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🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Border runs through wedding hall: Couples must say 'I do' on Belgian side

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • The border between Belgium and the Netherlands runs through the town hall's wedding hall in Baarle-Hertog.
  • Couples marrying in the hall must stand on the Belgian side for the marriage to be legally valid.
  • The unique border situation is a source of local pride and a popular anecdote for couples.

In the Belgian municipality of Baarle-Hertog, the border with the Netherlands slices directly through the council and wedding hall, creating a unique challenge for couples tying the knot. To ensure their marriage is legally recognized, they must exchange vows on the Belgian side of the line. "There have fortunately been no mistakes yet," officials say.

There have fortunately been no mistakes yet.

— OfficialsRegarding couples marrying in the town hall.

Couples planning to wed in Baarle-Hertog must pay close attention to their seating arrangements. "We have a municipality that is completely surrounded by the Netherlands. We built our town hall on the national border, and the border literally runs through our council chamber," explained Mayor Philip Loots. "We have marked this border and can illuminate it."

We have a municipality that is completely surrounded by the Netherlands. We built our town hall on the national border, and the border literally runs through our council chamber. We have marked this border and can illuminate it.

— Philip LootsMayor of Baarle-Hertog, explaining the town hall's unique location.

"When I officiate a wedding, I have to be careful that the couple is on the correct side, because on the other side of the border, we are not authorized to perform marriages so far," Loots added. To prevent legal mishaps, a bench is placed on the correct side of the marked border. Both the mayor and the registrar must stand on Belgian territory before the ceremony can begin.

When I officiate a wedding, I have to be careful that the couple is on the correct side, because on the other side of the border, we are not authorized to perform marriages so far.

— Philip LootsMayor of Baarle-Hertog, detailing the legal implications of the border.

"The national border is clearly indicated, and it's something we are proud of. Making a mistake against it would be very foolish," the mayor chuckled. The town embraces its border situation as a unique asset, with initiatives like a swing and a chessboard straddling the line. For many couples, the border story serves as an ideal icebreaker during their wedding, adding a memorable anecdote to their special day. One couple, who married in March, confirmed the unique situation, with one partner humorously noting that his father's feet were in Belgium while his rear was in the Netherlands.

The national border is clearly indicated, and it's something we are proud of. Making a mistake against it would be very foolish.

— Philip LootsMayor of Baarle-Hertog, expressing pride in the town's unique border.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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