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Kristen and Adam desired to have an intimate Snæfellsnes Peninsula elopement in Iceland during the shoulder season. They wanted to avoid the crowds and travel around Iceland to see the various types of landscapes. They knew they wanted to say their ‘I do’s’ at the stunning Kirkjufell mountain. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is like a mini Iceland. From black sand beaches to gorges, basalt columns, waterfalls and epic views, it was the perfect place!
Kristen & Adam began their day at their Airbnb on the coast, overlooking the ocean for their Snæfellsnes Peninsula Elopement. At Kirkjufell mountain they held their intimate waterfall ceremony. Kirkjufell is super popular all year round and one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland.
They concluded the day with epic outdoor images of them with the Northern Lights.
Why Did the Couple Choose Iceland for Their Elopement?
Kristen & Adam: We wanted a special, isolated place full of natural beauty that was new to both of us.
What Makes Iceland Special for Elopements?
Liz, the photographer: Iceland is a gorgeous country that feels like you’ve stepped onto another planet while at the same time experiencing a grounding inner knowing that you’re home, here on earth. From mountains to glaciers, stone caves to hot springs, vast canyons and massive waterfalls, seals and puffins, volcanoes to the northern lights. There are so many incredible landscapes all in one place, it’s truly extraordinary to witness and bask in all the beauty this place holds. The culture and people are incredibly kind & welcoming to all who visit. The ingrained inclusivity for all of earth’s creatures & culture of community includes the surrounding nature, making it one of the most sustainable countries in the world. It is such a magical place to elope and it is a gift to take it all in and be there for a few months every year.
Can You Get Legally Married in Iceland?
Kristen & Adam: We had a civil (legal) ceremony, assisted by a helpful local law office.
What Sustainability Considerations Were Made (if any) For This Elopement in Iceland?
Kristen & Adam: We rented plug-in hybrid car, and we shopped at small local groceries whenever possible.
Did the Couple Incorporate Any Cultural Aspects of Iceland into Their Elopement?
Kristen & Adam: We had seasonal Icelandic flower blossoms in the bouquet and boutonniere. Our wedding site was at a small secluded waterfall near the mountain. Our officiant was Icelandic. We had dinner and soft serve at a small local tavern. We purchased our wedding bands from an Icelandic jeweler.
What Was the Couple’s Experience with Getting Married in Iceland During October?
Kristen & Adam: Would absolutely recommend it!
Liz, the photographer: Every season in Iceland is amazing, the best time of day to plan a destination elopement in Iceland completely depends on the couple’s preferences. However, our personal favourite time of year is May – September. May to early June and September have milder spring-like weather compared to winter, and there are still shoulder season prices before high season kicks off in late June. There are longer daylight hours from the midnight sun in June giving you more time for exploring. Late June to August is peak season for a reason, the waterfalls are rushing wildly and the temperature is comfortable.
What Are the Best Tips for Planning an Elopement in Iceland?
Kristen & Adam: Talk to your partner. Enlist the help of helpful professionals who are directly experienced with matters of local and seasonal importance.
Liz, the photographer: When our couples reach out to us, they typically don’t have an idea of what their vision is and that’s totally okay!! That’s exactly why we aren’t just another photographer and videographer but include guidance through the planning process as well. We always invite our couples to talk to each other about what the most important moments & activities are that they want to include on their elopement day. Some questions include – are you water babies that love waterfalls; do you want a private first dance on the beach; is off roading through canyons your jam? Then, we recommend deciding on what your favourite landscapes are, what your ideal temperature and what season do you prefer. From there, we guide our couples to the best time of year and land on a date. When we begin the planning & guidance process after booking, we send questionnaires that include a variety of in depth questions to get super clear on what are all the most important elements for your day so nothing gets missed. Then we provide the best locations & itinerary options to choose from and co-create your Iceland wedding day!! We love to customize location options for our couples so they can enjoy the planning process and feel supported while bringing their dream vision to life!
How Did the Couple Personalize Their Elopement?
Kristen & Adam: We had plenty planning help from our photography team. We had a slow start to the day, breakfast and coffee by the sea followed by make-up and getting ready, then a short drive over the mountains to our wedding location. We were thoughtful but also spontaneous.
What Challenges Did the Couple Face While Planning Their Elopement in Iceland, and How Did They Overcome Them?
Kristen & Adam: Being from the U.S. required us to do some serious pre-planning in order to have a legal civil ceremony in Iceland. We used a law firm (Legal Iceland) to help make certain we completed all of the requirements properly. Booking a florist in October was slightly challenging, so we ended just finding a shop in Selfoss and taking along drive across the country the day before our wedding.
What Advice Would You Give to Others Planning an Elopement in Iceland?
Kristen & Adam: Be prepared to be flexible. Choosing a remote location in a season of the year where weather can prevent even short car travel requires flexibility. On our wedding day it was sunny, it rained, it snowed and it was clear again in the evening. Liz and Jason at Organic Moment are amazing. Hiring someone capable is a must.
Liz, the photographer: If you know you want to elope in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the West of Iceland, it’s time to start thinking about what are the most important elements you want to include in your day, what activities you love to do as a couple and what your favourite season is! If you don’t know where you want to elope in Iceland, we recommend downloading the free guide we created ‘How to choose your dream elopement destination‘ – A 7-step guide to intentionally choosing the best place to elope on your wedding day. Let’s make the process intentional while having an awesome time. Make it a fun date night, grab your favourite drinks, cuddle up and get ready to enjoy the beginning of your eloping journey!
What Were the Most Memorable Moments from This Elopement?
Kristen & Adam: So many to choose from! The first look where Adam was waiting by the water before Kirkjufell was very exciting and memorable. Hiking back to our location in our wedding gear with our officiant, Theodora, was fun and chilly and thrilling. Some tourists decided to stop and take our photo which was great. We got a little cold and needed a break after the ceremony before some more photos so we shared a spontaneous coffee and pastry in our rental Mitsubishi sedan. The pastry was really simple and delicious collected from a local grocery in Olafsvik. On our drive to our ceremony we saw a rainbow, and on our drive back after our intimate wedding dinner we were surprised to see the Northern Lights. Liz and Jason took our photos under the Northern Lights at our accomodation outside under the stars.
Why Is Iceland One of the Best Places to Get Married in Europe?
Kristen & Adam: The best place is one that is meaningful to you. Perhaps particular to Iceland is that it is possible to truly secluded and have a ceremony and experience that is deeply personal and private for an elopement.
Do you need any Permits for Any of These Locations?
Liz, the photographer: You don’t need permits for any of these epic places seen in Kristen and Adam’s Iceland Snæfellsnes Peninsula elopement! Luckily, we guide our couples to locations that are public, accessible and avoid landowner locations entirely. Iceland doesn’t require any permits for foreigners eloping but if you want to make your marriage legal, you will need a marriage license. We assist our couples through the marriage license process by providing our curated list of vetted local vendors to make it super easeful and bridge the gap between navigating the unknown in another country. If you don’t want the government involved and prefer a symbolic ceremony, there’s less paperwork involved but we still recommend an officiant to guide you through your ceremony, vows and ring exchange for a seamless experience making it easy to navigate how to elope in Iceland.
