Planning Your Wedding in Barcelona? - Find 6 Best Photo Points Here

Photo credit/site Sagrada Familia Cathedral

If you are planning a destination wedding, Barcelona should be near the top of your list. Barcelona is the second largest municipality in Spain. This world-class city by the sea has unique architectural designs that are like no other.

Photo credit site Silhouette Photo of Male and Female Under Palm Trees

Your wedding photography

Every couple wants photographs of this most sacred event in their lives. You may spend months looking for the perfect wedding gown at sites, you decide on the perfect colors for the bridal party, the perfect flowers to accent the attire. You inspect every detail, from the wedding cake to the invitations, You want your day to be as special as your love.

You can have your wedding photographer and videographer, but do not stop there. You are in one of the most beautiful locations on the planet, and you want extraordinary photographs that draw you into the experiences you enjoyed.

An easy way to create a sufficient fund for Wedding in Barcelona

Since Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in the world, it can bring you a lot of joy and happiness but also it can cause the empty pockets.  Renting the restaurant, music, wedding organization, or everything else needed for the special day, plus organizing the plane trip for your beloved ones can be pretty much expensive. There are though the tools that can help you make it happen and help you have a sufficient budget - the HoneyFund. You can ask your friends and family to contribute to the fund for the wedding and in this way make it much more special for everyone!

 Places in Barcelona That Are Of The Most Beautiful Status

     ● The Magic Fountain

                                                  Photo credit site The Magic Fountain

This beautiful fountain has been in operation since 1929. The music, lighting, and patterns it creates are world-class, drawing people from around the globe. In recent years the lights have been replaced with more energy efficient LED lighting. The fountain is driven by three water-recycling pools. During the show, it pumps more than 2600 liters of water per second.

     ● Casa Batllo

Construction on this masterpiece, created by Gaudi, began in 1877. It is made of stone, metals, woods, and ceramics. It is vibrant with many beautiful colors. It has been refurbished several times over the years. Casa Batlló sits in the center of Barcelona. This is a location you do not want to miss.

     ● Sagrada Familia

See the photograph at the introduction of this article for the beauty of Sagrada Familia. This is an unfinished Roman Catholic church, which had a multitude of world-famous architects working in unison on the project. Construction began in 1882. At its highest point, the cathedral stands 566’ tall.

Stunning Wedding Venues in Barcelona

While you, and your guests will be in awe of the beauty of Barcelona, and the photo opportunities your wedding location will bring; there is the wedding itself to deal with.

Barcelona has any jaw-dropping wedding venues that are available to you. These venues leave nothing to chance. Every detail is addressed, and you can rest easy knowing your wedding plans are being attended to even when you are not physically there.

Here are some choice locations for the unique and beautiful destination wedding of your dreams:

      ● Mas Bonvilar

This stunning facility is the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding. The grounds are manicured. Every detail of the ceremony is taken care of. There are beautiful trees with leaves that hang and blow in the gentle breeze. The area is lit with lovely white, twinkling lights, If you want convenience, the home is only 200 meters away from the beautiful Hilton La Mola.

      ● Gran Hotel Don Jaime

Do you want a personalized wedding like no one has ever had before? This is your venue. The beautiful hotel sits on top of a mountain, complete with the beauty of a tower. You look down over crystal clear waters. The hotel is 100% elegant. From outdoor reception areas, to state of the art indoor wedding ballrooms, your dreams will come true. The most elegant settings are provided.

Hotel rooms have full panoramic views of the sea and top-of-the-line accommodations. Only the best wedding coordinators, chefs, staff, and servers are permitted to work for this hotel.

      ● Castell de Sant Marçal

Have you always dreamed of a fairy tale wedding? Then book your wedding at this beautiful castle. The original furnishings, take you back in time. The view is perfect for a wedding and your guests can spend the night in the castle as well. There is no more unique experience than this.

Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event. Make it an event that you and your guests will always cherish. Take advantage of the modern tools of photography and create photographs that will be like nothing you have ever experienced before. Now is the time to book your venues, and Barcelona gives you plenty of choices.

Regarding Wedding Budgets

When it comes to weddings, budgets can help a couple start their new life together on a financially responsible track. It will also help you start that new life without a huge debt!

On average, couples in the US spend almost $26,000 on their weddings, with only half paying less than $15,000. That’s a huge amount for one event, even if you consider everything that goes into a wedding.

The good news: regardless of your income, you can set a budget, stick to it, and still enjoy a beautiful day with your spouse-to-be, friends, and family!

To create your budget you have to consider what’s financially feasible. If you think you’ll only be able to save up $5,000, for example, then set that as your budget and break it down into uses, such as venue, formal wear, flowers, photography, food, etc.

It may also help to identify the things that matter most to you and your fiance. Is throwing a party with great food and drinks the most important? Do you want to focus on having beautiful flowers and photos you’ll cherish for the rest of your life? By knowing what matters most, you can put that first in your budget and divide the rest for the basics.

You can also get a little more frugal with certain aspects of the wedding, such as sending e-invitations instead of paper ones. You’ll save on the cost of material, printing, and postage--money that can be used elsewhere!

The Ceiling at Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona

This is a partial view of the impressive ceiling at Sagrada Familia cathedral by Gaudi. 

It is hard to capture new angles when it comes to frame these columns that resemble trees or those sort of stars and flowers that simulate the thick canopy of branches in a tropical jungle. 

The place is still under construction so it can be full of scaffolds but if you watch where you shoot, obstacles won't ruin your picture. 

There's no need to say that geometry plays an important part in the design of this ceiling. If you enlarge and examine details you will discover the mathematical perfection Gaudi obtained after prolonged sessions with scale models in his workshop. 

To make it look more surrealistic than it already is, I experimented a little with the picture and here is the result.

Canopy and Crucifix, High Altar, Sagrada Familia

Above the High Altar at Sagrada Familia's temple, there is an Expressionist “Crucifixion of Christ”, a bronze version of a work by sculptor Carles Mani i Roig (1866-1911). The sculpture hangs from a beautiful canopy over a block of porphiry from Iran acting as a very austere table.

Turtle Holding Pillar at Sagrada Familia

One of the pillars holding part of the Nativity Façade where you can appreciate this turtle, one of the many animals that adorn La Sagrada Familia. Remember natural elements such as plants or animals were a leitmotif in Catalan Art Nouveau, especially in the works of Gaudi.

Gaudi Animals: Snails in Sagrada Familia

Not too long ago I showed you the picture of two lizards by Gaudi on Sagrada Familia's cloister walls. 

To enhance this aspect of Gaudi's creation, that is the use of mythology and animals in his work I leave you with these snails that seem to crawl as slowly as my posts go appearing this week.

Remember that modernisme was very fond of nature elements, floral or animal. I cannot imagine the faces of Gaudi's fellow citizens looking at these snails feeding on a giant lettuce wall.

Detail of Faith Hallway or Entry in the Nativity Façade, Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

This is a detail of the Faith hallway or entry located to the right of the Nativity façade in Sagrada Familia. It is an image of Jesus in his carpenter work bench. To get a better idea examine other sculptures from this façade featured in Barcelona Photoblog in the past: Turtle Holding Pillar, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Herod's soldiers Slaying Children and Adoration of the Magi

Remodeled Spires in Sagrada Familia

These are the spires of Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi showing off a brand new look after so many years of cranes and protective hoods. The cathedral was spectacular alright but those colorful tips are the cherry on top of the cake. Nice weekend everyone!

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A Gaudian Sculpture Near Sagrada Familia Ceiling

As usual it is hard to crop Gaudi's work. I spotted this weird modernist sculpture near the ceiling at Sagrada Familia. Unlike the ones outside this one is black. I suppose it is some kind of allusion to the Black Virgin called La Moreneta, the patroness of Catalonia but this is just a suggestion of mine.

Art With Exclamation Marks: Stained Glass at Sagrada Familia

In this picture I tried to isolate these three stained glass windows because of an unusual and reasonable resemblance with exclamations marks. Quality of the image is out of the question, that is, don't ask cause it is awful. I just wanted to highlight the punctuation marks and how they might be used as part of some publicity campaign or something to emphasize the work of Gaudi and his art, art with exclamation marks!!!

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Pope Benedict XVI Visiting Barcelona in November, 2010

Maybe some of you still don't know that Pope Benedict XVI will stop in Barcelona next November, 2010 during his two-day stay in Spain.

Yes, His Eminence is visiting us to consecrate Sagrada Familia. As I've said many times, I'm not a religious man although I believe there is something or so says my Facebook profile.

What that field of energy, entity, dimension, realm, plasma, astral world could be is beyond my imagination and I tend to look at it from the heart aka soul.

I studied some philosophy, and believe me, it was kind of materialistic and agnostic. If I try to explain the world according to those teachings, everything is so damn logical! Besides, I believe in science, in the big bang theory, I accept that the universe is not finite with the same innocent faith that many others accept God, that is, I cannot explain it but I accept it.

I also accept Darwin and oppose 'new' creationist theories, specially some conservative people behind them! But,hey, in spite of all that, it would be so great that there is life after death, that you could go to a parallel place somehow. As you grow older it is not strange that you seek some spirituality to find answers, to get some peace of mind.

My spirituality as you see is far from the main stream of religion. In fact, it is nothing but a tiny affluent, but it works for me and so, I live in communion with this universe and beyond. If faith in the unknown makes you happy in this life no matter how absurd its nature is then let's welcome mysticism but beware of blind faith, beware of institutions, of powers, cause that is a creation of man.

Oh, I almost forgot, yes, the Pope is visiting our city. Did you know that besides Sagrada Familia, the visit will include a center called Obra Benefico Social del Nen de Deu and that is about five blocks away from my house! According to a Spanish cardinal 500,000 people will receive Pope Benedict, 30,000 chairs will be placed outside the cathedral and 6,500 will be allowed inside the church...It is not hard to calculate that if Sagrada Familia will be crowded then the scenario in my small Nou Barris quarter is going to be chaotic and apocalyptic.

By the way, the image today is a detail of one of the mosaics on the façade of Sant Pau Hospital near Gaudi's famous cathedral.

Nativity Portal at Sagrada Familia: Equilibrium and Chaos

I will be brief cause I am behind schedule in my daily posting. This is a detail of the Nativity Portal at Sagrada Familia. The façade as you know is full of sculptoric groups such as the one in the picture. Each of these groups is well balanced in composition and proportions but when you take some steps back and take a look at the whole building you face up with an authentic chaos of animals, saints and mythological beings. Maybe there is harmony in this chaos but if there isn't you never really care. The work of a genius sometimes is whimsical and hard to understand that's why we consider them unique.

Sagrada Familia Cathedral: Stained Glass Window

The following four posts in a row deal with stained glass. In this case we here a view of one the imponent windows inside Sagrada Familia cathedral. As I want to slowly catch up in my posting with today's correct date, I am going to be brief.

Sagrada Familia Stained Glass

There is little margin sometimes to capture stained glass windows in Sagrada Familia due to lack of space and scaffolds that are in your way. This is the result of a very close take.

Gaudi Animals on Nativity Façade, Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

Weird creatures contemplate tourists from above while they visit Sagrada Familia cathedral. Animal sculptures, so common in Gaudi's art nouveau buildings, accentuate the mysterious halo around the temple mixing up Paganism and Christianity with unusual harmony according to my humble and lay appreciation of course.

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Sagrada Familia: Carrying the Cross

Once more I show you a scene from the Passion of Christ (not the film) at Sagrada Familia and one more time I am in a hurry. I am devoting more time to the pictures than to the post itself. As a matter of fact this is a photoblog not a journal or a diary. On the other hand, I know many of you are fed up with touristic pictures but some others can see beyond the obvious and admire the unrefutable beauty of Catalan patrimony. This picture is dedicated to architecture lovers. Are we daily bloggers carrying our own cross for the sake of others? That I leave up to you, but believe me sometimes it feels like redemption.

Geometric Models by Gaudi: Polyhedron at Sagrada Familia Museum

Inside of Sagrada Familia Museum you can admire scale models which Gaudi used in the building of his cathedral. This polyhedron called my attention not only for the shape but for the small engravings, the texture and the pencil marks.

Barcelona Guided Tours

This is one of the many sightseeing buses in the city. They add up color not only visually but also literally to your skin. On top of a double deck bus you really get a good tan. As you can see Barcelona Tours has an official site where you can learn about the routes and book tickets online. In the image, Christopher Columbus Monument right in front of Barcelona Harbor. Check labels for similar pictures and info.

 
Update 07/2023:

Sightseeing Buses in Barcelona: A Guide for Tourists

Barcelona is a beautiful city with a lot to offer visitors. From the iconic Sagrada Familia to the lively Las Ramblas, there are countless sights to see and experiences to have. If you're short on time, or if you just want to get a general overview of the city, a sightseeing bus tour is a great option.

There are two official sightseeing bus companies in Barcelona, each offering a variety of routes and tickets.

The first official sightseeing bus company in Barcelona is Bus Turístic because it was created back in 1987 by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) and Patronat Municipal de Turisme  and is operated at present by TMB in alliance with Consorci de Turisme de Barcelona. Bus Turistic offers two different routes that take in all the major tourist attractions. The Red Route takes you to the Gothic Quarter, the Ramblas, the Sagrada Familia, and Park Güell. The Blue Route takes you to the Olympic Village, the Barceloneta district, and the Montjuïc hill. Each route lasts around 2 hours. The buses pass every 15 and 25 minutes, depending on the season.

Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours, and you can hop on and off the bus as many times as you like. The buses have open-top decks so you can enjoy the views, and they come equipped with audio guides in multiple languages.

Bus Turistic also offers a night tour.

If you're looking for a reliable and convenient way to see Barcelona, Bus Turístic is the perfect choice. The buses are well-maintained and the staff is friendly and helpful. Plus, the audio guides are informative and entertaining.

To book your tour, visit: the official website of Bus Turístic

Single day tickets cost €31.00 for adults, €28.00 for seniors and students, and €18.00 for children. Two day Barcelona bus tour tickets cost €42.00 (adults), €39.00 (seniors and students), and €23.00 (children). 

Check the discounts on other attractions that bus turistic tickets entitle you to

Barcelona City Tour is another popular official sightseeing bus company in Barcelona created in 2001 managed through the temporary union of companies Julià Tous i Marfina SA which operate through a concession of Autoritat Metropolitana del Transport (AMT). They also offer two different routes that take in all the major tourist attractions. The Orange Route takes you to the Gothic Quarter, the Ramblas, the Sagrada Familia, and Park Güell. The Green Route takes you to the Olympic Village, the Barceloneta district, and the Montjuïc hill. 

Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 in their hop on - hop off city tour 

They also offer the possibility of combined products including 1 hour or 90 minutes in a catamaran.

To book your tour, visit: the website of Barcelona City Tour

Of course Barcelona City Tour also offers discounts on hallmarks and relevant places in the city. Besides there is a free walking tour advertised on the website.

Additional Tips

• Consider the length of your stay. If you're only in Barcelona for a short time, you'll want to choose a tour that offers a comprehensive overview of the city. If you have more time, you can choose a more specialized tour that focuses on a particular area or interest.
• Think about your budget. Sightseeing bus tours can range in price from around €20 to €50. Choose a tour that fits your budget and your travel style.
• Read reviews. Before you book a tour, take some time to read reviews from other travelers. This will help you get a sense of what to expect from the tour and whether it's a good fit for you.
• Book your tour in advance. Especially if you're traveling during peak season, it's a good idea to book your tour in advance. This will ensure that you get a spot on the tour and that you don't have to pay a higher price for a last-minute booking.
• Check possible discounts for bus tickets online or at your hotel desk

I hope this update of an old post with a nice image of bus tours in the city and the Columbus monument in the background is useful to you and that many more updates may come. 17 years of blogging are exposed to a lot of changes! Although some things never change like standing in the same old line

Gaudi: Lizards at Sagrada Familia

For those of you who are fond of gargoyles,mythological beings,gods or goddesses, serpents, unicorns, gryphs or lizards I let you catch a glimpse of Gaudi's work on the façade of Sagrada Familia facing the upper side of the city also known as mountain side. It is a part that we tend to ignore as it reminds us of some other average churches but if you take a closer look you discover strange creatures for a church or impossible spires multiplying by the dozen on top.

Passion Façade at Sagrada Familia: The Last Supper

I couldn't help resuming architecture pictures. I promise I will try to quit the habit. Here it goes: This is the Last Supper, a sculptural group or scene on the left hand corner of Passion Façade at Sagrada Familia.

The sculptures by artist Josep Maria Subirachs date back from 1987 when he moved to the cathedral to continue the master's colossal dream. I not only recommend reading his biography but also to discover his work.

Regarding the image, I only have to add that it was shot from behind the fence in the staff parking lot, thus the low angle and the few saints. I think it has been shot less from this side of the building.

Hmmm...how can I be so naive?!

Sagrada Familia Mosaic and Happy BlogDay 2006!

With this colorful picture of a mosaic detail on one of Sagrada Familia spires by Gaudi, I wish you all a Happy Blogday2006 or 3108, a number that looks like the word Blog and a day in which you are supposed to share five links and then use tag blogday2006. It is some sort of social experiment supposed to expand the blogosphere, creating more interaction among bloggers. So here they are:

- Barcelona Photobloggers, the blog that represents and unifies the photoblog community in Barcelona.

- Mexican Pictures an impressive photoblog about different countries describing common people.

- Photoschau, a German photoblog with spectacular pictures.

- FotobyImran fantastic images posted from Singapore, Malaysia.

- Moodaholic, some other pictures that called my attention, from Denmark.

PS: Last Tuesday, August 29th Barcelona Photoblog was featured among other fellow bloggers in an article titled Ciudadano blog. Miles de bloggers de Barcelona copan con sus experiencias los diarios en internet by Borja Bujedo and Lucía Magí, published in La Vanguardia, an important newspaper in our country, edited in Barcelona. As it is the first time I ever appear in the papers or any media you can imagine how happy I felt. If the article has helped Barcelona or Spanish bloggers gain more recognition in the press and at the same time visitors got to know more about our daily work, it would be really rewarding. This could not have happened without all you people visiting me, thank you very much.

Update: I still remember this special event for Barcelona Photoblog. Thanks again for your support all these years!