"We realized that getting married in Poland is not simple at all," said 30-year-old Magdalena Kujawinska, while waiting with her fiance, Heinner Valenzuela, for their 10-minute wedding ceremony at Copenhagen City Hall.
"I had to get a certificate of single status. When we tried to get the documents from Colombia, they were only valid for three months. We couldn't transfer the paperwork to Poland in time. It was completely impossible," she said.
The couple, engaged for over three years and living in Krakow, were advised by a colleague to get married in Denmark because the legal regulations regarding marriage are less complicated than in their home countries.
Kujawinska and Valenzuela prepared their documents through an online wedding service and quickly received approval. "After only 4 days, we were confirmed to be able to get married in Denmark," Kujawinska said happily.
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Magdalena Kujawinska (right) from Poland and her husband Heinner Valenzuela from Colombia got married at Copenhagen City Hall, Denmark, on 9/7. Photo: AP |
Magdalena Kujawinska (right) from Poland and her husband Heinner Valenzuela from Colombia got married at Copenhagen City Hall, Denmark, on 9/7. Photo: AP
An increasing number of couples who do not reside in Denmark are choosing this northern European country to get married, with Copenhagen being a popular destination. This trend is so prevalent that the Danish capital is earning the nickname "Las Vegas of Europe." Las Vegas, Nevada, is also a well-known wedding destination for couples, thanks to its simple and convenient registration process, allowing couples to receive a marriage license and hold the ceremony on the same day.
Denmark has a tradition of openness regarding marriage laws. In 1989, it became the first country in the world to allow registered partnerships for same-sex couples. In 2012, same-sex marriage was legalized.
Unlike many European countries, Denmark does not require birth certificates or certificates of single status to issue a marriage license. Except in cases requiring verification of divorce, couples only need passports and tourist visas. The certificate costs 2,100 kroner (326 USD), and the Danish Family Law Authority needs 5 working days to process the application. The certificate is then valid for 4 months for the wedding ceremony.
After the ceremony at the city hall, the couple receives an official marriage certificate, signed by the registrar, which can be used for legalization in other countries.
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Copenhagen City Hall, Denmark, on 18/7. Photo: AP |
Copenhagen City Hall, Denmark, on 18/7. Photo: AP
Rasmus Clarck Sorensen, director of "Getting Married in Denmark," stated that many clients are surprised to learn that birth certificates are not required.
His company offers a comprehensive service for 875 euros (1,014 USD), assisting with everything from paperwork to choosing the wedding date. Last year, the company helped over 2,600 couples successfully get married.
Copenhagen, Denmark's largest city with the most convenient transportation system, is the most popular location for these weddings and is also under the greatest pressure.
Anita Okkels Birk Thomsen, head of the marriage department at Copenhagen City Hall, reported that around 8,000 weddings took place there last year, with approximately 5,400 couples where neither partner was a Danish citizen. "This number has almost doubled compared to 5 years ago. They come from all over the world," she said.
However, the city is experiencing an overload, as the demand for wedding ceremonies at City Hall far exceeds the available time slots. Mia Nyegaard, Copenhagen's culture and leisure official, said that about 40% of wedding slots at City Hall will be reserved for city residents, effective from the end of October.
Thanh Danh (AP)
