Eloping in Iceland
I’m not sure there is anything more drastic, moody, and stunning than an Icelandic wedding. Exchanging your weddings vows in such a beautiful location will leave you in constant shock of the beauty of the moment. Iceland has become rather accessible over the past few years due to the increased tourist demand so getting to this island in the North Atlantic isn’t as hard as it used to be. Also, it is situated in the perfect position between North America + Europe and has it’s own airline (Icelandair) which offers convenient stopover options to the island. So you can even opt to stop in Iceland for your elopement and continue to another destination in North America or Europe for your Honeymoon, there are so many options available you just need to dream it.
When planning your wedding keep in mind that the terrain and weather can vary drastically and is subject to change frequently depending on the time of year. There may be moments when you have to adjust your footwear and have the ability to climb; so keep this in mind when planning your wedding attire. Also take advantage of the scene with a dress that flows in the wind, the video + photos will be beyond epic.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
It’s one of the most iconic landscapes in Iceland, the black sand and crashing North Atlantic waves make for a very dramatic scene for your elopement. Reynisfjara Beach is located on the southern coast of Iceland, near the town of Vik.
The drastic landscape of Reynisfjara Beach has a number of locations that would be a beautiful spot to exchange your vows, there is even a stunning cave that could be the perfect shelter for your ceremony while maintaining the stunning background of the beach. Because you will be married on the beach you have to keep the tide in mind as locations can drastically change depending on the time of day and time of year. Make sure to check the tide schedules to stay safe on this beach. This beach is known for it’s heavy riptides so please visit with care and knowledge.
By no means is this location a hidden gem and is subject to high tourist traffic, so it is best to plan accordingly to avoid the crowds; it is best to arrive shortly before sunrise or sunset to avoid the heavy tourist times.
Dyrhólaey Sea Cliff
Dyrhólaey, formerly known by seamen as Cape Portland, is a small promontory located on the south coast of Iceland, not far from the village Vík. In fact, Dyrhólaey is the southernmost point in mainland Iceland.
Dyrholaey Sea Cliff offers unique panoramic ocean views is all directions. The cliff itself is an an island with a land bridge over the crashing North Atlantic waves below. From the island you can see the Myrdalsjokull glacier in one direction, and Reynisdrangar’s sea stacks in the other. This site has become another popular tourist spot so once again it is important to plan accordingly, maybe a sunrise wedding will be the ideal wedding you have always dreamed of, you may even run into the Icelandic Puffin in the process.
JÖKULSÁRLÓN Glacier Lagoon
It’s famous for a reason, and this gorgeous glacial lake is a wedding photographer’s dream - a still blue lake surrounded by national park and filled with majestic icebergs.
It takes about five hours to get there from Reykjavík. Jökulsárlón is formed by meltwater of Vatnajökull, Europe’s biggest glacier.
The gorgeous lake is home to seabirds and the occasional seal, and next to it is a black beach with thousands of ice blocks on it. The impressive Vatnajökull glacier towers in the background. These natural wonders combined create one of Iceland’s most unique landscapes. No wonder that this is a popular location for weddings.
The beauty of the area is incomparable to anything else, but as with most Icelandic wedding locations in the middle of nature, there is little opportunity for shelter, and Icelandic weather is fickle. Even though there is a small café, there are no hotels or restaurants right at Jökulsárlón, and the closest accommodation is a 15-minute drive from the lagoon.
*Note: To have a wedding within this national park space, you must ask for permission in advance (even if not bringing chairs or a setup for the Iceland wedding ceremony).
Godafoss Waterfall
Goðafoss is a waterfall (known as ‘the waterfall of the gods’) is located in northern Iceland. It is located along the country's main ring road at the junction with the Sprengisandur highland road. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 metres over a width of 30 metres. Perfect for an intimate ceremony, complete with stunning views, thundering water flowing through an ancient lava field and crashing into the river below as your backdrop.
This location is subject to high tourists activity and it is recommended to plan your wedding on the left side of the falls to avoid the majority of the tourist activity.
Búðakirkja Black Church
The small distinct church is a beautiful and minimalistic object placed in the rough nature of Iceland, where the black color makes a beautiful contrast to the often cloudy mountains in the background. The church is located on the southern side of the Snaefellsness peninsula and can be seen from far away, so it’s rather easy to find.
Set in the midst of a lava field, with an epic glacier as its backdrop. If you’re lucky enough the Northern Lights may put on a show for you, although a natural phenomenon and their appearance is unpredictable certain times of year and locations are more predominantly to their magic.
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
Location - 63 27.546-19 21.887
In 1973 a United States Navy DC plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black beach at Sólheimasandur, in the South Coast of Iceland. Fortunately, everyone in that plane survived. This site is the best fit for the hardcore adventurist as accessing the areas is not easy.
It’s off the beaten track and can be difficult to find. The area is closed to driving and you must hike the 1-2 hours to get to the site. It is highly recommended that you have a local guide help you make your way to this site because there is not any clear road or path to the site and is completely in the elements with no shelter. For the aviation enthusiast (#AvGeek) none of this may matter and this may clearly be the site of your dreams.
Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall
Kirkjufellsfoss is a beautiful waterfall surrounded by green fields and overlooked by the rather distinctive Mt. Kirkjufell. Mt. Kirkjufell is the most prominent mountain in Grundarfjörður and a landmark of the fishing town. The mountain is free-standing and referred to as the most beautiful mountain on the Snæfellsnes peninsula - some even say the whole of Iceland. At least it is the most photographed mountain. It’s a beautiful setting for your wedding portraits, or perhaps even an intimate waterfall wedding ceremony for two.
*Tourism is prominent so make sure to arrive early to beat the crowds.
Iceland Blue Ice Cave
Have you ever dreamed about visiting another planet? Well you can, and without leaving planet Earth. The ice is roughly around 1200 years old and there is another world hidden under this glacier in Iceland. Imagine exchanging your vows against the backdrop of blue ice. Iceland’s ice caves come in many beautiful hues from clear right through to deeper blues, turquoise and even shades of violet.
Skogafoss Waterfall
If you’re dreaming of an epic backdrop for your Iceland wedding day, it doesn’t get much more impressive than this. Skogafoss is unique because the waterfall comes directly from two glaciers, Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull.. You can even climb the 370 steps to the top of Skogafoss waterfall where you’ll be rewarded with an awe-inspiring view out over south Iceland’s coastline. This is also the start of the Fimmvorduhals pass, a popular hiking route. Standing at 60 meters (197 ft) tall, the heavy veil of water is impressive and walking close enough envelops visitors in a cloud of spray, sound and refracted light. Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days.
There is no doubt that a wedding in Iceland is for the adventurist couple who want to hav a unique wedding day or elopement that will live up to the best day of their lives to date. There are so many different options for eloping in Iceland, but this adventure is probably not well suited for the type A couple. Iceland is unpredictable which makes precise planning nearly impossible. You will want to have a plan A and B and roll with the punches and take in every crazy moment.
An Icelandic wedding is what inspired me to jump into wedding films. There was just something so special and unique about it and I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do. We would absolutely love to talk with your more about your elopement and wedding film. If you are in the early planning stages of your Icelandic wedding we would love to hear more about your ideal elopement. Working with unique + fun couples, having an adventure, and making a wedding film that blows anyone who watches it away is why we do what we do.
Inspirational Sources for this Blog Post -