6 General Tips for Eloping in Iceland
Follow Leave No Trace Principles. Iceland is a remote location and should be respected and preserved for future visitors. Be mindful of your literal and figurative footprint on the area!
Memorize your credit card and debit card PIN. All payment in Iceland is by card. Make sure you know what PIN is needed for each card, or you may run into issues paying.
Rent a 4x4 vehicle. This is especially true if you’re from a warm area and not used to driving in cold or difficult weather conditions. Better safe than sorry! Plus, the extra room is great for all your bags and a spare blanket.
Spend your first day at Blue or Sky Lagoon to relax after the long travel. It’s worth indulging that first day or so on relaxation. You want to be well rested and hydrated for your elopement. Take the first 24-48 hours to catch up on sleep and replenish your energy.
Have flexible expectations. There are many unpredictable factors when traveling around Iceland! A volcano might erupt and close half the island, or snowfall might make driving impossible for a day.
Be prepared (mentally and physically) for all 4 seasons in one day. Have thermal layers under your wedding attire and be ready to layer up and down as needed.
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What is the best time of year for eloping in Iceland?
#1 Summer: June, July and August
June, July and August are the best months for eloping in Iceland. They bring the mildest, driest temperatures and long days. The foliage is green from spring showers and roads are all clear and accessible. Tourism peaks during this time, so be aware that the most common locations will be packed and you’ll need to book things far in advance.
Fall: September, October
The fall shoulder season is also a great time to visit Iceland if you’re okay with shorter days and cooler, rainier temperatures. It can still be quite busy in Iceland during this time, but not nearly as much as midsummer. You have a chance of spotting the northern lights as well.
Spring: late April, May, June
Snow turns to rain and the days get longer during these months. May is not ideal for eloping in Iceland, but late June can be pleasant. There is more wildlife about during these months as they wake up from winter.
Winter: November, December, January, February, March, most of April
The cold and wintry season in Iceland starts early and runs late. For most people’s tolerance, “winter” starts in November and lasts through April. I don’t recommend these months for eloping in Iceland unless you specifically want cold, snowy, icy days. Keep in mind, November through February are especially dark, with only 4-5 hours of sunlight, or none at all at the highest latitudes. The trade off is these are the best months for spotting the northern lights.
What are the best months for spotting the northern lights in Iceland?
First, remember that you need nighttime conditions to see the lights. That means the weeks around midsummer, which have no true nighttime, are out of the question. During those months, “night” is just an endless twilight. In the north, the sun doesn’t set at all during midsummer.
Ideally, if you want to see the northern lights, you should go in winter when the country is darkest. Those are the months of November through February. Keep in mind though, these months are defined by harsh cold, blowing snow and long, icy nights. For your elopement, you may not find this trade off worth it, so consider the pros and cons carefully!
Iceland Elopement Planning Guide: 3 best regions for eloping in Iceland
The Western Peninsula/Snaeflsnes
You don’t need to leave western Iceland to see some of the country's best views. This is a great option for those who don’t want to drive much, and would rather stay close to the capital, Reykjavik.
Noteworthy locations:
Snæfellsjökull National Park
Arnarstapi
The Black Church
Thermal springs, lava tubes, and caves
Southwest Iceland
A little further from the capital, the southernmost tip of Iceland has a cluster of waterfalls, glacier lagoons and beaches.
Noteworthy locations:
Yoda Cave
Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss
Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks:
Thingvellir National Park
Southeast Iceland
The southeastern edge of the country has Vatnajökull National Park and another cluster of sightseeing hotspots.
Noteworthy locations:
Stokksnes black sand beach
Vatnajökull National Park
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Iceberg Beach
Canyons
Where to stay for your Iceland elopement
Airbnbs, Hotels and Unique Stays
Glass House Cottage with Private Hot Tub
The Hilltop House with Private Natural Hot Spring
Skálalot Boutique Hotel and Farm
Airbnbs:
Pros: entire homes and cottages with full amenities available. Some of the stays are incredibly unique, offering you more space and privacy.
Cons: not necessarily cheaper and won’t have the service of a hotel.
Hotels:
Pros: 24/7 service, attached restaurants and spa/wellness areas
Cons: price; hotels will be the most expensive of your options
Camper vans
If you are someone who is used to or enjoys vanlife, or wants to save a bit of money on accommodation and food, then a camper is a great alternative.
Pros: price, mobility and flexibility. There are many places to park in Iceland, making you extremely close to hiking areas and giving you the most flexibility possible for chasing the best weather.
Cons: no direct service or concierge to give you tips, not the most comfortable option, still more expensive than you’d think - and don’t forget the cost of gas!
Activities for your Iceland elopement day
This Iceland elopement planning guide wouldn’t be complete without a list of awesome activities to consider. All the below activities make for fun, organic moments that photographs great. Activities add excitement and diversity to your elopement day, so if you’re not big hikers, you can mix and match a few smaller activities instead. Indulging in multiple activities and/or multiple locations will make your elopement super memorable, and the photos really distinct.
Get steamy in some hot springs
Get off the beaten path in a super Jeep
Stay out to hunt the Northern Lights and a starry sky
Chase waterfalls
A traditional viking ceremony
Hike any number of incredible trails
Take a 4x4 out
Roam around an ice cave
Ride (or just pet) some Icelandic horses
Touch glacier ice at an iceberg lagoon
Picnic on a black sand beach
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Must Have Packing Checklist for Iceland Elopements
Handwarmers, footwarmers, full body warmers - thank me later
Nude Leggings (to keep on under your dress)
White gloves, hat, scarf, shawl etc. to layer with your dress
A red lipstick and tinted lip balm. When your lips turn blue, it’s hard to edit in photos. You may both need a little color in your lips if you tend to get cold easily!
Base layers, down layers, waterproof layers
Waterproof shoes and hiking boots
Thick body lotion for your hands and skin
Wool Socks
Looking for an elopement photographer familiar with Iceland?
Hi, I’m Nicole!
I’m an adventure elopement photographer who has lots of experience shooting in Iceland.
If you have any questions about planning an Iceland elopement, reach out to me through my contact form below!
CONTACT ME FOR INFORMATION ABOUT ICELAND ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY
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The content in this blog was written, researched and curated by Mariah Arianna, copywriter for photographers and creatives