Wedding
Love is a gift from God. Asking for His blessing gives a good start to a marriage.
Marriage is a gift given by God
At the celebration of marriage, the couple come before the face of God to confess that they have received the gift of love that God has given them in each other, to affirm their commitment to one another in love and faithfulness, and to pray for blessing, strength, and guidance in their life together.
In Finland, a pastor can legally act as a marriage officiator. A church wedding is a legally binding contract and there is no need for a separate visit to a register office. If the couple is already married, whether in a register office or by a officiant of a different church denomination, the marriage may be blessed in a Lutheran ceremony.
A church wedding can be a small or a big affair depending on the couple’s wishes. There are no fees for the church or pastor’s and organist’s services. In Vantaa, there is also an opportunity to get married in a special event called ‘Hääyö’ (lit. ‘Wedding Night’) where dozens of couples get married on a first-come-first-served-basis in the popular Church of St. Lawrence. The event is organised annually in September.
How can I get married in the Vantaa parish union?
There are two types of marriage related ceremonies in the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Adults who are members of the Lutheran church and have been confirmed can have a church wedding in which a Lutheran pastor acts as the marriage officiator. In this case, the ceremony is legally binding and there is no need to visit the register office.
A church wedding is also possible if one of the parties is a member of the Finnish Lutheran Church and the other is a member of a Christian church in some other denomination or country. Some document to prove church membership is required. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland does not currently officiate same-sex weddings, but our pastors can participate in prayer for a same-sex couple’s relationship.
If these conditions are not met but a marriage is possible under the Finnish law, the couple can get married in a civil ceremony at a state register office (maistraatti). After a civil ceremony, the marriage can be blessed in a church ceremony as long as one of the spouses is a member of the Church. The same applies to a couple married in a civil ceremony in another country. The blessing of a civil marriage is very much like a church wedding.
In order to be legally married (regardless of the type of ceremony), a couple must have a certificate of non-impediment (esteettömyystodistus). According to the Finnish law, the certificate can be issued seven days after it has been requested, and it is then valid for four months. If both persons involved are already registered in Finland’s Population Register so that their current marital status is officially known, they only need to take along ID cards when they go to request this certificate.
If either, however, is a non-Finnish citizen not registered in Finland, official documents from another country are required. The couple must taken care of this well in advance, even months before the intended wedding date, because the official procedure may take much time in some countries. When the certificate of non-impediment is issued, it is mailed to the couple who then give it to the wedding officiant or pastor who will perform the wedding.
A Special Wedding Event in Vantaa
Willing to Get Married in ‘Hääyö’
Hääyö Event
Hääyö is an atmospheric event that offers a unique and effortless way to have a church wedding in the evening. This special event is usually held on the third Friday of September at The Church of Saint Lawrence in Vantaa.
Get married easily at Hääyö
The next Hääyö event in Vantaa will take place on September 18, 2026.
No advance registration is required. The distribution of ceremony times begins at Saint Lawrence Chapel (Pappilankuja 3) at 6:00 PM, and the first ceremonies take place at 7:00 PM. Ceremony times are assigned in order of arrival.
Everything is prepared for you at Hääyö—you can get married effortlessly but with dignity. Several pastors and organists will be present during the evening, ensuring that all couples will have time for their ceremony. Weddings can take place not only in the church but also, for example, in the chapel and in the Pakaritupa venue.
The Hääyö event of Tikkurila Parish was first held at The Church of Saint Lawrence in 2009. Since then, nearly 500 couples have said “I do” at the event. The idea of an easy yet dignified wedding ceremony has since spread from Vantaa to other locations.
Shall we get married?
At Hääyö, getting married is easy. There’s still time to propose!
Basic information for couples planning to marry at Hääyö
Two witnesses required for the ceremony will be provided by the parish if the couple does not bring their own.
You only need to bring:
- your future spouse and rings
- a certificate of no impediment to marriage
- identification for both parties
The certificate of no impediment must be ordered online, from your parish office, or from the regional register office no later than one week before the event. The certificate is valid for four months.
Parish offices
Regional register office
Online inquiry into impediments to marriage
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The certificate must show that:
- both parties belong to the church, or
- at least one belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the other belongs to another Christian church or denomination in Finland or abroad. Christian churches include, for example, the Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, as well as Pentecostal, Adventist, Free Church, and Baptist churches.
For Lutherans, confirmation (completion of confirmation school) is required. For more detailed information, contact your local parish or central register office. Without a valid certificate containing the required information, the ceremony cannot be performed. Remember to bring your certificate(s) to Hääyö!
If you have previously been married in a civil ceremony, it is also possible to receive a church blessing for your marriage at Hääyö. For a blessing, church membership is not necessarily required.
Ceremonies at Hääyö can also be conducted in English or Swedish if needed.
More information
Pastor Katja Maidell-Taipale
katja.maidell-taipale@evl.fi
Tel. +358 40 352 8943 (unavailable June 15–30 and August 3–17)
During June 17–30 and August 3–9:
Pastor Jaakko Hyttinen
jaakko.hyttinen@evl.fi
Tel. +358 50 559 4781
During August 10–17:
Pastor Terhi Viljanen
terhi.viljanen@evl.fi
Tel. +358 50 331 7227