Have you always wanted to have a summer elopement in Iceland? You’ve found the right post.
As an Iceland elopement photographer who loves to travel, I’ve been lucky enough to photograph couples with the backdrop of this beautiful Nordic country. After witnessing the beauty of the country firsthand, I just knew I had to help other couples like you prep for their Iceland elopement, especially in summer.
Throughout this post, you’ll learn everything there is to know about eloping in Iceland during the summer. Let’s get into it!
Why Have a Summer Elopement in Iceland
Despite summer being the peak time to plan trips to Iceland, it’s also the best time to elope. Here are a few reasons why.
Mild (But Nice) Weather
Iceland’s weather changes drastically throughout the year. While Iceland never gets a full Polar Night like nearby Svalbard, Norway, the weather can get quite cold throughout the winter, especially as the country plunges into darkness almost around the clock.
Luckily, that all changes in the summer months, when the temperature is much milder. Most days are around 50-70 °F. If you’re from the West Coast, I’m sure that might shock you! July tends to be the warmest month of the year.
Because of the nice weather, it’s easier to enjoy the country’s natural beauty. You won’t have to bundle up in gear to go outdoors to the black sand beaches and jaw-dropping waterfalls.
Longer Days
During winter, Iceland can often see around four hours of daylight. (Yes, you read that correctly.) However, the Midnight Sun occurs in the summer, which can create just around 24 hours of sunlight!
Many visitors to the country love this because it means you can wait until the middle of the night when it’s still light out to go out and enjoy the country’s beauty without any crowds.
These longer days also give you more flexibility for an Iceland elopement because you can choose which time of day you’d like to elope. Eloping in winter would mean either choosing the very short window of sunlight or eloping in darkness.
Stunning Landscapes
Obviously, if you want to have a summer elopement in Iceland, you know about the fantastical landscapes that the country has. The grass is exceptionally vibrant, some waterfalls look like they’ve come straight out of a fantasy movie, and there are even black sand beaches that create such a stark contrast against the vibrant blue water.
Because of that, there are really endless spots throughout the country where you can enjoy the Icelandic landscapes and say “I do” with your partner.
Post-Elopement Activities
Sure, there are fun post-elopement adventures that you can only do in winter, but a lot of Iceland is more accessible in summer. Once your elopement is done, you can extend your trip by road-tripping Ring Road, experiencing the Midnight Sun (more on that later!), or hiking to some of the world’s most unbelievable waterfalls.
Often, due to this being peak travel time, many restaurants, tours, and other attractions will also have extended hours to make up for the lack of visitors in the winter, making it easy as a tourist to experience all that you want to.
Summer Iceland Elopement Month-by-Month Breakdown
May
In May, Iceland’s weather is usually between 40° F and 50° F. This tends to be a rainier month, but Iceland is lovely even with rain. Southern Iceland tends to be a bit warmer than northern Iceland. Areas like the Central Highlands may still have snow, making some parts of the country inaccessible, which is something to keep in mind.
Similar to other places worldwide, the country begins to emerge from springtime with flowers blooming and days starting to get slightly longer.
Because this month is a transition of spring/summer, layers are the name of the game here, but if an adventure elopement is what you’re after, I’m sure you know how to prep for that already. Eloping in Iceland in May is a great way to get ahead of peak season while enjoying lower accommodation prices and good weather. Plus, you could have a midnight ceremony!
June
If you want to avoid snow altogether, June is the perfect time to book your elopement. The longest day of the year is June 21, so you will experience the Midnight Sun during this time, or you could even go on a tour as part of your epic elopement trip. The temperatures are usually above 50° F, which is pretty comfortable.
This is one of the more popular times of year to visit, so accommodations or bookings should be made well in advance to avoid missing out on any places you definitely want to stay or elope at.
Like May, you’ll want to be aware that the weather could be a little rainy, so pack layers and waterproof clothing.
July
The Capital city, Reykjavik, has many events during the month of July, making it both a warm and lively time for an Iceland elopement. Temperatures are normally between 50 and 70° F during this month.
As you might expect, July is the busiest month for tourism in the country. If you don’t mind that, though, and know that you’ll have to book everything beforehand, you can still have an unforgettable experience. Just know that busy months tend to be more expensive.
If you’re an adventurer, eloping in Iceland during July is a must. Many of the best hikes in the country are only open and easy to access during months like this. It’s also one of the more popular (and better) times to drive Ring Road, which could be a fun post-elopement road trip.
August
August temperatures on average are around 57° F but they have been known to soar up to 75° F, making it the hottest month to visit besides July. But that’s still an awesome temperature for an incredible elopement experience!
During peak summer, you’ll experience many great festivals throughout the country (including Reykjavik’s Pride Parade!), so you can experience the culture more during your trip.
Psst… learn more about how to elope in Iceland as an LGBTQ+ couple here!
Many people start to witness the Northern Lights towards the tail-end of August, too, though it tends to be easier during the darker months of the year.
You can’t go wrong with eloping in Iceland during any time of summer, but the beginning of summer will usually have lower prices than July and August.
Are You Ready to Elope in Iceland?
If you’ve made it this far, odds are high that you’ve decided eloping in Iceland is for you. I’d love to learn more about you and your partner’s love story and how I can capture it.
You can click here to get in touch or click here to view my Iceland elopement photography services. I’m always down to travel or hike a glacier, especially to photograph once-in-a-lifetime love that rivals Iceland’s beauty.
