Europe's wedding hot spot, Denmark

DW (English)

What do Las Vegas and Denmark have in common? Both are hot spots for quick, on-the-fly weddings. In Europe, Denmark is considered an insider tip, especially for international couples trying to avoid bureaucratic hurdles back in their home countries.

Transcript

00:01It's every couple's big moment, tying the knot on your wedding day.

00:07Something that Judith and Ivan have been dreaming of doing.

00:11But the German-Ugandan couple had to come to Denmark to make that dream come true.

00:19Denmark is Europe's go-to destination for international couples looking to marry.

00:25Some 20,000 come here every year.

00:28Judith and Ivan are taking their vows in the small Danish town of Riebe.

00:33They're the fourth couple here this morning.

00:36And this is the routine.

00:38Welcome to Riebe Town Hall.

00:41When couples arrive, they are greeted by our staff, our registrar and two volunteers.

00:46This is our town hall's largest room, the historic citizens' chamber.

00:52The building is over 500 years old.

00:56Then the registrar declares the two married.

00:59And then the documents are signed here at this beautiful old table.

01:04In and out weddings are booming in Denmark.

01:07Though unlike Las Vegas, the U.S. wedding capital, Denmark, is steeped in history.

01:13Couples come from all over the world.

01:15Australia, Canada, the U.S., Southeast Asia, Japan, China, Russia, from everywhere.

01:20It really is worldwide.

01:25Judith met Ivan in Uganda in 2023.

01:28They've been living together in Bonn, Germany, since last year.

01:31So why are they marrying in Denmark?

01:33We met the couple before their big day to find out.

01:37Last year, Ivan moved to Germany on a work visa.

01:40He plans to study resource management.

01:42This year, like, you were not able to extend your visa because of some restrictions to your work.

01:48And we were like, okay, we need to figure something out to stay together.

01:52Getting married in German for me would mean another about one year of waiting for my documents to be certified or something like that.

02:01And then also paying money, about a thousand euros, just to have my documents worked on.

02:07And we were like, no, there must be another way.

02:10So in case I follow the German bureaucracy, it would take us another year or so to just get married.

02:16So we had to find another way, and Denmark was the answer.

02:22They started planning, set a date, and picked a registry office in Denmark.

02:26Everything went pretty quickly, including the paperwork.

02:30In Denmark, it's actually super easy.

02:34You apply online, they give you feedback within five days.

02:37You only need to take your passport and a proof of relationship, which is very easy for us.

02:42That's the funny one.

02:43And, yeah, we got the get-go in five days.

02:47And, yeah, a date, actually, an appointment to get married within three weeks.

02:52So, super smooth so far. It's been amazing.

02:55A few weeks later in Riebel, their big moment has arrived.

03:02After getting their documents scanned, Ivan makes his marriage vows.

03:07I love you in sickness and in health, in poverty and in riches, until we meet our Father in heaven,

03:16who teaches us to love each other, and has called us to celebrate his love in marriage.

03:22Just 15 minutes later, their husband and wife.

03:29Now we're married now. No one in the world can tell us this is not right or we can't be together.

03:35Like, it just feels nice to be able to make this step and say we are one from now on,

03:43before the law and before ourselves, and just have this love.

03:48But does Germany recognize Danish marriages?

03:52German law recognizes marriages performed abroad according to local law

03:57without a formal recognition procedure.

03:59This means the wedding certificate from the Foreign Registry Office,

04:04in this case the Danish Registry Office, provides proof that the couple is married.

04:09Judith and Ivan can look forward to a bright future together, and clink glasses to that.

04:18They're confident that now they can overcome any bureaucratic obstacle in their way.

04:26And they'll always think fondly of Denmark and the little town of Riebel.

04:31Hm, would you like this?

04:35,

04:36.

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