Why Iceland is The Best Place to Elope | Iceland Elopement Photographer, Planner, and Expert
Why Iceland is The Best Place to Elope | Iceland Elopement Photographer, Planner, and Expert
If you’re looking for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime elopement experience, Iceland is the best place to be.
Firstly, chances are, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already thought long and hard about the reasons why an elopement might be for you—to save money for a badass honeymoon, avoid the hassle of planning a huge event, or spend the day focused on what matters most (your love for each other, of course)—and now you’re ready to find the perfect place to make it official.
Iceland is the best place to elope if you want to opt out of a big, traditional wedding.
One of the BEST things about opting out of the big wedding experience is that it tends to open up travel options for destination elopements. In this case, choosing the best place to elope will be one of the biggest decisions you have to make, and I’m here to make it super easy because seriously, Iceland is the place to elope!
When it comes to destination elopements, an Iceland elopement offers a singular experience that no other place in the world offers.
I may be a bit biased, but as an Iceland elopement photographer and planner, I could gush all day about all the reasons adventurous couples love getting married here. I get the same feedback, time and again from my clients—Iceland is the place to elope because it leaves everybody in awe every moment they are here! It’s the perfect place for couples who want a unique wedding experience full of majestic, mind-blowing landscapes, engaging culture, and big, romantic adventure.
An Iceland Elopement Can Be Anything You Want It To Be
Iceland’s scenery is unlike any other place in the world. People visit here multiple times and discover new places every time they return. Seriously, it never ceases to amaze me! Giant waterfalls, snowy ice caves, awe-inspiring mountaintops, stunning cliffs and beaches, magnificent glaciers, colorful geothermal areas...the variety of landscapes that you can explore in a single trip—even in a single day—is hard to wrap your head around. If you’re lucky (and you visit at the right time of year), you may even get to see (and be photographed under) the Northern Lights!
When it comes to getting creative for your elopement (with my help, of course), you have so many options when it comes to doing something that nobody else has done for your elopement to make it the best it can be.
such as pre-planning a long adventure day to the perfect off-the-beaten-path location and putting your own flavor and spin on your ceremony.
What could be better than, literally, hiking around in an area all day and then spontaneously choosing a spot to drop everything and exchange your vows? Add the ability to head STRAIGHT into your honeymoon afterward—maybe drive the ring road in the warmer months, or go on a bunch of excursions (snowmobiling and glacier exploration, ice caves, multi-day highland hikes, swimming in Silfra, or whatevs) and couples will never run out of epic shit to do! Opting for a multi-day elopement (which is quite common around here) and having someone (me!!!) create and plan it for you is extra clutch. Many couples also choose to continue on to mainland Europe because it’s just a cheap and super quick flight.
As an Iceland local, I’ve spent many years exploring this beautiful island and I still find new places every time I location scout. The absolute variety here in Iceland is the best for your elopement.
I have personally scouted over 300 locations and I regularly make custom-location itineraries for my couples that nobody else knows about—not just for their elopements, but for places to visit before and after the big day comes and goes.
Something else that makes Iceland elopements unique and exciting is that you have to be prepared to roll with the punches. Along with the one-of-a-kind scenery comes unpredictable, and sometimes harsh, weather. But this is something I really love about being an Iceland elopement photographer—going full steam ahead no matter what the day has in store, and capturing moments completely unique to each couple because the weather is never the same two days in a row at the same location. It’s challenging and keeps my creative energy flowing when we have to adjust to weather from one moment to the next.
From exploring East Iceland and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, to hiking Mount Esja and Þórsmörk, there’s never a dull moment for outdoorsy couples who crave adventure and live to challenge each other to explore and truly experience life.
Icelandic Culture is Awesome.
Icelandic scenery is almost as beautiful as the people who call this island home. It's a friendly place full of passionate locals, and there’s plenty to do when you’re not out exploring the vast landscapes.
The food in Iceland is freakin’ delish. There are so many incredible restaurants and cafes that you will never get bored and your taste buds will dance a jig at every meal! Fans of craft beer or spirits will also be pleased with the number of trendy, local breweries and distilleries to visit. There’s even a beer spa! A freakin’ BEER SPA! That’s a little piece of heaven, right there!
Another Icelandic bucket list item is swimming! From geothermal pools to natural hot springs, you just have to take a dip during your honeymoon adventure here. It’s the perfect way to relax during your Iceland elopement.
Different Types of Iceland Elopement Ceremonies
There are a few common types of ceremonies my elopement couples usually go with, but all of them are simple, stress free, and adventurous:
Just me and the couple with them saying their vows
With a Celebrant (for a legal ceremony) and then the couple and I take off on an adventure.
A handful of guests and a Celebrant for the ceremony and then the couple and I take off on an adventure.
These days, there is no right or wrong when it comes to weddings. Couples are not required to make a ceremony legal (aka on paper) because most countries have rules about Common Law marriage once a couple lives together for a set amount of time.
So couples can just create and share vows with each other, performing their own commitment ceremony if that’s the route they want to go. Many of my couples also opt for legal ceremonies as well, and while most of my ceremonies are non-religious, some are religious AND I also do Norse Pagan weddings (aka a viking wedding / Ásatrú wedding).
Eloping in Iceland is adventurous, magical, and truly special. There is no where else like this on the planet.
Eloping is a magical experience that requires way less hassle, planning and drama than an extravagant wedding. However, planning an elopement can still be a bit intimidating—especially if you plan on eloping in Iceland and aren’t sure where to start.
I offer a lot more than just photography in my Iceland elopement packages. After getting to know you and hearing about your ideal elopement, I take care of all the adventure planning and am happy to make recommendations regarding vendors, places to stay, and things to do. My goal is for you to be able to go with the flow and live in the moment—to me, that’s what eloping is all about. You can learn more about my process as an Iceland elopement planner and photographer here.
I would also recommend checking out my Beginner’s Guide to Iceland. It has just about everything you need to know and more!
So, what are you waiting for? If you want to be able to brag it up to all your friends and family that you not only eloped in Iceland, but that you had the most epic adventure while you were at it (with gorgeous pictures to prove it), let’s chat!