How to plan Iceland elopement in under 6 months.
Is it possible to get married in Iceland within under 6 months? Yes, it is!
90 % of my eloping couples plan their elopement within under 6 months so you could say I’m specialised in assisting with elopement planning that happens within under 6 months. Once I did elopement planning within 4 days and the couple had an elopement day that met all their dreams of how they wanted to get married.
There are some things (for example marriage papers, accommodation, flight tickets) that are good to start working on almost straight away, but let’s go with a step-by-step process.
What should I book first for my Iceland elopement?
If you are looking to officially get married in Iceland in under six months, I would advise booking a photographer an officiant or a priest first. Iceland is a small country with a limited amount of local photographers who even sell their days out quite quickly each year.
Your local Iceland photographer might have their year quite well booked but still have available dates for the year. If you are planning to elope in Iceland in under six months, reach out to the photographer and checking with their elopement dates. If the photographer isn’t available for your date, would you be able to adjust your elopement day to the photographer's availability?
Another one you should book is an officiant or a priest if you are officially getting married in Iceland. The local photographers in Iceland work with local officiants and priests and knowing they will be taking excellent care of the couple. Photographers here do have suggested officiants and priests who you can work with and they want to make sure you will be getting the best one to perform your ceremony and officiate you. That’s why it’s good to book an officiant or a priest as one of the first vendors for your day.
What are the official paperwork and deadlines for getting married in Iceland?
One of the most asked questions is:
Can a foreigner get married in Iceland?
The answer is yes. However, there are some laws on getting married there and paperwork to be filled out. So what do you need to know if you want to elope in Iceland? You and your partner need to be at least 18 years old. If your partner has been married before, you need to deliver divorce papers.
The documents are good to submit around 3-4 weeks before your big day and you can email them.
The documents you need to have and send them 3-4 weeks before the wedding.
Marriage notification from Hjónavígsluskýrsla District of Magistrate in Reykjavík. This form needs to be filled out and signed by both of you plus two witnesses ( I have been sometimes as one!)
“Notifications of marriage ceremonies are received from heads of religious associations or their representatives, priests or district commissioners to be registered in the National Registry” is written on the Iceland registry website.
The birth certificates of both parties attach to the Marriage application form. Originals can be returned after the wedding ceremony.
Only originals or officially authorized (stamp or seal) are accepted.
Certificate of marital status, which needs to be issued within 8 weeks prior to the wedding date. This document is also referred to as a CNI or "no impediments" in some countries
A divorce decree, if either party is divorced. If the bride/groom is a widower, a document detailing the estate of the deceased has been divided/finalized.
Valid passports of both parties and possible visas. You can check from here if you will be needing a visa. This is super important so you can officially stay in the country and get married.
Airline ticket (showing entry/exit of the country)
Passport copy of trustworthy person 1
Passport copy of trustworthy person 2
If documents do not arrive within this timeframe, the marriage is considered cancelled.
Also:
All documents must be handed in as the original paperwork and not a photocopy.
Your birth certificates and other original certificates handed in can be picked up after the wedding ceremony.
After the ceremony, it is possible to obtain your marriage certificate in English.
Same-sex marriages have been allowed in Iceland since 2010 and the LGBTQ+ culture in Iceland is thriving. Iceland was one of the first countries that allowed same-sex marriage. Many same-sex couples travel to Iceland to get married since getting married in their home countries isn't allowed.
Decide on the type of ceremony you want to have and plan accordingly. If you want to exchange vows in a traditional Icelandic setting, consider having a Viking-themed ceremony. You can also plan a small reception at a local restaurant or have a picnic in a beautiful location.
Flights, accommodation and car rental.
Flights.
The best way to travel to Iceland is by air and it’s the fastest way. International flights land at Keflavik international airport. It takes roughly 50 minutes from the airport to Reykjavik. Typical flight times from Europe are 3-4 hours and from America 5-6 hours.
If you stay under 90 days in Iceland, no visa is required for travellers from the UK, Ireland, Canada, EU, US, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries that are signed up with Schengen Agreement. Your passport needs to be valid for 3 months beyond your return day.
The cheapest flight options can be found on Skyscanner, Momondo and Google flights.
Accommodation:
If you are planning on an Iceland elopement, there are amazing accommodation options available throughout the country. To make the most of your special day, it is best to choose accommodation that is either close to your ceremony location or within the area where your elopement day will be focused on. This will reduce the amount of time you spend driving and allow you to fully immerse yourselves in the experience.
One option to consider is hotels. Iceland has a range of hotels that cater to different budgets and preferences. Some hotels offer stunning views of Iceland's unique landscapes and natural wonders. Others are situated in quaint towns and villages. It is advisable to research and book accommodation well in advance to ensure availability and avoid disappointment.
Another popular choice is Airbnb accommodations. This can be a cost-effective and unique way to experience Iceland. Airbnb offers a range of accommodation options such as apartments, cabins, and houses. Many of these are situated in secluded locations, allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty of Iceland in privacy.
Whatever accommodation you choose, make sure it is comfortable and convenient for your elopement day. This will help reduce stress and allow you to fully focus on your special day.
For example here are different accommodations in Iceland for your elopement day:
Car rental:
If you're planning to visit Iceland, driving a car is the best option to travel around the country. This is because Iceland doesn't have a train system and the public bus only goes once a day across the country, with limited stops.
By renting a car, you have the freedom to explore the country at your own pace and visit places that are not accessible by public transportation. For example, the public bus will only take you from Reykjavik to Vik and from there to Höfn in South-East Iceland.
Moreover, if you book your car rental early, you can save money. So, plan your trip ahead and book your car rental as soon as possible to get the best deals.
Experience the beauty of Iceland by driving around the country and exploring its hidden gems.
Checklist to plan out elopement within under 6 months:
Decide which part of Iceland you will be eloping in. Talk about this with your local elopement photographer. If you're eloping during wintertime, your photographer will know which regions are more available to visit and which regions have more snowstorms. You can still visit any region in Iceland during wintertime, but you have to always schedule an extra day or two for possible elopement day postponement and be aware of possible travel delays. You can choose to have your elopement ceremony on a glacier, by a waterfall, black sand beach or surrounded by mountains.
Set up your elopement budget
Reach out to vendors and talk about what vendors you need: photographer, videographer, hair and makeup artist, flowers or something else?
Check when your passport expires. If you U.S. citizen, your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of departure to visit Iceland.
Decide will be on your day just the two of you or maybe your close family members or close friends.
Plan out your elopement day: what are the things you want to see and experience? What are the locations you want to have in your photos? What are your likes and dislikes for your day? If you can do anything you want to, what would that include?
Check out your travel insurance
Book your stay in. Especially if you eloping in Iceland during summertime, many hotels and Airbnb can be booked well in advance because of the popular tourist season time. Also the earlier you book, the cheaper it is.
Book your flights and car rental.
Let your credit card company know you will be travelling abroad. Sometimes credit cards freeze cards if they don’t know you are travelling abroad and you making big card payments (hotel or car rental payments).
Decide on what to wear in Iceland. Make sure you have waterproof shoes and waterproof clothes for your time in Iceland.
Decide on your clothes for your elopement day. Dress Appropriately: Iceland's weather can be unpredictable, so dress in layers and prepare for rain and wind. Wear comfortable shoes for hiking or exploring.
Double-check: passport, marriage documents, rings, and warm socks.
With these tips, you can plan an Iceland elopement day in under 6 months. And there you did it; planned an elopement day in under 6 months! Have an excellent Iceland elopement day!