Gay Destination Weddings: Scandinavia

Want to marry in a country where mountains frame majestic glaciers and epic green forests are freckled with crystalline lakes? Then head North to Scandinavia, one of the most progressive and broadminded places on Earth and use our guide to help you choose the best place for your destination wedding in Scandinavia.

Denmark

Home to Hamlet, Hans Christian Andersen and a bustling LGBT community, Demark is a land of fairytales and palaces, and has an enviably laid-back atmosphere; it is also frequently ranked as the happiest nation on Earth and has become a popular wedding destination for couples seeking intimate, stripped back weddings. Choose from culturally diverse cities like Copenhagen and Aarhus, or somewhere closer to nature, such as Ærø, one of Demark’s 406 islands.

Image Sources from left to right: Two grooms via Gay Marriage In Denmark,
Wedding table via Ceci New York on Pinterest, Valdemars Slot, Svendborg, via Classic Wedding Location, Venue via Julie Sorup on Pinterest.

Sweden

Step into a country full of contrasts: from winding cobbled streets and awesome contemporary design (including the famous Ice Hotel which, yes, does host weddings) to mesmerising winter wonderlands bedecked with icicles and snow, and lush green fields, pine forests and the Stockholm archipelago of 30,000 islands, you can make memories in every corner and have wedding photos you’ll cherish forever.

Image Sources from left to right: Northern Lights outside Ice Hotel, Couple in Ice Hotel via Out of Office, Two Grooms via David Delval Photography, Venue via Pinterest.

Finland

Imagine getting married beneath the Northern Lights, sleeping in a glass igloo and or cruising around Finland’s archipelago – the largest in the world. You can meet the big man himself, Father Christmas, ride on a sleigh pulled by reindeer or drive your own huskie-pulled sled. Because Finland is one of Scandinavia’s best kept secrets, a place like no other where seeing really is believing.

Image Sources from left to right: Ice Church via the Travel Bee, Huskies via Husky Co, Kakslauttanen Igloo Hotel, Rake Hall, Klausk Hotel.

Iceland

The stunning natural beauty of Iceland is something to behold. Waterfalls, hot springs and epic landscapes await, along with sleepy volcanoes, mountains and lava fields. Split into eight geographical regions, you’ll also find forests and farmlands, fjords and geothermal wonders. It is also touted as being one of Europe’s most dynamic gastronomic destinations. And if all that isn’t enough, it’s also the birthplace of Bjork.

Image Sources from left to right: Two Grooms via Wedding Iceland on Twitter
Church at Hotel Budir, Horses via Inspired by Iceland, Rock arch via Iceland Wedding Planner.

Norway

More progressive than many countries Norway has not only legalised gay marriage, it’s been sanctioned by its Church. Marry in an architecturally immaculate building in Oslo or travel to one of its breathtaking mountain ranges, Viking fjords, or beaches and say your vows with a view to remember. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see the Northern Lights.

Image Sources from left to right: Colourful houses, Bergen via Pssmidi Pål S. Schaathun on Wikimedia Commons, Venue via Eventum.no on Pinterest, Seascape by Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) via Wikimedia Commons, Two grooms via Jon Kitchen on Pinterest.