Getting Married in Denmark: A Step-by-Step Guide (Part 2)

So you’re here because you’re either a mixed-nationality or mixed-religion couple looking for a way to get married without the endless paperwork headache, or you’ve already read my previous article, “Getting Married in Denmark: A Step-by-Step Guide (Part 1)” and you’re now ready for the next steps. Either way, welcome!

The Next Steps After Document Submission

Once the big admin work is done, the good news is that things get a lot simpler. All you need to do is wait patiently while the agent (Getting Married in Denmark) submits your application and receives your approval from the Danish government. When the approval comes in, you’ll be asked to choose the city hall for your ceremony.

Here’s a friendly heads-up: popular venues like Copenhagen City Hall tend to be fully booked unless you secure a date months in advance. Our agent sent us several options; many of them incredibly charming, including a castle-like city hall in the countryside! We loved it, but since my in-laws were joining us, we chose Copenhagen for convenience. Once you’ve agreed on an available date, your agent will take care of the booking.

Copenhagen City Hall, where I got married 🙂

And Then What’s Next?

After securing your date and venue, it basically turns into a mini wedding planning session (if you’re also hosting a reception). But if, like us, you’re simply going to sign papers and enjoy the moment, it feels more like planning a holiday with a sprinkle of romance hehe.

Even though we only had a civil ceremony, I still prepared a dress and bouquet. If you don’t want the hassle of ordering flowers, Copenhagen City Hall rents bouquets – practical and stress-free! The agent can also recommend florists, photographers, and other vendors if you want extra help. They truly are a wedding one-stop-shop.

You may like this article: 48 Hours in Amsterdam – A Quick Trip, Big Memories

Before Your Civil Ceremony

You’ve made it to Copenhagen… now what? One day before your ceremony, you need to register you and your partner at the same city hall where the ceremony will take place. If you’re in Copenhagen, you’ll find the registration counter inside the little gift shop to the left of the main entrance. That’s where you check in and leave your passports.

Don’t worry, they won’t keep them for long. They have a rule about not holding passports for more than a certain number of hours or something. While waiting, you’re free to wander around, grab an oh-so-good smørrebrød with fresh Scandi salmon, and treat yourself to a Danish pastry (or three! You go, friend!). By the time you’re done snacking, your passports will be ready, woot woot! 🙂

Me and my best friend Deisha (husband is too shy to be on Kata Bella hehe)

On Your Wedding Day

“Follow the hearts!” That’s what the lady at the registration desk told us – and she meant it, literally. Heart stickers on the floor guide you to your room. Once you reach the end of the trail, wait there until someone comes down and calls your names. Then it’s time to say “I do!”

I had a quick peek online at what the room looked like, but nothing prepared me for how beautiful it was. The murals felt straight out of a Hans Christian Andersen storybook, the kind I grew up reading. We were told they represent the journey of love from the first meeting to a shared life together. Speaking of Hans Christian Andersen, our celebrant ended our ceremony with a quote that has stayed with me ever since:

“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things.”

A Little Closing Note

If you’re considering Denmark for your civil ceremony, take this as a sign: it’s worth it! The process is straightforward, the atmosphere feels magical without being stiff or formal, and the experience becomes a beautiful memory rather than a bureaucratic nightmare. If you love simple, meaningful moments (with the bonus of pastries and fairy-tale murals), Denmark might just be the perfect place to start your forever. Oh and by the way, congratulations on your engagement! And good luck!

You might also want to read

12 Apr 2026 by Bella in Info

5 Co-working Spaces in Jogja to Get Things Done

I was in Jogja visiting my parents, and while their house is nice (and rent-free, with three free meals a day, hehe), I still prefer working in a proper work setup; less distractions, more focus, proper chair for your back. So I ended up trying a few spots around the city which I was surprised are very affordable, and I put together this list, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of checking and contacting them one by one. Ps. A little bonus fun fact in case you didn't know, Jogja has a free public wi-fi network called "Jogja Istimewa" that you can connect to around the city, super handy if you ever need a quick connection on the go. Based on my experience, the connection is quite decent, though at my parents’ house it tends to be faster at night. Pps. You’re welcome 😉 KLA Co-working SpaceCreative HubGenius IdeaCrônica Creative Working SpaceAntologi Collaborative Space You may also like this article: Lokananta - Why This Musical Landmark is a Must-Visit in Solo KLA Co-working Space Don’t panic when you walk in and it looks like a computer shop - because it is, lol. The coworking space is on the second floor. You just need to order coffee or snacks from their little stall to use the space. It’s nice and bright, with plenty of tables and easily accessible plugs. There are also booths with more comfortable chairs, shared tables, as well as private meeting rooms you can book in advance. The internet is good enough, and when I was there, most people were university students studying or working on assignments, so it was chill and quiet. Image credit: KLA Google page 💰 Price: From IDR 20K (for coffee) ⏰ Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am-8.30pm 📍 Address: Jl. Prof. Dr. Ir. Herman Johannes Jl. Sagan No.73, Samirono,Caturtunggal, Yogyakarta 55223 Creative Hub They have a few branches across Jogja, but I’ve only been to the one in Gejayan. I needed to work on a Sunday and it was the only location open (remote work comes with flexibility, but also means work can show up anytime lol). Since it was Sunday, it was just me and one other person in the whole coworking space. There’s a café where you can order drinks and snacks, and the overall ambience was good. Image credit: Creative Hub Google page 💰 Price: 20K (half day day), 40K (full day) ⏰ Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am-9pm 📍 Address: The Jayan Building, 1st Floor The Jayan Building, Jl. Affandi No.4 Lt. 1, Gejayan, Condongcatur, Yogyakarta 55281 (Check their website or Instagram for other locations and opening hours) You may also like this article: Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie - Semarang’s Sweetest Escape Genius Idea I booked a private room at Genius Idea once because I had a few online meetings that day. It’s only IDR 150K for a full day for a small room that fits up to 5 people. You can also book it for half a day for 75K, but I figured I’d just have the whole space to myself to finish my deadlines. They have quite a few rooms, a pantry on the first floor, plus free coffee and tea. It’s more of a focused office space, so there’s no café inside, but you can order food online. There’s also an outdoor area and some sofas in the hallway where you can eat or take a break. Image credit: Genius Idea Google page 💰 Price: 75K/ day (plus tax) ⏰ Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm 📍 Address: Jl. Magelang No.32-34, Cokrodiningratan, Jetis, Yogyakarta 55233 Crônica Creative Working Space This co-working space is perfect for those days when work is a bit lighter. The setup is more relaxed, maybe good for a research day or wrapping up the last few emails on a Friday, since the tables and chairs aren’t very office-like. The vibe is also more chill café than quiet workspace. If you need privacy for important calls, they have a phone booth available upstairs for IDR 50K for 5 hours, but you need to book in advance. Other than that, the space is free to use as long as you order coffee or food from the café. The only downside is that not every table has access to a plug, so you will need to take turns with people nearby. Image credit: Crônica Google page 💰 Price: From 20K (for coffee) ⏰ Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7am-10pm 📍 Address: Jl. A.M. Sangaji No.62 Lt. 02, Cokrodiningratan, Jetis, Yogyakarta 55233 Antologi Collaborative Space It’s under the same management as Crônica, and the staff recommended this space to me. I haven’t had the chance to visit yet, but thought I’d add it to the list so you’ve got more options. Aside from the co-working space, there’s also a café, an event space, and even a garden area. Membership is pretty affordable too, starting from just 45K a day. Image credit: Antologi Google page 💰 Price: IDR 45K (daily), 175K (weekly), 599K (monthly) ⏰ Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7am-10pm 📍 Address: Tawangsari CT II Gg. Gayamsari II No.9C, Karang Wuni, Caturtunggal, Kec. Depok, Kabupaten Sleman, Yogyakarta 55281 Whether you’re in Jogja for a quick visit or staying a little longer, there are plenty of spots to get work done. Each place has its own vibe; some more focused, some more laid-back, so it really depends on what kind of workday you’re after. Also, don’t be alarmed when locals say “it’s so far from here”, because most of the time…it really isn’t, hehe. Especially if you’re from Jakarta or other big cities, a 10 to 30-minute commute is basically nothing, right? hehe. Anyway, enjoy your work-holiday in Jogja, and don’t forget to explore and eat lots of delicious food after work!

29 May 2026 by Bella in Info

Things to Do in Canggu: Where Every Plan Turns Into Three More

Things to do in Canggu Here we are on another article about Canggu, because things to explore in this little bubble are endless. I have written a few articles about Canggu restaurants alone, and then a guide for first-timers, and now, onto a deeper dive, things to do in Canggu. Or maybe more like, what do you actually do when you live here? The funny thing about Canggu life is how quickly you realise that people here are somehow always busy doing absolutely non-urgent things haha. One person is heading to pilates, another is rushing to Hyrox, another is getting ready for an ice bath, while someone else is already on their second iced latte discussing “creative burnout” at 10am. If you feel attacked, don’t worry, I’m one of these suspects too lol. Ok, so here’s the best that I can do to summarise the fun things to do in Canggu. Eat absolutely everything One of the best things to do in Canggu is simply eating your way through it. The food scene is insanely diverse. In one day you can have Indonesian warung meals, Australian brunch, Japanese ramen, Italian pasta, French pastries, Mexican tacos, aaaaand more, aaaaand somehow all within 10 minutes of each other. Dangerous for both your wallet and your self-control, I guess. You can read my articles about Canggu restaurants here: My Little Canggu Restaurant List - Part 1 My Little Canggu Restaurant List - Part 2 Breakfast Spots in Canggu Worth Waking Up Early For Vegan Cafes in Canggu: 5 Nice Spots for your Daily Greens Bali on a Budget: Cheap Eats in Canggu for Under 100K What else is there to do but eat? From left to right: Muda by Suka, Soogi Roll, Cure Welcome to Bali’s Capital of Wellness I wasn’t joking when I mentioned about people going to Hyrox because I feel like the wellness era never ends here. I’m interested to know how many regular gyms there are in Canggu alone, not to mention yoga and pilates studio, jiu jitsu and MMA gyms, padel courts, and other sports centre for other types of sports. Canggu is the it place for wellness activities whatever you like it or not, and so that’s why "wellness" sits at number two on this list. My go-to gyms and some recommendations: Woven Jiu Jitsu (Jiu Jitsu and mobility) Wellness Gym (Weightlifting, pool, sauna, and magnesium pool) Alpha Gym (Weightlifting and sauna) BYND Fitness Club (Weightlifting and lap pool) Undefeated Gym (Weightlifting, pool, sauna, steam room, and ice bath) Recovery but make it social Recovery culture in Canggu deserves its own category because people here recover harder than they party. Ice baths, steam rooms and saunas, sports massages, IV drips, breathwork - you name it. Recovery spaces have also become such a social thing here. Sometimes people don’t even go because they’re sore, they go because their friends are there, and afterwards everyone gets smoothies together. A very Canggu thing to do. My go to recovery spots: Amo Spa (Sauna, ice bath, steam room, jacuzzi, pool, hammam) The Block (Sauna, ice bath, jacuzzi, pool) Island Spots Club (Sauna, ice bath, jacuzzi, pool) Air Seseh (Sauna, ice bath, pool) Recovery, lift, recovery. From left to right: Bynd, Wellness, Air Seseh Catching (or Watching) Waves I don’t surf, and ironically I’m kind of just okay with beaches. But surfing is basically the unofficial daily ceremony of Canggu. People either head out super early in the morning or go for a sunset surf session in the afternoon. If you’ve never surfed before, don’t worry, there are plenty of surfing lessons around Canggu too. So you can absolutely live out your surfer life for a day if you want. Question, though…what do these surfers do for a living that they have all the time in the world to be at the beach every single day? Because I want that job. Beaches I go watch people surf: Berawa Beach Batu Bolong Beach Echo Beach Pererenan Beach Cafe hopping like it’s a full time job Ok this one, I do a lot. There are cafes absolutely everywhere, some are for working, some are for people-watching, some are for post-workout matcha, and some are clearly designed for someone to sit dramatically with a laptop answering emails. I would say, spending a slow morning cafe hopping is one of my favourite things to do in Canggu. Good coffee, good food, good weather, and nowhere particularly important to be. My regular coffee spots : 7AM Bakers Monsieur Spoon Fine by Satu Satu Two Face Coffee Baked Final Thoughts I feel like this is why so many people end up staying in Canggu longer than planned even though it's crazy busy. The lifestyle here has a way of pulling you in. Your day starts casually with coffee, and before you know it, you’ve somehow been out all day doing a bunch of other things, hehe. Hope you find this helpful and thank you for reading!

08 Apr 2025 by Bella in Info

Easter Joy for Every Bunny: Padma Golden Egg Hunt

“Spring has sprung,” as they like to say in the West when April rolls around. While the season doesn’t quite make it to tropical Bali, Easter is still a big deal on the island. Hotels go all out with Easter brunches, the kind that might just have you unbuttoning your jeans from all the deliciousness. But beyond the brunches, there’s one fun tradition that Padma Hotels brings back every Easter weekend - not just in Bali, but across all their properties in West and Central Java too; Padma Golden Egg Hunt. This activity brings back all the nostalgic feels - remember the good old days of egg hunting? Well, Padma Hotels is keeping the tradition alive at all their properties: Padma Resort Legian, Padma Resort Ubud, Padma Hotel Bandung, Padma Hotel Semarang, and Resinda Hotel Karawang. Last year, guests absolutely loved it, with families and friends joining in the fun, racing to find the hidden eggs and sharing laughs along the way. It was such a hit that it’s making a much-anticipated return! There’s one golden egg to find each day, and it’s got the main prize inside! Newsflash: if you're thinking of a staycation at Padma Hotel Bandung, better book it soon - they’ll be closing temporarily for a mega transformation starting 20 April 2025! Clues for the egg hunt will be shared on each hotel’s Instagram account (so keep those notifications on or someone else might beat you to it!). Every egg has a fun little treat inside - think ice cream, dessert, or milkshakes, but there’s ONE Golden Egg per day, and that one holds the grand prize. And hey, big kids! Don’t worry, this hunt is open to all ages! No guarantee the adults will win though…because the little ones have way too much energy to keep up with! hehe. It’s such a fun and thoughtful tradition from Padma Hotels, a brand already known for being super family-friendly. It’s not really about the prizes, it’s the joy of the game that makes it so special. So, get ready to channel your inner detective from Friday, 18 April to Sunday, 20 April 2025 at your favourite Padma Hotels destination! Stay tuned to their official Instagram accounts: @padmalegian, @padmaubud, @padmabandung, @padmasemarang, @resindahotel

Getting Married in Denmark: A Step-by-Step Guide (Part 2)