Guest Guide

Ceremony & Reception

Our wedding ceremony will be located atSola Ruin Church, a beautiful medieval stone church dating back to the 12th century. Though now a historic ruin, it stands as a remarkable piece of Norway’s heritage, surrounded by artifacts and sites that echo the Viking era and the country’s rich cultural history. The area surrounding the church is rich in Viking heritage—you’ll find monuments dedicated to Erling Skjalgsson, a legendary Viking chieftain and his wife Astrid, as well as ancient burial mounds and the Viking Trail, which traces historic resting stones and medieval crosses.

After the ceremony, we’ll celebrate at the Sola Strand Hotel, a venue rich in history and character. The hotel’s dining halls—Sverresalen and Mountroyalsal—offer breathtaking views of the sand dunes stretching across Solastranden. These rooms are steeped in maritime tradition, with Mountroyalsal originally from the smoking lounge of an early 1900s cruise ship and Sverresalen’s one of the last sail powered warship’s gun deck. The hotel itself dates back to 1914 and houses a well preserved WWII bunker which is now used for wine tasting events and corporate events.

Registry

Many of you are traveling from near and far to celebrate with us in Sola, and your presence truly means the world to us — it is all we ask for.

For those who wish to make a gesture, we will have a red envelope gift box (利是箱) at the wedding. In Cantonese culture, red envelopes are traditionally used for monetary gifts and are given as a symbol of good luck and well wishes. For guests who prefer a more local option, Vipps is also very welcome and may be easier for those in Norway. Kontonummer 32074570800 / Vipps +47 47270511.

Cakes

We will have a dessert table at the reception, and local guests who would enjoy contributing a cake or dessert are very welcome to do so — though this is entirely optional.

Cakes may be delivered to the hotel from the day before the wedding up to one hour before the ceremony, or brought directly to the reception. Please ensure any containers are clearly labelled with your name and “Vik Wedding”, so they can be returned to you.

The hotel will safely store and beautifully present the cakes to complement the overall style of the celebration.

All Ages are welcome

We warmly welcome babies, toddlers, and children at our wedding. We understand it can be challenging to arrange childcare, and we truly want everyone to join us. Family is family—no matter the age—and we fondly remember attending weddings as children ourselves. So please feel free to bring your little ones; they’re part of the celebration too!

Dress Code

We want our wedding to be a celebration of culture, tradition, and joy! Bunad, kilt, or trews are welcomed. Suits and summer dresses are an option for everyone.

Both of us love dancing—and we’ve organized a ceilidh (Scottish dance) for the evening. It is advised to bring a spare pair of comfortable shoes for dancing (trainers are absolutely fine!).

If at any point you feel too warm in your bunad or would like to change outfit for dinner or dancing, the hotel will have rooms available for guests to change. You’re very welcome to bring a change of clothes to the hotel in advance, where it can be stored safely for you.

Parking Information

For guests attending the ceremony at Sola Ruinkyrke, please note that parking near the church is limited. We kindly recommend using the free parking available at the back of Sola Strand Hotel. For guests who choose to park closer to the hotel in paid parking areas, parking costs can be redeemed at the hotel reception on the day.

Wedding Day Schedule

Timings are approximate and may be adjusted slightly depending on weather conditions.

12:30 – Sola Ruinkyrke is opened to guests

13:00 – Wedding ceremony
• Please remain at the church after the ceremony until the full group photo has been taken

14:30 – Guests arrive and mingle at Sola Strand Hotel
• Canapés and welcome drinks served

17:00 – Dinner and speeches

20:00 – Ceilidh
• Comfy shoes encouraged 😉
• Cutting of cake at intermission.

22:00 – Disco and dancing into the night
• Sparkler walk
• Night food (nattmat) will be served later in the evening

Travel & Accommodation

We’re thrilled to welcome you to Norway for our special day! To make your stay as comfortable as possible, we’ve arranged an exclusive discount of 20% for our guests at Sola Strand Hotelby contacting the hotel reception. This offer includes reduced rates on rooms and discount to the hotel’s spa (250 NOK for hotel guests)—perfect for relaxing before or after the celebrations. The hotel is open to all guests, both those travelling over and those locally who wish to stay a night over after an evening of dancing and celebrations. There are a number of alternative hotels and Airbnb accommodation in the local area as well.

Bonus Tip: Right now, the strength of the British Pound, Diram, Euro and Dollar against the Norwegian Krone makes this an especially advantageous time to visit. Your money will go further on accommodation, dining, and experiences!

Important Note: The day after our wedding, May 17th, is Norway’s National Day—a vibrant celebration of independence, similar to a royal occasion in the UK. Expect parades, traditional costumes, music, and festivities throughout the country. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience Norwegian culture at its finest! You can travel onto Oslo to see the King’s parade or stay with us and join the parade in Stavanger.

The official website for Stavanger’s 17th of May Parade : 17. mai i Stavanger | Stavanger kommune

While you’re here, take advantage of the stunning local attractions:

• Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) – One of Norway’s most iconic hikes with breathtaking fjord views.

• Lysefjord – A spectacular fjord perfect for sightseeing cruises.

• Kjeragbolten – The famous boulder wedged between cliffs for adventurous photo ops.

• Swords in Rock (Sverd i Fjell) – A historic monument commemorating Norway’s unification.

• Flor & Fjære – A beautiful island garden paradise.

We look forward to celebrate with you and hope you enjoy everything Norway has to offer! You will get a discount at the Sola Strand Hotel.

Sola Strand Hotel & Spa
Axel Lunds veg 27, 4055 Sola

Transport in Stavanger

Getting around Stavanger is very easy, and public transport is reliable, clean, and well‑connected. Two apps that will help are:

• Download the Kolumbus app to buy tickets and plan journeys Kolumbus Billett - Apps on Google Play/ ‎Kolumbus Billett App - App Store /

• Download Kolumbus live view to see bus routes and live departuresKolumbus - Apps on Google Play / ‎Kolumbus App - App Store

Public transport is easy to use, even if you don’t speak Norwegian, and works very well across Stavanger, Sola, and surrounding areas.

If you prefer, you can also use taxis:

• We recommend Taxi app, which is reliable and safe Taxifix – Apper på Google Play / ‎Taxifix App - App Store

• Please note: taxis in Norway are more expensive than many of you may be used to abroad

For short distances or groups, public transport is usually the most cost‑effective option.