Sweden Elopement Guide
How to elope in Sweden in 2025-2026
Its wild rivers, vast forests and scenic mountains make Sweden one of Europes greatest places for an adventurous Elopement. It’s my absolute favorite country on earth and was actually the destination for my very own Elopement in 2024.
I’ve been there many times now and created this guide to teach you how to elope in Sweden or how to legally marry in Sweden as a foreigner.
It’s me, Nico! Who I am and what I do for you:
Sweden Elopement Photographer & Sweden Elopement Planner
I’ve been planning and documenting Weddings and Elopements all over the world for years now. Since then some of my favorite bookings, my most memorable vacations and most importantly my very own Elopement in 2024 were all in Sweden.
As your Elopement expert I’d not only capture your exciting wedding adventure in Sweden for you, but also co-plan your entire day with you! This includes providing all your planning resources, choosing the best photo locations and creating your Elopement timeline.
Time for something epic!
Sweden Wedding Photographer
Let’s make your dreams become reality:
What is an Elopement?
An Elopement is the perfect alternative to a big, traditional wedding and by far the most intimate way to get married. Most importantly, it isn’t primarily focussed on the guest-experience and often doesn’t even include any guests at all.
It’s an intentionally crafted wedding day in an amazing place of your choice anywhere on earth that focuses entirely on you as a couple. You get to spend your wedding exploring a stunning destination, doing things you love and basically enjoy the most FUN vacation day ever, where you also just happen to get married as well.
Can foreigners legally marry in Sweden?
Important rules to know
Yes, you can legally marry in Sweden as foreigners. However, there’re a few things and a bit of paperwork you need to take care of. The entire process is pretty straightforward though and definitely no need to worry.
Both a civil ceremony and a ceremony in a church can be legally binding. To legally marry in a Swedish church, at least one of you needs to be a member of the according church though.
You can of course also choose to have a symbolic ceremony in Sweden and take care of the legal part in your home country. More on this in a bit.
Which documents do we need for a wedding in Sweden?
Certificate of no impediment (1/2)
Step 1: A certificate that states you’re not already married and also not related. You will get this from your local registry office in your home country. This certificate cannot be older than 4 months.
For U.S. citizens: The U.S. has no national wedding registry. Your local county clerk’s office may however issue you a “Record of no record” as proof that you’re not married. If you’re unable to obtain this, don’t worry. The Swedish officials are aware of this issue and will most often waive the requirement.
Birth certificate
Both you and your parter need to provide a valid birth certificate.
Valid Passport or ID
A identification document which includes a photograph of you.
Divorce Decree / Death Certificate
If one you has been married before and got divorced or widowed, the appropriate certificate is required as proof.
Final step
Once you’ve collected all necessary documents, you can then contact the local municipality office closest to your Elopement destination in Sweden, which will assign you an officiant for your ceremony.
Should we have a civil or a symbolic ceremony?
The answer to this comes down to personal taste and what the two of you want out of your Elopement, so there’s no right or wrong here.
When a civil ceremony is right:
If you absolutely want to be officially married right at your Elopement, there’s no way to get around a civil ceremony. If this is what’s most important to you, take a look at all of the requirements mentioned above.
When a symbolic ceremony is right:
If dealing with the legal process of getting married in Sweden as foreigners sounds too complicated to you or you simply don’t want to deal with it, opting for a symbolic ceremony (with or without an officiant) would be the better choice. This is where you can still exchange your rings and your vows and enjoy this heartfelt moment without any pressure.
To then also legally marry you’d simply take care of this in your home country before or after your Elopement in Sweden.
This doesn’t take anything away from your Elopement or makes it less meaningful. In my opinion, your wedding is not when you sign some paperwork. Instead, it’s when you vow to dedicate your entire life to one another and therefore become one. If that just so happens to also be the moment when you sign a piece of paper as well, great! If not, it really shouldn’t matter.
Do we need witnesses for a wedding in Sweden?
Or can we get married on our own?
If you choose to have a civil ceremony, you’ll need two witnesses over the age of 16. If you don’t have any guests present for your ceremony, your officiant will be able to arrange this for you. As your photographer I’m always happy to act as a witness as well.
Do we need an interpreter?
Or bring someone who speaks Swedish?
Almost everyone in Sweden can speak English pretty fluently and on a high level. So you can simply ask your officiant for an English ceremony and chances are quite high that they’ll gladly go along with it. About 30 % of all Swedish people can speak German as well, albeit mostly not on the same level as English.
Do we need permits?
And where can a ceremony take place?
Maybe the greatest thing about Sweden is a right called “Allemansrätten”. It means something like “The all mans right” and basically gives everyone the right to explore Swedens nature without any restrictions or necessary permits. You still need to act responsibly and respectful and make sure you’re not disturbing the wildlife of course.
This also means that your ceremony can take place anywhere and most officiants are more than happy to join you for it in the outdoors.
How far ahead do we need to plan this?
How much planning does a wedding in Sweden need?
If you’re only planning to have a symbolic ceremony, a few weeks can easily be enough to plan it. However, if you plan on hiring some vendors like an officiant or a Sweden Elopement Photographer, it’s best to start about 6 months ahead of time to make sure everyone still has some availability for you. With a bit of luck, this might still be possible on a shorter notice as well.
Planning a civil ceremony definitely takes more time, though, since it can take up to 10 weeks until you get your “Hindersprövning” (see above). If you want to legally marry in Sweden, you should begin to arrange everything at least 6 months ahead of time.
What does a ceremony cost?
Cost of a civil ceremony in Sweden
A civil ceremony in Sweden is actually 100 % free of charge. There will of course be additional costs if you need to have some of your legal documents translated, hire vendors or rent a venue for your wedding.
You can find more info on my Sweden Elopement Packages further down on this page.
Can same sex couples legally marry in Sweden?
LGBTQIA+ friendly weddings in Sweden
Luckily, same-sex marriage is 100 % legal in Sweden since 2009. If both of you are foreigners who don’t live in Sweden, the same must be true for your home country, though.
The best Elopement locations in Sweden
Sweden is a huge country and actually deciding on where to go isn’t easy.
So here’re a few suggestions to get you started:
Considered as one of the world’s most beautiful capitals, Stockholm is an amazing choice for an Elopement in Sweden, if exploring the outdoors maybe isn’t the best fit for you. It’s a place where rich history and old cobblestone streets meet modern architecture and gorgeous waterfront promenades. The pretty Stockholm city hall would make having a civil ceremony in Sweden especially easy by the way.
About a 3,5h drive south-west of Stockholm, in the municipalities of Laxå, lays the ancient “forest kingdom” Tiveden, a vast National Park with giant boulders, scenic lakes and deep valleys. With its various amazing hiking trails and untouched islands it’s one of my favorite places in all of Sweden and one I know really well. Tiveden is also perfect for a canoe Elopement in Sweden.
All the way up north and way above the Arctic Circle you’ll find the famous Icehotel in Jukkäsjarvi. It’s an absolutely magical place and easily one of the most unique wedding venues in the world, where you can even legally marry in a ceremony hall entirely made out of ice. It’s also perfectly located to experience both the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter.
Norra Kvill is one of Swedens smaller National Parks, located in the south of the country. Two gorgeous hiking trails lead along picturesque lakes, moss-covered boulders and through untouched forests, with some trees being more than 350 years old.
Kungsleden, the “King’s Trail” – maybe the greatest hiking trail of them all. It runs through the mountains of Swedish Lapland, covering more than 400km (250mi) and crossing four different National Parks. While it would take you about a month to walk the entire trail, it’s divided into smaller multi-day sections which makes it a great choice for hiking enthusiasts planning to elope in Sweden.
Its vast landscapes, rich wildlife, dramatic waterfalls, striking mountains and a huge alpine lake make Abisko National Park well worth the trip to get there in the north, close to Norway. It’s again a perfect choice for experiencing both the midnight sun and the northern lights.
We’re still up north, in the one-of-a-kind Treehotel in Harads. Being located in a huge pine forest, the Treehotel offers lodging with some incredible views from your bedroom window. It’s also perfect for some fun outdoor activities like dog sledding, kayaking or a snow shoe walk.
Skuleskogen National Park is a place like no other in Sweden and “where it feels like the sea meets the mountains”. Old-growth forests with towering trees and deep valleys come together with breathtaking mountains and spectacular coastlines. It’s located about halfway across the country on the east coast and is a popular place in the summer months, but still well worth the visit and a choice you can’t go wrong with.
What else to do when eloping in Sweden
Since you’re probably not only coming to Sweden for your ceremony and will instead combine your trip with your honeymoon, there’s tons of time for various amazing activities.
I already mentioned a few above, but here’s a quick overview in case you’ve missed some (click on each one for more info):
Hiking
Canoeing & Kayaking
Cycling
Dog Sledding
Wildlife Safari
Snowmobile Tour
Seeing the Northern Lights
Seeing the Midnight Sun
What is the best time for an Elopement in Sweden?
This is probably the decision that has the most influence on your wedding experience and should therefore be well considered.
Depending on where you actually decide to go, each season will have a different meaning, though. For example, winter in Sweden is significantly longer and harsher up north than it is down south.
If seeing the northern lights is at the top of your bucket list for your wedding in Sweden, Winter is the best time for it, especially in the north. It’s also a great choice for some snow activities like a snowmobile tour, skiing or dog sledding. The Swedish winter can be pretty tough, though, with temperatures averaging about -15°C (5°F), but often being as low as -30°C (-22°F) up north. It also where the days are the shortest, with only a very limited amount of sunlight per day. Since this is the least busiest season, it can however sometimes be a little more budget friendly.
Beginning in April, Swedish nature slowly reawakens, making the following weeks full of lush greenery and blooming wildflowers. It’s also when the weather becomes more pleasant again and you get to enjoy significantly longer hours of daylight. In terms of tourism, it’s part of the shoulder season and should offer you a more secluded experience and manageable prices.
With up to an entire day of sunlight, summer in Sweden is nothing short of magical. Experiencing the midnight sun is understandably a dream for many people living in more southern countries and a great reason to come to Sweden in summer. Temperatures reach about 25°F (77°F), making this the perfect time for outdoor activities like hiking, swimming and cycling. Of course, this is also the peak season for tourism and you should therefore make sure to book all your travels well in advance.
While some areas further north might already see their first snow, most of the country is covered in stunning fall colors. With fall reaching its peak in October, temperatures still being somewhat pleasant and significantly less tourism compared to summer, even the occasional rain showers can’t put a damper on this season.
Personally, I love being in Sweden during summer or fall. While missing out on a chance to see the northern lights, these times allow for a great outdoors experience. Also, being able to take photos in the most perfect light of the day that just happens to last for hours, is something I simply can’t pass up on as a photographer. Lastly, my own Elopement in Sweden was in mid-June, making this a time I really connect with.
Experience something epic!
Ready to have your own Elopement adventure in Sweden?
Let’s make your dreams become reality.
Hear what others say:
Over 75+ five-star-reviews
“A true artist”
I highly recommend Nico to all couples looking for a Photographer who not only masters his craft but is also a dedicated professional and genuinely cares about capturing your love in pictures. […]
– Marie & Chris
“Simply amazing!”
Nico is such a calm, pleasant person and we felt incredibly comfortable with him as a couple. […] At times, he captured the moments in such a way that you can almost feel the emotions again.
– Nici & Felix
“Don’t even know what to say”
[…] We can hardly believe our luck that we had Nico as our Photographer. The pictures are simply stunning! A thousand thanks!
– Fernando & Elisa
My Sweden Elopement Packages
What you get with every package:
Photo Coverage
I capture your story in Sweden in breathtaking photos, always giving you the space to fully enjoy every moment and making sure none of it feels like a photo production to you.
Your Photos + private Gallery
You receive all edited photos in full resolution through your private online gallery. This allows you to view, download, print, and share your photos at any time.
Preview Photos & Priority Editing
Within just 48 hours after your Elopement, you’ll receive your first preview photos from me. Only an additional 7-10 days* later, your complete gallery will be fully edited!
*Depending on availability & travel schedule
Photo locations
I choose the best photo locations for you, consider the expected weather, sunrise and sunset times, the sun’s trajectory and ultimately ensure that we are in the right place at the right time.
Activity Suggestions
Your day probably has room for at least one fun activity of your choice. Together we’ll explore and plan one that can be seamlessly integrated into your Elopement in Sweden.
Custom Timeline
I create your perfect Elopement timeline, plan in a way that we will never be in a hurry and ensure that your day becomes even better than you could’ve ever imagined.
Together we’ll create a wedding experience better than anything you could’ve ever imagined. You’ll get to enjoy the most fun, relaxed and joyful day, while also marrying the love of your life.
From the moment you book me, I’m with you throughout the entire process, helping you with my expertise and guiding you whenever you need me to. This means I’ll not only capture your Elopement for you, but also co-plan it with you.
What’s included:
starting at
5.400 €
Limited Offer in 2025:
Save 1.000 € on every booking in Sweden between 15.06-15.07.2025
FAQ – Your last burning questions answered
And? Ready?
Let’s go!
You don’t need to have it all figured out yet, don’t worry.
Just drop me a message and I’ll get back to you within 48h. I can’t wait to hear from you, learn about your plans and make them become reality for you.
You can of course also fill out this form in German if you like!