Destination Weddings in Germany

Germany has a variety of lovely towns in which a couple can choose to hold a marriage ceremony. Cities such as Munich, Dusseldorf and Berlin are renowned cultural centers that attract tourists from around the world. There are artistic masterpieces to see, exquisite musical performances to take in, and wonderful cuisine to enjoy.

If you fancy the mix of striking scenery, delicious cuisine and all the character that Germany has to offer, you’ll want to drive along the ‘Romantic Road.’ This is one of several ‘themed’ roads in Germany and is considered one of the country’s most famous vacation routes. It is a stunning 220-mile journey from the River Main to the Alps, offering the traveler one of the most beautiful and engaging experiences.

Germany is also well known for its assortment of rivers. Lake Constance is Germany’s largest lake and is shared with Switzerland and Austria. The area has one of the warmest climates in the country and has become an old-fashioned resort that is a popular summer destination. There are numerous picturesque towns along the shoreline of the lake, most notably Meersburg, which is filled with vineyards and the oldest structurally intact castle in Germany. There is also a fun ferry service across the lake from Friedrichshafen into Switzerland available to visitors.

The Rhine River is a very significant feature in Germany. It has served as Europe's leading waterway and has been the main river-trade hub between the heart of the Continent and the North Sea. There are numerous spectacular castles that line the famous river.

The Schoenburg, a middle aged romantic castle sits high on a hill overlooking the Rhine. Its façade is an enchanted image of towers that can be accessed by crossing a narrow wooden bridge. It was built in the 10th century, and is one of the most representative German castles on the Rhine. The Schönburg is regarded as an intimate and upscale castle hotel that is both elegant and comfortable.

Heidelberg is widely considered to be the city that reflects the true romantic Germany. The River Neckar flows past its ancient towers and bridges and the ruins of its red sandstone castle can be seen over the roofs of the old town. The castle was built between the 14th and 17th centuries. You can walk from the city up to the castle in about 10 minutes or take the mountain railway. Heidelberg is also the home to modern Germany's oldest University, which was founded in 1386. The walk along the Old Bridge (Alte Brücke) and the Philosophers Path on the opposite bank of the river offer beautiful views of Heidelberg.

The Neuschwanstein Castle is Germany’s most famous castle and is best known as the model used by Walt Disney for the castle featured in the film The Sleeping Beauty. Neuschwanstein looms over the Hohenschwangau valley and its exterior is a magnificent work of mock- medievalism and fantasy. The interior features magnificent woodcarvings and murals. The Neuschwanstein Castle is a royal palace in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, the most famous of three royal palaces built for Louis II of Bavaria, sometimes referred to as Mad King Ludwig. The Castle was crafted by King Ludwig in 1869, and it took hundreds of laborers from around the world almost 16 years to build and only about a third of it was ever finished. Tours of the Castle and its 45meter waterfall from nearby Mary’s bridge are offered to the public.

The Castle of Wartburg is a blend of several different eras, making it a compilation of German architecture. The oldest part is the late 12th-century Palas, one of Europe's few surviving Romanesque palaces. Several structures have been added in the Romantic style in the 19th century as part of a painstaking renovation. The highlight of the Wartburg is the 200 carved capitals, of which a third are original masterpieces of Romanesque carving.

Countless fairy tales originated in the valleys and wooded heights of Germany's Black Forest. The region starts 130 km south of Frankfurt and runs to the Swiss border. This area is very popular with hikers and cross-country skiers and it is filled with dark firs and pines. Known as the Home of the German Soul, its landscape rises to about 1,200m and drops off steeply into picturesque valleys. Surrounding areas of interest include Triberg, Titisee, Gutach and Furtwangen.

There are also numerous events enjoyed by the Germans as well as its visitors. The Munich Oktoberfest is one of world's biggest and most well-known public festivals. It was initiated at the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony Hilbrughausen on October the 12th, 1810, and the celebrations went on for five days. Today, the festival extends over 16 days. The festival begins on the last few days of September and spills into the first week of October. It features an array of German foods, drinks, and activities for all ages. During the celebrations, the city is filled with hundreds of thousands of partiers, enjoying the event and drinking Germany’s finest beer.

Germany's most popular honeymoon destinations are in the Bavarian Alps and the Black Forest. Top ski resorts like Garmish, huddled in Bavaria's awesome Alps, have state of the art accommodations and opportunities to rent charming cabins and luxurious chalets. Bavaria is considered the land of castles and baroque churches, and the Black Forest on the Danube River is an enchanted area where extraordinary castles capture the romance and essence of the region. Heidelberg's Castle is stunning, and a visit to the mineral hot springs of Aachen or Baden is highly recommended. The university town of Freiburg is well known for its vineyards. Regenburg on the Danube is Germany's most well-preserved medieval city.

A wedding in Germany is an experience to cherish forever. The rich traditions and unique European way of life will be a treasured lifetime memory.