Please read first. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements depend on your nationality and circumstances and can change, so confirm anything official with the authorities or a qualified lawyer.
What counts as small, and what is an elopement?
There is no official size. In practice, a small wedding is a celebration with a modest guest list, often under thirty people, where everyone sits at the same table. An elopement is smaller still: just the two of you, or the two of you plus a few witnesses and a photographer. Both can be planned in a way that feels unhurried and personal, which is exactly why so many international couples choose Spain.
First decide: legal, symbolic, or both
Before you fall in love with a location, decide whether you want to be legally married in Spain, or to hold a symbolic ceremony and be legally married elsewhere. The two are very different in paperwork and timing. Our guides explain the difference: the destination wedding guide, and the guide for foreigners.
A legal ceremony usually needs at least witnesses, so ask the authorities how many and who can be one. Many elopers marry legally in a quiet ceremony, then hold their celebration, with photographs and a dinner, at the place they have dreamed of.
Choosing the place
A small wedding frees you from venue capacity and lets you choose for atmosphere. Think about what the day should feel like, then match the place:
- A coastal cove or beach. Beautiful and informal. Public spaces may need permission from the town hall, so ask early.
- A countryside finca or olive grove. Private, calm and easy to style, with room for a long table.
- A city courtyard or rooftop. Old stone, plants and evening light, with great restaurants close by.
- A private villa. Everything in one place, including somewhere to stay.
- A restaurant or a hotel terrace. The simplest option: the food, seating and staff are already there.
Whatever you choose, think about heat, wind and shade for the time of year, and have a plan B you actually like.
Who and what you really need
With a small celebration every supplier counts, so be selective. Most couples need:
- A celebrant or official, depending on the kind of ceremony.
- A photographer, and perhaps a videographer. For an elopement this is often the biggest priority.
- A meal or a table: a restaurant booking, a private chef or catering.
- Styling and flowers, which are what turn a nice place into your place.
- Transport and a place to stay, especially if your guests are arriving from abroad.
Everything else, from a band to a long program, is optional. Choose a few things and do them very well.
A sample day
- Morning: a slow start, getting ready, and a few private moments.
- Late afternoon: the ceremony, when the light is soft. Check the time that suits the season.
- Golden hour: portraits with your photographer.
- Evening: a long dinner at one table, with toasts and candlelight.
- Late: a quiet end, or a short walk and a drink.
Styling a small celebration
With few guests, details are seen and felt. A few ideas that work well:
- One beautiful long table or a small round table, with linen, ceramics and candles.
- A simple arch or a focal point for the ceremony, in greenery and a few blooms.
- Seasonal flowers from nearby, which look natural and are easier to source.
- Candles and warm lighting to make the evening feel intimate.
- Personal touches: handwritten menus, a favorite recipe, music that matters.
Mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a location before checking the legal side and the permissions.
- Planning a tight schedule. Small days should feel slow.
- Forgetting transport and shade, or having no plan B for the weather.
- Booking a photographer late. The best ones are booked well ahead.
- Assuming small means no planning. It still needs coordination, in Spanish where needed.
How entre.mesa can help
We love small weddings. We help you choose the place, coordinate the suppliers in Spanish, style the table and the ceremony, and take care of the day itself, so that the two of you, and the few people with you, are fully present. We do not give legal advice, but we will plan around your official appointments.
Common questions
Can we elope in Spain without any guests?
Yes, as a symbolic ceremony or with the witnesses the official route requires. If you want a legal marriage, ask the authorities what is needed before you set a date.
Do we need permission to marry on a beach or in public?
Often you do. Public spaces can require permission from the town hall, and some places have rules about decorations, music and numbers. Ask early.
How far ahead should we plan a small wedding?
As early as you can. Popular places and photographers are booked well ahead, and any legal paperwork takes time. Small and intimate events can often be planned in a few weeks to a few months, but ask us.
Can we still have a proper dinner?
Of course. A long table for a few guests, with good food and candlelight, is one of the best parts of a small wedding.