Get married on Ærø
Ærø is Denmark's most romantic island: beach, lighthouse, thatched-roof houses. Around 3,000 couples from abroad said yes here in 2025 (Ærø Turist & Erhverv via Dansk Erhverv), ideal if you want to combine your wedding with a short holiday.
At a glance
€281
AFL fee
up to 10 weeks
to your date, from approval
Ferry
Getting to the island
Romantic
Atmosphere
Ærø: an honest assessment.
Pros
- Most romantic atmosphere of all Danish locations
- Unique photo backdrop: beach, lighthouse, harbour
- A date within 10 weeks of approval, according to the municipality
- Perfect to combine with a 2–3-day mini-holiday
- Boutique hotels and small, charming inns
- Ærøskøbing is one of Denmark's most beautiful small towns
Cons
- Reachable by ferry only, more planning than on the mainland
- Spring/autumn weather is unpredictable
- Limited choice for last-minute bookings
- Higher total cost due to multi-day stay
- The municipality publishes no ceremony times or witness rules; they are settled by email
How your Ærø wedding unfolds.
- 1
Eligibility check (60 seconds)
We check your situation and tell you what you need, free.
- 2
Gather documents (2–4 weeks)
You scan your papers. We review every scan before submission.
- 3
AFL application and slot
We submit the application; Familieretshuset usually decides complete applications within 5 working days. We arrange the date by email with the municipality's wedding team: according to the municipality, within 10 weeks once the approval has reached it.
- 4
By ferry to Ærø
We recommend arriving the day before, as ferry times vary by season.
- 5
Wedding + mini-holiday
Most couples marry at the town hall in Ærøskøbing, many also at a beautiful spot on the island. Then 2–3 days of island holiday.
The ceremony itself: the official rules.
For couples without Danish residence, as Ærø Kommune describes it on its website. Where the municipality publishes nothing, we say so.
On the day
Ceremony days and times
The municipality publishes no fixed ceremony times. It offers more than 200 possible wedding days a year; the wedding team can be reached Monday to Friday, 9:00–15:00.
Witnesses
Under Danish law you need two witnesses; if you bring none, the municipality must provide them. Ærø publishes no rules of its own, such as deadlines. Clarify them with the wedding team when you arrange the date.
Language
The municipality does not state a ceremony language. Clarify it when you arrange the date.
Venue
Most couples marry at the town hall in Ærøskøbing (Ærø Rådhus, Statene 2, 5970 Ærøskøbing). Many also choose one of the island's romantic spots; the municipality publishes no prices for this and no information on accessibility.
Before and after
Booking the date
No online system: once you have chosen Ærø, you email info@weddinginfo.dk with your names, contact details and, if you have one, a preferred date. After approval, Familieretshuset sends the certificate to the municipality and the wedding team confirms your date by email.
With the Complete package we arrange the date with the wedding team for you.
Lead time (as of October 2026)
According to the municipality you get a date within 10 weeks once the approval has reached it. Familieretshuset usually decides complete applications within 5 working days; where it requested more documents, it was working on applications from August in mid-October 2026.
Change of name
Under Danish name law it is not possible at the wedding if you are not registered in Denmark. You apply for it afterwards where you are registered. After the wedding, also register your marriage with your authorities at home.
As of October 2026 · Sources: Ærø Kommune: Marriage · borger.dk: witnesses · Familieretshuset: processing times
What it looks like there.
Real costs: getting married on Ærø.
Calculated realistically, no surprises. In the Complete package only the ✓ incl. marked AFL government fee is included. Apostille is not in the package. If your Danish marriage certificate needs an apostille, add our Apostille Service (€199.99): the Danish foreign ministry's apostille, courier and UPS shipping to you.
Danish Wedding Service (Complete)
Everything coordinated, reviewed, submitted
€649.99
AFL government fee (Familieretshuset)✓ incl.
Mandatory, included in Complete, we transfer 1:1
€281
Certified translations of your documents (case-dependent)
Only if required · your cost
€80–300
Apostilles on your documents (only certain countries)
Only if required · obtained in the issuing country, your cost
€50–150
Ærø ceremony fee
Ærø lists no fee for the town hall · costs only possible for a venue of your choice elsewhere
€0
Hotel on Ærø (2–3 nights)
Small inns and boutique hotels · your cost
€120–280
Travel (flight + ferry from DACH)
Billund or Hamburg, then rental car and ferry · your cost
€150–400 p.p.
Typical total with Complete:
€1,220–2,160
The most romantic value-for-experience ratio
Questions about the ceremony on Ærø.
How quickly do we get a date on Ærø?
How is the date booked on Ærø?
Where does the ceremony take place?
Does the ceremony on Ærø cost anything?
What are the rules on witnesses and language?
Compare other locations.
More municipalities on request.
Copenhagen City Hall
Ceremony in the historic Rådhus, photos afterwards among the colourful houses at Nyhavn. The most popular choice for international couples.
Getting married in Copenhagen
Tønder registry office
About 5 km past the German border, ceremonies on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in German or English. Ideal for couples driving in who want a simple wedding day.
Getting married in Tønder