Crossword Genius

Surprise move for big wedding venue in European location (4,2,9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rock of gibraltar

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'venue in european location' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'surprise move for big wedding' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'surprise' could be 'rock' and 'rock' is found within the answer.
an anagram of 'big' is 'gib' which is located in the answer.
an anagram of 'for' is 'ofr' which is within the remaining letters.
The remaining letters 'altar' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rock of gibraltar that I've seen before include "Ape colony" , "Where to see Barbary apes" , "overlooks Spain" .)

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