Lapland Elopement & Weddings
Lapland and the Scandinavian and Nordic countries conjure up images of snow carpets, skies dancing with Northern colour and trips to see Santa on reindeer sleighs. Despite their reputation for childhood Christmas holidays, the countries in this part of the world can offer the perfect, unique destination bursting with culture for your intimate wedding or elopement abroad. Scandinavia comprises Norway, Sweden and Denmark and is located in Northern Europe and partially inside the Arctic Circle. This blog also covers other Nordic countries such as Greenland and Finland. The culture of the Sami people of Scandinavia can be found throughout the region, in their links to fishing, reindeer herding and other lifestyles involving living in harmony with the land around them. If you visit this region you can experience the Sami way of life and fully immerse yourself in all it has to offer. If you don’t already believe in magic, choosing to plan your wedding in Scandinavia or the Nordic countries will convince you otherwise.
If you are looking for a destination like no other for a small, enchanting wedding celebration then look no further than Scandinavia. This part of the world is rugged and unspoilt, giving you a unique opportunity for a magical, adventurous wedding. Depending on the time of year you choose to tie the knot, some parts of Scandinavia experience 24-hour daylight or darkness – how many people can say they said their vows in golden sunlight at midnight!? Your options for wedding adventure experiences are limitless here too, with the enchanting prospect of the Northern Lights among them. As a destination wedding planner experienced in creating bespoke, remarkable moments for adventurous wanderlust couples, I know the value of a destination that tells a story for the backdrop to your special day – Lapland and Scandinavia do just this.
Arctic Circle Activities
If you are a couple seeking some bold, unforgettable activities to make incredible memories with those you love at your wedding celebration, Lapland and Scandinavia have it all. Top of so many peoples’ lists is a sighting of the famous Aurora Borealis, and there are countless ways to hunt for this phenomenon with the help of some epic adventure companies. Among these is Norway’s Svalbard Adventures, offering not only Northern Lights trips but also dog sledding, ice cave trekking, snowmobile expeditions and wildlife safaris to see the likes of whales and walrus. Whether you say your vows in winter or summer, your intimate Lapland wedding can be enveloped by jaw dropping scenery, rarely-seen animals and unique experiences – the only limit is your imagination.
Top Venues & Accommodation
An important part of your intimate destination wedding in Scandinavia and Lapland is finding the right accommodation and base for your adventure wedding. I have years of experience planning weddings in epic locations around the world, and have sought out only the best luxurious locations for you to base yourselves for your Norwegian, Finnish, Swedish, Danish or Greenlandic wedding. Next, I will introduce you to some one-of-a-kind venues for you to lay your head after your intimate Nordic wedding celebrations.
Norway:
Norway houses some real gems for your ruggedly beautiful destination wedding, with something to suit all tastes. The untamed Lofoten Islands high above the Arctic Circle offer Viking tradition set against a wilderness of fjords and mountains, and you have the option here of saying your vows underneath midnight sun in the summer or, with some luck, the Northern Lights in the winter. If you imagine your intimate destination wedding with more of a city vibe, the exciting, contemporary Tromsø might be just right. Packed with Norwegian activity options from dogsledding to whale watching, this is Norway at its most tourism focused.
One of my personal favourite locations to really set off your Nordic wedding plans is Svalbard Adventures, situated on the archipelago of Svalbard off the Norwegian mainland. The company offers three accommodation options which are functional, serving as the ideal base from which to embark on epic wedding-day adventures with your loved ones. Svalbard Adventures have in excess of 30 options for adventurous couples to choose from, whether it be summer or winter – whether you want to see the Aurora Borealis, some walrus or a pack of dogs pulling your sled, they have it all.
Finland:
The unspoilt beauty of the Finnish Lapland is a quintessentially Nordic location perfect for your winter or summer Nordic destination wedding. The venues I have chosen as options for your wedding venue all offer the very best of what makes Finland special, to make tying the knot truly unique.
First up is the Octola Lodge in the Arctic Circle, described as a private wilderness. With the option to book out the whole space including all 10 rooms and over 700 acres of space, this exclusive luxurious home-from-home is a truly experiential stay.
The Northern Lights Ranch is next, a truly unique experience for you and your nearest and dearest on your destination wedding stay. Featuring 16 cabins with glass roofs and the option for saunas and jacuzzis, you have breathtaking views of the surrounding areas without moving a muscle. Thanks to this venue’s remote location, it is ideally situated for sightings of the Nothern Lights from the comfort of your bed! If this doesn’t scream wedding day adventure and luxury, I don’t know what does.
If you’re seeking a more rustic experience at one with nature for your wedding stay, how about Hawkhill Resort Cottages near Helsinki. A family-run business for many years, the Hawkhill Resort is enthusiastic about sustainability and operates in an eco-friendly way. They also operate incredible activities for summer and winter, and even well-being experiences. A slice of heaven for your Finland destination wedding.
Finland has no shortage of incredible, unique wedding night venues. The glass-roofed Levin Iglut is one of these, with luxurious quality accommodation and outstanding service. Overlooking the fells and in prime position to view the Aurora Borealis, the igloo hotel is truly like something from a fairytale.
Other unique and luxurious options for your Nordic wedding include Kakslauttanen Accommodation featuring glass igloos and log chalets, and the Star Arctic Hotel located atop a mountain – the views are second to none. The hotel is breathtaking in its design and they offer experiences and activities to boot.
Sweden:
The Arctic Bath Hotel in Swedish Lapland is truly a masterpiece to look at, with unique wellness accommodation blending seamlessly into the surrounding area. This part of the world is unrivalled in its distinctive sunrise and sunset patterns throughout the year, and truly seems to be an untouched wilderness. If you are seeking a true Swedish retreat wedding and want to have some incredible adventures while you’re there, the Arctic Bath could be for you.
If you’re a couple looking for something truly unique and worthy of telling stories about for years to come, you might just like to experience the Treehotel. I guarantee you’ve never seen anything like this before! Your intimate destination wedding or elopement in Sweden can be truly memorable with a stay high amongst the trees in one of Treehotels innovatively designed, truly special rooms. Your options include a giant birds nest reached by ladder, and a ‘mirror cube’ which appears to be floor-to-ceiling glass from the outside and offers a balcony with total privacy. A remarkable Swedish wedding night location!
Denmark:
Scandinavia not only offers rugged wilderness and rustic charm, but also a cosy city vibe in Denmark’s Copenhagen. Incredible restaurants, scenic gardens and a charming harbour make for a city that feels comforting. For your Danish wedding accommodation I recommend the Nimb Hotel with its famous Gemyse restaurant specialising in celebrating beautiful vegetables. The hotel has everything you would expect from a high end city stay, including services such as a private driver, in-room massages and valet parking.
Greenland:
Finally, Greenland’s Disko Bay accessed from Ilulissat offers the pinnacle of ice and snow experiences. Impressive icebergs and glaciers can be toured by boat, and this UNESCO World Heritage site is a hotspot for whale spotting. A charming, truly Scadinavian experience, Disko Bay is my recommend location for your Greenlandic destination wedding.
Are you charmed and delighted by what Scandinavia and Lapland have to offer for you and your nearest and dearest on your adventure wedding? I would love to hear from you to start planning your Nordic wedding celebrations, and help you get the most out of this truly special part of the world whilst you tie the knot!
If you’re ready to get married among the breathtaking beauty of Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark or Greenland, get in touch today and let’s sled into your next adventure!
Services
My bespoke luxury wedding planning service enables me to tailor your intimate destination wedding in Scandinavia perfectly to you as a couple, which is ideal for couples seeking outdoor adventure in comfort and luxury. My partners in all regions have been handpicked along with many other properties across the region. For more information on my bespoke planning services click here!
My bespoke destination wedding planning service covers a huge range of elements of your dream luxury wedding in Lapland, including wedding planning and on-the-day coordination by Nadia, photography, celebrant, florals, booking of activities and much more.
If you’re ready to embark on a truly unforgettable adventure and plan your wedding in Lapland, get in touch!
– Nadia
With thanks to Wild Connections Photography and Karin Lundin.
