When The Wedding Community’s Weddings Abroad experts Perfect Weddings Abroad called me and asked if I would like to go to Malta with their team to see what weddings in Malta have to offer, how on earth could I possibly say no? So, last month I packed my bag and went out to Malta for three days, and I would like to share my experience with you.
For those looking to marry abroad, Malta may not be one of the first destinations that comes to mind, but please, please, please consider it.
We stayed at one of Malta’s most iconic resorts, the incredibly beautiful and historic Phoenicia Hotel. Famed for its superb service, the Phoenicia Hotel has attracted the likes of Pierce Brosnan and Rachel Weisz. From the minute we arrived at the hotel we were treated like royalty. The staff were so friendly and made my stay so enjoyable; I have never experience a hospitality team like them — they are a real credit to the hotel.
The 5 star hotel is in Valletta, the capital of Malta. Situated in 7.5 acres of mature gardens at the entrance to the capital, Hotel Phoenicia commands glorious views over the surrounding areas. Imagine having your wedding with the Valletta fortifications as a backdrop; it’s simply stunning.
Our visit was organised by the lovely Mary Grace and Steve of Dreemz Planners, Malta’s premier wedding planners. Both Mary Grace and Steve are Maltese and know absolutely everything there is to know about weddings in Malta and Gozo. They organised the most amazing itinerary for our trip to make sure we experienced some of Malta’s hidden gems, fabulous wedding venues, and food to-die-for.
On our first night the Phoenicia hotel treated us to an incredible six course dinner so we could experience some of the divine food they offer for weddings at the hotel. WOW! From the foie gras amuse bouche, to the rack of lamb main course, it was all incredible.
During our stay we visited some of the most popular wedding venues the island has to offer. Malta has some incredible venues, and there really is something for everyone; whether it’s a beach wedding venue, a venue overlooking the sea, a garden overlooking the capital city, or an old quarry venue, Malta will not disappoint you.
Hotel Resorts for Weddings in Malta
Westin Dragonara
The enviable location of the Westin Dragonara Resort offers many outdoor sea view locations for weddings in Malta, as well as cosy indoor rooms that will make your wedding truly unforgettable. There are many different areas for weddings at the hotel, including elegant ballrooms, mysterious gardens, by-the-sea peninsulas, and magical pool settings, so there is definitely something to suit every couple’s taste.
Palazzo de Piro
If you are looking for a wedding venue with culture and history, then this could be for you. Palazzo de Piro is a 17th Century Palazzo nestled in the bastion walls of the medieval city of Mdina, Malta’s Silent City.
This private, high-end and totally unique setting is also the ideal choice of venue for weddings, and can accommodate 10 to 300 guests. This charming venue will delight you and your guests, combining both a sense of history with contemporary qualities and comforts.
The Xara Lodge
The Xara Lodge is perfect for couples looking for a contemporary venue for their wedding in Malta. Set in the unspoiled and secluded countryside beneath Mdina, The Xara Lodge is the newest wedding venue on the Maltese Islands.
The Xara Lodge offers a mix of interconnecting indoor and outdoor locations of varying sizes for your dream wedding. From the roof terrace with 360º views, to the ballroom overlooking the swimming pool, this venue really has the wow factor and will make a beautiful setting for your wedding.
Villa Bologna
Walked through the gates at Villa Bologna left me speechless. Oozing charm and elegance with its limestone exterior, blue shutters and beautiful Mediterranean garden, I instantly fell in love with this venue.
Successors of the family who built this elegant and welcoming 18th century Maltese country house in 1745 still occupy the venue. Outside, an old citrus orchard, majestic fountains and luscious lawns provide the perfect setting for your Maltese wedding.
Beach Weddings in Malta
As well as hotel resort venues Malta also boasts some beautiful beach wedding venues. So if you fancy marrying on the beach with the sand between your toes, overlooking the sea, then these venues could be for you.
Paradise Bay Resort
Paradise Bay Resort Hotel is the perfect location for beach weddings in Malta. Picture standing on the beach under a cute gazebo looking out across towards Gozo.
Venues for wedding receptions at this resort include the Il-Merill Restaurant, which offers an unobstructed view of the clear blue Mediterranean Sea. Alternatively, you could your wedding could take place under a gazebo on the private sandy beach, and there is also extensive terrace space surrounding the outdoor pools, overlooking the picturesque Paradise Bay.
Hola Beach Club
Hola Beach Club, with private beach, is a marvellous location for a wedding and guarantees stunning photographs. Shaded by tall palm trees and with a picturesque view of neighbouring Gozo and Comino, this venue will certainly impress your wedding guests. The venue also boasts six banqueting rooms, all luxuriously finished and perfect for weddings.
Garden Weddings in Malta
If you fancy an outdoor wedding somewhere a little different, how about a garden wedding? When I say garden, I don’t mean garden in the sense of a UK garden. Malta has a number of ‘gardens’, public areas of beauty you can hire for your wedding and the council will close them to the public. We visited two garden venues, Hastings Gardens and Valletta Harbour View Gardens.
Hastings Gardens
Hastings Gardens is a public garden in Valletta, located on top of the bastions on the west side of the City Gate. The garden offers views of Floriana, Msida, Sliema, and Manoel Island, making it the perfect backdrop for your wedding.
Valletta Harbour View Gardens
A hidden gem! You can hire the beautiful Valletta Harbour View Gardens for exclusive use for your civil wedding and reception celebrations.
Imagine the setting — the imposing Valletta harbour in the background, the gardens decorated for your ceremony, and then, as the sun sets and with the harbour bastions lit up, your wedding reception begins. For a private outdoor ceremony which captures the historic tradition of Malta, this is a perfect venue.
An Alternative Wedding Venue in Malta
For couples wanting a wedding abroad without the sand between their toes, Malta offers an alternative venue.
The Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens
I may have saved the best for last! When you think about your wedding abroad, have you considered an old quarry? I doubt the thought of marrying in a quarry has entered your mind, but I hope I can enlighten you!
The Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens is a celebration of Malta’s vibrant history and its unique stone resource. An old quarry now converted into a truly unique wedding venue, it oozes traditional Maltese charm that will surround your wedding with a delightful aura from the start.
With the extensive limestone quarry walls and the peaceful waterfall, imagine this setting for your wedding. At the Limestone Heritage Park you’ll also have the option to make use of some of the venue’s unique facilities, including wall projections, fireworks and pyrotechnics. This really is one of the most unique wedding venues I have ever seen.
Planning a Wedding in Malta
When planning your wedding abroad you will need to take into consideration the flight time for your guests. From experience, couples who choose to marry in faraway places usually have a limited number of guests attend. The flight time from the UK to Malta is three hours. Yes, that’s right, just 3 hours and you are there (flight time from LHR and LGW).
Malta offers amazing weather too, with warm, dry and sunny summers. The weather usually shows signs of warming up in April, with long spells of hot, dry weather; it rarely rains from April to August. July and August are Malta’s hottest months, with daytime temperatures usually above 30ºC and quite often also above 35ºC. So, if you are planning a summer wedding in Malta, consider a late afternoon or even early evening wedding. We went in November, the beginning of winter in Malta, and had sunshine and temperatures in the low 20ºs. If you are looking for a winter wedding abroad in the sun, Malta has the perfect climate.
I hope I have given you a good insight into weddings in Malta and the venues on offer. An enormous thank you to the Phoenicia Hotel for their hospitality, to Dreemz Planners for organising the incredible event, and to Perfect Weddings Abroad for inviting me to experience Malta at its best.
Kim x
