Your wedding in Spain and the Coronavirus. 

Where do you go from here? We try to offer some advice and suggestions.

Life is often quite unpredictable at the best of times, but this time last year nobody could have predicted the unprecedented disruption that the Coronavirus (Covid-19) would bring to our day to day lives! In a matter of a few weeks, life changed dramatically for many people around the world and as I am writing this, Spain is on a nationwide lockdown, with closed borders and people only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons, like to buy food! Many other nations are following suit as the virus spreads amongst us and where, or when this will all end, is as yet uncertain! 

If you have a destination wedding booked then you will naturally be worried, all of a sudden all the plans you have made are in jeopardy, damn you coronavirus! So what should you do now? 

We really wish that we knew when this will all end and the world will return to normal, but the fact is, as yet, we don't! So we now recommend postponing your wedding to a later time. As this virus issue is an act of god, or "force majeure", it is quite unlikely that you will get any refunds either, however, most reputable companies and services, (including Marbella Bride), will be doing their very best to help you by offering an alternative date! Postponing your wedding to a much later time in the year, or to 2021, is the most sensible thing you can do, the longer it's postponed, the more chance you have that everything is returned to normal! After all, who wants to continue with a wedding, at home, or abroad, with the risk of a lockdown looming, or a virus spreading between your wedding guests?  It could be that 2020 is just not the right year to get married after all? 

Most wedding venues, wedding planners and vendors should be happy to postpone your wedding and move any deposits paid to that new date.  We also know that many airlines and hotels will offer this too, after all, it's not your fault the Coronavirus spoiled your plans, so don't be afraid to ask for help and see what each companies policy is, with regards to this disaster! Of course, we can hope that things return to normal quickly, but sadly hope does not help to plan a wedding! Nobody wants their wedding full of uncertainty, we understand that!

All that remains is to stay safe and look after yourselves, the wedding plans can wait, good health is the most important thing we all have!

If you are considering a wedding in 2021 and would love Spain as the destination, contact Marbella Bride who will be delighted to help you plan the perfect wedding!

Regular Updates below - Please scroll down..

* Available for new clients only making confirmed bookings by the end of July 2020. to qualify for discount all services for your wedding or event must be booked with Mabella Bride. 

Update 13th May 2020. 

It's been a long ride!

Since we wrote the above article, Spain is just coming into it's 60th day of lockdown, the tightest lockdown in Europe! For 45 days we were confined to our homes, only allowed to venture out, under very strict guidelines to purchase food or visit a pharmacy, for the last 2 weeks we have been allowed some time outside to exercise and we are hoping more restrictions will be lifted soon, it's been a long ride for us that's for sure!

With respect to travel and continuation of our business and your weddings on the Costa del Sol, the news is not looking great for this summer, however, things can and do change quickly in this strange world! At the moment there is talk of a 14-day quarantine for anyone entering Spain and anyway, borders are still closed to all but residents of Spain. If I am honest, I cannot see normal travel returning to Spain in 2020 and all we can do is hope that 2021 is a more promising year with the holidaymakers returning to grace our shores. 

If you have a Wedding planned in Spain with Marbella Bride, you should have already been informed that we suggest moving your wedding date to 2021, as nobody wants a wedding so full of uncertainty, restrictions, or socially distanced, for example. Some other wedding planners in the region have their heads firmly buried in the sand, but we are suggesting to you that you should probably be contacting your wedding planner and considering a 2021 or 2022 date, while there is still availability to do so!  

It's a mad world out there this year and this is no longer a year to be getting married, take care of yourselves and enjoy a fabulous wedding on the other side of this worldwide disaster! A wedding where everyone can attend, feel safe and enjoy each others company without fear of spreading infection!

Update 12 June 2020

Something is happening, a new normal is coming!

We are in Phase III of the unlock-down here in Marbella, meaning we have a lot more freedom now, pubs, restaurants and shopping centres are open, (nightclubs and dancehalls remain closed) but we still have restrictions, masks are compulsory in public spaces, so is some social distancing. Slowly but surely we are heading towards the new normal! Talks of borders opening on July the 1st to select countries at least! Masks may remain compulsory for some time, in public places where you are unable to social distance. , or except sat at a table, on the beach etc. It's a strange new world at the moment, but for us locals at least, it's a relief to be able to meet some friends over a drink and tapas.

Update 3rd July 2020

The new normal is upon us!

So the new normal is here in Spain! The airports are opening, the bars and restaurants, the beaches, the shops, it's all go once more! There are still some important restrictions though and one of them is the compulsory wearing of masks, wherever you cannot keep a 1.5-meter distance from people! The carrying of a mask is not optional and you must ensure to have one with you at all times, or risk a fine!  When you can keep 1.5 meters from people it does not need to be worn, it can be removed when sat at a bar or restaurant too, where you can have up to 25 people at one table! However, should you leave the table, then the mask should be worn once more! In general, keeping social distanced from people is a part of the new normal, but it's not all that bad! 

We will get there and be ready to welcome you to Spain really soon!

Update 8th July 2020

The tourists are arriving at the shores of the Costa del Sol at last, there are still some restrictions in place, but it feels relatively normal here at the moment. Beaches are being monitored for overcrowding, restaurants are socially distanced with the staff wearing masks, although you can have 25 people to a table! You will be expected to wear a mask to go into a shop or supermarket and in any location where you cannot socially distance by at least 1.5 meters, however, in bars and restaurants, or on the beach, it's not required. 

Update 14th July 2020

In what feels like a slight step backwards, the wearing of masks has now been made compulsory here in Andalucia. So, anyone visiting Spain this summer, please remember to bring a Mask with you. or several, if the disposable ones! Masks are now compulsory in all open and closed public spaces throughout Andalucia, at all times, even where social distancing can be observed, even if totally alone in the street, for example! There are few exceptions, so we are sure this is not going to please people, especially when it's 40 degrees centigrade out there! When on the beach, or seated in a bar/restaurant, or at a private residence you may remove it. Fines are from 100 Euros for non-compliance and trust me, they will fine you if you are caught not wearing one! Weddings are going ahead, at least Spanish ones, but you can expect quite a few rules to follow, such as separation into groups of 25, all staff wearing masks. Adherence to social distancing and wearing of a mask when not sat at the table! It's not like a wedding in the "old normal"! 

Update 26th July 2020

In another devastating blow to British tourists and the Spanish economy, the 14-day quarantine has been imposed once again for anyone travelling/returning to the UK from Spain. Mainland Spain has also been declared safe for Essential travel only, effectively making travel insurance void for most travellers. We feel this was a rather rash decision by the British government and hopefully, it will not last long, we will keep you updated! Please visit this page on a regular basis, especially if you are planning a wedding or event here in Spain! 

What's the Prediction for 2021?

It's very hard to say what will happen with the Covid19 situation for 2021, of course, we really hope things will have returned to the "old normal" and that people will be celebrating their weddings here in Spain without the safety restrictions. It's probably best to stay optimistic, however, if I had to give my personal opinion on the matter, it could be that things will not be "normal" until very late 2021, if at all in that year! Exactly what restrictions and rules will be in place, I have no idea, the compulsory use of masks may well continue, as may social distancing, but I don't think we will be in the "old normal" by 2021, let us hope I am wrong! I hope that I am!  I do think that 2022 is most likely the year we will emerge fully from this Virus crisis, but again, it's only a guess! These are such strange times, unprecedented in fact, so it's not always easy to see the path ahead!

Marbella Bride had predicted the long-standing nature of this crisis at the beginning, we carefully advised our clients to postpone weddings, especially all of those in 2020 right from the start of the crisis in March. Our advice was spot on and not only that, we ensured that NONE of our clients paid any fees to move their dates, unlike those under other wedding planners! We are here for you and will always research deeply to assess any situation that may spoil your wedding plans while advising you to the best of our beliefs, it's all we can do!