Envisioning the perfect wedding often conjures images of religious ceremonies, grand architecture, and the warm glow of divine light illuminating a beautiful gown. Perhaps you envision friends celebrating on a patio, cheering in front of a town hall, or simply surrounded by loved ones in any setting that feels meaningful. However, one might not typically imagine a meeting with two strangers, Chris and Mitch, who were waiting for you and your partner by an unremarkable fountain in the heart of Copenhagen. Judging by the amused laughter of my soon-to-be wife during our 20-minute ceremony, this was not what she had envisioned either. It’s worth mentioning that neither of us hails from Denmark or resides there.
My wife, who values her privacy and will henceforth be referred to as “my wife,” is of British-Polish descent and has built her life in the UK, while I am French. The implications of Brexit meant we had to navigate significant bureaucratic hurdles to ensure we could live together in London. Our immigration advisor, a quirky yet knowledgeable individual, left no room for misunderstanding. During a Zoom consultation about a year ago, he mimed loading a rifle, signaling that to end our long-distance romance and begin a life together, a quick wedding was essential.
As we sought to formalize our union, we discovered that love often moves faster than the wheels of bureaucracy. Marrying in the UK required a fiancé visa, which permitted me to stay but not work, rendering it financially impractical. Considering a wedding in France meant grappling with complex local regulations, we quickly dismissed that option. We wished for a more straightforward way to tie the knot abroad.
A simple online search led me to an agency called Marry Abroad Simply. Despite numerous glowing reviews that praised their “exceptional communication,” “genuine friendliness,” and a “hassle-free experience,” I couldn’t shake the feeling that using their services was akin to selecting a haircut from a salon named Best Haircuts. One would hope for a little more flair in such an important life event.
Nevertheless, I reached out via WhatsApp and awkwardly expressed my desire to marry my partner as soon as possible. Instead of questioning our intentions, a delightful woman named Leanne enthusiastically outlined various options. Plan A was Gibraltar, noted for its straightforward paperwork, although the marriage certificate would take weeks to arrive. Plan B involved Denmark, where city halls were busy, prompting the suggestion of a premium park ceremony for a quicker outcome. Finally, she mentioned, “I can arrange a wedding in Georgia within a couple of weeks.”
We opted for a balance between expediency and comfort and selected the “Copenhagen Express” package. Through our research, we learned that Denmark has become a popular destination for couples seeking to elope, thanks to its accommodating and multilingual administration. This trend began over a decade ago when couples from Germany started crossing the border to marry partners from outside the Schengen zone. It’s a lucrative venture; international weddings contribute approximately 120 million kroner (around £13.7 million) annually to the Danish economy.
Leanne shared that her company assists around 150 couples in Denmark each month, often handling more complicated cases, such as same-sex marriages involving partners from countries that do not recognize their rights. A former government document expert, she transitioned into this sector in 2013, specializing in efficient wedding planning.
Our wedding was remarkably straightforward. The day before the ceremony, still unpacking our bags, we visited Copenhagen city hall, which intriguingly doubles as a gift shop. Alongside other couples, we queued to verify our identities for the Danish authorities. A display of fake bouquets caught our eye, accompanied by a sign offering “Flowers (for rent) on your wedding day.”
We declined the rental flowers and hurried to a shop at the Copenhagen train station the following morning. The white and purple bouquet my wife chose would provide a lovely contrast against the overcast Danish sky. Dressed in ready-to-wear attire, we felt prepared to walk down the aisle.
After a brief walk through Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter, amidst the watchful eyes of curious tourists and indifferent locals, we reached our venue: the gardens of the Royal Library. This charming yet modest park is centrally located. As expected, we had no guests, but Marry Abroad Simply had arranged for Chris and Mitch to witness our union.
Chris and Mitch, bless their hearts, served as our only witnesses and introduced us to our officiant, a gentle man named Jesper. We stood somewhat awkwardly in front of a building rich with centuries of Danish literature as Jesper delivered a brief speech about how we were beginning a new chapter together. I noticed a few sniffles during the video Chris recorded, suggesting he may have been moved to tears, though Leanne later informed me that Jesper performs multiple ceremonies daily, so he might have just had a cold.
Amused by the peculiarity of our situation, we didn’t focus too much on Jesper’s words. We exchanged vows, slipped on our rings, and shared a kiss, greeted by polite applause from onlookers. After taking several photos, including a selfie with our witnesses, we settled on a bench to finalize our paperwork. Just like that, my wife and I were officially married.
You may find our wedding unconventional or lacking in romance, but I wholeheartedly disagree. Throughout our experience in Denmark, we encountered numerous other couples at city hall, often able to guess their stories and accents, indicating they were there for similar reasons. They were lovers eager to navigate the complexities of love and commitment, just as we were.
