Is the travel bug hitting anyone else extra hard after this past year and a half of COVID? Because personally, I’m dying to get on a plane and travel to another country right about now. And guess what? I actually get to this summer! I’m so excited to photograph an international elopement in the Italian Dolomites and take a sweet couple on an amazing adventure experience! But I’ll be traveling all over during that trip, which is why today, I’m guiding you through how to elope in Europe; specifically, in Italy, Greece, Norway, & Iceland.
Pssst – if you want to take a look at my upcoming travel dates, click here!
I’m visiting Europe this summer and am so stoked to explore further – I’ll be shooting elopements in the Italian Dolomites, Iceland, and Greece! I still have some availability so don’t hesitate to reach out for your european destination elopement!
Let’s Connect!
Now back to the good stuff! I’ll be going through the most important information about how to elope in each destination, including:
- Permits & legalities
- 3 of the best locations to elope
- Where to stay
- Activities to do
- What to know about the weather
Let’s get into it & get the travel bug to bite ya even harder now!
An easier legal option
Right off the bat, I want to let you know that the process of getting officially married in a foreign country can be quite difficult & tedious for foreigners. But you do have another option: get legally married in your home country first, then “elope” in another country!
Basically, you can get legally married in your hometown through the local process that’ll be much easier to go through. Then, travel to your destination and celebrate with an unofficial elopement – you’ll already technically be married, but this can be your ceremony & celebration! You can still exchange vows, hang with your family and friends, and do amazing activities to create your dream elopement experience. Except you’ll be taking out the most complicated stuff 😉
I’m still going to go through the basics of getting married in each country, in case you’re super committed to getting legally married in your destination!
One quick disclaimer
Before I get into what you came here for, I did want to make an important note: no matter what country you’re dreaming of eloping in, please contact the US Embassy/Consulate of that country for specific, time-relevant information!
All of the legal information I’ll be going through in this article is taken from embassy websites as of October 2021, but rules and regulations may change by the time you read this. Contact the appropriate offices for up-to-date, specific info whenever you start planning your elopement!
Italy Elopement Information
The Legal Side
Here’s what you’ll need to get married in Italy:
1. An affidavit stating there’s no legal impediment to your marriage according to US laws
You’ll need to get this by scheduling an appointment for a notary service with a US consular officer. Once you have it, take it to the local Prefettura to get it legalized.
2. A declaration to be sworn by two witnesses in front of an Italian consul, which you can do in the US at an Italian Embassy or Consulate.
3. A Declaration of Intention to Marry
Present the above documents at the town hall of the city you’ll be getting married in, and make sure to bring an interpreter if you don’t speak Italian.
3 Stunning Locations for an Elopement in Italy
1. The Dolomites
The Dolomites are an incredibly stunning mountain range in northeastern Italy that make for an insane place to elope! The alps feature massive rocky peaks that provide a view like no other in the world – can you imagine visiting the Dolomites in your elopement attire with these jagged peaks in the background?? They’re truly incredible, and after shooting an elopement and spending time there this past summer, I can’t recommend it for an elopement enough.
There’s a ton to do in this epic outdoor area, from nature hikes to cycling to climbing and more. The Dolomites are the perfect option for any couple looking for an epic outdoor adventure!
Where to stay nearby:
2. Rome
We’re all familiar with Rome, the beautiful historic city located in the central Italian peninsula. If you’re looking for an elopement location that allows you to not only get beautiful views but gives you tons of things to do, Rome is your place! Visit museums, landmarks, local shops, eat yummy food at Italian restaurants & cafes, go for a night out – there’s tons to do here during your elopement.
As someone who lived in Rome for a period of time, I’d be more than thrilled to show you around my favorite city. 😌✨
Where to stay nearby:
3. The Coast
Finally, you truly can’t beat the Italian coast. There are tons of picture-perfect coastal towns to visit, most of them featuring colorful homes and incredible blue ocean views! Whether you visit Positano, Amalfi, or any of the endless towns along the coast, you’ll be met with plenty of opportunities to explore.
Where to stay on the coast:
5 Fun Things to Do in Italy
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Visit Venice & the surrounding islands
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Book a tour of a Tuscan hill town
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Be a tourist & visit museums, landmarks, and go to the opera
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Take a boat tour of Lake Como
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Go skiing in the Dolomites
The Best Time of Year to Visit Italy
It completely depends on the specific region of Italy you’ll be eloping in, but in general, the best times to visit Italy are the spring & fall! Summer is amazing in the mountains (because we gotta wait for the snow to melt!), but that’s when cities tend to get busiest since lots of people are off of work and take their vacations then.
Plus, in the spring and fall, you’re more likely to get gorgeous weather & comfortable temperatures. And if you visit before October, you should avoid Italy’s rainy season! Early fall has the most stunning colors, anyway. Especially in the Dolomites!
Tips to Help You Elope in Greece
The Legal Side
Here are the documents you may need (it can vary slightly) to get legally married in Greece as a US citizen:
- A passport
- An Apostilled birth certificate with official translation
- An Affidavit of Marriage in Greek & English sworn before the consular office in Athens
- Authentication for the affidavit by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs
You’ll need to present all of your documents at the city hall of the location you’ll be eloping in!
3 Stunning Locations for an Elopement in Greece
1. Santorini
You’re probably familiar with Santorini – for good reason! Santorini is made up of two inhabited islands and a few smaller inlets, featuring beautiful red & black sand beaches, amazing architecture, and so much more. The bright blue water is stunning in itself, but Santorini also has plenty of other things to do including hikes, winery tours, and museums. You’ll fall in love with this place in an instant.
Where to stay nearby:
2. Corfu
I’m so excited to be visiting Corfu when I get to Greece next year – it would be an incredible place to elope in Greece! It’s a gorgeous island in the Ionian islands group, with landscapes from lush green hills to ocean views. The cobblestone alleys would make for the perfect place to explore after exchanging your vows, while preparing to hit up a beach area later in the evening to take a swim in the blue ocean water. Corfu is a seriously underrated spot in Greece that anyone would enjoy!
Where to stay nearby:
3. Kefalonia
The island of Kefalonia is another totally underrated spot in Greece that would be incredible for a destination elopement. It’s the largest island of the Ionian island group and is famous, of course, for its scenic beaches, white sand, caves, and endless activity opportunities. It would be epic to exchange vows on one of the island’s beaches, go explore the Melissani Cave, and explore the town to find yummy restaurants and beautiful architecture.
Where to stay nearby:
5 Fun Things to Do in Greece
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Take a walking tour of the Delphi
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Go on a trek through the Samaria Gorge
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Visit the monasteries of Meteora
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Get in some R&R at Balos Beach
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Hike the Corfu Trail
The Best Time of Year to Visit Greece
Greece typically offers the best sunny, warm weather from May through September! Keep in mind that this does mean there will be tons more tourists, and many locations will be busier since travelers want to get that good good weather.
If you want to elope at a location in Greece in the summer that won’t be super crowded, consider finding a location a little more out of the way – somewhere that tourists don’t visit as often, and may be harder to get to but will be more secluded.
Norway Elopement Information
The Legal Side
There isn’t a ton of information readily available on the Norwegian US Embassy’s website, but here’s what they do tell us!
Any US citizens getting married in Norway will need a marriage affidavit. This affidavit is issued at the US Embassy and you’ll need to book an appointment with the notary here!
3 Stunning Locations for an Elopement in Norway
1. Rondane National Park
Rondane National Park was actually the first national park to be established in Norway, a stunning area in the southeastern area of the country covering 372 square miles. The mountain landscapes, wide-open plateaus, and mountain valleys are to die for, along with Rondvatent Lake which lies in the middle region of the park. This is an amazing location for any couples who want to hike and explore the mountains of Norway and witness diverse landscapes & beauty everywhere!
Where to stay nearby:
2. Jostedalsbreen National Park
Jostedalsbreen is another epic national park in Norway! Almost half of the park is covered by Jostedalsbreen Glacier, the largest glacier in mainland Europe – how cool, right?! This park offers super cool glacier hikes and glacier museums nearby, for anyone wanting to learn more about one of nature’s most amazing structures. The landscape in this park is absolutely UNREAL.
Where to stay nearby:
3. The Geirangerfjord
The Geirangerfjord area is another completely, 100% surreal place to visit. Aside from the deep blue fjord, this area features snow-covered mountain peaks, gorgeous green vegetation, and beautiful waterfalls. This is an amazing place for outdoor adventure seekers, as you can go hiking, kayaking, rafting, cycling, and more!! I guarantee you’ve never seen anything like this fairytale-esque location.
Where to stay nearby:
5 Fun Things to Do in Norway
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Take a scenic drive through the Lofoten Islands
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Go hiking in Vesterålen
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Hike to Pulpit Rock
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Visit the island of Senja
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Go fishing in Hamnøy
The Best Time of Year to Visit Norway
The best time to visit Norway for good weather is between May-June & September-October! You’ll get the best temperatures during that time and will avoid more tourists, as most tourists visit from July to August when it’s warmest. If you want to try and see the Northern Lights, however, September-April will be your best bet!
Iceland Elopement Information
The Legal Side
Iceland requires you to each submit a certificate of marital status issued by an appropriate local authority where you’re from. There unfortunately isn’t any national authority that can issue this, so you’ll need to check with your own local authorities to see if it’s something they can provide. If not, your best bet would be to get legally married in the US, then travel to Iceland for a celebration!
3 Stunning Locations for an Elopement in Iceland
1. Vatnajökull National Park
Vatnajökull National Park is a wilderness area in south Iceland, and it encompasses all of Vatnajökull Glacier! The park is full of incredible landscapes, from ice caves to mountain peaks to glacial lagoons. Whether you want to simply walk around and explore, or you’d rather do more adventurous activities such as snowmobiling or glacier hikes, this park will make your damn jaw drop!
Where to stay nearby:
2. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
You’ve probably seen photos of this black sand beach before since it’s the most famous beach on the southern coast of Iceland! The massive, uniquely-shaped basalt rocks are a crazy cool sight to see, but make sure you’re careful & aware of the powerful sneaker waves that can hit this beach. This beach is a MUST-see, whether you drive around exploring just for fun, or you book a self-guided driving tour to take you to the best spots.
Where to stay nearby:
3. Landmannalaugar
Located in the southern part of the country, Landmannalaugar is an insane area featuring colorful rhyolite mountains showing off stunning orange, yellow, and beige tones. It’s an incredible area for anybody wanting to explore the outdoors, since it’s got a variety of hikes for all activity levels, natural hot springs to relax in, and lava fields – yes, lava fields! How fun would it be to take a 4×4 out to the area and explore these colorful hills?!
Where to stay nearby:
5 Fun Things to Do in Iceland
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Visit Lake Mývatn
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Relax in the Blue Lagoon
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Visit the Dettifoss Waterfall
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Take a trip to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
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See the Northern Lights – of course!
The Best Time of Year to Visit Iceland
The best time of year to visit Iceland depends on what your goal is! If you want to get the warmest temperatures and longer days, July and August will be the best time for you. But if you’re wanting to see the Northern Lights and don’t mind much colder temperatures, you’ll want to visit between February and March, or September and October!
Destination Elopement Packages
Here, you can take a look at my base adventure elopement package! This package is specifically geared toward elopements within the US, but most things will stay the same for international elopements except for travel fees – those will be added on depending on your location.
Pssst – if you want to take a look at my upcoming travel dates, click here!
Ready to start planning your dream destination elopement?! Contact me now and let’s get this party started!
