This guide is written for those who are considering Malta as their destination wedding, or for those who would like more information on what to expect if they decide to have their wedding in Malta.
In this post, I go through the following topics:
details about the island of Malta,
why Malta makes for a great destination wedding location,
information related to weather and when you should plan your wedding day,
potential wedding venues based on the type of wedding you intend to have
some information relating to the legal and formal aspects of your wedding in Malta.
I also include in this guide, extensive links to pages where you can find additional information to prepare for your wedding day here in Malta.
WHERE IS THE ISLAND OF MALTA?
Malta is a tiny island in the middle of the mediterranean sea (directly south of Italy and north of Libya) and part of the European Union. The island has a Malta, is the largest and most populous among the trio of primary islands forming the Maltese Archipelago which also include Gozo and a very small island Comino.
The island of Malta is very small and measures 27 kilometers (17 miles) in length and 14.5 kilometers (9 miles) in width with a total area of 246 square kilometers (95 square miles). Valletta serves as the capital, while Rabat claims the title of the largest locality. There are numerous small towns and villages around the island which is full of historical sites and locations worth visiting. The total population of Malta lies around 450,000. Although very close, Malta is maybe a bit less of a popular wedding location then Italy, however the island is packed with history, charm and natural locations (especially the northern part of Malta and the island of Gozo).
WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER MALTA FOR YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING?
If you are travelling to another country to have your wedding or elopement in, than I would imagine that:
either there is an important sentimental reason why you want to choose this other country - maybe you have childhood memories of this other country, you met your other half in this country or something special for you has happened in this other country;
or else you travelled to this other country and you have fallen in love with it.
When I am talking with international destination couples, I hear both of the above as reasons for why Malta is so much in their heart and therefore why they want to get married in our island. And I can easily understand why one can easily fall in love with Malta. As mentioned in the recent UK TV series ‘Jewel of the Mediterranean’ Malta is described as a “magical island nation” that is an experience to visit with its “azure seas, sun-kissed valleys and history that goes with a bang”.
I wanted here to list some of the reasons why I consider Malta to be so special and why you should therefore consider it as your wedding destination:
breathtaking wedding locations for all types of weddings
Malta hosts a large variety of wedding venues for all types of weddings. Even though Malta is host to a multitude of weddings annually, rest assured that your ceremony will be distinct and tailored to your vision. Malta offers abundant options: from picturesque beaches and stunning villas to traditional churches and historic venues, each boasting breathtaking views. These not only serve as remarkable settings for your ceremony but also provide ideal backdrops for unforgettable wedding photography.
You can read about the variety of wedding venues in my guide here, where I go through all the venues. Further down in this article, I also include a list of the different venues available.
2. Logistical simplicity and Short travel distances
In view of Malta’s small size, all the different locations in Malta are close by and quickly accessible. A brief 20-minute drive at most ensures guests will appreciate the convenience and accessibility of your wedding in Malta. Furthermore, this allows you to have access to different locations during your wedding day or elopement.
Moreover, our island boasts direct flight connections from numerous cities across Europe and worldwide, rendering it a convenient and budget-friendly choice for your special day.
3. Beautiful weather all year round
The weather in Malta is amazing throughout most of the year. You can expect to have sunshine in over 300 days of a year, which means that you’ll be able to get fantastic wedding photos with warm temperatures, radiant blue skies, and breathtaking sunsets. Furthermore, one has to remember that most of the days during the year have around 12 hours of abundant sunshine during the summer season.
4. Friendly mediterranean culture and Professional Suppliers
Malta is a gastronomical hotspot. The islands’ Arabic, Mediterranean and British influences mean that its cuisine is a delicious melting pot of cultures. Apart from this, there are also typical Maltese dishes which you need to try out! These include plates like as the Maltese rabbit stew, the fish pie and beef olives. Indulge your guests with a selection of soulful Maltese sweets such as the date cakes, almond cakes and cannoli.
Furthermore, Malta is no stranger to big events such as SIGMA, the Malta Fashion week and the Isle of MTV and is therefore equipped with expert suppliers - ranging from wedding planners and organisers, floral arrangements provider and venue decorators.
5. Amazing locations to create memories with your guests
Not only will you be able to host an amazing wedding in Malta, but the island being such a touristic friendly location will be able to cater for your guests and captivate them with varying experience and activities ranging from sightseeing of historical and culture filled locations to fun and adventure filled activities such as snorkelling, hiking, shopping or just enjoying the beautiful villages or views.
Also if you happen to time your wedding with certain events, your guests can enjoy local village festas or the international fireworks festival.
WHERE COULD YOU HAVE YOUR WEDDING IN MALTA?
Although the distances between the various locations in Malta is very small, one could for the term of planning split up the Malta and Gozo in simple zones as described below:
Southern Harbour Area - Valletta & 3 CiTies
this area is more dense, but filled with culture and history. I particularly love Valletta because the capital city of Malta is a splendid location to include architecture, art, style and culture while being quite car free and preserved. The views from Valletta and the the 3 Cities (Senglea, Isla and Bormla) are also so majestic. Some of my favourite wedding venues in this area include:
The PhoEnicia Hotel
The CASINO MALTESE
Bighi and Fort. St. Angelo
Fort St. Elmo
MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE CENTRE
Central Area - Naxxar, Mosta, Mdina, Rabat
the central area is a mixture of culture and history with quaint villages and countryside. I particularly am fond of Mdina, the old capital city of Malta, which will make you go back in time and feel like you are in the medieval times. My favourite venues in this area include:
Villa Bologna
Palazzo Parisio
Villa Arrigo
Razzett l-Abjad
Northern Area - Mellieha, Mgarr, DiNgli
the northern part of Malta is more renown for its sea, cliffs and nature. This area is more quiet and for the adventure lovers. I particularly like the quaint feel of villages in this area and has locations which are great for elopements and photoshoots.
CASTELLO ZAMMITELLO
Popeye Village
Palazzo Promontorio
Castello dei Baroni
Gozo - the sister ISLAND
which is more quiet and rural. If you want to have a more tranquil and peaceful atmosphere definitely consider the sister island which is less populated and more filled with nature. It is also filled with magical wedding venues which are magical such as:
HOTEL TA’ CENC & SPA
TA’ FRENC RESTAURANT
KEMPINSKI HOTEL SAN LAWRENZ
WEDDING VENUE LOCATIONS IN MALTA
As previously mentioned, Malta hosts a variety of locations which cater for all the various types of weddings. I here go through the different categories and present for you links to my detailed guides and information.
Venues for Elopement, Symbolic weddings or Intimate weddings
Malta is a perfect escape for an adventure or for an intimate wedding. I have written detailed guides about why you should consider an intimate wedding and my favourite venues in Malta for such an intimate smaller scale event, and you can find the details of the article relating to Intimate weddings here. You can select between some vineyards, smaller wedding venues or intimate boutique hotels.
In summary, these are my favourite venues for intimate and small weddings (of up to 50 people):
Palazzo Parisio
The Sheer Bastion
AX Capua
The Chophouse
TA’ BETTA WINE ESTATE
If you prefer an elopement, then I also have you covered with my guide here. The guide will cover what are my favourite locations for a photoshoot, the best times to elope and what you can include in your elopement ceremony. The article in relation to Elopement in Malta is available here.
The Gardjola Gardens (Cospicua)
Valletta
Mdina
Church weddingS
If you’re opting for a Roman Catholic wedding ceremony, you’re spoiled for choice. There’s a total of 313 churches in Malta while Gozo’s home to another 46. Not bad for such a small archipelago!
It’s also good to mention that there are a wide variety of other religious buildings where you can hold your wedding ceremony if you don’t follow the Catholic faith. These include a mosque, several protestant churches and a synagogue, to name but a few.
I have written a detailed guide in relation to different Chapels which are available on our island and which you should definitely consider in this page here.
My personal favourite churchs in Malta would be:
OUR LADY OF VICTORY – VALLETTA
SAINT CATHERINE OF ITALY – VALLETTA
Mosta Parish Church - Mosta
Luxury weddingS
Malta is no stranger to luxury high end weddings. I have explained why Malta can be considered as a top location for luxury weddings and have a detailed guide here going through the different types of venues and some examples of setups and ideas. However I have also written a more detailed post, in which I have gone through further details highlighting the pros and cons of the top luxury locations in Malta.
These guides will be useful not only to the couples but also to organisers of such events in Malta.
In summary, my favourite venues for large scaled luxury weddings would be:
FORT ST. ELMO
VILLA BOLOGNA
VILLA BIGHI
OTHER types of weddings
Whether you wish to host a beach wedding, a rustic wedding, a simple civil wedding or a same sex weddings there will definitely be a right fit for you from the various available wedding locations available.
The full list of wedding venues (to my best of knowledge) available in Malta is reproduced below:
VENUES WITH EXCLUSIVE CATERING
Villa Arrigo - Xara Lodge - Palazzo Parisio - Villa Mdina - Giardini lambrosia - Veranda - Castello dei Baroni - Villa overhills - Palazzo Capua - The Sheer bastion - Villa Blanche - Villa Bologna - The Saluting Battery - Limestone Heritage - Castello Zamitello - MCC - Maria Rosa Wine Estate - Casino Maltese - Villa Maria - Palazzo Castelletti - L-Arka Ta’ Noè - Olive Gardens - Palazzo Bifora - Amazonia - Palm Beach
VENUES WITH OPEN CATERING
Fort St Elmo, Valletta - Ir-Razzett l-abjad - Fort St Angelo - Villa Bighi - Palazzo Promontorio - Esplora - Mdina Ditch - It Torri l-ahmar - Lower Barakka garden - Malta Maritime Museum - Museum of natural history, Mdina - Chateau buskett - Torre Paulia - Eden Lodge - Garden of Eden - Popeye Village - Ta’ Betta Wine Estate - Couvre Porte Birgu - Magazino – Valetta Waterfront - Palazzo Abela - Manoel Island - Gardiola Gardens - St Andrews Bastions - Hastings Gardens - Vincent’s Eco Estate - San Martin Wellness Retreat - National Musueum of Archeology - Inquisitors Palace - Argotti Gardens - Garden of Serenity - Ivy House
HOTELS WHICH CATER WELL FOR WEDDINGS
Corinthia Hotels - Radisson Hotels - DB san Antonio - Seabank Hotel - Hilton - Dolmen Hotel - AX the Palace - The Victoria Hotel - Odycy Hotel - Excelsior Hotel - Phoenicia Hotel - Westin - Salini hotel - Roselli Hotel
RESTAURANTS THAT ARE ABLE TO CATER FOR WEDDINGS
Madliena lodge - Bacchus - Giuseppi’s restaurant - Chophouse - Haywharf - ION - 49 Republic - The de Mondion Restaurant - The Medina Restaurant - Rampila - Undercroft
What this means is that although Malta is such a small island, the options are endless and to cater for all different tastes.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO HAVE A DESTINATION WEDDING IN MALTA?
Since Malta has such a mild climate, there is not just one period where you can consider to have your wedding. A number of weddings in Malta are being held in winter since in such periods, since there is a lower influx of tourists, the island is more quiet and can give a better experience to your guests coming from abroad. In such a case you should seek a venue which would have an inner area, although most of the wedding venues are indeed equipped with such a possibility.
Precipation and Rain average in Malta over different months
The above chart is repoduced from the weather and climate site.
As you will note, Malta has a very dry periods in April, May, June, July and August with July being generally the driest month with 1mm of precipitation. On average, December is the wettest month with 81 mm of precipitation which when compared to international standards is still relatively manageable.
Temperature in Malta over different months
The above graph gives you an indication of what temperatures to expect during different months of the year. As you will note, the warmest month is August while the coolest month is February. You should also be aware that although the temperatures may not seem to be too high, the humidity on the island will make the temperatures feel 3-5oC higher!
In summary, Malta has wonderful weather for a wedding all the way from March till October, with some couples still opting to have their wedding in December period in view of the Christmas spirit which can be felt so clearly on the islands.
THE LOGISTICS OF A LEGAL WEDDING IN MALTA
Since Malta is part of the European Union, weddings in Malta are recognised throughout the EU and also internationally. Below is a summary of the main points related to weddings in Malta (from a legal standpoint):
There is no minimum residency period for your wedding to be valid
Civil and religious ceremonies are legally binding
Civil ceremonies take place in the Marriage Registry, or at authorised venues which have approval from the Registry Office
Wedding ceremonies are conducted in English and the Marriage certificate is issued in English
Same sex civil unions are legal in Malta
Documents required for a wedding in Malta
Below is a summarised of the main documents which you will need when meeting the marriage registry:
1. Full birth certificate (with parents details on) for both spouses – must be apostilled
2. Copy of both Bride and Groom passport - no signatures or apostille required (original passport must be brought to the wedding ceremony)
3. Copy of witness passports with full address written on them - no solicitor signature or apostille required
4. Witness form (1 for each spouse) - solicitor signature and apostille required. These can only be completed within 3 months of wedding, no earlier
5. RZ1 - this is a joint form completed together by both spouses (it is to apply for wedding Banns) - no solicitor signature required but must be completed within 3 months of wedding, no earlier
6. RZ2 form - 1 for each spouse - requires solicitor signature. This must be competed within 3 months of wedding, no earlier.
If you would like to read all the various details of the process and go through all the various possible different documentation combinations which are needed, then kindly read my article here which goes into further details.