July 15, 2015

DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER – NORWAY, BERGEN

FILED IN: Destination Wedding, Wedding in Norway

As a destination wedding photographer, I travel to some amazing places and experience different weddings and wedding customs from around the world. Recently, I was lucky enough to journey to Bergen, in Norway, to photograph Inger Marie and Olav’s wedding and I loved their intimate Scandinavian day that was full of happiness.

I’m thrilled to share some of their photos with you and also take a little look at Norwegian wedding traditions.

I joined Inger Marie for her bridal preparations and stayed with the couple right through their day and I’m so glad I was able to spend so much time with such a fantastic couple.

The day started with bridal preparations at CC Dame and Inger Marie’s beautifully undone curls were absolutely perfect for this laid back occasion and the sparkling hair comb was a beautiful yet subtle adornment.

Later in the morning, Inger Marie was joined by her gorgeous three daughters at her make up appointment. I also must mention her stunning wedding gown by Cecilie Melli – the fine embellishments on the cap sleeves were so pretty and looked delightful. Inger Marie carried a fresh green and white bouquet and wore her smile all day long.

The couple’s intimate wedding ceremony took place in the remarkable church Storetveit Kirke with fabulous tapestry wall hangings looking down on the couple and their guests. As is traditional, the bride and groom sat opposite each other with one supporter until it was time to take their vows and the looks they were exchanging whilst waiting to become husband and wife were truly wonderful.

As a surprise, one of Inger Marie’s daughter also made a dance performance during the ceremony.

The party then moved on to the reception at Fløyen, one of the most remarkable restaurants in Bergen overlooking the town’s fjord! Here, the speeches were made (including a song singed by the bride for her husband) before the dancing began. The first dance was magical, the couple chose the Eurovision winning song ‘Nocturne’ by Secret Garden and opened up the dance with a waltz. Later on there was a very talented group singing for the newlyweds and their friends and family until the early ours of the morning.

I was so privileged to be Inger Marie and Olav’s destination wedding photographer for their intimate Norwegian wedding – it was a day full of joy and warmth and I will remember it for a long time to come. Their family and friends were so welcoming and made me feel like a part of their lovely family!

If you’d like to talk to me about your destination wedding or photographing your wedding here in the UK, do get in touch as I would love to speak to you. I also photograph weddings in Greece and of course weddings in Italy and I love engagement and destination engagement shoots too!

My Wedding Portfolio is available here and you can read about all my wedding packages and services over here!

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TEN NORWEGIAN WEDDING TRADITIONS

1) The Norwegian bride and groom have only one attendant each but there can often be a ring-bearer of flowergirl if the couple wishes.

2) Rings are exchanged at the very end of the wedding ceremony.

3) Music is very important at Norwegian weddings and traditionally fiddle players lead the bridal procession.

4) ‘Come to the Wedding’ is the traditional Norwegian wedding song and it’s still widely used today.

5) Speeches are a big part of a Norwegian wedding reception so expect lots of people to be involved.

6) Burdlaupskling is the traditional Norwegian wedding cake that includes cream, cheese and syrup.

7) The bride often used to brew beer especially for her wedding ceremony and would also signal the end of the
party by handing out honey soaked cheese slices topped with nuts.

8) Norwegian weddings used to be (and still are in some areas) big community events and everyone wanted to be involved. It was easy to unintentionally offend neighbours if you didn’t ask for help!

9) Traditionally Norwegian brides wore headdresses the including a circle of tiny spoon shaped bangles that would chime when she danced to ward off any evil spirits. The more the bride danced, the happier the marriage would be.

10) Newlyweds would plant a small fir tree by the front door to their new house after the wedding to symbolise their wish for children.