Amsterdam; quite a special place! I have been lucky to have lived here for 10 years (and the small town where I live now is only 20 minutes away) and it still amazes me what a great vibe this place has. In the years I’ve shot quite a few weddings here too, of course and I’d like to share with you some of the great places I’ve been to so far!

Before we start I’d like to share a tip, and that’s the Amsterdam Marriage Bureau. The bureau can help you out with all the official paper work involved in getting married in Amsterdam and the owner, Andrea Schipper, is also a wedding official.

Let’s start with some hotels. Some of my favorites include the Amstel hotel, the Grand and Pulitzer, but there are plenty more: recently Waldorf Astoria opened it’s Amsterdam branch, and there’s also the College Hotel (at a great location) and Conservatorium Hotel, right next to all the big museums.

table setting at Amstel Hotel

Ceremony at the Pulitzer

My couple before they enter the Grand, in the old center of the city

There’s also some places with historical value.  The West Indisch Huis and House of Amsterdam are very well know; Vertigo in the Vondelpark is great as well.

dinner at West Indisch Huis

Ceremony at House of Amsterdam

Terrace of Vertigo in the Vondelpark

Of course there’s churches too! The Old Church in the center (actually, next to the Red Light district) is a fantastic place, although a bit large. The Vondelkerk, next to the Vondelpark, can also accommodate a great party, making it look like some uber-hip party scene. The Begijnhof kapel is a hidden gem in the center for sure. For your information, in many churches you can opt for a civil service so it doesn’t necessarily has to be a religious one.

Ceremony in the Old Church

Party at the Vondelkerk

Begijnhof kapel

Want to take it outside the city (but still close)? No problem! Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is a great little place and you can reach it by boat. Blijburg, at IJburg, gives you a beach feel – sort of.

Amstelkerk in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel

Blijburg gives you that happy hippie vibe

These are just some possibilities, but there’s literally dozens of options. Ask your wedding planner for more tips or check this (Dutch) listing of wedding venues in Amsterdam!

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