The ultimate guide to eloping in Greenland
TIPS. VENUES & LOCATION IDEAS
for an adventurous Greenland elopement
Greenland is the world’s biggest island, and one of the snowiest places on earth! Though it’s close to Iceland, it’s a lot less green, and a lot more icy, than its name suggests – but, it can be a really magical place for an adventurous elopement, and one of the most unique places to tie the knot. This guide will tell you all about how to plan an adventurous Greenland elopement, from getting there to paperwork!
Let’s dive in…
Hey! I’m Amber.
Your Greenland elopement photographer + planner
Planning an elopement, especially somewhere as wild and remote as Greenland, can be a challenge – but you deserve to relax on your wedding day, and to truly enjoy the day without stressing! That’s where I come in. Throughout the entire process, I’ll make sure that you have everything you need to plan the perfect elopement day. As an elopement photographer and travel planner, I’ll help with planning – location scouting, vendor recommendations, things to do, and more – and give you all the tips and advice on planning your Greenland elopement! If you want to elope , contact me to learn more about Greenland elopement packages and to start planning your adventure!
First, let’s be sure we’re talking about the same thing:
What is an elopement?
Eloping is no longer about quick ceremonies or low effort weddings in a courthouse! Instead, an elopement means that you’re prioritizing yourselves and each other, and making sure that the day you get married is a day that truly reflects you. It’s your wedding day, and you absolutely deserve to enjoy it! When you elope, you can have an incredible adventure, whether that means hiking for days or spending the week in a cozy cabin, or anything in between.
How to Get to Greenland for Your Elopement
There are limited options for how to get to Greenland – but don’t worry, it’s definitely possible! With no ferries, bridges, or tunnels, Greenalnd is truly separated from every other country, so you will need to fly here.
Get to Greenland by Plane
You need to fly to get to Greenland, and right now, the only flights into the country come from Denmark or Iceland. If you’re starting somewhere else, you’ll have a connection at either the Copenhagen Airport or the Keflavik Airport, and from there you’ll fly into one of the airports in Greenland!
Get to Greenland by ship
There are no ferries to Greenland from other countries, but you can take a transatlantic cruise that stops in Greenland! This can be a unique way to kick off your elopement adventure.
Getting Around Greenland During Your Elopement
Greenland is incredibly unique, and very remote – so remote that there are no roads between the cities and towns. Every town is surrounded by mountains, water, or ice, so the only way to get around the country is by flying (by plane, or in a helicopter), or by taking the ferry. Sarfaq Ittuk is the only passenger ferry, so you can use this to get between locations when possible, or take a flight between airports.
You can sometimes hike to locations in the summer, or ski, snowmobile, or dogsled to your elopement location in the winter!
Renting a car can be helpful in some locations, but remember – you can only drive within the town, as there are no roads between cities. I recommend figuring out your elopement location and what you plan to do before you decide whether you need a car!
How to Legally Elope in Greenland
Getting legally married abroad can be tricky, but luckily, not in Greenland! The process is pretty easy, and since Greenland is an autonomous province of Denmark, the marriage laws are the same.
You’ll need to apply and send a notice of marriage to the Agency of Family Law, and with the application, you need to have photocopies of your passport (or Id card if you live in the EU), along with documentation of your right to travel to Greenland. The application fee is 1650 kroner, or $270 USD.
After the application is accepted, you’ll get your marriage certificate, which will be valid for four months.
For couples from the US:
In certain states, you can ask your county clerk the authorization to sign your wedding license abroad. If they agree, as a registered minister, my team and I will be able to legally marry you without the hassle of a legal wedding ceremony in Greenland.
Why Elope in Greenland
The Northern Lights
Greenland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. The vibrant display of green and purple is most visible between October and April, when it’s darker, but the skies are usually clear in Greenland, which means that you can see the Northern Lights pretty often!
Remote Landscapes
All of Greenland is pretty wild, but especially in East Greenland, you’ll find some of the most remote places in the world. You can hike, enjoy mountain views, see glaciers, and enjoy the incredible views, and have them all to yourselves!
The Culture
Living in a place as icy and wild as Greenland is a challenge – but people have made it work for centuries, and you can experience the authentic culture of the locals in Greenland’s towns and cities. You’ll get to learn about the history and culture of the Inuit and Thule people, and get to know the tight knit communities!
Top 5 spots to Elope in Greenland
For your Greenland elopement, there’s no shortage of stunning places to tie the knot! There’s a lot of remote scenery and natural beauty, so here are a few places to consider when you elope in Greenland.
Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq is home to the country’s largest airport, so this place is easier to get to than many other towns in Greenland. This village is at the bottom of a huge fjord, and you can see the Greenland Ice Cap, along with tons of wildlife that roams freely, including arctic foxes, caribou, and musk oxen.
Ilulissat
In Ilulissat, the icebergs will take your breath away. Chunks of ice break off from the fjord, floating along and creating jaw dropping views. Along with the icebergs, this village is a great place to learn about Inuit history, see migrating whales, and experience the culture of Greenland!
Northeast Greenland National Park
This national park is the largest in the world, and with less than 50 residents, it’s truly remote. Here, you can see polar bears and walruses, and other wildlife that inhabits this untouched landscape.
Disko Bay
Disko Bay is a unique place to elope in Greenland, with volcanic rocks, hiking trails, and dog sledding! Being pulled along by dogs across the ice is a unique experience, and one that you’ll never forget.
Nuuk
Nuuk is the capital of Greenland, so in this city you’ll find shopping, delicious local restaurants, and lots of vibrant and rich culture. But, it’s also easy to get away into nature, and it’s a great place for whale watching and skiing!
When to Elope in Greenland
Greenland’s weather is pretty unique – it’s cold, and icy most of the year! But the weather does change dramatically throughout the seasons, so it’s important to know what to expect before you set a date for your Greenland elopement.
WINTER IN Greenland
Winters are cold and dark, with very little daylight. Greenland gets a lot of snow, but this time of year is great for dog sledding and for seeing the Northern Lights. If you bundle up and have some hot chocolate ready, this can be a great experience!
SPRING IN Greenland
Spring happens very quickly, as the snow starts to melt and the temperatures start to warm up. The days get longer, and this can be a good time for a Greenland elopement if you want to avoid summer crowds – although most places don’t get that crowded!
SUMMER IN Greenland
For most couples, summer will be the best time for a Greenland elopement. The days are long and sunny, and you can go hiking and explore outdoors. You can experience the midnight sun in June and July, when the sun doesn’t set at all in some part of Greenland! This is the most popular time to visit, but many parts of Greenland are pretty remote and quiet, so you’ll have no trouble finding some privacy for your ceremony.
FALL IN Greenland
Like spring, fall is short. The days quickly get shorter and temperatures drop, so early fall can be a good time to experience the towns and villages while they’re pretty quiet. You can start seeing the Northern Lights, usually in September, though they are more vibrant later in the winter!
Example budget of an elopement in Greenland
All-inclusive, 7-day ELOPEMENT + Honeymoon
6 nights in accommodation (3* or more)
Award-winning elopement photographer for 3 days
All meals for the 7 days
4-5 beautiful, natural and raw ceremony location options
Custom timeline of the day
Officiant
Florist
Hair and makeup
Car rental
Airport transfers
TOTAL FOR An all-inclusive ELOPEMENT IN Greenland
$20 600
12-hour ELOPEMENT
Award-winning elopement photographer for 12 hours
4-5 beautiful, natural and raw ceremony location options
Custom timeline of the day
TOTAL FOR A 12-hour ELOPEMENT IN Greenland:
$10 500
Lodging for your elopement in Greenland
Greenland has plenty of options for lodging, and you’ll need a place to stay while you’re here! I recommend figuring out where you want to elope and what you want to do before you book your accommodations, as the towns in Greenland are far from each other and difficult to travel between. Here are some options for places to stay during your Greenland elopement!
Hotels and Lodges
For a cozy place to stay, Greenland’s cities and towns have plenty of great hotels and lodging options. The Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat is one of the most famous, with a gorgeous view of Disko Bay and the ice fjords. The Hotel Icefiord is also in Ilulissat, right on the water with views of the icebergs in the bay. In Southern Greenland, you can stay at the Hotel Qaqortoq on top of a hill!
Airbnbs in Greenland
Airbnb is always a great place to find private, one of a kind places to stay, and even somewhere as remote as Greenland, there are plenty of rentals available! You can stay in a cabin by the sea, a cottage at the base of the mountains, a tiny home on the bay, and more.
Camping in Greenland
Camping in Greenland offers some unique adventures for your elopement day. You can camp on sheets of ice, stay in a glamping tent, and you can set up your tent and wild camp anywhere, as long as you’re away from homes and hunting areas!
Unique Things to Do When You Elope in Greenland
Greenland is an incredibly unique place – and when you elope, your day should be an unforgettable adventure. Plan something that will make this the best day ever, and personalize your wedding! There are endless adventures to have, so here are a few ideas for your Greenland elopement.
Dog Sledding
Dog sledding is a classic way to experience Greenland, and the experience of sitting on a sled as dogs work together to run through the snow covered landscape is unforgettable. Don’t worry – dog sledding is a big part of the culture in Greenland, and as long as you find a reputable company, the dogs are treated well and they love doing this – it’s their connection to nature and to the wild inside them!
Soak in a Hot Spring
Imagine sitting in a natural hot spring with snow and ice all around you! In Southern Greenland, you can find the only outdoor spa in the country, and soak surrounded by icebergs. But, in other places, especially in East Greenland, there are several natural hot springs that can be found tucked between mountains and glaciers. It’s the perfect way to relax at the end of your adventure!
Heliskiing
It’s a helicopter tour, and a skiing adventure… all in one! You can take a helicopter up to a mountain peak and enjoy the incredible views of the landscape below, then strap on your skis and go down the slopes. It’s a truly Greenland adventure!
What to Wear to Elope in Greenland
Being comfortable on the day you elope is important, so be mindful when you choose your elopement attire! Make sure that everything fits well, and that you’re dressed for the weather.
The Dress
I recommend loose, flowy skirts when it comes to choosing a dress for your Greenland elopement. This will make it a lot easier to move around, hike, walk, sit, and everything you’ll need to do for your elopement day. You’ll likely need to add some layers to stay warm during your adventure, so add some base layers under the dress, and a jacket or shawl on top!
The Shoes
Shoes are also an important part of your elopement attire. Make sure that you wear warm shoes that you can walk in easily. Good traction is important as you’ll often be near ice and snow, and make sure your shoes are waterproof! If you get new ones for the big day, do yourself a favor and wear them a few times to make sure they’re broken in. You definitely don’t want any blisters on the day you get married, as this will interrupt the adventures!
The Suit
When you try on suits, make sure you have full range of motion and are able to move without being restricted. This will be important during your adventures on your elopement day, and you want to be comfortable! I also recommend adding some additional layers to stay warm. Base layers under the suit will work wonders, and you can also add an additional jacket on top.
Elope in Greenland – Your Checklist
Choose a Location
Decide on a spot that you want to remember forever as the place where you promised to spend forever together. I’ll help you with this by getting to know you and recommending places that fit your vision for the day you get married. Contact me to start working on finding the best places to elope in Greenland!
Pick a date
Consider the weather, crowds, and what you want to experience on your elopement day, then set a date to tie the knot!
Find more information about travel visas and wedding documentation
Most couples won’t need a travel visa to tie the knot in Greenland, unless you plan to stay for more than a few months. But, make sure the rest of your paperwork is ready to go and your passports are up to date!
Book your flights and accommodation
Booking your travel and where you’ll stay is important and I recommend doing this as soon as possible to avoid stressing about it! It will also help ensure that you stay close to the elopement location you choose.
Book your vendors
Your elopement vendors will be a huge part of your day – and they’ll help bring it all to life, so this is a huge part of planning your elopement! I’ll recommend some of my favorite vendors, so that you have experienced professionals who will help you through the planning process and make sure everything is perfect on the big day.
Live your dream elopement
Once all that planning is done, it’s time to do this thing! You’ll travel to a one of a kind location, have an epic adventure and marry your best friend, and when it’s done, you’ll have photos to look back on that capture the adventure, and how it felt.
DOES Greenland SOUND LIKE YOUR DREAM?
How it works to plan your elopement in Greenland
Let’s dive in, so you can start your journey right away!
Imagine a wedding where you can be you. Breathe. Bask in each other’s love.
Experience a place close to your hearts, or a bucket-list dream.
Let’s chat!
Are you eager to start planning your elopement in Greenland? I’m here to help you envision, plan and immortalize this beautiful adventure! Contact me now for a free consultation!
