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Shawna was looking for a winter wonderland elopement location in Europe and stumbled upon Tromsø in Norway. It ticked all the boxes for them. Intimate, beautiful and the opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
Why Did the Couple Choose Tromsø, Norway for Their Elopement?
Shawna & David: Because I googled “winter wonderland elopement locations in Europe” and learned that northern Norway in the dead of winter is gorgeous. It looked intimate, felt right, and was totally somewhere we wanted to explore. Also, seeing the northern lights had been on both of our bucket lists for a long time.
We wanted to focus on each other rather than a crowd of guests. I wanted to say my vows to my spouse, not to an audience. Writing our vows felt very personal, so we wanted to read them in a more intimate setting with nature surrounding us.
We also did not want to spend months to years of our lives planning for a big venue wedding.
What Makes Tromsø Special for Elopements?
Nina, the photographer: Tromsø is quickly becoming known as the winter capital of Norway. When Shawna and David asked for a location where we would be guaranteed snow, with a chance of seeing the northern lights, I knew right away that Tromsø would be a good fit for them.
Can You Get Legally Married in Norway?
Shawna & David: We opted for a Symbolic ceremony. We read our vows to each other on the 14th and consider this our “wedding day” and anniversary. When we got home from our trip, we signed to legalize our marriage in the United States.
What Sustainability Considerations Were Made (if any) For This Elopement in Norway?
Shawna & David: We used artificial flowers handmade from cloth by a small business, for my bouquet that we will keep forever as decoration in our home.
Did the Couple Incorporate Any Cultural Aspects of Norway into Their Elopement?
Shawna & David: We did our first look on a ferry. Ferries are “very Norwegian”, our photographer told us. (She is from Norway). We said our vows at a historical preservation. We embraced the very intense northern Norwegian winter weather for the rest of our honeymoon.
What Was the Couple’s Experience with Getting Married in Norway During March?
Shawna & David: Highly recommend it, especially if you love winter, mountains, and romantic snow storms.
Nina, the photographer: If you’re hoping to see the northern lights, the chances are good from late October through March, but I would recommend the first half of winter if you want to avoid the deep snow and trail closures that we ran into.
What Are the Best Tips for Planning an Elopement in Norway?
Shawna & David: Ask someone local to the area or at least someone who has lived in the country to help you plan, especially if it’s somewhere you’ve never been! In our case, this was our photographer.
Nina, the photographer: Be prepared for anything! While we knew there would be winter conditions, the record breaking amount of snow that week was a surprise to everyone. We had to change all our plans on short notice, from doing a much shorter hike instead of the full day snowshoe trail we had planned, to skipping dinner on Sommarøy to safely make it back to Tromsø before the roads got any worse.
How Did the Couple Personalize Their Elopement?
Shawna & David: We love hiking, mountains, and snow. We planned to do a hike, have our first look at the top in a cabin, and say our vows at the overlook nearby. A serious snowstorm came through that day which made hiking conditions impossible. We asked for a snowy elopement and we definitely got it! We improvised, and drove around with our very well-prepared photographer and found the perfect place. She had multiple back up plans for us in case we ran into bad weather. This experience felt personal to us since one of our first memories together when we first started dating was a backpacking trip where we had unpredictable terrible weather and we ended up improvising a lot! This made the day feel even more symbolic to us.
What Challenges Did the Couple Face While Planning Their Elopement in Norway, and How Did They Overcome Them?
Shawna & David: The biggest challenge was keeping our elopement plans a secret from family and friends! We truly did not tell a soul until after we eloped. Everyone just thought we were going on vacation. This made it easier to be sure of our decision to elope. We didn’t want any outside opinions influencing how we envisioned our big day.
Another big challenge was planning to be married in a country we had never visited. Our photographer was basically an unofficial dual travel advisor, so this helped ease our stress A LOT. We couldn’t have done it without her honestly. She had us fill out multiple questionnaires about our adventure preferences and how we envisioned our day. She provided so many location options for us to choose from, restaurants to stop at, places to stay, excursions to do, and different areas to check out. She really got to know us and helped personalize our trip. She did so much of the research, not only for the day we eloped but for our entire vacation. This allowed us to be able to totally relax.
What Advice Would the Couple Give to Others Planning an Elopement in Norway?
Shawna & David: Be open to being flexible. Expect for your plans to change on a dime due to weather. Embrace spontaneity. And get ready to fall in love with Norway.
What Were the Most Memorable Moments from This Elopement?
Shawna & David: Reading our vows with a stunning backdrop in a remote, spontaneous location where we don’t believe anyone else has ever been married before. We were so far off the beaten path, the air felt so still. Also, driving through an insane snowstorm and just laughing about the craziness of it all at the end of the day. Later, we went to a local pub, still in our dress & tux, to share a pizza and some beers. We love low-key vibes, so ending the day this way was perfect for us.
Why Is Tromsø One of the Best Places to Get Married in Europe?
Shawna & David: Because it’s so remote and romantic. Because you can drive all over northern Norway and no matter which way you look, you’ll have amazing backdrops and stunning views. Also, you’ll see the northern lights if you go in the winter.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Shawna & David: Highly recommend eloping rather than a big wedding. Make the day 100% yours.
