Province: Utrecht
Houten combines a convivial old village core with the river landscape of the Lek: marry at the Kasteel Heemstede estate, in a fortress of the New Dutch Waterline or by the water.
Getting married in Houten 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 Houten 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 Houten 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 Houten municipality website for current fees.
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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 Houten 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 Houten and the rest of Utrecht 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 Houten municipality.
Compare Houten with other wedding cities nearby.
