Malta, the sun-dappled archipelago tucked away at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, is a masterclass in soulful romance and an ideal destination for your wedding. Malta stands apart from its Mediterranean neighbours thanks to a compelling combination of eternal sunshine (a blissful 300 days a year), crystalline waters, the warm generosity and hospitality of the Maltese (who certainly know how to throw a party), and a unique cultural tapestry, woven from centuries of influence by the Phoenicians, Romans, and the Knights of St John.
Picture a harbourside welcome supper, dining al fresco next to the lazy bob of Luzzu, the traditional fishing boats painted in vivid colours. The ceremony could take place in a Napoleonic fort, a Xanadu garden or a 17th-century palazzo – raise a toast to your nuptials with sparkling Cassar de Malte against the honeyed hue of Mdina’s ancient walls, before a candlelit feast piled high with Maltese fare. Add to that the intoxicating scent of sea air, wild thyme, and fresh pastizzi wafting from village bakeries, and you have a fitting backdrop for romance in the old-world style.
The need-to-know
Legalities
Rest assured the legalities are as straightforward as possible: there is no minimum residency; all you need to do is complete the Marriage Application Form (where you submit the expected legal documents) at least six weeks before the marriage date. So there is time to drop passports at the Marriage Registry in Valletta, you should arrive in Malta three days before the ceremony (that’s advisable to get settled in and top up the tan, anyway). Same-sex ceremonies are warmly welcomed, a signifier of Malta’s leading commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity.
Logistics
The logistics are also easy with daily flights from the UK, although Alexia Azzopardi from wedding planners Wed in Malta advises always giving guests considerable notice to book flights early, particularly in the summer high season. Happily, Malta enjoys a close relationship with the UK, evident from the little red post boxes spotted on street corners, a tendency to keep good time, a national love of pies, and, crucially, English as the second official language. This historic connection (Malta gained independence from Britain in 1964) means plans for nuptials have a shared cultural understanding, and also means the ceremony and marriage certificates are provided in English.
Wedding planners
Find a Maltese wedding planner who can truly be your eyes and ears on the ground, equipped with in-the-know contacts to secure those elusive locals-only island suppliers. Your planner will seamlessly iron out any logistical niggles that may arise, saving you the administrative burden of continuously zipping back and forth across the continent. Alexia says planners can be particularly helpful for anything from securing permits for a unique, historic venue, organising the logistics for the delivery of lighting and sound, or simply ensuring there are shaded areas available on a hot day.
A Maltese wedding planner can also spot an opportunity for a stylish nod to the local context; for example, Sarah Young of Sarah Young Events uses a seasoned visual eye to encourage clients to make use of colourful vintage Maltese buses, which provide an ideal backdrop for that all-important photo op.
Venues
Malta is the ultimate treasure trove of venues in which to say your “I do’s”. There are 365 churches to choose from on the island, but few can rival a Baroque chapel nestled amid the cobbled streets of ancient Valletta, where you can exchange vows beneath the awe-inspiring resplendency of trompe l’oeil ceilings. For classical old-school beauty, there is the palatial opulence of Palazzo Parisio, the historic dignity and as-far-as-the-eye-can-see port views from Barrakka Gardens, and the Florentine whimsy of Villa Bighi. To make the most of Malta’s natural charm, there is also the high drama of a clifftop ceremony, a drinks reception among tangy lemon groves, and canopied dinners by candlelight at stylish rustic farmyards. And then there is the singular opportunity to say your vows against the backdrop of a jaw-dropping waterfall, set against a 22 million-year-old slab of sun-bleached rock, with peacocks roaming the Garden of Eden grounds. For this prehistoric wonder, look to Limestone Heritage, nestled in the quaint village of Siggiewi.
For your honeymoon, adventure beckons. Make use of all of the arms of the archipelago and hop across to the windswept shores and expansive horizons of Gozo and Comino (a breeze with 45-minute island transfers). Dive into the glittering, otherworldly stillness of the Blue Grotto, or charter a private boat to explore the hidden azure coves of Comino. With enviable year-round sea temperatures – averaging a balmy 20 degrees – Malta’s offering is truly the Med at its best.
Food & Drink
Malta’s gastronomic star is in the ascendant, with the choice of seven Michelin-starred restaurants – including the two-Michelin-starred ION Harbour – peppering the island. Expect a show-stopping welcome dinner of classic Mediterranean dishes that showcase the best of local produce at one of these spots. Alternatively, there are plenty of buzzing neighbourhood restaurants dotted around, offering authentic Maltese specialities. Look for just-caught seasonal fish, lampuki, or the hearty national dish of rabbit stew, stuffat tal-fenek, a firm feasting favourite since the time of the Knights of St John. Any wedding breakfast will offer vibrant Mediterranean fare, led by local, seasonal ingredients, but for the very best of the Maltese produce, look for sprinklings of island capers, dishes seasoned with traditional hand-harvested Maltese salt, and finished with the superior peppery taste of Bidni olive oil, born of centuries-old endemic violet olive trees. And, lest we forget, no Maltese celebration – or wedding reception, for that matter – would be complete without the addition of pastizzi, the ever-moreish, thousand-layer savoury pastry stuffed with ricotta or peas, that pairs exceedingly well with drinks.
It would be remiss not to mention the strong offering of local Maltese winemakers, with the inherited knowledge of a wine-making tradition that dates to the time of the Phoenicians, 2,000 years ago. Look to the two indigenous grape varieties, Ġellewża for light cherry reds and Girgentina for fruity, refreshing whites, to accompany your wedding breakfast. And make sure to stock up on epic magnums of Cassar de Malte – a sparkling wine that guarantees the same celebratory high note as champagne, thanks to the strict ‘methode traditionelle’ production process – for the toast.
Where to stay
Malta is small – you can drive coast-to-coast in an hour – so guests can explore the archipelago with ease – and there is true flexibility in where you choose to stay. There’s the UNESCO World Heritage capital city Valletta, which offers the opportunity to rest your head, principessa-style, in a restored palazzo or in one of the many old-world, capital-H hotels that sit proudly on the glittering Grand Harbour. For respite across the harbour, Sarah suggests the quieter lodgings offered by any of the three fortified cities to the south of the island, Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea (Isla), and Cospicua (Bormla). Elsewhere, there are secluded boutique hotels to be found among the whispering streets and chiaroscuro corners of Silent City Mdina or the tranquility of sun-drenched island life found at a Mellieħa beach-front resort. And for younger wedding guests, Sarah recommends the effervescent atmosphere and lively nightlife of Sliema and St Julian’s.
Please visit Visit Malta’s dedicated wedding planning guide for further information on licensed wedding planners, accommodation, public registry links, and more.
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