Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, and it also happens to be where Guy was born and raised! It shares a land border with Spain and is approximately 9 miles away from Morocco, separated only by the Strait of Gibraltar. It is a beautiful place with a rich culture and history. Even though we are getting married in Spain, we'd highly recommend spending at least a day in Gib to see all it has to offer.
At the moment, Americans need an ESTA to travel to the UK. This ESTA will cover you in Gibraltar as well. You may need an ESTA to travel to Spain, but it has not been decided yet. Please review the State Department's guidelines for international travel to ensure you're fully prepared and aware of any requirements as a U.S. citizen travelling abroad. Please note, you must get your passport stamped when crossing the land border between Gibraltar and Spain.
Since the ceremony and reception will take place in Spain, staying on the Spanish side of the border might be more convenient. It should also be noted that due to the ongoing post-Brexit negotiations between Gibraltar and Spain, there is uncertainty about the fluidity of the Spanish/Gibraltar border in the future. This means there could be lengthy queues to get in and out of Spain and/or Gibraltar. While we cannot say with any certainty whether that will happen, it is something to be aware of as you make any accommodation arrangements. We will be keeping a close eye on the situation, so stay tuned for updates. That said, Gibraltar is the best! If you'd prefer to experience Gibraltar and take advantage of the shuttle service to and from the venue, you can't go wrong.
We recommend checking out Airbnbs and VRBOs in the La Alcaidesa, Sotogrande and Castellar areas of Spain. If you would rather stay in a hotel, we recommend looking at The Hotel Encinar or The So/Sotogrande in Sotogrande. You could also check out the Casa La Henrietta in Jimena de La Frontera. They are all near the reception venue.
Yes, if you'd like a bit more flexibility. Gibraltar has public transport (buses and e-scooters), but if you plan to explore both Gibraltar and nearby Spain, renting a car can be a convenient option. You can find rental services at Málaga Airport or across the border from Gibraltar in La Línea. While there are no car hire services in Gibraltar itself, you can book a car from La Línea in Gibraltar Airport. Please note, US citizens are highly encouraged to purchase an International Driver's Permit (IDP) to rent a car in Spain. These must be obtained before travelling. You can purchase these through AAA. P.S. Even though Gib is a British Overseas Territory - they still drive on the right side of the road!
Please arrive at the Iglesia Sotogrande no later than 5:45 PM. The ceremony will begin promptly at 6:00PM.
For those of you living or staying in Gibraltar, there will be a complimentary shuttle to the ceremony in Spain and subsequently to the reception venue. **Shuttle Schedule: 4:45pm | Shuttle leaves Spanish side of the border en route to Iglesia Sotogrande for the church ceremony. Once you've walked across the border with your passport, there will be a shuttle with a sign. After the Ceremony | Shuttle leaves the Iglesia Sotogrande en route to Finca Monasterio for the reception. 3:00am | Shuttle leaves reception, returns to Midtown Car Park in Gibraltar. This is the only return shuttle to Gibraltar. If you elect not to take it, you will need to arrange for a taxi back to Gib. **Please note these times are subject to change - please check back closer to the date. Note: If your plans change after you've RSVP'd, please reach out so we can update the headcount for the shuttle.
If you are staying in Spain, we recommend checking out the following hotels: -The Hotel Encinar in Sotogrande, Spain -The So/Sotogrande in Sotogrande, Spain -The Casa La Henrietta in Jimena de La Frontera, Spain. If you are planning to stay in Gibraltar, we recommend: -The Eliott Hotel -The Rock Hotel -The Sunborn Hotel -The Holiday Inn Express
The dress code is Formal/Lounge Suit. We want everyone looking and feeling their very best! To help, we've included a Pinterest board with outfit inspiration. Simply copy and paste the link below to see the vibes we're going for. If in doubt, please feel free to ask! https://www.pinterest.com/hbrautigam/golly-wedding-dress-code/
There is very limited parking at both the ceremony and the reception. For the reception, we recommend either taking the shuttle back to Gibraltar (if you're staying there), or using a taxi service. We've included the number of two local taxi services below: Sototaxi +34 652 171 778 AutosLuxury - Estepona +34 951 899 526
Due to space and planning constraints, we'd like to keep the guest list as intimate as possible. So, if someone isn’t named on your invitation, we will not be able to accommodate them. We really hope you understand, and we’re so excited to celebrate with you!
We’ll have a handful of tiny VIPs (aka family kiddos) running around, but unless your child is named on the invite, we’re keeping things adults-only. We hope you’ll enjoy a well-earned adult night off!