No more luxury weddings: we can say "I do" at Ikea (with a low-cost buffet)

From June 27, Ikea will be celebrating low-budget weddings in its stores in Sweden: a civil ceremony with a summer menu and a gift for the bride and groom, to make nuptials more accessible.

Rental castles, expensive villas and endless guest lists could soon be a thing of the past. In Sweden, IKEA has decided to revolutionize the world of weddings, by opening the doors of its stores to future spouses so that they can say "I do". A surprising initiative that combines romance, practicality and the accessible philosophy that has made the furniture giant one of the world's most recognizable brands for decades.

Kick-off scheduled for June 27

The chosen date is June 27, 2026, when five of the Swedish brand's stores will host a special day dedicated to civil weddings. The cities concerned are Malmö, Linköping, Jönköping, Uddevalla and Karlstad, with each outlet ready to welcome three couples, for a total of fifteen weddings to be celebrated in the heart of the showrooms.

The bride and groom will be able to swear eternal fidelity to one another in a decor that is, to say the least, unusual: spaces fitted out like real apartments, light effects studied down to the smallest detail, and that warm, familiar atmosphere that has made Ikea a place frequented by millions of people every day. To make the ceremony official, a civil registrar will officiate at the ceremony, right in the store.

After the ceremony, it's time for an Ikea lunch

The experience doesn't end with the exchange of vows. After the ceremony, couples will be invited to share a lunch based on Ikea's summer menu, an element that further reinforces the idea of conviviality put forward by the brand. The newlyweds will also receive a wedding gift from the Swedish brand.

The aim is to make weddings more spontaneous, less stressful and, above all, more accessible. It's also a proposal designed for the younger generation, who are often put off by the staggering costs of traditional ceremonies.

Simple weddings, reduced costs and minimal paperwork

Behind this initiative lies a clear vision: to make weddings less elitist. To get married in an Ikea store, there's no need for months of preparations or astronomical budgets. Couples simply need to present themselves with valid identification, two witnesses, and have completed the marriage authorization procedure with the Swedish Tax Administration, the hindersprövning.

A streamlined formula that focuses on experience and simplicity. And while the project is initially being launched only in Sweden, the idea has already attracted international interest. If this test proves conclusive, it's not out of the question that other countries will see weddings celebrated in the midst of fully-equipped kitchens, iconic shelves and famous Swedish meatballs.