Can couples from abroad get married in Køge?
Yes, in principle. Couples who live outside Denmark can marry in Køge once Familieretshuset, the Danish Agency of Family Law, has approved their documents. After that, the municipality's registrar can perform the ceremony, subject to the dates and languages the town hall offers at the time.
Danish marriage law is national, so Køge follows the same rules as Copenhagen or any other municipality. Local practice is what differs: which dates are open, how many guests the ceremony room welcomes and whether the town hall offers dates to couples from abroad in your period. Not every Danish town hall does, and availability changes through the year, so we check Køge for your dates before you plan around it.
If the process is new to you, our guide on how to get married in Denmark explains the journey from documents to certificate.
Why do couples choose Køge for a civil wedding?
Køge is one of Zealand's best-preserved market towns, and couples choose it for its old streets, its harbour and a feeling of history that is hard to find so close to Copenhagen. The centre is compact enough to walk, which makes a wedding day easy to shape.
Around the market square you find some of Denmark's oldest half-timbered houses, leaning gables and narrow lanes, while the church of St Nicolai rises over the town. Down at the harbour, the marina and the waterfront look out over Køge Bay, so a single walk gives you cobbles in one direction and open water in the other.
- Picturesque half-timbered streets without the crowds of central Copenhagen
- A working harbour and marina on Køge Bay
- A walkable centre with cafés and restaurants for a relaxed lunch
- A rail connection that makes travel simple for guests
Køge also pairs well with a beach afternoon along the bay. For ideas on how a day outside the capital can flow, read our article on town hall weddings outside Copenhagen.
How do you book a wedding at Køge town hall?
You book in two steps: first the approval from Familieretshuset, then the ceremony date with Køge Municipality. The town hall cannot confirm your wedding until the approval is in place, so the documents always come first.
- You send us your nationalities, your travel window and your guest numbers.
- We send your free personal document checklist and prepare the application with you.
- Familieretshuset reviews the documents and approves the marriage.
- We request a date with Køge and confirm the ceremony language and room.
- You receive a day plan with timings, travel and photo stops.
The approval sets the pace. Our guide to the Familieretshuset marriage application explains what is checked and how to avoid common delays. Most couples marry 4 to 8 weeks after first contacting us.
What is a civil ceremony in Køge like?
A civil ceremony in Køge is short, personal and legally complete. The registrar welcomes you, speaks briefly about marriage, asks each of you the legal question and declares you married, and then you sign together with your two witnesses.
The ceremony is usually held in Danish or English, and we confirm the options for your date. Rings are welcome but not required. Family and friends can attend, though room sizes vary, so tell us early if you are bringing a larger group.
You need two witnesses aged 18 or over, and if you are travelling on your own we can arrange them. Bring your passports: the registrar checks your identity before the ceremony. To read the wording in advance, see the ceremony words used at Danish town halls.
Where can you take wedding photos in Køge?
The old town around the market square and the harbour on Køge Bay are the best places for wedding photos in Køge. They give you two very different looks, timber and cobbles on one side, boats and open water on the other.
- The half-timbered houses and narrow lanes of the old town
- The market square and the view towards St Nicolai church
- The harbour and marina, best in evening light
- The shore of Køge Bay for a relaxed walk after lunch
Some public places have their own rules for professional photography, which we check before the day. Our team can also arrange wedding photography with a photographer who knows Zealand well.
How do you get to Køge from Copenhagen?
Køge is under an hour from central Copenhagen by train or car, which makes it one of the simplest town hall weddings to reach from the capital. The railway runs into the town, so guests can arrive without a car.
- Train: regular services from Copenhagen, good for couples travelling light
- Private driver: door to door, ideal with guests, flowers and a photographer
- Overnight stay: stay in town and walk the old streets in the early morning
We plan departure times so you arrive with time to spare. If you are bringing a gown, our advice on travelling with a wedding dress helps you pack without creases.
How do we plan your Køge wedding with you?
Tell us your nationalities, your travel window and how many guests are coming, and we reply with your free document checklist and an honest view of Køge for your dates. If another town hall suits you better, we say so.
Every one of our packages works for a wedding in Køge. Compare them, see the other town halls across Denmark or contact our team to start planning.
Written by the Denmark Wedding team. Town hall rules and dates change, so we confirm the details for your date before you book. Questions? Ask us directly.
