How To Plan Your Dream Wedding In The Stockholm Archipelago
Stockholm Archipelago Wedding Transportation
A wedding in the Stockholm archipelago is a one-of-a-kind experience. This cluster of islands is a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich historical tradition, and cutting-edge architecture and technology. With so much to see and do across these islands, planning a wedding in the Stockholm archipelago can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, as the leading Stockholm expert in the world (or at least on this website), I’ve learned a thing or two about giving couples who are planning a wedding in the Stockholm archipelago the guidance they need to create the Stockholm archipelago wedding that’s perfect for them. Here are some tips for how to plan your dream wedding in the Stockholm archipelago.
What Is The Stockholm Archipelago?
The Stockholm archipelago consists of 30,000 islands — some big, some small. This amazing chain of islands is the largest archipelago in Sweden, with many landmarks, both natural and man-made.
With so many islands with so much variety, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that there are tons of amazing wedding venues in the Stockholm archipelago.
Which one you choose will depend entirely on what kind of experience you’re looking for — what sort of budget you’re working with, what kinds of activities you’re hoping to do during your time in Stockholm, and whether you’re looking for a rustic adventure in nature or a thrilling trip through the city.
What’s The Best Time Of Year To Get Married On The Stockholm Archipelago?
The Stockholm archipelago is beautiful year-round and you’ll find something amazing there no matter what season you choose for your Stockholm wedding. That being said, the Stockholm archipelago is especially popular during the summer.
If you’re planning a Stockholm wedding for the summer, keep in mind that venues and hotels book up quickly. Some of the more popular spots get fully booked more than 12 — or even 18 — months in advance!
Still, if you plan far enough in advance, a summer wedding in the Stockholm archipelago is truly an amazing experience.
How Do You Explore The Archipelago Of Stockholm?
I hope it’s not too shocking for you to learn that the best way to travel around an archipelago of 30,000 islands is by boat. Fortunately, this is much easier than it sounds!
Some of the bigger and more destinations, like Vaxholm, are serviced by boats that depart regularly throughout the day from the Stockholm city centre.
For some certain locations, there’s a chance you might need to charter private transportation, but if you have any questions about the process feel free to ask your friendly Stockholm wedding photographer (that’s me) for tips.
Also, since boat travel is so integral to navigating the Stockholm archipelago, you’ll need to make sure that all of your guests, including elderly guests, will be able to travel by boat.
What Are The Best Places To Stay In Stockholm Archipelago?
There are a few important things to keep in mind when considering wedding venues and accommodations in the Stockholm archipelago.
The venue you choose for your wedding in the Stockholm archipelago will depend on a few different factors, including the size of your party, the style of ceremony and celebration you’re planning, and where you’re planning to stay overnight.
Also, keep in mind that not all venues offer accommodation, so in some cases you’ll need to book your wedding venue and overnight lodging separately.
This will also mean that you’ll need to figure out how to transport your guests to and from the venue (again, if you need any help on this front, feel free to drop me a line!).
Stockholm Archipelago Wedding Venues
No matter what kind of Stockholm wedding you’re dreaming of, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect venue. Here are some of my favourite Stockholm archipelago wedding venues and locations:
A relaxed lunch cruise gives your guests the chance to catch up with family and friends.
Charter A Boat!
This is a very popular choice among the wedding couples I’ve photographed! Chartering a boat allows you to get married in the heart of the archipelago, with all its beauty on full display.
The water always has a magical light, especially during sundown, and the boat’s route along the water provides some truly epic scenery and an awesome backdrop for some unforgettable Stockholm wedding photography.
Here are some of your options if you’re planning to charter a boat for your Stockholm wedding”
Hold your full wedding — ceremony, reception, and dinner — on the boat.
Hold your wedding ceremony at Stockholm City Hall, and then celebrate with a boat cruise and dinner on board. You can also enjoy some drinks on the boat while it takes you by sea to one of Stockholm’s many amazing restaurants.
Take in the beauty of the archipelago on a cruise the day before your ceremony, and then hold your ceremony at City Hall, followed by dinner at a fancy restaurant.
You’ll have the option of booking a large or small boat, depending on the size of your wedding party. You can get a sense of what they look like here.
Rent A Luxury Yacht
If you really want to celebrate your Stockholm wedding in style, you can consider booking a luxury yacht. Some of my favourite yacht services include Nordic Yacht Charter, Stockholm Charter, and Charm Charter.
All three of these yacht services are excellent and offer pretty much the same breathtaking cruise route around the archipelago. The route starts in central Stockholm and, depending on the company, the exact starting point will either be next to the royal palace or the royal dramatic theatre in Nybroviken.
The boat will cruise by all the most legendary Stockholm attractions (including Gröna Lund, the royal castle, and the Grand Hôtel) before passing by Djurgården and Fjäderholmarna.
While on the yacht, you can have a relaxed and intimate lunch or dinner with amazing local food and world-class service. You can also stay on the yacht overnight and enjoy a leisurely breakfast the next morning while gazing out over the sea!
Intimate smaller crowds should definitely consider renting a luxury yacht.
The Old Lighthouse
The old Lighthouse, Pater Noster, in the outer archipelago is the perfect wedding venue for any couple with an adventurous spirit and a love for the sea. Imagine getting married with the full expanse of the ocean as a breathtaking backdrop.
The old lighthouse keeper’s residence has been renovated and transformed into an award-winning hotel that offers unforgettable accommodations and unforgettable dining options.
If you’d rather embrace your inner fisherman, you can also book the Stockholm Lighthouse for September and do some lobster fishing!
If you’re planning a wedding at the Stockholm Lighthouse just let me know and I’d be thrilled to capture your special day. The results are always stunning!
Rent A Whole Island!
If you’re looking for the height of luxury for your wedding in the Stockholm archipelago, you can consider renting an entire island just for yourself and your guests.
For couples considering this option, I always recommend Dalarö Skans Island. It’s a truly beautiful place and your wedding there will be completely unforgettable.
Artipelago: Perfect For The Art And Design Lovers
Anyone interested in art, architecture, or design should absolutely consider having their Stockholm archipelago wedding at Artipelago.
Part art museum, part natural park, and part architectural marvel, this venue is completely unforgettable and has some stunning modern art exhibitions both inside and outside.
Artipelago is a 40-minute drive from Stockholm, but you can also reach it by boat, bus, or even helicopter!
Big boat spotting. In the background a cruise ship on the way to Finland.
Glamping: The Perfect Option For The Adventurous Couple
If you’re really looking to get into the heart of the Swedish wilderness and experience everything the Stockholm archipelago has to offer, you should definitely consider holding your Stockholm wedding at a glamping site.
You’ll be able to enjoy luxurious amenities and amazing food and drinks while feeling like you’ve left the rest of civilization behind.
One of my favourite glamping sites is Svartsö Krog, which you can reach by taking a 1.5-hour boat ride from just outside the Grand Hotel.
Go Exploring!
One of the best things about getting married on the Stockholm archipelago is that you’re really only limited by your imagination.
In Sweden, we have something called “Allemansrätten,” or the “Right of Public Access.” This policy gives everyone the freedom to roam and explore public lands anywhere they want in the entire country. This means that you can actually get married just about anywhere in the entire Stockholm archipelago without needing to worry about permissions or fees.
If you find a spot that calls out to you — whether it’s a cliffside, forest, or beach — all you need to do is bring a wedding official and you can get married right there! It’s worth noting that the right of public access means you have the responsibility of leaving no trace (cleaning up after yourself, closing gates behind you on public land, not picking anything that’s protected by law, etc).
The Stockholm Archipelago Awaits …
If you’re planning a wedding in the Stockholm archipelago and are looking for a wedding photographer in Stockholm who knows the whole city inside and out, then let’s have a chat! I’d love to hear what you’re planning and start working with you to create the Stockholm archipelago wedding of your dreams.
Reach out any time and we can get this show on the road!
In Vaxholm it’s easy to walk between the church and most venues.