International questions about wedding dresses and getting married in Denmark

The questions couples from other countries ask, answered based on Danish rules and prices.

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How do we hold a small, spontaneous wedding in Denmark, a bit like in Vegas, and which wedding dress suits it?

A small, spontaneous wedding in Denmark takes three steps: you fill in a marriage declaration, receive a certificate of no impediment (prøvelsesattest) and book a time with the municipality. The ceremony at the town hall is free, and you need two witnesses. Ærø, Langeland, Tønder and Copenhagen are the places that marry the most couples. For a spontaneous day, a short dress or a simple satin dress suits you better than a long train. See our simple wedding dresses and satin dresses.

Can we get married at a lighthouse in Denmark, and what should we think about with the wedding dress and veil?

Yes, several Danish municipalities approve lighthouses and coastal spots as wedding venues, and the lighthouse is one of the most photographed choices. Ask the municipality whether your particular spot is approved, and expect a call-out fee, often around 1,000 DKK. Remember the wind: fasten the veil well and choose shoes you can walk in on sand and grass. Find veils and hair accessories among our bridal accessories, and read about footwear in the bridal shoes FAQ.

We dream of a winter wedding – where in Denmark can you hold one beautifully, and which wedding dress suits it?

A beautiful winter wedding in Denmark is best held indoors with high ceilings and candlelight, for example in an old church, at a manor, in a half-timbered inn or in a heated orangery. The light fades around five o'clock, so hold the ceremony early and take the couple photos straight after. Choose a venue where guests do not have to walk far outside. For the dress, sleeves, heavy fabric and a cape work well. See our wedding dresses with long sleeves.

Can we rent a summer house or a farm for our wedding, and is there room to get ready in the wedding dress?

Yes, a rented summer house or farm is one of the cheapest ways to hold a whole wedding weekend together. Ask the owner directly whether parties are allowed, how many of you may be there and whether you may put up a marquee, because many summer houses say no in the contract. Also check toilets, kitchen, power and neighbours. Make sure there is a quiet room where the bride can put on her wedding dress in peace. The clean-up falls on you, so build it into the plan. More advice on venues is in our venue FAQ.

Where do I find the best bridal shops with wedding dresses in and around Copenhagen?

The bridal shops in the Copenhagen area are located both in the city centre and in the suburbs, and the difference is often selection versus price. In the city centre you pay for the address, and the selection is often a collection that is ordered in. In the suburbs you often get more wedding dresses for your money. Our showroom is in Hvidovre, 15 minutes from the centre, with over 1,000 dresses in stock and free parking. Read more about us and the showroom.

Are there real outlet wedding dresses in Denmark, and where do I find them?

Real outlet wedding dresses are rare in Denmark, because the shop has to buy dresses from stock, one of each, instead of ordering a collection. That is exactly how we work: more than 1,000 dresses in stock in Hvidovre, prices from 1,000 DKK and designer models up to 70% below the normal price. We have also held eleven sample sale events. See the current offers in the sale and our cheap wedding dresses.

Where can I find a modest wedding dress with sleeves and a high neckline?

We have modest wedding dresses with sleeves and high necklines in stock all year, both in lace and in opaque fabrics. If you have fallen for a strapless model, our tailor can sew on sleeves and add an insert at the neckline so the dress becomes modest. Tell us how much should be covered when you book a fitting, and we will put out the right dresses. See our wedding dresses with long sleeves and lace dresses.

I wear a hijab – do you have wedding dresses that work with it?

Yes, we have wedding dresses that work with a hijab: long-sleeved dresses, high-necked dresses and models that cover up. Our tailor handles the rest by sewing on sleeves or adding an insert at the neckline. Feel free to bring your own scarf to the fitting so you can see the colours together, because white and ivory are not the same shade. Tell us when you book, and the dresses will be ready. See also what our tailor can alter.

Can I wear traditional dress for the ceremony and a white wedding dress for the party?

Yes, many brides wear traditional dress for the ceremony and a white or coloured dress for the evening party. The advantage of buying the second dress at an outlet is that it does not have to cost as much as the first. Our wedding dresses start at 1,000 DKK, so there is room for an evening dress in the budget. See our cheap wedding dresses or the dresses with colour and glitter.

How much does it cost to have a made-to-measure wedding dress sewn in Denmark?

A wedding dress made to measure from scratch is expensive, often more than the 30,000-50,000 DKK a dress from a designer collection costs, because it takes many hours of work. There is a cheaper middle way: buy a finished dress and have a tailor alter it. Sleeves, neckline, back and length can be changed, so the dress becomes your own for a fraction of the price. Read about our tailoring and alterations.

I live in Norway – are wedding dresses cheaper in Denmark?

Yes, the price level for wedding dresses is usually lower in Denmark than in Norway, which is why Norwegian brides come to us. Norway is outside the EU, so if you take a dress home, you should expect Norwegian VAT and possibly customs duty on import. You can claim a refund of the Danish VAT if the dress is shown at customs no later than three months after purchase. Ask us via the contact page before you set off, and see our cheap wedding dresses.

Should we bring our own photographer to the wedding abroad, or can a local photographer capture the wedding dress just as well?

Both can work, but a local photographer saves you flights and a hotel and knows the light, the location and the weather. If you bring your own photographer, you get exactly the style you have chosen, but travel and accommodation come on top. Also ask whether the photographer has experience photographing a white wedding dress in bright sunlight. Always look at a full gallery from one wedding, not just the best shots, and get the agreement in writing with delivery time and rights. More advice is in our wedding photographer FAQ.

How do we book a civil ceremony at the town hall, and can I wear a wedding dress there?

A civil ceremony is booked in three steps: you fill in the marriage declaration, get a certificate of no impediment once it is approved, and then book a time with the municipality. In Copenhagen the waiting time is typically four to six weeks, and in smaller municipalities it is often quicker. The ceremony at the town hall is free, and you need to bring two witnesses. Many brides also wear a wedding dress for a town hall ceremony. Check the current procedure on borger.dk, and read more in our FAQ on marriage and the law.

Will our Danish marriage be recognised abroad if we take the wedding dress home and hold a party there afterwards?

A Danish marriage is usually valid abroad, but it depends on the country, and you will often need to be able to document it. Ask for a marriage certificate, and ask whether you can get an international version. If the marriage has to be registered in another country, ask that country's embassy what it requires before you travel. Some countries also require legalisation or an apostille. If you hold a party in your home country afterwards, the wedding dress can easily be worn again, so pack it in a breathable garment bag. More answers about the paperwork are in our FAQ on marriage and the law in Denmark.

Does our marriage certificate need an apostille before it is valid abroad, and should we sort it out before we buy the wedding dress?

Whether the marriage certificate needs an apostille depends on the country. If the certificate is to be used in a country that is part of the Hague Convention, an apostille is usually required, which you get through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other countries require legalisation via the embassy. Ask the country where the certificate will be used before you start, so you do not pay for the wrong stamp. Feel free to start on the paperwork in good time, while you are looking for the wedding dress. We go through other legal questions in our FAQ on marriage and the law.

Do we need a visa or residence permit to get married in Denmark, and can I buy the wedding dress here?

Yes, you must be legally present in Denmark on the wedding day, and whether that requires a visa depends on your citizenship. EU citizens can enter freely, while citizens of other countries may need a visa. The rules have been tightened, and the papers are processed centrally, so check the current requirements before you book travel and a venue. Once the papers are in place, you can calmly plan the rest, including the wedding dress fitting. The rest of the paperwork is gathered in our FAQ on getting married in Denmark.

Should we tip the photographer, the hairdresser and the other suppliers in Denmark, including the shop where I buy the wedding dress?

No, tips for wedding suppliers are not expected in Denmark. Service is included in the price, also in the shop where you buy the wedding dress, and nobody is offended if there is nothing extra in the envelope. If you are very happy with a supplier, a good review and a recommendation to your friends mean more than an amount of money. If you still want to give something, a bottle or a thank-you text is perfectly fine. More about etiquette is in our wedding etiquette FAQ.

The invitation says black tie – what does that mean in Denmark, and may my dress look like a wedding dress?

Black tie means a dinner jacket for the men and a long dress for the women. The dress code is used less often in Denmark than in the USA and England, so if a Danish invitation says black tie, it is a formal evening party. If in doubt, choose a long, simple dress in a dark colour, it is never wrong. Do avoid a white dress that could be mistaken for the wedding dress. If it says festive or dark attire, a short party dress is enough. Read more about dress codes in our FAQ for wedding guests.

Do people have bridal showers in Denmark, or is it a hen party, and where does the bridal gown fitting fit in?

In Denmark people have a polterabend, a hen party, not a bridal shower. A bridal shower as a nice afternoon with gifts is not a Danish tradition, whereas the polterabend is: a day or evening arranged by friends, often with a theme and always with something the bride did not know in advance. If you want a calm polterabend, tell your maid of honour, and it will be taken seriously. Many instead bring their friends along to the bridal gown fitting, which becomes a little celebration in itself. Find more ideas for the time before the wedding on our blog.

Do people have a rehearsal dinner the evening before the wedding in Denmark, and when should the wedding dress be ready?

No, the rehearsal dinner is not a Danish tradition. On the other hand, it is common to gather in a smaller circle the evening before, informally and without a programme, often with the guests who have come from far away. Keep it early and short so you are not tired on the day. Make sure the wedding dress has already been collected and is hanging ready, so the evening can be spent relaxing. If anything needs rehearsing, do it with the priest in the church instead. Plan the rest of the week with our wedding planning FAQ.

Do people have bridesmaids in Denmark the same way as in American films, and should their dresses match the wedding dress?

No, in Denmark bridesmaids are almost always children from the family, typically two or three, who walk into the church with you, often in a white or light dress that goes with the wedding dress. Adult bridesmaids in matching dresses are an American custom that is rarely used here. The Danish equivalent is the best man and maid of honour, one for each of you, who help on the day and give a speech. If you want the American version, you can of course have it. We cover more Danish customs in our etiquette FAQ.

Do Danish brides also use „something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue“ with their wedding dress?

Yes, the tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue is known in Denmark and used loosely. Something old can be grandmother's earrings, something borrowed a veil from a friend, and something blue is easiest to solve with the shoes, a sole or a ribbon inside the dress. Treat it as a fun framework, not a list to tick off, because no guest checks. Find something new among our veils and accessories.

Do people still throw the garter and bouquet at Danish weddings, and what about the bridal waltz in a wedding dress?

The bouquet is still thrown in some places in Denmark, but far from all, and the garter toss is American and rarely done here. The Danish ritual is the bridal waltz before midnight, where the guests close in around you and where the groom's socks are cut at the end. If the wedding dress has a train, bustle it before the bridal waltz so you can dance freely. Tell the toastmaster what you want included and what you would rather skip. Read about more customs in our FAQ on culture and faith.

When does the couple cut the cake at a Danish wedding, and how do I avoid stains on the wedding dress?

At a Danish wedding the cake is typically cut after dinner together with the coffee, and it is often a kransekage, a ring cake, which the couple cut together. It usually happens before the bridal waltz, so the programme builds up towards midnight. Keep a little distance from the cake so the wedding dress does not get icing or cream on it. Tell both the toastmaster and the photographer when the cake will be cut, because it is one of the pictures everyone wants. More tips on the flow of the day are in our planning FAQ.

Should we have a hashtag for our wedding so the guests' pictures of the wedding dress and the day are collected?

A wedding hashtag only makes sense if you want one yourselves and will actually look at the pictures afterwards. The advantage is that the guests' pictures of you, the wedding dress and the party are collected in one place. Write the hashtag on a small sign at the entrance and in the programme, otherwise it will not be used. If you would rather not have pictures online, say so instead, both in the invitation and through the toastmaster. More about pictures from the day is in our photographer FAQ.

Can we hold our wedding on a Sunday, and is it cheaper, leaving more for the wedding dress?

Yes, a Sunday wedding is both cheaper and easier to get than a Saturday, because venues, photographers and churches more often have availability. The downside is that the guests have to go to work on Monday, so the party ends earlier, and some drive home after dinner. Schedule the programme earlier in the day, and write in the invitation when the party ends. What you save on the venue can give a little more room in the budget for the wedding dress. More money-saving tips are in our FAQ on price and budget.

Can we hold our wedding on Midsummer Eve, and what should we watch out for with the bridal gown?

Yes, Midsummer Eve is a beautiful evening for a wedding, and the light lasts for photos almost until midnight. Midsummer Eve falls on 23 June in the middle of the high season, so book early. There are bonfires and events in many places, so venues by the water may be taken, and traffic is heavy late in the day. Keep the bridal gown well away from the bonfire, and bring a shawl for when the evening turns cool. See what else works for summer weddings in our FAQ on season and weather.

What should I wear for our silver wedding or a vow renewal, does it have to be a wedding dress?

For a silver wedding anniversary or a vow renewal you can wear something festive that you would like to see yourself in on the photos, and it does not have to be white. The choices we see most often are a long dress in champagne, silver grey or a deep colour, or a simple white dress without a train. Sleeves or three-quarter sleeves suit most women. See the dresses with colour and glitter and our simple wedding dresses.

I am pregnant – where can I find a wedding dress in Denmark that fits?

We have maternity wedding dresses in stock at the showroom in Hvidovre, especially empire and A-line styles, which give room over the bump and grow with you. Also look for a lace-up back, which can be adjusted at the end. Because the dresses are in stock, you can try them on instead of ordering on a guess. Tell us your due date when you book, and we will put out the right ones, then let the tailor adjust close to the day. See our maternity wedding dresses.

I use a wheelchair – which wedding dress works best for me?

In a wheelchair, a wedding dress without a heavy train works best, so the fabric does not gather under the wheels, and the length should be measured sitting, not standing. A two-piece set or a dress with a zip at the back is easiest to get into, and a soft fabric does not bunch up in your lap. Tell us when you book, and we will clear space by the mirror and measure you seated. Read more in our accessibility FAQ.

Should I cover up my tattoos in my wedding dress on the wedding day?

No, tattoos only need covering if you want them to be. There is no rule, not even in church, and most brides leave them visible because they are part of who they are. If you want to cover a single tattoo, there is concealing make-up that lasts a whole day, or you can choose sleeves or a lace insert. Tell the photographer whether they should be shown or hidden. See our lace wedding dresses.

We are two brides – how do we avoid our wedding dresses looking too much alike?

Two brides avoid matching dresses by choosing two different silhouettes and two shades of white, for example an A-line in ivory and a slim satin dress in bright white. That way the look hangs together without becoming a set. Agree on one shared element, such as a colour in the shoes or the same kind of flowers. You can come to the fitting together or separately, and we set aside time for both of you. See our A-line wedding dresses and satin dresses.

Can I try on wedding dresses with you regardless of gender and gender expression?

Yes, our wedding dresses are for everyone who wants to wear a dress, whatever it says on paper. You book a fitting like everyone else, and you have the shop to yourself while you try on. If the dress needs adjusting at the shoulders, bust or length, we have our own tailor in house. Feel free to give us your measurements when you book. See how our tailor adjusts dresses, and find your size in the size guide.

What does it cost to hire a wedding planner in Denmark, and does she also help with the bridal gown?

The price of a wedding planner in Denmark depends on whether she is to manage the whole process or just the day itself. A coordinator for the day is the cheap and often sufficient solution, while full planning costs considerably more, often as a percentage of the budget. Ask for a fixed quote with a description of what is included instead of an hourly rate with no cap. Also ask whether the planner helps with the schedule for the bridal gown fittings, or whether you handle that part yourself. See more budget advice in our FAQ on price and budget.

How many guests are there usually at a Danish wedding, and how does it affect the budget for the wedding dress?

A medium-sized Danish wedding typically has around 55-65 guests. A budget wedding is often around 35 guests, and over 100 guests is considered large in Denmark. The number of guests is the item that moves the budget the most, because each guest typically costs DKK 400-3,000 in food and drink. If you keep the guest list down, there will be more room for the wedding dress in the budget. Work through the whole budget with our FAQ on budget and choices.

How long are people typically engaged before they marry in Denmark, and when should the wedding dress be bought?

Most Danish couples are engaged for one to two years, because that is how long it takes to get a venue, priest and photographer in place. Some skip the engagement altogether and have a civil wedding at short notice. There is no rule, and a long engagement does not make the wedding better. You can easily find the wedding dress late in the process, because it does not hold anything else up. See the whole range under all dresses.