Getting Married in Tenerife and the Canary Islands: Your Complete Guide

Getting married in Tenerife and the Canary Islands means a wedding with near-guaranteed sunshine, volcanic landscapes and golden-sand beaches as your backdrop. If you're planning a wedding in Santa Cruz de Tenerife or anywhere across the archipelago, this guide covers everything you need: the best venues, ideal weather windows, legal paperwork, budget breakdown and how to organise your guests' travel.

The Canary Islands offer all the magic of a destination wedding — that special holiday feeling — with the convenience of staying within Spain: same legal process, no passport needed, and budget airlines flying direct from the mainland.

Key takeaways

• Year-round sunshine: average temperatures of 22-24 °C in every season, perfect for outdoor ceremonies any time of year.
• One-of-a-kind venues: colonial estates surrounded by banana plantations, volcanic wineries in Lanzarote, and Atlantic-facing resorts.
• Simple paperwork: identical to mainland Spain — no extra documentation required.
• Reasonable budget: between €15,000 and €35,000 on average, with a built-in "holiday factor" for your guests.
• Manageable logistics: planning flights and transfers well in advance makes all the difference in cost and guest experience.

Table of contents

• Why get married in Tenerife and the Canary Islands
• Best wedding venues in Tenerife
• Weddings in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura
• Weather and best time to marry in the Canaries
• Legal requirements for your Canary Islands wedding
• Budget: how much does a Tenerife wedding cost
• Travel and logistics for your guests
• Frequently asked questions

Why get married in Tenerife and the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are the only place in Spain where you can hold an outdoor wedding in December as comfortably as in June. The archipelago's subtropical climate virtually eliminates the "what if it rains?" worry that haunts mainland celebrations.

But weather is just the start. The islands pack an extraordinary range of landscapes into a small area:

• Golden and black-sand beaches for oceanfront ceremonies.
• Ancient laurel forests in Anaga (Tenerife), with dappled light perfect for photos.
• Volcanic landscapes like Mount Teide or Lanzarote's lava fields — dramatic backdrops found nowhere else in Europe.
• Vineyards and banana plantations framing colonial-style estates.

Add world-class hotel infrastructure — the Canaries welcome millions of tourists each year — and direct flights from Madrid, Barcelona, London, Berlin and most European capitals. Explore more details in our Santa Cruz de Tenerife wedding guide.

Best wedding venues in Tenerife

Tenerife has the widest choice of wedding venues in the archipelago. The island splits into two worlds: the greener, lusher north and the sunnier, more tourist-oriented south. Each zone has its own charm for a celebration.

Northern Tenerife

• Plantation estates: rustic venues with tropical gardens, timber ceilings and inner courtyards. Ideal for 80-150 guests.
• Manor houses in La Orotava: traditional Canarian architecture with tea-wood balconies and views of Mount Teide.
• Wineries in the Orotava Valley: volcanic wine tastings as part of the cocktail hour.

Southern Tenerife

• Costa Adeje resorts: terrace ceremonies with sunsets over La Gomera island.
• Beach clubs: relaxed vibes with your feet practically in the sand.
• Boutique hotels in Guía de Isora: exclusivity and high-end service.

Visit at least three venues in person before booking. Brochure photos don't convey the acoustics, wind patterns or the reality of parking logistics.

Weddings in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura

Tenerife isn't the only option. Each island has its own personality and attracts a different style of wedding.

• Gran Canaria: the most cosmopolitan island after Tenerife. The Maspalomas dunes provide a cinematic setting, and Las Palmas boasts outstanding gastronomy for the reception. Check our Las Palmas wedding guide for more options.
• Lanzarote: the island of art and volcanoes. The La Geria wineries, with black stone walls protecting the vines, make an absolutely unique wedding venue. César Manrique's converted spaces are spectacular.
• Fuerteventura: endless beaches and an intimate atmosphere. Perfect for small weddings (fewer than 50 guests) seeking total tranquillity.

If you like the idea of combining the wedding with a few days of holiday for everyone, the smaller islands (La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro) offer an exclusivity that's hard to find anywhere else in Spain.

Weather and best time to marry in the Canaries

The Canarian climate is its biggest competitive advantage over other wedding destinations. Temperatures range from 18 °C in winter to 26 °C in summer, with little variation from day to day.

• April to June: the best combination of pleasant temperatures, minimal rain and still-reasonable flight and hotel prices.
• September to November: the sea is warm, showers are rare, and peak tourist season hasn't kicked in yet.
• July and August: intense heat in the south and the risk of calima (Saharan dust-laden wind). Avoid if your ceremony is outdoors.
• December to March: ideal if you're escaping mainland cold. Temperatures around 20-22 °C and lower flight prices.

Check historical temperature and rainfall data by city with our wedding weather tool, which helps you pick the date with the lowest rain risk.

Legal requirements for your Canary Islands wedding

The legal process for marrying in the Canaries is exactly the same as anywhere else in Spain. You don't need to be a resident of the island or present any additional paperwork.

1. Marriage file (expediente matrimonial): opened at the Civil Registry of your current home address or at the registry in the Canarian town where you'll hold the ceremony.
2. Documents needed: national ID, birth certificate, proof of address and certificate of single status.
3. Timeline: start the file at least 3-4 months ahead. Some island courts have lighter workloads and resolve faster.
4. Symbolic ceremony: if you only want the celebration without legal validity (signing paperwork on the mainland beforehand), no extra paperwork is needed on the island.

For a detailed walkthrough of every step and document, read our guide on how to get married in a civil ceremony in Spain. And to make sure you never miss a deadline, use a wedding checklist with calendar that alerts you to every requirement on time.

Budget: how much does a Tenerife wedding cost

A wedding in Tenerife with 80-100 guests typically runs between €15,000 and €35,000, depending on the venue type and catering level. That's a similar range to mainland Spain, with some costs going up (transport) and others going down (accommodation for the couple).

Approximate breakdown

• Venue and catering: €70-130 per guest (includes menu, open bar and setup).
• Photography and video: €1,500-3,500 (local photographers with Canarian wedding portfolios).
• Flowers and decor: €800-2,500 (subtropical flora reduces centrepiece costs).
• Music / DJ: €600-1,500.
• Couple's flights: €100-300 return from the mainland.

The cost that varies most is guest transport: arranging group flights or negotiating a discounted room block brings the bill down significantly. Track every euro with the Weddings.help wedding budget calculator.

Travel and logistics for your guests

Logistics is the biggest challenge of a Canary Islands wedding when most guests are flying in from the mainland. The good news: with proper planning, it becomes a feature rather than a bug ("we're all going on holiday!").

• Group flights: some airlines offer group rates from 10 passengers. Book 4-6 months ahead.
• Room blocks: negotiate a fixed rate at one or two hotels for your guests. Most Canarian hotels are experienced in wedding blocks.
• Day-of transfers: hire coaches or minibuses from the hotel to the venue and back. Nobody should be driving.
• Weekend wedding: since guests are already travelling, organise a welcome dinner the night before and a farewell brunch the morning after.

Manage day-of transfers with the wedding transport organiser, and keep track of RSVPs and accommodation with the guest list manager with RSVP.

Frequently asked questions

Which Canary Island is best for a wedding?

Tenerife offers the widest range of venues and suppliers, making it the most versatile choice. Gran Canaria suits urban weddings with top-tier gastronomy, while Lanzarote stands out for its unique volcanic landscapes. The best island depends on the style of wedding you're looking for.

Do I need special documents to get married in the Canary Islands?

No. The process is identical to any civil wedding in mainland Spain. Open your marriage file at your local Civil Registry or at the registry in the Canarian town where you'll hold the ceremony, at least three months in advance.

How much does an average wedding in Tenerife cost?

Between €15,000 and €35,000 for 80-100 guests, covering venue, catering, photography and decor. Guest transport (flights and transfers) is the most variable cost item and worth planning first.

What months should I avoid for an outdoor wedding in the Canaries?

July and August, due to high temperatures and the risk of calima (Saharan dust-laden wind). The best months are April to June and September to November, with mild weather and fewer tourists.

The Canary Islands are waiting with open arms, year-round sunshine and venues ranging from storied colonial estates to oceanfront resorts. If you're ready to start planning your Canarian wedding today, organise your wedding from just €99 with every tool you need.