PLANNING AN ELOPEMENT IN NORWAY

The Ultimate Guide to Planning Elopement in Norway

Planning an elopement is an exciting and intimate way to celebrate your love, and Norway, with its stunning landscapes and magical atmosphere, is a perfect destination! Whether you’re dreaming of exchanging vows beneath the Northern Lights, up on a mountain, beside a beautiful waterfall or on a majestic fjord, Norway offers endless opportunities for a memorable elopement. Here’s some things you need to know to plan your perfect day.

1. Choosing the Perfect Location

Norway’s diverse landscapes provide countless options for your elopement. When choosing a location, consider the time of year, accessibility (sometimes roads might be closed like Trollstigen is during 2024), and whether you prefer a secluded spot or somewhere more accessible to guests if you’re including some of your loved ones. Some popular choices include:

• Geirangerfjord: A UNESCO World Heritage site with breathtaking views and waterfalls.
• Trolltunga: A stunning cliff offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
• Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock): An iconic cliff with a flat top, perfect for stunning photos.

BUT… I highly suggest you not picking any of them. Why?

Since some of the most popular destinations listed above can get super crowded during the peak times of the year, consider choosing something less popular but still as amazingly beautiful! During many visits to Norway I have come across some truly spectacular hidden gems I would be delighted to share with you. If you still wish to elope in some of the more popular destinations, it’s usually always possible to find a secluded spot somewhere nearby if not in the exact location. For example while Geirangerfjord is SUPER packed during the summer months especially, driving up the mountain brings you closer to amazingly beautiful secluded spots where you might want to exchange your vows if you still want to stay in the area. The photo above is taken near the Geiranger Skywalk which offers beautiful views to Geiranger from 1500 meters high.

Some larger areas I’d consider…

• Lofoten Islands: Known for their dramatic peaks, sheltered bays, and vibrant fishing villages. It’s large enough to find secluded spots even when it’s crowded with tourists, but in the recent years Lofoten Islands has become more and more crowded due to its popularity and exposure especially via social media.
• Jotunheimen National Park: A magnificent destination that offers stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and numerous outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts and adventurers. Very easy to get close to beautiful locations by car and offers numerous spots nearby to get away from crowds.
• Lyngen Alps: A majestic mountain range located in Troms, Norway, characterized by its dramatic peaks, deep fjords, and breathtaking landscapes. While Blåisvatnet (also known as Blåvatnet) might be extremely crowded at times, the area offers many accessible and less crowded spots with equally beautiful little lakes.
• Jostedalsbreen National Park: This stunning destination is perfect for nature lovers, offering breathtaking views, challenging hikes, and a unique experience in the largest glacier on mainland Europe. The best thing is that you can access beautiful spots around the glacier and little more secluded areas like Suppehellebreen
• Hardangervidda National Park: The largest national park in Norway with an impressive landscape, offering numerous trails for hikers and incredible viewpoints, as well as a rich wildlife that can be observed there.

Whatever you end up choosing, please keep in mind that the most spectacular nature spots usually require more or less hiking and effort to get to, especially if you wish to have a more secluded location all to yourself. The hidden gems are hidden gems because they’re not as accessible and popular. In case you’re not willing to hike, the good news is that there are some amazing locations near roads too and some less crowded attractions near magical places like the edges of glaciers. If your heart is set on the tourist attractions, consider choosing a time of the year that isn’t as crowded.

2. Getting legally married or choosing a symbolic ceremony

To legally marry in Norway, you’ll need to complete a few important steps well in time:

• Submit Required Documents: These include birth certificates, passports, and a certificate of no impediment to marriage.
• Application for Marriage License: Submit your application to the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) well in advance.
• Approval and Ceremony: Once approved, you can have a civil ceremony at the magistrate’s office or a church wedding. Alternatively, many couples choose a symbolic ceremony at their chosen location and handle the legalities beforehand or afterwards. Some officiants are willing to travel to your chosen locations but please note it might be hard to get someone in a more secluded spot where hiking is involved.

More detailed information can be found from SKATTEETATEN website about the legal requirements.

While the idea of getting legally married in Norway might sound tempting, with all the paperwork required it’s no wonder that many couples end up tying the knot in their home countries either before or after the elopement and opt for a symbolic ceremony. With symbolic ceremony you can have the ceremony almost anywhere since you don’t have to worry about saying “I do” in a courthouse, church or a location where an officiant agrees to travel to. It will be one less thing to worry about which frees up stress – and aren’t you really wanting to elope partly because it’s less stressful? I can promise you that the feelings and emotions will still be there and having a symbolic ceremony won’t take anything away from the experience or make it feel less real.

3. Hiring Vendors

Working with amazing vendors can help make your elopement seamless and stress-free. While I will be helping you with every step of the way and finding the perfect vendors for you to choose from if you need help with this part of the planning, it’s good to think beforehand what you might want included in your day. Some of these things might be:

• Videographer: A videographer will most likely add another layer to your experience. I do know some amazing videographers around the world I will be able to recommend.
• Officiant: If you are opting for a symbolic ceremony, there’s usually people you can hire to prepare a speech for you if you want to add something resembling an official ceremony. This might limit the options for locations for the ceremony, as it is harder to find people willing to travel to the most secluded locations. If you are including family and friends in your elopement, someone in your circle might be an excellent choice to prepare an emotional ceremony speech for you and “officiate”.
• Florist: Flowers are a beautiful part of any wedding day and a seasoned professional will be able to prepare something for you that compliments all your plans and chosen locations. Think about what type of elopement you’re planning; if you’re planning on hiking a lot, flower crown might make more sense than carrying around a bouquet for example.
• Hair & Make-Up Artist: Some couples opt for a more relaxed DIY style for their elopement, but it doesn’t mean you can’t go all in and pamper yourself with something that will last the whole day – or if you’re opting on a multi-day adventure, even a different look for different days.
• Activities: Elopement doesn’t have to be just a quick visit to a courthouse or vows exchanged in a beautiful location followed by some portraits. How about a helicopter ride to see glaciers? A private ride on a boat? A tour to go see the Northern Lights? Sauna next to stunning fjord landscapes? Imagine how you want your elopement to be like starting from the morning you wake up. What do you want to see and do?

4. Planning Your Itinerary & Timeline

While eloping typically means a more intimate and less structured day, having a loose itinerary makes sure everything goes smoothly even if you’re including different activities or having a multi-day adventure. Some things to consider:

• Getting Ready: There’s something intimate and special about getting ready together, finding comfort in the excitement you’re sharing. At the same time, getting ready separately might build different kind of excitement for the moment when you finally see each other all prepped up for the day. It all depends on how you want to do it; the beauty of eloping is that you will get to do everything just the way you want. Think about the perfect morning and picture what it will look like.
• First Look: Capture the moment you first see each other in a breathtaking setting if you opted to get ready separately. There’s many ways a first look can be arranged; some opt for a traditional walking up to the other one and tapping on their shoulder and them turning around, others exchange letters and read them while standing further apart (near a corner or something that blocks them for seeing each other) and coming together after the letters are read. Some hold hands before seeing each other. Some just straight up walk to each other.
• Ceremony: Whether you have opted for a more traditional ceremony with an officiant or want a symbolic ceremony by exchanging vows by the two of you, or are including a few loved ones in a small ceremony, there’s no right or wrong way of doing it. There’s just your way. If you are planning on including loved ones, I wholeheartedly recommend a multi day option for your elopement. This way you don’t have to cramp everything into one day – because what’s the point of eloping if you’re going to be stressed about all the activities anyway? One day could be dedicated for your loved ones and the other day (or rest of the trip) is dedicated to quality alone time together. Norway might be a small country compared to many other countries, but it has many amazing places to explore. You could decide to spread your days between different parts of the country and explore the many sceneries and activities Norway has to offer. Maybe have a ceremony in one location for loved ones, exchange vows on top of a mountain the next day or the previous, and go for a more relaxed adventure on the third day.
• Portraits: The beauty of adventure elopement is that you can get a variety of portraits in different settings and only the sky is the limit. The lakes, fjords, waterfalls, glaciers, mountains and rocky cliffs by the sea offer an unlimited amount of different scenery to choose from. If you want something urban included, there’s bigger cities and smaller idyllic towns you can include in your adventure. By including more than one day in your elopement, you could get more engagement type of portraits in casual clothes, portraits on the actual wedding day and those super relaxed day after type of photos on the third day.
• Celebration: Plan a special meal or activities to celebrate, whether it’s a picnic, a dinner at a local restaurant, or a cozy evening in a cabin or a different kind of a meal in a tent on top of a mountain or near a waterfall. I speak from an experience when I say that wine tastes so much better when drinking it next to a glacier! Just imagine how much better a glass of champagne tastes like.

5. Embrace the Weather

Norway’s weather can be unpredictable at times, so it’s important to be prepared for all conditions. Pack layers, waterproof clothing, and sturdy shoes. Embrace the beauty of the chosen season, whether it’s the nature coming alive in spring, midnight sun in summer, the vibrant autumn colors, or the chilly & snowy landscapes in winter. Depending on your plans, it’s best to choose a dress that is easy to carry and move with and is made out of materials that can take a little bit of rough weather or stuffing it into your backpack.

6. Travel and Accommodation

Plan your travel and accommodation well in advance, especially if you’re eloping in a popular tourist season. Consider:

• Flights: Major airports include Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim. Many smaller airports offer variety of places you can fly to.
• Transport: Renting a car will give you the flexibility to explore remote locations and even most of the tourist attractions like Lofoten Islands. I would say it’s basically impossible to get a good grasp on the country and everything there is to see without a car. Not only are the best remote parts of the country only really accessible with a car, sometimes the distances between locations are long and in between you is also bunch of ferry rides.
• Accommodation: Choose from cozy cabins, boutique hotels, or even traditional rorbuer (fishermen’s cottages). Norway has many amazing little huts and cabins in very scenic locations.

7. Making it Personal

An elopement is all about celebrating your unique love story. Incorporate personal touches, such as writing your own vows, bringing family heirlooms, or planning activities that reflect your interests as a couple. This day is all about you, so make it as personal and meaningful as possible. Don’t get stuck on what you SHOULD do; think about what you WANT to do. There’s no rules when it comes to eloping.

8. Enjoying the Moment

Lastly, remember to enjoy every moment. The beauty of an elopement is its intimacy and simplicity. Take time to soak in the stunning scenery, enjoy each other’s company and celebrate your love in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Planning an elopement in Norway can be an incredibly magical and unforgettable experience. With a bit of preparation and a heart full of adventure spirit, you will create a day that beautifully reflects your unique love story surrounded by some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes. Wishing you all the best in your planning journey!