Getting married in Switzerland

If a picturesque Alpine setting followed by a winter-sports honeymoon is your thing, then Switzerland could be the ideal venue...

Why get married in Switzerland?

Switzerland's natural beauty, from breathtaking mountain scenery to idyllic villages and beautiful lakes, makes a great alternative for those who don’t get excited by tropical island paradises. A world-leading centre for winter sports, it’s one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, with more than 70 percent of its area covered by the Alps.

What kind of wedding ceremony can I have in Switzerland?

A typical Swiss wedding might involve a wintry, picture postcard setting, arrival in a horse-drawn carriage and the unique sounds of a yodel choir.

The Swiss only recognise civil marriages in a Register Office. Civil weddings cannot be held on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.

You’ll be given your official wedding certificate straight after the legal ceremony and can then celebrate a religious service if you wish.

Is it wedding weather?

What’s the flight time?

1.5 hours

What’s the time difference?

GMT +1

Do I need a visa to enter the country?

No

What’s the wedding paperwork?

• Residency There are no residency requirements.
• Proof of status You’ll need to complete a statutory declaration and a Promise of Marriage form (obtainable from the Swiss Embassy) and present them to the Swiss Embassy in London at least four months before the intended date of marriage.
• Proof of ID You’ll need to show your full birth certificates and 10-year passports.  
• Divorced An official copy of your decree absolute will be required. A divorced woman cannot remarry within 300 days of the dissolution of her previous marriage unless she has meanwhile given birth to a child.
• Widowed If either of you are widowed you will need to produce the death certificate of your deceased spouse
• Age restrictions Women must be over 17 and men over 18.

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