Christian Marriage in Ibiza
For May to October 2009
English-Speaking Church on Ibiza and Formentera
Chaplain: The Rev. Bob Short
Address: Apartado de Correos 547
07820 San Antonio,
Ibiza, Baleares, España
Tel/Fax 971 343 383
e-mail: chaplainibiza@netscape.net
Wedding Coordinator: Mrs. Yong von Pueckler
e-mail,wedding info: isagift@yahoo.co.uk
Christian Marriage in Ibiza
Nothing is straightforward in Ibiza. For this reason the English Speaking Church on Ibiza and Formentera has prepared this detailed information package for you to help you towards a rewarding and blessed wedding here on our island.
Please contact the wedding coordinator Mrs. Yong von Pueckler by e-mail for further enquiries or clarification of any questions you might have.
Legal /Civil Marriage in Spain
Due to legal restraints, the English Speaking church on Ibiza / Formentera will not perform legal marriages for couples. People who desire a church wedding on Ibiza have to obtain a civil marriage license in their own country before they can have their marriage ceremony here.
For the legal requirements for residents please contact the wedding coordinator or the Chaplain.
Non-residents Church Wedding
For non-residents ,the Anglican Church on Ibiza offers The Sacrament of Marriage or Solemnisation of Marriage performed after a civil ceremony in the U.K. We regard this as the full marriage ceremony and it is treated by the couples and families as such. We use the marriage service as prescribed by the Church of England. A certificate of Christian marriage is issued but is obvioulsy not a legal document but a recognition of Christian Marriage.
Fees and Expenses
The Anglican Chaplaincy, known as The English Speaking Church on Ibiza and Formentera is self-supporting through voluntary gifts by the members of the congregation. It ministers to expatriates, as well as all English-speaking residents and visitors. In order for our small church to maintain this extensive ministry, there is a fee for all wedding ceremonies which covers the administration costs and the time of the minister involved.
Fees should be paid before the day of the wedding, preferably at the rehearsal arranged to prepare for the wedding day.
Chaplaincy fees:
Sacrament of Marriage/Wedding Blessing : 500.00 Euros plus 100.00 Euros Administration fee.
Renewal of Marriage Vows : 250:00 Euros
Donation to R.C. church being used :
Church of San Rafael/ Chapel of Lourdes Santa Eulalia and Santa Agnes: 100:00 Euros
Church of San Augustin : 150:00 Euros
Church of San Carlos : 175:00 Euros
Organist: 150:00 Euros
Musicians: (John and Sam Hocking) 300.00 Euros
(If you are a UK taxpayer, we would be very grateful if you could fill in a Gift Aid form and make the payment for the Wedding fee in pounds sterling, preferably by cheque. It will be based on the exchange rate at the time.)
ALL FEES MUST BE PAID AT THE REHEARSAL BEFORE THE WEDDING.
Requirements for church weddings ( not for renewal of marriage vows.):
Please contact the wedding coordinator well in advance of the desired wedding date. She will send you a registration form and also the Marriage Preparation Questions. These are designed to help you think through why you want to be married in church in a Christian ceremony and also to discuss together other aspects of Christian marriage.
The interview with the chaplain is needed to finalize the arrangements for your marriage service. It is vital that both of you visit the Chaplain several months before the service if possible in order to discuss Marriage Preparation Questions which you will have answered and also the format of your marriage and any other issues. Interviews are to be held at the chaplaincy house unless otherwise arranged. Every couple must attend as a minimum requirement one interview with the chaplain here in Ibiza. This is non-negotiable.
For us as a chaplaincy, it is a heavy responsibility to help people in their marriage relationships. We are not a commercial marriage agency but we seek to help people along the way in their relationships and help them to establish lifelong bonds. Thus we feel it very strongly if people with whom we have been involved fail in their marriage. So we hope that people will take this preparation seriously in order to be better equipped for this lifelong commitment of Christian marriage.
The couple, if they live on the island, must try to attend at least three services in our church. For non-residents there is a minimum Church attendance of one service required, but they should make the effort to attend more often if possible. However, there should also be attendance to at least 2 services in a local church where you live. If possible, confirmation of this should be provided by your pastor or your vicar. Residents on Ibiza should attend a minimum of 4 services in either San Rafael or Santa Eulalia. The reason for this is that the Chaplaincy is not a wedding or marriage agency but seeks to promote Christian marriage in a context where the couples have seriously thought through the issues involved. For this reason the Marriage Preparation Questions should be studied carefully and every effort should be made to find a local church where you can get some input. If this is difficult, the chaplaincy will try and help put you in touch with a local congregation. There may also be the possibility of a short Marriage Preparation Course on Ibiza if time permits.
Since marriage involves a whole new set of standards and commitments which are not present in a casual and uncommitted relationship of cohabitation, couples must seek to undertake a course of marriage preparation of their choice. Recommended is the excellent Marriage Preparation Course, offered regularly by many Anglican and other churches throughout the UK . You will need a certificate to show that you have completed the course. Alternatively, for residents on the island and others who are able, the chaplaincy will put on a Marriage Preparation Course of 5 two-hour sessions.
To find a nearby course in the UK, e-mail : familylife@htb.org.uk or tel:(UK )020 7052032 or check the website: themarriagecourse.org
In order for you to be entered into our church register, there should be some church and parish involvement, however brief.
The chaplaincy will not proceed with the marriage until this has been satisfied.
Documents required (not for renewal of marriage vows)
The following documents are required:
a) a copy of the civil marriage certificate.
b) a copy of your baptism certificates - at least one member of the couple should be baptised.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Are photos and videos allowed in the church?
Yes, but they must not interfere with or distract from the ceremony. Photographers should check with the presiding minister for instructions. As a general rule, photos may be taken when the bride is entering and leaving, but any photos taken during the actual ceremony should be taken from the back of the church.
Is it possible to place flowers in the church.?
Yes, there is no problem with this. You need to arrange the timing of getting into the church. We can help with names of local florists.
Do we need to use the traditional wedding marches, music etc.?
No. Within reason any music is possible. We discuss this at the interviews. For suggestions & a selection of music, please see our information page 'Music for your Wedding'. Our church musicians can advise you as to what is appropriate.
John and Samantha Hocking are among the finest and most versatile musicians on the island. Phone 971 335 110 or 696 283 903; e-mail: samandjohnny@yahoo.es
Their base fee is 250 Euros. They require a minimum of 2 weeks notice to confirm booking details. John is also the Church organist
The church choir is of an exceptionally high standard. They are available for weddings and can bring an added dimension of beauty to the service. Bookings have to be confirmed a minimum of a month before the date with Mrs. Carol Trafford - Tel: 971 300327 or by e-mail with Mrs Sarah Milburn: sarahibiza@hotmail.com
The choir do not charge a fee but ask for a voluntary donation to the chaplaincy funds.
Can we get married in a hotel, beach, restaurant, private home or other venue?
As a rule, no. As this is an Anglican church within the Diocese of Europe, marriage services are celebrated only in the chaplaincy's usual place of worship or in another consecrated church.
As the church uses Can Truy Restaurant for informal services, this is the only other venue we use for wedding ceremonies. At Can Truy you can have the ceremony either indoors or outside in a beautiful garden setting. Can Truy is the only venue where you can have both the wedding and reception in the same place.
The restaurant is run by Rose and Art Thompson who specialize in weddings, baptisms and confirmations. For more information, see their website at: www.ibizaspotlight.com
You can contact them at 971 325 073
or by e-mail: cantruy@terra.es
In which church can we be married?
Anglican church has a close relationship with the Catholic church in Ibiza. Thanks to the permission of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ibiza and the generosity of local priests, we are able to use the churches of :
San Rafael and Santa Agnes
San Augustin
San Carlos
The Chapel of Lourdes in Santa Eulalia
Puig de Missa in Santa Eulalia
Please note also that the booking of a church on Ibiza is not as easy as making a phone call. The Chaplain or Wedding Administrator will have to visit the priest of the church in person to make the booking. Faxes e-mails and even answer phones are rarely available. It may take some time to confirm the booking. Please be prepared Wedding in Ca’n Truy Garden
for this. In order to accommodate local parishioners church bookings can only be made 6 months in advance.
What dress code is appropriate for the couple and their wedding guests?
Most weddings take place in the heat of summer in Ibiza. However, in deference and respect to our catholic colleagues in the use of their churches, as they are places of worship and holiness, we would ask that you respect the customs and sensitivities of the local people and wear clothing that is modest to formal.
(e.g. fishnet or see through/transparent dresses are not appropriate.) It is also advisable to wear lightweight clothing suitable for hot weather - people wearing ties and jackets have been known to pass out!
Do we invite the officiating minister/s to the reception?
This is not a requirement, but left to your discretion. Although much of the time the officiating minister is available to be present at the reception, this might not always be the case.
Who conducts the service?
Members of chaplaincy available to conduct weddings are:
The Chaplain: Rev. Bob Short
Please be warned against paying deposits on any of your wedding arrangements before you have confirmed the date for your wedding with the chaplaincy. This is as we are only able to offer a limited number of weddings each season and can only confirm the venue and time 6 months before the wedding..
The chaplaincy does not accept wedding applications made through a third party or commercial agency. All applications must be made by the couples directly.
Finally in spite of what appears to be a rigid set of conditions, we can and will do everything we can to make this the most memorable, relaxed, joyful and celebrated day of your lives.
Jesus said: 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and cleave to his
wife and they will become one flesh'
Marriage and family are part of God's plan for your life.
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