As a wedding photographer I frequently travel across the Northern Norway, and this time the wedding destination was Tromsø.
Karoline and Audun originally planned to celebrate their wedding in Skjervøy – where they currently live. But as for many other couples, the pandemic affected their plans. When the couple decided to postpone the wedding from 2020 to 2021, they grabbed the chance and changed the location as well.
Sommarøy – a hidden gem for a perfect destination wedding in Tromsø area
Sommarøy is a piece of nordic paradise located one hour drive from Tromsø. It is a nice destination to go to if you first are visiting Tromsø, but for Karoline and Audun it meant something more special. Karoline has her roots there and some of her family members are still living in that area.
When it comes to planning a wedding in Sommarøy, the bride says it was quite easy:
- When we booked Sømarrøy arctic hotel for our reception, we got a wedding coordinator who helped us planning the food, drinks, table placement and other practical details.
Bride – getting ready at Sommarøy arctic hotel
Karoline and Audun made a practical choice, and had preparations as well as the dinner and party in the same place. They were getting ready in different rooms, and I was able to capture some nice moments from the morning for both of them.
Groom getting ready
Wedding ceremony in the Hillesøy church
For Karoline, one of the most memorable moments from the wedding day was when the church doors opened and she walked down the aisle together with her daughter and her uncle.
- The atmosphere, the music and all the feelings were special. But the moment Audun and I got eye contact was just magical, she remembers.
- Another very important moment for me was when I saw my grandma sitting in the front row in the church, Karoline adds.
Bride and groom portraits on a beach
It’s been raining the whole day, but the bride and groom didn’t mind. In fact, Karoline believes that the bad weather adds some special charm to the place. At the same time, she wishes she didn’t forget her comfy shoes in the hotel – after all, photo session in the rain was a cold affaire!
When we arrived at a local beach, we were greeted by a group of kayakers who just started paddling in the same area. And when we were done shooting there, they were cheering and waving at us!
Wedding photo session on a mountaintop overlooking Sommarøy and mountains of Tromsø
After wandering around on the island for a while, we ended up on a mountaintop overlooking Sommarøy and mountains of Tromsø. And the photoshoot on the mountaintop gave us completely different perspective and views!
Bride’s tips to the brides and grooms-to-be
- Remember that it’s YOUR wedding day, and plan it as YOU wish! It’s ok to consider other’s opinions, but at the end of the day you can decide yourself whether you want to listen to all of the well-meant advices!
- Plan enough time for the photo session and take a break after that! My friends helped me to freshen up my hair (the day was cold and rainy, so my hair became flat after a while). It was also nice to take a glass of wine as a newlyweds before we went to the reception. Some time together is so valuable!
- Have a good toastmaster who will lead the guests throughout the day.
- Plan some activities for the children if there are any on your guestlist. Hire/ask someone to take care of your own children in the evening and offer food and cake to this person, because it is nice.
- Have a photowall with photo props and have a polaroid cameras for the guests to play with. You will end up with lots of funny pictures! And ask someone to encourage the guests to photograph each other and write in the guest book.
- And enjoy your day! It goes way too fast!
Wedding vendors
- Getting ready, dinner and party at Sommarøy arctic hotel
- Makeup artist – Siri Lovise Aliassen
- Hair styling – Michelle Ailén Fredriksen from Nikita (Tromsø)
- Wedding ceremony at Hillesøy church
- Flowers – Ett hus AS (Skjervøy)
- Wedding dress – Stella York from Brudehuset Tromsø
- Suit – Brando
- Music – Jeanette Hustad (Sommarøy) & Dag Øivind Thingstad (Skjervøy)
- Tromsø wedding photographer – TS Foto Design
- Catering -Sommarøy arctic hotel
- Cake – Spiseriet kafé
Ønsker du mer bryllupsinspirasjon fra andre steder i Norge? Sjekk min bryllupsblogg her: