Oh Amsterdam, absolutely worth the HYPE! The amount of pure JOY and CELEBRATION of love is exhilarating. Amsterdam is an LGBTQ+ friendly city, check out our Amsterdam Gayborhood Elopement for all those off the rooftop vibes. Let’s explore how to elope in Amsterdam as an American.
Amsterdam, a Dutch word, translates to “The Dam on the River Amstel.” It is the capital of the Netherlands and the most populated city of the Netherlands. Located in the Dutch province of North Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the “Venice of the North”, for its large number of canals, now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As they say, the North remembers.
Can tourists get married in Amsterdam?
Elope legally… somewhere else. We love the Netherlands. We love the acceptance of literally, nearly, everything in Amsterdam. However, they are not so accommodating for two Americans wishing to marry in the Netherlands. You can read all the legal hullabaloo here – Getting Married in The Netherlands – U.S. Embassy.
However, we read it, so you don’t have to! TBH we read a lot of shit to make sure your day goes off without a hitch. The long and short of it is, you should probably get married in the U.S. and have a symbolic wedding in Amsterdam. If neither you nor your partner is Dutch, you are NOT permitted to marry or form a civil partnership in the Netherlands. Cool beans, Amsterdam.
How to Elope in Amsterdam – get your coins and converters
In the Netherlands, like many other countries of the European Community, the accepted currency is Euro (EUR, €). For our American friends, switch out your dollars for Euros. As of March 3, 2024. $1 US is equivalent to .92 Euros which is slightly better than I last checked. On November 21st, the exchange rate was .97 Euro for 1 US dollar.
Next, make sure you have a passport! This can get tricky if you are legally getting married and changing your name in the states. Before you go getting your new social security card and using that to get your passport which can take MONTHS, plan ahead. If you are ready to elope in Amsterdam (symbolically) either elope first then go home, get married, do paperwork. OR get married, visit Amsterdam, come home and then change your name. We got you.
Pack your EU Adapter. The Netherlands uses the Type F electrical plug. This plug has two round pins, spaced about 2 cm apart, and is the same as those used in many countries in Continental Europe. If you forget, they aren’t hard to find but may cost you more than purchasing ahead of time.
When to Elope in Amsterdam
According to GoAway, the best time weather-wise is from mid-April to mid-October. July and August are the peak months for visitors. The weather overall is never severely cold or hot as the temperatures are influenced by the North Sea (the Netherlands has a maritime climate). Most rain falls in the winter and it can feel damp and chilly. However, I visited at the end of January and aside from it being a little colder, I still had an AmsterDAMN good time! When you get ready to book an elopement with us we will do a deep dive on what works for YOU!
Getting There Can Be Half the Fun!
For our Americans, your options are by air or by sea. You may think we are being funny with the sea option, but I assure you, we are not. We had a couple literally cruisin’ around and they had a Barcelona stop-over. During which, they choose to have a beautiful little wedding ceremony! It is LITERALLY a dream vacation and getting married on top. They were on a Mediterranean cruise for a few days before disembarking in Barcelona. On the last stop, before they got on the airplane to head back home, they got off the boat and THEY GOT FUCKIN MARRIED! We captured all that fun with our Barcelona Elopement in Gothic Quarter. We take “pics or it didn’t happen” as seriously, as if it were our jobs.
Did I pique your interest? We did some back of the cocktail napkin math for you. A one way cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to the Netherlands will take 13 nights on Holland America Line. Ft. Lauderdale kicks off this epic transatlantic cruise that sweeps serene Bermuda before crossing the Atlantic to charming seaside cities of the UK, France and Belgium. The cost for two is $3,934, including taxes and port fees for the basic accommodations. I’m telling you, a wedding and honeymoon all in one is a very fun option!
Board a Flight to Elope in Amsterdam
Those who are more interested in exploring the destination over the sea, can take a flight to Amsterdam. A 1-stop flight from Orlando, Florida to Amsterdam takes about 12 hours and roundtrip you’re looking at around $2,000. If you’re looking into how much does it cost to get married in Amsterdam, be sure to include the cost to get there, the price of where you stay, and build out a budget for the fun stuff!
Also to note in our general facts section is the 8 hour time difference between Montana (MST) and Amsterdam. If it’s noon in FL, it’s 8PM in Amsterdam. Are we good with all the math yet? All I really know is 1 + 1 = my favorite eloping couple (that’s you!)
Explore
Now that we got all the logistics figured out, let’s plan out how to elope in Amsterdam!! After my last visit, I will ALWAYS recommend the boat experience and bike riding tour for experiences. They are a great way to cover ground, see more of Amsterdam AND make for really cool photos. Trust me, as your elopement photographer, I am making sure we get allll the shots.
Where to Stay When You Elope in Amsterdam
For access to everything, we recommend Pulitzer Amsterdam | 5 Star Hotel in Amsterdam City Centre. Discover quintessential Dutch elegance set within twenty-five restored 17th and 18th century houses. This 5-star hotel offers intimate guest rooms, tranquil inner gardens, multiple meeting & event spaces, an award winning bar and a restaurant serving simple yet beautifully crafted dishes. Pulitzer Amsterdam is a unique blend of traditional Dutch craftsmanship and modern design nestled amongst the city’s most iconic canals.
A few streets over is The Dylan Amsterdam, a Luxury 5 Star Boutique Hotel. Self-proclaimed as Amsterdam’s best kept secret, it boasts 4 different room types and styles. Personally, you can catch us in the Loxura. The style of these rooms is based on the copper-colored Loxura butterfly. The natural colors of the butterfly can be found in the bronzed mirrors and leather headboards with luxury pearl shell detail. The rooms are all situated around a tranquil garden and are enriched with an intimate and warm color palette.
Wedding Planning
For our eloping couples, we work together to bring their vision to life! If you are looking for a full wedding, we CANNOT recommend Lux Wedding enough. We worked with them on our Amsterdam styled shoot as well as our Paris Elopement Inspiration. They are THE best.
Honeybee Checklist – Where to Go When You Elope in Amsterdam
When you are ready to take on Amsterdam here is our roundup of visit worthy locations. Our advice is to ride a bike so you can truly experience the city and see it all!
Jodraan
The vibrant city of Jodraan is full of canals and classic views of Amsterdam. In Jodraan, one of my favorite places was the Reestraat Bridge, close to the Pulitzer Amsterdam, straight up GORGEOUS. I want to put a bridge like this in every place I go. After the bridge, I wandered through the quaint streets, with boutique shops and cozy cafes. If you’re doing a two day adventure elopement, a next morning chat at a coffee shop is perfect.
Haarlem Streets
10 miles away from trendy Amsterdam are the Haarlem streets. I enjoyed a day trip to the quieter, but equally as charming town. While it is feasible to access by bike, it’s also just a 15 mile train ride. While in the Haarlem streets, consider sharing your vows at Haarlemmerhout Park which is the oldest public park of the Netherlands. It’s spacious enough to find a pocket of privacy. Catch it at the right time for spring flowers popping up all around.
After visiting Haarlemmerhout, take a stroll down de Gouden Straatjes (the Golden Streets). The Secret City Trails is a fun way to get to know the area! This tour is playful and incorporates location-based riddles that will show you the way to some favorite local places, including: cheesemongers, candlemakers, quiet courtyards, and cute hidden spots. Yes, please!
De Pijp
De Pijp is for our couples that are ready to have a good time on the town! This trendy neighborhood has a vibrant nightlife with plenty of bars, pubs, and clubs. Whether you’re in the mood for cocktails, craft beer, or live music, you’ll find what you’re looking for in De Pijp.
Leidseplein
Leidseplein is the trendy square, home of the iconic “I am Amsterdam” sign which was removed in 2018 after it became a “selfie spot.” Sounds like a couple great hikes I know! While it’s a busy location, it was just alright IMO. It’s best visited in the morning to avoid crowds, then hit the canal cruise for a true experience!
Oud Zuid
Oud-Zuid is home to some of the world’s best art museums. Oud-Zuid (Old-South) is one of Amsterdam’s most elegant neighborhoods, where manors line leafy streets and chic boutiques abound. I loved all the lush greenery and exploring Willemspark which is full of drop dead gorgeous houses. It was like visiting Zillow’s love list IRL.
Keukenhof
On every flower lover’s bucket list is Keukenhof. Also known as the Garden of Europe, it is one of the world’s largest flower gardens and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Netherlands. In 2024, it will be open from March 21 to May 12. While I visited too early to catch it, I DID stop by Bloemenmarkt which I highly recommend. Let’s get your bouquet, babe! Bonus it’s close to Magere Brug IE Magere Bridge. While the bridge isn’t great for photos, stop by with your love at dusk for a beautiful view.
Nine Streets
The bustling streets straddling Amsterdam’s grandest canals (how’s that for imagery!) form one of the most photogenic neighborhoods. Known to locals as Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets), this area is highlighted for its boutiques and specialty stores selling everything from upcycled vintage accessories to retro furniture. The area is also home to a wealth of foodie hotspots, fascinating monuments and stately canal house museums. To me, it felt like a high-end shopping, walking mall. #RodeoDriveVibes. While pursuing Nine Streets, check out the INCREDIBLE rooftop bar at the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht hotel. Martani with a twist, anyone?
Nieuwmarkt Neighbourhood
Nieuwmarkt is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Amsterdam. The historic district is centered around the Nieuwmarkt Square, a commercial and social hub since the 17th century when an open canal was filled in to create the square. You know, a century before the USA was founded! Today, the marketplace still hosts weekly farmers’ markets. But the biggest draw is the collection of lively bars, cafés and restaurants surrounding the square.
The Nieuwmarkt district is also home to Amsterdam’s old Jewish quarter and the city’s bustling Chinatown. Getting there is easy as it’s only a short stroll from Amsterdam Centraal railroad station and the Nieuwmarkt Metro stop. Damrak, Amsterdam’s main street, runs between Amsterdam Centraal Station and Dam Square
Feel like you’ve heard of Nieuwmarkt for another reason? Ah yes, it is home to the infamous red light district. Spice up your wedding night and paint the town red!
Let’s get you MARRIED!
My last note on how to elope in Amsterdam, is to get THE cookie. At Van Stapele Koekmakerij they sell only one type of cookie. The famous Van Stapele cookie is a dark chocolate dough with a delicious white chocolate filling. The cookie is crisp around the edges, but soft and gooey on the inside. They are busy baking all day long, so even at the end of the day your cookies will be just baked! Their operating hours are 10am – till the last cookie is sold, we love that mentality! And those cookies… to die for.
Can’t wait to plan with you on how to elope in Amsterdam! The Netherlands are truly gorgeous, there are such good vibes all around, and it’s a one of a kind location for our adventure elopement couples! Let’s talk more about YOU and YOUR ELOPEMENT! We have an assortment of wedding packages built around you! If you are still on the fence wondering if it is OK to just elope, to that we say abso-fucking-lutely!
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