We are back giving you allll the deets on where to elope in Iceland. If you are just getting started on your Iceland wedding planning, we recommend checking out our how to elope in Iceland guide. As an American, there are a lot of ins and outs to know for eloping in Iceland and we have got you covered! Read on for our favorite Iceland wedding venues!

Iceland Regions

Iceland is broken up into six regions: North, Highlands, South, West, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and West Fjords. Majority of our top spots for an elopement are in South Iceland, although the entire island is gorgeous. In our book, Iceland is a good place to get married! Our recommendation is staying for a few days and seeing as much as you can of the country. There are so many pockets of magic in each of the regions. 

Is it hard to elope in Iceland?

With us, it’s pretty fricken easy to elope in Iceland. You have us planning with you and creating your personalized elopement package! We are experienced in helping Americans get married in Iceland. This includes helping you submit the necessary documents. We make sure this is done at least three weeks before your wedding date – and we can do it through email! We will also make sure you have all your original documents to provide for the authorities no later than five days before your wedding date in Iceland. Iceland recognizes both religious and non-religious ceremonies. You also need to choose who you want to be there (if more than you two), and away we go! So if you are wondering “can foreigners get married in Iceland?” or even can you legally get married in Iceland, it is a resounding YES and we will make it happen for you!

So where are we going?

Westfjords 

The Westfjords or West Fjords is a large peninsula in northwestern Iceland and an administrative district, the least populous administrative district. It lies on the Denmark Strait, facing the east coast of Greenland. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is heavily indented by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills.

Dynjandi Waterfall in Westfjords of Iceland

Dynjandi (also known as Fjallfoss) is the largest waterfall in the Westfjords region of Iceland and is considered to be one of the most impressive waterfalls in all of Iceland. The waterfall is made up of 7 waterfalls, each with its own name, one of which is Dynjandi. Dynjandi means “thunderous.” Our friends over at Pink Iceland describe “Dynjandi waterfall has an incredible wow factor that just keeps on going as you hike up the different levels and a midnight ceremony in the middle of summer overlooking Arnarfjörður, like a dream.” Meet me at Midnight?

Snæfellsnes peninsula

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.

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, reopening 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.

The best wedding ceremony venue in Iceland

Have a two day elopement and check out Kirkjufell on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It is the most photographed mountain in Iceland. According to Wonder Guide, It can also be seen in Game of Thrones season 7 episode 6 when the heroes go to north of the wall, described as the “Arrowhead mountain”. It also appeared in Game of Thrones season 6 episode 5 with Kirkjufellsfoss, which is also in the photo, when the children of the forest created the first White Walker. Ummm helllooooo Game of Thrones Iceland wedding venues, anyone?!

Southern Iceland

The South region is generally the most famous as it’s home to iconic glaciers, Diamond Beach, waterfalls, moss-covered lava fields, Black Sand Beach, and more! This region can be reached in about 2-6 hours, depending on the location, from a 2-wheeled car. The best part is you can visit this region anytime, but we recommend November-March if you’re looking to elope in an ice cave or June-July if you’re partial to Lupine fields. 

Háifoss Waterfall

Here’s the time in your life when you DO want to go chasing waterfalls. Háifoss waterfall is a breathtaking option. You will need four wheel drive to get there and since the road isn’t serviced during the winter, June – September is the time to go. After you park, the falls are about a fifteen minute walk. If you are ready for an adventure, throw on that hiking backpack and head that extra 90 minutes out on foot to see the bottom of the falls. Say “I do” with roaring waters and infinite possibilities! Iceland couples are adventurous and that’s why the Haifoss Waterfall is on our list of Iceland wedding venues!

Northern Lights (IE Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon)

Okay, okay, we know, part of the thrill of Iceland is a chance at the Northern Lights. While you may see them from a variety of locations, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is said to be THE BEST which is why we add it for you on our 2023 Iceland wedding venues list. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon lies by the Vatnajokull glacier. You can drive to the lagoon along the Ring Road from Vik or find one of the black sand beaches of South Iceland to enjoy the view of the lights dancing across the sky. Guide to Iceland has all the deets. We cannot guarantee that your wedding ceremony will take place under the Northern Lights but we can freaking try to make sure you see it!!

If you’re coming with a crew, tiny houses in Vik, Iceland is a fun choice. The four cabins side by side keep the party together and going throughout the night. Did we mention we are your full elopement planners not just photographers? Mhmm, we told you we got you. We’ve done this before!

Reynisfjara

Speaking of doing this before, we are very familiar with Reynisfjara as your Iceland wedding venue. Our 2022 Iceland elopement at Reynisfjara included a magical ceremony, epic photos, the friendliest wildlife and some good grub. We started out at their Airbnb the morning of the elopement. Which looked STRAIGHT out of a story book. Their AirBnB cabin was intimate, settled on a farm with chickens clucking around. We captured the first look by a “shed”, which was really a stunning building with a turf covered roof and horses that were ready to party. Can I get a YEEHAW?!

From their Air BnB we drove about an hour on route one to Reynisfjara Beach. We explored the salt columns, the black sand (an Iceland Trippers pick), and the legendary rocks. Our couple found the perfect secluded cave to exchange vows. Everyone we passed waited outside the cave and gave them some privacy. The waves crashed behind our bride and groom, and the wind blew around them. Sound like something you can get behind? Let’s put your own twist on this magical place!

Þjórsárdalur

Located at Þjórsárdalur is the beautiful Hjálparfoss waterfall, known to locals as the most romantic waterfall in Iceland. Gjáin is a magical area with vibrant greenery with smaller waterfalls and many rivers. Háifoss is one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. It falls dramatically 400 feet with enormous power, shattering on the black rocks below. Exchange your vows at the viewing point near the waterfall. Again with our two day recommendation, stop off at the Þjórsárdals hot springs with your own McSteamy.

Hotel Rangá in Iceland 

Up next on our list was a feature in our 7 luxury resort wedding venues segment! Hotel Rangá is a countryside hotel perfectly located to explore all the wonders of South Iceland. At this hotel, Iceland’s breathtaking landscape offers wedding couples the chance to create lasting memories in an unforgettable setting. Included is a country church and a hidden cave lit by candlelight- an intimate setting to share your vows in one of the best Iceland wedding venue.

Hotel Rangá’s prime location makes it easy to access popular destinations like the Golden Circle, the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss and Vík´s famous black sand beaches. We can attest that Reynisfjara Beach is EPIC. 

Blue Lagoon

The most well known Iceland wedding venues (IE be ready for tourists!) is Blue Lagoon, or Bláa Lónið in Icelandic. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa you find on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland. Throwing it back over to our favorite Independent Cats across the pond, they share some background, “Blue Lagoon officially open to the public for bathing in 1987, and the Blue Lagoon company was established in 1992. The company also began selling a line of skin and bathing products.

The iconic blue lagoon

By the mid 1990’s it began attracting a larger number of international visitors, and was receiving about 50,000 visitors a year. The Blue Lagoon is inside the Reykjanes UNESCO Geopark. It is located approximately 13 miles (20 minutes driving) from the Keflavik Airport or 30 miles (45 to 50 minutes driving) from central Reykjavík.” You can book at the Blue Lagoon OR if that’s a bit ritzy for your taste, check out a nearby cabin. This Air BnB cabin is in a beautiful nature reserve, close to the Reykjavik city center (20 min), the Blue Lagoon (40 min), the Golden Circle, Ishestar, a horse riding, Krisuvík, geothermal area and many more. Ideally located for exploring the South West. Call us basic bitches but we are STOKED to dip our toes into the Blue Lagoon.

If you are set on Southern Iceland, check out our full Southern Elopement Iceland guide COMPLETE with a sample timeline for your elopement! We are here to do the heavy lifting for you from the planning stage all the way through your epic elopement and delivering your world class photos after.When you are ready to book your Iceland elopement, give us a shout. We are your Iceland elopement photographers, stateside. Meaning, we know all about the hurdles and how to karate chop them down to give you a smoooooth elopement experience beginning to end. You can focus on what really matters – your love, your adventure, your once in a lifetime! Schedule your free consult.