UPDATE: New Location for the Registry Office Wedding Ceremonies in Gibraltar

Starting from December 15th, 2023, there's an exciting change for couples tying the knot in Gibraltar. The venue for Registry Office wedding ceremonies will now be the Mario Finlayson National Art Gallery, nestled within the City Hall.

However, before you exchange vows in this beautiful setting, couples must still attend the Civil Status and Registration Office at Joshua Hassan House to finalise their paperwork with all their original documents and proof of stay for final verification.

The History of the Gibraltar City Hall

Built in 1819 by Aaron Cardozo, a prosperous merchant of Jewish Portuguese descent, this mansion initially served as his private residence in Gibraltar. Despite legal restrictions on property ownership for non-Protestants, Cardozo, a close friend of Lord Nelson, gained permission to construct this impressive three-story house, situated prominently in John Mackintosh Square. It replaced the former hospital, chapel of La Santa Misericordia, and a prison.

Following Cardozo's death in 1834, the mansion became the Club House Hotel under John Ansaldo's lease. In 1874, Pablo Antonio Larios, a wealthy Gibraltarian-born businessman, purchased the property and oversaw its comprehensive renovation. Eventually, it passed to the Gibraltar colonial authorities in 1922, initially intended as a post office but later becoming the Gibraltar City Council's headquarters.

The building played a significant role in Gibraltar's telecommunications, housing an automatic telephone exchange in 1926. Over time, it underwent expansions, including a new floor and a northern extension, altering its original design. Today, this historic structure is home to the Mayor's Parlour and the Mario Finlayson National Art Gallery.

In June 2015, the Mario Finlayson National Art Gallery opened its doors. The establishment of this gallery was a long-held dream of Gibraltar's art community, particularly championed by the renowned local artist Mario Finlayson BEM, who was a leading advocate for a National Art Gallery to showcase the work of talented local artists since the formation of the Calpe Artists Society in 1954.

So, as you plan your Registry Office Wedding in Gibraltar, remember that you're not just celebrating your love in a stunning venue; you're also becoming a part of Gibraltar's rich history and artistic heritage. It's a truly unique and meaningful way to begin your journey as a married couple.

A Runaway Wedding in Gibraltar: Love Knows No Boundaries

A Runaway Wedding in Gibraltar: Love Knows No Boundaries

At Hour Weddings, we're crafting unforgettable moments, and today's runaway wedding was no exception.

Crafting Unforgettable Celebrations: Monica Coumbe – Gibraltar's Premier Wedding Planner

Monica Coumbe, notably featured on 'Gibraltar: Britain in the Sun', has become the go-to wedding and events planner, making celebrations exceptionally memorable, as detailed by Belinda Beckett.

Feeling somewhat frazzled and a tad weary, Monica jests about her hectic demeanour as she hastily pushes a Morrisons trolley filled with delicacies to the stars’ dressing rooms at the Gibraltar Music Festival. The cart is laden with assorted requests, from apple cider for Lawson to Haribos for Olly Murs and miso soup for Emeli Sande, all while being observed by a troop of Barbary macaques from the rooftops.

“Blimey! There’s a monkey, and I’ve got bananas!” exclaims Monica as she races in high heels, dodging inquisitive apes. It’s a humorous moment from the Channel 5 reality show that has endeared her to nearly two million British viewers. Even the programme’s sardonic narrator, Timothy Spall, is an admirer.

“It’s fate; there’s always a bit of a kerfuffle whenever I’m filmed!” she exclaims. Monica’s televised endeavours have generated substantial PR for her wedding and events business. Her venture has orchestrated grand affairs for prestigious firms like Barclays Private Banking and Interbuild.

Monica's journey has been marked by distinguished events, including high-profile weddings like that of John Galliano’s niece, Elizabeth, and Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo.

The allure of Gibraltar as a wedding destination has soared, owing to its hassle-free proceedings and stunning venues. Monica’s clientele is diverse, from Scandinavia, America, and Australia. Her adaptability in organising varied wedding events, whether in a church or al fresco, has made her a popular choice.

“People are opting for grander celebrations in Gibraltar,” Monica observes, noting the evolving trends in wedding styles. However, the essence remains the same, a profound connection with the couples and a dedication to making their day splendid.

Monica, reminiscing about her own experiences, envisions her dream of an Indian wedding on the beach, paying homage to her heritage, and recounts her thrilling experiences catering to various stars at the Gibraltar Music Festivals.

For further details, you can reach Monica Coumbe at 5 Convent Place, Gibraltar, or at 0035058009685 or info@hourweddings.com.

Bodas En Gibraltar

Una vez tomada la decisión de casarse en Gibraltar, hay que decidir dónde realizar la ceremonia:

• La oficina de registro es la opción más habitual para ceremonias rápidas o de pocos asistentes. Con años de historia, la oficina de registro puede acoger hasta 20 invitados en su salón.

• La Marina, en uno de los enclaves más exclusivos de Gibraltar, la ceremonia puede realizarse en uno de sus restaurantes con vistas al puerto y así poder disfrutar de la gastronomía mediterránea para celebrar el enlace. 

• Sunborn Yacht Hotel. Poder grabar en el recuerdo que el día más importante se celebró en el único hotel flotante de Europa es posible en Gibraltar. Un hotel de 5 estrellas con vistas a la bahía, casarse en su timonera (Wheelhouse Terrace) no dejará indiferente a nadie. Una de las grandes ventajas de este lugar es el poder dormir en sus lujosas habitaciones, realizar el convite y tener todas las comodidades como Spa, estética o gimnasio en un mismo lugar. Su salón puede acoger convites de hasta 220 personas, sin duda una boda para no olvidar.

• Caleta Hotel, con su terraza en el acantilado en la Bahía de los Catalanes con vistas al peñón y África permite la posibilidad de realizar una ceremonia íntima o una gran boda. También es una opción para poder realizar la boda en un mismo lugar. 

• Rock Hotel, el hotel con más historia de Gibraltar, sus habitaciones han alojado a personajes ilustres como Winston Churchill o Hemingway. Casarse en este lugar es simplemente hacer historia. 

• Jardines Botánicos, este lugar es simplemente mágico. Sus jardines acogen plantas tropicales, flores, el verde follaje y su estanque y fuentes hacen de este lugar un sitio de ensueño. La ceremonia se puede realizar en el conocido como Dell, un valle precioso para una ceremonia íntima. El merendero es otra de sus opciones. La más exclusiva quizás sea su teatro, casarse en medio de su estanque es maravilloso, incluso se puede celebrar el convite en él. 

• Mons Calpe Suite, en pocas zonas del mundo puedes decir que te casaste en la parte alta de un peñón, en Gibraltar es posible. Sus vistas de los tres países son alucinantes. Es sin duda una opción muy original. Su restaurante presenta una carta exquisita de la cual los comensales pueden disfrutar. 

• Cuevas de San Miguel, la joya de la corona de los posibles enclaves. Simplemente un espectáculo de estalactitas centenarias. Puede llegar a acoger 600 personas. Sin duda, una opción que deja boquiabierto a los invitados.

Todos las opciones,a excepción del registro, acogen la posibilidad de decorarlas al gusto de las parejas para hacerlas exclusivas e inolvidables.