In the Norwegian town of Lillestrøm, couples keep missing their own weddings. Some cancel at the last minute, while others simply never show up at the town hall. The problem has become so frustrating that the municipality now wants to introduce a fee for couples who fail to attend their own wedding ceremonies.
According to Norwegian broadcaster TV 2, local authorities are proposing a NOK 1,160 (€108) cancellation fee for couples who fail to cancel their booking at least two weeks before the scheduled ceremony.
Why are couples missing their own weddings?
The explanation is less dramatic than it might sound. Apparently, some couples are not having second thoughts about marriage. They are simply making too many reservations.
According to the local newspaper Romerikes Blad, some couples book wedding ceremonies in several municipalities at once to secure their preferred date. Once they find a suitable appointment elsewhere, they do not always bother to cancel the other reservations.
Municipal chief executive Bjørn Gudbjørgsrud explained that when couples are offered a ceremony elsewhere, their booking in Lillestrøm sometimes remains active.
Failure to cancel, or cancelling too late, means that the reserved capacity cannot be used by others.
Around 200 couples get married at Lillestrøm town hall every year, where civil ceremonies have been available for more than eight years.
Getting married is free, but missing the wedding may not be
The municipal council will vote on the proposed fee on 4 November 2026. If approved, the new rules are expected to take effect in January 2027.
There is one particularly ironic detail. According to the municipality’s official website, Friday wedding ceremonies are currently free for local residents.
In other words, getting married in Lillestrøm can cost nothing. Not getting married, on the other hand, could soon cost €
