Sailboat Elopement in Norway’s Lofoten Islands

“I don’t even remember you taking photos in some of these moments…. This whole adventure was so surreal!”

Amy & Sylvia traveled from Toronto and explored the south of Norway for a couple of weeks before meeting me in a place I know well: The Lofoten Islands.

They wanted mountains, water, adventure, and a curated picnic and after we discusssed locations like Alaska, Scotland, and Greenland, the gals decided on Norway.

Scroll down to read more about their intentional, next-level adventure 👇🏽

Day One – Midnight Hike

Like these two said, it’s surreal heading out to hike at 10pm, rather than coming back from a hike in the peak of summer. With the Lofoten Islands being well above the Arctic Circle, we made the most of the delicious light for our first exploration. Amy gets cold easier than Sylv, but this time it was Sylvia’s turn to be the chillier one with the insane wind whipping off the ocean.

These two took everything in stride as they changed into their wedding dresses, hundreds of feet above the beautiful waters cradling this Norwegian archipelago. With the gusts and chill, they opted to read their vows later, so just focused on taking in the panoramic view that surrounded them. Incandescent light, bright red rorbuer cabins, the fishermen tying up at the docks, and the towering fjords were, with no exaggeration, a feast for the eyes.

Day Two – Sailboats, Catered Lunches, and Land Excursions

Getting Ready

Construction with big delays forced A&S to pivot with their lodgings, and they managed to find a beautiful rorbuer-type cabin (what the Islands are known for) set right on the water, complete with a dock and small dinghy to set the scene.

They spent the night before their sailboat adventure reading their vows to each other in bed, and the day after going our separate ways, spent the entire day lounging and taking in the view. Amy & Sylvia told me that despite both working from home, this trip was a chance to connect with each other on a level they hadn’t gotten to in a really long time. They’re normally working all day and then want out of the house, so they keep themselves busy with outings, friend hangs, and other events. These intentional weeks in Norway, especially in Lofoten, allowed them to escape the world.

“When I got back to work, I realized I forgot what work felt like!” – Amy

50+ Year Old Sailboat on a Glass Ocean

We drove an hour north toward Svolvaer, where we hopped aboard at 50+ year old sailboat, recently sailed up from Inverness/Loch Ness (yes, that Loch Ness!) just a few days prior. To set foot on a boat that made that journey, we knew we were in for an unforgettable time. The glassy ocean gently undulated, with fjords standing tall as our backdrop.

These two got engaged on a boat in New York on the Hudson, so it made perfect sense to bring things full circle with a romantic sailboat ride halfway across the world.

Catered Lunch on the Sea

A catered charcuterie lunch allowed these two to warm up inside (if you’ve been to Norway, the PNW or any similar temperate climate, you’ll understand the damp cold of Lofoten in shoulder season). Lovingly curated by the sailboat, all Sylvia & Amy had to do was step inside, sit down, and dig in.

Land Excursion with Anniversary Letters & Climbing the Rigging

Our captain, Haakon, sailed between sea stacks, small island chains, and took our adventurers out to a distant lighthouse before we made sail for a small turquoise bay, some drone-approved airspace, and the perfect beach location for writing anniversary letters.

Amy & Sylvia had a plan: write out letters to themselves for their 1, 5, and 10 year anniversaries. While the clouds threatened to rain, these two were down for anything, and stuck it out to seal their first year anniversary letter with plans to finish the rest during the remainder of their trip.

We took a RIB back to the sailboat, where we (read: A&S) geared up for one last adventure: climbing the rigging.

While I took my drone to the skies and stood atop the boat cabin, Amy harnessed up and recreated something worthy of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Scroll down and listen to this while you peruse.

The Best Time to Elope in The Lofoten Islands

Do you want the best chance at clear skies?
Midnight sun? Fewer crowds?
The aurora borealis?
Depending on your top priority, the answer will likely be different.

Weather is always unpredictable in the Lofoten Islands, so always be prepared for rain. Or snow.

Crowds peak in late June and July-August. Want to avoid crowds but still have the best chance at getting “nicer” weather? Consider early June or early September.

Is the aurora high on your bucket list? Consider September or early October for less (or no) snow, while late February-early April will bring a winter wonderland with the best Spring skies for viewing! If you’re in search of an aurora jaeger (that means chaser), you’re covered with my custom vendor and guide recommendations.

After adventuring and photographing adventures all along this island chain, be prepared for the best location recs, activities, and places that will really make you say, “Is this real?“

If you’re dreaming of a day like this Norway sailboat elopement, then reach out, and let’s co-create an adventure together that resonates with who you are…