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?
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max temp (°F)* | 36 | 41 | 50 | 59 | 66 | 73 | 77 | 75 | 68 | 57 | 45 | 37 |
| Sunshine hours* | 3 | 3.5 | 5 | 5.75 | 6.75 | 7.5 | 7.75 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Rainfall (inches)* | 3 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 3 | 4 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 5 | 4.1 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 2.6 |
*Average daily sunshine hours
*Average monthly rainfall (inches)
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.
How do I obtain a marriage licence?
Before a marriage ceremony can be performed in Switzerland, a Promise of Marriage must be published at the Civil Registrar’s Office where you plan to marry.
The Promise of Marriage must be made personally on a special form (available from the Swiss Embassy in London) by you both, either before the registrar in Switzerland or by a notary or a solicitor in the UK. If the Promise of Marriage and/or the statutory declaration is made in this country, the notary or solicitor’s signature must be legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London (see Where can I find further information?).
Where can I find further information?
Swiss Travel Centre
Swiss Centre
Swiss Court
London
W1V 8WE
Tel: 020‐7734 1921
www.myswitzerland.com
Swiss Embassy
16‐18 Montague Place
London
W1H 2BQ
Tel: 020‐7616 6000
www.swissembassy.org.uk
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A ZAH
Tel: 020 7008 1500
www.fco.gov.uk
Disclaimer
confetti makes reasonable efforts to obtain data from reliable sources and to keep the contents reasonably accurate. However, specifications and requirements may change and confetti cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content or information. We strongly advise you to consult other sources of information including the embassies or consulates of the countries in question or local lawyers.
