Iceland is a destination that calls you back again and again. It’s a place you just have to see for yourself to believe that it’s a real and perfect place for an unforgettable adventure elopement.
As an Iceland elopement photographer, I wanted to offer you some different location options for your elopement ceremony, all set against the backdrop of a waterfall, because Iceland + waterfalls are truly the perfect match!
Read on to discover the top five waterfalls to consider for your adventure elopement in Iceland!
The 5 Best Waterfalls for an Adventure Elopement in Iceland
Here are my five absolute favorite Iceland waterfalls to plan your celebration at. Also, just a quick fyi, you’ll find all of these waterfalls in the southern part of Iceland!
Skogafoss
First on the list is the enchanting Skogafoss waterfall. This is a dramatic, 60-meter waterfall, and it’s one of the biggest waterfalls you’ll find in Iceland. You can walk right up next to it – but be prepared to get wet if you do!
One of the most unique things about this waterfall is that it’s pretty common to see rainbows here on sunny days due to the amount of spray the waterfall produces. Imagine how enchanting it would be to have a rainbow as the backdrop during your elopement ceremony!
You can also climb (lots of) stairs to view the falls from above, not just below. From the top of the waterfall, there is a path that will lead you to a moderate hike where you can see breathtaking waterfalls after breathtaking waterfalls. The path is absolutely magical and truly nothing compares to it.
My pro tip for eloping here? Plan a sunrise or sunset elopement because this waterfall gets busyyy. Also, one of the best things about visiting this waterfall is that it doesn’t require a strenuous hike to access it – it’s so massive you can actually see it from the road!
Kvernufoss
Another incredible waterfall I have to mention is Kvernufoss. This waterfall happens to be pretty close to Skogafoss (so you can try seeing both on the day of your elopement)! Even though it’s located so close to Skógafoss, it’s surprisingly private and easy to access, as it’s only a 20-minute (mostly flat) hike from the parking lot to the waterfall.
Another fun feature of this waterfall is that you can actually go behind it, and it’s just a short drive away from towns like Reykjavik and Vik. I would highly recommend this waterfall if you already know you want to have a private, intimate ceremony because Kvernufoss will feel like it’s exclusively yours without another soul in sight.
Kvernufoss is the perfect embodiment of what makes an Icelandic elopement so magical. The waterfall’s raw beauty, coupled with your heartfelt promises and those of your partner, creates a celebration that feels timeless.
Íráfoss
Íráfoss is definitely a lesser-known waterfall that is both private, quiet, and, of course, beautiful. There is no well-paved trail to reach it, but with that being said, it’s not difficult, and it’s a fairly short walk to access the waterfall, and the hike to the waterfall is stunning!
Also, this waterfall happens to be pretty close to some other incredible landmarks, and it’s also close to Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, so you can definitely visit all three if you’re up for it!
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is another iconic waterfall in Iceland that makes for an unforgettable backdrop for your elopement. It offers incredible views that are accessible from a flat path; however, if you want to go behind the waterfall, you will encounter some slippery steps, rocks, and inclines, so be prepared and watch your step.
Also, Seljalandsfoss, like Skógafoss, gets very crowded, which is why the best time for an elopement here is either sunrise or sunset, if you want to have more privacy. A really unique aspect you can add to your elopement is choosing to exchange vows with your partner behind the waterfall!
Gljúfrabúi (or Gljufrafoss)
Gljúfrabúi is right next to Seljalandsfoss, and it’s another super-easy waterfall to access. A noteworthy feature of this waterfall is that you can walk behind it into a small cave, which is very secluded and creates a dramatic and moody atmosphere on the day of your celebration.
You’ll find mostly flat paths to see the entrance to the cavern with a view of the waterfall, but if you want to see the full waterfall, you will have to hop/wade through shallow water – but that’s just part of the adventure, right?
Tips for Planning Your Iceland Adventure Elopement at a Waterfall
If we work together, one of the things I do is make sure that you’re fully prepared for your Iceland waterfall adventure elopement and that you have everything you need! Here are some of my pro tips to save and refer back to as you start planning your celebration:
Bring a backpack
You and your partner will both want to bring backpacks along and make sure that you pack rain jackets, boots, water bottles, and towels.
You’ll also need to think about whether you’re going to pack your wedding attire and change when we get to the waterfall – if that is something that you’re planning to do, I would suggest bringing along a garment bag you can hook onto the back of your backpack so your wedding attire doesn’t get wrinkled!
Research the time of year and the time of day
Both time of day and time of year are super important when planning your waterfall adventure elopement. The weather in Iceland changes all the time, and something else to know is that summer is Iceland’s busy season!
You’ll want to be careful you don’t pick a popular location at the busiest time of the day. You can avoid this by choosing to have your elopement at sunrise, sunset, or even midnight (yes, you read that correctly). In late June, you can experience the Midnight Sun when there are basically 24 hours of sunlight!
Safety
First, I would recommend that you and your partner stand away from the waterfalls when exchanging your vows so you don’t have to shout at each other to hear what the other one is saying.
Of course, this is absolutely up to both of you to decide, but remember, after your ceremony, you can get right up close to the waterfall for some epic photos! Also, when it comes to your safety, please be careful when exploring near and around the waterfall.
The rocks around the waterfalls can get very slippery, and sometimes you’ll encounter terrain that isn’t smooth and easy to navigate. I want you to have fun and enjoy yourselves, but I also want you both to be safe!
Ready to Plan Your Epic Waterfall Adventure Elopement in Iceland?
I hope you found this info about different waterfalls in Iceland and where you can elope helpful!
Also, if you want even more information on Iceland, I’ve got the resources and answers you’re looking for.
For a guide to on how to elope in Iceland go here, or if you want to learn more about planning a timeline for your Iceland elopement, check out my blog post here.
Now, all you need is the perfect Iceland elopement photographer! Whether you want to hike a glacier, say your vows under the spray of a waterfall, or dance down rainbow-painted streets (or all of the above!), I am here for it! And I’ll take some great photos for you as well, of course. To learn more about my Iceland elopement experience, go here, or you can get in contact with me here.
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