Bornholm halts foreign weddings due to resource strain

Bornholm’s local authority has suspended new wedding bookings for foreign couples this summer after a surge in demand overwhelmed its capacity, DR reports.

The island’s civil registration office has seen foreign weddings exceed half of all ceremonies this year, nearly double the figure from two or three years ago, according to Bo Rosendal, head of citizen services.

Rosendal attributes the increase to a spillover effect from Copenhagen, where the municipality was ordered to refund foreign couples after a court ruled it had overcharged for weddings. Copenhagen has since scaled back its wedding services.

While foreign weddings bring some economic activity, Rosendal notes most couples do not stay long or contribute significantly to local tax revenue. The office also faces staffing strain, as many foreign couples arrive without witnesses, requiring three municipal employees to be present for each ceremony.

Local wedding planner Siine Katherine Bergmann, who runs Wedding on the Rocks, acknowledges the pressure on the municipality but regrets the summer suspension, calling it an unfortunate move during peak season.

Destination Bornholm, the island’s tourism body, remains optimistic about long-term benefits. Business developer Torsten Engsig argues that even short visits can lead to repeat tourism, as many visitors return after experiencing the island.