Norway is an amazing elopement location. The vast and diverse landscape can bring you so many different things, fjords, the northern lights, waterfalls, and glaciers. This guide is going to go over everything you need to consider, such as locations, crowds, seasons, and permits. Read on to find out exactly how to elope in Norway, and see the most beautiful Norway elopement locations.

Where is Norway

Norway is located in Northern Europe on the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. To get to Norway from the United States, you’ll want to fly into one of their major airports. Oslo Airport is the biggest, near the city of Oslo. Bergen Airport is the second biggest, with access to the fjords and Western Norway.

When to Elope in Norway

Truthfully, each season brings something entirely different to Norway. I would say the best time for an elopement in Norway is in Fall. This is when there are less crowds, and you have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights as early as September! However, you should consider what each season is like and make the best choice for you and your partner. Here is what every season is like in Norway:

Spring

In spring, days start to get longer and warmer. Things begin to get lush, and wildflowers begin to bloom, making this a stunning time of year for an elopement. It begins to warm up to 59°F in late spring. The waterfalls are at their peak, and hiking becomes accessible! This is also the shoulder season, meaning there won’t be as many crowds as in summer.

Summer

Summer is the season of the midnight sun, with days getting as long as 18-20 hours long. Southern Norway gets into the high 70’s, making it the most pleasant and stable weather in Norway. However, this is the busies time of the year. Things like flights and hotels will be more expensive here. Although, there are a ton of remote areas to get away from crowds. All in all, Summer is an amazing time for a Norway elopement with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and flowing rivers, plus, the fjords and coastal areas are super scenic this time of year.

Fall

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year for a Norway elopement. I love the changing of colors, and the crowds again, begin to die down. Giving you better deals on flights and hotels. Early fall is still in the high 50’s but you even have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights at night! You can get the best of semi-warm temps, and the stunning magic of the lights in the sky. This is also a great time of year for hiking, before new snowfall, as all the trails will still be accessible.

Winter

Winter is can be very cold in Norway. Normally around 23°F in the more coastal regions, and all the way down to -20°F in the more Northern region. Northern parts of Norway will get no light at all, and Southern Norway will get just a few hours. December and January can still be popular due to the winter sports and holiday travel, so things are a bit more expensive than in February.

How to Get a Marriage License in Norway

You do not need to be a resident of Norway to get married here, and you have two different options for this. First, you can go the simple route. This includes going to your local courthouse prior to your elopement, and doing the paperwork there. This ensures that you’ll be legally married, and can simply celebrate your union in Norway!

However, if it’s important to you to do the legal bits abroad, here is how to get a marriage license in Norway

Documents Required

• Application Form: Completed “Application for marriage” form (Skjema for prøving av ekteskapsvilkår).
• Valid Passports or ID Cards: Proof of identity for both parties.
• Certificate of No Impediment: Documentation that proves both parties are free to marry (e.g., divorce decree or death certificate of a previous spouse, if applicable).
• Residence Permit: If applicable, proof of legal residency in Norway.
• Birth Certificates: Certified copies for both parties.
• Declaration of Marital Status: For non-residents, a certificate from your home country confirming your marital status.
• Witnesses: Two witnesses over the age of 18 who will be present at the ceremony.

Steps to Obtain a Marriage License

• Gather Documents: Collect all required documents. Non-Norwegian documents may need to be translated into Norwegian by an authorized translator and possibly notarized.
• Submit Application: Submit the completed application form along with all required documents to the National Population Register (Folkeregisteret) or the local tax office (Skatteetaten).
• Processing: The authorities will review your application and documents to ensure everything is in order. This process can take a few weeks.
• Receive Certificate: Once approved, you will receive a “Certificate of no impediment to marriage” (Prøvingsattest), which is valid for four months.
• Schedule the Ceremony: Contact your chosen venue (church, civil ceremony office, etc.) to schedule your wedding ceremony. Ensure that your certificate is still valid on your wedding day.

Post-Ceremony

• Register the Marriage: After the ceremony, the officiant will send the marriage certificate to the National Population Register to officially register the marriage.
• Name Change: If either party wishes to change their surname, this can be done as part of the registration process.

How to Elope in Norway

You plan a Norway elopement in similar ways as you’d plan any adventure elopement. There are a few major steps, and you can read about those here on my thorough guide on how to elope. For this Norway elopement guide, I’m going over the major things you’ll need to consider!

1. DECIDE IF YOU’RE HAVING GUESTS

This is an imperative part of the planning process for elopements. This is because some guests won’t have the hiking ability, some might not want to drive or forest roads, and some locations might have a cap on how many guests are allowed. Choosing a location will be much easier once you’ve determine who you’re inviting, and how many guests total you’ll have.

2.HIRE YOUR NORWAY ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

This might feel early in the planning process, but bear with me. Elopements don’t have wedding planners. Most elopement photographers have taken it upon themselves to help couples with some of the planning. Many actually help you find your location! And they will think of things you might not have considered, such as: lighting, elevation, difficulty in hiking in a dress, permits, and so much more.

Each elopement photographer offers something different. Personally, I send my couples a customized list of locations based on their preferences, hiking ability, who they want to invite, and what they want to see. I also help them determine lodging options, get permits, get their marriage license, recommend vendors, and create a comprehensive day of timeline, and offer unlimited guidance calls for any questions along the way.

The being said, hiring your Norway elopement photographer early is going to take a massive amount of planning stress off of your shoulders. Wanna chat? Contact me here!

3.DETERMINE WHAT WEATHER YOU WANT TO BE IN

This is going to help you choose a date and location. Some areas are more mild year round, while some get very hot or very cold. Determine what type of weather you want to be in, and research what each season brings, and this will greatly help you determine a time of year for your elopement, as well as a general region. Especially in places like Norway, where Southern Norway stays warmer and has longer days than Northern Norway

4.PICK YOUR NORWAY ELOPEMENT LOCATION

Once you’ve decided on how much you’d like to hike, how many guests are coming, your ideal weather, and the landscapes you want, you’re ready to deep dive into researching Norway elopement locations. Finding the perfect spot will be a lot simpler after considering all of your needs and logistics.

This is information I collect from my couples through a questionnaire, and then use to make a customized list of Norway elopement location options for them.

5.HIRE VENDORS

Once you have your location, it’s time to consider if there’s anything you need vendors for. Do you need any event rentals? Do you want a friend or family to officiate, or do you want to hire an officiant? Will you go out to eat, or do you want something catered, like a meal at an Airbnb from a private chef?

Figure out what extra services you may want, and hire your vendors in advance!

6.GET YOUR PERMITS

You will need to get the correct permits for your elopement. These are usually “special use” permits that you apply for on the National Parks website, or National Forest/BLM website.

Personally, I get all permit information for my eloping couples that hire me. With that, all you need to do is fill out the application when it’s sent to you and pay the fee. Fee’s vary, but are usually around $150 or less.

7.CHOOSE ADDITIONAL ELOPEMENT ACTIVITIES

Activities are such a fun part of an elopement. When you choose to elope, you’re opening yourself up to having a wedding day celebration that feels unique and resonates with you. Incorporate things that will elevate your elopement day experience. Here’s just a few ideas to get you brainstorming:

• Going on a hike
• Having a bonfire
• Having a picnic on a mountain top
• Star-gazing or astrophotography
• Swimming
• Cliff jumping
• Visiting waterfalls
• Camping
• Glamping
• Hiring a private chef
• Hot air balloon ride
• Helicopter tour (landing on glaciers, mountains, etc)
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• Sightseeing
• Scenic driving with time to stop for pictures
• Visiting hot springs
• Exchanging gifts
• Reading letters from friends or family

8. MAKE A DAY-OF TIMELINE

Making a timeline is an important part of any elopement. It strings together all of your locations, activities, and lets guests know where to be and when. Creating a well thought out timeline will help you feel relaxed during the day, instead of stressed or rush. Make sure to include drive times as well as buffer times between each “event.”

Here are the things I include in the timelines I make for my couples:

• All addresses
• Sunrise time
• Sunset time
• Drive times
• A linke to Accuweather
• A list of all names for group shots
• Vendor info
• Emergency contact info
• A packing list

Lodging in Norway

Lodging is important when it comes to elopements. A lot of couples incorporate their lodging into aspects of their wedding day. For example, getting ready + getting ready photos, a first look, an intimate reception with friends, a dinner made by a private chef, etc. Once you’ve decided what you’ll incorporate in your day, pick a location that will allow everything you want to include.

If you want to host an intimate reception, I highly recommend a vacation rental such as a cabin or an Airbnb. You can also stay at hotels, resorts, chalets, campgrounds, etc. Here are some amazing lodging options near Norway:

• Sorrisniva
• Wonderinn Riverside
• Tree Top Fiddan
• Juvet Landscape Hotel
• Aurora Fjords Cabins
• Hotel Ullensvang
• List of Airbnbs in Norway

How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Norway

There’s actually not a fee to obtain your marriage license in Norway, however, most couples spend an average of $5000-$20,000 on their elopement. Norway is on the more expensive side, so a luxury elopement in Norway could cost closer to $25,000. This includes flights, lodging, permits, vendors, wedding attire, meals, and anything extra a couple might want.

Norway Elopement Locations

There are endless amounts of Norway elopement locations to choose from. From mountains, fjords, glacier, waterfalls and more. As an elopement photographer, I make a customized location list for my couples based on their needs, this includes: landscape, drive times, how much they do or don’t want to hike, ideal weather, and guest count. For now, here are some of the top stunning elopement locations in Norway:

Geirangerfjord

Lofoten Islands

Senja

Skagsanden Beach

Jotunheimen National Park

Jostedalsbreen National Park

Norway Elopement Packages

Elopement photography by Emilee Setting Photo, and everything included in my packages:

• Explore anywhere within Norway, all travel fees included in the price!
• Packages from half day elopements to multi-day elopements
• Receive a customized location list
• Help finding lodging that suits your needs if you’re having an intimate reception
• Included comprehensive timeline design
• Help obtaining your permits
• Help obtaining your marriage license
• A planning checklist
• Unlimited planning and guidance calls 
• All of your stunning photos delivered under three months
• Day of polaroid sneak peeks

Norway elopement packages starting at $8800. Want more information on my pricing and what’s included? Click here

Ready to Elope in Norway?

This Norway elopement guide is a way to get you excited about all the possibilities of what your day could look like. Although, this amount of information can be overwhelming. I’m here to help. I can answer any and all questions you have on a complimentary low pressure consultation call. If you then choose you’d like to work together, I’ll do all of this planning right by your said to alleviate any stress, and bring your Norway elopement vision to life. We can chat here!