Faced with frustrating red tape in their home country, Polish national Magdalena Kujawińska and her Colombian fiancé Heinner Valenzuela took a different path to say “I do” heading to Copenhagen, Denmark, where liberal marriage laws have turned the capital into a wedding haven for international couples.
“We realized that it’s not that easy to get married in Poland,” said 30-year-old Kujawińska, who lives in Krakow with her now-husband. “You need a certificate that you are not married. We tried to get it from Colombia, but it couldn’t reach Poland in time. It was just impossible for us.”
After hearing about Denmark’s streamlined process from a colleague, the couple contacted an online wedding planner and, within four days, received approval to wed. Their ceremony at Copenhagen’s historic 19th-century City Hall lasted just ten minutes a moment marking the end of a three-year engagement.
Copenhagen’s Rising Global Appeal
Kujawińska and Valenzuela are part of a growing trend. The Danish capital has become a top destination for couples especially non-residents seeking hassle-free nuptials. Of the 8,000 weddings held in Copenhagen last year, more than 5,400 were for foreign couples, according to City Hall’s marriage office.
“That’s almost double what we saw five years ago,” said Anita Okkels Birk Thomsen, head of the marriage office. “They come from all over the world.”
Dubbed the “Las Vegas of Europe,” Copenhagen’s appeal lies in Denmark’s liberal marriage laws. The country does not require birth certificates or proof of single status for a marriage certificate, as long as divorce papers are clear. Once approved, couples can marry within four months.
For just 2,100 kroner (about $326), non-residents can apply through Denmark’s family law agency and receive a certificate within five working days, provided they meet the requirements. A valid passport and, where applicable, a tourist visa are the only essentials.
Surge Sparks Policy Response
But this booming popularity has triggered a policy response from local officials. Starting at the end of October, 40% of City Hall’s wedding slots will be reserved for Copenhagen residents, amid concerns that locals are being squeezed out.
“Demand from foreign couples poses challenges for Copenhagen-based couples wishing to get married,” said Mia Nyegaard, head of the city’s culture and leisure department. Officials are expected to consider further adjustments after the summer break.
Still, couples seeking alternative arrangements can turn to private registrars a route that remains unaffected by the new restrictions.
A Business Opportunity
Online platforms like Getting Married in Denmark have flourished, offering packages to assist couples in document collection and ceremony scheduling. The company, founded in 2014 by Dane Rasmus Clarck Sørensen and his British wife, helped over 2,600 couples in 2024 alone.
“In the last 20, 30 years, people just meet more across borders,” Sørensen explained. “Marriage rules are often made for two people of the same country getting married. A lot of people get trapped in outdated legal systems.”
His company’s “Complete Service” package costs €875 ($1,014) and handles everything from paperwork to wedding coordination.
Celebration Back Home
For Kujawińska and Valenzuela, Copenhagen was the ideal solution. Now legally wed, they’re planning a celebration in Poland with family and friends.
“It means a lot for us because we’ve been waiting a lot for this,” Kujawińska said, beaming. “We’re really happy.”
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