Copenhagen vs Aarhus vs Odense City Hall wedding – Denmark Wedding photographer
Planning a civil wedding in Denmark but not sure whether to choose Copenhagen, Aarhus or Odense City Hall?
I have photographed weddings at all three, and while the legal ceremony is quite similar, the experience can be surprisingly different. Copenhagen has beautiful historic interiors, a grand almost royal atmosphere and plenty of options for celebrating afterwards. Aarhus is a little less obvious but has some of my favourite Scandinavian architecture. And Odense, where I photograph weddings most often, is a lovely choice if you prefer a smaller city with everything close together.
I will compare the three from my perspective as a wedding photographer in Denmark, including how the ceremonies work, what the buildings are like, where you can take photographs and which city might suit your wedding plans.
(Interior of Aarhus City Hall in Denmark)
Copenhagen, Aarhus or Odense – A Quick City hall Comparison
Copenhagen | Aarhus | Odense | |
Architecture | Historic, grand and decorative | Modernist, Scandinavian design | Historic exterior, warm ceremony room |
Ceremony | Around 10 minutes | 5–7 minutes | Around 10 minutes |
Atmosphere | Busy, international | Architectural and modern | Relaxed, smaller-city feeling |
Indoor photography | Grand halls, arches, staircases | Clean lines and natural light | Bright atrium and warm interiors |
Outdoor portraits | Historic centre, canals, gardens,Magstraede, Tivoli,Nytorv | City Hall Park, ARoS, Latin Quarter,Botanical Gardens, Møllestien, Harbour | Eventyrhaven, cathedral, old street H.C. Andersenen Museum,TID |
Travel | Copenhagen Airport | Billund or Aarhus Airport connections | 2 hours in train from Copenhagen; connections from Billund |
Ready to Plan Your Day?
If you are getting married i, Odense, Copenhagen or anywhere in Denmark and want calm, natural wedding photographsI would love to hear about your vision. Explore my Fyn & Odense wedding packages or reach out directly to check availability for your date.
These are my impressions from photographing weddings at each location. The atmosphere will also depend on the day, time and number of other weddings taking place.
Copenhagen City Hall Wedding – Historic Architecture and Big-City Atmosphere
Copenhagen is the obvious choice for many international couples planning to get married in Denmark. There is an international airport, plenty of hotels and restaurants, and you can easily spend a few days exploring the city before or after your wedding.
And Copenhagen City Hall itself is absolutely beautiful.
The building has enormous arches, stone columns, decorated walls, wooden staircases and an impressive main hall. It is the kind of architecture that makes you stop and look around. If you love historic European cities, Copenhagen has a lot to offer.
What Is the Wedding Ceremony Like at Copenhagen City Hall?
The ceremony usually takes around 10 minutes.
Copenhagen City Hall is very popular, and you can certainly feel that it is an experienced and busy wedding location. Everything is organised, but sometimes the process reminds me a little of an assembly line. Couples arrive, follow the designated route through the building, have their ceremony and then move on so the next couple can enter.
It works efficiently, but it might not be the atmosphere you imagine if you are hoping for a long and very quiet ceremony. On the other hand, if you want a simple legal wedding followed by a beautiful day in Copenhagen, the system is practical.
The municipality also provides two official witnesses, so you can get married even if you are travelling as just the two of you.
Wedding Photography Inside Copenhagen City Hall
One of my favourite things about Copenhagen City Hall is how many beautiful photography locations you can find without leaving the building.
The large arches, stone columns, tiled floors, decorated walls and wooden staircases give us completely different backgrounds within a short walking distance. I particularly love using the grand hall, where the architecture makes the couple look almost tiny compared with the enormous space around them. It creates a beautiful contrast and gives the photographs a timeless feeling.
There are also quieter corners, wooden benches and staircases where we can take relaxed portraits without complicated posing. The wedding ceremony room itself is generally available to the couple and guests only during their ceremony, but other parts of City Hall offer many photography opportunities, depending on access and events.
And this is probably Copenhagen's biggest photography advantage when the weather is bad.
Even on a rainy day, we can create a varied set of wedding portraits inside the building before deciding whether to head outdoors.
Where Can You Take Wedding Photos Near Copenhagen City Hall?
If the weather is good, Copenhagen offers almost endless possibilities.
You could stay close to City Hall for architectural photographs, explore the historic streets or travel a little further for canals and waterfront views.
Some of the locations I would consider are:
Copenhagen City Hall interiors and the surrounding square
The streets around the historic city centre
Christiansborg Palace and its surroundings
Nyhavn, if you have more time
The canals and waterfront
Glypoteket
For a short one-hour session, I would usually recommend staying relatively close to City Hall rather than trying to visit several famous landmarks.
Copenhagen is a busy city, and moving between locations can take longer than expected.
Is Copenhagen City Hall Convenient for International Couples?
Yes, especially if you are flying into Copenhagen Airport.
You can travel into the city by public transport, stay in a central hotel and reach City Hall without needing to rent a car. There are also many restaurants, cafés and places to celebrate nearby. Something else I like is that Copenhagen has additional wedding-related services, including options for flowers and celebratory drinks. I have seen couples arrange these around their ceremony, which can be convenient when travelling from abroad.
However, Copenhagen has one important disadvantage: availability.
Because so many couples choose to get married here, the waiting time for a ceremony can be up to four months. My advice would be to check the booking options before arranging non-refundable flights or accommodation.
Outdoor Civil Weddings in Copenhagen – The I DO CPH Programme
Something many couples do not realise is that you do not necessarily have to get married inside Copenhagen City Hall.
Copenhagen Municipality also offers outdoor civil ceremonies through its official I DO CPH programme. On selected dates, couples can exchange their vows in beautiful parks, gardens and other special locations around the city.
Previous locations have included:
The King's Garden (Kongens Have)
A beautiful historic garden near Rosenborg Castle, surrounded by trees, green lawns and traditional Copenhagen architecture.
The Rose Garden in Valbyparken
A lovely setting for couples who love flowers. The circular garden contains thousands of roses and offers a very different atmosphere from a traditional town hall.
Copenhagen City Hall Garden
A quieter green space surrounded by the architecture of City Hall itself.
Amager Beach Park
For couples dreaming of a simple beach wedding with sand, sea views and a relaxed atmosphere.
Other Copenhagen locations
The programme has also included locations such as Østre Anlæg, the Citadel and waterfront spaces. The exact locations and dates change each year, so these examples should be treated as inspiration rather than guaranteed future options.
The ceremony follows the same civil wedding procedure as a City Hall ceremony, but takes place in a different setting.
In cases of unsuitable weather, the municipality may arrange an indoor ceremony at City Hall, depending on the particular event. From a photography perspective, I really like this option. It gives couples a chance to choose surroundings that reflect their personality, whether they love historic gardens, the beach or the city.
You can check upcoming ceremonies on the official I DO CPH website.
Aarhus City Hall Wedding – Scandinavian Design and Modern Architecture
Aarhus is Denmark's second-largest city, but it has a very different atmosphere from Copenhagen.
It might not be the first place international couples think about when planning a wedding in Denmark, and I think that makes it even more interesting.
The City Hall is one of my favourites when it comes to architecture.
Designed by Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller, Aarhus City Hall is a beautiful example of Scandinavian modernism.
Instead of grand historic decorations, you find clean lines, natural materials and carefully considered details. If you love design and want something a little different from a traditional historic town hall, Aarhus is worth considering.
What Is the Wedding Ceremony Like at Aarhus City Hall?
Aarhus has the shortest ceremony schedule of the three in my experience.
On Thursdays and Fridays, the municipality allocates five minutes per wedding. On Saturdays, ten minutes are allocated.
And five minutes really is quick!
The ceremony is simple and efficient, without much time for anything extra.
But the wedding room itself is beautiful. One of its most distinctive features is the large, colourful floral artwork covering the wall behind the officiant. I love the contrast between the soft flower motifs and the building's modernist architecture. It is an unusual combination, and it gives the ceremony room a character of its own.
Wedding Photography Inside Aarhus City Hall
From my experience, the ceremony room offers a good amount of space for photography.
There is natural light coming through the windows, although the direction can be a little challenging depending on where the couple stands. Still, compared with Copenhagen's darker ceremony room, Aarhus generally feels brighter.
I also love the building's clean lines, wooden details and architectural shapes.
If you enjoy photographs with symmetry, interesting compositions and a more modern Scandinavian feeling, there are some lovely possibilities here.
One important practical detail: the municipality asks couples and guests to remain on the floor where the wedding room is located. This means indoor portrait opportunities can be more limited than in Copenhagen. However, if you kindly ask at the reception, they may allow you to take few portraits around the building
Where Can You Take Wedding Photos Near Aarhus City Hall?
One of the great things about Aarhus is that there are several different locations nearby.
Aarhus City Hall Park
Right beside the building, with greenery and space for natural portraits.
ARoS Aarhus Art Museum
An interesting area for photographs if you enjoy art and modern architecture.
The Latin Quarter
A completely different atmosphere, with historic streets, cafés and traditional buildings.
Aarhus city centre
A mix of older streets, modern buildings and urban backgrounds.
The harbour
If you have more time, the waterfront offers open spaces, modern architecture and views of the sea.
I like how easily Aarhus allows you to combine modern architectural photography with more traditional city backgrounds.
Practical Things to Know About Weddings in Aarhus
Aarhus City Hall offers civil wedding ceremonies on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The municipality provides witnesses on Thursdays and Fridays if you are getting married without guests.
On Saturdays, you must bring two adult witnesses yourself.
The municipality also has periods when weddings are unavailable, including weeks 29, 30 and 31. (summer holidays)
Aarhus can also be convenient for couples flying into Billund Airport, although you should plan the onward journey in advance.
Odense City Hall Wedding – A Smaller City with Everything Close Together
Odense is the city hall where I have photographed the most elopements.
And if I were choosing a location for my own intimate civil wedding, Odense would probably be my personal favourite. It has a different atmosphere from Copenhagen and Aarhus.
The building is not as grand as Copenhagen City Hall, and the architecture is not as unusual as Aarhus. But I really like the combination of historic surroundings, warm interiors and how easy it is to explore the city on foot. Odense feels manageable. Less touristy, with so much charm all around.
You can arrive, get married, take photographs and find somewhere lovely to celebrate without spending much time travelling between locations.
What Is the Wedding Ceremony Like at Odense City Hall?
From my experience, the ceremony usually lasts around 10 minutes. Lovely waitung room with bright high walls, while the wedding room has its own character, with a warm wooden ceiling, deep blue-green carpet and a beautiful colourful wall tapestry behind the officiant.
It is not as grand as Copenhagen or as modern as Aarhus, but I find it warm and welcoming. It is somewhat combination of both.
And even though the ceremony is short, couples still find ways to make it personal.
I once photographed a couple who brought their cat along as their honorary wedding witness! Of course, the cat was not a legal witness, but it was one of those funny little details that I still remember.
A little fun fact about Odense City Hall! During one of the weddings I photographed in 2026, an officiant told me they were hoping to reach around 2,000 weddings by the end of the year. That's a lot of couples saying “I do” in one city hall!
Wedding Photography Inside Odense City Hall
One of the biggest advantages of Odense for me is the light.
The atrium and several interior areas have beautiful natural light, which makes indoor wedding portraits relatively easy. Depending on the weather, I often photograph couples both inside City Hall and outside around Flakhaven.
Compared with Copenhagen, where some of the historic interiors are quite dark, Odense offers brighter spaces. The wedding room itself is also interesting to photograph, especially with the colourful wall artwork behind the couple.
There is space for guests along both sides, and I can usually photograph the ceremony from the entrance as well as move closer for important moments.
Where Can You Take Wedding Photos Near Odense City Hall?
This is probably one of my favourite things about photographing weddings in Odense.
You step outside City Hall, and there are already so many lovely possibilities nearby.
Odense City Hall and Flakhaven
The historic red-brick building, the square and the architectural details around the entrance.
Eventyrhaven
A beautiful green park with paths, trees and the Odense River. One of my favourite locations for relaxed couple portraits.
Sankt Knuds Kirke
The cathedral and its surroundings offer elegant, historic backgrounds.
Historic streets around central Odense
Smaller streets, traditional buildings and quieter corners for natural photographs.
The H.C. Andersen Quarter
An area with beautiful architecture and traditional Danish streets.
For couples booking only one or two hours of photography, Odense is particularly practical because we can create several different looks within a short walking distance.
I have also written a separate Odense City Hall wedding photography guide, where you can explore more photographs and locations.
Is Odense Convenient for International Couples?
Yes.
Odense has train connections to Copenhagen, so couples arriving at Copenhagen Airport can continue towards Funen by public transport.
There are also connections from Billund Airport. The city centre is easy to explore on foot, with hotels, restaurants, cafés and photography locations close together.
If you prefer a smaller Scandinavian city instead of the busy atmosphere of Copenhagen, I think Odense is a lovely option.
Practical Information for Getting Married at a Danish City Hall
Although Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense look and feel different, the legal framework for civil weddings is the same across Denmark. However, each municipality has its own booking arrangements, ceremony days and practical requirements.
Wedding Approval and Documents
Before getting married in Denmark, you need to have your marriage application approved.
Depending on your nationality and residence status, this may be handled by the municipality or by the Danish Agency of Family Law, known as Familieretshuset.
For many international couples, Familieretshuset is responsible for checking the legal requirements.
Once approved, you can arrange a ceremony with the relevant municipality.
One important thing to understand is that approval does not automatically guarantee an available wedding date at your preferred City Hall.
When Do You Need to Show Your Documents?
This depends on the municipality and your individual circumstances.
In my experience, international couples may be asked to present their original documents before the ceremony, sometimes the day before.
For example, in Copenhagen you will provide your documents the day before, and in Odense the same day as the ceremony.
Marriage Certificates in Denmark
After a civil ceremony, couples normally receive their official marriage certificate.
Copenhagen provides two multilingual marriage certificates immediately after the ceremony, in Danish, English, German, French and Spanish.
International marriage certificates are also available through Danish authorities.
Depending on where you plan to use your certificate, you may need an apostille or additional legalisation.
Always check the requirements of the country where you will use the document.
Do You Need Witnesses?
Two adult witnesses are required for a civil marriage.
However, you do not necessarily need to bring them yourself.
In Copenhagen, the municipality provides two official witnesses.
In Aarhus, witnesses are provided on Thursdays and Fridays, but couples must bring two witnesses on Saturdays.
In Odense, couples getting married on Saturdays are generally asked to arrange at least one witness themselves.
What Language Can the Ceremony Be Held In?
Civil wedding ceremonies in Denmark are commonly available in Danish, English and German.
What If Copenhagen City Hall Has No Available Wedding Dates?
One thing I often notice among international couples is that the legal approval and the wedding booking are sometimes treated as one process.
But they are two different things.
You can have your marriage application approved and still struggle to find an available date at your preferred City Hall. Copenhagen is particularly popular and can have longer waiting times. If your preferred date is unavailable, I would recommend checking other municipalities instead of immediately changing your entire wedding plan.
For example, you could consider Ærø or Helsingør near Copenhagen, or look further away at Odense, Aarhus or Kolding.
I have seen couples find lovely alternatives that they might never have considered otherwise.
If your documents have already been sent to one municipality, contact Familieretshuset and the new municipality to ask how to transfer them.
My main advice is simple: confirm your wedding appointment before booking non-refundable flights and accommodation.
Which Danish City Hall Would I Personally Choose?
Having photographed weddings at all three, I think the choice depends very much on your personality and the experience you want.
I would choose Copenhagen if I loved historic architecture, wanted that grand, almost royal atmosphere and preferred to stay in one big city for the entire trip.
It is particularly practical if you are arriving at Copenhagen Airport and do not want to travel elsewhere.
I would choose Aarhus if I loved Scandinavian design, modern architecture and wanted something a little less traditional.
The building is genuinely interesting, and I think Aarhus deserves more attention from international couples.
I would choose Odense if I wanted a smaller, relaxed Scandinavian wedding, with beautiful surroundings and everything within walking distance.
Personally, Odense would probably be my favourite for an intimate wedding.
But honestly, all three have their own character, and I do not think there is one choice that works for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Civil Weddings in Denmark
Which City Hall Should We Choose for a Wedding in Denmark?
Copenhagen is ideal for couples who enjoy historic architecture and a busy international city. Aarhus offers modernist design and an unusual ceremony room, while Odense has a relaxed smaller-city atmosphere with beautiful photography locations nearby. The right choice depends on your travel plans, preferred style and available dates.
How Long Does a Civil Wedding Ceremony Take in Denmark?
Most civil wedding ceremonies are short. In my experience, Copenhagen and Odense ceremonies usually last around 10 minutes. Aarhus allocates five minutes on Thursdays and Fridays and ten minutes on Saturdays. Plan extra time for arriving, signing documents and taking photographs afterwards.
Can Foreign Couples Get Married in Denmark?
Yes, international couples can get married in Denmark if they meet the legal requirements. Depending on their nationality and residence status, approval may be required from Familieretshuset before booking the wedding ceremony. The specific documents depend on the couple's circumstances.
Can You Get Married Outside Copenhagen City Hall?
Yes. Copenhagen Municipality offers official outdoor civil ceremonies through its I DO CPH programme on selected dates. Locations have included parks, gardens and waterfront spaces. Couples can also ask about arranging a private registrar at another location, subject to approval and applicable fees.
Which City Hall Is Best for Wedding Photography When It Rains?
From my photography experience, Copenhagen has particularly beautiful indoor options because of its large halls, arches, staircases and historic decorations. Aarhus offers interesting modernist interiors, while Odense has a bright atrium and other indoor photography locations.
Can We Get Married in Denmark Without Bringing Witnesses?
Yes, depending on the municipality and wedding day. Copenhagen provides two official witnesses. Aarhus provides witnesses for Thursday and Friday ceremonies, but requires couples to bring two witnesses on Saturdays. Always check your chosen municipality's requirements before booking. Odense guarantees witnesses during working days and on weekends you have to bring at least one with you.
How Much Wedding Photography Do We Need for a City Hall Wedding?
For a simple civil wedding, one or two hours can be enough for the ceremony, and relaxed couple portraits nearby. If you just two, but if you travel as bigger group or If you want to explore several locations, include family photographs or travel further around the city, I would recommend booking more time.
Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Copenhagen, Aarhus or Odense?
I'm Karolina, the photographer behind Juniper Picture Lab, based on Funen and photographing weddings across Denmark.
I have photographed civil weddings at all three city halls, so I know the buildings, ceremony rooms and different photography possibilities from my own experience.
My style is natural and documentary, with gentle guidance when needed.
I love photographing the little moments between the bigger events: the excitement before the ceremony, the first kiss, the congratulations outside City Hall and the relaxed walk afterwards. Whether you are planning an intimate elopement for just the two of you or a civil wedding with family and friends, I want the photographs to reflect your day rather than interrupt it.
You can explore my wedding photography for international couples in Denmark, read my Odense City Hall wedding guide or browse more real wedding stories.
Whichever city you choose, I hope your wedding day feels personal, relaxed and completely your own.
Comments