Journal · 51 guides
The Denmark Wedding Journal
Practical, in-depth guides to getting married in Denmark: the documents and the Familieretshuset approval, Copenhagen City Hall and other venues, costs and timelines, what to wear, travel and the honeymoon. Written by our team, who plan civil weddings for international couples every week.
All guides
Danish marriage certificate next steps: what to do after your wedding
Married in Denmark? Check every detail on the day, get the Foreign Ministry apostille, then register at home and update your name. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Is a Danish marriage legally recognised in your home country?
In most countries, yes: a marriage valid where it took place is accepted. Many authorities want the certificate with an apostille. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Nyhavn wedding photos: when to go, where to stand and how to plan the shoot
Go early or at blue hour, start at the Kongens Nytorv end and walk to the harbour. It’s 20 minutes on foot from City Hall, no permit needed. See the guide. Read the guide · 12 min
How Australians marry in Denmark, and what New Zealanders need to know too
No residency or Danish link needed. Australian and New Zealand passports usually visit visa-free for short stays, so one trip is enough. Check your date. Read the guide · 11 min
A wedding day trip to Kronborg and Helsingør: how to plan your Kronborg wedding photos
Marry at City Hall in the morning, then take the train about 45 km north for portraits on the castle ramparts, by the moat and the shore. Plan it with us. Read the guide · 12 min
Do you need a visa to get married in Denmark?
US, UK and Australian citizens can usually marry on a visa-free short stay; others need a Schengen visa or residence permit. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
What to wear to a civil wedding in Denmark: outfits, shoes and layers for every season
There is no legal dress code, so gowns, short dresses, suits and jumpsuits work. Pick shoes for cobbles and a layer for wind off the water. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
How long does it take to get married in Denmark? A realistic timeline
Approval can take five business days with a correct file, yet most couples marry 4 to 8 weeks after first contact. Papers take longest. Check your date. Read the guide · 11 min
Danish wedding traditions you can borrow for your own day
Kiss on your chairs when guests clink glasses, snip the groom’s sock toes after the waltz and share a tall kransekage almond cake. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
The Denmark wedding checklist: from first idea to marriage certificate
Pick dates, gather passports, get Familieretshuset approval, marry with two witnesses, then apostille your certificate. Tick off each stage. See the guide. Read the guide · 12 min
Three days in Copenhagen: a wedding trip itinerary
Settle in on day one, marry at City Hall on day two, explore palaces and canals on day three, with a buffer for flight delays. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Planning a small wedding in Copenhagen with your closest guests
Bring close family and friends to City Hall, let two act as witnesses, then share photos and a meal in the old town one afternoon. Plan it with us. Read the guide · 11 min
Documents needed to marry in Denmark: a clear checklist for couples from abroad
A valid passport each, a divorce decree or death certificate if married before, and a visa if your nationality needs one. Get your list. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Ten mistakes marrying in Denmark, and how to avoid every one
Booking flights before approval, patchy documents and forgotten witnesses top the list. A pre-check keeps five-day approval possible. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
How US citizens marry in Denmark: documents, travel and recognition back home
Americans usually visit Schengen visa-free, need no residency, and most marry 4 to 8 weeks after first contacting us, apostille included. Check your date. Read the guide · 12 min
The best wedding photo spots in Copenhagen, and how to link them into one easy route
From Rådhuspladsen and Nyhavn to Kastellet and the Little Mermaid, top portrait spots sit close together, so three fit one afternoon. See the guide. Read the guide · 12 min
Chinese couple marriage in Denmark: apostilles, visas and a legal civil ceremony
China joined the Apostille Convention in November 2023, so certifying papers is simpler. Bring passports and a Schengen visa, no residency. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Town hall weddings outside Copenhagen: choosing a town hall wedding in Denmark beyond the capital
Coastal towns, islands and market towns marry you with the same legal effect, often with earlier dates and quieter rooms. Check your date. Read the guide · 11 min
How to marry in Denmark after divorce or as a widow or widower
Divorced or widowed? Prove the earlier marriage ended with a final decree or death certificate, apostilled if needed. We pre-check it. See the guide. Read the guide · 10 min
Bridal makeup in Copenhagen: planning hair and makeup that last all day
A local artist comes to your hotel; plan a trial and a long-wearing look for wind and Nordic light. Our Premium package includes it. Plan it with us. Read the guide · 13 min
Why get married in Denmark? The reasons couples from abroad choose it
No residency period, approval in just five business days, ceremonies in English, Danish or German, and an apostille for use abroad. Plan it with us. Read the guide · 11 min
Scandinavian wedding style: simple, natural and timeless ideas for your day
Clean-lined outfits, a soft landscape palette, seasonal greenery, linen, wood and candlelight: fewer things, chosen well, for a calm day. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
How to plan a wedding in Denmark from abroad, without travelling twice
The Familieretshuset application is digital and documents are checked from scans, so you fly in only for the ceremony. No residency. Plan it with us. Read the guide · 11 min
Where to stay in Copenhagen for your wedding: a guide by neighbourhood
Stay near City Hall for an easy wedding morning, or choose Frederiksberg, canal-side Christianshavn or quiet Østerbro for a calmer base. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Elope in Copenhagen: an intimate, legal wedding for two
Just the two of you? We arrange the witnesses, and most eloping couples marry 4 to 8 weeks after first contacting us. Intimate and legal. Plan it with us. Read the guide · 12 min
The Familieretshuset marriage application, step by step
Upload passports and any divorce decree, pay the €282 AFL fee and wait. A correct file can be approved in as little as five business days. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Copenhagen City Hall wedding: everything you need to know
A fifteen-minute legal ceremony on Rådhuspladsen, held in English, Danish or German on a weekday or Saturday morning, certificate in hand. Check your date. Read the guide · 15 min
How UK citizens marry in Denmark: a calm guide to the paperwork and the day
British passport holders usually travel visa-free, need no residency or Danish link, and a signed declaration covers marital status. Plan it with us. Read the guide · 11 min
Copenhagen gardens for wedding photos: the parks and green spaces we love for portraits
Kongens Have by Rosenborg Castle, the Botanical Garden’s Palm House, Frederiksberg Have and Kastellet give soft light near City Hall. See the guide. Read the guide · 12 min
Filipino marriage in Denmark: a calm guide for Filipino couples
Marry a Filipino or any nationality. You need passports, a lawful stay such as a Schengen visa, and PSA records only if married before. See the guide. Read the guide · 13 min
A winter wedding in Copenhagen: light, hygge and Christmas magic
City Hall marries couples all year. Plan a late-morning ceremony, take portraits before the early sunset and use blue hour by the harbour. Check your date. Read the guide · 11 min
Wedding witnesses in Denmark: who can be one and what they do
You need two witnesses in person. Copenhagen City Hall provides official ones, so bringing friends is optional, and they need no ID. See the guide. Read the guide · 12 min
Your wedding bouquet in Copenhagen: seasonal flowers, styles and planning
Order from a local florist with delivery to your hotel on the morning, choose Danish seasonal blooms and keep it compact for signing. Plan it with us. Read the guide · 11 min
Denmark wedding cost: what you really pay to marry in Denmark
The legal part starts at €572: Essential at €290 plus the €282 AFL fee. Higher packages include the fee and 25% VAT. Know your budget. Check your date. Read the guide · 11 min
How to celebrate your wedding in Copenhagen after the ceremony
The City Hall ceremony takes about fifteen minutes, so the day is yours: portraits in Nyhavn, a canal boat and a long dinner. Plan it with us. Read the guide · 13 min
The best time to get married in Denmark, season by season
May to September brings long, light evenings for outdoor vows, while winter offers Christmas lights and easy dates. Compare seasons. Check your date. Read the guide · 11 min
Travelling with a wedding dress and suit: flying to Denmark stress-free
Carry your dress on board in a breathable garment bag, fold it with acid-free tissue and steam out creases once in Copenhagen. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
How to choose a wedding photographer in Copenhagen
Pick by style, then civil ceremony experience. Two to three hours of coverage suits most small weddings; agree delivery in writing. See the guide. Read the guide · 12 min
Apostille and legalisation of a Danish marriage certificate
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues the apostille that Hague Convention countries accept. Outside it, you need legalisation . See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Outdoor weddings in Copenhagen and Denmark: how to say “I do” under the open sky
On selected days from late spring to early autumn, legal ceremonies are held at open-air locations. Dates are limited, so ask early. Check your date. Read the guide · 12 min
Indian couple marriage in Denmark: visas, documents and a legal civil wedding
Indian citizens marry legally with no residency period. Bring passports and a Schengen visa; approval can take five business days. Check your date. Read the guide · 11 min
Ærø wedding guide: how to marry on Denmark’s wedding island
Marry legally on Ærø, the South Funen island known for weddings. Ferries from Svendborg or Faaborg take just over an hour. Plan two nights. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Same-sex marriage in Denmark: a welcoming place to say “I do”
Same-sex marriage has been legal here since 2012, and foreign couples marry on equal terms with no Danish link or residency needed. Check your date. Read the guide · 11 min
A summer wedding in Denmark: long days and bright nights
Mild weather and light evenings make summer ideal for photos, indoors or at an open-air spot. Dates fill first, so start documents early. Check your date. Read the guide · 11 min
Name change after a Danish marriage: how to take your new name home
Your certificate shows your passport names on the day. Use it, usually apostilled, to update passport, ID, bank and employer at home. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Wedding rings for a destination wedding: choosing them and travelling with them to Denmark
Size and engrave rings well before travel, keep them in hand luggage with receipts and pick who holds them. Rings are optional in Denmark. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Denmark vs Las Vegas wedding, or Gibraltar: where should you get married?
Vegas is spontaneous, Gibraltar quick, and Denmark needs no residency, with approval in as little as five business days. Compare all three. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
Honeymoon in Denmark: ideas from Copenhagen to the islands
Stay on after your vows: a few days in Copenhagen, then a slower chapter by the sea on Ærø, Bornholm or at Skagen. No long transfers. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
How to choose the right Denmark wedding package for the two of you
Essential at €290 suits DIY couples, Complete at €690 includes the €282 AFL fee, and Priority adds a private registrar. Find your fit. Check your date. Read the guide · 11 min
How to get married in Denmark: the complete guide for international couples
Apply to Familieretshuset with your passports, get approved in as little as five business days, then marry with two witnesses. No residency. See the guide. Read the guide · 11 min
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