Gibraltar Wedding

sal-ad_daze

Hi Chris, and anyone else who can help!

We're looking into the costs of getting over to Gib for the wedding. We've decided to stay in Spain for the 'holiday' and have found a long stay apartment in La Duquesa that means we will have plenty of time before the wedding and time after to relax.
However we're wondering which airport to fly into. We are travelling with my son, his girlfriend and their year old daughter (age then) and hiring a car at the airport. Gibraltar airport is only a 20 minute drive from La Duquesa whereas Malaga is about an hour, however car hire at Gibraltar is at La Linea accross the border so we'd have to walk through the border control to the car hire (or so I believe). Malaga has Car Hire companies on site.
We are wondering if it would be easier to fly into Malaga (there's more flight choice there as well) and have the car hire just accross the way or fly to the slightly nearer airport and walk through the border (not sure how far that is) with suitcases and a toddler in a buggy.
Please help us make the decision!

Sammy_Girl

Hi Sal,

What a fabulous location. From my experience in Gibraltor, I would say to fly into Malaga and hire a car from there. You get loads of choice in airlines that fly to Malaga (incl. Easyjet!) from regional airports in the UK. From what I remember, there was only one BA flight a day into Gib, and they have to close a road off when the flight comes in as it forms part of the runway lol. I don't know what's worse - that or the runway in Funchal, Madeira where it ends up on stilts in the sea lol.

Mind you, it has been a few years since I last went, so things may have changed. But from a MSE view, I would fly into Malaga.

Alcmene

Hi

WOW, wedding in Gib is ace, I LOVE the botanical gardens.

Sal, Gibraltar Airport is about 200 metres from the border, I would certainly fly there, Monarch do several flights a week I use them a lot and it is always very pleasant.

If anyone has any Gib related questions - I'm born and bred!

Herbiecat

Hi Sal

As Alcmenene said I would also fly into Gib, Monarch flys from Manchester and Luton and BA from one of the London airports but im not sure which one. You then only have to walk a really short distance over the border to get the car (its less than a 5 min walk). Its a tiny airport and you will be out with your bags in no time. I was also brought up in Gib and it hasnt changed since I was a kid, I was amazed!

You might have a wait the spanish side when you drive back into Gib, it can sometimes take a while because of the queues.

Malaga airport is in the middle of a massive refurb and its chaos there at the moment, my mom refuses to drive there at the moment.

Its all coming along great isnt, I bet you are dead excited.

Chris xx

sal-ad_daze

Thanks girls,
We didn't know how 'involved' the border crossing would be and how far we would have to walk, especially with a toddler.
Monarch from Manchester seems the best bet, Easyjet fly from Gatwick but that means getting down to London which I'd not mind doing but we are talking MSE here and London is never cheap! lol
Car hire is much the same price from both airports though I can only look at prices for this summer!

Are you having music or are you allowed music at your wedding in the gardens?
My hubby is a musician and was under strict orders from our daughter to write an entrance piece for her (he did it for me when we married) and he's started it but the whole 'flavour' of the wedding has changed now so he wants to start again but doesn't know if music is allowed and what type of instruments are available. Can you help?

Herbiecat

Hi Sal

I was told theres mains electricity so we could have music from an Ipod station or something like that. Thats sounds a lovely idea and I dont imagine they'l be a dry eye in the house!!

This is the the email of the gardens and then you can ask the question, the ladies name i have been dealing with is Patricia and she seems lovely.

[EMAIL="fabi@gibraltargardens.gi"]fabi@gibraltargardens.gi[/EMAIL]

Hope it goes ok xx

niallmitch

Hi All

Just seen this thread - We got married at the Dell in Gibraltar on the 9th of April this year. It was frankly wonderful and thought I'd pass on a few tips for those thinking about doing the same:

The Dell - the staff, especially Pat whose email is listed above were all as helpful as you could ask and the location was simply stunning. We were allowed music but no food and drinks - had wanted to serve champagne whilst photos etc were being taken.

We used John Green from the Photo Centre in Gibraltar - very reasonable price, very helpful, friendly and knowledgable - nothing was too much trouble and we were given copies of all photos on a disc meaning we could pass on copies to all of friends and family who came along - we are also having a reception here next weekend and can display these with this disk.

For afterwards, we went to the Waterfront Restaurant down at the marina. I cannot speak too highly of how fantastic the service and food was here. We went in a couple of days before hand to eat and finalise menu choices and Christain the duty manager was incredibly helpful. They set out our table absolutely beautifully and the food was just excellent. Coupled with views across the marina of millionaire yachts, was the perfect icing on the perfect cake.

Three course meals, coffees, lots of fizzy wine and other alcohol came to less than £50 per head - I did not begrudge 1p of this cost and I'm normally a skinflint.

Accomodation - 15 of us came over from the UK and we ended up staying in four apartments with Herald Properties in Ocean Heights ranging from £50 (studio) to £80 (5 beds)per night. Ours was lovely (609) and other were nice although 803 (5 beds) had a nice living and kitchen area but bathrooms were dated.

Given the size of Gib, it doesnt have the reams of holiday apartments and Ocean Heights is mostly people living there - bit of a grotty tower block but once inside had all mod cons including washing machines, freezers etc.

Herbiecat - I see you are planning on staying at Torrem- I looked into staying near Estepona for accomodation reasons but quickly ruled this out. The cost of the coach to take all guests down was in excess of £300 and the nonsense at the border meant we'd have to leave about 8.00am to ensure getting there from 12.00. Elderly parents made it unrealistic to get of the coach and walk through.

Bear in mind also that there can be problems walking across the border as well - we walked across one day and it was chaos.

On the night, my wife and I stayed in the Rock - was very nice with complimentary bottle of cava thrown in.

Finally, the wedding service itself was quite short - less than ten minutes but the registrar was lovely as well. You'll need to go to the Registry office a day or so before your weddding (before 10.30), show all your documents again, get a form, take it across the road, get it signed by a Solicitor, then back again - you will need to take all your documents you had to show when booking and your passports.

I dont regret for 1 second getting married in Gib, beautiful place, lovely people (shocking parking)

Niall

niallmitch

Oh, and you get married under the bridge in The Dell so no need for Gazebo

Herbiecat

Hi Niall

Thats sounds really lovely and I cant wait for my wedding it going to be wonderful.

Yes we know about the border issues, my folks live in Torrie and have a regular coach firm that takes them and the local British club all over the place as well as down to Gib every month. We will use them and will have to leave at 9ish to get to Gib on time and all the guests will be aware of this, me, mom and my bridesmaids will be staying in Gib the night before so I wont have to much of a rush.

A friend of ours (from Torrie) did what we are doing and it all went fine so hopefully it will be the same for us.

I cant wait. xx

sal-ad_daze

Ok, so if you book a wedding at 6 in the Dell, you could book into your 'bridal suite' in the afternoon and leave from there?
Niall, it's good to hear about the Waterfront, that's where my daughter got engaged last year and where they were thinking of having their reception.
My daughter's friends (who's home is in Gibraltar) are in the UK atm and will be visiting next weekend, I'm sure they will be sent home with lots of questions to be answered! lol