5 points on your checklist when you get married in a registered office abroad
Have you ever thought about getting married abroad? Doing the legal paperwork in the place where you are eloping can make your experience extra special and provide insights into the place and its culture you probably wouldn't get otherwise! Sounds exciting? We’d like to share a little story with you:
When shooting a wedding in Italy, we had the most beautiful encounter. Our couple decided to get married in a small town close to Rome, a stunning spot with wonderful old buildings, a little surprise to explore around each corner and most importantly, the most lovely locals. Our couple didn’t speak Italian and the registrar didn’t speak any English. Therefore, they brought a translator with them - no problem at all. While not being able to communicate directly, the registrar felt very touched that they chose to intertwine their own personal history with his hometown and came up with every little detail that was to learn about the place - absolutely charming and a little adventure itself! Not least because of that, the ceremony turned out to be quite emotional, there were happy tears and hugs all around.
What are the benefits of planning your civil wedding abroad?
It’s a beautiful adventure! You will keep a special spot in your heart for this place, and it’s wonderful to get fully immersed in the whole experience.
If you are European and plan to elope in another European country, it won’t be complicated. Most countries have the same or similar standards for marriages, therefore, the legal part of your marriage can happen in any country of your choice and will be accepted in your home country without any problems. However, always check the regulations first. This will protect you from unexpected surprises. In most cases, you will still be required to then register the marriage in your own country by providing the official document to the right authorities. Otherwise, you won’t get any legal benefits such as tax reductions.
How to get married abroad
There are a few things you should check early on to ensure a smooth process. Dealing with authorities can sometimes take some time and it’s best to plan a buffer, just in case.
Make sure a marriage performed in the country of your destination is legal in your country of residence. When in doubt, ask your embassy in this country to find out more.
Find out which documents you need to get married and get them translated if needed. Plan enough time for this, it will take a few weeks for official translations to arrive and you don’t want to be in a rush!
Learn more about what you need to get your marriage recognized by your own local authorities. While you might not get married to save taxes, it’s still a nice bonus.
Find out if you need a translator and book them in advance. Again, your embassy is a great source of information and you can ask all your questions at once.
Now the fun part: Plan your wedding. If you would like a civil ceremony, you will have to get in touch with local authorities and check what the procedure is to get a date.
Don’t forget to include some epic views, little adventures, and awesome photo locations. Not sure? That’s what we are here for! We can give you inspiration and recommend some epic spots in your favourite destination.
Of course, you don’t have to try and fit it all in one day. We recommend you do the official part of your wedding on Day 1. It’s a little adventure of its own and will fill your day easily with activities and things to explore. On Day 2, you choose an epic location and exchange your vows with a beautiful backdrop, jaw dropping sunset included. How good does that sound?!
Where to find the right information?
Depending on which country you want to elope in, the legal part can be more or less tricky. Therefore, we highly recommend you check with your consulate in the country of destination to ensure that you won’t miss out on important details. Don’t get your information from random pages online (or from your wedding photographers) and make sure you check official pages issued by a Government agency. Otherwise, you can email your consulate directly and let them redirect you to the right sources. Of course, we are happy to point you in the right direction.
Check the legal requirements of your country of residence
Once you get married in another country, it’s up to your country of residence to acknowledge your marriage and to issue the right certificates to ensure you get access to the same benefits as other married couples. Factors to consider are:
Legal age of marriage
You meet all legal capacity requirements for marriage under the law of their home states (you are e.g. both single and not too closely related)
It’s also worth checking with your legal authorities which documents will be required to get into their books and if there is a specific time frame you have to follow.
Check the legal requirements of the country you want to elope in
There is a high chance that you will need a legal translation of the required documents. This isn’t a problem but requires some pre-planning. First of all, do you have all the required documents handy? If you can’t find your birth certificate, for example, it might take a few weeks until you receive a copy of it from your local council. Then, you have to find a translator, pay a translation fee, and wait another few weeks until you receive the correct documents. That’s why we highly recommend you start this process a few months in advance, at best immediately when you start planning your elopement and are sure about the location.
What you most commonly need:
Your passport
Your birth certificate
If you have been divorced, a divorce certificate
A certificate by your registry office stating your residence
Some countries might require you to provide witnesses (which could be a friend or family member, or of course, your photographers…!)
And now: Just do it!
This is your big adventure! Don’t let any bureaucracy stop you from fulfilling your dream elopement! Once you figured out the official steps, it’s finally time to plan all the wonderful details of your trip!
Inspiration: A beautiful marriage at a registry office in Tivoli, Italy
We might be biased but we absolutely loved this place! The civil wedding hall is stunning to look at with its ancient frescos and provides the full Italian experience. The registrar will take the time to make your experience special and personal, and you can go for a walk in the beautiful gardens of Tivoli afterwards. It’s the perfect spot to explore Rome and its surroundings and you will have difficulties narrowing down all the beautiful spots you want to visit - there are just way too many! Do you want to see the whole Story?Then klick here
Inspiration: A civil marriage in a vineyard in the South of France
Eloping in France is spectacular. The country is full of stunning high mountains, a beautiful coastline with epic surfing spots, and big national parks full of adventurous routes. A civil wedding in France takes place in the council offices (mairie) and is often easier if you or your partner live there or if you have ties to the place through family. Otherwise, the couple must have resided in France for at least 30 days. This could be the perfect opportunity to rent a campervan and go full explorer-mode!
If you are looking for a special place for your elopement, the citadel in Carcassonne is absolutely stunning. The medieval citadel is part of the UNESCO world heritage and worth a visit anyway.
Inspiration: Getting married as a foreign couple in Denmark
A civil marriage in Denmark is one of the easiest and most affordable places in Europe. Additionally, Denmark’s landscape is absolutely stunning. Think of small, colourful harbour towns, fjords with scenic fishing boats, and wild nature as far as the eye can see. Or imagine wild cliffs and the rough wind of the sea in your hair. The UNESCO world heritage site Stevns Klint is one of those places. The Højerup Church has an epic view and is open for civil weddings for people from all nationalities!
