Iceland Elopement Guide: Unveiling the Magic - How to Elope in the Land of Fire and Ice
Iceland is an absolute dream destination - with some of the most incredible scenery in the world, endless beauty, and plenty of remote places to explore, it makes for a great place to tie the knot. It’s also one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly elopement destinations in the world!
You can choose from glaciers, waterfalls, black sand beaches, volcanoes, and so much more for your ceremony backdrop, so if you want to elope in Iceland, this guide is for you! We’ll talk about everything you need to know to get married in Iceland.
Set a Date for Your Iceland Elopement
Iceland is known for having some truly wild weather! While you can elope in Iceland year round, the experience you have will definitely be very different depending on the seasons.
Weather in Iceland
Summer is the best time to elope in Iceland if you want to hike or spend time outdoors, and July and August are usually your best bet for sunshine. Even then, Iceland’s weather is often wild and unpredictable! It rains pretty often, though summers are typically drier and you can get lucky with some sunny days.
It’s also important to know that if you want to head inland and explore the Highlands - Iceland’s remote, mountainous areas, the mountain roads are often only accessible in the summer! You will need a 4x4 to get there, and when they open and close depends on the weather and when the snow melts. Typically, they start opening up in May, and most roads will be open by July. They start closing in September, and most will be closed by the end of October.
Fall can be an underrated time to elope in Iceland - since summer is the busiest, waiting a little can give you some more privacy as you explore. Early fall weather is usually still warm, but often more rainy, and you can explore Iceland without the crowds!
Winter is harsh - but if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can have a unique elopement adventure. Nights are very long in the winter, but this means that you’re very likely to spot the Northern Lights. If you love snow, Iceland can be a lot of fun! But, be aware that in bad storms, a lot of the roads may close.
Spring, along with fall, can be a good time to tie the knot during shoulder season, when it’s not so busy! Weather usually starts to warm up in late spring, so while you’ll probably still get some rain, it can be a nice time to explore and see the waterfalls in full force.
Avoiding Crowds When You Elope in Iceland
Iceland has become a pretty popular destination for travelers. It’s easy to see why, but you probably want a little more privacy when you exchange vows! There are a few things you can do to avoid crowds when you elope in Iceland.
First, choosing an off the beaten path elopement location helps a ton! Places around the Ring Road (Iceland’s main highway) are often really popular, especially those in the south. If you head north, or go into the Highlands, you’ll get away from a lot of the hustle and bustle!
Being intentional with your wedding date is also a way to avoid crowds - summer is the busiest, so consider eloping right before or right after the peak. I also recommend tying the knot on a weekday, and planning your ceremony for sunrise or sunset!
The Best Places to Elope in Iceland
Everywhere you look in Iceland, there’s a beautiful view - so narrowing it down and choosing where to exchange vows can be a challenge! My job as an elopement photographer is to help you find the perfect spot, so each couple will get a personalized list of location recommendations that are a little off the beaten path. But until then, here are a few of the best places to elope in Iceland to help you start brainstorming!
A Waterfall
Iceland is known for its waterfalls - just driving down the highway, you’ll see one around every turn! The rushing water and dramatic cascade of a waterfall makes a gorgeous elopement backdrop, and you can choose from easy to reach spots to waterfalls that you need to hike to. Skogafoss is a popular, and beautiful waterfall not far from Reykjavik, and nearby you’ll find a short hike to the more secluded Kvernufoss!
A Black Sand Beach
Iceland’s beaches are dramatic, with black pebbles and lava rock formations on the shore. The most famous black sand beach in Iceland is Reynisfjara, but you can find plenty of more secluded beaches around the country! Beaches in Iceland aren’t the kind you’ll want to sunbathe on, but they offer a really unique view.
A Glacier
Tie the knot at the bottom of a glacier, or take an excursion and trek on the ice! There are lots of glaciers and ice caves to explore, and they make for some of the best places to elope in Iceland. Jökulsárlón is an amazing place, home to the famous Diamond Beach, where you can see pieces of ice floating off into the ocean.
How to Get Legally Married When You Elope in Iceland
To make things official in the eyes of the government, you’ll need to do some paperwork! All of your documents need to be in English or in a Scandinavian language, so if yours is in a different language, it’ll need to be translated. You’ll need to send copies of these documents to the National Registry Office in Reykjavik at least three weeks in advance, then you’ll need to show originals 5 business days before the ceremony.
Here’s what you need:
Marriage notification - this form can be obtained at the office
Birth certificate
Certificate of No Impediment - this certificate states that you’re unmarried and are able to get married. Some US states don’t have this document available, but you can ask about alternatives!
Proof of divorce or death of former spouse, if applicable
Passports
Things to Do When You Elope in Iceland
Eloping, especially abroad and somewhere as beautiful as Iceland, means that the ceremony is just one small part of your experience! You’ll likely be combining your wedding day with your honeymoon, so plan some amazing adventures during your stay. Here are some ideas for things to do when you elope in Iceland!
Go Hiking
Iceland has some of the most incredible landscapes in the world, and you can hike through mountains, on glaciers, behind waterfalls, through lava rocks, and so much more! If you love outdoor adventures, be sure to check out some of Iceland’s trails.
Snorkel Between Tectonic Plates
One unique adventure you can have in Iceland is snorkeling (or diving, if you’re certified), between tectonic plates! At Thingvellir National Park, you can see where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates split, creating a rocky fissure. If you don’t want to get in the water, you can explore the park and see it from land too!
Take a Helicopter Tour
The landscapes look amazing from up above too! For a one of a kind elopement experience, you can take a helicopter tour and fly over glaciers, beaches, volcanoes, and more. You can even land in a completely remote spot and exchange vows there!
Iceland Elopement Packages
You deserve a wedding day that you absolutely love - and while planning a destination elopement can be a lot of work, I’m here to help! I’ll do the location scouting, give you recommendations for vendors, places to stay, and things to do, and everything you need to plan your once in a lifetime elopement in Iceland.
I’ve got you covered, to make sure that your day is stress free! If you’re ready to elope in Iceland, contact me to book a free consultation call!