Interview with a Wedding Planner in Denmark

Planning a wedding from abroad can feel like juggling flaming torches while blindfolded, but it doesn’t have to. I recently had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Leanne Hindle, one of Denmark’s most experienced and trusted wedding planners, to talk about all things elopement, weddings, paperwork, and how to make the legal stuff feel like a breeze. From helping couples marry in under a week to navigating international red tape, Leanne shares her story and why Denmark is such a gem for couples looking to say "I do" in a meaningful and stress-free way.

If you’re dreaming of an intimate elopement in Denmark (and want every moment beautifully captured), you’re in the right place.

Interview with a Wedding Planner in Denmark - Leanne Hindle (Marry Abroud Simply)

Background & Expertise

What inspired you to specialize in wedding and elopement planning?
My background is actually in government documents and paperwork. I am a government document specialist with over 30 years of experience and was historically brought in to work on projects in all sectors around the world for documents that could and could not be obtained, standardization, process flows, etc. Everything from medical to all sectors, low carbon, working in Paris with the EU Commission, you name it. So my background is not weddings, but the very important bit that the whole wedding application and subsequent registration hinges on, as without the documents, it is just an expensive party or a weekend away.
How long have you been planning weddings and elopements in Denmark?
Since 2013. I was approached in 2013 by one of the largest Wedding Agencies in Denmark (now we are also one of the largest, but it is the other largest!), they had the skills to set up a website and make it all look pretty and get it one the search rankings, but not the skulls with regards to documents needed and putting process flow into the business, know which documents were available wherem how to request exemptions, and to work with the Danish Government office when the laws changed in 2019 to get them all set up and train the staff - so I was approached and asked to be a Director of the business. And that is how I entered into the world of weddings - through the documents and the more legal technical side.
Do you find elopements require a different planning approach than traditional weddings?
Yes, they are smaller and faster, so people have less time to focus and micromanage things like matching the bridesmaid's undergarments with the table decorations. It is all about the couple. You learn about their stories and reasons for the wedding. It is much more intimate, smaller, shorter, and more condensed.
What are some unique elements of Danish weddings or elopements?
As it is fewer guests, and generally just the bride and groom, they are completely unashamed to have whatever they want, whether that be wearing matching outfits, fancy dress, or jeans. They can say words and vows to each other they may not have been brave enough to announce in front of a large group. They spend the day completely together, holding hands and sharing every moment, rather than with larger, more traditional weddings where the couple barely sees each other as they are walking around asking if everyone is having a lovely time. It is very much when you see an elopement couple, you see a "bubble" with just those two people completely in it and so in tune and together, which is fantastic. Usually, at large weddings, the bride and groom have to circulate and be polite.

Elopements & Destination Weddings

Why is Denmark a popular destination for elopements?
Everything mostly comes down to the documents. In Denmark, there is no marital status, no CNI, no birth certificates, so it is a wonderful location for couples who cannot get these documents. The world is a smaller place these days, and it is hard to marry as an international couple. Most countries are just not set up for it. If you are same-sex in a country where it is not legal to marry, you cannot marry, but you also cannot marry in a country where they want a CNI (Certificate of Non-Impediment) because that is issued by your home country and says there is no impediment to getting married. But of course, there is, since it is same-sex, so they cannot get the document, and it would endanger their lives to request it. Or, if you are terminally ill and need a single status, but you just do not have the six months to wait for that to be ordered and issued. Military couples, one of whom will be deployed, pregnant women who have issues with the fetus and need to be married to come under the husband's health insurance to get the aid needed—but they have to be married to do so—and it all needs to happen fast. There are so many reasons, as well as Denmark being super pretty and the wedding languages being in English, German, and Danish, with international marriage certificates being issued in English, German, Danish, Spanish, and French on the same certificate and given the same day.
What are some of the most scenic locations for an intimate elopement?
Copenhagen City Hall, Ribe, Helsingor, Aero. They are probably the prettiest locations, but generally it is advised to have the wedding in the Town Hall and hire a photographer for an external photo shoot, as the weddings are 10 minutes long and there is not the time to stay in the room afterwards. But all towns in Denmark are incredibly sweet.
What are the legal requirements for international couples wanting to elope in Denmark?
You need to have legal entry into Denmark (whether that be by citizenship/visa-free, residency permit, visa, or 90 days in a 180-day period), a relationship evidence document to show longevity and contact. If you are married before, the divorce or death certificate (legalized and translated as required).
How do you help couples who don’t live in Denmark plan their wedding remotely?
Every couple we help is remote, Even if a couple do live in Denmark everything has to be done electronically, so we receive photos of the documents and forms, we process the application with the Agency of Family law on secure links and the documents are deleted from our end. The license is issued and transmitted electronically to the registrar and kommune, and then you go before the wedding and verify your identity in person and the legal entry by showing the kommune the Passports/EU ID and entry - so you only need to go to Denmark once, for the wedding.
Do you offer all-inclusive elopement packages? What do they typically include?
Yes, we do. We have a package called "The Ultimate," which includes the ceremony, all fees and costs, application and license, marriage certificates, witnesses, photographer, hair, makeup, bouquet, and buttonhole. We do not cover hotels, as you need to be legally ATOL protected as a travel agent, and no one in Denmark will offer special rates. So, it would also work out more expensive for the couples for us to book and include the hotel, as we have business tax. Booking.com works out cheaper for them. Our aim is for them to have the best experience, not the most expensive one. Also, as part of our packages, we include a full concierge service, a wonderful after-care lady who gives all and any local knowledge and guidance the couples may need once the wedding is booked and confirmed.

Wedding & Elopement Planning Process

How do you guide couples through the planning process, from start to finish?
We ask them the basic questions: Where they are residents, where they are citizens, if either of them is married before, and when they would like to marry. We then send a document list and the forms. If they wish to proceed, they send us the photos of the documents and the forms. We make the application and book the wedding. We also ask when they would like to marry and the method of travel, as we would not put them at a location that is a nightmare to get to by bus. We work with all town halls in Denmark, so we have a wide choice.
Can you accommodate last-minute elopements? What’s the shortest timeline you’ve worked with? The shortest?
We have got a couple married in 7 days before from the say we receive the documents to the wedding day.
How do you help couples personalize their wedding or elopement experience?
That is completely up to them. If they have requests, and they are possible, then we make them happen.
Do you work with specific venues or vendors, or is everything customized?
We have been around for a long time, and so we know the venues that are more set up for International couples than others, some that only speak English or only speak German, and the timeframes they work to. With vendors we have worked with so many since 2013 and the ones we recommend we know are good and can be trusted and will deliver good products. We have a supplier list and a section on our website, we never hard sell to the couples, if they want to find a hair, make up, photographer, baker we make sure they have lots of good contacts to look at the work of and contact themselves. Everyone has such individual taste, so we try to provide a wide range of choice for everyone.
What are some common challenges couples face, and how do you help solve them?
Needing translators, needing witnesses, missing flights, losing marriage certificates are the most common ones. I have been doing this wedding planning longer than anyone in the Industry and there is not a single issue or problem I have not been able to resolve and sort out through out network, contacts and good relationships, as well as very fast and good problem solving skills.

Trends/Inspo

What wedding or elopement trends are you seeing in Denmark right now?
People have more family and friends coming, and also want faster weddings.
Have you planned any particularly unique or unconventional elopements?
A few ones where they have a shared passion and come in fancy dress, one couple cycled from Germany in matching white cycle outfits for the wedding.
How do you incorporate Danish traditions into weddings or elopements?
We do not, it is the couple's day,and it is completely up to them to add any traditions they wish from whichever culture or country they want - or not. Some just want a low key event for the paperwork as consider a larger event with family and friends in a different country the actual wedding. We are very mindful it is the couple's day, and let them lead on what they want to incorporate.

Budget & Logistics

What’s a realistic budget for a wedding vs. an elopement in Denmark?
€795 for a wedding in Denmark and about €15000 for an average normal wedding
How can couples make the most of their budget while still having a magical day?
They can hire a photographer which is the best extra expense they can budget for
Are there any hidden costs or things couples often overlook when planning?
Our prices include everything; we tell them how to do the Legalisation themselves for only €30, and we have a full refund promise. We are very transparent. Denmark can be more expensive in general than other European countries, which we try and warn them about.
What advice do you have for couples considering an elopement in Denmark? Start as early as possible as the popular venues are full 3.5 months ahead and the licenses only run for 4 months, and do not try and go it alone to save a few hundred Euros, we have SO many couples in tears calling us, as they have read everywhere how easy it is to get married in Denmark and thought an Agency is not needed. As with everything it is easy if you know what you are doing. It costs them more for us to put right the issues and they invariably put the application at a venue with no space.
What sets your planning services apart from others?
We are genuinely, legitimately the only Agency with inhouse Government documents specialists of over 30 years, and that have a 100% success rate with the application process, and back that up with a full refund promise if the application gets rejected. We are the only Agency that gives a full and detailed documents list without making you sign a no-refund waiver and pay in full. We are the only Agency that works with every town hall in Denmark. We are probably the most experienced Agents in the industry and have organised more weddings than anyone else. I have actually even helped train some of the people at other agencies, they ring me for advice from time to time. We also are very honest and advise ahead of time if we see issues on the file and if they should not proceed - and we offer multiple countries so have other options. We tend to be the Agency that all couples come back to who have either tried to go it alone and need help saving, or have gone to another Agency (usually as they are €50 cheaper, or they speak German) and they have also got into issues as they are inexperienced Agencies and we have to swoop in and sort out and save their wedding.
How can couples get started working with you?
They just need to send us an email to interest@marryabroadsimply.com or go to the website Marry Abroud Simply and call or send a whats app and we send a free no obligation documents list.

If you’re planning an elopement or wedding in Denmark and need a photographer who understands the beauty of intimate moments, I’d love to help capture your love story. As a professioanl photographer specializing in weddings, elopements, and lifestyle shoots, I’ll ensure your special day is beautifully documented, no matter how big or small. Visit our website, Bigwig Photography, to learn more about our services and see how we can work together to create timeless memories of your big day. 😊🤍