How to elope in Iceland | Ultimate Iceland Destination Wedding Guide
How to elope in Iceland | Ultimate Iceland Destination Wedding Guide
Introduction
If you’ve been looking for an adventurous and laid-back destination wedding location, Iceland would be so perfect for you! Iceland is absolutely stunning with its glaciers, hikes, waterfalls, and of course, the northern lights. Iceland is perfect for couples looking to be outside and explore. There are countless places to choose from to match you and your partner's vibe. There are so many ways to make an Iceland destination elopement happen, and this blog post will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know!
Where is Iceland?
Iceland is located in the North Atlantic Ocean in Europe. Iceland has diverse geography from its colorful mountains, volcanos, waterfalls, to the green fields and ocean. Throughout the country you’ll find Iceland’s culture and traditions which makes going there a new experience you’ll never forget.
How to Get to Iceland
To get to Iceland you will most likely need to fly. There are many North American airlines that fly to Iceland’s major airports frequently. Click here to learn more about getting to Iceland.
How to Travel Around Iceland
Once you arrive in Iceland, you can either opt to rent a car or to take public transportation. Iceland roads are easy to navigate but they can be snowy and icy. Manual cars are more common in Iceland, but rental companies will almost always have automatics, they might just cost more. Click here to learn more about transportation in Iceland.
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Why Elope In Iceland?
Wide variety of landscapes - Iceland has it all; volcanos, fields, waterfalls, caves, glaciers, black sand beaches, natural hot springs.
Northern Lights - Imagine the northern lights as the backdrop to your wedding photos. The best time to catch them is around midnight so you could start your day by leaving for an early morning ceremony or having a late night reception all with the northern lights in the background.
So many elopement day activities - Whether you're looking to hike to a waterfall, explore a volcano, or have a chill day in a local town, Iceland has so many different activities to incorporate into your destination wedding.
Icelandic Cuisine - Going fishing in Iceland and catching your reception dinner would be so cool.
Unique Culture - Take a class on how to carve wood, weave, and other traditional Icelandic arts for a taste of Iceland's traditions and culture.
Getting married in Iceland would be the perfect adventure for you and your partner. If you're down to try something new and see some stunning views, Iceland is the perfect place to get married.
Important Travel Tips/What to Know About Visiting Iceland
Language
The primary language spoken in Iceland is Icelandic but 98% of the country speaks English. Most of the road signs are in Icelandic but have graphics that are really easy to understand.
Currency
For currency, Iceland uses Icelandic Krona. One US dollar is 137.00 ISK.
Visas
There is no need to get a Visa for Iceland as long as your stay is under 90 days.
Culture/Religion
Iceland is proud of their Viking heritage and Icelandic language which translates into their many traditions. As for religion, a majority of the population identifies as Lutheren. The only religious dress code you would need to follow is when visiting certain churches or temples.
Food/Water
The water is almost always safe to drink in Iceland. As for food, fish is very popular and if you're into it, Iceland is a dream place to go fishing so you can incorporate it into your elopement. The food in Iceland is also so fresh and can be unique which would make trying it a fun new experience.
Communication/SIM Cards
Most places in Iceland offer wifi, but you might want to opt for an international phone plan while traveling for the easiest way to communicate. Most phone providers will charge an add on fee for an international plan and the cost just depends on your phone plan and provider. Even with a phone plan, there will be weak service in the more remote places in Iceland.
Best Places to Elope in Iceland
Mount Kirkjufell
Mount Kirkjufell is on the north shore of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is such a perfect place to see the northern lights, wildlife, and some waterfalls. The mountain is considered to be one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland so be prepared for some crowds.
Landmannalaugar
In the southern highlands of Iceland is where you’ll find Landmannalaugar. It has some stunning hikes, natural hot springs, and lava fields. It’s also famous for its colorful mountains and wide variety of geography.
Reynisfjara Beach
If you're looking for an iconic black sand beach in Iceland, Reynisfjara Beach is perfect. From the beach you can see some rocky sea stacks and the views are stunning.
Skógafoss
Skógafoss is an epic waterfall in south Iceland and is one of the biggest ones in the country. On sunny days, you can see some pretty rainbows right next to the waterfall.
Lagoon of Jökulsarlón
The Lagoon of Jökulsarlón is a Lagoon filled with glaciers in southeast Iceland. You can do boat tours here or go explore glacier ice caves. The lagoon is also a great spot to see some Icelandic wildlife like seals and arctic terns.
Seljalandsfoss
The south coast of Iceland is where you’ll find the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. There are cliffs, waterfalls, and fields surrounding the waterfall which makes it such a picturesque backdrop for an elopement.
Legalities of Getting Married in Iceland As Foreigners
Legal Weddings vs. Symbolic Weddings in Iceland
A symbolic Wedding is where you get married in your home country before or after your elopement to avoid all the legalities of getting a marriage license in the country you're eloping in. I would imagine that most of my clients are coming from the US and I would highly recommend getting legally married in the states and doing a symbolic wedding in Iceland. A symbolic wedding allows for way more flexibility and for you to decide exactly how you want your day to go without having to stress the legality of it all.
How to Get an Iceland Marriage License
Iceland Marriage Laws:
At least 18 years old
Two witnesses
Both partners must be legally competent
Not siblings or descendants
A former marriage must be terminated by divorce
Iceland Marriage License Process:
Fill out Hjónavígsluskýrsla (Marriage Report)
Birth Certificate
Certificate of Marital Status
Passports
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Best Time of Year to Elope in Iceland
What is the weather like in Iceland?
Spring (March - May)
The spring in Iceland consists of the snow starting to melt, days getting longer, and your last chance to see the northern lights before summer. Even though it’s starting to get a bit warmer, Iceland is still very cold in the spring (Average Temperature of 34 degrees).
Summer (June - August)
Summer in Iceland is when the country is its warmest (Average temperature of 50-60). The days are incredibly long in the summer and there can be daylight for even 21 hours. The summer is the most popular time of year in Iceland due to certain roads opening and warmer temperatures.
Fall (September-October)
The fall is a gorgeous time in Iceland due to all the leaves and colors changing. The fall is also the time you’ll have an increased chance of seeing the northern lights and wildlife. The weather is cooler with an average of 45 degrees.
Winter (November - February)
The winter in Iceland is the best time to be able to see the northern lights. There are also endless winter activities to do in Iceland such as glacier hiking, exploring ice caves, and snowmobiling. Obviously though the winter is the coldest time of year with an average temperature of 14-32 degrees.
When is the best time to elope in Iceland?
Activities
If you want to see the best northern lights Iceland has to offer, winter is the perfect time for that. Skiing, snowmobiling, and glacier hikes are also great winter activities. If you’re looking to see the green fields and sunny days, then summer in Iceland is the time for you to go.
Crowds
Summer is the busiest time of year, especially July. The summer is a great time for those looking for the sunshine, greenery, and longer days, which also attracts a crowd.
Travel Costs
Tours, attractions, and meal prices stay pretty consistent in Iceland throughout the year. However, if you’re looking to save some money, the off-seasons in Iceland are usually cheaper when booking flights.
What to Pack for Your Iceland Elopement
Passport or National I.D.
Legal Documents
Vow Books
Rings
Attire
Shoes
Warm clothes and layers
Details
Best Places to Stay in Iceland For Your Elopement
Airbnbs/VRBOs
Hotels, Lodges, & Resorts
Activities for Your Iceland Elopement
Snorkeling - One of the coolest snorkeling places in the world where you can go between the tectonic plates.
Snowmobiling - In the winter you can explore the mountains with crazy views or glaciers by snowmobile.
Relax in a natural hot spring
Hiking - No matter what you want to see, there's a hike in Iceland for it!
Watch the northern lights
Go out to bars and nightclubs - Reykjavik has the best nightlife in Iceland.
Listen to live music
Visit Volcanoes - A helicopter tour over a live volcano in Iceland would be epic.
Enjoy the views from your hotel or rental
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Iceland Elopement Photographer & Videographer
Heyyy, I'm Shay, your Iceland elopement and wedding photographer and videographer for the adventurous and laid-back. If vlogs-mixed-with-indie-films are you and your partner's vibe, let's make an Iceland elopement or wedding happen! Click here to learn more about how to work with me for your Iceland wedding or elopement.
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