Magical Northern Lights Weddings: Can you elope under the aurora borealis?
Everything you need to know about Aurora Borealis Weddings
March 11th, 2025.
If you feel like you don't know how to start planning your Northern lights wedding - I'm here to help!
Understanding the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of nature’s most mesmerizing spectacles. Imagine a night sky painted with vibrant hues of green, purple, and pink, swirling and dancing above you. This ethereal glow is the result of charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. These particles, carried by solar winds, create a stunning display of light that can range from soft, diffuse glows to dynamic, dancing curtains.
To see the Northern Lights, you need to be in the right place at the right time. The best locations are typically at high latitudes, such as Finland, Canada, Norway, and Sweden. These regions offer the darkest skies and the clearest views, far from the interference of city lights. The prime time to witness this natural wonder is during the winter months, from September to April, when the nights are longest and darkest. So, if you’re dreaming of a Northern Lights elopement, plan your trip during these months to maximize your chances of experiencing this breathtaking phenomenon.
Imagine standing together in the silence of the Arctic night, snow crunching beneath your boots, your breath visible in the crisp air. You exchange vows under a sky that shimmers with ribbons of green and purple light—the northern lights dancing above you as if celebrating your love. It’s an intimate, breathtaking, and almost surreal way to get married. Imagine the enchantment continuing into your wedding night, as you embark on an adventurous journey to chase the Northern Lights, making it an unforgettable conclusion to your special day.
A Northern Lights wedding is a dream come true for couples who value experiences over tradition, for those who find romance in adventure rather than grand ballrooms. But can you actually elope under the aurora borealis? The answer is yes—but with a few important things to keep in mind.
The aurora is unpredictable. It depends on solar winds, cloud cover, and how far you are from light pollution. One night, the sky might burst into color; the next, it could stay completely dark. That’s why I always encourage my couples to start planning with flexibility. Instead of setting all hopes on a single moment, plan an entire destination wedding experience—one where you get married in a stunning natural setting during the day, and then chase the aurora at night.
If you’re dreaming of saying I do under the dancing lights, you’ll need the right photographer, the right location, and the right timing. That’s exactly what we’ll explore in this guide—where to go, when to go, and how to make this once-in-a-lifetime adventure happen.
Northern lights wedding info
A Wedding Under the Aurora Borealis?
Alaska
Canada
Greenland
The best locations offer not just a high chance of aurora activity, but also breathtaking landscapes for your wedding day. Many of these locations offer specialized Northern Lights wedding packages that include everything from the ceremony to unique winter activities, ensuring a magical and stress-free experience.
What makes a good northern lights wedding location?
Booking your elopement lodging and travel
The Best Locations for an Aurora Borealis Wedding
Sweden
- November & December – November often brings unpredictable cloud cover, and in December, locations above the Arctic Circle experience polar night, meaning the sun doesn’t rise at all. While this provides extra-long nights for aurora chasing, it also means less daylight for exploring beautiful landscapes.
- January – One of the coldest months, January is great for deep winter lovers but can be challenging due to extreme temperatures. The long, dark nights make it an excellent month for aurora borealis hunting, but the harsh conditions require proper preparation.
What About November–January?
- September & Early October – The first months of the aurora season offer crisp autumn air and stunning fall colors, with golden trees contrasting against beautiful landscapes and the aurora activity is at the highest level. These months are also milder than deep winter, making them perfect for couples who want to experience the Arctic without extreme cold. Plus, nights are long enough for northern lights hunting, but days are still bright for daytime adventures.
- Late February & March – These are some of the best months to see the northern lights in northern Scandinavia. The skies are often clearer than in mid-winter, the snow is deep and powdery, and the dancing lights are incredibly active. Plus, by March, the days are a little longer, allowing you to experience the best of both worlds—fun winter activities during the day and aurora viewing at night.
Why These Months?
Aurora borealis wedding
When Is the Best Time to Have a Northern Lights Elopement?
In fact, early & late season are the best times to see them, too, as the aurora activity is at the highest level! These months offer a perfect balance between aurora visibility, breathtaking landscapes, and enough daylight to explore the scenery during the day.
Aurora borealis activities
How much time do we need to see and capture the northern lights?
Since the northern lights are unpredictable, I always recommend my couples stay in a good location for at least 3 nights. This increases your chances of catching a clear sky and active aurora. Some couples choose to stay even longer, combining their destination wedding with a winter adventure, which allows for more opportunities to see the lights.
What is a good location for Northern lights you might ask? Well, it's a location with minimal light pollution, meaning that there aren't cities or traffic lights nearby.
If you start planning your Northern Lights wedding, consider choosing one of these months to maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights while also making the most of the breathtaking landscapes.
Backup plans
The most important mindset for a Northern Lights elopement? Go with the flow. Even if the aurora doesn’t appear, you’ll still have a stunning, intimate elopement day in one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. Your wedding will be about you two—whether that’s hiking to a secluded spot, cozying up by a fire, or exploring the Arctic wilderness together. The northern lights are a bonus, not the whole story.
So, if you're dreaming of an aurora borealis wedding, the key is to start planning with a flexible approach. Choose a breathtaking location, give yourself a few nights, and focus on creating an experience that’s unforgettable—aurora or not.
4. Embrace the Adventure, No Matter What
To increase your chances of seeing the northern lights, you might need to move away from light pollution and into darker areas. If you’re not renting a car, I can drive you to a remote spot—just 20-30 minutes from a small town can make a huge difference. Sometimes, simply driving to the other side of a mountain or valley can give you clearer skies. I always keep an eye on aurora borealis hunting forecasts and cloud maps so we can adjust plans if needed.
3. Be Ready to Chase the Aurora
If seeing the northern lights is important to you, don’t pin your hopes on one evening. I recommend staying in your chosen location for at least three nights. This gives you multiple chances to see the aurora and allows for flexibility if one night is cloudy. The longer you stay, the better your chances! Plus, you’ll have more time to enjoy fun winter activities like dog sledding, reindeer sledding, or even a romantic soak in an outdoor hot spring.
2. Stay at Least Three Nights
Many couples imagine exchanging vows under the dancing lights, but in reality, wedding ceremonies are difficult to capture in the dark. Long exposure photography (which is needed to photograph the aurora borealis) means you’d have to stand completely still, which isn't ideal when you're caught up in the emotions of the moment. Instead, I always recommend having your wedding ceremony during the day—surrounded by breathtaking landscapes—and then setting aside time for aurora borealis hunting later at night.
1. Plan Your Wedding Ceremony for the Day, Not at Night
Planning for the Unpredictable: Backup Plans for Your Northern Lights Wedding
As magical as a northern lights wedding sounds, the reality is that the aurora is never guaranteed. Cloud cover, solar winds, and even the moon’s brightness can affect visibility. That’s why start planning with flexibility is key. Rather than basing your entire wedding on a single moment, it’s best to design a wedding day that will be incredible with or without the aurora borealis.
It's about you - not the nothern lights!
While the northern lights are unpredictable, one thing is certain: we’ll do everything possible to capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience. And even if the aurora doesn’t show up, we’ll still create incredible nighttime portraits that tell the story of your Arctic adventure.
Staying Warm for the Photos
Choosing the Right Location
How to Capture Stunning Wedding Photos Under the Aurora Borealis
Arctic circle dream elopement
The Challenge of Aurora Photography
4. I’ve Got You Covered!
3. Stay Practical but Stylish
What to Wear for a Northern Lights Wedding
1. Layer Up (It’s the Secret to Staying Warm!)
- Base Layer – A thermal layer (like merino wool or moisture-wicking synthetics) to keep heat close to your body.
- Mid Layer – A fleece or insulated down jacket to trap warmth.
- Outer Layer – A windproof and waterproof coat or parka to protect against the elements.
2. Choose Wedding Attire That Works for the Arctic
- Brides, consider a dress with long sleeves or heavier fabric like velvet to help keep warm. Grooms, layering thermal wear under a suit is a game-changer!
Footwear:
- Forget heels or dress shoes—opt for insulated winter boots so you can move comfortably through the snow.
Accessories:
- Hats, scarves, and heated gloves will keep you cozy between shots. And don’t forget hand warmers—I always bring extra for my couples!
Your northern lights PHOTOGRAPHER
Hi, I'm Jaakko. Adventurer, outdoor enthusiast, husband, father, in love with the wild nature. I'm an elopement photographer for people who want to honour their love through a meaningful experience and memories that last for a lifetime.
If you’re like me, a big wedding isn’t for you. Not if you really think about it. And I want you to be brave enough to say no to it. Because I wish my wife and I had been. And I'll be there to capture it all.
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