Getting excited for your big adventure? Having this elopement packing list may help you with recommendations preparing for your elopement trip to Norway. (Items not listed in any specific order)
CLOTHES
HIKING SHOES / BOOTS
Make sure to break-in your boots before going on your adventure. Hiking boots needs to fit well and feel comfortable, and you’ll only find this out by testing them.
WOOL UNDERWEAR
Norway has a wide range of temperatures, throughout the year, and within the country. The temperature difference between sea level and the mountain tops is also quite noticeable, so it’s good to choose attire that can hide a thin set of wool underwear.
WINDBREAKER / WARM JACKET
Bring a durable jacket that can help protect you from the wind and keep you warm between locations, especially on mountain top hikes. No matter the season, a windbreaker can be useful throughout the year.
GEAR
A COMFORTABLE BACKPACK
Having a comfortable backpack that can carry water, snacks, and clothing may be necessary for a mountain top hike. Most mountains in Norway do not have tourist friendly paths to follow. Depending on your desires for adventure you may be hiking in rough terrain on trails rated easy to advanced.
FLASHLIGHT / HEADLAMP
Norway has natural light based on seasons. In summertime you have the midnight sun, which means the sun doesn’t set from May 18th until mid-July.
In wintertime you’ll be met with quite the opposite. Between December 5th and January 7th you have the polar night, which means the sun doesn’t rise at all. And during the seasons in between the sun rises and sets on a quickly changing schedule. For all late autumn, winter, and early spring weddings, I recommend bringing a headlamp or flashlight for the hike down.
FOOD/DRINKS
BOTTLE FOR WATER
I recommend packing at least 12 oz’s of water for every 3 miles of hiking.
SNACKS / ENERGY BARS
Whether you’re hiking during your elopement or not, snacks and/or energy bars are always good to have accessible. In some parts of Norway convenience stores or restaurants are few and far between, and you want to keep up good energy throughout the day.
CHAMPAGNE
A champagne bottle for popping is perfect for celebrating after your ceremony and makes for some wonderful images too!!!
KNICKKNACS
MIRROR & A HAIRBRUSH
I suggest bringing a small mirror and a brush. They can help you feel more confident about how you look out in the weather where you’ll be wanting to check your makeup and hair from time to time 😉
SUNSCREEN / BUGSPRAY
This is of course seasonal, but the summertime sun in Norway is quite intense and bugs can be about in areas where there are lots of ponds and/or greenery. Look at this video, for a mobile bug repellant. I do recommend bringing a high SPF sunscreen and some insect repellant just in case you need it.
THE ESSENTIALS
PREPARE THE PAPERWORK
If you want to legally get married in Norway there is some paperwork that needs to be sent. I’ve done the research for you so just check this link and begin filing when you are ready. Start doing this as soon as possible as waiting times can vary. Don’t forget your passports if you need them.
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL
Make sure airplane tickets and other transportation is booked well before your departure. The northern parts (Lofoten, Senja, Vesterålen, Tromsø etc) of Norway have only one airline (Wideroe/SAS) offering flights, so tickets get sold out or rise in price quite quickly. Keep an eye out for offers and use your miles. You might also find exciting and unique accommodations on Airbnb. In Norway most cars are still shift stick gears, so be sure to book your rental car with the rest of your trip. Automatic cars get booked first.
CASH
Norway is working away from cash, so you hardly ever need it. Having a small amount of cash can make you feel safer when traveling.
SHOPS
Most shops have limited hours on Saturday and are closed on Sundays, so plan ahead. Shops also stay closed on national holidays, so make sure to check the calendar for red days in Norway, especially in May. May 17th, is the national day of Norway. Everything is closed, but the entire country is out celebrating and there is delicious food, drinks, and music everywhere. :).
Hopefully, having this elopement packing list will help you on your way to achieving your perfect elopement day.
