion of Spain's GDP and employment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lockdown | Nationwide lockdown since March 14, 2020 |
| Restrictions | People only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons, such as buying food or visiting a pharmacy |
| Travel | Travel to second residences is allowed as long as they are in the same province |
| Social contact | Social gatherings of up to 15 people are allowed in certain regions |
| Weddings | Allowed in certain conditions; limited attendance at civil and religious ceremonies to maintain a distance of one meter between participants |
| Hotels | Closed to the public, except for security and maintenance |
| Quarantine requirements | Waived for German nationals as of June 19, 2020 |
| Tourism | Trial run of tourism with German tourists in Balearic Islands |
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What You'll Learn
Weddings were banned in Spain during the coronavirus lockdown
On 14 March 2020, Spain entered a nationwide lockdown to slow down coronavirus transmissions. People were only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons, such as buying food or visiting a pharmacy. As a result, weddings were disrupted and many couples had to postpone their plans indefinitely.
During the lockdown, social gatherings were limited to a maximum of 10 people, and even smaller funerals were prohibited. The only exception was made for wakes, which were allowed to have a less limited number of family members, provided that physical distancing and safety protocols were followed. These restrictions made traditional weddings impossible, and many couples were left uncertain about the future of their special day.
Some couples in Spain got creative and found alternative ways to tie the knot. Balcony weddings became a popular trend, with neighbours acting as witnesses and even local mayors symbolically officiating marriages from the street below. These intimate ceremonies brought joy to communities and provided a glimmer of hope during a challenging time.
As the situation in Spain gradually improved, the government implemented a phased approach to easing restrictions. On 16 May 2020, it was announced that some Spanish islands were transitioning to Phase 2, which allowed social gatherings of up to 15 people and weddings under certain conditions. However, Madrid and Barcelona remained in Phase 0, indicating a slower relaxation of measures in these regions.
Despite the challenges and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus lockdown, couples in Spain persevered and adapted to the circumstances. While weddings were banned during the initial stages of the lockdown, the nation's resilience and creativity shone through as restrictions eased, allowing love to prevail even in the face of adversity.
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Some couples held weddings on their balconies
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted wedding plans all over the world. In Spain, a nationwide lockdown was announced on 14 March 2020, with people only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons. As a result, many couples had to cancel their weddings.
However, some couples decided to get creative and hold weddings on their balconies. In Miami, a couple who had to cancel their big day, Benjamin Katz, 35, and Jamie Webner, 36, planned a Zoom wedding with 150 virtual attendees. The bride's sister became certified online so she could officiate the ceremony, while neighbours acted as witnesses from their own balcony.
In Spain, the town mayor, Javier Garcia, attended a balcony wedding and symbolically officiated the marriage from the street below, with a drone capturing the moment.
Balcony celebrations have become a trend in other countries too, including the US, Lebanon, and Israel. In New York, a marriage official read aloud from his 5th-floor window to a couple on the street below, with onlookers cheering from their windows. In Lebanon, a video of a coronavirus-themed wedding on a balcony was shared on Twitter. Two men in full disinfection suits were lifted by a crane onto a balcony to greet a woman, before one of the men climbed over the balcony, removed his gas mask, and got down on one knee to propose.
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In May 2020, weddings were allowed in certain conditions in some regions
The Spanish government had declared a state of alarm and implemented drastic measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. These measures included limiting or prohibiting street parties, parades, and popular festivals, as well as restricting attendance at places of worship and civil and religious ceremonies. Despite this, some regions were allowed to ease restrictions, with the majority of Spain's population entering Phase 1 by May 11, allowing gatherings of up to 10 people with social distancing.
The Valencia region transitioned to a looser lockdown, while the Balearic Islands of Formentera and El Hierro, along with La Gomera and La Graciosa in the Canaries, moved to Phase 2. This phase allowed weddings to take place under specific conditions, although the details of these conditions are not specified. It is important to note that Madrid and Barcelona remained in Phase 0, indicating that the easing of restrictions varied across the country.
The pandemic severely impacted Spain's tourism industry, with the Balearic and Canary Islands, usually popular tourist destinations, facing economic challenges. The Spanish government announced a financial aid package for the tourism industry, and by June, the country began a trial run of tourism, waiving quarantine requirements for German nationals. This was part of an effort to determine best practices for tourism during the pandemic and boost the economy.
Overall, the situation in Spain in May 2020 was complex, with varying levels of restrictions across regions. While some areas allowed weddings under certain conditions, others remained under stricter lockdown measures, reflecting the dynamic nature of the pandemic response.
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In June 2020, Spain started a tourism trial run
The Spanish government, in collaboration with holiday providers TUI and Jet2holidays, chose German and Nordic countries as the first holidaymakers to return due to their successful epidemiological situations. Britons' hopes of travelling to Spain were dashed as the Spanish tourism minister, Maria Reyes Maroto, stated that the UK must improve its COVID-19 record before its tourists could be included in the trial.
The pilot 'action plan' for the trial included requiring tourists to undergo PCR coronavirus tests at the airport and then remain isolated for six hours in their hotels awaiting their results. This was met with some criticism from the tourism and aviation industries, who warned that such measures could hinder economic recovery.
The Canary Islands, specifically the island of Gomera, also played a role in Spain's tourism trial run. Here, the Spanish government tested a new smartphone app aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. The app utilized Bluetooth short-range radio to log contacts and send alerts when a user had been in contact with someone who received a positive diagnosis. Approximately 3,000 people downloaded the app, with around 300 simulators introduced to mimic a pandemic among 10% of the population.
Overall, Spain's tourism trial run in June 2020 was an important step in the country's efforts to safely reopen its borders to international tourists while prioritizing the health and safety of its citizens and visitors.
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In August 2020, weddings were banned again in some areas
The lockdown restrictions kept the nation's 47 million people largely confined to their homes, with Spaniards only permitted to leave for essential reasons such as buying groceries or visiting a pharmacy. The Spanish government also implemented drastic measures to limit social gatherings and non-essential travel.
As part of the lockdown measures, weddings were restricted to ensure social distancing and prevent large gatherings. It is unclear if weddings were completely banned across the entire country or if certain regions imposed stricter restrictions than others. However, it is known that social gatherings, including weddings, were limited or prohibited to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
During this time, some Spaniards opted for more intimate celebrations, such as balcony weddings, to adhere to the lockdown measures while still marking their special day. These balcony weddings became a heartwarming trend, bringing joy to those confined to their homes.
By August 2020, Spain had been battling the COVID-19 pandemic for several months, and the resurgence of cases led to a re-evaluation of restrictions. As a result, weddings were once again banned in some areas, likely due to the nature of wedding celebrations, which involve close contact and large gatherings.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the region and the restrictions in place at the time. Some regions will be able to ease restrictions, while others will have to toughen them. It's best to check the local restrictions for the region in Spain where you plan to have your wedding.
Restrictions in Spain have included limits on travel and social gatherings, curfews, and the closure of hotels. The government has also limited attendance at civil and religious ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, to those cases where the size and characteristics of the venue allow for a distance of one metre between participants.
Some couples have chosen to get married in Gibraltar, a British territory at the tip of Spain, which has fewer restrictions. However, this option may not be possible if your home country has quarantine requirements for travellers returning from Spain.
It's understandable that you might not want uncertainty hanging over your wedding plans. Many airlines and hotels will allow you to rebook, so don't be afraid to ask for help and see what each company's policy is.
Balcony weddings have become a trend during the pandemic, with examples in countries all over the world. This could be an option if you want to go ahead with your wedding in Spain but are restricted by the number of guests you can have.
