Eloping in Iceland part 2 | Iceland Elopement Photographer

So, you want want to elope in Iceland but don't know what to do next?? I got you. (Pt. II) 

Hello again, daydreamer! Welcome back to planning your elopement in Iceland! 

Alright, so we already discussed in Pt.I of this blog series that you had been day-dreaming of having a real, whimsical, life altering adventure for your elopement in Iceland because doing the traditional walk down the aisle just isn't your style. You didn't know where to start, so I got it going for you. But where do you go from there? Where do you stay? What do you wear? What even is this foreign country?? It's ok, I still got you and your wanderlusting heart.

When I am here, I always stay at an Airbnb because I much prefer that experience over a hotel or hostel. However, those are also options to explore. If you want to be pampered a bit more, go for a hotel. There are WAY too many for me to name, so just google it and you'll find tons within the downtown area of RVK. PRO TIP: If you want a hotel, you can find deals when purchasing your ticket through the airline. EXTRA PRO TIP: If you want more of a 'do it yourself' freedom, book with Airbnb. The rooms have what you need and I prefer to stay in an environment the locals live in. It feels more authentic and less sterile that way, at a fraction of the cost of a hotel. Also, almost everyone speaks English here so there won't be an awkward language barrier between you and your awesome Airbnb host. Some of the areas to look for when locating your Airbnb that will get you close to things within walking distance or a quick drive to the shopping areas are: Vesturbær, Miðborg, Hlíðar, Laugardalur, Breiðholt, and any listings that say 'Capital Region'. Some other spots that are not Reykjavik proper, a bit of a drive and less populated areas to check is Keflavik, Reykjanesbær, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Mosfellsbær, and even Sellfoss. 

 If you want to be more pampered and live that 'treat yo' self life' where you have someone else make your bed, obviously a hotel would be better. If you are traveling and want to make some friends from all over the world, stay in one of the many hostels here and share your room with them. However, hostels are not my jam, at all. I like my space and I feel like I am just too old for that type of experience so I have never stayed in one but know people who have and enjoyed it. They cost about as much as an Airbnb room does, so I would rather have my privacy and quiet time. Additionally as important, if you want to celebrate your elopement in Iceland, having some privacy is always priceless. But, that's just me though!

Now, the important question that I KNOW has been burning in your mind: WHAT DO I WEAR? 
Ok, this is a fun one for me to answer. Now, picture me shooting your elopement and us adventuring through Iceland together. I am driving you and your new spouse from waterfalls towards the middle of the country, down to the southern coast on the black sand beaches, then up into the west fjörds where the arctic air is sharp. Every single location I will take you will feel different. So in the one day of your elopement in Iceland, you could wear just your wedding attire, then have to put on a cute jacket to cut the wind, then put on your rain boots. The weather here is wild and temperamental. She is moody and strong minded. It is an island, after all, so in one day you could experience all four seasons.

Iceland is unique in the fact that although it's name is kind of deceptive, it does not get THAT cold here compared to some spots in the U.S. The coldest it will get is about 25 F, and the warmest about 55 F, depending on the month (give or take special circumstances). This island is located where the warm Gulf Stream hits the Southern Coast of the island and the North gets the freezing Arctic winds and currents. So, the weather is wild. One minute it will be snowing and raining, the next sunny and pretty. It makes for great rainbows and always keeps you on your toes. The saying here is 'If you don't like the weather, then just wait 5 minutes.'

So, given this new knowledge, I suggest that you should pack a warm coat, a rain coat that also cuts the wind, winter boots, rain boots, and a light jacket. For your elopement in Iceland wedding attire, pack your wedding outfits but be prepared to throw on another jacket or a rain coat. And if you're wearing heels, bring a pair of shoes or boots to put on when walking to locations. Depending on the time of year you are adventuring here to get married, I would even suggest buying a really cute pair of fancy gloves that you are O.K. having in your photos as well. Scarves also make for cute props that will pull double duty and keep you and your love nice and toasty. If you want to wear flowers in your hair (HELLO GORGEOUSSSS), I suggest bringing some extra bobby pins to really tack them down as the wind here is F-I-E-R-C-E.

Ok, so now you know what airlines to fly on to get here, how to get from Keflavík to Reykjavík, where to stay once you get there, and what to wear once here in Iceland. In the next blog, I am going to tell you about the currency used here, the differences between the times of year to come here (and when your best bet to see the Aurora is), and the overall cost of being here.

You can sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of my site to have it dropped right into your inbox! I make it easy for you, as always. If you have any specific questions on planning your elopement and are interested in having me document your love and adventurous ways while guiding you through the most epic landscape to make as the background of your beautiful Iceland Elopement photos, please reach out and say hi right here!

Talk to you soon, daydreamer!

<3 Steph, from Seyðisfjörður, Iceland