Can couples from abroad get married in Stevns?
Possibly, yes. Couples who live outside Denmark can marry in Stevns once Familieretshuset, the Danish Agency of Family Law, has approved their documents. The municipality's registrar can then perform the ceremony, within the dates and languages the town hall offers at the time.
Danish marriage law is national, so a wedding in Stevns carries exactly the same legal weight as one in Copenhagen. Only the practical details are local, such as the ceremony days and the size of the room. Not every Danish town hall offers dates to couples from abroad, and availability changes through the year, so we check Stevns for your dates first. If it is full, we suggest a nearby town hall such as Køge or Faxe.
If you are new to this, our guide on how to get married in Denmark covers the steps from documents to certificate.
Why do couples choose Stevns for a civil wedding?
Couples choose Stevns for its coastline. The peninsula reaches into the Baltic Sea south of Copenhagen, and its great attraction is Stevns Klint, a long stretch of white chalk cliffs that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Beside the cliffs stands the old church at Højerup, perched near the edge, one of the most photographed spots in Zealand. Inland there are fields, small villages and the market town of Store Heddinge, while Rødvig and its harbour give you boats, summer light and a salty breeze. It is a landscape of wide skies and few crowds.
- Dramatic white cliffs above the sea, unlike anywhere else near Copenhagen
- A peaceful peninsula with plenty of space for quiet portraits
- Small harbours, beaches and walking paths along the coast
- A good choice for a nature-loving couple who dislike city crowds
The area also has a Cold War museum at the old Stevnsfort, which is a surprising extra for guests who want something to see between the ceremony and dinner.
How do you book a wedding at Stevns town hall?
You book in two steps: first the approval from Familieretshuset, then the ceremony date with Stevns Municipality. The town hall cannot confirm a wedding until the approval is in place, so the documents come first.
- You send us your nationalities, travel window and guest numbers.
- We send you the free personal document checklist and help you prepare the application.
- Familieretshuset reviews the documents and approves the marriage.
- We request a date in Stevns and confirm the ceremony language.
- You receive a day plan with travel, timing and photo stops.
The Familieretshuset marriage application sets the pace, and our guide explains how to avoid delays. Most couples marry 4 to 8 weeks after first contacting us, and because an approval is only valid for a limited time, we choose the date carefully.
What is a civil ceremony in Stevns like?
A civil ceremony in Stevns is brief, personal and fully legal. The registrar welcomes you, speaks about marriage in a few words, asks each of you the legal question and declares you married, after which you sign with your two witnesses.
It is usually held in Danish or English, and we confirm the options when we request your date. Rings are welcome but not required. Family and friends are welcome too, although ceremony rooms differ in size, and a smaller municipality may have a smaller room, so tell us your guest numbers early.
You need two witnesses aged 18 or over, and we can arrange them if you are travelling as a couple. Bring your passports for the identity check. You can preview the wording in our article on the ceremony words used at Danish town halls.
Where can you take wedding photos in Stevns?
The white cliffs of Stevns Klint are the obvious answer, and they photograph beautifully in the low light of morning or evening. The church at Højerup stands close by, giving you a landmark with real history in the same frame as the sea.
- Stevns Klint, the chalk cliffs and the paths along their edge
- Højerup Church above the sea, a favourite for portraits
- Rødvig harbour with its boats and quayside
- The coastal beaches and open fields of the peninsula
Walking near the cliff edge needs care, and some places have their own rules for professional photography, which we check before the day. Many couples stay a night on the peninsula or return to Copenhagen the same evening by car. For a photographer who knows the coast, see our wedding photography options.
How do you get to Stevns from Copenhagen?
Stevns lies south of Copenhagen, and most couples travel by car, which is the simplest way to reach the coast and the cliffs. Public transport exists via the train to Køge and onward connections, but a private car or driver gives you much more freedom.
- Private driver: door to door with flowers, guests and a photographer
- Car hire: flexible, if you want to explore the peninsula after the ceremony
- Train to Køge and a connection onward: possible, though slower, for couples travelling light
We plan departures with enough time to spare. If you are flying in, our tips on travelling with a wedding dress are worth a look.
How do we plan your Stevns wedding with you?
Tell us your nationalities, your travel window and your guest numbers on our contact page, and we reply with your free document checklist and an honest view of Stevns for your dates. If another town hall suits you better, we say so.
Any of our packages can be used for a wedding in Stevns, and you can browse more town halls across Denmark before you decide.
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.
