Kari Bjorn Photography
Iceland elopement and Wedding photographer
I bet you’re not the type of couple to book the boring wedding venue and have everybody over for another standard wedding day.
Also, who wants to pay for your dads’ coworker’s meals when you can ditch that and plan an adventure elopement in Iceland!
Here’s how we make that happen!
Helping adventurous couples navigate non-traditional elopements in epic landscapes!
How To Plan Your Elopement In Iceland
You’re here and you’re reading this, that’s a good start. I’d recommend allowing extra time for everything in the planning process. Book everything as far out as you can, especially if you’re planning a summer wedding. As far as paperwork goes, you will need to file a few documents before arriving in Iceland.
Notification of marriage with the Iceland Registry
Birth certificates of both parties.
Certificate of marital status, issued within eight weeks prior to the wedding date.
A divorce decree if this is not your or your partner’s first marriage.
If either party is a widow/widower, a document about the deceased person’s estate has been finalized.
Valid passports. (goes without saying!)
You can either send all documents by mail a minimum of three weeks before the scheduled wedding date. Alternatively, you can email them and then hand them in 5 days before. The second option works well for couples planning to spend at least two weeks in Iceland.
The easiest and most stress-free
option is to have a symbolic
ceremony in Iceland and do all
the papers at home before your trip.
Iceland Elopement Locations
Not all the places in Iceland are created equal, some are just a little more epic than others, haha! It is still worth pointing out that the best locations are only great during certain seasons or time of day. There are many amazing locations in the south of Iceland, such as Reynisfjara and Skógafoss. They are also some of the most heavily visited places in Iceland. This means you should stay away from them if you’re planning an intimate daytime elopement in summer. It will just be too damn crowded! They are however, exceptional for a midnight ceremony or a winter elopement. This is why working with someone who’s familiar with the country in all seasons is important. Check out my favorite locations and get in touch to book.
1. Skógafoss
Arguably one of the more popular destinations in Iceland. Skógafoss (forest falls*) in south Iceland is beautiful from afar and up close. Just know that if you want to plan a ceremony at this location — an early morning or a late evening is going to be the best option. It can get pretty crowded, especially up close.
*Many places in Iceland have “skóga” in the name despite there being almost no forests in the country. When Iceland was settled about 1250 years ago, it is estimated that 1/4 of the land was covered with forests that were cut down by Viking settlers and it never recovered.
2. Dyrhólaey
It kind of doesn’t get more epic than Dyrhólaey, either as the setting or backdrop for your elopement in Iceland. There is also a lighthouse (more on that later) which could be incorporated into your photos. This is another popular location on the south shore — don’t worry, there will be more!
3. Kirkjufell
Probably the most photographed mountain in Iceland, and for good reason — imagine getting married with this backdrop! Kirkjufell is a pretty small mountain on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Google even calls it a hill, haha! The roundtrip around the peninsula is actually perfect for a day trip elopement photoshoot. I grew up in Reykjavík but spent many summers on the peninsula in my family’s summer home. You can easily spend a full day on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Check out Búdir, Arnarstapi, Hellnar, Selvallavatn, and more. Spend the day exploring and doing portraits on the peninsula, finishing up with a midnight sun ceremony by Kirkjufell mountain.
4. Flatey
Flatey is an island on the Breiðafjörður fjord in West Iceland. It is semi-inhabited, nobody lives there year-round but there are summer homes. There is a daily ferry that runs from Stykkishólmur. Flatey is a wonderful place to experience solitude and get close with many of the native bird species (puffins!) that call the fjord home. A few of the houses on the island are available for rent over summer. This is both an ideal spot for an elopement and your honeymoon.
5. Hvítserkur
Hvítserkur is a basalt rock that stands tall on the northwestern shores of Iceland. It is a somewhat popular spot but a little out of the way. A midnight elopement would be ideal here, especially since it’s up north with even more midnight sun during summer. When the tide is low, you can walk all the way up to the rock!
6. Þórsmörk
Þórsmörk is a pretty special place, for a few reasons. First off, it is a nature reserve and one of the best places (if not the best) in Iceland for hiking. Secondly, it is pretty secluded, as you’ll need a ride in. You cannot enter with your rental car, as crossing the unbridged Krossá river is not recommended on your own. You can hop on a bus but I highly recommend getting on a super jeep tour as it is both an experience on it own and a safe way to get in. Once in Þórsmörk, the views are spectacular! You could easily spend the entire day there, having your ceremony in the morning, followed by photos in the afternoon and evening. Lastly, if hiking is your thing, check out the Fimmvörduháls hike, it’s a full day between Skógafoss and Þórsmörk.
7. Jökulsárlón
The famous Jökulsárlón is of course on this list! Not only is this one of the most impressive places in Iceland, but probably in Europe as well. Especially when paired with the Diamond Beach and nearby Fjallsárlón. This is a spot where you definitely want to go for a sunrise or sunset elopement to get away from crowds, and particularly stay away from the main area if you want an intimate elopement. There are a few spots around the lagoon with small cliffs or a little beach strand that would be ideal for a ceremony. The Diamond Beach is also a great spot for a ceremony followed by portraits around the lagoon.
8. Reynisfjara
Also known as the black sand beach, Reynisfjara is one of the locations in Iceland everybody visits and has seen images from. The black sand is ideal for super contrasty images. I mean, a white wedding dress on black sand!? How amazing is that? Pair that with the stuðlaberg rock formations for graphic elopement portraits. On some days, Reynisfjara might not be the best spot for a ceremony. It can get very crowded there on good days in summer but it’s always great for a portrait session.
9. Seljalandsfoss
Last but definitely not least is Seljalandsfoss — or as many call it, the one you can walk behind! This waterfall would also be ideal for an off-season or a midnight elopement ceremony. It’s perfect to end the day at as well. Consider this, after your ceremony and portraits in a few places run behind the waterfall to get soaked for epic shots!
Why Elope In Iceland?
You probably know this but it’s all the natural elements. It’s a total cliché to say Iceland is the land of fire and ice, but it’s true — in more meanings than just glaciers and volcanoes. It is a country of incredible contrasts. Black sand beaches and mountain tops you can experience 24 hours of sunlight in summer. The darkness of winter and the magic of the northern lights.
Here’s why you should elope in Iceland.
You will fly home with unique, dreamy, and magical elopement photos!
You can get married and have your honeymoon in Iceland on the same trip.
Same-sex marriages and ceremonies are not only legal but just as easy to plan.
You can choose to be legally married in Iceland or have a symbolic ceremony after doing the paperwork at home.
Iceland is right between North America and Europe. Meaning you can elope and then hop on over for more adventures.
Wouldn’t it be straight up awesome
if your elopement experience went from
“they were professional, had resources and took good pictures”
to experiencing your day with someone who:
“allowed us to be spontaneous in ways we rarely are able to in real life“
“who we connected with and then guided us through the entire process”
“we knew we could trust with our plans.”
What Are The Best Seasons?
Summer
Summers are amazing in Iceland! Everything is green and there’s endless light. The typical summer weather is 15 Celsius (60 Fahrenheit) and partly cloudy, especially on the southern shores. Summers up north are generally brighter and a little bit warmer. Although summer is generally the best time for an elopement it is also the busiest and most expensive time. It can get crowded around some of the most photogenic spots unless you opt for a midnight ceremony!
Winter
There’s no wonder why Icelandic folklore is full of mysteries, ghosts, elves, and otherworldly figures. Imagine living in Iceland in the 17th century — in almost complete darkness and trying to decipher what all the sounds Mother Nature is making are. Winter elopements in Iceland can be truly magical, especially if you have flexible plans and plenty of warm clothes.
Fall
Fall weather can be a bit tricky (weather in Iceland is generally tricky) — you can get calm September days with awesome colors or cold leftover Atlantic hurricanes known as haustlægð. Many also think the northern lights are only visible in winter but that’s wrong. They can show up any time, as long as the night is dark enough, which it is in the fall. September is a great month for an elopement, the crowds will be gone and you are not likely to need a winter jacket yet!
Spring
Spring is probably the shortest season in Iceland as it is not uncommon for there to be wintery weather until the middle of April. May is a bit like September, you will not catch the best weather (you will get midnight sun in late May) but you will also not run into the summer crowds either. Late May might be the best time of the year to elope in Iceland.
Iceland Elopement Packages
I offer a few packages for both day trips and multi-day elopement road trips. Here’s what’s included in all of my packages.
Remote planning and help booking other vendors
A custom timeline to make sure everything is perfect!
Digital and film photography
A private online gallery to view, share, and download from
Prices start at $4,900
Get in touch to learn more
Frequently Asked Questions
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The definition is a lot looser now as opposed to a few decades ago. To elope, originally meant “running away secretly in order to get married, especially without parental consent”. An elopement in Iceland is to get married in nature and include adventures on your wedding day.
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Couples often choose to elope to save money. Iceland might be considered one of the more expensive countries in the world but a typical 7-day elopement and honeymoon trip is still half price of what the average wedding costs in the United States.
Family issues often cause couple to want to elope over having a traditional wedding day.
Eloping in Iceland means that you put value in experiences over things.
You want your wedding day to be about you two.
An adventure filled elopement day is more authentic to you than a big wedding.
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When looking for an elopement photographer in Iceland, you can choose anywhere between a half-day to booking me for a few days and going on a road trip on the Ring Road in Iceland! The minimum I recommend is 5-6 hours which covers getting ready, a first look, your ceremony, and portraits in one or two locations after. This is typically a half-day for me while a full-day is somewhere between 9-12 hours based on the season. 12 hours is great when the days are long in summer but that doesn’t maybe make a whole lot of sense if you’re eloping in Iceland over new years and the day is only 3-4 hours long.
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Absolutely not! Some couples choose to have a super intimate and symbolic elopement ceremony in Iceland with just their photographer—some want to have friends and family join them for the ceremony and group photos after. I typically cap my elopement packages in Iceland at 30 guests.
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This also depends heavily on when you want to have your elopement. The tourist season in Iceland is short and packed. This means you should stay away from the most popular spots during the day in summer. Places like Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, and Seljalandsfoss, for example. These spots will be ideal though for an elopement in the summer midnight sun or during the off-season. As an Iceland Elopement Photographer, I help all couples choose a location when they book in addition to creating an elopement day timeline.
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My elopement packages start at $3,900. All of the packages include
1. Digital photo coverage and film photography
2. Remote planning help
3. Elopement day timeline
4. Assistance booking vendors and getting location permits in Iceland
5. A private online elopement gallery with an embedded print store.
6. No travel fees.
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Yes! My studio has a team of 2nd photographers and assistant to make sure any wedding day is perfectly captured.
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Yes, you can create a custom album or coffee table book within your elopement gallery. Alternatively, you can tell me what you want and which images you like and I can take care of it for you!
About
Hi! I am Kári Björn and I am an Iceland elopement photographer. I am currently based in the United States but I keep one foot in Iceland for elopements and to see family and friends.
I’ve been shooting since 2010 but had a different career before I made the full switch to photography in 2014. I went to culinary school and worked as a chef in fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants in Iceland, New York City, and London.
In 2012, I was hired by UN Women to capture the One Billion Rising dance party at the Harpa Music Center in Reykjavik. The pictures ended up in the newspapers in Iceland. It was the start of my transition to photography, and I was pretty hooked on making pictures from there on out!
In 2014, I resigned from my sous-chef position in Reykjavik and applied to Parsons School of Design in NYC where I studied photography with a focus on documentary and photojournalism. That’s also where I fell in love with film photography. I shot on everything from tiny little half-frame point and shoots to large format cameras and spent every single weekend in the darkroom, developing and printing. All of my elopement packages in Iceland now include both film and digital photography!
It’s pretty amazing to think back and see how Iceland’s popularity as a travel destination has grown. I grew up there exploring many of the most famous sites with my family and it was just us, completely alone. 15 years later, after having had 11 places to call home on 3 continents I’ve realized what a true gem my home country truly is!
More Iceland Elopement resources and articles
Kari Bjorn is an Iceland Elopement Photographer. Specializing in intimate elopements and helping couples have the best possible wedding in Iceland.