Norway Wedding Traditions You could borrow
A Unique Blend of Old & New for your Intimate Celebration
Many couples who want to tie the knot in Norway want their day to feel entirely their own, but that doesn’t mean they can’t incorporate meaningful cultural elements. Whether you have Norwegian heritage or simply love the country, adding a few traditional wedding customs can bring extra depth to your ceremony.
The problem is, much of the information online about Norwegian wedding traditions is overly formal—focused on big weddings, banquet halls, and church ceremonies. My goal with this guide is different: I want to share authentic Norwegian traditions that you can adapt to your small celebration—whether you're exchanging vows on a mountaintop, by a fjord, or under aurora borealis.
Want to know what norwegian wedding traditions you could borrow?
February 18th, 2025.
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2. The Kransekake – A Traditional Wedding Cake Alternative 🎂
Best Norwegian wedding traditions
Norway's best traditions
💡 How to Include it in your celebration:
You don’t need a full bridal crown, but you can incorporate a Nordic-inspired hairpiece, such as silver accents or symbolic charms.
Many Norwegian jewelry designers still make modern versions of the brudekrone.
1. The "Brudekrone" (Bridal Crown) – A Royal Touch for Your Day 👑
🍰 What It Is: Instead of a classic tiered cake, Norwegian weddings often feature kransekake, a tall, ring-shaped almond cake stacked in layers.
💡 How to Include it in your celebration:
If you’re having a small cozy celebration, share a mini-kransekake instead of a full wedding cake. Order a small version from a local bakery for a private post-ceremony celebration.
🔗 What It Is: A Nordic handfasting is an ancient Viking-era tradition where couples' hands are bound together with a ribbon or cord, symbolizing their commitment.
💡 How to Include it in your celebration:
Use a handfasting cord in your ceremony—perhaps one with Nordic patterns, colors, or symbols.
If you’re exchanging vows in the mountains, this adds an extra layer of meaning to the moment.
3. The Handfasting Ceremony – A Beautiful Symbol of Unity 🤝
🍷 What It Is: Norwegians toast with "Skål!" (cheers) and make eye contact to show sincerity.
💡 How to Include it in your celebration:
Bring local aquavit or Norwegian sparkling wine for a toast after your vows.
If you're hiking, pack a flask of aquavit to warm up after the ceremony! Or take a creative freedom and enjoy beer like these two! (You can still shout Skål!)
4. The Bride & Groom’s Toast – "Skål!" 🥂
🎨 What It Is: The Bunad is a beautifully embroidered traditional outfit worn at weddings and formal celebrations. It's not cultural appropriation and you can wear it even if you're not Norwegian!
💡 How to Include it in your celebration:
Wear elements of a Bunad, such as a belt, jewelry, or shawl.
If you prefer modern attire, consider Norwegian-style wool sweaters for a cozy, stylish celebration.
5) Wearing a Bunad (Norwegian National Dress) 🎽
🎶 What It Is: A special folk song played as the couple walks down the aisle.
💡 How to Include it in your celebration:
Play a Norwegian fiddle tune during your vows or first dance.
If you’re eloping with a few guests, consider hiring a local musician.
6) The Traditional Norwegian Wedding March 🎻
get to know me
I’ve seen firsthand how a wedding day can feel like a whirlwind. When I got married, I thought I knew what to expect—but nothing prepared me for how overwhelming it would be. Between the schedule, the traditions, and making sure everything ran smoothly, it was hard to take a step back and actually feel the moment. I remember looking at my wife and realizing that, despite the love we felt for each other, we hadn’t really had a second to just be together.
Looking back, I wish we had carved out more space for what mattered most. Not for the details, not for the expectations—just for us. Because at the end of the day, the most meaningful moments aren’t the ones that follow tradition perfectly, but the ones where you feel completely free to be yourselves.
That’s why I’m drawn to capturing weddings in the wild, open landscapes of the North. When couples strip away the pressure and focus on the connection they share, that’s when something truly unforgettable happens. Whether you bring in old traditions or create new ones, the most important thing is that your wedding feels right for you.
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If you're dreaming of an intimate, adventurous wedding experience in Norway, check out my Elope in Norway guide for inspiration!
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