How To Plan A Northern Lights Wedding
There are few experiences as mind-blowing and unforgettable as a Northern Lights wedding. Reciting your vows in the middle of a breathtaking natural landscape while the stunning display of multicolored lights dances in the sky above you is something that really needs to be experienced first-hand for its magic to be fully understood.
If you’re considering a Northern Lights wedding, my advice is to go for it! You absolutely won’t regret it. And if you’re wondering how to get married under the Northern Lights, including what you’ll need to pack and where some of the best locations are to see the Aurora Borealis, my Northern Lights wedding guide has got you covered! Here’s how to plan a Northern Lights wedding!
What Are The Best Locations For A Northern Lights Wedding?
The Northern Lights are most visible at northern latitudes in areas with minimal light pollution to guarantee maximum visibility. That means that places like Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Alaska offer ideal spots for your Northern Lights elopement.
Norway:
Northern Norway has some excellent spots to view the Northern Lights. The city of Tromsø, for example, is located about 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle and is world-famous as an ideal location to see the Aurora Borealis. The city even hosts a Northern Lights Festival each year!
Finland:
The best spots for a Northern Lights elopement in Finland are located in the northern region of the country known as Finnish Lapland. This breathtaking arctic landscape is the perfect complement to the celestial beauty of the Aurora Borealis. For couples who are feeling extra adventurous, the region is known for its ice hotels, which allow you to fully immerse yourself in the snowy wilderness while taking in some unforgettable views.
Iceland:
This unique island nation is home to several awesome national parks that offer ideal viewing conditions for the Northern Lights. These remote locations minimize light pollution and offer stunning natural surroundings for your Northern Lights elopement. If you’re interested, you can also check out the capital city of Reykjavik, which is the hub of Icelandic culture and also offers a variety of guided Northern Lights tours.
Alaska:
To increase your chances of seeing great Northern Lights displays in Alaska, you should aim to hold your Northern Lights elopement in one of the state’s northern cities. The city of Fairbanks, for instance, is known as a great viewing spot for the Northern Lights due to its northern location and its reliably clear skies!
What Is The Best Time Of Year For A Northern Lights Wedding?
In order to see the Northern Lights, you need darkness. This means that your chances of seeing the Northern Lights are greatest during the winter months when the nights are the longest.
Planning your Northern Lights elopement for the winter is particularly important because most of the best places to see the Northern Lights are located at northern latitudes where the sun almost never sets during the summer months.
September through March is typically considered the peak viewing season for the Northern Lights, though it’s important to always do a bit of research about your preferred elopement location since the best times to see the Northern Lights sometimes vary from place to place.
What To Wear For A Winter Wedding Under The Northern Lights
It’s important to keep in mind that some of the best places to view the Northern Lights are often above the Arctic Circle, and since the best time of year to view the Northern Lights tends to be during the winter you can expect to encounter some seriously cold weather during your Northern Lights wedding.
Fortunately, this isn’t a problem as long as you pack appropriate winter wedding attire. Some wardrobe essentials to bring with you for your Northern Lights wedding include:
Fleece-lined tights or leggings
Dresses made from heavy materials — for dresses, aim for something made from silk or velvet, and for suits definitely consider something made from wool or tweed.
Long-sleeved attire — this is particularly important for winter wedding dresses!
High ankle waterproof boots — many of the best spots for viewing the Northern Lights are in secluded vistas in the middle of the wilderness. You should expect to do at least a little bit of hiking and trekking through the snow and ice. Proper footwear made from waterproof material and complete with appropriate insulation and soles with proper grip is a must.
Accessories that will help keep your body warm — we’re talking shawls, hats, ear muffs, gloves, a high-quality winter jacket, and even peel-and-stick body warmers. Also, it never hurts to bring a few extra sweaters and scarves. Layering is key when you’re traveling onto the tundra for a Northern Lights wedding!
Other Important Things To Know
The Lights Are Unpredictable (And Not Always Visible)
The Northern Lights operate on their own schedule, and sometimes it can be hard to predict when they’ll be visible in the night sky. To maximize your chances of getting a great Northern Lights display during your wedding, consider taking the following precautions.
Avoid areas with heavy light pollution: The best spots to see the Northern Lights are typically off the beaten path, away from bright city skylines that can reduce their visibility.
Avoid planning a Northern Lights elopement around a full moon: Bright moonlight can dim your Northern Lights display. Be sure to do a bit of research about what the moonlight is going to be like on your preferred wedding dates and try to aim for nights with minimal moonlight.
Try to block off at least three days in case of inclement weather: Cloudy skies or rainy weather can make it difficult to see the Northern Lights, so blocking a group of about three nights will give your schedule some much-needed flexibility to make sure that you can hold your Northern Lights elopement on a perfect, clear night.
Plan For A Backup Location
Having an alternate location is always a great idea when you’re planning a nature elopement. The great outdoors can be unpredictable, and it’s important to have a Plan B ready to go in case the unexpected happens.
This is particularly important when you’re planning a Northern Lights elopement. Your preferred location might be a bit cloudy or inaccessible due to weather conditions, so having a few different locations to fall back on is never a bad idea.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!
Since the Northern Lights are most often visible during the winter months, you can expect to spend a lot of time in the snow during your Northern Lights elopement. You can also expect to be venturing out to some pretty remote areas in order to get to the spots where the Northern Lights are most visible.
In order to prepare to chase down those optimal Northern Lights displays, you can expect to be driving in some icy conditions. To prepare for these conditions, be sure to bring a full tank of gas and tire chains for your car.
You’ll also want to stock up on food and water since you’ll probably be a pretty long distance from the nearest grocery store!
Finally, it’s always a good idea to bring along a safety phone, just in case you need to call for help. Better safe than sorry!
Be Patient
Again, the Northern Lights can be tricky, and they operate on their own schedule. While they’re usually the most visible from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m., there are some nights where they don’t even start until 3 a.m.
This means that pulling off the perfect Northern Lights elopement might require waiting in your car for a few hours waiting for the show to start. It requires a bit of patience, but it’s definitely worth it!
2024 is a Peak Northern Light Year!
The northern lights are caused by charged particles from solar storms on the sun’s surface traveling towards Earth and reacting with the different elements in our atmosphere! The sun operates on an 11 year solar cycle with the peak hitting this year in 2024! This simply means that there will be more solar activity, resulting in more often and more powerful northern lights (hence why we saw them all the way down in Florida a few months back!
If you’re dreaming of seeing the northern lights and think involving them in your elopement day is the perfect way to end your night—Fall and Winter of 2024 is going to be the perfect time!
Your Northern Lights Adventure Awaits!
If you’re planning a Northern Lights elopement and are looking for an expert guide with the chops to take some truly unforgettable Northern Lights wedding photos, then we should definitely have a chat!
Get in touch and we can start planning the Northern Lights elopement that’s perfect for you. No matter where your adventure takes you or what kinds of experiences you’re looking for, I’ll be by your side every step of the way, capturing timeless photos and making sure your Northern Lights elopement is absolutely amazing.
Hey, I’m Sally! I’m a destination adventure elopement photographer based in Washington, but traveling worldwide!
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