| Getting Married in Spain - Part 2 |
By Sara Millbank
Last month we looked at the legal requirements for getting married in Spain. We also looked briefly at civil, religious and catholic weddings and when and where to get married. To continue our feature on getting married in Spain, this month we look at same-sex marriages, some Spanish traditions and divorce.
Father of the Bride
Like most countries, weddings in Spain are big business and taken very seriously. It is likely to be a very large event with hundreds of guest and just like elsewhere; it is very unlucky for the bride to see the groom on the night before the wedding. In fact it is the role of the Father of the Bride to make sure that the groom does not see the bride until he gives her away after he walks his daughter up the aisle.
Engagement
First there would be an engagement, with the man asking his girlfriend's father for permission to marry. In Spain, to symbolize the engagement, a ring or a necklace is given. The wedding would not usually take place for several years, while the couple save and purchase a house, although it is not normal for the couple to move in together until after the wedding. The home will also be furnished and even rented out until the wedding to help with the mortgage.
Spanish Tradition
Tradition in Spain concerning the dress has changed in recent years, with brides opting for white silk gowns, but originally the dress and veil was black. Even today some brides sometimes choose to wear a genuine flamenco dress, especially in the Andalucía region. Brides can also follow tradition by embroidering a shirt for the groom to wear during the ceremony. Some couples opt out of the Lasso part of the ceremony. This is a time-honoured tradition during the minister's prayers after the bride and groom has said their vows. A rosary is wrapped around the couple to insure the protection of the union.
Coins and Orange blossom
Several Spanish traditions are still upheld today, including the giving of 13 coins to the bride in a special bag from the groom. These symbolize the groom's commitment to his bride and his vow to support her. Rings are blessed and given during the ceremony, but are worn on the right hand. Orange blossom also features heavily in the bouquet, wreaths and tiaras, as well as for table decorations and garlands. The orange tree blossom signifies a life of happiness and fulfilment for the couple.
Bouquets and Pins
Another tradition which is still very strong today is the 'time' of the wedding. The majority of weddings take place in the early evening and it is not uncommon for the reception to carry on well into the night and sometimes finishes with a breakfast for all the guests. A bouquet is tossed into the air by the bride after the wedding, the same as British tradition, with the girl who catches it being next to marry. However, another Spanish tradition involves the bride with a basket of pins which often resemble lilies or orchids. These pins are given to the ladies at the reception, who pin them upside down on their wedding clothes and when dancing, if the pin falls out, that girl will marry next.
Food
Wedding cakes are becoming very popular at Spanish Weddings but traditionally, wedding cookies flavoured with almonds and different spices were a favourite delicacy. Seafood and paella is not uncommon at a reception accompanied with local wines and sangria. The wedding cake is filled with a variety of local fruits and almonds. A cigar is usually given to the men attending the wedding and women can expect some small jewellery item. During the reception, guests traditionally dance to a sequidillas manchegas and during this, gifts are presented to the bride and groom.
Same Sex Marriages
Same sex marriages in Spain were legalized in 2005, despite very strong opposition from Roman Catholics authorities. With the final approval of the law on 2nd July 2005, Spain became only the third country in the world to formally legalise same-sex marriages after the Netherlands and Belgium. Approximately 4,500 same-sex couples married in Spain during the first year, although questions did arise concerning the legal status of non-Spaniards marrying whose country did not permit it. Another ruling was then passed which stated that a Spanish citizen could marry a non-Spaniard regardless of whether that person's country recognized the partnership. Two non-Spaniards may marry if they both have legal residence in Spain.
How many?
Figures for 2007 concerning same-sex marriages show that numbers have dropped after the original rush in the first year. According to Ministry of Justice 3,340 took place, with 2,375 between men and 965 between women. Madrid was the region with the highest number of same-sex weddings with 1,060 and the La Rioja region the least with 13. Murcia had 61.
Divorce
To get a divorce in Spain, the law requires that at least one of the spouses be resident in Spain. However, it does not identify residency as tarjeta de residency but only as Spain being the only and real country where the party live. Separation is a legal process in Spain which needs to be validated. After a year of legal separation, you may divorce as easily as in other countries.
Agree or Not
To obtain a divorce by mutual agreement, the couple must have been married for 3 full months and then the procedure is quick and simple. In the case of contested divorce, the court procedure is long and complex. Before starting the divorce procedures, provisions must be set up for property settlement, child custody and spousal and alimony support. Once the divorce is granted, the parties will immediately extinguished their initial widow's pension rights and inheritance but can remarry legally immediately, should they wish.
Annulment
A marriage can be declared void on the following grounds:-
When one party did not consent
Bigamy
Incest
No age of consent
Married under duress
When certain formal requirements are not complied with
A marriage which is void or annulled never had legal existences except for the children, while a divorced marriage legally does exist.
Children
If agreement cannot be reached, the Judge will decide which parent the children shall live with, visitation rights and the sum to be paid for children's alimony. The judge could even decide the use of the family dwelling and spousal contribution to the family expenses. The marriage certificate will be required as well as the birth certificates of the children.