Love knows no boundaries, and more and more couples from all over the world are choosing to celebrate their weddings abroad. Latvia – a green, culturally rich country in Northern Europe – is becoming a surprisingly frequent destination for weddings. Here, ancient charm is intertwined with modern hospitality – from romantic medieval castles and elegant manors to picturesque countryside and the historical atmosphere of the city of Riga.
Many people from other countries meet Latvians through study, work or travel, and then choose Latvia as a wedding venue to honour their partner’s country of origin or the place where their love story began. Couples who decide to say yes to each other in Latvia are not only enchanted by the beautiful landscapes and warm traditions, but also by the personal attention and high professionalism of wedding organisers. In this article, we will look at why Latvia is a great choice for a wedding ceremony, take a look at Latvian wedding traditions – past and present, provide tips for choosing the best celebration venues in different seasons, and practical recommendations for foreign couples planning to get married in Latvia.
Why choose Latvia as your wedding venue?
Latvia is a fairy-tale wedding destination for several reasons. Firstly, Latvia offers a variety of enchanting locations – the Baltic Sea coast with sandy beaches, pristine lakes and forest meadows, as well as ancient cities with Art Nouveau architecture. This combination of natural and urban environments offers a range of wedding venues to suit every couple. Secondly, Latvia boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage – hundreds of ancient castles and manors have been preserved here, which lend a unique historical aura to weddings. Many of these sites provide high-class service and have gained international recognition. Another benefit of choosing Latvia as a wedding venue is the opportunity to experience special traditions and atmosphere. Many Latvian customs are still kept alive at weddings, which can give the ceremony an unusual flavour – from a midnight march accompanied by folk songs to guests shouting “Rūgs!” (bitter), inviting the young couple to kiss. An important and essential factor when choosing a country for a wedding is legal flexibility. Latvian laws allow marriages between foreigners, and the process is generally simpler than elsewhere. And no less importantly – Latvia is easily accessible and relatively budget-friendly. Local businessmen are responsive and hospitable – foreign guests in Latvia feel right at home.
Professional service providers
A wedding is difficult to implement without professional local service providers. Wedding planners and agencies are well versed in both traditions and regional offerings, helping couples implement their ideas down to the smallest detail. They not only provide international-level service, but are also able to successfully adapt to the cultural characteristics, religious beliefs, as well as traditional rituals and celebration styles of different nationalities.
This is especially important for mixed couples or couples from the diaspora, who want their culture to be respected and brought to life on the day of the celebration. Photographers and video specialists are able to capture moments in unforgettable landscapes, thanks to their knowledge of the most picturesque landscapes. Catering service providers often choose local products, creating an authentic and sophisticated taste experience, while baking masters offer both classic and modern, high-quality and visually attractive cakes. Table setters ensure impeccable service and elegant presentation, while decorators professionally adapt the design to both the season and wedding theme, creating a harmonious and inspiring environment.
Wedding ceremony venues
In Latvia, wedding ceremonies can be held both within state institutions and outdoors. A civil ceremony at a registry office is suitable for small weddings, and can be followed by a reception elsewhere. Church weddings offer a ceremony with a more spiritual atmosphere based on Christian traditions (especially in Lutheran or Catholic churches). A marriage celebrated in a church has the same legal force in Latvia as a civil ceremony. Since local legislation allows marriages to be officiated outside, such ceremonies can also be held by a lake, in a forest, at the beach, in a manor garden or any scenic location in Latvia.
“The ceremony can also be held on a large boat, on a roof terrace with a city panorama, on a pier by the sea, or in an observation tower above the forests. Romantic settings include wetlands shrouded in morning silence, forest clearings graced with birdsong, church ruins and open-air stages. In Latvia, you don’t have to choose your wedding venue out of a catalogue. Non-traditional couples can create their own wedding event, whether it is bohemian, majestic, adventurous or deeply symbolic”, says Sindija Vilde, a wedding and event planner with 18 years of experience.
Weddings in all seasons
In Latvia, each season is different and beautiful in its own way, offering a unique background for wedding planning.
Summer is traditionally the most popular period for weddings thanks to warm, sunny weather in July and August and the possibility of an outdoor ceremony in magnificent gardens and arboretums, at the foot of a towering lighthouse or in castle ruins at sunset. The country farmhouse atmosphere is also popular – for example, in a renovated barn decorated with lights, creating a magical atmosphere in the middle of a meadow.
Autumn adorns weddings in the splendour of colourful leaves. In early autumn, outdoor ceremonies are still possible, for example, in a picturesque nature park, while in late autumn or on rainy days ceremonies can take place in warm indoor spaces with a fireplace or by candlelight, or holiday homes that also offer a warm water tub. Autumn grandeur and harvest bounty enrich wedding celebrations with a particularly cosy and magnificent atmosphere.
Winter in Latvia can seem like a real fairy tale thanks to peaceful, snow-covered landscapes, where both luxurious castles and manors can accommodate wedding parties of all sizes. These ancient interiors combine the warmth of the fireside with luxury interiors. Many couples choose to get married over the Christmas holidays, when cities and castles sparkle with festive lights and the smell of gingerbread wafts in the air. During cold winter weather, guests will appreciate a warm drink and blankets, especially if part of the ceremony takes place outdoors.
Spring brings nature back to life and symbolically marks a new beginning. May lilacs and apple blossoms create a lovely background for one of the most romantic wedding seasons, but spring weather conditions tend to be fickle. However, by choosing a blooming lilac garden or a botanical garden greenhouse for the ceremony, you can enjoy the beauty of nature under a roof or specially installed canopy. Popular party venues are usually more available during the spring months, making it easier to find an available date and better deals.
Regardless of the season, Latvia offers a variety of celebration venues for every taste. When choosing a venue, you should also consider the number of guests and other practical aspects – not every country estate can accommodate a very large group of guests, but in cities such opportunities are easier to find. Latvia offers it all – from quiet country farms to the luxury of the big city – and every couple can find the best option to make their dream event come true.
Wedding traditions in Latvia – past and present
Latvian wedding traditions have evolved over the centuries. In ancient times, Latvian weddings were most often held in the fall after the harvest, and the celebrations used to last several days or even a whole week.
One tradition that is still a part of modern weddings, giving them a special atmosphere, is the midnight ritual – the mičošana, when the bride symbolically says goodbye to her status as a daughter and assumes the role of wife. This ceremony is often led by folklore groups, who sing songs and perform an authentic ritual. Guests still shout “Rūgts!” at modern weddings, encouraging the young couple to kiss, and the newlyweds open the reception with their first waltz. Even if modern couples abandon some ancient rituals, these Latvian traditions can create heartfelt and memorable moments on the wedding day.
Useful tips for foreigners who want to get married in Latvia
When planning to register a marriage in Latvia, couples that include at least one citizen of another country must take into account several legal and practical nuances. Here are the most important recommendations for successfully completing the formalities:
- Foreign citizens can enter into a marriage in Latvia if they have a valid visa or qualify for a visa-free regime at the time of marriage.
- The future spouses must personally submit a joint application to the chosen registry office at least 1 month before the planned wedding date. The marriage may be registered no earlier than a month and no later than 6 months from the date of the application.
- When submitting a marriage registration application, valid personal identification documents (a passport or ID card) must be presented. Foreign citizens must also submit a certificate of marital status issued by their home country, certifying that the individual is currently single and free to marry.
- All copies of documents issued abroad must be accompanied by certified translations into Latvian; documents issued outside the EU must be legalised or certified with an apostille.
- To organise a church ceremony, you must first undergo a document check at the registry office and receive a certificate that there are no impediments to the marriage.
- Civil ceremonies take place in the state language (Latvian). If the couple does not speak Latvian, it is recommended they ensure an interpreter is present to ensure full understanding of the ceremony.
- After the ceremony concludes, the young couple receives an official marriage certificate, which is valid throughout the European Union and, if necessary, can be used to register the union in other countries.
Pre-wedding parties
Let the professionals take care of the wedding ceremony and reception while you spend time with friends and loved ones. Sindija Vilde says that bachelorette parties in Latvia are magical days that unite women around laughter and champagne, as well as the power of ancient traditions. These traditions require the bride and her friends go to the forest to obtain special bath brooms, weave wreaths, sing songs and experience the new bride’s bath ritual, which cleanses, strengthens and connects. The evening ends with a fire ritual, where the old makes way for a new stage in life. Grooms frequently engage in survival activities in the forest, spending a weekend away from civilisation, testing their strength, courage and friendship. This is an opportunity to build male community around a campfire, shared challenges and good humour.
Wedding and event planner Sindija Vilde emphasises: “Latvia has always seemed like a mysterious pearl to me, a place where love stories gain special depth. I am pleased to see that more and more foreigners are choosing to celebrate their weddings here, because we are able to offer not only excellent quality and warm hospitality, but also affordability, which allows dreams to become reality. It is this combination of balance and genuine warmth of heart that makes Latvia an unforgettable destination.”
