Iceland Wedding Location Guide

Everything you need to know about where to say, “I do”

Congratulations on planning an Iceland wedding! This location is full of mystery, drama, surprise, and endless wow-worthy views. You’ll be in awe of the beauty and power of nature around every turn, so how the heck are you supposed to choose just one spot to say, “I do?” Well, that’s what I’m here for! As someone who has photographed several weddings in Iceland, I can help you find the perfect location for yours! Hop in my imaginary 4×4, buckle up for a bumpy ride, and let’s explore my top six locations for an Iceland wedding day!

Iceland Wedding Location Guide Table of Contents:
Location 1: Black Sands Beach and Basalt Columns
Location 2: Waterfalls
Location 3: Glaciers, Icebergs, and Ocean
Location 4: Open landscape and endless road
Location 5: The Westfjords Region and Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Location 6: Downtown Reykjavík

Black Sands Beach and Basalt Columns | Reynisfjara

A 2-3 hour drive from Reykjavík, the Black Sand Beach of Reynisfjara is an ideal place to elope because of its central location (we can hit some waterfalls on the same day!) and the fact that it includes so much beauty in one place. I’ve photographed multiple elopements here because couples just love the beauty and uniqueness of this spot! That’s just one benefit of eloping on an island formed by volcanic activity!

This Iceland elopement location has:

• Basalt columns that are unlike anything else you’ve ever seen before!
• A breathtaking view of the ocean.
• Black sands for a unique look and a beautiful contrast to a white wedding gown (or really any attire that isn’t black!).

When we photograph here, I’ll review the safety practices since the large ocean waves can make for dangerous photography. We’ll keep our distance because the “sneaker waves” (a large wave that, well, sneakily forms between other smaller ones) of the beach are impossible to predict. These waves form because of the steep drop-off in the ocean right off the coast. Being a strong swimmer won’t help you fight a sneaker wave—all you can do is keep your distance, so we will keep ours. But don’t worry! That doesn’t mean we won’t be able to capture incredible images! I’ve photographed here before, so I’ll make sure we take photos at a safe distance while still capturing the unmatched views.

Waterfalls | Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss

When planning your Iceland wedding, I bet you had some waterfall visits in mind! Iceland is known for its huge, otherworldly waterfalls that always seem to have a rainbow arching overhead. Talk about a breathtaking spot for an elopement! My favorite waterfalls to consider are Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.

While these two waterfalls can get busy—they’re two of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland—I’ll craft our plan, so we’re there when it’s least crowded and best for taking beautiful elopement photos. And even if we can’t guarantee complete privacy, I’m a pro at photoshopping away any tourists who wander into the background of your photo. Your final gallery will look like you somehow managed to get the waterfall all to yourself!

These Iceland elopement locations have:

• A towering waterfall multiple stories high
• Rainbows when the sun hits them just right
• Beautiful green grass beside the water
• Dark rocks and sand for a beautiful contrast, like the black sands beach

If you choose the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, we can even stand behind it for an extra-unique look!

Glaciers, Icebergs, and Ocean | Jökulsárlón

The Jökulsárlón in southeastern Iceland, on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park, is one of the most otherworldly places you can plan an elopement. Glacier Lagoon features ice caves, the famous Diamond Beach, and some of the most beautiful glaciers this planet has to offer. Now, this location is for the more adventurous couple as it’s about a five-hour drive from Reykjavík. But it is well worth the trip.

These elopement location has:

• Ice caves to explore via a guided tour.
• Waterfront views of passing icebergs
• Diamond Beach, a stunning black sand beach with chunks of ice scattered all over it, making it truly look like you’re surrounded by glittering engagement rings!

This Iceland wedding spot is an amazing option for couples who want more than stunning landscapes in their photos—they want some serious adventure and that icy look, too!

Open landscape and endless road | Iceland highlands

For couples who love to camp or just get off the beaten path, the Iceland Highlands are for you! The highlands are definitely the best spot to camp on the island and are super fun if you’re renting a camper van!

If you venture into the highlands for your Iceland wedding, you’ll need a 4×4, preferably one with a pretty high clearance. These are the least maintained roads on the island and are even graded with an “F,” meaning they’re hardly looked after. But don’t let that deter you—some of the best experiences in Iceland can be found in these remote, rugged highlands, and it’s nothing a good car can’t get you to!

This Iceland wedding location has:

• Endless open landscape
• Tons of camping spots ideal for camper vans
• Mountains stretching as far as the eye can see
• Volcanic remains and dark rock
• Truly out-of-this-world landscapes that will make your elopement day a dream!

I always recommend the highlands as a great addition to a more extended Iceland trip or as an elopement spot for adventurous couples who don’t mind getting waaaaaay out in nature.

Left photo by Koushik Chowdavarapu on Unsplash • Right photo by Till Rottmann on Unsplash 

The Westfjords Region and Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The Westfjords Region and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula make up the northwestern portion of the island. This region is not as often-traveled and is best for couples who want to venture well off the beaten path to experience a part of the world that genuinely feels untouched by humans.

This rugged corner of the island has a little bit of everything: black sand beaches, dramatic basalt cliff sides, quaint fishing villages, and tons of opportunities for viewing wildlife. If you want to see the puffins or go whale-watching, this is the part of the island for you!

Some of the fun you can have in northwest Iceland include:

• Visit the Kirkjufell, “church mountain,” with a waterfall in front.
• Step into history in the Búðir black church, a small black chapel in a vast green field (and absolutely jaw-dropping with the Northern Lights in the winter).
• Visit Svörtuloft and Malarrif lighthouses for a beautiful piece of history to include in your photos.
• Go puffin-watching, which can be done from the many beaches in the area.
• Take a whale-watching tour.
• Dip into the area’s hot springs.

These quieter portions of the island can definitely be a good option for getting away from the crowds for a truly intimate celebration!

Downtown Reykjavík

While you’re probably not planning an Iceland wedding to experience vibrant city life, you’d be surprised what you can find in downtown Reykjavík! This city is the perfect jumping-off point for so many amazing Iceland locations, and you’ll definitely have to spend at least some time here before or after adventuring!

There are many things to do in the city, including:

• Soak in Sky Lagoon, a nearby hot springs.
• Attend the Culture Night festival in August and enjoy the fireworks show at the end!
• Enjoy the restaurants, music, art, and culture of the downtown area.

Getting around the town in a car can be tricky because of limited parking. So, consider staying in a central location and planning to walk everywhere. If you do need to take a longer trip within the city, try Hreyfill Taxis.

Too many locations to choose from for your Iceland wedding? Try a multi-day elopement for an adventure even more epic!

You’re in Iceland, so why not live it up and enjoy every inch of the island to its fullest? A multi-day Iceland wedding can give you the flexibility you need to see all the sights you’re dreaming of without rushing any of them.

I’m an elopement and intimate wedding photographer with experience photographing at most of these locations in Iceland, so I’d love to chat about your dream Iceland wedding day! Get in touch on my contact page, and we’ll start planning your epic adventure. In the meantime be sure to check out my Iceland wedding and elopement packages page as well as the other resources below!