Is Iceland a good place to elope? You don’t need to ask me twice – I’m already grabbing my passport and heading to the airport with my camera! Eloping in Iceland is the perfect choice for couples who crave adventure, new experiences, and otherworldly beauty. For weddings that are less about material goods or fanfare and more about love, nature, and connection, you'll love the rugged, raw, inspiring beauty of Iceland. 

This majestic country delivers some serious aesthetics too – think moody skies, black sand beaches, and even volcanoes – so your Iceland elopement photography will be as epic as the landscape itself. Iceland’s Viking heritage and passion for adventure, exploring, and unspoiled natural beauty lives on today, so it’s ideal for couples who crave excitement, incredible landscapes, and time spent immersed in nature. 

So how do I plan an adventure elopement in Iceland? Don’t worry – it’s easier than you might think. Plus, almost everyone in Iceland speaks English fluently, so you don’t need to stress about communication barriers. 

If you’re ready to tie the knot in one of the most incredible countries in the world, my adventure elopement guide to Iceland is here to help. And if you’d like to chat about some of your plans, I’d love for you to say hi! You can arrange a call on my contact page.

What’s the best time to elope in Iceland?

Summer in Iceland is truly magical – endless days, mild weather, and accessible hiking trails (complete with wildflowers!). Of course, this means summer is also the busiest time to visit, with the most picturesque places in Iceland attracting big crowds.

You can get around this slightly with a spring or fall wedding in the shorter seasons. Or why not buck the trends and get married in winter? Yes, it’ll be cold, but you can visit ice caves and frozen waterfalls, and enjoy the scenery with far fewer crowds. Daylight is much more limited in the winter months, though – but hey, that’s super nice for cozying up by the fire and watching the snow come down! 

No matter what time of year, the golden hour lighting just before sunset is truly spectacular. As your elopement photographer in Iceland, you can bet I’ll plan the best golden hour shoots for your photos! Summer days are pretty endless in Iceland, though, so you’ll need to stay up late in June and July to get that golden light.

I’ll be glad to recommend the best photo spots in Iceland, based on the time of year you want to go. 

Where should we get married in Iceland?

You honestly can’t go wrong with anywhere – but I find the most beautiful photo locations in Iceland tend to be around the south, southwest, and highlands, especially in the summer. 

In the warmer months, we can take amazing photos along the country’s sand beaches, soaring basalt towers, epic waterfalls, and unbelievable landscapes that look like something out of a fantasy novel. 

In winter, one amazing thing to do is look for the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, which dance through the sky in vivid greens, blues, and purples. Northern Lights elopement photography is next level, but it does require patience – you need to plan a few days, as the conditions aren’t always right for the lights to be seen. 

All across the country, you’ll find traditional B&Bs, luxury hotels, and even some funky accommodation choices like geodesic domes, farm stays, and yurts. You won’t go hungry either, as Icelandic cuisine is hearty and warms the body and soul – lamb, seafood, cheese, and dairy products are abundant. 

Most Instagrammable places in Iceland

For sightseeing and wedding photos, where can we get those OMG this is unbelievable views? Here are some of the most gorgeous places to visit:

• Black Sand Beach: Reynisfjara is a world-famous black-sand beach found on the South Coast of Iceland with its picturesque Basalt Towers.
• The Blue Lagoon: Sure, it’s touristy, but it’s so soothing and well worth a visit.
• Soaring waterfalls: Iceland has these in spades! A few to visit are Skógafoss, Hraunfossar, and Haifoss.
• Diamond Beach: With black sand and blue-hued icebergs that sparkle in the sun like diamonds, there’s simply nowhere else in the world like this beach.
• Ice caves: In the winter, you have to check out ice caves like Vatnajökull or Vatnajökull. Icelandic ice cave elopement photography is so unique, with the ice distorting the beautifully turquoise-blue light – we can really get creative and come up with some amazing shots. 
• Kirkjufell Mountain: This distinct mountain is gorgeous on its own, but after being featured in Game of Thrones, it became even more popular. However, it’s also close to another gorgeous waterfall, Kirkjufellsfoss, and you can capture both in one photo. 

Iceland wedding vendors

You’ll definitely want to work with local wedding planners in Iceland. They can make your elopement so much easier, especially if you’re coming from overseas. And yes, Americans can legally wed in Iceland, with Icelandic authorities able to issue an international wedding certificate that you can take back home.

Pink Iceland wedding planners are a great choice. They’re all about wedding planning that’s not only amazing, but also sustainable and ethical. This company can seriously do it all, from helping you with the required paperwork to recommending a local celebrant. Depending on your elopement location, they can also recommend local vendors like caterers, hair and makeup artists, and musicians. 

For your elopement flowers, you can bring the beauty of Iceland into your floral with a bouquet and arrangements made from native flowers like poppy, lupine, moss, and forget-me-not. Þórdís Z wedding flowers are a great florist choice, as they make floral arrangements using native plant life that will perfectly complement the Icelandic landscape. 

I’m all about helping you create meaningful and authentic wedding photos in Iceland, from the grand “I do” moments to those tiny smiles, touches, and knowing looks that mean so much. If you have any questions about Icelandic wedding photography, I couldn’t be more eager to help! I know Iceland well and can’t wait to help you plan the elopement adventure of a lifetime. Get in touch, and let’s start dreaming today!