Getting Married Abroad FAQs

  • Do I need a Wedding Planner to have a Wedding Abroad?

    We'll handle the official process with the Danish Agency of Family Law (Familierethuset) for your wedding application, as it can be complex and time-consuming. We'll also arrange the ceremony and registry office booking for you. You can then customise your wedding with optional services like cake, photography, and flowers, which we can connect you with suppliers for, but we won't pressure you into extras. Our goal is to keep it simple and stress-free for you.

  • Do you work with Same-Sex Gay marriages?

    Yes, we proudly support same-sex marriages! In the countries and venues we operate, all forms of LGBTQI unions are not only legal and recognised but also celebrated. 

     

  • Do you offer Wedding packages or wedding elopement packages?

    To keep the process and experience simple, we do not offer set-specific packages, as people have different budgets, timeframes and requirements. But we do work with vendors and suppliers in each location and can offer you information and contact details for most things that you may require. We do like to keep it easy so you can Marry Abroad Simply and have exactly what you want - rather than what we think you want!

  • Is it cheaper to get married abroad?

    The cheapest way to marry abroad involves handling some administrative tasks yourself and paying the government fee directly to Denmark. This option entails getting married in Denmark and utilising our Denmark Handheld service, priced at €295, in addition to the government fee.  We help and support throughout the process, operating as partners rather than offering full wedding management,  unlike the Everything service.

  • How much does it cost to get married abroad?

    We hear a lot of people ask how much does a wedding abroad cost? For a registry office/town hall wedding, the cheapest possible total cost is in Denmark and is €549 (handheld service of €295 plus the Government application fee of €254).

    This comprehensive package covers all expenses, including taxes and two copies of the international marriage certificate (available in Danish, German, English, French, and Spanish). Additional expenses such as hotel accommodation, travel, wedding flowers, cake, and a photographer are at your discretion.

  • Where is the best place to get married in Europe? Where can you legally get married abroad?

    We believe Gibraltar and Denmark are the best places to get married in the world! This is because they are accepting of all forms of love, including same-sex and LGBTQIA+, they are low cost, easy - yet stylish, and are legally recognised worldwide with minimal paperwork and documents, and there are no lengthy residency requirements.

  • How quickly can I get married?

    If you are looking at getting married quickly we would advise you look at Getting Married in Denmark initially, as there are almost 100 town halls where you can marry.  

    In Gibraltar and Sweden the availability of appointments, venues and registrars is not as great. We can however, pre-book ceremonies in Denmark & Sweden allowing for a quicker approval to ceremony time. 

    For Denmark, from when the application is submitted, in some situations the Government can issue approval in 5 days, and once issued you can immediately book a ceremony. So we can proceed as quickly as you can get us the documents, as we are FAST.

    If you are flexible on location, you can marry just a few days ahead, and we have helped couples marry in under 10 days from application to ceremony! Please note this is situation dependant, and also dependant on the Government office processing time.

  • Getting Married in a Registry Office, what’s involved?

    A registry office wedding is a 10 minute verbal civil ceremony that goes with the paperwork part, and you need to have both of these to be legally married. You will be asked short questions and asked to confirm you would like to be married.

  • When do I get my marriage certificate?

    You will receive the marriage certificates straight after your ceremony. If you wish to have them Legalised this takes longer, but we usually have them back to you by courier within 7-10 days after we receive them.

  • How Long do I need to be in Denmark or Gibraltar before my wedding?

    This varies from town hall to town hall in each country, however generally in Denmark and Gibraltar, you will need to be there one working day before the ceremony.  Please note that some Danish venues will accept same-day presentation, please contact us for more information.

  • Do I need an Apostille Stamp on my certificate?

    Your International marriage certificates issued in Denmark and Gibraltar are legally recognised worldwide. Still, for some government or immigration purposes, you may need the further optional maximum level of Legalisation available on any document.

    The Apostille stamp is a verification of authenticity by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, some countries outside the EU, USA, Canada, and Australia may require this, we always recommend that you check with the offices where you are using the certificate to be certain. In all cases, we can help with this. It is likely to be required if you live in Germany, or if you are NON-EU.

  • Can I change my name on my wedding day?

    In Denmark and Gibraltar you can’t change your name on the day (unless you are Danish), but once you register the marriage in your place of nationality and/or residence you can change it then with your certificate. You can only change your name on your wedding day if you are Danish in Denmark. But it is really easy to change your name and register the wedding when you return home, just check with the office of "Births Deaths and Marriages" or with your Embassy if you are living somewhere other than your home country.

  • Can anyone marry in Denmark and Gibraltar?

    Everyone can marry in the countries and venues we operate in, provided they have the necessary visas for Gibraltar or the Schengen area for Denmark, along with the correct documents. We welcome and encourage all situations, including same-sex marriages and transgender unions. Denmark and Gibraltar are top destinations for same-sex weddings, offering minimal residency requirements (1 night only), no need for marital status documents, and internationally recognised marriage certificates.

  • What are the ceremonies like, how do they work?

    The ceremonies are short, registry office ceremonies that are conducted by a registrar, they will last about 10 minutes. Usually there are some words spoken by the registrar maybe a poem, then the legal vows are exchanged (you can write your own vows too) and then the signing of the registrar. All locations have beautiful ceremony rooms where the wedding will take place. Couples are marrying for varying reasons, some couples will marry in jeans and t-shirts, some in traditional clothes and others in tuxedos and wedding dresses, it is completely up to you.

  • How do I register my marriage after my wedding?

    After your marriage you will have 2 marriage certificates that are internationally recognised worldwide, you can have this Legalised with an Apostille if needed and then once you return to your place of residence or your place of birth, you can register it at the registry of births deaths and marriages office, or check with your Embassy if not residing in your home country.

  • When should we start planning our wedding abroad?

    We recommend starting the process once you have a wedding date in mind. In Gibraltar, bookings can be made anytime, up to 1 year in advance. In Denmark, the permission to marry is valid for 4 months from approval, so it's essential to marry within that timeframe. We can initiate the process and apply 4 months before your desired date, increasing the chance of securing specific dates, such as Saturdays at Copenhagen City Hall.

  • Do I need witnesses for my wedding ceremony?

    In Denmark and Gibraltar, it's mandatory to have two witnesses at your wedding ceremony. These witnesses can be family or friends, or arranged with the town hall. In Denmark, witnesses are provided at no extra charge for weekday ceremonies in most town halls, while some may require you to bring witnesses for Saturday ceremonies. In Gibraltar, you always need to provide two witnesses. If you're travelling as just a couple, Denmark might be a better choice due to witness arrangements.

  • Can we have a ceremony outside of the town hall?

    You can certainly have a ceremony outside of the town hall in a venue of your choice, there are a variety of choices whether it be a beach or garden. This is not included in the Everything service, and there are extra fees involved that are paid directly to the registrar and Town Hall for attendance and travel expenses. You would also need to have your witnesses, please ask for more details if you are interested in this.

  • What is an International Wedding Certificate in Denmark?

    Image
    Danish Marriage certificate

    After marrying in any Danish town hall, you'll receive two multi-lingual international wedding certificates in Danish, English, German, French, and Spanish. You, along with the two witnesses, will sign a document kept by Danish authorities for 50 years, while you'll receive the two certificate copies. For use abroad, you may need an Apostille stamp, which we can assist you in obtaining through our Legalisation service. We advise checking with your government or immigration office upon returning home to see if this is necessary.

  • What documents do you need for a wedding in Denmark?

    For a wedding in Denmark, the required documents vary depending on your situation. Generally, you won't need a Marital Status document or birth certificate anymore. However, you'll need passports or EU IDs, a residency permit if applicable, a visa for entry into Denmark, and a decree or death certificate if previously married. Contact us at [email protected] for a free documents list tailored to your situation. We can also assist with the application form, or handle the entire process through our Simply Everything Denmark Service.

  • How fast can I get married? - how to get married quickly

    For a fast wedding, consider Getting Married in Denmark, offering nearly 100 town halls for ceremonies. Compared to Gibraltar, Denmark provides quicker approval times. We can pre-book ceremonies in Denmark for faster approval of ceremony times. In Denmark, approval can take as little as 5 days from application, allowing for immediate ceremony booking. We're efficient and have helped couples marry in under 10 days from application to ceremony, though timing depends on individual situations and government processing times.

  • Do you do all the Danish Government office (Familieretshuset) contact for us?

    Yes, we do! As part of our service, we issue you with a Power of Attorney to complete, sign and date, and this means we can speak to the Danish Office of Family Law - or "Familieretshuset" on your behalf.  It is notoriously difficult to get through if you are not an Agency and can be on hold for hours.

    With the Simply Everything Denmark Service, we also make the €220 payment to the Familieretshuset on your behalf, so there is absolutely nothing to pay over and above the €745 service charge. With the €295 handheld service, you would need to make the payment to the Government office yourself as this is not included. 

     

  • Do I need a Single Status certificate?

    No, you do not need a single status certificates for Denmark or Gibraltar. 

  • Can I get married in Denmark near the German Border?

    Absolutely! We work with all the town halls in Denmark, including those near Flensburg. Whether you prefer indoor or outdoor venues like beaches or lighthouses, we can accommodate your preferences. While there may be an extra cost for external venues, we can assist you in finding the perfect location and date. Places like Aabenraa, Tønder, Sønderborg, Ribe, Ejsberg, and Haderlev are all within an hour's drive of the German border, offering convenience for couples. Some venues even offer same-day document presentation and marriage, allowing for a seamless experience. 

  • How do I contact the Danish Wedding Office Familieretshuset?

    Contacting the Agency of Family Law directly as an individual can be challenging. However, through our exclusive contact route, we offer an SOS service to assist with rescheduling weddings affected by lockdowns, extending files, or addressing any issues with your application or venue changes.

  • How do I change my Danish Wedding date?

    For Denmark, we can change the date of the wedding to another date within the date range of the licence and of course, it will be registrar space dependent, or we can move the venue.

    It is not possible to change your wedding date in Gibraltar after it has been confirmed without paying an administration fee for a new booking of €400.

  • What is your cancellation policy?

    Once payment is made and work has begun on your application, refunds are not possible except for the Legalisation service if not initiated. If you need to postpone your application, we'll accommodate you at no extra charge, subject to Familieretshuset's guidelines. If you're unable to marry within the licence date range, you'll need to contact your travel insurer for compensation. Rebooking with an expired licence incurs a non-profit fee of €295 to cover new fees and application work.

  • Can we get married by Skype in Denmark or Gibraltar?

    No, it is not possible to get married in a legally binding ceremony on Skype in Denmark or Gibraltar. If you want to get married in Denmark or Gibraltar you both need to be present in person.
    It is usually possible with the advance agreement of the registrar (via your wedding planner in Denmark or Gibraltar) for you to have Skype on during the wedding.  So that guests who are unable to attend in person can at least see you on your wedding day and attend via a Skype call - so they can be present in some form. As long as this does not negatively impact the Registrar and the service in time, duration or ability for the Registrar to deliver the service they need to they are more than happy!

  • Is getting married in Denmark with a Tourist VISA possible?

    Yes, getting married in Denmark with a tourist visa is possible, as long as you have legal entry into Denmark you can get married in Denmark. We see many types of Tourist Visas, Work Visas, Student Visas, and residency permits for EU countries that give you entry into Denmark.

    Anyone can get married in Denmark even if you are not a resident or Citizen of Denmark - as long as you can enter the country you can have your wedding in Denmark.

  • Can foreigners get married in Denmark?

    Yes! Absolutely!  

    International couples, non-Danish residents and citizens, foreigners, and people from all over the world come to Denmark to get married as it is easier to do this and travel to Denmark and thus avoid bureaucracy and long administration processes in countries of residence. And as the marriage certificates are International, Legally recognised and issued in 5 different languages and the weddings are fast, it makes Denmark one of the best countries for a fast and easy wedding in the world after Las Vegas. Around 15,000 couples come to marry every year.

  • Are you the best option for Foreign and International couples?

    Yes! We specialise in facilitating legal civil ceremonies for over 4000 international couples in Denmark. Our expertise covers a wide range of complex situations, ensuring smooth processing for both EU and non-EU citizens worldwide. With our efficient services, we've successfully handled every scenario, enabling marriages in under a month. Partnering with international vendors such as wedding photographers, florists, and hair and make-up artists - who between them and us speak English, Danish, French, German, Romanian, Polish, Spanish, Ukrainian & Russian. Contact us for a free consultation and document list for swift marriage arrangements in Denmark, or Gibraltar.

  • Can you help couples with complicated or difficult situations get married?

    Absolutely! We've assisted over 3000 international couples in Denmark, Sweden, and Gibraltar, handling diverse documents, decrees, residency, citizenship, death certificates, permits, Visas and situations worldwide. With no complexity too challenging, we ensure smooth processing for weddings. We're so confident in our ability to facilitate quick marriages that we don't charge extra for expedited services. Some couples have married within 4 days of starting the process with us.

  • What does a Danish Legalisation look like?

    The Legalisation in Denmark is an Apostille which is attached to the original document. The Apostille is always in Danish and English and is recognised worldwide.

  • Is it easy for foreigners to get married in Denmark?

    Because of the straightforward document requirements, Denmark has earned its reputation for being one of the best countries in the world for foreigners to get married, no matter what their personal circumstances are, or where they live.

  • What is the Legalisation option?

    Choose the Apostille service if you require this additional verification on your marriage certificates. The service includes one Apostille per certificate and ensures couriered return of the document(s) to you. Apostille legalisation is the highest level of verification provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirming the authenticity of your marriage certificate from a recognised licensed venue with a licensed registrar.

  • Is it better to get married in Gibraltar or Denmark for LGBTQIA+ couples?

    Denmark and Gibraltar are renowned as top destinations for same-sex weddings. We exclusively collaborate with LGBTQI-friendly suppliers and town halls, demonstrating our unwavering support as wedding planners in Denmark and Gibraltar

  • How quickly can I get married in Denmark?

    We work very quickly, as expert wedding planners in Denmark we’re prepared for every situation and circumstance. You can marry in as little as 2 days after your file is approved! In certain circumstances, we can marry you in under 2 weeks from when you have instructed us, sent your documents and your file is complete! We also work with venues that you can turn up, marry and leave the same day.

  • What makes Gibraltar a great place to marry?

    Gibraltar is a popular choice for couples seeking to tie the knot due to several compelling reasons. Firstly, its stunning Mediterranean backdrop provides a picturesque setting for weddings. Secondly, Gibraltar offers streamlined and efficient marriage procedures, making it hassle-free for both local and international couples to marry. Additionally, the territory's legal system is conducive to marriage ceremonies, ensuring that marriages conducted here are legally recognised worldwide. Take a look at our Gibraltar wedding services

  • Is it easy for foreigners to get married in Gibraltar?

    Yes, Gibraltar is known for its ease and efficiency in facilitating marriages for foreigners. The process is straightforward, requiring minimal documentation and is typically completed within a short timeframe. Foreigners can obtain a marriage license easily, and the legal requirements are clear and uncomplicated.