Getting hitched need not cost a fortune.

Sixty-five percent of Flemish municipalities have days set aside when a wedding ceremony at the municipal hall is free of charge. These usually fall during the working week and during office hours. Saturdays are more expensive.

People getting married will have to pay for a wedding book. This only costs EUR 9 in Willebroek, but can run up to EUR 50 in Diksmuide or Niel. The customary wedding book is not obligatory, an ordinary certificate will also do.

For a ceremony at the Gravensteen Castle (Castle of the Counts) in Ghent you will pay EUR 600. This is the most expensive municipal ceremony in Flanders. It’s free in Asse, Haacht, Hoeilaart, Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Ranst, Zandhoven, Laakdal, Merelbeke, Moorslede and Ardooie and you will be treated to free cava or fruit juice after the ceremony!

Flandersnews.be / Expatica