Women from Europe never fail to attract the attention of Western men. Their unique combination of beauty, intelligence, and family values is something any man would want to see in a romantic partner. But what are European mail order brides really like and what do you need to know to go from strangers to lovers to spouses? Our European bride guide is here to tell you everything.
Wedding Customs and Traditions in Europe
Europe is a culturally diverse continent, and what better way to explore the region’s culture than through a traditional wedding ceremony? Here are some of the most noteworthy wedding customs and traditions in European countries:
- In France, the entire wedding party usually parades from the ceremony to the reception, often led by musicians. This is called La Noce, and at least in smaller cities and French villages, the whole population will join it.
- In Italy, most weddings take place on Sundays. While this may not seem ideal for those who work regular 9 to 5 jobs and need to be there on Monday, Sundays are viewed as the luckiest day to get married.
- One of the UK’s best-known wedding traditions is for the bride to have something old, new, borrowed, and blue in her bridal look. This tradition is so popular that it has made its way into numerous movies and TV shows.
- In Spain, it is not customary to have bridesmaids, like you would typically do in the UK, US, and other Western countries. Spanish weddings are also pretty religious by nature and share many of their traditions with other Catholic countries.
- In Germany, a beloved wedding tradition is called Polterabend and actually takes place the day before the wedding. The guests and the happy couple will break porcelain for good luck, and the couple will clean it together, demonstrating teamwork.
What Do Girls from Europe Think About International Dating?
In general, European citizens are rapidly adopting a more positive attitude towards international dating and marriage. There are several factors contributing to the change, including the fact that Europeans are more accepting of people of other nationalities compared to some Western nations, and the overall tolerance and open-mindedness people have there.
But do European women like American men specifically? Yes, we can tell you for sure that girls from Europe have a very favorable idea of Americans. They like the confidence and ambitious nature of American men paired with their good manners, excellent social skills, and traditional values. This is why there are currently thousands of European mail order brides actively looking for Americans to marry and date.
Key Statistics About European Mail Order Brides
Raw numbers and facts may not give you the most complete idea of who girls from Europe really are, but they are a good place to start if you want to know more about European brides and where they stand in life. Here are the most important family-related statistics about European women.
- K-1 visa issues per year: 2,642
- Average marriage age: 32.7
- Average fertility rate: 1.3
- Average divorce rate: 2.0
The Legal Side of Marrying a European Bride
Getting a European wife is not just about meeting your ideal woman and developing a romantic relationship — it’s also about learning the legal requirements for international marriage and following them down to the smallest detail. Here is a quick breakdown of the paperwork you need, where to get it, how much time it takes, and how much it costs.
| Document | Where to Get It | Timeline | Cost |
| Proof of legal stay (visa or stamp) | Immigration or Border Police | On arrival | Usually free with entry |
| Certificate of No Impediment | US Embassy or Consulate | 1-2 weeks (appointment required) | $50-$100 |
| Marriage Licence Application | Civil Registry or Town Hall | 2-6 weeks before the wedding | €50-€200 |
| Translation of US documents | Certified translator | 1-2 weeks | €40–€100 per doc |
| Marriage declaration or interview | Civil Registry or Town Hall | 1-2 hours (appointment required) | Usually free |
| Document legalization or Apostille acceptance | Local Ministry of Foreign Affairs | 1-2 weeks | €20–€50 per doc |
| Civil marriage ceremony | Town Hall | Book 1-3 months in advance | €100-€400 |
| Marriage certificate | Civil Registry | 1-7 days after the ceremony | €10-€25 per copy |
Now let’s briefly go over some practical tips to ensure that the process goes right for you and your bride:
- Check embassy websites before you go: both the US Embassy and European embassies have detailed guides for foreigners intending to get married.
- Apostille everything: most European countries require American documents to be apostilled, which can be done by your state’s Secretary of State.
- Schedule appointments: once you arrive in Europe, or even before that, make sure to book appointments with everyone needed to move the process forward.
- Use local help: while it can be tough for a foreigner to master all the legal intricacies, a wedding planner or legal translator is perfectly familiar with local bureaucracy.
- Arrive in advance: this can come in handy if some documents take longer than expected, and some countries also require you to be a resident for some time before getting married.
Common Challenges of Dating European Brides
Getting a European wife or girlfriend is a lifelong dream for many Americans. However, in order for everything to work out well, it’s important to have a realistic idea of what this relationship truly entails: not just the positives, but also the negatives. Here are the 3 biggest challenges of dating European mail order brides:
- Different relationship pace. With some exceptions in Eastern Europe, European ladies prefer to take their time before committing to a relationship. It’s not uncommon for them to hang out with their partner all the time without labeling the relationship or expressing their feelings. For you, it means that you’ll need to be patient and avoid pushing your woman, or doubting her true intentions and fidelity.
- Direct communication style. One thing that will definitely take you some time to get used to is that European women are pretty direct and straightforward in the way they communicate. Whether or not they are happy about something, they will always let you know. Compared to Western women, who are often reluctant to confront their partners, this openness can seem unusual but very refreshing.
- Family connections. In most Western families, kids move out in their late teens or early 20s, and while they remain close to their parents, they are far more independent. In Europe, it is very common to live with the parents until marriage, and the connection of European women to their family, their dependence on the family’s opinion and advice, is something that never goes away.
Success Stories of European Mail Order Brides
Anna and Mark: True Love Overcomes All Challenges
Mark and Anna’s story began in a pretty standard way: Mark finally joined a European dating site after months of pressure from his friends, found Anna, and fell head over heels for her. Thankfully, the feeling was mutual. The couple knew they were going to get married, and they knew they would have to do it in Anna’s home city of Milan to include her family and friends.
However, there was one obstacle on their way to happiness: Mark became swamped with paperwork. This can be challenging even for a local, but for foreigners who don’t speak the language, things can get even tougher. Luckily, one of Anna’s friends was a lawyer who helped the couple navigate all legal procedures quickly and with confidence. Anna and Mark are currently married, reside in Texas, and couldn’t be happier.
Sofia and Paul: Finding Common Ground
Paul and Sofia fell in love the minute they saw each other on a popular dating website. However, it took them more than two years to get married. There were two reasons for that. First, Paul was married before and didn’t want to rush into a new marriage before truly getting to know the other person. Second, although Sofia knew English well, Paul knew nothing about the Polish language or culture, which was a dealbreaker for Sofia.
After some initial resistance, Paul jumped head-first into his studies. He even took some Catholic classes because he knew how important it was for Sofia to have a traditional wedding ceremony. Eventually, Paul got so fluent that he also became best mates with Sofia’s friends and completely charmed her family. The couple just celebrated their first anniversary!
Popular Wedding Locations Around Europe
In addition to thousands of weddings taking place among European citizens every month, Europe is also a pretty popular spot for destination weddings. Whether you plan on marrying a European mail order bride or you simply want to celebrate your big day in a beautiful, memorable place, here are the 3 European cities and popular wedding venues to consider:
- Paris, France. Widely known as possibly the most romantic city on the planet, Paris is a no-brainer when it comes to a beautiful wedding destination. We suggest Ritz Paris, Château de Villette, Château de Chantilly, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte.
- Rome, Italy. Also known as the Eternal City, Rome boasts ancient ruins, Renaissance art, and timeless beauty that look stunning both in person and in photographs. Consider Villa Milani, Castello Brancaccio, Villa Aurelia, Castel Gandolfo, and Palazzo Colonna.
- London, UK. London combines royal heritage with modern elegance. From historic palaces to contemporary venues, it offers diverse options for a wedding everyone is going to remember. We suggest celebrating at the Old Royal Naval College, Kew Gardens, The Gherkin, The Dorchester, and The Ritz London.
Final Thoughts
If you like women who are good-looking, can talk about anything in the world, and are ready to give you the family you’ve always wanted, European brides are the most natural and even obvious choice. Plus, now that meeting, dating, and marrying a European bride as a foreigner is easier than ever, there is no reason to remain single any longer. Start your romantic journey today and meet your soulmate in no time!
