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Iceland is a DREAM elopement location! But since it’s abroad it can be difficult to know how to elope in Iceland! But don’t worry, I got you. The beauty of the landscape has no match.
The Land of Ice and Fire. A land with volcanoes and glaciers, black sand beaches and waterfalls. Full of pristine and unspoiled nature.
Iceland blew me away the first time I laid eyes on the landscape. There is something about the unique scenery. It breathes romance into everything around it.
The land itself inspires our inner wanderlust.
But with it being a foreign land to us, it can seem intimidating to plan to elope in Iceland.
And understandably so!
I want nothing more than for every eloping couple to be fully confident in their choices! This way they can approach their day in the best spirits.
With that in mind, I have put together this list of resources on how to elope in Iceland. Everything from the weather, locations, and what you will legally need to get married on this beautiful land.
Time of year
Let’s start off with the basics. When is the best time of year to elope in Iceland? Well, while there is a time frame that is considered the best, the answer to this will vary depending on your preferences!
So let’s talk about it by season .
Winter
It’s true that Winters in Iceland are pretty dark and they tend to be snowy, but you have a much higher chance of being able to see the Northern Lights, (Thanks to those longer nights!) Spending your winter in Iceland is a magical experience, and it can be cheaper than coming in summertime.
Winter vacations in Iceland are getting more and more popular! And many of the tourist attractions are less crowded in the colder months. Of course, the amazing northern lights are the biggest attraction of all!
Spring
This is a less popular time than summer to visit Iceland. But in most parts of the country the weather will be warm enough for you to comfortably explore. If you want to visit Iceland’s hot springs, consider eloping in the spring!
In spring you might still be lucky enough to catch the northern lights! There is also mild weather, and it’s not busy season yet. Fewer tourists, lower prices, and beautiful sights.
Not to mention that it is also easier to find accommodation and tour availability during this time.
Summer
June through August, is the warmest time in Iceland. As a result, it is also the busiest. The best time to elope in Iceland if you want to hike or see some of the more remote mountains and fjords is summer!
Keep in mind the sun doesn’t completely set during the summer months in Iceland. (midnight sun anyone?) This gives you the most time to explore Iceland! Because Iceland is located so close to the Arctic, the sun rays are much stronger than you might be used to. So don’t forget to pack your sunscreen.
While summer in Iceland won’t be like a tropical island, it can still get very sunny in the summer. The peak temperatures can reach 68-77 °F but the average will be 50-59 °F . Make sure to check what the weather will be the month you’ll be visiting. This way you’ll know what types of clothes to pack. (other than your beautiful elopement attire!)
Fall
Crowds start to thin out significantly in September, so visiting in fall is guaranteed to give you more privacy on your elopement day. Just make sure to bring a rain jacket, because the only downfall is that it may be windy, wet, and pretty cold. Fall is similar to springtime, between 32-50 F, though autumn feels windier.
In Iceland, autumn starts in late August and stays until late October or early November. Autumn is a great time to visit Iceland as it’s still relatively warm in late August, though as each day passes, it gets colder.
The crowds thin out, so the prices for accommodations go down in September and October. And you’ll be able to see Iceland’s gorgeous fall colors. Maybe you’ll experience the first snowfall of the year or catch the early northern lights!
Just remember!
No matter which season you choose to go with, Iceland is a wonderful destination to elope throughout the year. Each of the seasons is exceptionally beautiful and offers its unique features!
But here is THE breakdown of the seasons in Iceland:
So what is the best time to elope in Iceland? May through October.
Can you give me a quick recap of the weather? Absolutely!
December through March will be cold, wet and snowy. April through May is spring! Spring can have snow showers, but the weather is warmer! And June through September will have the least amount of cold weather, but still can be colder or windy so always have layers.
One last thing! The lighting will vary by month. Some months (like November through January) have an average of 5 hours of sunlight. And other months (like May through July) have an average of 20 hours of light!
Let’s Talk About the Parts and Sides of the Country.
The possibilities are endless. Iceland is after all, and adventurous place. Don’t forget to dream big and embrace the adventure! Now, I have quite a few locations up my sleeve. (Putting together detailed elopement plans and timelines with location suggestions is my love language.) But for the sake of brevity, I’m only going to talk about a few of them today!
Let’s break it down by my favorite places in the different sides of the country.
First, the South East Side of Iceland:
Iceberg / Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach
This enormous lake is fed by glacial meltwater from the largest Glacier in Europe. The water is dotted with icebergs from the surrounding Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier. The Glacier Lagoon flows through a short waterway into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving chunks of ice on a black sand beach.
Which leads into the next location!
The Diamond Beach! This beautiful beach consists of a strip of black sand belonging to the Breiðamerkursandur glacial plain. This iconic location is named so because of the glittering icebergs that are scattered along its shore like diamonds. It’s quite a sight!
Next, the South Coast:
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Basalt Columns
Reynisfjara Black Beach is a very popular place among tourists because it is located in the south of Iceland. It’s famous because of its unusual black sand. Beach Vik appeared from volcanic lava from a volcano nearby. Despite the fact that Reynisfjara is situated in the south the weather is very windy, cold and humid there. So prepare for this! And don’t forget your windbreaker/waterproof jacket! (As well as boots!)
The basalt columns are some of the most photographed rock formations in the world. They are beautiful, and you really won’t find them anywhere else in the world! It makes for quite a sight.
Kvernufoss
Kvernufoss is a waterfall with a drop of 98 feet in the South coast of Iceland. It’s a true hidden gem! Because it’s a hidden gem, you’re unlikely to find the busy tourist crowds here. Making this a perfect location for intimate elopements without sacrificing any of the views!
And lastly, the West Side
Mt. Kirkjufell
Mt. Kirkjufell is the most prominent mountain in Grundarfjörður and a landmark in this fishing town. The mountain is free-standing and referred to as the most beautiful mountain in Iceland. But you’ll have to see that for yourself!
The landscapes in Iceland are very diverse! It’s truly as unique as they say it is.
You have everything from glaciers and ice caves to sea cliffs and highlands. Along with iconic sites such as stark black or white churches and airplane ruins. There is no shortage of beauty waiting to be explored by a couple lovebirds and their adventurous photographer.
It’s very important for you to get in touch with an officiant to help with the legalities of how to elope in Iceland.
Most things in life are easier if you ask for help from an expert in that field. This is no exception! ESPECIALLY since we’re speaking about eloping in a foreign country. There are different requirements because it’s a different country. There are also different requirements for visitors wanting to get married on Icelandic soil.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to do your research and utilize your resources. Be sure to research some vendors to help you as you are traveling from a different country and aren’t sure on all the details on how to elope in Iceland.
When looking to elope in Iceland there are a few basics requirements that you must meet.
First of all, you will need to get a Marriage Notification. (Which is the Iceland version of a marriage license.) You, your partner, and your officiant need to fill this out together!
To get the marriage notification you both must be over 18 years old. You will both need your birth certificates. And you will both need to submit a certificate of marital status. (Issued by the relevant authorities in your area.)
The certificate needs to be issued eight weeks before the wedding date.
Another thing to keep in mind! If either party has been divorced, a divorce decree will be needed before the marriage notification is issued. And if either party is a widower, you’ll need a document detailing that the deceased’s estate has been divided/finalized.
One last very important thing you’ll need is proof of your legal stay in Iceland.
Iceland requires that both parties are staying legally on the island for the elopement. You will need to provide proof of this! Such as Residence permit, visa or confirmation of arrival date (passport stamp or flight ticket).
The last thing I want to remind you of is be sure to plan an activity to explore a unique spot when you elope in Iceland.
Iceland is full of amazing locations to discover and wonderful people to meet. Some of my favorite suggestions are tours! Such as a helicopter tour, land cruiser off road tour, glacier or ice cave tour. Other amazing ones are Icelandic Pony Trail Rides, or a ferry/boat tour through the fjords(or to one of Iceland’s many coastal islands).
The best way to learn about any country you visit is through the locals! Iceland is one of the friendliest country to visit in the world! And Icelanders have such a happy and friendly demeanor. Don’t be afraid to ask the Icelanders directly if they have any suggestions on what you should try while visiting their beautiful island.
It’s an adventurous place, dream big and embrace the adventure!
Let’s adventure together. You’ll bring the love story and I’ll bring my camera to capture all the emotions in such an astonishing land. Sounds like a dream!
For more information on booking your Iceland elopement, contact me directly here!
