Nestled in between North American and Europe, Iceland is the perfect place for so many people to elope! Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice – but there’s so much more to it than volcanoes and glaciers (not that those things are amaaazing). From giant waterfalls to hidden canyons to endless green countryside, Iceland is one of the most beautiful places on earth, so why not get married there?! This guide will help you with all the nitty-gritty legal details, give you tips for deciding when to elope in Iceland, and even share some of my favorite spots!

How to get legally married in Iceland

Can Americans travel to Iceland during Covid?

Vaccinated Americans, or those with a negative test or proof of prior Covid infection, are now able to travel to Iceland without any quarantine 👏🏽 As of July 27, 2021 you’ll need a negative test (PCR or Rapid) before boarding your flight to Iceland. The regulations are constantly changing, so check out covid.is for updated restrictions.

Can foreigners get married in Iceland?

Yes! While I typically recommend couples get married in their home country so they don’t have to deal with filing paperwork in a foreign country, it is legal and can definitely be done!

Does Iceland allow same-sex marriage?

Yes, same-sex marriage is recognized in Iceland!

Forms for your Iceland Elopement

• Marriage Notification form (Hjónavígsluskýrsla)
• Birth certificates of both parties
• Certificate of marital status (issued from your home country; not older than 8 weeks at time of submission)
• Proof of divorce or widow status (if applicable)
• Proof of legal stay in Iceland (passport stamp, place ticket, visa)
• Passports

All documents must be original versions. The documents must be submitted weeks before the wedding date – you can submit them via email or fax first, then provide the originals a couple days before the wedding. If they are not already in English or a Scandinavian language, they have to be translated (with paperwork).

Iceland Elopement Cost

I’ll be honest – Iceland is not a cheap place to do just about anything. You can expect your Iceland Elopement to cost at least $8,000. That includes the photographer and other vendors, but doesn’t include time beyond your wedding day (ie: if you’re spending another week in Iceland following the wedding).

Best Time of Year to Get Married in Iceland

Spring + Fall

Spring or Fall are the best times to visit Iceland if you want to avoid crowds and take advantage of lower prices. Highland roads are typically closed, but there’s still plenty of exploring to be had. Expect temperatures in the 30’s and 40’s, though be prepared for chillier nights!

Summer

Summer is a *great* time to get married in Iceland, but be prepared for some crowds. The best part about Iceland summers is that it never really gets dark. I’m talkin’ 24 hours of daylight! That means you have a ton of time to explore the island (trust me, you’ll need every second) and can take in the scenery any time of day. Summer is also great for getting off the beaten path – more trails and roads are open once the snow is melted. The average summer temperature is about 50 degrees fahrenheit, though that can still fluctuate greatly. 

Winter

If you want to see the Northern Lights, winter is your best bet! The days are short (as short as 4 hours!), but you can still squeeze in some sight-seeing or activities (snowmobile, anyone?!) before dark. Then, head to some hot springs or hunt for Northern Lights!

Iceland Elopement Photographer

In such a beautiful place, you want to have the perfect photos to share that special moment of eloping in Iceland. Enter: me! Not only does Wild Aisle Photography help with simple wedding planning, but I’m also an Iceland elopement photographer. I’m all about capturing the entire story of your elopement day so you can cherish the memories and share them with your friends and family back home. 

Iceland wedding videographer

MVideography is a Reykjavik-based wedding and elopement photographer

Where to Elope in Iceland

One of the best parts about eloping in Iceland is you can do it pretty much anywhere. Unlike a lot of other European countries, Iceland doesn’t require wedding ceremonies to take place indoors, in a church, etc. 

Iceland waterfall wedding

How to Leave No Trace during your Iceland elopement

With Iceland’s ever-increasing popularity, Leave No Trace is more important than ever. 

• Plan Ahead

Know your limits and do your research (check the weather, difficulty level, etc) before heading out on a hike. This will help you avoid dangerous situations and also know how much food + snacks to bring along.

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Stick to designated trails (and roads) to avoid causing damage to the fragile landscapes. Camping in Iceland is only permitted in designated areas – you can’t camp on the side of the road or in any empty field.

• Dispose of Waste Properly

It seems like this should be a given, but unfortunately there is still trash and litter left behind in parking lots, on trails, etc. DON’T BE THAT PERSON! Pick up after yourself. 

• Leave What You Find

Pretty self explanatory – leave things for the next person to enjoy 🙂

• Minimize Campfire Impacts

For whatever reason, campfires aren’t really a thing in Iceland. I find it strange given the colder temperatures and no real threat of forest fires, but who knows. There are a lot of ‘no campfire’ signs at camp sites and no designated fire rings, so don’t assume you can have a fire at your campsite.

• Respect Wildlife

So.many.sheep. But also horses, puffins, reindeer, etc. Keep a respectful distance and don’t feed them!

• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

This is especially important if you’re eloping in Iceland. Sure, this is going to be one of the best days of your lives, but that doesn’t mean you can set up a full-on reception at the bottom of a waterfall that thousands of other people also traveled to visit. 

1 Week in Iceland: Your Iceland Honeymoon

Iceland road trip

Hot Springs in Iceland

There are a *ton* of small, hidden natural hot springs throughout the country. I’ll share the ones I know in my Iceland Elopement Guide if we work together! Here are some of the more developed ones:

• Blue Lagoon (near Keflavik Airport) 
• Sky Lagoon (near Reykjavik) 
• Mývatn Nature Baths (Northern Iceland)

Iceland Elopement Packages

In such a beautiful place, you want to have the perfect photos to share that special moment of eloping in Iceland. That’s where I come in. Wild Aisle Photography doesn’t only help with simple wedding planning, but I’m also an Iceland elopement photographer. My goal is to capture the entire story of your elopement day so you can cherish the memories and share them with your friends and family back home. 

– 6 hours of photography
– Help finding the *perfect* for your Iceland elopement
– My travel (yay to no surprise fees!)
– Online gallery + highlight slideshow
– Help and planning guidance every step of the way (vendor list, accommodation suggestions, ideas for fun activities to include on your day…the whole shebang!)