Do you feel like getting outdoors and saying your vows among epic scenery is much more exciting than a big traditional wedding? Then adventure elopement can be the right choice for you! And here is my planning guide for your elopement in Norway.
Start planning your elopement in Norway
Before you start planning your elopement, make sure you’ve done your research and narrowed down a couple of places. Maybe even an exact location?
Take the time with your fiancé (an evening or five!) and daydream about your elopement together! What kind of scenery do you envision for your perfect elopement ceremony? What kind of activities do you two like to do? Will there be any guests attending or just the two of you?
There are lots of places to elope in Norway
So, you two are in love with norwegian landscapes: mountains, fjords, northern lights and midnight sun. But where in Norway should you elope? First of all, decide on what season will be best for you (and you’ll be comfortable with). Winter in Norway can be tough, so if a winter wonderland is your dream, be sure you’re prepared for the cold temperatures.
When you chose the season, try to narrow down which month (and even week) is most convenient for you two. It will sure be much easier to find and book the vendors when you have an approximate (or exact) dates.
Booking an elopement photographer
Start with an elopement photographer. Search for an elopement photographer in Norway (Google or Instagram can help), find the one you love and try to chat with her/him! Don’t try to hire a traditional wedding photographer, they might not have the skills required for elopements.
Many elopement photographers will do a lot of research and planning/guiding for you as well as suggest you a list of stunning locations. While planning a traditional wedding us usually on the bride and groom, an elopement planning is often cooperation between the photographer and couple. Find a skilled photographer for that!
Elopement photographers travel a lot and therefore can guide you towards the perfect elopement locations that will suit you! In addition, some information is hard to get online as it’s only in Norwegian language. Therefore hiring an elopement photographer who knows the country can be a big advantage.
Find an elopement photographer you connect with
But one of the most important things to remember is to find the elopement photographer that you connect with! Photographer might be the only person around you on your elopement day, so you have to make sure you chose the right one for you. As a result, the stunning photos would follow. I promise you!
An experienced elopement photographer would also suggest a custom timeline for your dream elopement where you aim for the best lighting for your ceremony and the photos.
After booking the photographer, dive into the detailed planning. Decide what other vendors you’ll need for your elopement day. Find a videographer if you want a nice film from your elopement day.
Legal or symbolic elopement ceremony in Norway?
It’s totally up to you whether you want to get married legally or have a symbolic ceremony in Norway. Getting legally married in your home country, can save you a whole bunch of time and money. Celebrant-free ceremony will give you more flexibility when it comes to a location, date & time. But everything is possible, and celebrants can hike up mountain hills together with you! Remember that you’d need witnesses if you choose a legal ceremony (you can also use your photographer and videographer for this task).
What vendors would you need?
Your elopement day is just as important and real as a traditional wedding day. Although you don’t spend it in a traditional way, you may want some of the same elements! Here are a few examples that are most common:
- Rings & the ring box
- Hair and makeup services
- Your wedding outfits & jewelry
- Flowers
- Vow books
- Champagne & the glasses
- Picnic snacks on your location or a celebration in a restaurant
- Blankets to sit on or cuddle in
Feel free to find the vendors on your own, but I can usually guide you towards good local vendors for the destination you picked in Norway.
What is on your timeline?
At that point you’ve probably decided whether you prefer to hike on your elopement day or explore the surroundings by car. Either way, your day will start with preparations. You can do it together in the same room, or you can rent separate rooms in your hotel, Airbnb or cabin.
If your dream elopement includes a long hike, I’d suggest dressing up in regular hiking clothes, then changing to your wedding attire a little bit before your first location. You may also want to refresh your makeup at this point.
But if the hike is simple or you’re just driving around, I recommend you dressing up separately and go for a first look! It is such a nice and emotional start of the day! After that you can explore several locations and you can say your vows among the most epic scenery!
Safety first
Even though elopements in wilderness are unique and amazing, you should always remember safety rules and pack accordingly! Choose a level of adventure you’re comfortable with and remember to enjoy it from start to the end – safely!
Packing list for summertime adventure elopements
- This is essential for any trips: lots of water! Sometimes we have access to refill, sometimes not.
- Food/snacks for the whole day, especially if you’ve planned an active elopement day. You may not be hungry in the beginning, but eventually you will, and then those snacks will come in handy!
- Good hiking shoes! This might be one of the most important parts! And if you want your pretty shoes showing, put them in the backpack and use them later for the photos.
- Change of clothes. You might get wet if it rains or if you get sweat, and it’s nice to have something dry just in case. Use layers! Fleece and wool will keep you nice and warm if the day is rather cold. Remember wool socks, gloves, scarf and a beanie! Mountain hikes in Norway can be tough!
- Wind- and waterproof jacket and pants. You never know when the weather will change.
- Headlamps for you both and extra batteries.
- Portable charger for your phones (fully charged, of course).
- Map & Compass – because you never know…
- Sunglasses & sun screen.
- Pocket knife – just in case.
- Plastic bags to store trash, because we are not leaving any traces.
- First aid kit & especially blister-patches.
- Visibility west (in case of injury, you must be visible from a distance).
- Your wedding attire, obviously, and maybe a nice coat or scarf the bride can use to cover if it gets colder?
- Handheld mirror, makeup, hairbrush/comb
- Flowers, vow books, ring box and champagne to celebrate!
What about winter elopements in Norway?
Packing list for winter elopements is a whole other story. This will vary a lot depending on where in Norway you’re eloping, the length of your hike, the activities you’re up to and how much experience you have with wintertime adventures.
Make sure your photographer is an experienced adventurer and will guide you towards the best and safest possible adventure for you two! Read more about my elopement packages here
Are you ready to experience an adventure of a lifetime?