Elopement planning in Barcelona and across Spain
Vanessa plans elopements for couples who want a wedding day built around just the two of them: a legal or symbolic ceremony, a small circle of witnesses if any, and no more logistics than that requires.
Foreign couples marrying in Spain must meet Spain’s own legal requirements, which often include certified and apostilled documents. Vanessa manages this process from the first enquiry, so nothing is left to figure out alone.
The same approach also suits couples who want to renew their vows in an intimate, low-key ceremony, marking an anniversary or simply choosing to celebrate again, privately.
For a slightly larger, still-intimate celebration with close family and friends, see Vanessa's intimate weddings service.
What’s included in elopement planning?
The service covers both the practical and personal sides of eloping, so nothing is left to chance:
• Choice of ceremony type, civil, symbolic, or religious, and the paperwork each requires.
• A private location matched to the couple, from a clifftop terrace to a quiet corner of the Costa Brava.
• A small, trusted vendor team, officiant, photographer, and anything else the couple wants, with nothing extra added.
• Legal and administrative support for foreign couples marrying in Spain.
• Coordination on the day itself, start to finish.
How an elopement comes together, step by step
Step 1: A private conversation
It begins with understanding the couple’s reasons for eloping and what they picture for the day, without assuming it should look like a scaled-down wedding.
Step 2: Location and timeline
Vanessa proposes a small number of locations suited to the couple and puts together a realistic timeline for the day.
Step 3: Legal and ceremony logistics
Documentation and ceremony requirements are handled directly, including any apostille foreign couples need under Spanish law.
Step 4: On the day
Vanessa is there to manage the details, so the couple can simply be there for each other.
Vanessa’s work as a wedding planner in Barcelona
See more of Vanessa’s work planning weddings and celebrations in Barcelona and across Spain, from intimate ceremonies to multi-day events.
Testimonials from couples who trusted Vanessa Serrani
Each testimonial tells a unique story, united by the same feeling: the peace of mind that comes from knowing their day was in expert hands.
Vanessa fue la wedding planner de la boda de mi hermana, y desde el primer minuto se volcó al 100% en la organización, búsqueda de ideas, de locación, colaboró en todo, cada vez que teníamos alguna duda o algún problema nos ayudo, estuvo atenta a todos los detalles, y finalmente durante el gran día se ocupó de todo, el resultado final majestuosos, nunca lo hubiese imaginado, la calidad, la calidez, la estética, todo. Realmente si quieres una boda de ensueño Vanessa es la mujer perfecta ❤️❤️❤️
Viggo Karoline
Vanessa nous tenons sincèrement à vous remercier vous avez répondu à toutes nos demandes vous avez compris l’ambiance que nous souhaitions Vous avez rendu notre mariage inoubliable Grâce à votre savoir faire votre gentillesse votre professionnalisme nous avons eu le mariage de nos RÊVE et bien plus encore Nous vous recommandons a tous les futurs mariés sans aucun doute Un ÉNORME MERCI Ludo et Elo 💋♥️
Elodie Pires
AVEVAMO UN SOGNO…E SI È REALIZZATO!!! Amiamo viaggiare e per il nostro giorno speciale immaginavamo qualcosa che potesse rappresentarci a pieno. Abbiamo scelto di affidarci a Vanessa e non potevamo fare scelta migliore. Ci ha seguiti in ogni minimo dettaglio, ascoltando con attenzione le nostre richieste e proponendo sempre soluzioni personalizzate ed innovative. Ci ha accompagnati con affetto durante l’intero percorso e abbiamo veramente apprezzato tutto l’impegno che ha messo per l’ottima riuscita dell’evento. Il tutto è stato preparato con cura, ogni dettaglio era perfetto…e anche quando il tempo sembrava giocarci un brutto scherzo, Lei ha saputo gestire ottimamente la situazione. È stato veramente un giorno speciale ed è stato così grazie a Vanessa.
Eleonora Giavardi
We hired Vanessa to plan and execute our wedding and we could not be happier. She took care of everything so well and allowed us to enjoy the day with minimum stress possible. She suggested us incredible vendors, planned the wedding together with the suggested vendors and vendors of our own choosing and made sure everything went perfectly well on the wedding day. She really listens to everything during the planning and tirelessly works on solutions. We did not make things easy on her :) but she got everything perfect. She dealt with all our personal requests and found vendors to our liking. I can not imagine having such a wonderful wedding without Vanessa's planning. If you are getting married, hiring Vanessa is the best investment you can do.
Emre Süneçli
Vanessa planned our wedding and I loved everything on it. She listened to everything I said about the decoration, flowers, music, etc. Also she found the best providers in Barcelona. She is great in what she does. I think so far it is the best wedding I have ever been. It was very important to have Vanessa as our wedding planner because, she could help us out to materialize ideas and good taste. Thank you Vanessa!
Ismael Gabaldon
Truly world class. She does everything very well. She is organised and is always available to answer all your questions. She did everything exactly like you want it. Highly recommend her for any events.
Prajwal Moras
Vanessa planned our wedding in May 2024 in Xalet Del Nin. Vanessa was so professional, helped organise our vendors and had great ideas of small details and how to keep within our budget. Vanessa was brilliant on the day and kept everything running seamlessly. Thanks Vanessa for helping us organise the wedding of our dreams!
S Cokes
Vanessa did an incredible job planning our wedding at Xalet Del Nin. We are from the United States and she was able to arrange meetings around our schedule. She took into account everything that we asked for. She budgeted our wedding and added many creative touches. She came to our welcome event as well after helping us plan an all white party. On the day of our wedding, her calmness that she brought and efficacy made the day incredible and less stressful. I highly recommend Vanessa! :)
Paige Silva
Choosing Vanessa as our wedding planner has been the best choice I have made after say YES to my now-husband! At first, I thought that a wedding planner was not that necessary because I am organised and have time, but I have been quickly realising that the perfect wedding that we had, was only possible because we had a wedding planner. And I quickly understood that Vanessa is no ordinary wedding planner; she is truly special! Not only she is super organised (I loved her Excel Files!), always punctual, precise, but she also knows a huge list of suppliers for all your tastes, and she is kind and understanding - even in the most stressing moments. A real and talented wedding planner - like Vanessa - is not only about making you choose between 2 colours of things, but she also needs to negotiate prices with suppliers, keeping cool and finding solutions when problems arise (and there are always problems in a wedding preparation with some suppliers). Vanessa managed to do all this perfectly and with smile! I only mention this: Vanessa has been thanked in 3 of our family/international friends' speeches in front of all our guests, who all appreciated her work, dedication and talent. Thank you for everything Vanessa!
Linda-Margherita THIMM
I would 100% recommend Vanessa! She always listened to our wishes and made herself available to help plan our big day. She came up with great ideas and executed everything with professionalism and style! We are so glad we hired Vanessa to help us organise our wedding, it really reduced our stress 😁
Chelsea Cummings
Can an elopement in Spain be a legal marriage?
Yes. The couple can choose a civil ceremony, which is legally valid, or a symbolic celebration. Foreign couples usually need certified and apostilled documents for a legal wedding in Spain, and Vanessa manages that process from the first enquiry.
Where can an elopement take place?
In a private location matched to the couple: a clifftop terrace, a quiet corner of the Costa Brava, or wherever the couple pictures the day.
Two people, a small circle of witnesses, and no more logistics than that needs.
What is included in elopement planning?
The choice of ceremony type, civil, symbolic or religious, and the paperwork each requires; a private location matched to the couple; a small vendor team with officiant and photographer; legal and administrative support for foreign couples; and coordination on the day, start to finish.
Can a vow renewal be an elopement?
Yes. The same approach suits couples who want to renew their vows in an intimate, low-key ceremony, whether to mark an anniversary or simply to celebrate again, privately.
Is an elopement only for the two of them?
An elopement is built around just the two of them, with a small circle of witnesses if any. A slightly larger celebration with close family and friends sits under intimate weddings.