Civil, church or free ceremony? The types of weddings in Austria

There is no one right way to get married. Some couples want the full church wedding with a hundred guests, others just want the two of them on a mountain at sunrise. Here’s a quick overview of the options in Austria, and what each one looks like on the day.

The legal bit first

In Austria, only the civil ceremony at the registry office (Standesamt) makes your marriage legally valid. A church or free ceremony can’t replace it. Many couples do the civil part first, sometimes days before, and then celebrate the way they really want to.

The civil ceremony doesn’t have to happen in an office, though. Registry offices also hold ceremonies at other locations for an extra fee. In Salzburg, the most popular one is the Marble Hall in Schloss Mirabell.

Civil ceremony

Short, personal and often small. The registrar says a few words, you say yes, sign the marriage certificate, and that’s it. Plenty of couples keep it to close family and then have a relaxed lunch or dinner afterwards. Small doesn’t mean less worth photographing: the nervous laughs and the first hug as a married couple happen here too.

Church wedding

Like in every Hollywood film, and filled with nostalgia, a church wedding has its appeal beyond the religious aspect. It’s the traditional route: music, readings, vows, rings and a blessing, usually in a church or chapel. At least one of you will normally need to be a member of the church, and many parishes ask for a meeting with the priest beforehand. Churches can be dark, so I always ask about rules for photography during the service early on.

Free ceremony (freie Trauung)

No fixed rules, no fixed place. You choose the location, the celebrant, the music and how long it lasts. It can be a friend speaking about you, a celebrant you hire, rituals, guests joining in. It isn’t legally binding, so you’ll still need the civil ceremony as well. I’ve photographed free ceremonies on an alm above Salzburg and by the water at Langbathsee, and they tend to feel very personal. If you’ve always wanted your best friend to be the one who marries you, this is how.

Small weddings and elopements

More and more couples are choosing micro weddings of up to around 25 guests, or eloping with just the two of them. Less budget goes on catering, more on the experience. Some turn it into a few days away together with their closest people. For photos, a small wedding means more time, more room to breathe and fewer moments you have to rush through. As you can tell, I am a family man, and I love this side of it: the chance for families and friends to get together and have more quality time.

Alm and mountain weddings

Mountains with a view are among the most popular settings in Salzburg right now, from huts in the Pinzgau to the Gaisberg just outside the city. Expect changeable weather, so plan a covered option and a buffer for travel. When it works, the light up there is hard to beat.

Destination weddings

Couples from abroad come to Salzburg for the lakes, the mountains and the old town. I’ve photographed weddings in England as well as in Austria, and I work fully in English and German, which helps when your families speak different languages. As a bilingual local, I can also help organise certain parts of an international wedding if needed. I’m no wedding planner, but I can help with my language skills and local know-how.

Which one suits you?

The right type of wedding is the one that lets you relax and enjoy it. Whatever you choose, my approach stays the same: I’m there, I interact, and I don’t stage your day. Have a look at how I photograph weddings to see what that means in practice.

If you’re still deciding, tell me about your plans