Malta, a small rocky island, the smallest country in Europe, lying just 60 miles South of Sicily and 160 miles east of Tunisia, equidistant between the Straits of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal! Called by Homer as “the centre of the sea”. An Island with more than 7000 years of History, rich in culture, with less than half-a-million inhabitants, hosting a myriad of UNESCO World Heritage sites and the home of the oldest free-standing temple on the planet, Ggantija. Forming part of the European Union, having the Euro as its currency and English language being the second official language used by the locals, it’s the place to visit for your vacation and more; being just three hours away from the major European airports. Having rich history, great nature and surrounded by clear blue beautiful waters, hundreds of attractions and all in such a small island.
The Maltese archipelago is made up of a collection of small to minuscule islands and beside mainland Malta, only the island of Gozo is inhabited. Gozo, or Ghawdex as locally known, lies just 25 minutes by ferry from the most northern point in Malta. Gozo is less than half the size of mainland Malta, and home to around 40,000 inhabitants! This small island is known for its remarkable peculiarities: the pristine coastline and the untouched country trails blend into the picturesque scenery. Baroque churches rise from the hearts of the small villages and traditional farmhouses dot the rural landscape!
Are these enough reasons to make you choose the Maltese islands for your destination wedding? If you are not yet convinced there are more reasons below to make you recognize the hidden beauty of the islands!
THE HISTORY
The geographical position of the island in the middle of the Mediterranean, sandwiched between Europe and Africa, made it important to both the Orient and the Occident. After the Phoenicians and the Punier came the Romans, followed by the Arabs and the Normans, but it was the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, later named the Knights of Malta who made the most indelible mark here, marking their peak by the defeat of the great Ottoman Empire in 1865. Napoleon took over for a few months before the French were ousted by the brave locals during a mini-revolution, backed by the British! All the rulers left their mark on such a small island! You can get married in one of the abundant historical sites around the islands and re-live how our ancestors used to celebrate their Special Day in the bygone!
THE CLIMATE
Malta has a typical sunny Mediterranean climate. The weather is brilliant, sunny and the blue sky is perfect for the photographs. Unique backdrops that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, even in such a short distance from each other, enhance the sunset experience. Autumn & Winter are good times to travel to Malta; mild temperatures and sometimes windy; with the scirocco wind blowing from the Sahara bringing beautifully warm days. Short spells of cold weather from the North are also expected mainly in January and February. It’s also a lot less busy as you’re approaching the end of the season. Summer, on the other hand is a busy period, with long hours of daylight and warm, sometimes hot days, ideal to relax by the beach.
THE SETTING
With its relatively small size, Malta offers countless options for unique locations and has unparalleled history. Choose to have your wedding in a baroque church or a small chapel or on high grounds close to the sea with Gozo’s iconic natural sculpture – The Azure Window. Choose from antiquities like Mdina, the old city; to picturesque fishing villages. Reaffirm your wedding vows right by the sea. Malta’s capital Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is perfectly proportioned for a relaxed sightseeing pre-wedding tour. The impressive bastions, the architecture and gardens make an ideal backdrop for a superb wedding.
THE CULTURE
A wedding, by definition, is a fun affair. With its relatively small size, Malta has one of the largest cultural displays in the world, amplifying the fun effect. Maybe it’s the nice weather, the good Mediterranean food or maybe it’s the people; hospitable, warm, themselves fun-loving. Or maybe it’s a combination of factors such as being abroad, away from home, somewhere where it’s relaxing, warm and everything is being taken care of for you. Either way, it really works. Malta also has a packed festival and cultural calendar throughout the year.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Give your guests the gift of an experience they will never forget. Wherever you decide to hold your wedding on the Maltese Islands you can practically be guaranteed interesting, scenic surroundings, picturesque villages that can take you back in time, cities that offer a deep character built over the years. Impress your guests and let yourself be transported into a fairy tale world where you are the star!
OUR WEDDING PLANNING EXPERIENCE
No list of reasons to hold your wedding in Malta and Gozo could really be complete without mentioning our expertise in planning weddings that meet and exceed your expectations. MALTA EVENT DESIGN have created personalized and intimate weddings for many couples. We seek to take your dreams for this day and turn them into reality by providing an end-to-end service covering every organizational detail leading up to and on the day itself! We aim to remove all the stress and effort normally associated with the coordination of a wedding day!
For a more detailed look at what we do, please visit our website: www.maltaeventdesign.com, send us an e-mail on info@maltaeventdesign.com or visit us and have a chat on Stand L38, at the London National Wedding Show and on stand G30 at the Birmingham National Wedding Show!