Iceland Elopement Photographer

Destination elopements, vow renewals, and couples sessions in Iceland

Hi, I’m Carrie —

a Destination Elopement Photographer

My approach to photography is personal and intentional. By taking the time to get to know you and understand who you are and what’s important you, I’m able to help bring your story to life in a meaningful way through your photos. From the intricate details of your outfits and decor, to the location you’ve carefully selected, to the relationships you have with each other and with your chosen people. I encourage my couples to prioritize their experience and stay present  — to enjoy the memories of your wedding day while you’re living them. I am a skilled observer with an eye for anticipating moments, capturing emotions, and when needed, providing natural guidance that doesn’t feel intrusive. This blend of candid storytelling and editorial direction results in photos that are an artistic yet authentic representation of your day

Iceland Portfolio - Elopements, Couples, Landscapes

Best Iceland Elopement Locations

Waterfalls. Iceland is home to thousands of waterfalls! Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss are some of the more popular ones, but there are also lots of hidden gems throughout the island that are just as beautiful and impressive. Whether you say your vows here or not, I think taking photos at a waterfall while you’re in Iceland is a total must!

The Highlands. If you’re really craving adventure and want a truly wild experience - this would be the perfect choice. There are a range of different locations within the Highlands to choose from, including mountains, colorful geothermal areas, black sand beaches, volcanic craters, and more.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. One of Iceland’s most famous black sand beaches, featuring smooth black volcanic sand, views of the legendary Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and the notable basalt columns that tower along the cliffs. This is an easily accessible location on the South Coast that naturally draws a lot of crowds. If you like the idea of a black sand beach but want a quieter location, I can share a few amazing alternatives!

Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Located in western Iceland, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, is home to the the famous Black Church of Budir, among other beautiful scenic areas like Snaefellsjokull National Park, Kirkjufell Mountain, and Arnarstapi. Although a bit farther from some of the other popular destinations on the South Coast, this might be a good fit if you’re looking for a quieter place.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Another classic Iceland location for those who really want to incorporate some of the island’s most iconic scenery. You’ll find stretches of black sand peppered with large ice chunks and views of glaciers floating in the lagoon.

Want more? For couples who book with me, I provide in-depth location assistance, which includes a personalized list of location options based on your preferences when it comes to scenery, crowds, time of year, and overall experience. All you need to know to book me is that you want to elope in Iceland - I’ll work with you closely after booking to help plan out the rest!

Getting Married in Iceland

LEGAL CEREMONY AS A FOREIGNER

To make your marriage official in Iceland, you’ll need to submit all of the required paperwork via email at least 3 weeks before your date and bring original documents 5 days before the ceremony.

Required Documents:

  • Iceland Marriage Notification Form (Hjónavígsluskýrsla)

  • Birth Certificates for both partners

  • Certificate of Marital Status: Check with local authorities in your home state for issuance (must be within 8 weeks of the ceremony).

  • Divorce Decrees or Widow Certificates (if applicable)

  • Valid Passports

  • Proof of Legal Stay in Iceland (passport stamp, visa, plane tickets, etc.)

Additional Requirements:

  • An officiant (not necessarily religious)

  • Two witnesses to sign your Marriage Notification

Tip: Hire a local celebrant to assist with the paperwork and ensure everything is completed correctly.

SYMBOLIC CEREMONY

An alternative to legally getting married in Iceland is to take care of all the legal paperwork at home and have a symbolic ceremony instead. Many couples traveling for their elopement opt to legally get married at their local courthouse before or after their trip to Iceland where they celebrate and share their vows. This gives you more flexibility with  your trip since you won’t have to arrive extra early and you have the option of bumping your date if there are major weather concerns. Plus, getting married locally means less extra paperwork!

GETTING TO AND AROUND ICELAND

Fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF), which is about a 45-minute drive from the capitol city, Reykjavík. You can take a bus or shuttle to the city, but renting a car is recommended. A regular car is fine for main roads, but a 4x4 is needed for driving to the Highlands.

No extra visa is required for stays under 90 days, but make sure your passport is up to date and check travel restrictions before you go.

Bonus Tip: Look into Icelandair’s Stopover Program if you have plans to visit another country after Iceland!

TIME OF YEAR & WEATHER

Choosing the best time to elope in Iceland depends on your preferences for scenery, crowds, activities, and overall experience. Each season offers unique advantages and challenges, so consider what aligns with your vision.

Summer (June to August) is my personal favorite season in Iceland due to the longer days, milder weather, blooming lupines, and access to the Highlands. Although summer tends to bring more crowds, the extended daylight hours means more flexibility in your plans. A ceremony later in the day or early in the morning is a great way to beat the tourists!

Winter (December to March) in Iceland is very cold with higher chances of snow and rain, and short days with limited daylight for activities. However, winter is the best time to see the Northern Lights and go ice-caving.

Shoulder Seasons (Spring and Fall) are typically less crowded and a balance of surrounding seasons, but weather can be unpredictable, so plan for a range of conditions and have backup location ideas. During Spring there are still chances of seeing the Northern Lights in some locations and the days start to get longer. During the Fall, weather is still on the milder side and summer crowds begin to thin.

Iceland Elopement Photography

Starting at $8500.

Collections start at 6 hours of coverage and include all travel expenses, location assistance, a custom timeline, and a digital gallery of high-resolution photos. Add-ons include additional coverage or sessions, a second photographer, and albums.

Iceland Elopement Itinerary Ideas

A summer elopement in Iceland:

Day 1: Wake up early to hike to a hidden waterfall, explore, take photos, and then grab lunch before you go check into your airbnb to hang out and relax.

Day 2: Spend the morning getting ready together at your airbnb, grab brunch at a local restaurant, and drive out to the Highlands, hike and explore to find the perfect ceremony spot, share your vows, and take portraits as you take in the epic scenery around you.

A winter elopement in Iceland:

Day 1: Spend the day exploring an ice cave and then relax at a hot spring as the sun sets.

Day 2: Share your vows in the morning at a glacier lagoon, adventure to an epic waterfall, then head back to your airbnb for a private dinner and first dance. Hang out and relax while you wait until it’s dark enough to see the Northern Lights!

Things to do in Iceland before, during, and after your elopement:

  • Drive The Golden Circle.

  • Explore the West Fjords.

  • Visit a natural hot spring.

  • Have a nice dinner and do some shopping in downtown Reykjavik.

  • Chase waterfalls.

  • Go Ice Caving!

  • Hike to the abandoned Solheimasandur plane wreck.

  • Go whale watching.

  • Do a glacier tour.

  • Watch the northern lights in the winter.

  • Relax at the Blue Lagoon.

  • Do a helicopter, plane, or atv tour.

  • Go 4x4 adventuring in the highlands.

  • Go snowmobiling on Langjokull Glacier.

  • Do a whitewater rafting tour.

Where to Stay For Your Iceland Elopement

REYKJAVIK

Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital and is home to nearly two thirds of the population. It’s definitely a fun place to stay for a night or two during your trip so you can explore downtown, get a feel for what Iceland “city” life is like, and check out local restaurants and shops, but a lot of the best elopement locations are a couple hours or more away. This might be a good option for you if you don’t mind the driving and you prefer to stay somewhere less remote, with lots of food and shopping opportunities nearby. There are a variety of hotels available in the city, but I would recommend a cute airbnb if it will be your getting ready location. An airbnb will give you more space and privacy and better lighting for photos!

CAMPER VAN

If you’re really looking for an adventurous experience, you can actually rent a camper van and drive your home around the island! You’ll want to do some research in advance for campsites and places to park to make sure you aren’t scrambling last minute for somewhere to sleep.

SOUTH COAST

A lot of the well-known elopement locations like Skogafoss and Reynisfjara beach are along the South Coast of the island so staying nearby will really cut down your driving time and allow you to see a lot more during your trip! 

This Cottage is close to Seljandsfoss and other South Coast sites. I’ve personally stayed here and loved it!

This Panorama Glass Lodge would be SO cool to stay at for your elopement. The glass lodges let you enjoy the incredible views around you from the warmth of inside. Each lodge has a private hot tub and hammock too. Imagine a sunrise hot tub soak while you sip coffee and take in the scenery around you, then making breakfast together before you get ready and head out to go adventure around the island!! We could even come back here after dark (depending on the time of year) and do some cool astrophotography! If you’re visiting in the winter, this place would be great for seeing the Northern Lights.

If you want a really unique experience during your Iceland elopement, you can stay in a hanging bubble! This wouldn’t be a great place for getting ready photos as there isn’t much space, but it would be super fun for some early morning - cozy, cuddled up with coffee - shots before we head out on an adventure.

VIK

Vik is the South Coast’s largest village and is a great place to stay if seeing Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a priority! There are restaurants, hotels, and shopping in this area (although definitley not as much as in Reykjavik).

During our trip we stayed in the Black Beach Suites.  These are studio apartments so they aren’t very big but we loved our stay here! The rooms are very sleek and modern and feel more spacious than you’d think. The best part was that they are only a 5 minute drive from Reynisfjara and about 10 minutes from the town of Vik.

FOSSHOTEL GLACIER LAGOON

This hotel is a bit further up the coast but a great option if you want to go to Diamond Beach or the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon as they are only about 25 minutes away!

ARTFUL & INTENTIONAL STORYTELLING FOR COUPLES
WHO VALUE CONNECTION, AUTHENTICITY, AND MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! The two main areas I assist with during the planning process are location scouting/research and timeline building. I’m also happy to share vendor and accommodation recommendations and assist with permits when needed.

    I do not book any services on your behalf or do any day-of duties like setting up decor, managing guests and vendors, coordinating supply pickups, etc. If you’re looking for someone to manage those types of tasks, I can send over some amazing planner recommendations!

  • Yes, if you're having a larger wedding but resonate with my work and approach, please reach out! I'll provide a custom quote based on your wedding size and scope of plans. For larger weddings in Iceland, you must book a private venue or a planner.

  • My pricing includes all standard travel fees and I take care of booking my own flights, rental cars, accommodations, etc.

  • No, the scope of work involved for elopements, no matter how simple, is much more significant than a regular photoshoot. Plus, your wedding day deserves so much more than that! You won't get the same experience or types of wedding photos you see in my portfolio in just an hour or two.

  • After we've had an initial chat and you've chosen your date, I'll send over a contract and an invoice for your nonrefundable booking retainer. Depending on your booked coverage, this will be $2,000 - $3,000.