Below you’ll find A complete guide to planning the elopement of your dreams in Norway.

Why Elope in Norway

Honestly? Why not! Norway is a stunning country with a vast landscape that includes expansive mountaintops, fjords, and lakes. So much of Norway’s landscape is unspoiled and secluded, making it the perfect place to plan an elopement with a side of adventure.

Can Canadians get married in Norway?

Canadian citizens and US citizens can get married in Norway! In fact, having a permanent residency in Norway, or marrying a Norwegian citizen is not a requirement for getting married in Norway. However, there are a few requirements and restrictions for getting legally married in Norway.

First, your stay in Norway must be a legal stay. This can be through a residence permit, a residence as an EU/EEA national, a visitor visa, or a valid visa-free stay. Second, before your legally binding wedding ceremony in Norway, you will have to get a certificate that proves you have fulfilled the requirements for entering into a marriage. Once received, this certificate is valid for 4 months and will need to be passed on to your officiant. Below is a list of the documentation needed for you to apply for your marriage certificate in Norway.

Required Documentation

• Separate personal declarations from each of you
• Statement from your sponsor (aka witness) – you must each have a witness and each witness must make a statement
• Proof of name, age and citizenship. This can be through your passport or birth certificate, however, the document must be an original document or a copy which has been certified by a Norwegian public authority. If you are using your passport, you will need to submit a copy verified by a Norwegian public authority, and not your original passport. If you are using a birth certificate, the birth certificate must be legalized or endorsed by an apostille.
• A certificate from your home country, or most recent country of residence, showing that there is no reason that you may not enter into a marriage in Norway. This certificate can not be older than 4 months. Additionally, the certificate must be original, legalized, or endorsed with an apostille.
• If you are able to provide all of the necessary documents needed to be legally married, you’ll receive a “certificate of no impediment to enter into marriage”.  The certificate of no impediment is valid without a stamp and signature. From there it will be valid for the next four months.
• The total processing time for your application can take anywhere from 5-6 weeks. So you will need to plan your travel dates accordingly. 

If you’d like to begin the process of applying for your marriage certificate in Norway, you can follow the prompts and process listed here.

Hosting a Symbolic Ceremony

Understandably, obtaining a marriage certificate to elope in Norway can be quite a lengthy and tedious process for any couple who wishes to make their ceremony in Norway legally binding. However, there is an easy alternative! You can apply for your legal marriage certificate before your departure or after your return. Which will make your Norway elopement a symbolic wedding ceremony. The best part? You get to decide which anniversary you will celebrate every year.

How to Get to Norway from Canada

Depending on where you are located in Canada, you can get to Norway from the following Canadian airports. It is important to note that most flights will involve a layover or a connecting flight.

• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) – average flight time to Oslo is around 11 hours 
• Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) – average flight time to Oslo is 13 hours
• Vancouver International Airport – average flight time to Oslo is 14 hours
• Ottawa, ON (YOW) – average flight time to Oslo is 11 hours
• Calgary (YYC) – average flight time to Oslo is 12 hours

What is the Best Airport to fly into in Norway?

The best airport in Norway is Oslo Lufthavn- OSL, an international airport with one of the largest amount of inbound flights to Norway.

What is the Best Season to Elope in Norway?

The best season to elope in Norway is the season that is best for you. Norway experiences four unique seasons, each of which brings its own landscape, atmosphere, and adventures. If you dream of saying I do by snow-capped mountains, then you’ll want to elope in Norway during the winter. However, if you’re after lush landscapes blooming with flowers, then a spring elopement in Norway would be a better option. I’ll break down each season a bit more, below. 

Winter Elopement in Norway

December – February (and sometimes March & April)

Winter in Norway is an absolute wonderland where the landscape is completely covered in snow. It’s also a time when temperatures can drop well below freezing and polar nights can bring 24 hours of darkness. However, because of the darkness, it’s also one of the best times to view the northern lights. If you want to elope in Norway during winter, your wedding will more than likely include a heavy dusting of snow (so pack accordingly) with the option of dog sledding or snowmobiling to your ceremony.

Spring Elopement in Norway

March, April, May

Spring in Norway is a time of abundance with a fresh selection of seafood and produce making its way to the table. Spring is an amazing time to ‘stop and smell’ the flowers because they’ll be in full bloom. The season is also the perfect time to spot wildlife such as otters, seals, whales, and reindeer in their natural habitats. The landscape is lush but the weather can still be quite cold. However, if spring sounds like the best season to plan your elopement in Norway, you will be able to save on travel. During spring travel tends to be much more affordable. 

Summer Elopement in Norway

June, July, August

Summer is one of the most popular times to travel to Norway, enticing travelers from all over the globe. The weather is at its most ‘stable’ and brings warm days with a late sunset. So late in fact that the sun does not set until midnight in Norway during the summer. A summer elopement in Norway will provide you with more time to explore Norway’s landscape and take in the sites, assuming you plan on staying a bit for your honeymoon. Additionally, many locations will be more accessible, which will give plenty of options for where to host your ceremony and places to explore for your wedding photos. 

Fall Elopement in Norway

September, October, November

The fall weather in Norway can be highly unpredictable. However, a colder climate will mean fewer crowds as the summer landscape begins to disappear. But, if you intend on planning a fall elopement in Norway along the coast, you’ll find playful rich hues transforming the landscape. You can still see the northern lights during the fall, and your trip comes with the added benefit of whale watching. 

Can I Get Married at the Fjords In Norway?

Yes, you can marry the love of your life amongst the fjords in Norway. Aside from a front-row seat to the spectacular northern lights, the fjords are the number one thing people set out to experience when they elope to Norway. The fjords are inlets of land, carved out by glaciers, accented by routes of seawater. Fun fact, the term ‘fjord’ is derived from the ancient Norse term ‘fjǫrðr’ which means a ‘lake-like’ body of water used for passage.

In total, Norway offers over 1,190 fjords! Admittedly some of these fjords are inaccessible due to their rugged terrain, remote locations, and steep cliffs. However, there are plenty of fjords that you can access for your elopement in Norway. Keep in mind, that fjords can be a popular tourist attraction. If you want to plan your elopement at a fjord in Norway, you might need to be open to a sunrise or sunset wedding ceremony. Each of these times will ensure fewer crowds, with the bonus of the most amazing light possible for your wedding photos.  Here are a few fjords that are easily accessible, no hike required, for your elopement in Norway.

• Trondheim Fjord – arguably the most popular fjord, which can be accessed by bus, car, or local boat tour
• Geirangerfjord – also known as ‘Bridal Veil’, this fjord is known for its waterfalls; it is accessible by bus, car, or boat
• Sognefjord – the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, it is accessible by car or boat
• Hardangerfjord – the second longest fjord in Norway, accessible by bus, car or boat
• Nærøyfjord – one of the most narrow fjords, accessible by car, bus, train, or boat

Lofoten Islands

Another stunning location to elope in Norway is the Lofoten Islands. The islands are an archipelago featuring dramatic peaks, icy waters, crisp air, and the most colourful buildings you’ve ever seen. It’s a scenic setting that looks like a landscape frozen in time, exempt from modernity. The islands feature cycle routes through old fishing villages and all of this charm is perched against the still waters beneath. The Lofoten Islands provide a picturesque view for an elopement in Norway during any season.

Get Married by a Lake in Norway

Another stunning part about the vast, idyllic landscape of Norway is their lakes. The lakes in Norway are some of the most grand lakes in all of Europe. Norway’s many lakes are freshwater, and yes, you can swim in most, if not all of them! The waters of Norway are tranquil and breathtaking. They are also a fantastic backdrop for hosting your elopement. In total, Norway has nearly half a million lakes. Here is a list of lakes in Norway that are easily accessible with scenic views, where you can host your elopement ceremony.

• Lake Sognsvann
• Lake Maridalsvannet
• Lake Tunnsjoen
• Lake Oppstrynsvatn

What Is the Handfasting Wedding Ceremony In Norway?

One of the most amazing things about planning an elopement in a magical country, such as Norway, is enriching your wedding day with locally celebrated wedding day traditions. Possibly one of the oldest traditions celebrated in Norway during a wedding is the handfasting ceremony. 

A handfasting is a ceremony within your ceremony. A decorative cord is used to perform this tradition which your officiant will wrap around your hands as you join them together. You will have to commission a special cord to be made or order one that has symbolic significance to you both. During your ceremony, your officiant will prompt you to hold hands and then tie the cord around your hands/wrist. You will then recite vows to one another while the cord seals you’ve made.

Whether or not you elect to add a Norwegian handfasting ceremony to your elopement is entirely up to you. You might have another unique ceremony idea in mind. Or, there may be a specific cultural or family tradition you wish to honor instead. However, if you’re looking for a fun idea that pays homage to your decision to elope in Norway, I highly recommend adding this beautiful ceremony to your vows.

Norway Elopement Photographer

As a Norway elopement photographer, the experience I provide my couples is so much more than stunning wedding photos to look back on for a lifetime. I assist with every aspect of making their globe-traveling dream elopement a reality. That includes lending a hand with licenses, and permits and providing my couples with access to my coveted list of suggested wedding vendors. I am in the thick of it, helping my couples find the best vendors for florals, where to stay, and so much more. After all, this once-in-a-lifetime elopement experience in a stunning location such as Norway is a moment to enjoy and savor until the last drop.