how to elope in iceland
The Ultimate Guide for eloping in Iceland [updated for 2026]
Is elopement right for us?
Choosing an elopement means stepping away from the traditional wedding to create an experience that truly reflects who you are. An elopement isn't just a ceremony; it's an emotional immersion in a thoughtfully chosen location, where love and connection take center stage. Unlike a conventional wedding, there's no pressure from family expectations, large receptions, or imposed traditions.
An intimate wedding allows you to experience your commitment in a unique natural setting, with only your closest loved ones or just the two of you. It's an authentic, intensely personal moment where vows, scenery, emotions, and your story become inseparable. If what appeals to you is a meaningful celebration centered on you as a couple—far removed from stress, endless checklists, and social obligations—then an elopement is probably for you.
It's a deliberate choice of simplicity, depth, and intimacy. Let that feeling guide you: do you envision your wedding day surrounded by breathtaking landscapes rather than crowds? If the answer is yes, then the elopement adventure is calling you.
Why elope to iceland?
I ) When to go: the best season for an elopement in iceland
- Spring (May-June) offers long days and soft light, ideal for your photos.
- Summer provides almost constant sunshine – perfect for exploring without constraints. Autumn reveals warm colors and a dramatic atmosphere.
- Finally, winter blankets Iceland in snow, with the Northern Lights potentially transforming your ceremony into a magical moment.
Each season has its charms, but also its challenges: changeable weather, sometimes closed roads, or extreme conditions. The choice of dates depends on your appetite for adventure and the atmosphere you envision for your intimate wedding. Planning well in advance and consulting with your photographer and vendors will help you make the right choice based on your desires and your vision for your elopement.
II ) What are the best regions to get married in iceland?
The ever-popular Golden Circle combines geysers, waterfalls, and lava fields. The wilder East Coast boasts secluded spots perfect for an intimate, off-the-beaten-path wedding.
The Highlands in the center, such as Kerlingarfjöll, are ideal for couples looking to elope surrounded by colorful mountains and rushing rivers. Each region of Iceland has its own unique character, and the choice will depend on your vision: would you prefer a dramatic landscape of cliffs and ocean, or a stark, glacial setting?
The advantage is that Iceland is compact enough to combine several different environments during your stay. In any case, your local guide or elopement photographer will be able to advise you according to your wishes, the weather and accessibility.
Click on a photo or its title to learn more about it
Kerlingarfjöll is an iconic location for an intimate wedding, nestled in the heart of the Icelandic Highlands. Its multicolored mountains, warm rivers, and hot springs offer an almost otherworldly setting for exchanging vows. It's a secluded spot, perfect for an extraordinary adventure elopement where you'll be surrounded by silence and unspoiled nature. Access can be challenging, especially outside of the summer months, so it's advisable to carefully plan the logistics with your photographer and vendors to ensure a smooth and memorable experience.
I) Kerlingarfjöll
Stokksnes, in eastern Iceland, is famous for its black sand dune in front of the Vestrahorn mountains. The light that falls there is often soft and cinematic, ideal for intimate portraits. The contrasts between the black sand, golden grass, and rocky peaks create a dramatic and profound backdrop for a visual and emotional elopement. It's a perfect place to capture powerful images while experiencing a moment of rare intensity with your partner.
II) Stokksnes
Mulagljufur Canyon is an often overlooked gem, offering steep rocky corridors and a turquoise river winding at its bottom. It's a bold choice for a destination wedding in Mulagljufur, where every photo tells a story of depth and connection. The canyon provides a sense of almost complete intimacy, as if you were alone in the world. It's an exceptional backdrop for an elopement full of emotion and movement.
III) Mulagljufur Canyon
Reynisfjara beach is famous for its basalt columns and powerful waves. This dramatic landscape is perfect for couples who want a wild and graphic elopement, where the elements (ocean, wind, rock) become part of your ceremony. However, be aware of the dangerous waves: it's crucial to take precautions and keep your distance. With good planning and an experienced photographer, Reynisfjara can become the setting for spectacular images and an unforgettable memory.
IV) Reynisfjara beach
Hverir is a bubbling geothermal landscape dotted with fumaroles and colorful pools. Its almost Martian atmosphere makes it an original location for a contemplative and unique wedding. For an elopement, the raw, almost elemental ambiance highlights the power of the Icelandic landscape. The experience is sensory: scents, colors, and sounds intertwine to create a magical backdrop.
V) Hverir
Blahylur is a spectacular valley sculpted by water and wind, offering breathtaking scenery of cliffs and rock formations. It's less crowded than other tourist areas, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a peaceful, intimate wedding surrounded by nature's grandeur. Every step in this valley is a step towards a powerful and lasting visual memory.
VI) Blahylur
Vík í Mýrdal, a small coastal village, is perfect for those who want to combine a local atmosphere with landscapes of black sand beaches, cliffs, and verdant hills. It's a place where you immediately feel the Icelandic spirit, characterized by simplicity and vast horizons. For an elopement, this region offers a multitude of possibilities, from ceremonies on the beach to more secluded viewpoints in the surrounding hills.
VII) Vik i Myrdal
Latrabjarg, in the Westfjords, is one of the westernmost points in Europe. Known for its dramatic cliffs and bird colony, this spectacular location is perfect for an unforgettable adventure elopement at the edge of the world. The feeling of isolation and natural grandeur lends your vows an almost mythical dimension, surrounded by the ocean and monumental cliffs.
VIII) Latrabjarg
book your elopement photographer in iceland, and choose your elopement package in iceland
Choosing an elopement photographer is one of the most important decisions of your adventure. Beyond simply capturing images, they become your travel companion, your emotional anchor, and your logistical support. A good professional will listen to you, understand your vision, advise you on locations, weather, timing, and how to make the most of every situation. They must be able to capture sincere, spontaneous, and deeply meaningful moments, while adapting to Iceland's sometimes extreme conditions (wind, rain, rapid changes in light).
A wedding photographer in Iceland should also be flexible, reassuring, creative, and ready to offer suggestions to enhance your intimate wedding against this majestic backdrop. Booking a complete package often includes advance preparation, a personalized guide, photo coverage on the wedding day, and sometimes album materials to relive the experience again and again. Remember to book your photographer early enough to guarantee their availability and to co-create a schedule that reflects your vision.
book the accomodation, think about the transportation, and the pets...
Have you chosen your photographer? Let's move on to the next step! Let's start with accommodation, transportation, and pets.
I assume you'll be having a first look, and that you might even eat there (with or without guests). It's important to choose quality accommodation that reflects your love, not just a place to sleep.
Iceland offers accommodation for all elopement styles—a secluded cabin, a charming lodge, a hotel with panoramic views, or even a campervan to fully embrace the nomadic spirit. Your choice of accommodation greatly influences your overall experience. The important thing is that the location reflects your vision: closeness to nature, comfort after your ceremony, and easy access to your chosen spots. Booking well in advance is essential, especially during peak season.
Make sure your chosen accommodation accepts pets if you plan to bring your four-legged companions—many places in Spain are pet-friendly, but it's always best to check and book ahead.
Iceland is accessible by plane to Keflavík or Reykjavík. Once there, renting a vehicle is essential for accessing remote areas and planning your itinerary without constraints. For an adventurous elopement, a 4x4 may be necessary depending on the roads and areas you plan to visit. Remember to also factor in some extra time into your schedule: the weather in Iceland can change quickly, and planning ahead ensures a smooth experience.
How could you not bring your beloved pets along for the most incredible experience of your life? Iceland is generally pet-friendly: many accommodations, beaches, and natural areas welcome dogs and cats.
Make sure you have all the necessary documents to travel with your four-legged friend, and consider their comfort in different environments.
Also, think about their needs—food, water, blankets—especially in colder areas.
Don't forget to bring everything necessary for your pet's safety, as well as the safety of others.
Crossing borders? Remember the pet passport and vaccinations. If flying, the carrier must be IATA-approved and include at least water.
Of course, once you arrive in the country: fresh water, food, a leash, and waste bags. Choose a location with ample shade.
I'm here to help you choose the perfect spot so you can celebrate this special moment together.
iceland elopement package
- Elopement duration from one to three days;
- Choose any location in Iceland, with a backup plan (and a C if needed).
- A completely personalized elopement in Iceland from start to finish!
- Photos in an online gallery; photo album and USB drive.
- GIFs, double exposure, drone footage (if permitted in the chosen location) + creative and artistic images.
- Travel expenses are already included.
Starting from $5.000
(from $5.000 to $9.000)
iceland elopement pack
inquire and be ready!
Envoyer le message
contact me to start planning your europe elopement
votre histoire
Give me your thoughts, I'll make them real !
J'ai hâte de raconter
your first names*
Vos préNOMS
email*
phone number*
NUMERO DE TELEPHONE
Where do you think eloping ?
DATE DE L'EVENEMENT
how much guests do you want to be with you?*
LIEU DE L'EVENEMENT
When you do think eloping ? Did you already choose a date ?*
compte insta
Have you ever traveled together ? What was the best travel ?
message
menu
a propos
Why would you like eloping ?*
If your ideas are not yet clear, it doesn't matter, most couples do not yet know where their intimate wedding will take place.
where do you live?*
Envoyer le message
inquire and be ready!
votre histoire
contact me to start planning your europe elopement
J'ai hâte de raconter
Give me your thoughts, I'll make them real !
Vos préNOMS
your first names*
email*
NUMERO DE TELEPHONE
phone number*
DATE et lieu DE L'EVENEMENT
When you do think eloping ? Did you already choose a date ?*
combien d'invités aimeriez-vous avoir avec vous ?
Where do you think eloping ?
qu'aimez-vous dans ma photographie ?
how much guests do you want to be with you?*
ecrivez ce que vous ressentez : quelle est votre vision de l'amour ? de votre mariage ?
Have you ever traveled together ? What was the best travel ?
Why would you like eloping ?*
If your ideas are not yet clear, it doesn't matter, most couples do not yet know where their intimate wedding will take place.
where do you live?*
planning resources
Your gender, sexuality, skin color don't matter as long as you are kind in your heart. <3
planning resources
Your gender, sexuality, skin color don't matter as long as you are kind in your heart. <3