Copenhagen: Get married in romantic metropolis
Copenhagen is known to many U.S. personnel in Europe as the Las Vegas of Europe, minus the drive-through wedding chapels and Elvis impersonators, that is.
The marriage laws in Denmark make it remarkably simple for Americans to tie the knot. In fact, it can take as little as a few days for couples to complete their paperwork, take their vows and become husband and wife.
Beyond the linguistic ease and lack of red tape are many more reasons to choose Copenhagen for your nuptials. It is a vibrant, extremely user-friendly city filled with charming restaurants and cafés, cobblestone streets paralleled by boat-lined canals and beautiful architecture dating as far back as the Middle Ages.
From visiting the famous Little Mermaid to harbor cruises to the fair grounds of Tivoli Gardens, there are plenty of things to see and do for visitors of all age groups, making a wedding in Copenhagen not only a life-changing event, but an unforgettable vacation as well.
Getting started
The Copenhagen marriage office staff is extremely friendly and helpful, and visitors will have a hard time finding anyone in the city who does not speak English.
The office recommends that couples file their paperwork at least two weeks in advance of their desired marriage date, although in some cases the process can be completed in as little as four days. All paperwork must be delivered in person, so you should plan to either stay in the city the entire time or make two separate trips.
The marriage office is at City Hall, not far from Tivoli Gardens in the city center. The only necessary documents are a valid passport and birth certificate, although if either party has been previously married, a legally binding divorce decree is required. Military personnel stationed in Germany may also need permission to marry from their commander.
Once your paperwork is processed, you can set the date. Most marriages take place at City Hall and are held during the week and between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturdays.
For a more romantic location, you need to prepare a bit more. To have a marriage officiate come to a hotel or other location, couples need to contact an elected city official who is willing to apply for a marriage license on their behalf and perform the ceremony. While this may sound daunting, it can be done. Ask the marriage office for more information, and be persistent.
Accommodations
Copenhagen can be an expensive place to stay, although prices are lower during the off-season (fall and winter). For a splurge, a memorable place to stay is Hotel 71 Nyhavn, which sits the end of one of the city’s most popular restaurant and bar areas. This four-star hotel will take care of all of your wedding needs, from dry cleaning to post-ceremony cocktails.
For more moderately priced accommodation, visit the Copenhagen Tourist Office’s Web site, www.visitcopenhagen.dk. This site can be used to specify a desired price range, rating and location, and is sure to have something to fit any budget.
Seeing the sights
Copenhagen is a walker’s paradise, but before setting out on foot, you may want to get oriented by taking a bus tour or harbor cruise. Bus tours, which vary from one to three hours, depart directly across from City Hall and are a great way to find out what there is to see and do in the city. Harbors cruises, which last 50 minutes and depart every half-hour from the tourist center of Nyhavn, are another terrific way to get a sense of Copenhagen. You’ll learn a lot about the city’s fascinating history while cruising through the many waterways and canals that traverse the city.
Once you have your bearings, it’s time to put on some comfortable shoes and get walking. One of the nicest walks begins at Nyhavn and continues past the Amalienborg Palace and on to Hans Christian Andersen’s famous Little Mermaid.
You should also take time to explore some of the city’s less-touristy neighborhoods, such as the beautiful area of Christians-haven. From there you can climb to the spiral tower of Our Savior’s Church for a panoramic view of the city.
Shop-a-holics won’t want to miss out on the pedestrian zone, which includes stores catering to every style and price range, from bargain basement to Chanel.
History buffs and art lovers will have plenty to keep them busy as well. The National Museum includes exhibits tracing Denmark’s history from ancient times to the present, while those interested in the development of Copenhagen from a fishing village to a thriving, modern city will want to visit the Copenhagen City Museum.
Beer enthusiasts won’t want to miss a tour of the Carlsberg Brewery. And for the young, as well as the young at heart, a must-see is the Lego Museum.
Finally, no visit to Copenhagen is complete without a trip to the famous amusement park, Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli is best experienced after dark, when Ferris wheels and roller-coaster rides will provide you with some of the best, albeit fleeting, glimpses of the city at night. In addition to the rides, Tivoli also has a wide selection of restaurants, gardens, live music concerts and games.
Dining out
After the sightseeing, you are bound to work up an appetite, and Copenhagen is more than prepared to fulfill any craving. In addition to the traditional lunch Smorgasbords, at which you will find a feast of Danish delicacies such as fresh salmon, herring and open-faced sandwiches, you will also find a plethora of international cuisine.
Some of the best restaurants in Copenhagen, six of which have earned prestigious Michelin stars, are French and Italian. You will also find numerous Thai, Indian and seafood restaurants.
For more information about restaurants in Copenhagen, visit Time Out’s Copenhagen restaurant guide at www.timeout.com/copenhagen/rest.
Nightlife
You and your sweetheart have said your “I do’s” and now it’s time to celebrate. Romantics will enjoy taking a horse-drawn carriage through moonlit, cobblestone streets. Music aficionados can visit the Opera House or one of Copenhagen’s many jazz clubs. Food and wine lovers will want to splurge on a prix-fixe dinner at one of the city’s fine restaurants, at which they will be presented with a multiple course menu set by the chef that very day, each small course accompanied by a complimentary wine.
And for those who want to close out the evening with a few cocktails, the many bars and pubs in the city center are sure to have whatever is your pleasure.
Saying “I do” has never been so easy, or so much fun.
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