how much does it cost to get married in Copenhagen?
Denmark is one of the easiest places in Europe for international couples who want a simple wedding: the simplicity of the paperwork, the speed of the process, and the fact that the ceremony can happen within days once approval arrives, have all made Copenhagen the European capital of elopements.
At the same time, Denmark is not known for being a cheap country, and so the first thought couples have when planning their wedding in Copenhagen is very practical:
How much does it cost to elope in Denmark?
The answer depends largely on how you imagine the day. Some couples keep it very minimal (ceremony & a nice dinner), others turn the day into a small celebration around Copenhagen.
Below you’ll find a realistic overview of the expenses couples most often include when planning an elopement in Denmark.
One quick note before we start: we won’t include travel costs to and from Copenhagen. Flights can vary widely depending on where you are coming from, the time of year, and when you book, so they are difficult to estimate in a meaningful way.
The legal cost of getting married in Copenhagen
Before any ceremony can take place, couples must apply through the Danish Agency of Family Law.
At the time of writing this (2026), the application fee is around 280€.
This payment covers the review of your documents and the confirmation that you are legally allowed to marry in Denmark. Once the application is approved, you can book a ceremony at a city hall such as Copenhagen City Hall.
For many people, this fee is the only mandatory administrative cost.
One suggestion that can sometimes save stress, and occasionally money, is to work with an agency that handles the documentation process for you. I’ve seen couples try to manage everything themselves, only to discover a problem with their paperwork a few days before the ceremony, which resulted in their application being rejected. With travel and accommodation already booked.
If you decide to go that route, one of the most reliable agencies in the country is Getting Married In Denmark.
Where to stay
Accommodation is another part of the budget you need to plan for.
Hotels in central Copenhagen can be expensive, particularly during the summer months. Staying here, a few steps away from City Hall, is certainly convenient, but it is not necessary.
Many couples save money by choosing accommodation outside the city center. If you decide to do this though, the most important thing is to stay close to a metro station. Copenhagen’s metro system is fast, reliable, and connects the airport, city center, and many neighborhoods within minutes.
This means you can stay somewhere quieter or more affordable while still reaching City Hall easily.
a wedding photographer in Copenhagen
I’m going to say something that might sound strange coming from a photographer: you don’t need a photographer to get married. The wedding is about you and your partner, and the day will still be meaningful whether someone is there taking pictures or not.
That being said, this part will be longer, because after all this is my job, and I know a bit about it.
Because elopements are small by nature, photography coverage is usually shorter than a traditional wedding.
There is a huge amount of wedding photographers in Denmark, and most of them offer coverage that goes from ceremony-only to longer hours. Prices vary enormously, depending on the photographer’s experience and skills: you can find beginners who would cover your ceremony for a few euros.
As with most things, you get what you pay for: if you only want a photo to hang on the fridge to remember the day, by all means book a beginner. If instead you want a reliable professional, and photos that make you feel something, that bring memories back, something to look at on your 30th anniversary, then you need to invest a bit more.
And how long should you book a photographer for?
Ceremony coverage
The ceremony is 10-15 minutes only, that means that in 30 minutes you can capture it all, plus a few portraits at City Hall. Perfect for couples who want beautiful memories of the moment and one or two portraits to share with family. Just don’t expect romantic and intimate photos, because you don’t have the time to adjust to the camera and to having your photos taken. Especially if you’re camera-shy. Unfortunately, beauty requires time.
A relaxed session around the city
Between one and two hours. This option includes the ceremony and time to walk through nearby streets, canals, or parks for portraits. Many couples prefer this option because it captures the ceremony and you also have the time to get familiar with the camera.
Besides, you also capture the atmosphere of Copenhagen. If you’ve travelled here to get married, it often feels natural to include the city in your photographs.
The full story of the day
Three to five hours. This gives space for more of the experience: getting ready, the ceremony, portraits across several locations, maybe a stop for coffee or champagne, maybe a boat ride, maybe rides at Tivoli Gardens.
Five hours is usually the longest coverage couples choose for an elopement in Copenhagen. Beyond that, the day can start to feel more like a photoshoot than a wedding day, and most couples prefer to spend the rest of their time celebrating together rather than posing for the camera.
Celebrating with dinner
After the ceremony, most couples head out for a meal together. Copenhagen is famous for its restaurants, so the choice can shape the atmosphere of the evening.
Some couples prefer something casual, such as a cozy neighborhood restaurant. Others choose a refined dining experience to mark the occasion.
For couples planning their evening, I have written separate guides to:
affordable restaurants in Copenhagen (up to 500 DKK)
mid-range dining options (500-1000 DKK)
fine dining restaurants for special celebrations (1000+ DKK)
And of course, the wedding dinner is only one meal during your stay. You’ll probably spend a few days in the city, and Copenhagen has far too many good places to eat to stop at just one.
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know how much I care about food. I’ve put together a personal map of my favorite places to eat in Copenhagen, so you can explore the city properly while you’re here.
Small details couples often add
Elopements often include a few simple details that make the day feel personal without adding much cost.
Hair and makeup
Some couples book a professional stylist in the morning so they can relax and start the day slowly. Many artists in Copenhagen offer services directly at your hotel or apartment. Just like photographers, prices vary depending on experience and reputation: you might find beginners starting around 200€, while highly experienced artists charge more.
If you want my recommendation, Tina Alfheim is the best hair & make up artist in town. She’s so good that she’s doing my own wedding, blink blink.
Shitty weather?
Copenhagen weather can change quickly, so clear umbrellas are often a good idea for photos. You can easily find them at Flying Tiger for about 50 DKK (around €7). That said, most professional photographers already carry a few in their bag, so you usually don’t need to worry about bringing them yourself.
Flowers
There are several ways to handle flowers depending on your budget and preferences. You can order a bouquet from a local flower shop (from around 50€), pick up flowers at a supermarket and arrange them yourself for a few euros, or rent a bouquet made of paper flowers from the office at City Hall. You can rent them for 2 hours and the price goes from 9€ to 24€.
Soap bubbles
If you’d like a small celebratory moment right after the ceremony, City Hall also sells little soap bubbles for around 1€. Many couples use them outside the building for a few playful photos after the ceremony, a simple detail that can make the moment feel a bit more festive.
Example budgets for an elopement in Copenhagen
Every couple plans their day differently, though most budgets fall into a few broad categories.
Minimal wedding - the must-do things
This is the most minimal version of an elopement: the paperwork, a place to stay, and a ceremony.
legal application fee (280€)
hotel (from 100€ per night)
A bit of celebration
This is how many couples structure their day: a ceremony at City Hall, a short photo session around Copenhagen, and dinner together afterwards.
legal approval (280€)
hotel (from 100€ per night)
1–2 hours of photography (from 200€ for a beginner)
restaurant dinner (from 70€ per person)
Full wedding experience
For couples who want to turn the day into a small celebration, this option allows for more time with a photographer, professional styling, and a memorable dinner to end the day.
legal approval (280€)
hotel (from 100€ per night)
longer photography coverage (from 400€)
hair & make up (from 200€)
special restaurant or tasting menu (from 120€ per person)
At the end of the day, weddings, even small ones, can accumulate a lot of little expenses. It’s always worth asking yourself what actually matters to you and what is simply decoration around the day.
Remember that once the ceremony is over, the dinner finished, and everyone has gone home, very little remains: your marriage, your memories… and the photographs.
Which means that, inconveniently enough, the photographer ends up being one of the most important parts of the budget. My apologies.
