The Directory – Your guide to planning a Norrland wedding

Susanne Eilertsen:

Wedding planner

Weddings in Sweden have long been different to the rest of Europe. We’ve not spent that much money on them because we live in a DIY culture. It’s common for Swedish couples to prepare their own food or have a friend take their pictures. Most vendors don’t offer the same all-inclusive deals that you might be used to. Furthermore, most caterers don’t offer tastings and most venues don´t have an on-site wedding coordinator. But couples have been increasingly using wedding planners such as myself as a way of avoiding being up until midnight blowing up balloons, or making last minute adjustments, and for just enjoying being in the moment. The key is building a priority list with your spouse – and sticking to it! If you want to marry in northern Sweden, the best thing to do is to contact a local wedding planner that knows the area.

brollopskonsulten.com

Donna Richmond: 

Photographer

It may be tempting to ask a friend or relative to take your photographs for free, but there is a lot more involved in professional wedding photography than simply owning a ‘fancy camera’. Our job doesn’t finish when your wedding day ends. We spend hours editing your images so you can be presented with a final, professional gallery that you will be proud of, with photos that will stand the test of time. It is very important to find the right photographer. Look through the work on their website. Does their style reflect what you want? Think about if you want natural, storytelling images of the day, or a more formal posed approach. You have to communicate your ideas to your photographer, so meet them before the day. Remember, the photography is your main record of the incredible moments of your wedding day. 

donnarichmond.se

Johanna Lind:

Cake maker

Us Swedes love our desserts but we are quite traditional. We have our princess cake that we eat almost every time there’s a celebration. But I have noticed that my wedding couples have started to want something more exciting. More delicate flavours such as strawberry, lemon, passionfruit and raspberry are really popular and make the cake more balanced. Here are a few tips if you want a memorable and delicious wedding cake that everyone will enjoy. First, when you’re having your wedding toast before dinner, why not serve the cake with a glass of champagne? People are hungry after the ceremony. Also, if you don’t have a budget for an expensive wedding cake, a ’fika buffet’ might be a good alternative, with delights such as chocolate balls, candy, cookies and cinnamon buns. And if you have a tiered cake, let the kitchen staff cut the cake. They will make sure that everyone gets a slice. 

tartstudion.se

Sara Sandström:

Florist

Always choose flowers in season, as it is by season and availability that the quality and price are determined. So if you want a peony in the middle of winter, which is not when it is in season, you can usually find a similar flower that is in season, for example a chrysanthemum. Bridal bouquets often follow trends – variations of hand-tied bridal bouquets are currently the most common. The choice of flowers and bouquet shape usually determines which technique you use.

If you come from another country and are getting married in Norrland, you should bear in mind that the seasons of the flowers vary from country to country and that the size and prices of the flowers often vary accordingly. Think about colours or style. If you start by thinking of three colours – for example white, green, pink – it can be easier to choose flowers because there is more choice.

blomstergladjeumea.se