Iceland Elopement Guide: Plan an Adventure Elopement in Iceland
Iceland truly is one of the most magical places in the world – with cascading waterfalls around every corner, stunning glaciers, dramatic moody beaches, and just endless vast, remote, breathtaking scenery, it’s one of the best places on earth for an adventure elopement! If you want to tie the knot in a way that feels meaningful instead of overwhelming, and intentional instead of forced – an adventure instead of a party – this Iceland elopement guide will tell you how to create your one of a kind wedding day.
Getting to Your Iceland Elopement
Iceland is a remote island country just north of the Arctic circle. To get here, you’ll need to fly – there’s one major airport, the Keflavík International Airport, and international flights will land there.
One tip for visiting Iceland is that if you fly many flights to other destinations in Europe have a layover in Iceland, and if you fly IcelandAir, you can do a stopover in Iceland for up to seven days! This way, you can visit multiple destinations in one trip, while saving money on flights.
Once you’re in Iceland, a car is the best way to get around. There is good public transport in the bigger cities (which are spread out and pretty far from each other), but to get to hikes, viewpoints, and the most scenic spots, it’s best to rent a car – and having 4×4 will mean you can explore further.
The Best Time for an Iceland Elopement
One of the first steps in planning your Iceland elopement is deciding on a date! Iceland is a country with really dramatic weather, so the time of year you decide to get married in will definitely be important.
Winters are harsh in Iceland, with snow, stormy weather, and frequent road closures or unsafe driving conditions. It will be cold, but the landscapes do look beautiful covered in ice and snow. Winters also mean long, dark nights – and while there is little daylight, this is an amazing time to see the Aurora Borealis.
As snow starts to melt, spring makes the landscapes look lush and green. Weather is still unpredictable this time of year, and many places in higher elevation areas will still be snow covered until summer. But, there are fewer people around than there will be in the summer!
The best time for an Iceland elopement, for most couples, will be summer – the weather is much warmer, and the sun is out more often. Rain is still frequent, so you’ll definitely need to be prepared for that, but the weather is definitely the best for hikes and outdoor activities this time of year. The days are longest in June, with some areas of the country getting 24 hours of sunlight!
Iceland has one main road – the Ring Road – that goes around the island, close to the coast most of the way. But there are also F Roads – mountain roads – that take you inland and into the most remote, wild places in the country. These roads are closed for most of the year due to snow, and they usually open mid-June, but this depends on the weather, which can vary each year. The roads usually start closing towards the end of September – so if you want to take some adventures into the highlands of Iceland, eloping in the summer is definitely best for you!
Fall can be another good time for an Iceland elopement, as it’s less popular with visitors than summer. Early fall is often still warm, but weather gets more unpredictable as the season goes on.
The Best Iceland Elopement Locations
Iceland is known for its jaw dropping scenery, and when choosing a place to elope, you have just about endless options! Here are a few ideas for the best Iceland elopement locations.
WATERFALLS
Iceland has thousands upon thousands of waterfalls – so if exchanging vows with water roaring around you sounds like your thing, you have plenty to choose from. Skógafoss is one of the most popular waterfalls, for good reason, but there are plenty of lesser known spots too.
BEACHES
The beaches in Iceland aren’t great for swimming or sunbathing, but they do offer some pretty incredible, unique scenery. There are several black sand beaches, including Reynisfjara – the popular beach with black basalt columns lining the shore!
GLACIERS
Iceland has lots of glaciers, ice caves, and opportunities for glacier hikes and climbs. Some of the best glacier elopement locations include Jökulsárlón and the glacier lagoon in front of it, famous for its floating icebergs, and Vatnajökull, which is the largest glacier in all of Europe!
HIGHLANDS
Renting a 4×4 car and driving down the F roads will get you to the most remote places, where you can find wilderness with very few people around! These places require long, bumpy rides, but are so worth it. Some of the best Iceland elopement locations in the highlands include Landmannalaugar, and the Askja crater.
How to Legally Elope in Iceland
To get legally married during your Iceland elopement, you’ll need to submit all of your documents at least three weeks in advance (but processing times can depend on the office, so check with them, and do this as soon as possible). This can be done via email, but you’ll need to bring the originals with you to Iceland.
You’ll need a marriage notification, which is like a marriage license in the US. You’ll also need to submit birth certificates, passports, and a Certificate of No Impediment. The certificate states that there is no legal reason that you can’t get married – this is typically the hardest step for US couples, the US doesn’t offer these certificates, but you can usually get an affidavit that states that you’re not married.
Cost of Eloping in Iceland
Planning an adventure elopement usually results in saving money – because compared to a traditional wedding, you’re spending less while investing more in the things you care about. Budget is definitely a factor in planning any wedding day, so the cost of eloping in Iceland might be a consideration.
Iceland isn’t a cheap country to visit – because it’s an island, everything has to be imported, which means prices for groceries, gas, and other essentials are pretty high compared to the United States.
Flights from major airports in the United States usually range from $600 – $1000 during the peak season (summer), but you can often find deals. Other big expenses will be a rental car and a place to stay.
Overall, Iceland is one of the more expensive countries to elope in, but not as expensive as a traditional wedding, and if eloping somewhere with jaw dropping views is a priority, it’s an incredible place.
Iceland Elopement Packages
If you’re dreaming of an adventure elopement, Iceland is the perfect place. My job as an elopement photographer is to help you create your own adventure – from finding the perfect elopement location to helping you get all the right paperwork.
To learn more about Iceland elopement packages, contact me!
