Over the past ten years or so, out-of-town shopping centres ( centros comerciales, or CCs), whether supermarkets or fashion outlets, have become increasingly prevalent in Andalucia, located on the edge of towsn and cities or in their suburbs.
If you want a really stress-free run-up to your wedding, and you don’t mind paying to offload the nitty-gritty of the organisation onto someone who is based here in Andalucia, and speaks the language, then why not consider hiring a wedding planner to make all on-the-ground preparations for your big day?
Whether you choose to get married in a church, a registry office or a specialist licensed venue such as a hotel, you will want to treat your guests to a fine meal afterwards – especially if they’ve come from abroad to celebrate your big day with you.
Your wedding dress may stay mothballed in your cupboard for years after your wedding day, but the photos from your special day will be on display in your house forever. The most popular moments include: the bride walking down the aisle; exchange of rings (alianzas); the kiss; cutting the cake (tarta nupcial); speeches (discursos).
The glamorous coastal resorts of Andalucia have earned the region a worldwide reputation as a luxury holiday destination. Bustling locations like Marbella and Mijas remain a focal point for celebrity visits, in particular, and have the widest selection of impressive rental villas available.
In Spain, it is possible to arrange civil and religious marriages between foreigners or a foreigner and a Spanish national provided you do your paperwork first. In addition, the Spanish government is working on agreements with major non-Catholic faiths in terms of accepting their religious marriage ceremonies.
On 30 June 2005Spain became the third European country after the Netherlands and Belgium to legalise same-sex marriage between native Spanish citizens and also registered foreigners living in Spain.
You will want your wedding venue, and the location for your meal, whether a hotel, restaurant, function room (sala de celebraciones) or private house, to be decorated to reflect your own personal taste. Then you need to think about your own ramo (bouquet), which should reflect the blooms you choose to adorn your venue.
You have to feel comfortable and special on your wedding day, whether you want a sexy skin-tight sheath, a loose, bias-cut slip, or a formal, fitted gown. Andalucia has many home-grown wedding dress designers, if you want a made-to-measure traje de boda.
Have you ever faced the pressure of throwing an important party and had things not go the way you had wished? If you can answer "yes" to the previous question, then you can appreciate just how reassuring having a professional caterer look after your needs can be.
Thinking of having your wedding in Andalucia? Then we have the complete guide to the what, where, when and how to plan your big day here in sunny southern Spain.
An increasing number of people are either bringing their pets with them when they move to Spain, or else acquiring them here, reassured by the fact that, if they have to move for any reason, their pet doesn't have to be left behind.
The villancicos are also known by the name of zambombas in Andalucía, a name which comes from the instrument that is traditionally used to accompany them. A zambomba is a drum like instrument that has a stick inserted through the skin, and the stick is moved up and down, creating the rhythm.
Christmas brings great cheer across Spain as families prepare to spend the Season together over one elaborate meal after another. Every year Andalucia.com brings you a special look at Christmas and this year it is no different.
There is quite a debate across Spain regarding whether Santa Claus is displacing the traditional Three Kings at Christmastime in Spain. The truth is that Santa Claus is becoming more and more common, but even families that sign up with “Papa Noel” usually keep their accounts open with the Kings.
Journalist and author Theresa O'Shea tied the knot with her long-standing Spanish partner on Spain's Costa del Sol and has produced a linguistic and cultural survival guide to a Spanish weddings for those who might follow her example and walk the aisle in Spain!
Unlike most Spaniards, who focus their religious fervour on the Virgin Mary, the gypsies have always identified closely with Jesus, because, like them, he was a wanderer and had to rely on whatever pickings he could find, as he made his way through the world.
Andalucia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain and it is unsurprising that so many people come here to have fun. Andalucia is growing in popularity as a destination for Bachelor and Bachelorette (Stag and Hen) parties and /weekends. A mere two and a half hours budget flight from the UK.
If you’re looking for activities to do with your children in Andalucia this summer, and you want a break from the beach, or you’re staying inland and you’re looking for some more ideas for outings, you’ll be amazed at the variety of places you can have a great day out.
There is most certainly a difference between grabbing a bite of something on the run, or sitting down at table to eat a meal the "right" way, and the Spanish are experts on making meals so much more than just sustenance.
