Elope in Norway: Your Ultimate Planning Guide

Your Go-To Guide on How to Elope in Norway

Last updated November, 2023

If you’re dreaming of a romantic, fairytale elopement or intimate wedding, look no further than Norway! From the stunning fjords and towering mountains, this country has it all. Plus, with its long summer days and gorgeous Northern Lights in the winter, there’s no shortage of breathtaking backdrops for your big day. In this resource you will find all you need to know about how to elope in Norway.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Travelling to and Around Norway
• Do We Need a Visa to Visit Norway?
• Stunning Locations for Your Elopement in Norway
  • Lofoten
  • Senja Island
  • Lyngen Alps
  • The fjords of Norway
  • Tromsø
  • Målselv
• The Best Time to Visit Norway for Your Elopement
  • Winter
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
• How to Start Planning Your Elopement in Norway
• Getting Legally Married in Norway
• Choosing Your Elopement Photographer
  • The Benefits of Working With a Local Photographer
• Meet Your Elopement Photographer

Travelling to and Around Norway

Most people fly in to Norway’s capital Oslo airport, and from there you can catch domestic flights to all parts of the country. The biggest domestic airlines are Norwegian, Widerøe, Flyr and SAS. Norway has a well-established public transport system with buses, ferries and trains. However, if you want to visit epic locations in more remote places like for example Lofoten Island in Northern Norway, I would recommend renting a car. Renting a car in Norway can be very expensive, so make sure to check out the prices and book a car in advance.

Do We Need a Visa to Visit Norway?

If you’re living within EU, you don’t need a visa for visiting Norway since Norway is part of the Schengen area. Are you coming from United States and staying less than 90 days, you don’t need a visa either. You can find more detailed and always updated information at the website of The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

Stunning Locations for Your Elopement in Norway

Norway is a country with breathtaking scenery, so there’re many places to elope in Norway. I live in Northern Norway, with breathtaking locations such as Senja Island, Lyngen alps, Tromsø and surrounding areas as my next door neighbour, and these places just have to been experienced. They’re magical!

LOFOTEN

Lofoten consists of several islands and is known for the steep mountains, white beaches, and breathtaking scenery. If you want the most dramatic scenery that Norway has to offer for your Norway elopement, I would say Lofoten is your places. Leknes and Svolvær are the biggest towns in Lofoten, and you can easily get here with a domestic flight or ferry from Bodø.

In Lofoten you can enjoy activities like hiking, kayaking, fishing, boat tours and fishing, RIB safari and skiing. The northern lights can be seen between September to April. Lofoten also has a lot of restaurants, from high-end fine dining to pubs and cafes, museums and galleries. In other words, you have a lot to experience on these islands.

SENJA

Senja is less known than for example Lofoten, but it’s an amazing place and very similar to Lofoten with high mountains and beautiful views of the sea. If you love to hike on your elopement, well then Senja is definitively for you. The easiest way to get here is with a domestic flight from Oslo to Bardufoss, and then rent a car. From Tromsø the drive is about 3 hours.

LYNGEN ALPS

This place has one of the most dramatic scenery in Norway with high peaks, blue glaciers, and beautiful views over the sea. The drive from Tromsø is around 2 hours one way.

THE FJORDS OF NORWAY

Western Norway has some of the most beautiful fjords in the world. If you would like to elope among fjords and amazing mountain back-drops this is the area you should be going to. Places like Aurland, Flåm and Voss are perfect starting points for your Norway fjord elopement.

I would definitively recommend going to this area, especially Hardanger, late May, beginning of June, because then you can experience the blossoming of thousands of fruit trees which is spectacular.

TROMSØ

Tromsø is the biggest city in the north, but you still have beautiful scenery right outside your hotel. An easy way to enjoy the epic scenery is to take the cable car Tromsø Fjellheisen. If you want an epic elopement that combines both breathtaking scenery and urban vibes, than Tromsø is the place for you.

You can fly direct to Tromsø from Oslo, or why not take the famous ferry Hurtigruten.

When deciding where to elope in Norway you have to think about the weather and what time of the year you want to elope (see below).

The Best Time to Visit Norway for Your Elopement

You can elope in Norway all year around, however eloping in the summer will be something completely different than eloping in Norway during the winter. It all depends on what you want and wish for.

Winter

Winter in Norway, especially Northern Norway is cold, and dark. Above the Polar Circle the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon during winter, and this is called Polar Nights. How long this period last depends on how close you’re to the North Pole. In Tromsø it last approximately two months, from end of November to end of January. Even if the sun doesn’t rise, you can still experience beautiful artic light and many hours of blue hour. So if you’re dreaming of an artic wedding with snow, Northern Lights and dog sledding, this period is for you.

Spring

Spring is often less busy, with fewer tourists than in the summer, and lower prices. The high mountains will still be covered in some snow, and in the valley the wildflowers will bloom. If you love big waterfalls, then this is the time to visit when they are as their biggest.

Summer

The summer (June-August) in Norway is high season, which means a lot of tourists and on the most popular locations there will be a crowd, and higher prices. If you want an intimate location you have to choose something less popular during this time, or I would advise you to elope during another time (spring or fall). During summer, the sun never sets (goes below the horizon) and this is called the Midnight Sun. In Tromsø, this can be experienced from middle of May to end of July.

Fall

This period, is like spring, less busy and expensive. The sun is lower and the light softer. The colours in nature are changing and become more varm and emotional. And if you are lucky you can experience the Northern Lights in Northern Norway. A very good period to elope in!

How to Start Planning Your Elopement in Norway

Start with an open mind, without limitations. Let your imagination run wild! Close you eyes and describe what you want to do on your day, how you want to feel, who are there with you. Remember, there are no rules. You can do whatever you like! When you think of an elopement you might think of hiking, but if you’re not into hiking, then don’t do that. Do YOU! Do you need help in planning your elopement? Don’t worry, I’m here to help you and guide you through every step of the way.

If you are wondering how much coverage you need from your elopement photographer, make sure to check out this blog post.

Getting Legally Married in Norway

Foreigners can get legally married in Norway, however the paperwork can seem daunting. I have written a guide on getting legally married in Norway if you would like to learn more about that.

If you don’t want to get legally married during your elopement, then you can create your ceremony just as you want. It can just be the two of you reading your vows, or a close friend leading the ceremony. It’s up to you.

Choosing Your Elopement Photographer

When it comes to planning a destination elopement or wedding, there are a lot of factors to consider and decisions to be made. One of the most important is choosing an elopement photographer to capture all the special moments of your big day. While it may be tempting to go with a big-name photographer or someone you’ve worked with before, there are several reasons why hiring a local wedding photographer for your destination wedding in Norway can be the best choice.

The Benefits of Working With a Local Photographer

A local wedding photographer will have a deep understanding of the area and its unique beauty. They will know the best locations for photo shoots, the best times of day to capture the most stunning light, and any potential weather or logistical issues to be aware of. This local knowledge can help ensure that your photos turn out beautifully and that you get the most out of your time in Norway.

In addition to having an intimate knowledge of the area, a local wedding photographer will also have connections with local vendors and resources. They will be able to recommend florists, wedding planners, and other vendors who can help make your wedding day run smoothly. This can be especially valuable if you are planning a destination wedding and are not familiar with the area.

Finally, hiring a local wedding photographer can help support the local community and economy. By choosing a photographer who lives and works in the area, you are helping to support their business and contribute to the local economy.

There are several elopement photographers out there and my advice is that you choose a person that you like, that feels like a friend, because you will spend a lot of time together with this person. And of course, you have to like their style as photographers.

Meet Your Elopement Photographer

I am Maria. Mum, photographer, adventurer, living in Northern Norway

Photography for me is about telling your story and capture genuine emotions. I want you to truly be yourself and I will give you my all to give you the best wedding experience in Norway. I will take stunning images of you so you don’t forget any single moment of your wedding experience, in addition to help you create the most stress-free and fun wedding experience. I will help you find local vendors, and the best locations for you. My goal is to show up on your wedding day and feel like a friend, because when your walls can come down, that is when the most beautiful moments happen, and to do that, we need a great connection. I will capture all your love, joy, laughter and emotion on your wedding day in the most authentic way possible.

If my work speaks to your heart, I would love to connect with you and create beautiful memories together!

Please feel free to contact me today about your elopement or intimate wedding in Norway! Fill out the form below!

Maria 🙂