Getting married in Lucerne

Civil ceremonies in the city of Lucerne take place at the Stadthaus on the lakefront promenade, often with a view over the water, one of the more beautiful registry settings in Switzerland. The marriage preparation procedure runs through the civil registry office and should be started early; in the high season from May to September the popular time slots go quickly. Check current venues, dates and fees directly with the Lucerne civil registry office, as details change from time to time.

Lucerne offers almost every size and mood, from old town hotels to ships. A classic is the wedding on a Lake Lucerne steamer, ceremony or celebration on board, mountains all around, and the guests naturally together in one place. In the old town, historic houses and hotels offer intimate rooms for smaller parties. If you prefer the countryside, the nearby surroundings towards Vitznau, Weggis or the hills above the city offer venues with lake and mountain views within a 30-minute drive.

Photographically, May, June and September are the most rewarding months: soft light, green, long evenings, but fewer crowds than midsummer. July and August work well if you place the couple shoot in the early morning or late afternoon; at midday the light is harsh and the Chapel Bridge is full. Winter has its own appeal, fog moods over the lake and an almost empty old town, but you will want a plan B indoors.

The Chapel Bridge is the landmark and nearly empty in the early morning or late evening, which is exactly when the calm images happen. The lakefront promenade offers space, water and evening light for the couple moments. From the Musegg Wall, the old town rooftops lie at your feet. And the old town lanes with cobblestones and painted facades are ideal for the documentary in-between moments. An experienced local photographer also knows the corners away from the tourist routes and the pockets of light along the lake.

Plan the couple shoot not as one big block but as two short windows: 20 to 30 minutes right after the ceremony, when the tension falls away and the emotions are real, and another 15 minutes in the evening light by the lake while the guests are at the apéro. That way you are never away from your own celebration for long, and the images carry two completely different moods.