If you have Iceland on your bucket list, honey, I am already PUMPED!! One of our favorite things about Iceland is how easy it is to elope. Iceland is considered one of the most LGBTQIA+-friendly countries in the world. The country ranked first on the Equaldex Equality Index in 2023, and just second in 2024. They love love, like we love love! Let’s get into Annie and Grace’s Iceland queer elopement and all the adventures you can have on your own special day!

Why I’m an LGBTQ+ Ally – 🏳️‍🌈 love is love

Can Americans get legally married in Iceland? 

Abso-fucking-lutely! We will help you submit the necessary documents at least three weeks before your wedding date – we can do this through email! Just make sure you have all your original documents to provide for the authorities no later than five days before your wedding date in Iceland. Then, decide on an officiant (Iceland recognizes both religious and non-religious ceremonies!), who you want to be there (if more than you two), and away we go! As always, you have the option to get legally married in the states and have a symbolic ceremony in Iceland. Your wedding, your way. 

Get that documentation in check

Marriage Notification (this is Iceland’s marriage license)

Birth certificates of both partners

Certificate of marital status 

Divorce or Widow Certificate/Documentation (if applicable)

Remember to bring your Real ID to travel internationally!!

American’s Guide to Eloping in Iceland

Is Iceland a good place to get married? 

Not only are Annie and Grace going to say so but so did Vi and Bryan! Vi and Bryan’s Iceland elopement at Reynisfjara was EPIC. It has all the adventure, all the beauty, plus everyone in Iceland is so fucking nice. You’ll leave Iceland and want to return immediately. That’s what keeps happening to us!!

How to get to the Snaefellsness Peninsula

There are so many great places to elope in Iceland. Today we are going to tackle the Snaefellsness Peninsula where Annie and Grace had their Iceland queer elopement. 

The Snæfellsnes is a peninsula situated to the west of Borgarfjörður, in western Iceland. The Snæfellsjökull volcano, regarded as one of the symbols of Iceland, can be found in the area. At 4,744 ft, it is the highest mountain on the peninsula and has a glacier at its peak. The volcano can be seen on clear days from Reykjavík, about 75 miles away. The mountain is also known as the setting of the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth by the French author Jules Verne.

You’ll want to book your flight into Reynisfjara and then drive to the peninsula. Flying time varies, mostly depending on layovers! You can find a straight flight from Seattle to Reynisfjara, Iceland which takes 8 hours on Alaska Airlines. However, unless you live in Seattle, you should plan on the travel time being closer to 15. If this is your first time flying internationally (or maybe your first time in a long time!) you’ll want to check out our blog.

How to Prepare for an International Flight

Once you land in Reynisfjara, you’ll rent a car and drive the 45 minutes to the Snaefellsness Peninsula. Good news Americans, they also drive on the right side of the road!

Where to Adventure on the Snaefellsness Peninsula

We really believe that elopements are for the adventurers! Those that kick the “what you should do” and fully embrace “what you want to do!” For that reason, during our planning session, we will talk about your wildest dreams and make sure that you are dreaming even BIGGER than you thought possible!

In Iceland, there are so many adventures to be had. Pink Iceland is a great LGBT company that does a lot of cool shit. Their South Shore Safari / Private Tour has you seeing farms, beaches, volcanoes, glaciers, and hidden waterfalls. This tour includes the magnificent Skógafoss in front of which Jon Snow and Daenerys shared a passionate kiss in the last season of Game of Thrones. There is nothing an American loves more than Game of Thrones. Well maybe don’t ask Joe Jonas.  

Annie and Grace’s Iceland Queer Elopement

For Annie and Grace’s Iceland queer elopement on the Snaefellsness Peninsula, we explored allllll over. This is your sign to rent a jeep with a sunroof AND a driver. I mean come onnnnnn. On your wedding day, you should be cozy in the back seat or adventuring like a dog with your head out the window. Not worrying about driving. Also by having a driver, you are getting someone who understands the terrain and can get you from one place to another quickly and safely. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe so having someone very familiar with the area is ideal.

Something I love about Iceland is the variety it offers in its landscape and through the different seasons. We had Vi and Bryan with freaking ice caves and now we have Annie and Grace in front of epic mountains. If you have a vision, Iceland can deliver!! During our planning stages we will talk about what season you’re envisioning and what you want the vibes to be.

Iceland is notorious for their waterfalls, hence why both couples at completely different sides of Iceland and in different season, both opted for epic waterfall magic. There are gigantic waterfalls you can’t even see the top of and also wide waterfalls with multiple runoff points. While they look GORGEOUS, this ain’t Hawaii. The water is cold all year round, no cliff diving!!

Hiking and Overlooks in Iceland

If you are specifically looking for a hiking queer elopement, ohhhh friend, we gotchu! Here are some of our top picks. Also know that when you book with Honeybee Weddings you will get a personalized 70+ page guide. Like I said, I want you to dream BIG!! This is the most special day of your life!!

Raudfeldsgja Ravine | Snaefellsness Peninsula

Distance/Difficulty: 6 miles roundtrip, 270ft elevation gain, lightly trafficked out and back trail.

Starting/finishing point: Raudfeldsgja Gorge Parking Lot

Trailhead Accessibility: 2.5 hours west of Reykjavik, 4wd car

Leave No Trace Information: Keep on trail & durable surfaces, Don’t cross restoration barriers.

Privacy/Seclusion (estimate): Somewhat popular hike, but lots of room around to see it from all points of view. 

Ravine with a small waterfall inside. To reach the waterfall, you need to climb through the river and up some smaller waterfalls (rope is provided). Have dry clothes to change into when you come back. After about 75-100 meter of low-key bouldering in a small stream you will hit a 2 meter climb with a knotted climbing rope in a waterfall. We stopped there as it would absolutely have soaked us climbing up and the weather was bad.

Ondverdarnes & Svortuloft Lighthouse | Snaefellsness Peninsula

Distance/Difficulty: short walk from the car

Starting/finishing point: Ondverdarnes Parking Lot

Trailhead Accessibility: 3 hours northwest of Reykjavik, 2wd car

Leave No Trace Information: Keep on trail & durable surfaces, Don’t cross restoration barriers.

Privacy/Seclusion (estimate): Somewhat popular lookout, but the western most place of Iceland.

Westernmost point is called Ondveroarnes. Black cliffs are called Svortuloft (Black ceiling) and were formed when hot lava was thrown from Snaefellsjokull volcano. 

Gerouberg Cliffs | Snaefellsness Peninsula

Distance/Difficulty: short walk from the car

Starting/finishing point: Gerouberg Cliffs Parking

Trailhead Accessibility: 1.5 hours north of Reykjavik, 2wd car

Leave No Trace Information: Keep on trail & durable surfaces, Don’t cross restoration barriers.

Privacy/Seclusion (estimate): Somewhat popular place for tourists to take photos.

The most unusual thing about Gerðuberg is how the columns are so geometrically symmetrical that they seem to be carved by hand. Such features are rare around Iceland and the rest of the world, but easily explained by science

Where to Have your Ceremony

The Black Church

An iconic pick on our Iceland wedding venues is the Black Church. Perfect for the When You Were Young generation or those who love a moody contrast!  Located on the south side of Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Búðakirkja is a local parish church that dates back to 1703. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, this quaint black church is one of the most photographed churches in Iceland. Búðakirkja is fully operational and has a historic graveyard too.

Stay at Hotel Budir, it reopened in June 2023 with a new wing! The hotel is situated with a unique sandy white beach. It is surrounded by a lava field with the magical Snaefellsjokull glacier in the background. The power from the glacier can be felt everywhere and the dramatic landscape is the perfect backdrop for a beautiful wedding. Your ceremony can take place in the iconic Black Church next to the hotel, on the white sandy beach, on the moss in the middle of the lava field or just about anywhere you like.

Anywhere your heart desires

Of course, you can always just get married wherever is calling to you!! There is so much natural beauty all around, stop and take it in. Enjoy each moment. 

What is the marriage tradition in Iceland?

First, if you’re into traditions, omens, all the vibes, you’ll love this. Snæfellsnes Peninsula  is said to be one of seven “energy chakras” in the world!! Let’s goooo!

There are so many great traditions, Icelandic and American, that you can incorporate into your elopement! Of course, hair and makeup always seems to find its way to the top of the list. Pink Iceland slayed with Vi’s hair and makeup. The whimsical half up, half down hair is a true classic!

An Iceland specific tradition that’s really cool is The Midsummer Night Wedding: A Nod to Norse Mythology

Under the Midnight Sun

Considering the Norse roots of Iceland, many couples opt for a midsummer night wedding. Under the ethereal glow of the midnight sun, these weddings are not only visually stunning but also resonate with ancient legends. Drawing inspiration from old sagas and Norse gods can lend a mythic aura to your nuptials.

Check out more Iceland wedding traditions here. 

For traditions in general you can integrate, we put together our own list for our couples: 6 Sweet Wedding Traditions for Elopements – honeybeeweddingsmt.com

We are beyond STOKED for our next Iceland trip. ARE YOU GOING WITH US?! WE CAN’T HEAR YOU!! Book our 1:1 call below and CHEERS TO THE BEST ADVENTURE EVER!