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Getting Married In Malta - Malta Wedding Guide
Location
Where is Malta?
Malta is an independent island state in the Mediterranean Sea, or if you like, it’s at the bottom of Italy. It lies 93 kilometers south of Italy and 300 kilometers north of Africa. Malta consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino.
How Long is the flight to Malta?
Malta is about a 3-hour flight from the United Kingdom (London Heathrow). The flight from New York City takes around 11 hours and 30 minutes, and the flight from Los Angeles is around 19 hours.
Highlights
What is Malta Famous for?
Malta is famous for its beautiful crystalline beaches, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Megalithic temples. There are excellent wedding venues in Malta – here are some of the best ones.
Valletta
Valletta is Malta’s capital city and an absolute gem with a vast history. It was the first capital city in Europe, initially drawn out by St. John of Jerusalem in 1565. The city was beautiful in the 16th century, and it has aged perfectly today. Valletta has various quaint little churches perfect for a Malta wedding – and some terrific bars, restaurants, and relaxed areas to celebrate, such as the Grand Harbor of Valletta. A popular ceremony spot is the Harbour View Lavish Gardens – it is a great wedding ceremony spot with amazing views.
St. Julian’s
St. Julians was initially only a fishing village – but locals have developed it into a vibrant spot, perfect for staying in luxury apartments and hotels. Also, there are many top-class restaurants and bars around the bay. Visitors love the bay area and the stunning coastal views. It is a great spot to get married because of the range of high-quality accommodation.
Gozo
Gozo is a very popular wedding destination in Malta. It is one of Malta’s sister islands and extremely popular with tourists. If you want to visit a relaxing spot – you’ll love Gozo because it is smaller, more rural, and more luscious than the other islands. Weddings happen all year-long on Gozo, and the most popular times are summer and spring.
Birgu
Birgu is a superb wedding destination because it is one of Malta’s most romantic areas. You will find a delightful little boutique town, with a small population of just over 2,000. The town dates back to medieval times, offering superb ancient architecture. The harbor has various relaxed bars and restaurants that are very romantic.
To see the location of these beautiful destinations in Malta, here’s our Malta map.
Weather and climate
Malta has one of Europe’s best climates, offering yearly sunshine and blissful temperatures. The temperatures in the summer months average 29 Celsius (84 Fahrenheit) during the day. However, during the winter months, daytime temperatures drop towards 15-18 Celsius (59 – 64 Fahrenheit), remaining pleasant and sunny throughout, with very little rain.
Culture and etiquette
Malta has two official languages – English and Maltese. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about a language barrier. Family is the essential aspect of life in Maltese culture, and many family generations live together, as extended families. The Maltese focus on punctuality, and being on-time is a crucial aspect of the culture. Men tend to dress conservatively, often opting to wear a suit and tie, even during the summer months. Also, ladies dress conservatively.
If you want to try to connect with the locals, and we suggest that you do, here are some basic greetings in Maltese. Making even a small effort in another’s language is looked upon favorably and it will be well received.
Maltese culture is very relaxed and is a concoction of European and North African culture. There is a heavy Arabic influence throughout the island, but you can see examples of European history.
Is Malta Safe?
Malta is a very safe country – it is one of the European Union’s safest countries to visit. The risk of pickpocketing, terrorism, and muggings remains low. However, you should take standard precautions as you would in any foreign country. During the summer months, there have been reports of scamming in Malta, but if you remain vigilant it shouldn’t be an issue.
Food & Drink
People around the world haven’t heard of Maltese cuisine, and it isn’t comparable to the most popular cuisines globally. Visitors and locals describe the cuisine as an eclectic mixture of Mediterranean cuisine that has grown over many centuries bordering Southern Europe.
The most-popular Maltese Cuisine is traditional Maltese foods. These include Lampuki Pie, Bragioli, and Kapunata. Another popular dish is the ricotta-filled filo-pastry Pastizzi, one of the visitor’s most favorite meals. You should have this with a can of Kinnie – a famous local soft drink, with herbs, spices, and chinotto bitter oranges.
Furthermore, another popular dinner meal is rabbit because it is a Maltese specialty dish. Locals recommend that you eat rabbits with slowly cooked onions and wine. There is also plenty of international cuisine at all wedding venues in Malta.
Money and wedding costs
Is it expensive to get married in Malta?
The cost of getting married in Malta varies depending on where you want the reception and the quality of the wedding venue. However, you can arrange a wedding for 50-60 people for about 1,000 to 3,000 euros, a wedding for 20 people costs between 5,000 to 7,000 euros, and a wedding for 80-100 people will cost you over 15,000 euros.
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Legal requirements for marrying in Malta
Thankfully, getting married in Malta is much easier than in many other places. Marriages in Malta are internationally recognized, and there are zero minimum residency requirements for getting married in the country, which can be a huge obstacle in some countries.
How to get married in Malta
To begin the marriage process you need to request for the ‘public of banns’ (marriage application). You will send the form RZ1 to the marriage registry in Valletta or Gozo, this applies to both civil and religious marriages. You can find application forms and detailed information on the public registry website.
Furthermore, the application must be sent at least 6 weeks before your marriage date. After you arrive in Malta, you need to visit the marriage registries in Valletta or Gozo where you will show your passports.
You must choose your intended marriage location very carefully. If you decide to change the location, you will have to re-apply and complete the RZ1 form again. This process could take 3 weeks. So if you change your wedding location, let the marriage registries know at least 3 weeks in advance. Religious weddings will require the street name of your priest.
The identity Malta website has a detailed guide on all the Maltese wedding requirements. Also, the official Visit Malta website has some interesting wedding information.
Find out more by browsing our Malta Wedding Directory to start planning your dream wedding.
Regions of Malta
Malta is split into five regions, including the Central Region, Gozo Region, Northern Region, South Eastern Region, and Southern Region. See our Malta map to start planning your dream wedding!
