Full day elopement? What’s that?! Is it hard to imagine what would this whole day be filled with? Basically, a full day elopement is exactly the same as a “full” wedding day. You just have other priorities and a totally different timeline. Now I want to show you what a timeline for a full day elopement in Norway can look like! And I’m sure you’ll love these ideas!
What is an elopement?
Elopement (or an intimate wedding) is a non-traditional way of getting married. It is a wedding day where you can make your own rules (honestly, there are no rules!). Typically, there is only the eloping couple or their closest friends/family that are present on the elopement day. Closeness, intimacy and couple’s love to each other is in the center of attention.
There are no “recipes” of right and wrong when it comes to eloping. Whatever feels right for you, can be a part of your elopement day! As a rule, activities during the elopement day would reflect the couple’s values. For example, hiking in the mountains, skiing, a beach walk with your dog or a picnic in your own backyard. Any of this can be a part of your timeline for your perfect elopement day in Norway!
So how do we plan an elopement?
Well, this is when you can have some help from someone local. Especially, someone who has the experience and the expertise from working in different locations in Norway!
Earlier I posted a whole planning guide for eloping in Norway. First of all, Norway is a long-stretched country (geografically), and the seasons and climate vary a lot. To begin with, define what season you prefer for your elopement in Norway. Also, it’s good to think about what kind of landscapes you want to see and what kind of activities you’d like to do.
Next step – contact the elopement photographer you are interested in. Usually, an elopement photographer is also a good elopement guide! Therefore, she or he should be able to guide you towards the perfect elopement designed especially for you two! Together you’ll be able to set up the timeline for your perfect elopement day in Norway!
How to create a timeline for an elopement in Norway?
Of course, your timeline would depend on the season, your destination and the activities you’d like to do. But many couples are struggling to even imagine what their perfect elopement day could look like. So I want to give you a few ideas. Hopefully, you’ll get inspired!
Sit down together with your fiancé and list up all the activities you can think about doing on your elopement day. Maybe some of them are less realistic than others, but for now it’s fine. This is just an excercise! Then, tell your photographer what kind of wishes you have. An experienced photographer & guide should be able to make the best possible elopment timeline for you based on your list!
Elopement is your real wedding day, not just a cool photoshoot in an epic place
Remember that your elopement day is a real wedding. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a legally binding ceremony or a symbolic ceremony. The way you celebrate this day matters! You will remember this day for the rest of your life. You’ll celebrate wedding anniversary each year on this date. So fill it with adventures you like and make it meaningful to you!
Timeline for a summer hiking elopement in Lofoten islands (8 hours coverage)
This is an example of an elopement timeline that includes a hike of 500-600 masl. You can always scale it up or down as you wish.
- Before 16.00 – Enjoy your awesome day just the way you want to! For example, sleep long, swim in the sea, eat a fine brunch together in a local restaurant, have some private moments and have fun. Even more fun is coming soon!
- 16.00 – 17.00 – Getting ready in your lodge/airb’n’b in separate rooms (Photographer arrives)
- 17.00 – 17.30 – First look in a beautiful spot near your lodge/airb’n’b & bridal portraits nearby
- 17.30 – 18.00 – Driving to the parking lot near the trail
- 18.00 – 20.00 – Hike up the trail in a calm pace (sure, we’ll take some photos on the way up)
- 20.00 – 20.30 – Change to your wedding attire & fresh up near the summit
- 20.30 – 21.30 – Exploring around & enjoying stunning views from the mountaintop (and bridal portraits, of course!)
- 21.30 – 22.00 – Your elopement ceremony – reading vows on the mountaintop while enjoying beautiful sunset
- 22.00 – 22.30 – Celebration with champagne (or your favorite drink) and picnic while enjoying beautiful sunset from the mountaintop
- 22.30 – 00.30 – Hiking back from the mountaintop
- 00.30 – 01.00 – Driving back to the lodge/airb’n’b (Photographer is finished working)
Timeline for a fall hiking elopement in Senja (9 hours coverage)
This is an example of an elopement timeline that includes a hike of 500-600 masl. You can always scale it up or down as you wish.
- Before 13.00 – Enjoy your awesome day just the way you want to! Have a brunch together, go for a walk on a beach, have some private moments
- 13.00 – 14.00 – Getting ready together in your lodge/airb’n’b (Photographer arrives)
- 14.00 – 14.30 – Drive from your airb’n’b to the trail
- 14.30 – 16.30 – Hike up the trail in a calm pace (with some photos on the way up, of course)
- 16.30 – 17.00 – Change from the hiking clothes to your wedding attire & fresh up
- 17.00 – 18.30 – Elopement ceremony on the mountaintop with amazing views & a beautiful sunset. Celebration with champagne, first dance and a small picnic
- 18.30 – 20.30 – Hiking back from the mountaintop
- 20.30 – 21.00 – Drive back to your lodge/airb’n’b
- 21.00 – 21.30 – Shower & change back to your wedding attire
- 21.30 – as long as you wish – Fine wedding meal & drinks – celebration in a restaurant (Photographer leaves at ca. 22.00)
Winter elopement with nordic activities in Finnmark county, Norway (8 hours coverage)
- Before 12.30 – Enjoy your awesome day just the way you want to! Sleep long, take an outdoor jacuzzi, have a fine brunch together in a local restaurant and some nice private moments
- 12.30 – 13.30 – Getting ready in your lodge/airb’n’b – in separate rooms (Photographer arrives)
- 13.30 – 14.00 – First look outside of your lodge/airb’n’b among romantic winter landscapes (with some bridal portraits)
- 14.00 – 14.30 – Drive to the location & snowmobile tour up the slope
- 14.30 – 15.30 – Your elopement ceremony with a beautiful view. Say your vows in a secluded place with a beautiful winter landscape as a background
- 15.30 – 16.30 – Drive the snowmobile down. Try out one of the nordic activities! For example, reindeer sledding
- 16.30 – 17.00 – Drive to a nice local restaurant
- 17.00 – 18.30 – Romantic dinner & elopement celebration for you two
- 18.30 – 19.00 – Drive out for Northern lights hunting/star gazing
- 19.00 – 20.30 – Northern ligths hunting & portraits (or portraits under the stars). Remember, it’s worth to be patient here
- 20.30 – 21.00 – Driving to an Aurora borealis dome & enjoying your nordic night (I’m talking about a glass dome where you can watch aurora borealis through the night, like that one). Photographer is finished working
Timeline for a spring elopement in Western Norway (fjords area)
This is an example of 7 hours coverage with no hiking required.
- Before 14.00 – Enjoy your awesome day just the way you want to! Sleep long, eat a nice brunch together, go for a walk in the local village and enjoy some private moments
- 14.00 – 15.00 – Getting ready in separate rooms (Photographer arrives)
- 15.00 – 15.30 – First look in a beautiful spot outside of your airb’n’b & some bridal portraits
- 15.30 – 17.00 – Fjord boat safari (or a ferry tour) among beautiful fjords. Enjoy the views from the water!
- 17.00 – 18.00 – Enjoying beautiful waterfalls & exploring around (and of course, some bridal portraits)
- 18.00 – 18.30 – Drive back with the car
- 18.30 – 19.30 – Drive up to a beautiful viewpoint to the fjords from above; then walk to a more secluded location to read the vows & have your elopement ceremony
- 19.30 – 21.00 – Dinner & champagne in a local restaurant
- 21.00 – 22.00 – Walk outdoors, first dance in the sunset with a beautiful views to the fjords + portraits in the beautiful evening light
- 22.00 – as long as you want – Bride and groom goes to a local pub to continue celebration (Photographer leaves)
Are you excited to start planning your elopement in Norway?
So, I hope my guidelines helped you to envision a perfect elopement day for you. And also inspired you to fill your elopement day with lots of amazing activities! These were just a few general examples. When planning the real timelines, I always make sure to make a plan B & C – just in case anything doesn’t go according to the plan A. Please, feel free to contact me if you need help planning & photographing your elopement!