Fifty couples from around the world got married in Denmark’s first-ever wedding festival

50 Couples tie the knot at iconic landmarks during cultural festival about love in Denmark.

September 13, 2025
Length: 5.22
Photo: Anders Kongshaug +45 23103058
Source: Copenhagen Region & Golden Days
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Story In short:
50 Weddings on a Viking ship, inside Scandinavia’s largest royal castle, and in unique cultural spaces reimagined by contemporary artists.
Ten iconic venues set the scene for the first time, with five couples at each location marrying in distinctive ways.

Couples came from across the globe – including Christians, same-sex couples, and an Australian groom – with thoughtful soundbites from masters of ceremonies.
Couples was selected from more than 500 applicants to take part in the Golden Days Festival, which this year focuses on the theme of love.

STORY
Fifty couples from around the world got married in Denmark’s first-ever wedding festival.
Ceremonies took place in ten unique cultural spaces, where contemporary artists reimagined the marriage ritual – aboard the world’s largest reconstructed Viking ship in a Viking village setting, or inside Scandinavia’s largest royal castle – all used for weddings for the very first time.


Five couples were married at each location. The participants came from countries around the world, including Ukraine, India, Australia, France, and the UK – selected from more than 500 applicants to take part in the Golden Days Festival, which this year focuses on the theme of love.


Australian–Danish couple Ian Clifton and Rebekka Kynde, who met while backpacking in Nepal, were married in Frederiksborg Castle, a venue that until now had only hosted royal weddings – including that of Prince Joachim (Princess Mary’s brother-in-law) and Alexandra, as well as other royals dating back to the 1600s.
“We’re pinching ourselves. It’s incredible,” said Clifton.


Denmark was the first country to legalize same-sex partnerships in 1989, and among those married was Danish couple Katrine Snowman and Vicki Rietzke Westh, who wed at Frederiksborg Castle as part of the five ceremonies there. The two had been engaged for seven years, raising three children from previous marriages, before finally saying yes in the castle’s grand hall.
“Being married in a castle like this would just be a fairy tale,” Snowman said.
The ceremonies were led by masters of ceremonies who combined biblical texts with
personal reflections. At Frederiksborg Castle, Danish actor Ellen Hillingsø officiated, saying:
“What a venue to get married and say yes to each other.”


Artists also conducted ceremonies. At Nikolaj Art Hall, Noah Umur Kanber – an upcoming star on the international art scene – led a performance titled “God’s Blessing”, a ritual blending angels and Lucifer. He married five couples in the venue’s striking marble hall.
One of the most unique ceremonies was the viking marriage, that took place in Roskilde, Denmark’s old Viking capital and home to the iconic Viking Ship Museum.

 

Five couples boarded the world’s longest reconstructed Viking ship, The Sea Stallion from Glendalough (Havhingsten in Danish), and were married accompanied by Viking musicians and local viking fans, family and friends.
Among them were Thomas Lind Madsen and Marianne Willert, who dressed in authentic Viking clothing to reflect their passion for history.
“We love the Vikings,” said bride Marianne Willert.
The Viking ceremony was conducted by international scientist and explorer Professor Eske Willerslev. The weddings were also made legally binding by civil officials, including the Mayor of Roskilde, who officiated when Thomas Lind Madsen and Marianne Willert said “yes.”
“I’m Christian myself,” said Willerslev, “but I don’t see why you can say a marriage should only take place in the church. This Viking period is part of Danish history.”
Madsen and Willert are both engineers and share a fascination with the entrepreneurship and shipbuilding achievements of the Viking era, spanning from around 700 to 1200 AD.


“I think that the outdoorness, the whole setting – not being somewhere indoors – is
absolutely a positive side to it,” said groom Thomas Lind Madsen. His bride, pointing at her new husband, added: “And this is my stallion. So would it be any better?”
Since 1922, Danes have been free to marry outside the church in a civil wedding, but this is the first time this has been used.


Several hundred same-sex couples from around the world travel to Copenhagen each year, with the city’s pioneering role in equality making it one of Europe’s most popular destinations for international LGBTQ+ weddings.
“We are also grateful for being from Denmark, being able to do this – even though we know that in many other countries this would never happen. So I think we feel proud to represent that part of Denmark,” said Katrine Snowman, standing next to Vicki Rietzke Westh at Frederiksborg Castle.
Australian–Danish couple Ian Clifton and Rebekka Kynde have lived in Denmark for eight years and are planning to spend some time in Australia with their four-year-old son.
“But for now, the rest of the day we’ll be spending out here in the gardens, having some champagne and greeting our guests,” said Clifton. “Enjoying this moment, soaking it in.”
The marriages took place during the annual Golden Days Festival, which this year carries the theme of Love. The festival runs through September 21, with the weddings marking a first-of-its-kind celebration – though several venues are already considering repeating the idea in the future.
Organizers said more than 12,000 guests attended the 50 ceremonies.
The Golden Days Festival, held each September, continues to reflect on – and to rethink – love and togetherness, often with a positive and humorous spirit.

Links:

Golden Days Festival (text in Danish):
https://www.goldendays.dk/