Wedding venue · Costa Brava

On a cliff, facing the sea.

El Convent de Blanes Wedding Photographer

A 16th-century convent above the Mediterranean, at the very start of the Costa Brava. I photograph five to seven weddings here every year: this is the venue I know best on the coast.

5–7 weddings a year1 h from BarcelonaSince 2021
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Ceremony under a floral arch above the sea at El Convent de Blanes
Vows over the sea18:10El Convent de Blanes, Costa Brava. Digital photograph.
The venue

A convent above the Mediterranean

El Convent de Blanes was built in 1583 as a Capuchin convent on the Punta de Santa Anna, the headland where the Costa Brava begins. Its gardens, with pine trees and aromatic plants, open straight onto the sea, with views over the harbour, the beach of Blanes and the coves to the north.

The ceremony usually takes place on the terrace over the sea: the Mediterranean behind you, pine trees on both sides. It is one of the most Mediterranean ceremony spots I know. The cocktail hour follows on the terrace above the water, with the food of Jubany Events, the catering of the Michelin-starred chef Nandu Jubany, which always stands out.

Dinner moves inside, into the old stone hall where the monks once lived, with eight-metre-high ceilings. With candles and flowers it is one of the most beautiful dining rooms on the coast. The party usually continues in a marquee in the gardens.

Getting there

An hour from Barcelona

El Convent is in Blanes, about 70 km from Barcelona: an hour on the motorway. Girona airport is around 40 minutes away.

The venue has no rooms, so most couples get ready at Hotel Santa Marta, a luxury hotel by the beach a little further north, and guests stay in the hotels nearby. The terrace of the Santa Marta, right above the beach, is also a lovely place for a welcome party the night before.

Map of the Catalan coast showing El Convent de Blanes, 1 h from Barcelona Mediterranean Sea CadaquésCap de CreusGironaBegurBarcelonaSitgesPenedès El Convent de Blanes1 h from Barcelona
Plan of the Catalan coast with El Convent de Blanes.
Through a photographer’s eyes

Light and favourite corners

  1. The light

    Late afternoon

    When the sun starts to go down, the light is filtered by the haze over the sea. That is the moment for the ceremony and for portraits.

  2. The balcony

    Over Marimurtra

    A small balcony looks over the Marimurtra garden and the coast. It is a classic spot for portraits, best when the light turns soft.

  3. Wood and stone

    The old doors

    I always look for a few portraits by the old wooden doors, with the stone building behind. The textures are beautiful.

  4. Bougainvillea

    Some months

    Depending on the month, the bougainvillea is in flower, and it brings a touch of colour to the portraits.

A small gallery

Weddings at El Convent de Blanes

Bride and groom laughing as they walk back down the aisle at El Convent de Blanes, Costa Brava
The Mediterranean seen from El Convent de Blanes, a single sailing boat on a calm sea
Groom buttoning his jacket in front of bright pink bougainvillea at El Convent de Blanes
Ceremony under a floral arch above the sea at El Convent de Blanes
Bride walking down the stone stairs to the ceremony between the guests at El Convent de Blanes
Violinist playing during the ceremony by the sea, black and white
Guest hugging the groom tightly during a wedding at El Convent de Blanes
Groom covering his face with emotion during the vows, black and white
Canapés decorated with red starfish on a bed of sea herbs
Dinner table with candles and bright florals in a stone hall
Bride and groom laughing together at the evening party in a stone hall
Bride in her veil by a stone window, a quiet moment before the ceremony, black and white
Bride laughing in the groom's arms at the evening party
Enjoy one of the best venues on the coast: spectacular views of the Mediterranean, incredible food, and a wonderful place for photographs.My advice to couples who have just booked El Convent
From the journal

Real weddings at El Convent de Blanes

Ceremony under a floral arch above the sea at El Convent de BlanesCosta Brava

Wedding at El Convent de Blanes

Vows on the edge of the cliff, dinner in a stone hall.

The journal →

Good to know · the café menu

El Convent de Blanes, the practical side

Location
Blanes, Costa Brava
From Barcelona
About 1 h · 70 km
Ceremony
Terrace over the sea
Dinner
Stone hall, up to 200 guests
Party
Marquee in the gardens
Catering
Jubany Events
Getting ready
Hotel Santa Marta
Weddings I photograph here
5–7 a year

Where is El Convent de Blanes?

In Blanes, on the Punta de Santa Anna, where the Costa Brava begins. It is about 70 km from Barcelona, around an hour by motorway, and close to Girona airport.

Where does the ceremony take place?

Usually on the terrace over the sea, with the Mediterranean behind you and pine trees on both sides. The cocktail hour follows on the terrace above the water.

Where are dinner and the party?

Dinner is inside, in the old stone hall where the monks once lived, which looks beautiful with candles and flowers. The party usually moves to a marquee.

Who does the catering?

Jubany Events, the catering of the Michelin-starred chef Nandu Jubany. The food is one of the things guests remember most, especially the food stations at the cocktail hour.

Is there accommodation at the venue?

No. Most couples get ready at Hotel Santa Marta, a luxury hotel by the beach a little further north, and there are several hotels nearby for guests.

Where can we have a welcome party nearby?

The terrace of Hotel Santa Marta, right above the beach, is a lovely place for a welcome party the night before.

When is the best light for photographs?

When the sun starts to go down. The light is filtered by the haze over the sea and turns soft and warm, perfect for the ceremony and for portraits.

How many weddings have you photographed there?

I photograph five to seven weddings at El Convent de Blanes every year, and have done for the last five years.