La pandemia del coronavirus convierte a Gibraltar en un paraíso de las bodas en Europa

El Peñón de Gibraltar ha pasado a ser uno lugares de Europa con mayores facilidades para celebrar una boda. El poco papeleo y la obligación de usar la mascarilla sólo en interiores son las razones que cada vez convencen a más novios para contraer allí matrimonio.

Los bodas se han visto especialmente afectadas por la epidemia del coronavirus. Estos eventos, que juntan a centenares de personas, han pasado a ser un foco de infección del COVID-19.

Además, las restricciones en aforos, reuniones sociales y los restrictivos horarios en locales de ocio hacen cada vez más complicado celebrar con normalidad las bodas.

En este contexto, Gibraltar se ha convertido en un paraíso para las bodas en Europa. La razón es que allí exigen muy poco papeleo y la obligación de usar la mascarilla sólo en interiores.

De esta forma, cada vez son más las parejas que eligen el Peñón para casarse.

https://www.antena3.com/noticias/sociedad/la-pandemia-del-coronavirus-convierte-a-gibraltar-en-un-paraiso-de-las-bodas-en-europa_202009255f6e2b56a7920f000149f7df.html

Gibraltar promises wedding memories with a difference

Gibraltar’s Leading Wedding Planner - Monica Coumbe

Gibraltar is open for business to couples looking for an ideal place to wed that is steeped in history amid a backdrop of natural scenic beauty.

Situated in the Mediterranean, this British territory on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula is a natural choice for saying “I do.” Couples looking for a stress-free and memorable place to get married or enjoy their honeymoon have long been drawn to Gibraltar because of its rich heritage and fascinating flora and fauna.

The country’s tantalising cultural blend of European nationalities, Moorish and Jewish heritage has drawn well-known couples that include John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who got married there in March 1969; and Prince Charles and Princess Diana who started their honeymoon there in August of 1981.

Getting married in Gibraltar is a simple and streamlined process for foreigners. The residency requirement for getting married there is a stay of one night before the wedding or one night after. And couples can book their wedding with the country’s Registry Office for up to a year in advance.

A honeymoon in Gibraltar offers a great many delightful attractions. Of course there is the tasty and varied cuisine available because of its unique blend of cultures.

But Gibraltar has also transformed some of its historical monuments into fine dining, entertainment and shopping areas where visitors can both enjoy a sense of history and typical holiday activities. Among these is the Chatham Counterguard, an important bastion built in the 18th century to provide protection for the territory, which now features restaurants, bars and musical events.

Shopping for souvenirs is also VAT-free and newly-weds can choose from a range of mementos to take home, including high street brands of cosmetics, jewellery and electronics and local artisanal goods.

It is also possible to enjoy the blend of architecture the country has to offer while walking hand- in-hand on designated, signposted trails. One of the trails named “The History of Gibraltar’s Street Names” even includes a road known as “Lover’s Lane”.

A visit to the St. Michael’s Cave would likewise make for fond memories. Formed many millennia ago, this cave comprises beautiful, shimmering stalactites in various colours and a crystal lake.

For animal lovers, there are numerous opportunities for viewing dolphins and other wildlife, including the country’s famous wild monkeys which should be seen and photographed but not touched.

And, of course, no visit to Gibraltar would be complete without an aerial view of the Rock, as Gibraltarians fondly call their home; this can be enjoyed on board a cable car accessed at the base station on Main Street.

There is no question that its ease in arranging weddings and the numerous attractions available make Gibraltar the ideal choice for couples wanting a wedding that is filled with wonderful and very special memories.

You can start planning your wedding in Gibraltar Hour Wedding is the by far the most reliable company around with an amazing reputation.

Gibraltar looks forward to welcoming you.

info@hourweddings.com

GIBRALTAR A SAFE HAVEN FOR WEDDINGS DURING THE PANDEMIC

Gibraltar is keen to welcome visitors including couples planning to get married and has put the requisite contingency measures in place to do so safely.

Gibraltar is exempted from the list of countries the UK advises against non-essential travel to and Gibraltar has moved to lift many of the restrictions on recreation, freedom of movement and association it had implemented early on in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Gibraltar Tourist Board is now working with bloggers and other media to promote tourism to the country in the coming months, and EasyJet again began flying to the country from the UK towards the end of July.

At the same time, there is a heavy emphasis on ensuring safety with employees in restaurants, shops, hair and beauty salons and public transport being mandatorily required to wear masks when interacting with the public. Physical distancing and regular sanitising have also been implemented at the airport terminal.

The government has provided mobile testing stations in public spaces so that persons who fear they may have contracted the illness can readily determine their health status.

As such, couples planning to get married can confidently book their wedding date with the Registry Office, with the understanding that they will use good judgment and observe the hygiene protocols such as washing their hands regularly and practicing social distancing wherever possible.

But there are some things you need to keep in mind when planning your wedding in Gibraltar..

1. Weddings at the Registry Office will accommodate only the couple getting married and two witnesses.

2. Social gatherings at venues for receptions and other events may be considerably limited with regards to the number permitted to attend.

3. Special provision is made at the airport for elderly people and those with health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable, by means of a specially designated search area so that they do not have to mingle with the general arrivals.

4. Gibraltar is not allowing cruise ship passenger arrivals for the time being, so it will not be possible to plan for a honeymoon cruise directly from that country.

5. Persons arriving on yachts or other pleasure craft will not be allowed to come ashore until authorities have cleared the vessel. Health checks will be administered.

6. Visitors, including those with disabilities, can enjoy the beaches since Gibraltar has worked to ensure that many of the beaches are physically accessible to all while ensuring social distancing measures are in place.

So rest assured, if you do decide to make it to Gibraltar this year for your wedding or honeymoon, that adequate provisions have been put in place to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable stay, despite the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find out more about the attractions that await you when you visit Gibraltar by checking out this booklet on the Tourist Board’s website, available in more than a dozen languages. https://www.visitgibraltar.gi/attractions-booklets

Jewel Fraser 7 August 2020

Gibraltar a safe haven for weddings during pandemic

Gibraltar is keen to welcome visitors including couples planning to get married and has put the requisite contingency measures in place to do so safely.

Gibraltar is exempted from the list of countries the UK advises against non-essential travel to and Gibraltar has moved to lift many of the restrictions on recreation, freedom of movement and association it had implemented early on in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Gibraltar Tourist Board is now working with bloggers and other media to promote tourism to the country in the coming months, and EasyJet again began flying to the country from the UK towards the end of July.

At the same time, there is a heavy emphasis on ensuring safety with employees in restaurants, shops, hair and beauty salons and public transport being mandatorily required to wear masks when interacting with the public. Physical distancing and regular sanitising have also been implemented at the airport terminal.

The government has provided mobile testing stations in public spaces so that persons who fear they may have contracted the illness can readily determine their health status.

As such, couples planning to get married can confidently book their wedding date with the Registry Office, with the understanding that they will use good judgment and observe the hygiene protocols such as washing their hands regularly and practicing social distancing wherever possible.

But there are some things you need to keep in mind when planning your wedding in Gibraltar..

1. Weddings at the Registry Office will accommodate only the couple getting married and two witnesses.

2. Social gatherings at venues for receptions and other events may be considerably limited with regards to the number permitted to attend.

3. Special provision is made at the airport for elderly people and those with health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable, by means of a specially designated search area so that they do not have to mingle with the general arrivals.

4. Gibraltar is not allowing cruise ship passenger arrivals for the time being, so it will not be possible to plan for a honeymoon cruise directly from that country.

5. Persons arriving on yachts or other pleasure craft will not be allowed to come ashore until authorities have cleared the vessel. Health checks will be administered.

6. Visitors, including those with disabilities, can enjoy the beaches since Gibraltar has worked to ensure that many of the beaches are physically accessible to all while ensuring social distancing measures are in place.

So rest assured, if you do decide to make it to Gibraltar this year for your wedding or honeymoon, that adequate provisions have been put in place to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable stay, despite the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find out more about the attractions that await you when you visit Gibraltar by checking out this booklet on the Tourist Board’s website, available in more than a dozen languages. https://www.visitgibraltar.gi/attractions-booklets

Jewel Fraser 7 August 2020

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. 

Things I need to know about Wedding Cakes

The cake is probably the most admired element of the wedding. There’s a reason why it’s placed at the centre of the reception just beside the bride and groom, everybody is bound to see it. A wedding cake is the highlight of the reception and the topic of discussion at many a wedding. So be sure you choose the right one. Have you ever felt like or speechless when you see something that really pretty? These gorgeous wedding cake are sure to inspire you!

Here is an idea of how many tiers you would need for your wedding party.

Tips to enjoy your elopement in Gibraltar

Tips to enjoy your elopement in Gibraltar

Enjoy each other

This may go without saying but doesn’t always happen. Take time and slow down to let your feelings of your new spouse come to the surface and embrace it. 

Make it special

There are a number of ways you can make this elopement special, from personalising your vows to splashing out on a fancy limousine. Go to Gibraltar's lovely Marina’s restaurant for dinner, do whatever makes the two of you feel special to make this day truly memorable. 

Write a wedding day timeline

It may seem like you don’t need one, but thinking about the structure of your day is the best way to make the most out of it. If the ceremony takes fifteen minutes and the dinner takes two hours- what’s the plan for the rest of the day? Take time with your hair and makeup, have a long, relaxing breakfast, a couples massage or a photo session. Make sure there is a nice flow to your day so you can keep up the excitement. 

Have a candlelit dinner or picnic

Eloping doesn’t mean eating cereal bars at gas stations. You can have a private chef or even cook for yourselves. This means you get the entire choice of what you want to eat on your wedding day. 

Outdoor activities

An adventure wedding is a good way to immerse yourselves in what this beautiful world has to offer. After tying the knot, why not try stand up paddle/boat tour, walk Gibraltar’s famous med steps or climb through the lower St Michael’s Cave, horseback riding in Tarifa or a helicopter tour around Gibraltar. There really is no end to how much fun and excitement you can create. 

¡Sí quiero, pero en Gibraltar!

Al pensar en el día de nuestra boda cuando somos pequeños imaginamos un bonito vestido blanco, toda nuestra familia y amigos alrededor y una gran fiesta hasta el amanecer. 

A veces, en pleno siglo XXI, las circunstancias hacen que darse el sí quiero se convierta en algo mucho más práctico ya que puede que sea un requerimiento para dar un paso importante en nuestra vida personal o laboral. Puede parecer algo frío si lo pensamos así, pero ¿hay algo más hermoso que dos personas que harían lo que fuese necesario para mantener sus caminos unidos? En ocasiones, es requisito el estar unidos en matrimonio para vivir en un país extranjero al aceptar una oferta de trabajo y eso puede ser que se necesite en cuestión de un mes o escasas semanas, por norma general esto no es un trámite sencillo en España ya que se necesita concretar las fechas con unos 4 meses de antelación. Por ello, Gibraltar es el destino, ya que literalmente te puedes casar en la misma semana teniendo todos los documentos en regla.

Solo necesitarías saber cual es la fecha límite para el enlace. ¿Qué necesitamos? 

• Escoger entre las fechas disponibles proporcionadas por el registro civil de Gibraltar.

• Escoger si el lugar elegido es la oficina de registro u otro espacio destinado a las ceremonias.

• Reservar una noche de hotel en Gibraltar, no importa si es la noche anterior o la misma noche de la boda, ya que es un requisito para contraer matrimonio en esta ciudad. Se debe certificar lo que se conoce como "proof of stay" adjunto al resto de documentos.

• Si es la primera vez que los cónyuges contraen matrimonio, basta con proporcionar pasaportes y la partida de nacimiento original (la que muestra el nombre de los padres) para casarse. 

• En el caso de aquellos que estén divorciados, será necesario aparte de lo ya especificado en el postulado anterior: la sentencia de divorcio final, esta debe estar sellada y ser oficial. Para las mujeres, además tienen que proporcionar el certificado de matrimonio previo

• En el caso de aquellos que sean viudos, deben proporcionar aparte de pasaporte y partida de nacimiento; el certificado de matrimonio anterior y el certificado de defunción del difunto cónyuge. 

• Dos testigos deben estar presentes en la ceremonia ya que deben firmar el certificado, en el caso de que ningún amigo o familiar pueda viajar con la pareja, podemos facilitarlos nosotros. 

Es muy importante saber que todos los documentos proporcionados aparte de tener que proveer con la copia original, deben estar también traducidos legalmente a inglés, a excepción de los pasaportes. Este es un trámite sencillo con el que podemos ayudarte. 

Et voilà, así de sencillo es casarse en Gibraltar. No por ello debe dejar de ser especial, Hour Weddings puede ayudar a que este dia sea aún más inolvidable: flores, fotografía, maquillaje y peluquería, cena romántica y un largo etcétera de extras con los que podemos hacerlo mágico. 

No lo dudes, Gibraltar es el enclave perfecto para tu enlace. 

Estela Haro