Embarking on the journey of marriage is a significant milestone in anyone’s life. For this reason, many couples opt to exchange vows in a picturesque setting like the Wedding Hall in Santa Cruz City Hall. According to Law 35/1994, civil ceremonies can be conducted by town councils, with the mayor or another municipal official as the officiant.
Residents have the privilege of hosting weddings at no cost, with a total of 66 ceremonies taking place at the City Council last year. Three of these ceremonies were conducted by Councilor José Manuel Bermúdez, while the remainder were officiated by rotating council members every Friday. Surprisingly, Councilor Gladis de León holds the record for the most ceremonies conducted.
Expressing her enthusiasm for conducting wedding ceremonies, Councilor de León remarked, “I find great joy in officiating weddings. It is a truly special moment that holds immense emotional value when shared with one’s partner.”
Wedding ceremonies are scheduled every Friday throughout the year at 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m., with exceptions in August, December, or on days with plenary sessions or institutional municipal events.
Following the ceremony, a record is prepared for the registration of the union in the Civil Registry. After fifteen days, couples can obtain their Family Book.
Council members take turns to officiate weddings, unless a couple specifically requests a certain councilor. On occasions, couples opt to have a symbolic remarriage celebration at a later date, which Councilor de León gladly partakes in after the necessary procedures at City Hall are completed.
Having united couples since 2015, Councilor de León has conducted over a hundred weddings during her tenure in the municipal government. She shared, “I am deeply involved in each ceremony, even penning the text recited during the service with heartfelt words to warm up the occasion.”
Numerous weddings have resulted in memorable moments. De León fondly reminisced about a tardy bride, a last-minute cancellation that left her and the protocol team waiting for hours, and unions of both heterosexual and homosexual couples, some opting for formal attire while others choose a casual look. “Despite evolving trends showing fewer marriages, each wedding remains special. While certain rituals like music and confetti throwing are prohibited, the essence of joy prevails,” De León added.
Statistics from the National Institute of Statistics reveal that civil marriages in the Tenerife province accounted for 86.5% in 2022.
