In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Norway.
Weddings in Norway: What You Need To Know
If you are looking for a breathtaking destination for your wedding, then look no further than Norway.
With its towering mountains, pristine glaciers, and picturesque fjords, Norway is a truly unique place to exchange vows.
There are a number of remote and beautiful locations that would make the perfect setting for your special day.
And with a variety of activities available, including hiking, skiing, and kayaking, you and your guests will be sure to find something to suit your taste.
So if you are searching for an unforgettable destination wedding experience, Norway should be at the top of your list.
But first: you need to know where in the world Norway is…
Where is Norway?
Norway is located in western and northernmost part of the Scandinavian Peninsula in northern Europe. It shares a long eastern border with Sweden, and it is also bordered by Finland and Russia to the northeast and the Skagerrak strait to the south, on the other side of which are Denmark and the United Kingdom.
Norway also has an extensive coastline on the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea.
Area (including Svalbard and Jan Mayen): 148,451 sq mi (384,486 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 5,443,000, Capital: Oslo.
Norway Facts To Know:
- Language: Norwegian
- Currency: Norwegian krone
- Airports: Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL), Stavanger Airport (SVG), Bergen Airport (BGO)
- Official Tourism Website:https://www.visitnorway.com/
- Driving side: Right
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Norway for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Norway
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 Norway:
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 Norway 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 Norwegian 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 Norway:
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 Norway
Norway 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 Norway:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in Norway?
- What are the marriage requirements for Norway?
- What is the weather like in Norway?
- What should you pack for a trip to Norway?
- What things are there to do in Norway?
- What are the best Norwegian wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in Norway Cost?
The wedding license cost in Norway is $100 – $200, and depends on your place of residence.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Norway
In order to be married in Norway, you do not need to be a citizen of Norway nor do you need to have a residence permit in Norway; however, you do need to have legal stay in the country.
In this situation, having a legal stay may include a residence permit, residence as an EU/EEA national, a visitor’s visa or a valid visa free stay.
In order to be married in Norway, you are required to get a certificate known as a prvingsattest, which is valid for a period of four months and demonstrates that you meet the requirements for entering into marriage. You are required to give this certificate to the person who is officiating the marriage.
There is a waiting time for issuing this certificate so make sure to have that in mind before you start planning the wedding.
The Norwegian Tax Administration is responsible for overseeing weddings in Norway. Although it may seem strange, they are the organization in
On this link to the Norwegian tax authority you can get more information regarding the documentation you need to submit in order to get married.
When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Valid passport.
- Birth certificate.
- Certificate of no impediment (to submit online you will need your Norwegian national identity number and an electronic ID such as BankID or BuyPass.).
- If you have already been married, provide the relevant documentation to demonstrate that you are either divorced or widowed.
- Name change document – generally all names on all documents need to match (including your parents’ names), otherwise proof of name change needs to be shown.
- Statement by the sponsor/witness.
- An apostilled certificate from the person’s country of citizenship stating they are free to marry in Norway – including a full certified Norwegian translation.
- Proof of legal residency in Norway.
Other legal requirements are:
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
- Two witnesses (sponsors) are required, one for each partner, and they must be people who know the couple.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in Portugal, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
- You do not have to have a residence permit in Norway or be a Norwegian citizen in order to get married in Norway, but you must have a legal stay.
- All international paperwork has to be translated into Norwegian by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first.
- You can choose whether you want the ceremony to be held in Norwegian or English, and if you need translation during the ceremony, you must bring a qualified interpreter.
- 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.
If you have your heart set on getting married in Norway, but are unable to meet the legal stay requirements, we advise you ‘secretly’ get married in your home country and then have a Wedding Blessing or so called Humanist wedding ceremony in Norway.
What Is The Weather Like in Norway?
The summer months of June through August are the ideal time to visit Norway. Along the coasts and in the mountains, it is very cool, and along the northern coast, it is even cold.
Even while the weather is often pleasant inland, in Oslo, and along the southern coast it is still suggested to bring a sweater for the evenings. The days may sometimes even become somewhat warm, but the evenings are still usually cool.
Temperatures tend to be more variable in Lapland, which means that it may be rather warm during the day, yet cold in the evening.
Even during the summer months, there is a significant chance of rain in Norway, particularly around the western coast. June is a little bit chillier than July and August, but it is (relatively) drier and sunnier, and it has longer days, with the white nights in the south and the midnight sun in the north.
The month of March is ideal for a ski vacation since the temperature is higher and the days are longer than in midwinter.
However, since darkness is required for seeing the northern lights, the optimum time of year to do so is between the months of November and January.
Even in July, temperatures on the northern islands remain cold, although above freezing.
The ocean, which in the winter has a surface temperature of 5/6 °C (41/43 °F), stays cool in the summer.
What should you pack for your trip?
In the winter for Oslo, the inland and northern regions pack very warm clothing, synthetic thermal long underwear, a fleece, a down jacket, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Bring a sweater, a down jacket, a hat, and either a raincoat or an umbrella if you’re going to the west coast.
In the summer, dress in layers, and also bring clothes for spring or fall, such as a T-shirt, but also long pants, a sweatshirt or sweater; a jacket, a raincoat or umbrella.
Bring a windbreaker and a raincoat for the wind and rain, particularly if you’re going to the coast or if you plan on taking a boat excursion through the fjords.
Pack winter clothes, a down jacket, a hat, gloves, a windbreaker, and an umbrella if you plan on visiting the northern islands (Jan Mayen and Svalbard).
Norway 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 Norway:
Average Temperatures in Norway
The table below shows the average temperatures in Norway each month:
Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
January | 0.6 | 4.7 | 2.6 | 33 | 40 | 36.8 |
February | 0.1 | 4.9 | 2.5 | 32 | 41 | 36.5 |
March | 1.3 | 6.9 | 4.1 | 34 | 44 | 39.4 |
April | 3.9 | 11.1 | 7.5 | 39 | 52 | 45.5 |
May | 7 | 15 | 11 | 45 | 59 | 51.8 |
June | 10 | 17.5 | 13.8 | 50 | 64 | 56.8 |
July | 12.5 | 19.7 | 16.1 | 54 | 67 | 61 |
August | 12.4 | 19.3 | 15.8 | 54 | 67 | 60.5 |
September | 9.9 | 16.2 | 13 | 50 | 61 | 55.5 |
October | 6.1 | 11.6 | 8.9 | 43 | 53 | 48 |
November | 3 | 7.6 | 5.3 | 37 | 46 | 41.5 |
December | 0.9 | 5.2 | 3.1 | 34 | 41 | 37.5 |
Year | 5.7 | 11.7 | 8.65 | 42.2 | 53 | 47.5 |
Average Rainfall in Norway
The table below shows the average rainfall in Norway each month:
Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
January | 255 | 10 | 19 |
February | 210 | 8.3 | 17 |
March | 200 | 7.9 | 18 |
April | 140 | 5.5 | 14 |
May | 110 | 4.3 | 13 |
June | 135 | 5.3 | 13 |
July | 155 | 6.1 | 15 |
August | 210 | 8.3 | 17 |
September | 245 | 9.6 | 16 |
October | 270 | 10.6 | 18 |
November | 270 | 10.6 | 18 |
December | 290 | 11.4 | 19 |
Year | 2490 | 98 | 198 |
Sea Temperatures in Norway
The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Norway each month:
Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
January | 7 | 44 |
February | 6 | 43 |
March | 6 | 42 |
April | 6 | 43 |
May | 8 | 47 |
June | 12 | 53 |
July | 14 | 57 |
August | 15 | 59 |
September | 14 | 57 |
October | 12 | 53 |
November | 10 | 49 |
December | 8 | 47 |
Year | 9.7 | 49.5 |
What To Wear in Norway? (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 Norway so that you can make the most of your time there.
- Be sure to bring along plenty of layers: The weather can be unpredictable, even in summer, so it’s always a good idea to have a sweater or light jacket on hand.
- Comfortable shoes: Pack comfortable walking shoes, as you’re likely to do a lot of exploring while you’re there.
- If you’re planning on doing any hiking or camping, be sure to pack all the necessary gear.
- Camera: Don’t forget to pack your camera because Norway is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the world!
- 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.
Things to Do in Norway
There are many different things to do in Norway, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- Pulpit Rock
- The Royal Palace
- Fram Museum
- Geiranger Skywalk – Dalsnibba
- Lofoten Island
- Norsk Folkemuseum
- Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf
- Viking Ship Museum
- Geiranger Fjord
- Voringsfossen
- Trolltunga
- Fjellstua Viewpoint
- Atlantic Road
- The Troll’s Road
- Svalbard
Best Norway Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Norway?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in Norway
- Holm Gård in Oslo
- Høymagasinet in Oslo
- Otternes Farm in the Flåm Valley
- Skarsnuten Hotel Hemsedal in Hemsedal
- Fretheim Hotel in Flåm
- Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldal
Hotels in Norway
- Lysebu Hotel – Oslo
- Hotel Bristol – Oslo
- Amerikalinjen – Oslo
- Opus 16 – Bergen
- Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen
- Arctic Lodge Tromvik – Tromsø
- Britannia Hotel – Trondheim
- Hindrum Fjordsenter – Trondheim
- Darby’s Inn – Stavanger
- RoaldsPiren – Stavanger
- Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel, Stavanger