Want to Elope in Iceland? Avoid These Iceland Elopement Mistakes

If you want to elope in Iceland, the great news is that it’s quite easy, and of course, it’s incredibly beautiful. However, there are some things that you’ll want to look out for prior to your elopement to ensure that you and your partner have the best experience possible. 

As an Iceland elopement photographer, my job is to listen to your ideas and all the things you love so I can turn them into the elopement of your dreams. I also make sure that you are well-prepared for your elopement so your celebration can be stress-free and easy. 

Let’s dive into Iceland elopement mistakes to avoid so that you can have the Iceland elopement of your dreams. 

Iceland Elopement Mistakes to Avoid

These are common Iceland mistakes that you can avoid by doing a little extra prep and research before your Iceland elopement: 

Not hiring any vendors 

When planning a destination elopement, I would never recommend trying to figure everything out alone in a foreign country. Elopement vendors are going to make your life and overall elopement experience much easier, and you won’t have to worry about missing anything.

Two vendors I would recommend for your Iceland elopement:

• An Iceland destination elopement photographer. I’m putting extra emphasis on the word Iceland. If you work with someone who has experience photographing elopements in Iceland, like myself, we will be able to refer you to other incredible vendors, help you get the right permits, help you prepare for the weather, find hidden gems, etc. 

• An Iceland elopement planner. There are many amazing Iceland elopement planners you can work with and they will help you with logistics, finding the perfect location for your elopement, and additional elopement details. 

There are many different elopement vendors that you can hire depending on what your elopement vision is but I would start with finding your dream photographer and your planner. 

Psst…if you are looking for someone who can do both, I can help you plan your elopement and take all of the amazing photos to remember it by! 

Forgetting/not obtaining the correct permits 

Something you definitely won’t want to worry about is whether you have the right permit for your chosen elopement location. Some beautiful and popular spots in Iceland won’t require a special-use permit, but you’ll want to make sure you thoroughly research this prior to your elopement. 

Also, if you work with a planner and photographer, they will have the inside scoop and be able to tell you if you need any permits or not. 

Not following the legal process to get married in Iceland 

Yes, as a foreigner, you can elope in Iceland, but there are rules you have to follow if you want to plan your celebration here. 

I’ve broken this down in depth in another blog post, which you can read here to learn more about the process of eloping in Iceland. 

Not having a flexible timeline 

For your elopement, you will definitely want to have a flexible timeline because, let’s be honest, things happen – the weather could change, there might be traffic hiccups or something else unexpected could arise. 

Something to know about Iceland is that the weather can be unpredictable and vary significantly from day to day! While the views are stunning, it is essential to prioritize your safety and follow weather warnings, which you will be able to do if you have a flexible timeline. 

As your Iceland elopement photographer, I provide comprehensive resources to keep you aware of changing weather conditions. You will also receive timely communication and updates from me throughout your time in Iceland. 

That way, you can enjoy your elopement while staying informed and, therefore, safe! Don’t worry – I always have backup plans for you when the weather starts acting up. 

Also, keeping a flexible timeline will allow you to fully relax, enjoy, and be present during your elopement experience without feeling pressed for time or that you have to rush from place to place. 

It also gives us extra wiggle room, so if you see a stunning location where you want to hop out and grab a few photos, we can do it! 

Choosing a popular location to elope during the busy season 

Summer is Iceland’s high season, but crowds can be planned around. To avoid having curious onlookers at your elopement or a lot of strangers in the background of your photos, you will want to make sure that 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! 

Also, if you only rely on popular locations for your elopement, you could miss out on an amazing hidden gem of Iceland (there are several) where you won’t have to worry as much about crowds and will still have a beautiful location. 

Not planning for travel delays 

Travel days can unfortunately be inevitable, no matter how much you plan prior to your trip. My advice is to have a flexible itinerary and mindset for your elopement. 

You can plan your elopement itinerary to accommodate travel delays so that you don’t have to stress too much if you encounter any last-minute changes to your travel plans. 

Ready to Elope in Iceland? 

I hope you found this information helpful and now you know all of the Iceland elopement mistakes to avoid! 

Also, if you want even more information on Iceland, I’ve got the resources and answers you’re looking for. 

For a guide to epic Iceland elopement ideas, go here, or go here for an in-depth guide on how to elope in Iceland. Or, if you want to learn more about planning a multi-day Iceland elopement, check out my blog post here. 

Now, all you need is the perfect 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. 

Check out these posts next:

• Iceland Elopement Timeline Examples

• How to Plan a Summer Elopement in Iceland