Weddings in Germany are characterized by a contemporary approach, scenic locations and authentic appeal – a perfect blend of modern trends and rustic charm.

Planning a destination wedding in Germany is an enchanting process, brimming with cultural richness and a touch of fairytale magic. To help couples navigate the exciting realm of wedding planning, Aleksandra Pempeit, an experienced wedding planner and visionary behind the renowned The Weddingdesign Studio, provides invaluable advice and insights. In this article, we delve into the many aspects of planning a wedding in Germany.

Destination weddings in Germany – everything you need to know

With couples seeking more authentic and diverse wedding destinations, Germany is becoming more popular. As Aleksandra Pempeit from The Weddingdesign Studio has observed, German-speaking neighbours like couples from Switzerland or Austria with families in Germany love to celebrate their weddings here. Often the wedding costs in Germany might be a little lower than, for example, in Switzerland. But she says this depends on what wishes you have for the wedding.

If choosing a destination wedding in another country, in this case, Germany, Aleksandra Pempeit would always recommend a wedding planner who organizes and communicates between the couple and the vendors. As she explains, the wedding planner is always on location and has the knowledge which helps save money, time and nerves, and can be more efficient and helpful for planning. But, if you decide to communicate with German wedding vendors yourself, there should not be any problems, because most of them speak good English.

Elaborating on wedding costs in Germany, Aleksandra Pempeit says that it depends on the couple’s expectations, the venue and many other aspects. Her couples expect high quality that reflects their personality in every detail. They want something bespoke and tailored. So, the planning is more intense, and expenses are much higher. In these cases, the budget starts from 40,000 €.

But if you would love to plan a wedding in a private venue, and you are willing to do it yourself or maybe use the help of family and friends, it can be cheaper. Although, Aleksandra notes that it could be more stressful and take a lot more time. As she explains, a high-quality personalized wedding is nearly impossible to plan without a wedding planner.

As for wedding vendors in Germany, the ones that Aleksandra Pempeit works with are some of the most professional vendors in Germany. They deliver high-quality services and are always up to date with the newest trends. Aleksandra emphasizes the importance of understanding the customer and their expectations. So, as a wedding planner, she has developed a good understanding of what her couples desire and can help them find the best wedding vendors in Germany that match their expectations.

The ideal timeline for planning a wedding in Germany depends on what kind of wedding you envision. As Aleksandra Pempeit explains, with the right wedding planner, it is possible to plan a wedding in a short time. But the usual time to start planning a wedding is 1 – 1,5 years in advance. If you start later, a lot of good wedding vendors, like DJs, photographers and popular wedding venues, are usually already booked.

Wedding photography Germany

Wedding photography in Germany is a harmonious blend of traditional elegance and modern storytelling, capturing intimate moments with a sophisticated touch. Renowned for its artful composition and attention to detail, German wedding photographers expertly navigate between timeless charm and contemporary flair.

Best wedding venues in Germany

When choosing your ideal wedding venue in Germany, you have to consider the season you’re getting married. As Aleksandra Pempeit has observed, over the last 2 years, the colder months, like October until February, have become more popular for a wedding. Aleksandra notes, there are a lot of charming pros of having a wedding in the colder months. The couples can plan a wedding more smoothly as the vendors are more available. In some cases, it might also be a little bit cheaper.

Another effect of a winter wedding might also be the awesome backdrop with snow. In South Germany, there are beautiful mountain views and various wedding venues, from rustic to fine dining, are available. In North Germany, the Baltic Sea becomes more beach-like. You can add an urban touch and have a New York-style in Hamburg harbour or experience sunny beach vibes on Sylt Island in the summer. Also, celebrations with a natural touch, like locations with woods, are possible. Due to the changing seasons, Germany has a lot of possibilities to celebrate in a special vicinity.

The busiest wedding season is between May and September due to the possibility of organizing outdoor weddings in Germany. However, if planning an outdoor wedding in Germany in the summer, you need a plan B for bad weather or unusually high temperatures. The Weddingdesign Studio usually prepares by organizing lovely-looking tents or stylish parasols. As the weather conditions can change quickly in Germany, a wedding planner will always be prepared.

When decided on your desired season, it’s time to look for a perfect wedding venue in Germany. The Weddingdesign Studio has prepared a few recommendations.

Weissenhaus – Private Nature Luxury Resort offers a tranquil escape for those seeking relaxation, surrounded by meadows, forests, and the sea breeze. With suites and rooms spread across meticulously restored buildings on 75 hectares of natural beauty, the resort immerses visitors in a unique and historical ambience.

Severin’s – Resort & Spa s nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of Keitum on the island of Sylt. The resort offers an array of amenities and a unique atmosphere characterized by traditional Frisian architectural style. Indulge in adventure exploring the dunes and rest in exclusive suites, or celebrate in event spaces.

Soho House Berlin stands as a vibrant cornerstone in the heart of Berlin-Mitte, embodying the city's unique ambience. With warehouse spaces and 1970s-inspired interiors, the club offers a welcoming atmosphere. From large events to intimate dining experiences, Soho House Berlin provides a versatile array of spaces for weddings.

The Fontenay Hamburg embodies an open, cosmopolitan, and highly hospitable spirit. Nestled in a picturesque park along Lake Alster, the resort seamlessly blends urban nature, contemporary lifestyle, and captivating architecture, all while being conveniently close to the city centre.

Kultur Gut Hasselburg offers guests a unique place where architecture and music come alive. It’s a cultural gem whose musical history extends far back and is now a true oasis for music enthusiasts and musicians. Nestled in the splendid landscape, this unique, historic estate provides an exceptional setting that invites you to immerse into a world of sounds and rediscover culture in an entirely new way.

Heartfelt wedding ceremony in Germany

Aleksandra Pempeit provides us with some wedding planning tips regarding legal requirements for a wedding in Germany. As she clarifies, in Germany, a civil wedding is a must if the marriage has to be valid under German law. As for foreigners getting married in Germany, she advises researching the requirements. But another kind of wedding ceremony can be done symbolically.

Concerning the process of a wedding, as Aleksandra discloses, there are so many ways you can handle it. The most usual wedding scenario in Germany is to split the civil ceremony from the wedding day. German wedding customs include a civil wedding in the registry office. This ceremony is shorter and less intimate compared to a symbolic ceremony. Civil weddings are mostly inflexible to integrate emotional moments and your wishes. This day is celebrated in a smaller and more familiar circle because often the office does not have enough capacity for many guests.

However, some wedding venues are selected to be able to have a civil ceremony. So, not every ceremony has to be at the registry office. There you can connect the civil wedding with your celebration, it mostly happens with a lot more people joining the ceremony. Still, a lot of couples celebrate their wedding afterwards. They plan a symbolic ceremony and a stylish party with friends and family. For these ceremonies, the new trend in Germany for 2024 is for family members or friends to take over the ceremonial speech to make it more personal and emotional.

Julia Hierlemann, a renowned wedding celebrant in Germany, specializes in crafting deeply personalized and heartfelt symbolic wedding ceremonies. With a wealth of experience, she intricately weaves each couple's unique love story into a ceremony that resonates with authenticity and emotion. Julia's dedication to understanding the couples she works with allows her to create a bespoke experience, ensuring that every element, from vows to rituals, reflects the couple's individuality.

Wedding in Germany – a blend of cultures and modern trends

Speaking of wedding traditions in Germany, Aleksandra Pempeit from The Weddingdesign Studio explains that weddings are as different as the couples getting married. Due to the many mixed cultures in Germany, there are no fixed wedding traditions. She has a huge respect for all religions and cultures living there and, depending on the couple’s wishes, willingly incorporates different cultural elements in weddings.

Asked about German wedding culture and how weddings in Germany differ from other European countries, Aleksandra Pempeit explains that, while in the Mediterranean countries, the food and getting together may be more important, the part of dining can be shorter in Germany. Otherwise, it’s pretty much similar to weddings in other parts of Europe.

Finally, touching on current German wedding trends, Aleksandra lists a few of the main ones:

• Due to the growing number of destination weddings, couples are falling in love with Mediterranean aesthetics. They love feeling like on holiday and entwining their experiences and personal stories into the wedding day. Olive branches, drinks like Limoncello, southern flowers and rustic decor are popular choices. Accordingly, the Boho trend in all its variations is also going strong. In contrast, couples who envision a classy wedding choose white and blush colours in roses and love epic historical venues featuring chandeliers and art.
• Weddings are becoming more modern and are more often organized in urban city surroundings (like rooftops, artsy cafés etc.). Every aspect becomes more authentic and closer to the personalities and lifestyles of the couple. Also, wedding parties are becoming more and more in style.
• Wedding dresses are becoming more minimalistic and adorned with fashionable elements like big bows or puffer sleeves. Traditional brides are still loving the princess or the mermaid silhouette. In 2023, the brides chose an additional party outfit for the evening, this will become more popular in 2024.
• Also, wedding weekends are becoming more popular for German couples. The weekend starts with a pre-party (for everyone to get to know each other), followed by the wedding day, which is a more emotional due ceremony and a big party. The day after the wedding, couples love to have a farewell party, like long brunch and dinner, to reminisce about the big day with their closest ones.

Author: Renāte Berga

Wedding services in Germany: The Weddingdesign Studio, Julia Hierlemann