In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Switzerland.
Weddings in Switzerland: What You Need To Know
Are you looking for a truly unique wedding destination?
If so, you may want to consider getting married in Switzerland.
This picturesque country offers a wide range of venue options, from quaint mountain chalets to luxurious lakeside resorts.
And with its stunning natural scenery, Switzerland is the perfect place to create lifelong memories with your friends and family.
Whether you exchange vows in a quaint chapel nestled among the mountains or exchange rings beneath a waterfall, you are sure to have a memorable experience.
With so many breathtaking backdrops to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect setting for your wedding photos.
So, if you are looking for a fairytale wedding destination, look no further than Switzerland.
But first: you need to know where in the world Switzerland is…
Where is Switzerland?
Switzerland is a landlocked country located in central Europe, and it borders Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east.
Area: 15,943 sq mi (41,291 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 8,771,000, Capitals: Bern (administrative) and Lausanne (judicial).
Switzerland Facts To Know:
- Language: German, French, Italian, Romansh
- Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
- Airports: Zurich Airport (ZRH), Geneva Airport (GVA), Basel Airport (BSL)
- Official Tourism Website:https://www.myswitzerland.com/en/
- Driving side: Right
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Switzerland for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Switzerland
Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Switzerland:
1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests
Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Switzerland or closer to home.
You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.
Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:
- How To Pick A Date For A Wedding?
- When To Send Out Save The Date For Wedding?
- How To Write Date On Wedding Invitation?
2. Decide on a budget
When it comes to having a Switzerland wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.
But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:
- How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget?
- What Is A Good Wedding Budget?
- How To Decorate A Wedding Reception Hall On A Budget?
3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget
No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.
Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Switzerland:
4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details
A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.
Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Switzerland
Switzerland Weddings: Key Information
Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.
To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Switzerland:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in Switzerland?
- What are the marriage requirements for Switzerland?
- What is the weather like in Switzerland?
- What should you pack for a trip to Switzerland?
- What things are there to do in Switzerland?
- What are the best Swiss wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in Switzerland Cost?
Civil ceremony cost in Switzerland is between $300 and $400.
It’s possible that the price may go up if you have specific preferences, such as having your wedding on a Saturday.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Switzerland
When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Valid passport or proof of citizenship (issued by your home country).
- Document stating that there is nothing to prevent your marriage from taking place.
- Proof of residence (official record book for foreigners).
- Birth certificate indicating parents’ names.
- Civil registry papers: certificate of celibacy, decree of divorce or death certificate of spouse.
After you have gathered all of the necessary paperwork and the register office has given a license for the marriage, you will need to sign a promise of marriage.
You are welcome to sign this promise of marriage at the Swiss diplomatic representation if you are still living in your native country at this time.
Other legal requirements are:
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
- There must not be a direct line of kinship between the two of you.
- You must provide the Swiss registry office with certification stating that your marriage will be recognized in your home country.
- If you are presently living in Switzerland, you need to report to the registry office of your place of residence.
- If you are presently living abroad, you need to report to the Swiss diplomatic representative of your country of residence.
- According to the law, 2 witnesses are needed who must be at least 18 years old.
- A marriage license in Switzerland is valid for 3 months.
- The waiting period for approval of the marriage can take up to 5 weeks, so it’s best to get all necessary documents ready sooner rather than later.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in Switzerland, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
- All documents need to be translated into an official Swiss language: German, French or Italian, and a certified translation is required.
Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.
What Is The Weather Like in Switzerland?
The ideal time to visit Switzerland is from late spring to early fall (May to September).
Because the days are longer in late winter and early spring (February and March), ski vacations are best taken during these months rather than in December and January. It is possible to ski even in the summer at some resorts that are located at high altitude.
The summer is an excellent time to go hiking in the mountains, despite the fact that afternoon thunderstorms occur rather regularly during this time of year.
What should you pack for your trip?
When traveling in the winter, it is important to bring along warm clothing such as a down coat, a hat, a scarf, gloves, and either a raincoat or an umbrella.
During the summer, you should bring light clothing such as T-shirts and shorts, but you should also pack long trousers, a jacket, and a sweater for the evening and for colder days.
You should also bring an umbrella or a raincoat. Pack hiking boots, sunscreen, and sunglasses for the mountains, and be sure to pack some warmer garments if you plan on going to the highest peaks.
Swiss Weather By Month
Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Switzerland:
Average Temperatures in Switzerland
The table below shows the average temperatures in Switzerland each month:
Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
January | -1.3 | 3.5 | 1.1 | 30 | 38 | 33.9 |
February | -1.1 | 5.2 | 2.1 | 30 | 41 | 35.7 |
March | 2 | 10.2 | 6.1 | 36 | 50 | 43 |
April | 5.1 | 14.6 | 9.9 | 41 | 58 | 49.7 |
May | 9.1 | 18.8 | 14 | 48 | 66 | 57.1 |
June | 12.7 | 22.4 | 17.6 | 55 | 72 | 63.6 |
July | 14.5 | 24.3 | 19.4 | 58 | 76 | 66.8 |
August | 14.3 | 23.9 | 19.1 | 58 | 75 | 66.4 |
September | 10.7 | 19 | 14.9 | 51 | 66 | 58.8 |
October | 7.2 | 13.8 | 10.5 | 45 | 57 | 50.8 |
November | 2.6 | 7.6 | 5.1 | 37 | 46 | 41.1 |
December | -0.5 | 4 | 1.8 | 31 | 39 | 35.2 |
Year | 6.3 | 14 | 10.15 | 43.4 | 57.2 | 50 |
Average Rainfall in Switzerland
The table below shows the average rainfall in Switzerland each month:
Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
January | 70 | 2.8 | 6 |
February | 60 | 2.4 | 5 |
March | 75 | 3 | 6 |
April | 140 | 5.5 | 10 |
May | 175 | 6.9 | 12 |
June | 165 | 6.5 | 10 |
July | 160 | 6.3 | 8 |
August | 155 | 6.1 | 10 |
September | 170 | 6.7 | 9 |
October | 145 | 5.7 | 9 |
November | 170 | 6.7 | 10 |
December | 75 | 3 | 6 |
Year | 1570 | 61.8 | 100 |
Sunshine Hours in Switzerland
The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Switzerland each month:
Month | Average | Total |
January | 2 | 60 |
February | 3 | 90 |
March | 4.5 | 145 |
April | 6 | 175 |
May | 6 | 190 |
June | 7 | 205 |
July | 7.5 | 225 |
August | 7 | 215 |
September | 5.5 | 160 |
October | 3.5 | 110 |
November | 2 | 60 |
December | 1.5 | 45 |
Year | 4.6 | 1675 |
What To Wear in Switzerland? (Packing Tips)
It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.
We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Switzerland so that you can make the most of your time there.
- Good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots: With its picturesque villages, rolling hills, and high mountains Switzerland is a great place to explore on foot.
- Warm clothes: Even in the summer months, temperatures can cool down in the evenings.
- Camera: Don’t forget your camera! With its stunning mountain views and bubbling waterfalls, Switzerland is a photographer’s paradise.
- Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
- Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
- Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
- It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
Things to Do in Switzerland
There are many different things to do in Switzerland, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- Zurich
- Lake Geneva
- The Matterhorn
- Lake Lucerne
- Kunstmuseum Basel
- Harder Kulm
- The Olympic Museum Lausanne (Musee Olympique)
- Bern
- Grindelwald-First
- Freddie Mercury Statue
- Jungfraujoch: The Top of Europe
- Interlaken
- Chateau de Chillon
- Rhine Falls
- Swiss National Park
- Albula/Bernina Railway Line
- Gruyères Castle
Best Switzerland Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Switzerland?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in Switzerland
- The Alpina Gstaad Hotel in Gstaad
- Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl in St. Moritz
- Villa Heleneum in Lugano
- Hotel Villa Honegg at Lake Lucerne
- Chateau de Chillon at Lake Geneva
- Grandhotel Giessbach near Interlaken
- Waldhaus in Sils Maria
- The Dolder Grand in Zürich
- Tarasp Castle in Graubünden
- Schilthorn at Schilthorn Summit
- Hotel Metropole Geneve
- Baur au Lac in Zürich
Hotels in Switzerland
- Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
- Seiler au Lac – Bönigen
- B&B Gästehaus Rössli – Schwellbrunn
- Hotel Capetta – Cresta
- Boutique Hotel Beau-Séjour & Spa Superior – Champéry
- Hotel Engel – Stans
- Autohalle – Andelfingen
- Hotel BZ Sunnahof – Oberschan
- Hotel Schönegg – Wengen