Today

Spain is an ideal location and the perfect setting for a romantic, stress free wedding, with its hot days, glorious sunshine, pitchers of sangria, relaxing beaches and endless sunsets by the sea.

Mintel has reported a 46 per cent increase in the number of people tying the knot abroad and according to Confetti.co.uk, Seville, Barcelona and Madrid are the most popular Spanish locations for British people to get married in.

Banco Halifax Hispania, the Spanish arm of Halifax, casts some light on Spanish traditions for those people wishing to get engaged and married in Spain.

Getting engaged in Spain:

• The engagement of a couple is symbolised by the giving of a necklace or ring to the bride to be.
• At this stage the groom asks the bride's father for permission to marry his daughter and may present the father with a watch.
• Engagements in Spain typically last several years.
• During this time a couple may buy a home together, but it is not common for them to live together at this stage.
• The home is often furnished and rented out. This helps with the mortgage payments until the couple moves into the house together.

Getting married in Spain:

• It is unlucky for the bride to see the groom the night before the wedding.
• The bride will travel to the church with her father, who will give her away.
• The bride may wear a traditional white dress or a flamenco dress, with several girls and boys dressed to match.
• Wedding rings in Spain are worn on the right hand.
• The bride and groom may exchange a pouch for 13 gold coins during the ceremony, which is considered to be a symbol of sharing. Traditionally these coins have been in the family for years, although imitation gold coins are now increasingly used.
• The bride's bouquet is thrown into the air at the end of the ceremony and the girl who catches it is expected to be the next to get married.
• The bride may also have a basket of pins that resembles lilies or orchids. These pins are handed out to all the girls at the reception who wear them upside down whilst dancing. Tradition states that if the pin falls out the girl will marry.
• If you want to get married in Spain you must take the following issues into consideration:
• You must be over the age of 18.
• You must be a resident in the consular district at least 21 days before the wedding.
• An application form available from the Civil Registry or the District Court of the bride's residence must be filled out. This form has to be signed by both parties and details the name, occupation, domicile, residence and citizenship of the couple and their parents.
• An original birth certificate must be provided this must be translated into Spanish and the translation authenticated by the Spanish Foreign Ministry.
• Proof that parties are free to marry A document to testify this can be received at the Civil Registry.
• Divorce, annulment or death certificates from previous marriages must be presented. If this is relevant you will also need to present an original copy of your previous marriage certificate. Again, this must be translated into Spanish and the translation authenticated by the Spanish Foreign Ministry.
• Religious marriages must be organised via the local church authorities and the church involved must be licensed to marry.
• To be accepted under Spanish law, religious marriages must also be registered with local civil authorities.
• The paperwork is lengthy and time consuming, so make sure that you leave enough time before your wedding day for your application to be processed.
• Weddings in English will need to be translated.

Ian Smith, head of European operations at Halifax plc, said: "Spain is an ideal location and the perfect setting for a romantic wedding. It also remains the most popular destination for British people buying overseas property and we are continuing to see an increase in demand for property in Spain within the expatriate areas of Costa Blanca, Costa Cálida and Costa del Sol."