How to Elope in Iceland 2024: The Best Guide for Eloping in Iceland- [Plus, Iceland Elopement Packages Info]
How to Elope in Iceland in 2024: The Best Guide for Eloping in Iceland- [Plus, Iceland Elopement Packages Info]
| Local Iceland Elopement Expert
Eloping in Iceland guide from an Iceland local for unconventional couples who blaze their own trail.
Eloping in Iceland is truly just as magical as you think it would be.
It’s also a lot easier than you would imagine it would be right now. Right now as you are just starting to plan an Iceland elopement, it could feel overwhelming with the amount of information out there from anyone and everyone who has ever visited Iceland, made some blogs about it, and decided to advertise themselves here just to come back.
You are probably trying to swim through a sea of Iceland elopement information and not knowing what is right or wrong. what is accurate, and what would actually help you easily elope in Iceland. That could feel frustrating.
But, eloping in Iceland actually can be very easy and even more spectacular than you could even imagine right now.
Especially if you have the right local by your side who can help you the entire way. Someone who actually lives in Iceland who knows all of the things you need to:
make your Iceland elopement flawless,
who knows the dangers of Iceland and how to keep you safe,
and who knows the absolute best places that only Iceland locals know to show you. (Because yes, we don’t put every place on the internet :)
Are you ready to get help with your Iceland elopement? You’re in the right place.
In this How to Elope in Iceland Ultimate Guide 2024, you will learn all you need to know to get started on eloping in Iceland
from an actual Iceland local and elopement expert.
What’s better than a local who lives, breathes, and is a part of Iceland to be your elopement guide? In this Ultimate Iceland Elopement Guide you will get all of the information you need from:
Why elope in Iceland
The only Iceland elopement checklist you will need for the most simple, stress-free elopement planning
Can you bring your guests to your Iceland elopement
When is it not considered an elopement and what to do then
Can folks in the LGBTQIA+ community get married in Iceland
The benefits of hiring a local for your Iceland elopement and what mistakes it will save you
Do you need to wear white on your Iceland elopement
Is it ok to not go over the top with decor rentals and have a low-key, adventurous elopement instead
Best time of year to elope in Iceland
Best locations to elope in Iceland if you don’t want the same locations you see in basically every other blog
How to get legally married in Iceland with the paperwork
Iceland elopement costs and what to budget
What to do after your Iceland elopement for your honeymoon
Iceland elopement packages
Meeting me, your Iceland Elopement Elf, Yoda, and Photo Wizard
Let’s get to it, shall we?
but first….
Before we get into how to elope in Iceland- the best ultimate guide, I have a fairytale for you about your eloping in Iceland quest you’re on.
go ahead and get cozy for a bit of an elopement tale of adventure, just as the Iceland elopement you’re about to embark on.
The Iceland Elopement that once felt like a far-fetched dream was here, happening, and they couldn’t have been more at peace and filled with wonder
They had always wanted to be true to their unconventional, non-mainstream ways and have an adventure wedding, to elope somewhere truly spectacular and unique that could offer that once-in-a-lifetime type of experience. You know, something totally out of the ordinary.
Something that the generation before them would never even have considered for their wedding, but perhaps secretly wanted to elope in nature.
The type of adventure elopement where they could feel the pressures of the generations before them floating away, the excitement of having the sleeping giants of the glaciers and mountains as their only elopement witnesses, and being present with one another in a little love bubble that is theirs for the whole day.
The type of elopement that was uninterrupted, uncontrived, and never going through the motions or managing others’ emotions all day.
Was eloping in Iceland what they were searching for?
They wanted their elopement love bubble in the secluded, remote nature all to themselves.
They scoured the internet for ideas and decided on eloping in Iceland after falling in love with the endless possibilities that eloping in Iceland offers.
eloping in Iceland is the most perfect place for an adventure elopement – with its dramatic landscapes and towering mountains,
it was like something out of a fantasy novel where they could fulfill their nerdy dreams of being in a Tolkien novel’s pages, or fulfilled their absolute love for nature and adventure where they feel the most themselves.
With their Iceland elopement planning in place after meeting the Iceland Elopement Elf herself, Steph Zakas, they set off for Iceland, ready for the adventure of a lifetime. They felt excited, unstressed, and taken care of the whole year of planning for their most epic Iceland elopement that will showcase their personalities, love, and chemistry.
They were not disappointed – twisting and turning through the landscape, they felt like they were in a different world all day during their elopement. And when they finally reached their destination – a beautiful mountaintop overlooking a glacier-carved valley – they knew this was going to be the spot to exchange their vows and promises to one another and experience their most special day together, yet. A day they will share for generations to come about what badasses they were, flying to Iceland to elope, and sharing their adventure with their loved ones in a bespoke, handcrafted album.
These were their new traditions they have hand-crafted,
just as their Iceland elopement experience was hand-crafted.
After exchanging their elopement vows under the watchful eye of Mother Nature and draped in the comforting, supportive air of Iceland, they set about capturing all the magic of their elopement in photos for the remainder of the day. The resulting images looked like something straight out of Lord of the Rings – proof that perhaps the Huldufólk (hidden people of Iceland, elves) had been with them and celebrating the whole time.
This had been an adventure elopement to turn the pages and start a new chapter.
They will remember this elopement feeling, forever.
Does this sound like the hand-crafted elopement dream you’ve been waiting for?
Then keep on reading then, my friend, for all of the information on how to elope in Iceland.
Why Elope in Iceland?
Eloping in Iceland may be one of the most magical things you can do and personally, I believe everyone loves and wants a bit more magic in their lives. I know as someone who lives here, I might be biased, but, I’m also not wrong.
It is remote, peaceful, and has the most variety out of pretty much anywhere else on Earth. I absolutely love creating bespoke elopement experiences here because of the variety of different types of landscapes Iceland offers that you can see in a single day. After getting to know my couples and understanding their vibe, wants, and adventure preferences, we create an entire tailored day for them because here in Iceland we CAN.
I mean, what is better than being able to go to black sand beaches, white sand beaches, red sand beaches, glaciers, volcanos, geothermal activity spewing from the ground, the sea, cliffs, waterfalls… should I keep going?
Yes, there are more black sand beaches than just Reynisfjara which has been claimed in the past few years as ‘Black Sand Beach’. In fact, most of our beaches are black sand, which is epic. How cool is that?
The culture here in Iceland is welcoming, quirky, a little weird in the best way, and fantastic. The air is clean, the water is cold and perfect. Our food is delicious and despite what most blogs talk about, we have much, much more than hotdogs and gas station food. Us locals eat at MICHELIN-starred Restaurants, seasonal ingredient restaurants, Thai restaurants, and sourdough pizzas, the list is so diverse and long. Sure, the hotdogs are some of the best in the world, but, we also have so, so much more.
Eloping in Iceland truly gives you the chance to really get away from it all, from the daily grind, and focus on each other.
Elope in Iceland with a local-
The benefits of hiring a local for your Iceland elopement (and what mistakes you’ll avoid)
Iceland is such a magical, powerful, amazing place that seems like everyone wants to experience at some point in their lifetime, which, I understand completely.
I fell in love with Iceland the first time I visited and am always thanking my lucky stars I was allowed to immigrate here so many years ago. I love Iceland with all of my heart which is why it is my complete honor to be able to share this love with couples who chose Iceland to elope in.
However, because it is so magical,
there are a lot of people who:
advertise to work here with webpages looking like they are local- but they aren’t,
many have never actually been here and are just regurgitating information from online
maybe some have been here once, or maybe a few times, but they are just trying to get a ‘free trip to Iceland’ or just build their portfolios- which is not helpful for you, your end result, and
is exploitative to Iceland.They don’t live here which could come with potential problems and inherent risks to your elopement experience and to our small, local community.
hiring local means supporting iceland, not exploiting it.
There are a few potentially serious problems that hiring an Iceland local for your elopement can save you from.
Using Google as the main knowledge source of Iceland sets you and your day up for potential disaster because the information on blogs is usually not accurate. Most blogs that rank are from travel bloggers or people who have not been here or spent much time here. Yes, there are some great ones, but there are more not-great ones I’ve come across.
Trusting the information in some Iceland elopement blog or ‘landing pages’ (as the industry calls them) could be a bad idea. In my experience, a lot of these are using stock photos and/or landing pages to imply to the reader that they have been there or live in Iceland, mislabeled locations so what you’re seeing isn’t accurate, and offer some not-so-great advice that as a local makes me scratch my head.
How to decipher what you’re looking at so you are BEST informed:
If there are no Iceland elopement/ wedding couples in the photos of iceland in their blog, page, or rest of their site- the iceland photos you see are likely stock photos or just vacation photos,
if the photos with couples clearly are not authentic weddings, or in Iceland, or looks like it’s not a real elopement and just a styled model session.
go to their ‘About Me’ or the rest of their site, it will tell you where they actually live so you can know if you want to deal with their flights, travel, them relying on a rental car, etc etc.
In order to work in Iceland LEGALLY, you must be a resident or member of the EU. If that’s not the case, whoever you hire can get turned away at the border because working on a tourist visa is breaching the visa agreement.
Your elopement photos and experience in our Iceland weather. Our weather is often very intense, wet, cold, and windy. If someone is not used to documenting elopements in our very unique climate, have the gear that can withstand the weather, know how to find shelter, know how to keep you warm, or know how to document in extreme weather and still get amazing images- your experience and delivered images could be affected.
CHECK OUT THIS FEATURE IN RANGEFINDER MAGAZINE ABOUT ME IN OUR CLIMATE
CHECK OUT THIS FEATURE AS AN ICELAND OUTDOOR EXPERT IN CANON CAMERASafety. This is my biggest thing, always. Iceland is not like anywhere else on the planet, even if you live in snowy environments like Colorado.
Our climate is completely different and unique to this little island in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Our weather patterns are totally different, because we have the Arctic winds that meet the Gulf Stream and we don’t have trees to cut the storms.
We also have so many areas in Iceland that you shouldn’t be in, step in, lay in, or sit on for your own safety and the well-being of our fragile environment.
I don’t know about you, but I am really into not harming my couples.Flight schedule restrictions like cancelations, delays, and flying home afterward so the flexibility isn’t there in case your elopement needs shifting- it potentially can’t shift. If they are flying in to work your elopement then there is a lot of risk involved in that.
And, in 2024 the tourists are estimated at over 2.3 million, and 2.5 million in 2025 to our 370k(ish) community.
So having someone who knows the entire island and not just the popular spots is key.
I have been called last minute- many times- to help out when a non-local was hired and shit hit the fan to help salvage their elopement day or delivered images.
I’ve also seen so many horror stories of non-local photographers with clients who slide off our icy roads, have dangerous experiences with our waves, only stick to the popular spots because they are only using Google, not using dual-card cameras and their memory card corrupts from water damage, so on and so on. And it’s super unfortunate because it can all be prevented, and, the couples should know what they are paying for.
It makes my heart hurt.
I want everyone to be aware so their iceland elopement can be as flawless and magical as possible and to be 100% informed in their decision making process.
you deserve a magical day.
So, how does hiring an Iceland local benefit you, our local community, and our unique nature as you elope in Iceland?
For starters, you will get accurate and correct advice, information, and location planning assistance.
Did you know that all land in Iceland is either privately owned or state-owned and that many locations are actually on private property the owner has given the public permission to visit? So, if that’s not the case and you go to a cool spot a non-local might take you without the farmers’ permission, it could be trespassing.We know when locations are closed, when volcanos are likely erupting, when areas are deemed unsafe due to so many climate reasons like glacial flooding or avalanches or rock slide, and so on.
Even Google Maps is often wrong and spelling Icelandic words can end up in a silly mistake.We know where to go, where not to go, and how to give you an authentic Icelandic experience.
Being with someone who understands the weather will help your day be as successful as possible. My partner calls me an Icelandic weather vane because I can tell by the clouds, air, and wind what is about to happen. Understanding what weather warnings mean, where, and how they will show up is so important.
Not being placed in dangerous areas for your well-being and for the well-being of the environment. Call me a party pooper but I’m not really into destroying nature to ‘get the shot’ and my coupes totally think the same.
We are a small community here in Iceland, Iceland has only about 360,000 people in the ENTIRE country. So hiring a local impacts us in the best way and is the best way to support the local community in the land you’re traveling to. :)
We are not dependent on flights to get here so we won’t be affected by flight delays or cancelations.
We also aren’t strapped for time in case the weather is dangerous and your elopement needs to be pushed.
When you pay for your elopement services in Iceland you are directly supporting Iceland. Part of your elopement services payment is of course taxes. These taxes us legal business in Iceland then pay to Iceland.
These taxes are what help the country with upkeep, keeping it beautiful, and not exploiting our nature by taking and not giving back.
Non-locals aren’t paying taxes in Iceland, their service payments go to their home country which doesn’t help our roads, infrastructure, land, community, etc etc.
Will the volcanoes erupting on the Reykjanes Peninsula by the Blue Lagoon impact my elopement?
The short answer is no, the volcanoes erupting in Reykjanes by the Blue Lagoon and KEF airport will not impact your elopement or trip to Iceland.
It seems like most outside of Iceland media is doing a bit of fear-mongering when it comes to these eruptions. We aren’t talking about a Mount Vesuvius situation over here for a few reasons:
Mount Vesuvius is a Stratovolcano, the type that explodes. The eruptions happening currently on the Reykjanes Peninsula are fissure eruptions, meaning, they don’t explode. The ground opens at already-made fissures and the lava escapes like an overfilled cup.
They are generally safe since fissure eruptions in these areas don’t create ash or pumice. However, they are not safe to hike around as the ground is entirely too weak and you never know exactly where the next fissure will open. or, if the ground will collapse swallowing you up.
Additionally, the gases are not safe to be around as there is a lot expended due to the length of the fissures. So, please follow the local authorities and rules by staying away.
Because of the type of eruptions, the airport is not impacted and flights are not impacted.
The areas most impacted are Grindavík and the areas around the Blue Lagoon. Unless your elopement was going to be in Grindavík or at the Blue Lagoon it won’t be impacted.
The Blue Lagoon is opening and closing based on eruption status, so, the main risk involved with buying a ticket is the Blue Lagoon might be closed when you arrive, or, could be evacuated during your stay.
Nowhere else on the island is impacted by these eruptions other than some earthquakes might be felt before an eruption.
The town of Grindavík has been evacuated for many months now and no one there is at risk other than potentially lava hitting their houses which the government and insurance companies will help them.
For me, when I’m helping my couples plan their elopements and hand-picking the locations to take them to, I am avoiding the peninsula as there is a risk of rock slides, earthquakes, and gas pollution. That doesn’t impact hardly anything considering that it’s such a small part of the whole island and there is sooooooo much amazingness to see.
As a local, I keep a close eye on all things eruptions to be able to help my couples and know what is safe and where to avoid, however, this eruption area has very little to no impact on travel to Iceland or your Iceland elopement.
The only ‘Eloping in Iceland Checklist’ you’ll need for the most simple, stress-as-little-as-possible Iceland elopement.
Most people chose to elope versus have a traditional or conventional wedding because they want to take as much of the stress off of their plate as they can when they are planning, not be consumed with the process of picking out decor that doesn’t fucking matter, and want to be in nature where they are their happiest.
Unlike most others who might say that couples elope ‘just to save money’, that is not the true reason why my couples who come to Iceland and hire me as their Iceland Elopement Expert, Guide, and Photographer decide to elope.
These couples decide to elope because they want the process of getting married to feel easy, fun, low-key, stress-free, and exciting. They want to see places they have never seen before, and experience a new foreign land they have yet to know.
They also really, really want to keep things as smooth and simple as possible. So, here is the most simple, stress-free Iceland elopement planning checklist that my magical couples go through:
Decide to elope in Iceland with complete conviction and excitement for what’s to come and pick your date.
Google and search for who you want beside you for this whole experience, because remember, whoever you hire as your photographer (and planner) will be with you both from the moment you book them, to your travel to Iceland, to your elopement day before you have your wedding attire on until the end of the day when you get back to your cozy cabin.
(And, sometimes even back at your cabin to capture you cutting the cake and jumping into a hot spring).Hire this majestic elf of a person to help you with all of the details of your planning, the coordination of the day, all of the logistics for your Iceland elopement, and will be creating art out of your photos for you to love on for decades since they are timeless, fairytale frames and not trendy ‘what was I thinking’ images.
Follow the guidance of this majestical Icelandic elf, Iceland elopement expert and local because they will help you with all of the rest in an easy to digest and check-off way. You will of course also need your accommodation, to hire (rent) a car/ 4x4 vehicle, your other elopement vendors like florals or hair & makeup, or celebrant/ officiant- but you will get help with all of that.
Purchase the rest you will need for your Iceland elopement like your flights in KEF (our international airport), your wedding attire, good hiking boots, wool socks, and anything sentimental you want to bring on your elopement day.
Finalize your Iceland elopement day logistics like the timeline. You won’t need to worry about picking locations if you have me, all you will need is to agree to the timeline and get ready for an adventure.
If you are getting legally married in Iceland, you will turn in your paperwork to the Magistrate before you fly out.
Arrive in Iceland for your elopement. Be excited. And show your paperwork originals to the Magistrate before your elopement day.
Then, that’s it. Go and do the dang thing.
Can you bring your guests to your Iceland elopement?
Yes, absolutely. It would still be an elopement with some guests and I would say about 10% of my couples a year bring some guests with them. It’s hard to tell people you are coming to Iceland to elope and not have a few people put their hands up and volunteer to come with you. Plus, having a few of your loved ones with you can make your day even more special.
On the other hand, I also have a lot of couples a year who don’t tell people they are eloping, and also don’t invite anyone. They truly want the day and trip all to themselves. There is no wrong way, it’s whatever would make your day feel the absolute best it could be.
If you did bring guests, there are a few ways we would work together to bring your guests into your elopement plans for the day. On our consult, we can chat about that!
When is it not considered an Iceland elopement?
This is a bit up to the couple and the type of experience they want to be in, feel, and foster. To me, eloping has taken a whole life of its own more than what they were in the previous 16 years since I’ve been documenting weddings. The first elopement I ever documented was over 10 years ago, in a courthouse in the city, and was as true to the traditional term of an elopement as can be. They told no one, they wore whatever was in the closet that they felt good in, and they were SO STOKED to be doing it. It was like their own little secret.
That same feeling happens here in Iceland as well. The little secret, the excitement, the experience of doing something totally out of the status quo of what is sold in the wedding industry and wedding magazine pages.
For me, what I consider an elopement is when this feeling of excitement, adventure, spontaneity, and low-key planning is the heart of the day. When the experience of being present is being with your partner as the main focus and not the focus is on tables, chairs, decor, arches, aisle runners, caterers- aka all of the things you see in a traditional, conventional wedding.
For my couples, even if they have brought guests (see the paragraph above), they are NOT renting decor, wanting chairs and arches, and all of the details that weigh down the day. But want their day as ‘elopement-style’ as possible where they are using just nature as the decorations, their guests standing with them surrounding them (literally) with love, and then going off on a wild adventure after- that is an elopement.
If the couple is looking for all of the above, rented details for their day, there is nothing wrong with that. If there are lots of guests (15+), chairs, arches, lots of ‘setting up’ and ‘tearing down’, and planning, and all of the things elopements are getting away from- that is considered a micro-wedding or destination wedding.
If you are having a destination or micro-weddings in Iceland, there are a few planners in the country who specialize in that. If you want the elopement feeling. style, and freedom- I am your girl.
Can folks in the LGBTQIA+ community
get married or elope in Iceland?
* Takes a deep breath. Shouts * FUCK YES ABSOLUTELY.
There is no other way to say it. We are not just ‘accepting’ or ‘you can vacation here but don’t hold hands in public’ type of open to the LGBTQIA+ community, we celebrate it. You will see many rainbow streets throughout Iceland, even in small fishing towns. This is a place you can be yourself, go elope somewhere epic in nature, and then go party at KiKi Queer Bar and dance your faces off afterward.
How to Customize Your Iceland Elopement
A custom elopement in Iceland is truly the most magical experience a couple can have. The natural beauty of this country provides a backdrop like no other, leaving you feeling as if you’ve stepped into an enchanted and forgotten world full of possibilities.
Every moment you share during your Iceland elopement will be filled with unforgettable memories that no one else in the world can replicate - Icelandic waterfalls, rolling green hills, vibrant sunsets and starry nights of Northern Lights will be just some of the highlights that make your special day so unique.
Having a custom Iceland elopement means that all the details are tailored to your needs, offering complete flexibility and personalization for your one-of-a-kind adventure. With an Icelandic elopement, it truly is possible to create something far grander than what even Tolkien could have imagined.
Ways to customize your Iceland Elopement
01.
elope in Iceland and Hire an Iceland elopement photographer & planner who specializes in custom, hand-crafted Iceland elopements.
When it comes to creating a truly special and personalized Iceland elopement experience, hiring an experienced photographer and planner who’s company specializes in custom Iceland elopements is essential. Having a professional who specializes in custom, hand-crafted Iceland elopements will ensure that your experience planning your Iceland elopement will represent you both.
03.
Iceland elopement guided tours and excursions.
Add in some outdoor activities into our Icelandic nature that work with your Iceland elopement schedule and timeline. The excursions vary in length, physical abilities, and cost. It’s important you work with your Iceland elopement photographer and planner on adding in a guided tour or excursion to ensure your elopement day timeline stays true to how you envision your Iceland elopement being.
02.
elope in iceland and Add in some of our local, Icelandic culture into your elopement experience.
Adding a touch of Icelandic culture to your elopement can truly illuminate the experience. From feasting on traditional cuisine and learning unique Icelandic dance moves to exchanging ancient marriage vows in exciting new ways, incorporating traditional elements into your ceremony will help create an unrivaled sense of authenticity and connection to the land.
03.
elope in iceland and add in some custom elopement cuteness.
When you elope in Iceland, there is endless possibilities of what you can add into your elopement day from picnics, to dancing, to cakes, to local treats, to bubbly, to really anything you want.
You can also bring some sentimental cuteness from home to showcase in your Iceland elopement.
Do you need to wear white on your Iceland elopement?
If you haven’t picked it up by now, eloping is the most awesome way to reject any mainstream, status quo premise to do what the fuck you actually want to do, and, your wedding attire is no different. There are no rules when it comes to eloping except that you have a really great adventure and marry the love of your life, that’s it!
So, no, you don’t need to wear white on your Iceland elopement! In fact, not wearing white can be a really special detail of your day, and, in your elopement photos. A few years back, one of my brides wore a yellow dress that her husband’s grandmother and her mother made for her, together. From scratch. HOW SPECIAL IS THAT?!?!
If you don’t want to wear white, you really shouldn’t! Not wearing white will open up more opportunities for you to find what you feel comfy in. It also serves as a really great pop of color while you’re in the very earthy, natural colors that Iceland has to offer.
So, if you don’t want to wear white on your elopement then I say don’t!
Is it ok to not go over the top with decor rentals and have a low-key, adventurous elopement in Iceland instead?
Not only is it ok. it is my preferred way to facilitate elopements. Renting decor, tables, chairs, and an arch set up, all of these things weigh down the vibe and feeling of the day.
It’s quite hard to adventure and have your day look like you are authentically out in nature if there is decor hanging around (that is just waiting to get blown over by the wind).
You absolutely can if your heart is set on it. But if it’s not, don’t feel the pressure that wedding magazines show styled (sometimes not real) weddings with all sorts of decorations if that really isn’t your thing.
My couples just love to not be tied down to anything, to have the freedom to change our plans as the weather calls for it, and to truly be flexible with their day. Having a lot of rentals and a whole setup (which, would mean more people to hire, and more things to pay for) is just not their thing. Nor mine.
What is the best time of year to elope in Iceland or visit Iceland?
This is probably the most common question I get asked. Either ‘what is the best time of year to elope in Iceland’ or ‘what time of year is the best to visit Iceland?’
My answer might not be the most helpful because I think ANY time of year is awesome in Iceland. Why?
Each month, each season in Iceland offers something totally unique that the other months or seasons don’t. So, depending on what you are really looking for to experience on your elopement day and trip, that will dictate what answer I give you.
In the elopement planning phase with my couples, we will go over this to make sure the day we are putting together fits their dreams, wants, and vibe.
What I can tell you now to hopefully help a bit more on what time of year to elope in Iceland is best:
Elope in Iceland in the summer between June-August.
The sun is up most or all of the day.
Our highlands are open generally at the end of June/ Early July.
The snow has melted, wildflowers start blooming and the green has started coming back.
PROS:
The all-day sun also called the Midnight Sun, some more locations to adventure are open. Snow is melted. The temperature is our warmest and the weather is the mildest.
CONS:
It is our busiest time of the year, so even going to remote areas like the Highlands doesn’t mean you will find privacy.
2024 is estimated to have over 2.3 MILLION tourists and 2025 to have 2.5 MILLION here (to our tiny 300k-ish population!), with a majority of them coming from May-Oct. So. something to keep in mind.
And, no northern lights.
Elope in Iceland in the Autumn between September-November
This is when the Autumn colors start to come out and the sun begins to set again.
Really, you could also consider this only in September and October, because if we are having a cold winter, winter will start in October.
PROS:
The colors are my favorite. The sun starts setting again. The rain gets more frequent and the sun is low again so that means RAINBOWS! The Northern Lights can be seen.
CONS:
The rain can be frequent. It is still generally busy here. The Highlands roads start closing.
The sunlight hours get very slim starting in November.
Elope in Iceland in the winter between December-March
This is when the snow is at it’s heaviest .
The sunlight is very few hours a day.
The northern lights are easier to see. Untouched winter wonderland snow!
PROS:
The snow, I love the look of the snow on our mountains and the vast untouched fields. During the Christmas season, everything is SO festive. Some waterfalls freeze which is a great look and ice caves open up, snowmobiling on glaciers and on land.
The sun is so low is a beautiful pink basically all day long.
CONS:
The snow haha It is beautiful but does cut off location options. The sun is very short during the day. Christmas to New Years is one of our busiest times all year. February is pretty grey, generally.
There are a lot of dark and blizzards so driving is the most difficult.
Elope in Iceland in the spring between April-May
This is when the snow starts to melt so the ground is not fully green yet but the sun is up for longer. It’s before our tourist season so a little less busy. Rainbows come back.
PROS:
Typically less tourists, however the past two years have been exceptionally busy.
The snow is melting or melted in areas so more hiking options.
The waterfalls start to thaw if they were frozen.
You can still see the northern lights, it’s the last time in the year to see them.
CONS:
The weather is pretty unpredictable here.
It could be great! It could be a blizzard!
It is def an adventure.
So, as you can see, they all offer something different.
When you schedule your call with me, I can help you pick the exact time of year to elope in Iceland that will match the feel and vibe you want for your Iceland elopement.
Best locations to elope in Iceland.
here is a locals perspective about the same iceland locations you see basically everyone else listing and why I take my couples to other MAJESTICAL areas for their iceland elopement.
Iceland is literally nothing more than one epic location after another, However, I am sure you are thinking ‘then why do I see the same locations listed over and over and over?’…
Right?
My couples eloping in Iceland value being the type of people who zig when other’s zag, go against the grain kind of folk.
(Hence, why they are eloping in Iceland in the first place).
The couples who come to me to help them elope in Iceland are the type of people who want:
off-the-beaten-path Iceland locations for their elopement.
To not be the ones elopement location scouting on the internet and love having a custom Iceland elopement location itinerary built for them from someone who lives in Iceland.
they want to say their elopement vows privately without a crowd of strangers watching them.
Now that you have decided to elope in Iceland, you are probably researching locations for your Iceland elopement.
You probably have seen on *counts fingers, gestures everywhere on the internet* :
Skógafoss Waterfall. By the way, ‘foss’ means waterfall so we just call it Skógafoss. Skógafoss is majestic and I truly love her. She is a sight to be seen but is often very, very busy. Perhaps camping there one night, instead!
Seljalandsfoss is so fun and another well-visited location. This year I was showing my family a South Coast tour and went and the line to get behind her was so long it went back to the parking lot!
Black Sand Beach. This is actually called Reynisfjara. This beach is seriously out-of-this-world cool and it’s really a special spot to visit and feel. It’s no wonder it gets voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world year after year. The waves are so, so powerful that they are quite dangerous. It’s also insanely busy all year round and I personally have a few other black sand beaches that dare I say, I like better and offer privacy.
Gljúfrabú waterfall. This is a cool little waterfall for sure to see. It used to be a ‘secret’ but it is pretty known now. I love it as a location to see on your own time vs an elopement because there is often a line to get into the cave. In order to see it, there is a little stream you must wade (which, if it’s been raining can be pretty high), so only 1-2 people can go in or out at a time. Once in, it’s really cool! But also very wet. This means you would be wet the rest of the day and wet + Iceland cold = not a great time in wedding clothes.
Kvernufoss is a really beautiful waterfall next to Skógafoss which I used to go to before the secret got out. It was a nice little hike to this little secret valley with Kvernufoss at the end. This one is still cool to see, but, it’s become super busy. The path has been paved and widened, part of the mountain you had to hike up has been torn down to make it easier, and big tour buses stop there now. I do really love this place, but again for my eloping couples who want more privacy and less buses, this isn’t it anymore.
Not trying to shit in anyone’s cereal, I just want you to know the reality of some of these locations and how to plan to see them!Kirkjufell and/ or Kirkjufellsfoss (not, Kirkjufoss). This is the most photographed mountain in all of Iceland! I think it’s so cool and looks like the sorting hat in Harry Potter! It also was used in Game of Thrones which really put her on the map past just the photos seen with Kirkjufellsfoss (the waterfall across the road where you can get Kirkjufell in the background.). I truly love it as the nerd I am.
As you can imagine, being the most photographed mountain in Iceland, it’s pretty busy. However, if you wanted a private Kirkjufell ceremony vs just a stop-by, we can make it happen.Sólheimajökull glacier tongue. This area is AWESOME, honestly. It’s really cool to witness, I go there often just to sit. However, for an elopement, I think it could be hit-or-miss as the crowds are pretty large. You always need a guided tour with a certified glacier guide in order to get on the ice or in the ice and getting too close could be dangerous with ice collapse.
If you wanted some glaciers, I prefer a private or group-guided ice cave tour elopement, instead, at a different glacier.Sólheimasandur plane ‘wreck’. Alright, here’s the thing, this wasn’t a plane wreck, it was a safe landing by the US. It is a long hike out there, or you can pay for a bus now. It is always very busy, and personally, I just don’t get it. It’s beach trash, really. If you are walking it, especially when there is snow on the ground, it’s very easy to get lost and go off course which can be fatal. Honestly, we have SO MUCH incredible nature I don’t see why taking 2 hours out of your day for rusty metal on a beach is worth it.
Jökulsárlón aka The Glacier Lagoon and across from it is Diamond Beach. These are very, very cool to visit, absolutely (pun intended). They are places that an elopement, or the type of elopement my couples are looking for, doesn’t offer. They are incredibly busy any time of year and the drive out there is not the best for an elopement itinerary. My couples want privacy, lots of locations, less driving more hiking, and this area doesn’t offer that.
I could keep going but I think you get my drift.
I have many reasons for avoiding these spots, mainly that they are some of the most visited locations here, and the couples who come to me want off-the-beaten-path. The exception: I know of private areas within a few of those we can get away to have as your elopement backdrop.
I do suggest you see these places while you’re in Iceland (and then some), for sure. These Iceland locations are all popular for a reason- they are beautiful.
But, for your Iceland elopement, there are much better options that will fit your low-key, off-the-beaten-path,
‘the fewer people watching us the better’ vibe.
So, where should you go instead? I personally have hundreds, and I mean hundreds, of locations I have scouted and love going to. These are the areas I hand-pick for my couples on their day.
There are so many spots on:
the Reykjanes peninsula,
in West Iceland,
Northern Iceland,
Central Iceland,
the islands surrounding Iceland,
lesser-known areas in Southern Iceland,
and East Iceland.
In fact, there are too many to name, so when you hire me as your Iceland elopement elf, I will hand-tailor your locations to you.
Why I’m not listing ‘secret’ Iceland locations for your elopement and keep that knowledge for my booked elopement couples
This is something that is part of my exclusive service I offer to my couples and is something I keep dear to my heart. I’ve spent many years, thousands of hours, lots of money for petrol and travel, and more really looking for amazing areas that are not only beautiful but will match my couples’ vibes. I follow and believe in the Leave No Trace principles and to do no harm to our environment.
I’ve seen so many locations get geotagged, over run, and not visited responsibly. Once the locations and areas become popular, they change forever. The paths get paved, land gets bulldozed, parking lots go in, ropes go up, so on and so forth.
Which don’t get me wrong is great for some spots to be more accessible, but, I want to keep Iceland wild and not put out these spots into the ether of the internet. My couple’s 100% understand and want the best for the nature, too.
Iceland is a place to be experienced in person as it unfolds in real time for you.
How to get legally married in Iceland as a foreigner
and the paperwork to elope in Iceland
This is also something I help my couples with- the pros and cons of the paperwork of legally eloping in Iceland.
The pro is obviously a super cool marriage certificate from Iceland and getting legally married at the same time you are saying your vows. The cons, it can be a little bit of a headache getting the right documents you need from home. I can say that this is the only actual ‘potentially stressful’ part of eloping in Iceland should you go this route.
How to do it
You both must be 18yrs or older to get married in Iceland.
If you have been married before must show documentation of proof of divorce.
If you are a widower, you must show a decree that the estate of the deceased has been finalized.
All documents must be handed in as the original paperwork and not a photocopy.
All documents must be submitted 3 weeks prior to your ceremony. You can email the documents first and then turn in the physical copy once you get there.
If your country of origin has paperwork that is not in English or another Scandinavian language, you must have an accompanying translation with the paperwork.
Your birth certificates and other original certificates handed in can be picked up after the wedding ceremony.
After the ceremony, it is possible to obtain your marriage certificate in English.
If you want to legally get married in Iceland you need an officiant. This officiant does not need to be a part of any religion, though. You can even pick a priest from the Nordic Pagan or a Humanist.
You do not need a church to get married in Iceland, you can get married anywhere out in nature and a permit is not required.
If you want to get married inside a church, there are hundreds to choose from. From giant churches in Reykjaviík to tiny churches in the countryside.
If you don’t want a church wedding, we can go outside and hike and have a tent wedding. There are so many options!
You can see more here, in this Iceland Marriage Paperwork Guide. Couples who hire me, also get more guidance on this, and, more often than not they opt to do the paperwork back home.
What does it cost to elope in Iceland, and, what to budget for you Iceland elopement.
This topic is as vast as the landscapes in Iceland.
It’s the same as asking how much a trip to NYC costs. It will all depend on what you want to DO when you are in NYC, what foods you want to eat, what entertainment you want to enjoy, and what kinds of accommodations you want to stay in. Just like anything else you’re looking to purchase, you get what you pay for which is why there are so many ranges.
A trip to Iceland and your Iceland elopement vendors are no different.
The costs for an Iceland elopement and trip vary WIDELY depending on what you want to experience. Not everyone is looking to have the cheapest elopement and honeymoon possible.
Actually, most of my couples are not looking for how to shrink their iceland elopement experience, but, how to have the iceland elopement experience of their lives.
What are the costs of eloping in Iceland?
Getting to Iceland for your elopement
Flights: $500 - $1500 USD per person. Flights to Iceland vary depending if you are flying to Iceland from the US, the UK, Australia, etc.
In flight meals: $20 USD each or free depending on airline.
Water in Iceland: FREE. it’s the best water, Fill your reusable bottle to the right, near the 1st restrooms after exiting the gates.
Airport Transfer bus from KEF: $35 USD per person, per way.
While in Iceland for your elopement
Car Rental: $600 - $2000 USD for a week depending on the type of car you rent.
Petrol (gas): $120 - $180 USD per tank depending on type of petrol, tank, etc.
Food, drinks, and other yummy things: $100- $300 USD per day, or less, depending on how fancy or unfunny you want to be.
Accommodation in Iceland: $120 - $1,000 USD per night depending on if you want a regular hotel, little cabin, AirBNB, or luxury boutique hotel.
Misc. Items while in Iceland: $$However much you want to spend on gifts, a wool lopapeysa, excursions, etc.
Water to drink while in Iceleand: FREE. Please bring a reusable water bottle here in Iceland to refill it in our sinks. It’s the same water you would be buying and better for our environment we must protect.
Costs for Eloping in Iceland
Local Photographer or Videographer: $3000 - $5500 USD for a photographer who is mostly hands-off, just photo.
Local Iceland Elopement Photo Wizard, Wedding Yoda, and Elopement Fairy Godmother (that’s me): $8,000 - $25,000+ USD for a bespoke elopement experience with connection, hands-on planning, and day of coordination.
Other Iceland Elopement Vendors: $250 - $650 USD for hair & makeup, florals, Celebrant, etc.
Misc Eloping in Iceland costs: $35 USD - $500 USD for legal marriage paperwork, special details to add, etc.
The really cool thing about choosing to elope in Iceland instead of having a conventional wedding is that you won’t have the costs of a conventional wedding.
You can put that towards your Iceland elopement and honeymoon vacation and still spend less but have a much more epic time.
The costs for an Iceland elopement and honeymoon can vary from a few thousand to tens of thousands. Again, it’s really all about what YOU want to experience and remember.
My couples tend to spend around $15k-$20k+ for their entire experience which includes everything they need for their elopement and staying in Iceland for about a week afterward to explore. Not bad considering the average spend for a conventional wedding in NYC is about $50,000.
Can you do it for less? absolutely.
It all depends on:
what do you want to do when you are in Iceland, excursions or not
what type of skills and experience the vendors you hire offer,
what kind of food do you want to eat here, hotdogs vs restaurants
where do you want to say, a hotel vs a van
what entertainment do you want when here, we have concerts and movies and whale watching and so on
what kind of drinks do you want, alcohol or not
how much do you want to spend on your elopement attire, boots, and details?
It really all depends on what YOU want to experience and then going out and getting it.
What to do after Eloping in Iceland on your Iceland honeymoon.
One of the biggest perks of eloping in Iceland is the fact that, stay with me now, you’re in Iceland. This means you are CONVENIENTLY in Iceland for your honeymoon!
There are so many things to do here after your elopement. Most of my couples opt to drive around the circumference of Iceland in either direction, which I think is the most ‘bang for your buck’ option.
There are also SO many experiences you can join like glacier hiking, a helicopter ride over an active volcano, whale watching, glacier climbing, Northern Lights tours, tours into the Highlands, and so on and so on. So many things.
Here is another resource to check out if you were looking to add something other than driving around Iceland, clockwise or counterclockwise, and seeing or hiking as many places as possible.
Iceland elopement packages
Iceland elopement packages, just like the entirety of the wedding industry, vary from vendor to vendor, photographer to photographer. In your search for getting your dream Iceland elopement day off the ground and into your reality, I’m sure you have noticed this.
Can be confusing, right?
I hear you. I’ve been in the industry for 16 years, going on my 17th in 2023 so I have SEEN IT ALL. And, I know that Iceland elopement packages not only differ in what they include and the service but also in the human offering the service. So, with that being said….
The industry standard way of offering Iceland Elopement Packages is to offer fixed experiences and have you pick one of the packages.This is also why the pricing for most of these packages are relatively in the same range.
You might even see in some other Iceland Elopement Guides there are some packages listed with what is included to have you pick one. I don’t do it that way.
Instead, my Iceland elopement packages are totally tailored to my couple’s dreams, wants, needs, and feeling they want for the day. SAY WHAT, how amazing is that?
All of my packages vary in cost, and, include what the couple will need to make their day how they want it. However, despite that, all packages include:
My planning assistance
All logistical assistance such as timeline creation
A custom location adventure itinerary from my proprietary process
An online gallery to download images and share with no image number restriction
A plethora of resources
A personal touch and feeling and never a corporate vibe.
Me and my magic. :)
These Iceland elopement packages are for at least a full day (6+ hours) and typically range from $9,000 to $20,000+ depending on what the couple wants. But no matter the package, I am always your triple threat of planning assistant, coordinator, and photographer (plus weathervane, a friend in Iceland, and Elopement Yoda).
Meeting me, your Iceland Elopement Fairy Godmother, Wedding Yoda, and Photo Wizard
And finally, what brings me to wrap up this whole Ultimate Iceland Elopement Guide 2023 for Unconventional Couples is….
Drum roll pleaseeeee….. it’s me!
Hey, I’m Steph! AKA Your Elopement Fairy Godmother, Wedding Yoda, and Photo Wizard.
You can think of me as all three wrapped into one.
YOU’LL HAVE AN ADVENTURE PLANNER, DAY OF ADVENTURE COORDINATOR, AND (LOTS-O-AWARDS WINNING) PHOTOGRAPHER.
I’m an Iceland Elopement Photographer & Planner located in Reykjavík with a hunger for travel. Most call me their ‘Elopement Yoda’, or ‘unicorn’. It’s my job to uncover what your dream wedding is… then bring it to reality.
During your experience, I will never make you feel like you need to be a certain way or have your wedding fit into any boxes. I’ll never make you pick your adventure out of a pre-made list. Instead, I create a custom day for you with one-of-a-kind photos to go along with it.
Iceland is a place full of magic and elves and I’ve come to know it as home. I want to share my home with you in a way that makes you feel like it’s yours, too. I’ll take the time to get to know exactly who you guys are and the adventure you’re after.
My exclusive elopement planning process gets into the details so you don’t have to.
YOU’LL KNOW WHERE WE ARE AT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY SO THAT BY THE TIME YOU GET HERE, YOU’LL HAVE THE TRIP OF YOUR DREAMS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.
I’m an Iceland local who’s obsessed with our nature, adventure, and doing things a bit differently.
I would love to be your adventure guide as you elope in Iceland and create a bespoke elopement experience for you.
And that's a wrap! I hope this guide was helpful in sparking some inspiration for your own elopement in Iceland.
As you can see, eloping in Iceland is the adventure of a lifetime for so many reasons. It's an otherworldly place full of magic, peace, and some of the most varied landscapes on Earth. And yeah - the locals are amazing too.
If you're looking for an adventurous, low-key, sentimental, totally ‘you two’ type of day, here’s how to get started on your elopement adventure:
If all of this sounds like you, contact me to see if we are a good fit.
On our call, you can tell me your dreams you have and problems you want help solving. I’ll create custom packages for you to match.
You pick your package and officially book with me.
We get to planning and you immediately get my help right into your inbox!
That’s it! Looking forward to meeting you!
xoxo Steph