Guide · Santa Marta, Colombia
Catholic beach wedding in Santa Marta, Colombia
Short answer
Yes. In Santa Marta, Colombia, you can have a Catholic wedding on the beach. The Diocese of Santa Marta officially regulates it through Decree 29 of May 29, 2023: with the bishop’s license, a wedding on the beach is a valid sacrament, just like one in a church. It is the only city in Colombia with a diocesan decree for these weddings. The license fee equals two Colombian monthly minimum wages, on top of the usual requirements for any Catholic wedding.
What the decree says
The Diocese’s official rule
Decree 29 was signed on May 29, 2023 by Bishop José Mario Bacci Trespalacios of Santa Marta and by Fr. José Antonio Díaz Hernández, diocesan chancellor. It is based on canon 1118 of the Code of Canon Law, under which the bishop regulates the valid and lawful celebration of marriage outside the parish church.
The decree states that Santa Marta, as a much-loved travel destination, receives many requests from Catholic couples to celebrate the sacrament of marriage in beach settings.
- Article 1. A license from the diocesan bishop is required to celebrate a canonical marriage outside the parish church.
- Article 2. The license fee equals two Colombian legal monthly minimum wages.
- Article 3. The funds go to the Episcopal Pastoral Fund, for diocesan works and the construction of new parishes.
Step by step
How to plan a Catholic beach wedding
Choose the date and venue
Make sure the beach, hotel or venue is within the Diocese of Santa Marta and allows the ceremony.
Talk to your parish
The marriage file is opened at the parish of one of the partners, as with any Catholic wedding.
Request the bishop’s license
This is the authorization Decree 29 requires to marry outside the parish church.
Pay the fee
It equals two Colombian legal monthly minimum wages for the year the license is processed.
Arrange the priest and the ceremony
Agree with the parish on who presides, the time and the liturgical details of the ceremony by the sea.
Documents usually requested for a Catholic wedding
- A recent baptism certificate for each partner, annotated for marriage.
- A confirmation certificate for each partner.
- A marriage preparation course certificate.
- IDs or passports and recent photos.
- If you live abroad or belong to another diocese, documents authenticated by your chancery and, when needed, translated or apostilled.
Each parish may ask for additional documents, and the fee changes every year with the minimum wage. Before booking, confirm everything with the Chancery of the Diocese of Santa Marta (cancilleria@diocesisdesantamarta.org, phone +57 605 4212643). This page summarizes the decree; it is not legal or canonical advice.
FAQ
What couples ask us most
Is a Catholic wedding on the beach valid?
Yes. With the license of the Bishop of Santa Marta, a wedding celebrated on the beach is a valid and lawful sacrament, just as if it were celebrated in a church.
How much does the beach wedding license cost in Santa Marta?
Decree 29 of 2023 sets a fee equal to two Colombian legal monthly minimum wages. With the 2026 minimum wage (COP 1,750,905) that is about COP 3,501,810. It is added to the usual wedding costs.
Where does the decree apply?
Within the Diocese of Santa Marta, which includes the city’s beaches. If the ceremony takes place in another municipality or department, such as La Guajira, the rules of that diocese apply.
Can we have a Catholic beach wedding if we live outside Colombia?
Yes. The file is opened at your home parish and then coordinated with the Diocese of Santa Marta. Ask your parish which documents must be authenticated, translated or apostilled.
Is Santa Marta the only city in Colombia with a decree for Catholic beach weddings?
Yes. Santa Marta is the only city in Colombia with a diocesan decree that regulates Catholic weddings on the beach: Decree 29 of 2023.
Do you photograph and film Catholic beach weddings?
Yes. We are wedding photographers and filmmakers based in Santa Marta, and we have documented many ceremonies by the sea.
Source: Diocese of Santa Marta, Decree 29 of May 29, 2023. 2026 minimum wage: Colombian Government Decree 1469 of 2025. Page reviewed on November 4, 2026.
Your wedding by the sea
Let’s talk about your ceremony
If you are planning a Catholic beach wedding in Santa Marta, tell us your date and venue.