Your guide to getting married in Malta

From simple legalities to a beautiful sea-view backdrop...

The straightforward legalities of getting married in Malta make the sun-soaked archipelago a perennially popular destination in which to tie the knot. Combine this with Malta’s extraordinary natural beauty — an ideal backdrop for the wedding album — and it has everything you could wish for on your big day. From ticking all the right legal boxes to finding the perfect setting and choosing a menu, here’s our guide to getting married in Malta.

Legal requirements

Unlike many locations, Malta requires no minimum residency for a legally binding wedding ceremony. Furthermore, both the ceremony and the marriage certificate are in English, making Malta the perfect choice for a destination wedding. There are a few simple preparatory steps. First, complete the Marriage Application Form and post it along with a copy of both passports (the originals can be brought in later), birth certificates, and a handful of other legal documents to the Marriage Registry in Valletta or Gozo at least six weeks before your wedding day. On landing in Malta before the wedding, take your passports to the Marriage Registry to finalise the details. It’s refreshingly simple, and Corinthia’s expert wedding coordinators are happy to guide you through the process.

Stunning location

Panoramic ocean views, canopies of ancient trees, and stunning heritage architecture; you’ll be spoilt for scenic locations when getting married in Malta. Set sail to exchange vows aboard a private yacht or opt for a traditional church ceremony. Choose from the 365 churches on the archipelago, many blessed with blond-stone Baroque architecture and soaring trompe l’oeil ceilings, for an unforgettable setting in which to say "I do."

Perfect weather

Ranked as the sunniest spot in Europe, Malta delivers consistent, year-round sunshine. Such a clement climate makes the archipelago an ideal choice for an outdoor reception in beautiful gardens or on the coast. There’s also an inevitable sun-kissed glow that comes from a relaxing trip to Malta, making bridal beauty treatments surplus to requirement.

A bespoke reception

For an authentic Maltese setting, Villa Corinthia is one of the most exclusive wedding venues on the island, and it’s located right in the heart of Malta. Adjacent to the Presidential Palace, the blonde-stone enclave is flanked by immaculate gardens — the ideal romantic backdrop against which to exchange vows. Alternatively, for a coastal reception with panoramic views across the bay, few locations rival the photogenic sweep from the Pool Deck at Corinthia St George’s Bay.

Sumptuous cuisine

Blessed with a bounty of organic, seasonal produce, the wedding breakfast is a gastronomic highlight of getting married in Malta. Base your menu around the catch of the day, fresh from the boat, or opt for a more traditional Maltese feast with a rich Stuffat tal-Fenek rabbit stew. Malta produces some excellent local wines, including indigenous fruity white Girgentina and spicy red Ġellewżas. It also produces a crisp sparkling wine, perfect for toasting the happy couple.

Idyllic honeymoon

With so many draws, there’s little need to jet off after getting married in Malta. Linger awhile for a romantic honeymoon. From long afternoons soaking up the sun at the Blue Lagoon to scenic sundowners on the Dingli Cliffs, there’s no more romantic setting to celebrate a new life together.