Eloping under the midnight sun in Lofoten

You might have heard the stories and seen the photos on Instagram. Bewildered, sleepless, people running around in the middle of the night in awe of the golden rays of sunlight. So strange and so magical. For the locals these summer nights are everything. These nights are the reason why we all collectively hang on and keep sane through the endless darkness that is the arctic winter. The thought of another summer night drenched in the midnight sun, a polar day, is what gets us through yet another long season of polar nights. It gives us life.

The midnight sun is a phenomenon happening during the summer months north of the arctic circle and south of the antarctic circle. For that period of time the sun never sets. The midnight sun season varies greatly, getting longer the further north you get.

eloping in the midnight sun

Needless to say the midnight sun is a hugely popular scene to wish for when eloping to Northern Norway. But what can you expect? And how do you go about when planning your midnight sun elopement?

First things first, the weather. Besides the midnight sun, the Northern parts of Norway is also known for our fierce, wild and moody weather. This is a year around thing, and even though social media is doing a solid job painting a perfect postcard picture of what visiting Lofoten and Northern Norway can look like, you are unfortunately never guaranteed to be able witness this golden wonder; even when placing your trip right in the middle of the midnight sun season. Sometimes clouds get so thick and low up north that you fear smacking your head into them when getting out of bed in the morning. These days the midnight sun becomes but a memory. So plan for flexibility. Keep a few days open and watch the weather reports closely. Even if it looks rainy, have faith and keep an eye out for clear weather and light clouds. The weather changes quickly, so don't put your full trust in the reports more than 1-2 days ahead.

Although the midnight sun is equal to summer, and the locals likely are sporting a t-shirt or even shorts, the temperatures might feel not so summery to you. Temperatures can normally vary from around 13 degrees celcius / 55 degrees fahrenheit to 22 degrees celcius / 71 degrees fahrenheit. Sometimes more, sometimes less, with a drop in temperatures during the night. So pack an extra sweater or a blanket to keep you warm and cozy.

One of the many things that makes the Lofoten Islands so special are the dramatic, moss green coloured mountains shooting straight out of the ocean and into the skies. It makes you wonder if this place even is real. I can ensure you - it is. And the mountains cast a great, big shadow. So head west. Choose a location with a view towards the horizon in west. To hike or not to hike, you might wonder? It's completely up to you! Lofoten has so much beauty to offer, and although the bird's eye view really is a spectacular way to enjoy this phenomenon, you will have absolutely no trouble finding an equally amazing spot without the struggle of climbing a mountain.