your ultimate guide to a LGBTQIA+ WEDDING in Copenhagen
UPDATED 2025
Let’s be honest: 2025 has been rough. The headlines are getting darker, bigotry is louder, and some countries are working overtime to make life harder for queer folks.
Which is exactly why finding a place that respects your love - with no caveats, no weird looks, no asterisks - is more important than ever.
Welcome to Copenhagen.
This isn’t some Pinterest-perfect fantasyland. It’s a real city with real rights, real safety, and real love for LGBTQIA+ couples.
And if you’re thinking of getting married in a place that won’t use you to make a political statement, here’s everything you need to know.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET MARRIED IN COPENHAGEN?
There’s no drama, no invasive questions, and no need to defend your relationship to a panel of strangers. The process is built for people from all over the world, and it’s designed to respect your time, your identity, and your relationship.
Regardless if you're a queer couple navigating complicated laws back home or just looking for a place that treats you like everyone else, Denmark keeps it simple: you don’t need to fight for your right to marry.
And what about paperwork? Here’s what most couples need to bring:
Valid passports or EU national IDs
Proof that you’re both legally single (Certificate of Marital Status)
Divorce papers or death certificate, if applicable
Sometimes, a birth certificate (check based on your nationality)
If dealing with paperwork makes your eye twitch, consider hiring a local agency that specializes in international weddings. They know the system inside out and can handle everything for you.
How Long Does It Take?
Not long. After your documents are submitted, most couples hear back in a few weeks.
It’s one of the fastest and most efficient systems in Europe. Still, give yourself time - no one likes surprise admin.
Can You Get Married During Pride Week?
Absolutely. Copenhagen Pride is a whole mood. The city lights up with parades, performances, and community joy.
If you want your wedding to feel like a celebration times ten, aim for this week - yes, it’s an entire week! You can explore the full program and spirit of the event at Copenhagen Pride’s official site.
But plan early, because venues fill fast, and so do hotel rooms.
Will Your Marriage Be Recognized Back Home?
Danish wedding certificates are fully valid under Danish law. But whether your marriage is recognized back home depends on the laws of your country - especially when it comes to LGBTQIA+ couples.
Some countries, like the UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia, recognize marriages performed abroad with no issue.
Others either don’t recognize LGBTQIA+ marriages at all or require extra steps to register them locally.
The safest move is to check with your home country’s marriage or civil registry office before making travel plans.
Why Copenhagen Is More Than JUST a Pretty PLACE
Denmark has a long legacy of queer rights.
Denmark decriminalized homosexuality in 1933, long before most other countries even considered it. Just imagine that Hitler became Germany’s chancellor in that same year.
In 1989, it became the first country in the world to legally recognize registered partnerships. In the midst of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Full marriage equality became law in 2012.
Denmark was the first country to offer a third gender option on official documents.
In 2017, it removed trans identities from the list of mental illnesses.
These aren’t symbolic gestures. They’re policy-backed protections that affect how you’re treated every day you’re there.
And honestly, with so much chaos globally, Copenhagen offers something rare: peace, safety, sanity. You can hold hands on the street. You can kiss in public. You can breathe.
Where to Get Married
City Hall is the go-to for a reason: it’s gorgeous, historic, and the staff know how to make your ceremony personal and meaningful. Appointments are available year-round, and the process is smooth even for international couples.
But if you're dreaming of something outdoors, Copenhagen has you covered:
Kongens Have (The King’s Garden) – A peaceful, tree-lined royal park in the center of the city. You’ll find fountains, blooming flowers, and Rosenborg Castle as your backdrop.
The Royal Library Garden – A hidden gem located between the historic building of Christiansborg Slot and the old Royal Library, perfect for intimate ceremonies.
The Opera House – Sleek, striking, and sitting right on the water. The architecture alone is enough to make your photos stand out, and the view of the city skyline is unforgettable. Plus: you have a gorgeous city garden right next to you.
Check this page to see where you can get married, other than Copenhagen City Hall.
Prefer total control over the vibe? You can:
Book a private venue like a rooftop bar, a boutique hotel, or a cozy restaurant
Host your ceremony in your Airbnb (yes, for real)
Get married in a forest, a beach, or a quiet city corner that means something to you
Officiants can meet you pretty much anywhere, which means your ceremony can be exactly what you want: formal or casual, big or small, public or private.
How to Find vendors Who Get You
You want your wedding day to feel like you. That means surrounding yourself with people who respect your relationship, your identity, and your vision - no questions, no awkward vibes, no outdated assumptions.
Here’s how to find vendors who actually get it:
Look for real inclusivity: Check websites and social media. Are queer couples featured throughout, or only in one token post about Pride Month?
Ask direct questions: When reaching out, ask if they’ve worked with LGBTQIA+ couples before, and how they make their services inclusive.
Read between the lines: Contracts, emails, and booking forms can say a lot. Look for language that feels affirming and flexible.
Go with your gut: If a vendor makes you feel like you have to downplay who you are, walk away. There are plenty who will celebrate you without hesitation.
Ask for referrals: Inclusive vendors tend to know each other. If you find one you love, ask them to recommend others. My list is here.
Your wedding should be about joy, not just logistics. When your vendors understand that, everything flows better, from the first email to the final hug goodbye.
Privacy and Safety
Denmark is one of the few places where your love isn’t politicized, questioned, or reduced to a debate. You won't be treated like an exception. You can walk in, get married, and walk out knowing you were respected every step of the way.
If you’re coming from a place where weddings mean risk, tell your vendors. If you decide to work with me, your photos will stay private if it means more security for you.
Final Word
A wedding in Copenhagen isn’t just a romantic choice. It’s a political one. In a time when queer lives are under threat in too many corners of the world, choosing to marry in a place that celebrates you is powerful.
Get married in Copenhagen. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s safe. It’s real. It’s yours. And because we need to show the world that we’re still here, proud and loud.
And that matters more than ever.
Ready to make it happen?
If you want someone behind the camera who gets it - who respects your story, honors your identity, and knows how to capture every moment without making it feel like a performance - I'm here for you.
