I’m not big on weddings. For those who know me, you are aware that we planned ours in 3 weeks, with a very small committee, promising everyone we’ll do a big one “one day” -which we never did. We’ve had the chance to experience the most stunning wedding we could imagine in South Africa a few years ago -a couple of friends from Hong Kong. After that event, we always said that any wedding would seem fade after that one. That was before I knew what my brother and his fiancée were about to do.

Here’s the story. She always dreamt about the big cold Arctic. So they went on their first “big trip” together in Lapland, Finland. Where we proposed -in one of the most romantic settings, by minus 25°C! It was so beautiful they won’t stop kidding about how beautiful it would be to get married there... Until they realised that -why not? After some looong (and painful) discussions with families and friends -why so far, we’ve got snow in the French Alps, it’s ridiculous, blah-blah-blah- they stayed strong and f***ing did it!

Story of a fairytale wedding in Lapland, Finland

If you feel like I’m gonna sell you some kinda wedding package here, nah, I’m just sharing a beautiful experience here. There’s no sponsor, no partnership. I wish there was, so they could sponsor our “big wedding”! ;)

Day one - a flight to winter wonderland, Marshmallows by the fire and aurora borealis hunting

It was fun to meet the guests at the airport, all dressed up for the cold and excited for our adventure. We flew directly to Kittilä, then drove about 45 minutes to Akäslompolo. Days are short in Lapland, so we only had time to enjoy the beautiful drive surrounded by white forests, eat melted marshmallows and drink beers by the fire, jump in the steam room then go for our daily aurora borealis hunt*.

*That was the big fail of the trip. I’ll have to go back to the polar circle to see an aurora borealis.

Day two - fat bike ON THE LAKE, snowshoeing and/or snowmobile, picnic in the snow & sunset from the hill

There are about 188 000 lakes in Finland. So no matter where you go, it’s easy to find a frozen lake where you can have some fun. We had the choice between exploring the area on a fat bike, snowshoeing and for the fearless, a tour in a snowmobile. All landscapes are frozen, you can easily get lost into nature, with nothing in sight but trees… It’s a vertiginous beauty.

As I said, days can be short in winter, so after that, we just had a quick bite on the lake -a picnic by minus 15°C. Invigorating, isn’t it ? After that, it was already time for the show. By that, I mean sunset on the forest.

Day three - a magical wedding in a dreamy chapel & party all night

Dresses and snowshoes on! It all started by a stunning photoshoot by the river, followed by a run to the cars to refrain from freezing. After what we all head to the Snow Village. where even more magic was awaiting us.

Picture the tiniest, cutest wooden chapel covered with snow -so tiny, we struggled to all fit inside. The fireplace. The officiant dressed with traditional finish outfit. The finish accent. The snow falling outside. And of course, the speeches, the tears, the love. Oh, and did I tell you the bride arrived with her father on a sleight, pulled by reindeers?

After the ceremony, we all went for a guided tour of the ice hotel -and of course some frozen bubbles to celebrate the newly married !

Day four - feeding the reindeers then off to the airport

There was no better way to end our beautiful journey. We met with a farmer and fed some of her dozens or reindeers, enjoying her beautiful land with gorgeous nordic cabins.

Tips on how to plan your wedding in Lapland, Finland

what to pack for a wedding in lapland?

Many layers, good shoes, and hand warmers. Reima is a good local brand -ideal if travel in Lapland with a baby.
Wine is incredibly expensive, so it’s a good thing to pack for all the guests.
Don’t bother about decoration -the view and the atmosphere will be sufficient.

Flying to Lapland, Finland

From Paris, there are only a few direct flights to Kittilä a week.

place to know to get married in Lapland, Finland

Snow Village, in Kittilä : they sell wedding packages. They took care of the organisation, from the legal ceremony to the tour, the drinks and the restaurant later.
Marita, and her beautiful house. She knows the region really well and will be good advices.