Why You Should Elope In Iceland
If you’ve reached this page, chances are you’re considering how to elope in Iceland. As an Iceland Elopement Photographer it’s my passion to show as many people as possible the beauty of this ‘land of fire and ice’. I truly believe it is the most incredible place to have an elopement.
The first time I set my feet on Icelandic ground I was blown away by the beauty that was everywhere. The coastal town of Reykjavík (the largest city in Iceland) welcomes you with its native charm. Once you’ve experienced the town, you’ll hop onto the infamous Ring Road. That will take you completely around the island and shows off its vast geography. From Glaciers to black sand beaches, there are infinite amount of places to explore and wonders of the world to see.
Don’t worry if this is just the beginning to your research on considering having an Iceland elopement. I’m here to tell you all of the reasons why eloping in Iceland will be the best decision you ever make!
The vast landscape offers many different choices for where you can have your Iceland elopement
One of the coolest things about how to elope in Iceland is all of the different landscapes that are at your disposable. It ranges from gorgeous thousand foot waterfalls, to the stunning blue glaciers at Glacier Lagoon. You can visit these stunning locations during your Iceland elopement over the course of one day, to multiple. It all depends on the elopement package of your choice. If you’re curious what the best places to visit are, I’ve made a curated list below to help you envision what is possible on your wedding day!
Kirkjufell or ‘Church Mountain’.
Iceland has so many beautiful waterfalls and mountains all over the island. This duo does not disappoint. With the stunning wide landscape of lush waterfalls into a beautiful lake, and a unique mountain-scape background, it’s one of Icelands most unique geographical locations.
Skógafoss.
There are over 10,000 waterfalls on the island of Iceland. This particular one is one of the most popular spots you can visit. It’s easily accessible right off the road, and brings stunning views for amazing elopement photographs like the ones you see on this article. One downside to this option is that it’s heavily populated most of time, so except to see a lot of tourists on this stop.
Glacier Lagoon.
This picturesque wonder is formed from huge blocks of ice breaking off of the glacier just south of the lagoon. It’s also one of the shortest, yet deepest lakes in Iceland which makes it extremely unique. They offer a variety of activities and excursions around this area so you’re not limited when it comes to choices in the area for your elopement in Iceland.
Blue Lagoon.
This location is absolutely breathtaking. It’s also such a fun way to celebrate your new marriage with a relaxing soak in the lagoon. You can go for a day visit, or stay in one of their hotels that overlook the water.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
These black sand beaches on the southern coast of Iceland are home to the famous Basalt Columns. The beautiful contract of the black sand, basalt rocks, and white waves crashing in, this is a no-brainer stop for all eloping couples in Iceland.
The important reminder is that these are just a few of the many locations to choose from when it comes to places to visit in Iceland. The best part is that you aren’t limited to visiting these locations on only one day. The most common of my Iceland elopement packages that my couples choose are 2 days or more! If there are some things you’d rather do outside of your elopement package, that’s perfect too. The adventures are yours for the taking!
Multitude of activities and excursions to make your Iceland elopement memorable
If you’re wondering what it’s like to elope in Iceland, you’re likely wanting a unique experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. And while the scenery itself is something you’ll never forget, truly experiencing all that it has to offer is something entirely different. Here are just a few of my favorite Icelandic adventures for eloping couples:
One of the most fun things I have ever done while visiting Iceland is renting a Defender to explore the island. Not only is it a fun way to get around, but when it comes to taking some unique, badass photos, this vehicle is the perfect decision to add a little adventure to your Iceland elopement.
Riding an Icelandic horse is one of the coolest things you can do while eloping in Iceland. This activity is actually super popular among tourists. There are several Horse Riding Tour’s that take you all over Iceland and offer beautifully different scenic views. From volcanic mountain-side to roaming along the coast of a black sand beach, the options are endless.
Kayaking
Kayaking around Glacier Lagoon is one of the coolest experiences you can do on the island. It can make for some really awesome photos too! If you’re looking to include this experience on your elopement day, I highly recommend it. The bright red of the kayak starkly stands out from the cool blue of the water and glaciers surrounding. There are also boat tours you can take around Glacier Lagoon that are super fun as well!
There are thousands of trails you can hike all throughout Iceland in the summertime. Alltrails.com is one of the handiest tools you can use when looking at reviews of trails, and what you can expect from other fellow hikers.
Helicopter Tour
A helicopter tour is one of the most incredible adventures you could ever experience. Seeing the beautiful island of Iceland from thousands of feet in the air. It is an experience unlike any other. Getting flown to places only accessible by flight is a one-of-a-kind experience. Luckily, there are thousands of options to choose from all over the island.
When is the best time to elope in Iceland
Weather and seasons of the year is always one of the most important parts to factor in when you’re planning on eloping in Iceland. Iceland is great because the ‘seasons’ truly do give you completely different experiences when it comes to what to expect weather wise. I use the word seasons lightly though, because there truly are only minor difference to each of them. To make it easy, I am going to break it down by seasons so you can decide what would be the best for you to have your elopement. For reference – I broke it down by my least recommended season to my most recommended.
Winter (December – March)
Winter is definitely my last recommendation. As far as seasons go, having your elopement in Iceland in the winter is the hardest. To be totally transparent – it’s really hard to get great photos this time of year. In the winter, sunlight may only last for four hours per day (roughly 11am to 3pm). This makes it extremely hard to explore, get good photos, and truly enjoy your day for what it’s meant to be. The cold and snow is also a huge factor, with the average high being 32F. With January and February being the coldest months in the year, you do have a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights during this time. However there are other months/seasons outside of winter that offer this opportunity as well.
Spring (March – June)
When you think of spring, you think of blooms, birds singing, etc. While spring in Iceland can be similar to this, it’s definitely slightly different. On the plus side, you get normal daylight hours during this time of year. Exploring and going to the places you’ve always dreams is much more doable this time of year. Another plus is that flights are cheaper because tourists aren’t typically visiting the island this time of year. Keep in mind that you will still encounter snow storms that can occur until about May. However, there are certain areas that may be hard to get to depending on the snowfall this time of year. Lastly, you will start seeing those traditional springtime days towards then end of May and into June. So, later spring is an ideal time for eloping in Iceland.
Fall (September – December)
Fall brings overcast skies (great for photos) and rainy days (not so great for photos). This season that happens after summer brings you several perks for getting married during this timeframe, and also several downfalls. This is why I think spring and fall are level when it comes to what I recommend for how to elope in Iceland. The rain and wind can be a big downfall for elopements this time of year, but you can also get some of the most epic views and photos you could ever imagine. The rolling fog on the beaches and mountain tops makes for stunning backdrops. And don’t forget the even light from the cloudy days are every photographers dream. Always take note that the further into fall you get, the colder and darker it will become.
Summer (June – September)
One of the coolest things if you want to elope in Iceland in the summer is that the sun actually never truly sets from June to August. This means that you can explore the island as late as you want and give yourself as many adventures as you please without worrying about running out of daylight! The only downside to this season is the prices are definitely more expensive because everyone loves to visit this time of year. So keep in mind that popular areas will be more packed with tourists. If you can look past those two downsides, then summer is my top recommendation for having an Iceland elopement. I love this Iceland season so much I actually wrote another article all about why eloping in Iceland in the summer is must: click here for more about this topic.
When it comes to planning your Iceland elopement, remember you are not alone. This is unbelievably beautiful continent offers so much magic to every couple that chooses to elope here. This is just a small part of the planning and advice I give to all of my couples every step of the way. If you’re interested in hearing more, click the button below and let’s plan your dream Icelandic elopement!
Need An Iceland Elopement Photographer?
Hi, I’m Rachel, an Iceland Elopement Photographer that travels all around the world creating an unforgettable experience for my couples! I aim to capture the purest, most intentional moments behind my lens & I’m here to help you plan your Iceland elopement! Reach out and we can plan your stunning and adventurous Iceland Elopement!
