In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Finland.
Weddings in Finland: What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a truly unique and magical setting for your destination wedding, look no further than Finland.
This picturesque country offers endless possibilities for weddings, from intimate ceremonies in the Finnish countryside to grand receptions in Helsinki’s historic city center.
Finland’s natural beauty is on display throughout the country, from the snow-capped mountains of Lapland to the glassy lakes of the southern region.
And with its long days during the summer months and its stunning Aurora Borealis displays in winter, Finland is a year-round destination for weddings.
Whether you’re dreaming of a fairytale ceremony in a castle or a more rustic affair surrounded by forests and fields, Finland has something to offer every bride and groom.
So start planning your dream wedding today… in Finland!
But first: you need to know where in the world Finland is…
Where is Finland?
Finland is located in northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south.
Area: 130,681 sq mi (338,462 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 5,555,000, Capital: Helsinki.
Finland Facts To Know:
- Language: Finnish
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Airports: Helsinki Airport (HEL), Oulu Airport (OUL)
- Official Tourism Website: https://www.visitfinland.com/en/
- Driving side: Right
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Finland for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Finland
Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Finland:
1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests
Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Finland or closer to home.
You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.
Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:
- How To Pick A Date For A Wedding?
- When To Send Out Save The Date For Wedding?
- How To Write Date On Wedding Invitation?
2. Decide on a budget
When it comes to having a Finland wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.
But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:
- How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget?
- What Is A Good Wedding Budget?
- How To Decorate A Wedding Reception Hall On A Budget?
3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget
No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.
Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Finland:
4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details
A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.
Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Finland
Finland Weddings: Key Information
Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.
To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Finland:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in Finland?
- What are the marriage requirements for Finland?
- What is the weather like in Finland?
- What should you pack for a trip to Finland?
- What things are there to do in Finland?
- What are the best Finland wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in Finland Cost?
Officiating a marriage ceremony at a Local Register Office or in a place registered for marriages during office hours is free of charge.
The ceremony can also be performed elsewhere, and in this case, it is subject to a fee.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Finland
When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Valid passport.
- Certificate of no impediment (CNI) no older than 4 months, which should not be legalized if it has been issued by an embassy or a consulate of your country of citizenship or an EU Member State. It has to be translated to Finnish, English or Swedish.
Other legal requirements are:
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
- Two witnesses are required, older than 15 years old.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in Finland, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
- All international paperwork has to be translated into Finnish, English or Swedish by an official translator. A translation that was made in Finland by a translator who is authorized to do so does not need to be legalized, but a translation that was made abroad does need to be legalized, unless it was made by a translator who is qualified for the task in accordance with the legislation of an EU Member State.
- Certificates provided by an authority of a Nordic or EU country do not need to be legalized. A certificate granted by an embassy or a consulate located in Finland does not need to be legalized, either. If the certificate has been granted by an authority of an EU country and is supplemented with the form EU 2016/1191, the certificate does not need to be translated.
- Same-sex marriages are legal in Finland.
Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.
What Is The Weather Like in Finland?
The best time to visit Finland is in the summer, from June to August. When it doesn’t rain, the weather is usually good for outdoor activities, and it rarely gets too hot. However, particularly in Lapland, it can get cold at night. Although June is a little colder than July, it is not as rainy.
If you want to see Finland in winter, the ideal month to go is March, when the nation is still covered in snow (at least in the center-north, while in the south it varies on the year), but the weather is warmer and the days are longer.
From December to February, the days are very short (in the Christmas period, the sun doesn’t even rise in the north), and sometimes it can be very very cold. During this time, on the other hand, you have the opportunity to experience the polar nights in the north and see the northern lights (Aurora borealis).
What should you pack for your trip?
In the winter, you should carry clothes appropriate for cold conditions, such as synthetic and thermal long underwear, a fleece, a parka, a wind jacket, gloves, and warm boots.
In the summer, dress in layers, and pack clothing for spring and fall – long trousers, a jacket, a sweatshirt or sweater, and a raincoat or umbrella.
Finland Weather By Month
Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Finland:
Average Temperatures in Finland
The table below shows the average temperatures in Finland each month:
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
| January | -6.4 | -1.1 | -3.8 | 21 | 30 | 25.2 |
| February | -7.1 | -1.5 | -4.3 | 19 | 29 | 24.3 |
| March | -4.3 | 2.3 | -1 | 24 | 36 | 30.2 |
| April | 0.4 | 8.5 | 4.5 | 33 | 47 | 40.1 |
| May | 5.6 | 15.1 | 10.4 | 42 | 59 | 50.6 |
| June | 10.4 | 19.3 | 14.9 | 51 | 67 | 58.8 |
| July | 13.7 | 22.3 | 18 | 57 | 72 | 64.4 |
| August | 12.5 | 20.8 | 16.7 | 54 | 70 | 62 |
| September | 8.3 | 15.6 | 12 | 47 | 60 | 53.5 |
| October | 3.5 | 9 | 6.2 | 38 | 48 | 43.2 |
| November | -0.4 | 4 | 1.8 | 31 | 39 | 35.3 |
| December | -3.7 | 1 | -1.3 | 25 | 34 | 29.6 |
| Year | 2.8 | 9.7 | 6.2 | 37 | 49.4 | 43 |
Average Rainfall in Finland
The table below shows the average rainfall in Finland each month:
| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
| January | 60 | 2.4 | 12 |
| February | 45 | 1.8 | 9 |
| March | 35 | 1.4 | 8 |
| April | 35 | 1.4 | 7 |
| May | 35 | 1.4 | 7 |
| June | 60 | 2.4 | 9 |
| July | 55 | 2.2 | 7 |
| August | 80 | 3.1 | 10 |
| September | 55 | 2.2 | 9 |
| October | 75 | 3 | 10 |
| November | 75 | 3 | 12 |
| December | 65 | 2.6 | 12 |
| Year | 675 | 26.6 | 111 |
Sunshine Hours in Finland
The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Finland each month:
| Month | Average | Total |
| January | 1 | 40 |
| February | 2.5 | 75 |
| March | 4 | 130 |
| April | 6.5 | 195 |
| May | 9 | 275 |
| June | 9 | 265 |
| July | 9.5 | 290 |
| August | 7 | 220 |
| September | 5 | 145 |
| October | 2.5 | 85 |
| November | 1 | 35 |
| December | 1 | 25 |
| Year | 4.9 | 1780 |
Sea Temperatures in Finland
The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Finland each month:
| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
| January | 2 | 36 |
| February | 1 | 34 |
| March | 1 | 34 |
| April | 2 | 36 |
| May | 5 | 41 |
| June | 9 | 48 |
| July | 15 | 59 |
| August | 17 | 63 |
| September | 14 | 57 |
| October | 10 | 50 |
| November | 7 | 45 |
| December | 3 | 37 |
| Year | 7.2 | 45 |
What To Wear in Finland? (Packing Tips)
It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.
We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Finland so that you can make the most of your time there.
- Comfortable shoes: You’ll also need comfortable sturdy walking shoes, as you’ll likely be doing a lot of exploring.
- Camera: Make sure to bring your camera as there will be plenty of opportunities to take photographs.
- Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
- Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
- First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
- And finally, don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure! Finland is an amazing country with so much to see and do.
Things to Do in Finland
There are many different things to do in Finland, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- Sea Fortress Suomenlinna
- Helsinki
- Temppeliaukio Church
- Bengtskar Lighthouse
- Porvoo Old Town
- Santa Claus Office
- Siida – Sami Museum and Nature Center
- Olavinlinna Castle
- Archipelago National Park
- Lake Saimaa
- Pyha-Luosto National Park
- Kemi SnowCastle
Best Finland Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Finland?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in Finland
- Villa Andania in Helsinki
- Ravintola NJK on Valkosaari island
- HSS Paviljong on Liuskasaari
- Valkosaaren Telakka on Valkosaari island
- Ravintola Särkänlinna
- Tenalji Von Fersen in Suomenlinna
Hotels in Finland
- Hotel Mestari – Helsinki
- Lapland Hotels Bulevardi – Helsinki
- Hotel F6 – Helsinki
- Arctic Light Hotel – Rovaniemi
- Santa Claus Holiday Village – Rovaniemi
- Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara – Rovaniemi
- Hotel Kakola – Turku
- Park Hotel Turku
