All You Need to know for an Iceland Elopement
Are you thinking of eloping in Iceland? Look no further– I will help you with an itinerary, locations for photos, best time of year to visit, and give you all the details on how to make your dream Iceland elopement come to life! With access to various sceneries and landscapes, Iceland has made it to the top of my list on places to elope!
How to Legally Elope in Iceland:
While paperwork and legalities may not be the most exciting part of your day, it’s important that you’re aware of everything you need to make sure your marriage is legal and official!
You will need to submit the necessary documents at least three weeks before your wedding date – but don’t worry! You can do this through email, though you will still need to provide original documentation once you arrive in Iceland.
Here are the documents that you will need for a legal Iceland Elopement:
- Marriage Notification – this is Iceland’s equivalent of a marriage license, and will need to be filled out by you and your partner, as well as your officiant
- Birth certificates of both partners
- Certificate of marital status
- Divorce decree, if applicable
- Valid passports of both parties
Can foreigners elope in Iceland?
Yes! Wherever you come from, and whatever your gender, religion or sexual orientation is, you can get legally married in Iceland!
Can U.S. citizens get married in Iceland?
Yes, they can! The Icelandic government actually issues an international marriage license and certificate that is valid in the United States! Iceland is one of the easier countries for foreigners to be legally married in.
MORE WAYS TO ELOPE IN ICELAND:
As an Icelandic elopement photographer, I always recommend to couples that they have a symbolic ceremony in Iceland. That means having their legal ceremony and paperwork done in their home country whenever they want. This is what Sarah + Danny (the beautiful couple in the photos below) did, and it made for an easy, stress-free trip!
Why a symbolic elopement ceremony makes sense:
A symbolic elopement ceremony means less stress, less paperwork to worry about, and a more cost effective elopement. An officiant is required for a marriage to be legal in Iceland. If you have a symbolic ceremony, not only are you able to have it as intimate as possible and recite your vows in private—but you can also save between $500-$1000 by not hiring an officiant in Iceland.
You can also be more flexible with your actual elopement day and plan it around the weather forecast if the only vendor you have is a photographer. A legal marriage in Iceland means you’ll more than likely have to stick with your picked day, rain or shine.
I am based out of Missouri in the US, so when I travel internationally for weddings and elopements, I am there for 7-10 days and typically have no other jobs lined up. This means we can totally play it by ear, and go for a date that makes most sense for your travel itinerary and weather.
The Best time of year for Iceland Elopements:
The most unpredictable – winter
While winters in Iceland are dark and often snowy, you may want to consider eloping during the winter time. From November to February, you have a much higher chance of being able to see the Northern Lights, as nights are longer.
Great for lupines – spring
Spring is a much less popular time than summer to visit Iceland, but in most parts of the country the weather will be warm enough for you to comfortably explore. If you want to visit Iceland’s hot springs, consider eloping in the spring, as you’ll enjoy much more privacy. We absolutely loved our time at the Sky Lagoon! You HAVE to try the 7 step ritual!
The warmest – summer
Summer, June through August, is the warmest time in Iceland. As a result, it is also the busiest. The best time to elope in Iceland if you want to hike or see some of the more remote mountains and fjords is summer, as many mountain roads are closed and snow covered until summertime. June and July are also the best months for whale watching!
Great for northern lights – fall
Crowds start to thin out significantly in September, so visiting in fall is guaranteed to give you more privacy on your elopement day. We went at the beginning of September, and barely had any rain and what I would consider amazing weather (50-60 degrees F)! I’ve heard it does tend to rain a bit more the further you get into fall!
