Province: Gelderland
With the Veluwe as its backyard and Het Loo Palace around the corner, Apeldoorn is ideal for a wedding in nature: from forest venues and country estates to royal gardens.
Getting married in Apeldoorn starts at the town hall: at least two weeks (and at most one year) before your wedding date, you must register your intended marriage ("melding voorgenomen huwelijk"). This can usually be done online. You'll need two to four adult witnesses and valid identification.
Besides the town hall, the municipality of Apeldoorn has several designated wedding venues. Prefer to marry somewhere personal, like a restaurant, country estate or even your own garden? Many municipalities allow almost any location to be designated as an official one-off ceremony venue. Apply well in advance.
Book your registrar, photographer, DJ or band and caterer as early as possible, especially if you're marrying in high season (May through September). Popular vendors in and around Apeldoorn are often fully booked a year ahead.
The average wedding in the Netherlands costs between €15,000 and €20,000, but it can be done (much) cheaper. Free or budget civil ceremonies are available in virtually every municipality at set times, often on Monday mornings. Check the Apeldoorn municipality website for current fees.
Our latest tips and guides to prepare your wedding in Apeldoorn down to the last detail.
Discover the perfect autumn wedding menu for 2026: seasonal dishes, realistic costs, and a step-by-step guide to plan your menu with Dutch autumn ingredients.
10 min readDiscover realistic wedding venue costs in the Netherlands for 2026, including seasonal pricing, hidden fees, and money-saving tips. With regional comparison and checklist.
7 min readEverything you need to know for a magical winter wedding in the Netherlands: from costs and venues to attire, decor, and a realistic step-by-step plan for 2026.
9 min readThe cost of the civil ceremony varies by municipality, day and time: from free (at set times, often Monday mornings) to several hundred euros for a weekend ceremony at a premium venue. On top of that come the venue, catering, photographer and party; Dutch couples spend €15,000 to €20,000 on average.
Yes, every Dutch municipality is legally required to offer free civil marriages. In Apeldoorn this is possible at set times, usually on Monday mornings. A free ceremony is short and simple, held at the town hall, often without a speech and with a limited number of guests.
You must register your intended marriage at least two weeks and at most one year before the wedding date. Popular venues and vendors in Apeldoorn and the rest of Gelderland are ideally booked 9 to 18 months ahead, especially for a high-season date.
In most municipalities you can have a location of your own, such as a restaurant, beach pavilion or garden, designated as an official one-off wedding venue. The location usually needs to be publicly accessible, safe and covered (or coverable). Apply well in advance with the Apeldoorn municipality.
Compare Apeldoorn with other wedding cities nearby.
