Features of holding a wedding in Malta
There are a few important things to consider before organizing a wedding ceremony in Malta:
- you do not have to be a resident of that country to get married;
- at least two adult witnesses must be present at the registration;
- before the marriage, the newlyweds fill in two documents — form RZ1 (to be filled in together) and form RZ2 (to be filled in individually), which must be handed in no later than 6 weeks before the planned ceremony;
- the desired location of the marriage ceremony must be indicated on the forms. In case of a change of location, the registrar must be notified at least 20 days before the ceremony.
Weddings in Malta are held both in the morning and in the evening. Recently, it has become extremely popular to get married after sunset, under the stars on the night coast. The church wedding is conducted according to all local traditions — the bride and groom’s guests sit on opposite sides, and the groom waits for the bride at the altar, to which she is brought by her father. This moment is considered one of the most exciting and important in every bride’s life.
After the church marriage, guests and newlyweds head to the banquet venue, where a sumptuous table with tasty treats is already waiting for them. According to tradition, most celebrations here are held in a buffet format, so take care of comfortable shoes in advance to stand on your feet for a long time. And if you don’t like this format of celebration, you can always order a traditional banquet in one of the cozy Maltese restaurants.
Wedding in Malta: peculiarities of the religious ceremony
More than 90% of the local population are Catholics who honor tradition. It should be understood that those who have been divorced before are unlikely to be allowed by the church to remarry.
There are several Orthodox churches in Malta, such as the Church of Our Lady of Damascus on the island of Valletta, where you can get married according to all the canons of the Orthodox Church.
The civil ceremony and its features
The marriage registration ceremony in Malta can be held either at the local registry office or on a trip. In the latter case, it is necessary to specify the venue in advance. An off-site ceremony is not held near swimming pools or non-government beaches.
Where to get married in Malta?
The island of Malta is a real treasure for all lovers of beauty and romance. There are many interesting places where you can organize a truly royal wedding:
- Mdina.
- Gozo.
- Marsashlokk.
- Komina.
- Hagar Kim and Mnajdra.
- Sliema.
- Blue Grotto.
Gozo is a paradise for your wedding.
The island of Gozo is one of the three largest islands in the state of Malta. It has amazingly beautiful views and quiet sandy beaches. The island has perfectly preserved centuries-old traditions and interesting architectural buildings. Many ancient churches, boat trips and diving will be remembered by everyone who decided to hold a wedding on the Maltese island of Gozo.
Mdina is a town surrounded by cliffs
The city of Mdina is also called the «City of Silence». The noise of cars is almost unheard of here, but every year the streets are thronged with tourists. The city is known for its 3,000-year history, the abundance of architectural styles from Baroque to Arabic, and the excellent scenery that opens up from the tops of the city’s bastions.
Comino — beaches, sun and lagoon
Comino is one of the most popular towns in Malta where wedding ceremonies are favored. The town is famous for having only 4 locals and the rest are tourists and immigrants. One of the main attractions of Comino is the famous Blue Lagoon, where divers come from all over the world.
Sliema is one of the best resorts in Malta
From a quiet fishing village Sliema has turned into one of the most famous tourist centers. There are many cozy cafes and restaurants that will treat you to delicious Mediterranean cuisine. The local beaches are ideal for an away wedding ceremony, and the picturesque views are perfect for a beautiful photo shoot of the newlyweds.
Architectural heritage of Hagar Kim and Mnajdra
These beautiful temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attract thousands of travelers every year. This is the best place to register your marriage and honeymoon. Touch the deep history of this country through the ruins of megalithic temples, artifacts from which are now preserved in the National Museum of Valletta.
The Blue Grotto and its caves
What could be more romantic than a cave wedding? The Blue Grotto is a place where you will want to tie your lives together forever. This place is extremely popular with tourists who love to go boating. The sunlight shines through the rocks in the caves, creating inexpressible reflections in the water. The beauty of this place was appreciated by the creators of the movie «Troy», which was filmed here in 2004.
As you can see, the small island of Malta can be the perfect place for your unforgettable wedding. Rich historical heritage, abundance of architectural styles, sea, sun and beaches will give such an important day an unforgettable flavor and allow you to believe in the existence of a fairy tale in real life.