πWeddings in Finland: how to choose a location and complete the paperwork without stress
Finland is a country for those who want a wedding without unnecessary fuss, but with deep meaning.
Here, they don't like pretentiousness, but they adore honesty, nature, and moments that don't require embellishment.
The northern sun, quiet islands, 15th-century wooden churches, glass houses, and mirror-like lakes all create an atmosphere in which "I do" sounds like part of the landscape.
Below is your calm, structured guide: documents, legalisation, the best places, ceremony formats, rules, tips and honest life hacks.
π§ What foreigners need to get officially married in Finland
Official marriage in Finland is a simple procedure if everything is prepared in advance.
β Documents (both partners)
β Foreign passport
β Certificate of No Impediment (certificate of marital status)
β If divorced β divorce documents
β If you have changed your surname β supporting documents
All documents must be translated into Finnish/Swedish/English and apostilled.
β Submission
The package is submitted to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
The process usually takes 7β14 days.
β Who can register your marriage?
β a registrar (maistraatti);
β an authorised representative of the municipality;
β Pastor/priest (for religious ceremonies).
Wedding formats in Finland: intimate, natural, with northern aesthetics
π Intimate ceremony by the lake
π Forest wedding in a manor house or glass cottage
π Ceremony in an old wooden or stone church
Best locations: from the lakes of LΓ€nska to the Hanko coast
Finland is a country of thousands of lakes and hundreds of islands.
Each region gives its own character to a wedding.
π² Forest weddings: HΓ€me, Kanta-HΓ€me, Kuopio
β Wooden manors
β glass houses by the water
β trails scented with pine resin
β ideal for intimate events for 20β40 guests
π Lake weddings: Saimaa, Joensuu, Mikkeli
Mirror-like water, endless shores, light that seems to never fade.
Ideal for:
β weddings in JuneβAugust
β photo shoots on boats
β secluded ceremonies
π Churches and kirks: Turku, Tampere, Oulu
β ancient Lutheran churches from the 15thβ17th centuries
β light architecture
β soft acoustics
β austere but beautiful interiors
π Seaside weddings: Helsinki, Hanko, Naantali
It's not about luxury β it's about the wind, the rocks, the ships on the horizon and the feeling of freedom.
Pros:
β photography by the water β 100% aesthetic
β restaurants by the coast
β Soft evening light
How the official ceremony takes place in Finland
β At the registry office (maistraatti)
β Duration: 5β10 minutes
β minimalistic, businesslike, respectful
β two witnesses may be present
β after registration, you can hold a symbolic ceremony anywhere
β At an off-site location
The registrar must be authorised.
The procedure is standard: a short text, confirmation, signing, congratulations.
β Church wedding
Admission depends on the denomination of the partners.
Lutheran churches are the most open.
Life hacks for the perfect wedding in Finland
π‘ 1. Submit your documents in advance
Ideally, 1β1.5 months in advance.
π‘ 2. Book everything in advance in the summer
Popular locations are booked up as early as spring.
π‘ 3. Finns love punctuality
The ceremony must start strictly on time.
Being 10 minutes late may be frowned upon.
π‘ 4. Coffee is sacred
Finnish weddings almost always include high-quality coffee and dessert.
π‘ 5. The weather has a mind of its own
Bring blankets, umbrellas and a backup plan for indoor venues.
Finns consider rain at a wedding to be a good omen β and they seem convinced.
π‘ 6. The food is simple but very tasty
The table is usually local: fish, salads, berries, bread, butter.
Glamorous cakes are not a must.
π‘ 7. Photographers in Finland are skilled but expensive
But the results are like something out of a Scandinavian film.
π‘ 8. Have an "evening by the water"
After the ceremony, a walk along the lake is like a second "I do."
Table: what to prepare and when
Finland is a country where a wedding is not a show, but a promise.
Nature is the chief decorator, the wind is the chief director, and water is the best photographer.
If you want an honest, profound and peaceful celebration, the north is the perfect place.
If you found this article helpful,
π¬ leave a comment,
π share it with your friends,
π save it to your bookmarks
and tell us where you would like to say "I do" in Finland.
FAQ
You need a Certificate of No Impediment + its translation and apostille. Documents relating to divorce or change of surname most often raise questions β they must be translated in full, including attachments.
Ideally, 4 weeks. At least 7 days before the desired date, but this is risky, especially in summer and in large cities.
Yes, if the registrar agrees to travel to the location. Many are willing to do so, but you will need to pay for their travel expenses and check the weather, location, accessibility and logistics in advance.
No. The marriage is considered valid at the time of registration. However, additional legalisation may be required for the country of residence, depending on the jurisdiction.
Most Lutheran churches allow photos, but without flash. It is important to keep a respectful distance and not interfere with the ceremony.
If the wedding takes place in a private location, internal rules are sufficient.
If it is on municipal property, you will need approval + possible fees for public performances
Local fish, salads, fresh bread, berries, coffee and a simple but delicious cake. Foreigners are surprised by the lack of heavy food and the very respectful attitude towards vegan/gluten-free guests.
For estates and islands, yes, it is better to have a car or book a transfer in advance. In cities, public transport is ideal.
Rain is a likely guest even in summer. Always have a backup plan indoors. But Finnish weather often provides dramatically beautiful light that makes photos magical.
0 comments
Log in to leave a comment