Local Iceland Elopement Photographer

for fellow introverts, nature lovers & adventure seekers

helping you craft the best day of your life

book your discovery call

It’s all about the way it felt

Let Iceland be the backdrop to your love story.
An unforgettable journey that truly reflects
who you are as a couple.

Your Iceland elopement is not a photo session.
It’s a date.
A celebration.
An adventure of a life-time.

We are Daria and Hjalti – a local Iceland elopement photographer duo behind Ást og Hraun, based in Reykjavík.
We photograph intimate elopements across all of Iceland, from the remote Westfjords to the dramatic Highlands, year-round.
This is our home, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

What’s holding you back from saying heck yes! to the day you actually want?

Your elopement, your rules. No chair covers or a buffet line. No distant uncle asking when you’re having kids (yikes). Just the two of you, breathtaking Icelandic landscapes, and a damn good time.

Terrified of reading your vows
in front of 180 people? Fair. We would be too!

At your Iceland elopement the audience is usually just us, the wind, and the curious sheep stumbling through like a confused wedding guest.

Local Iceland elopement photographers

We’re not up-to-date on the latest wedding trends, but we know all there is to know about eloping in Iceland.

You can count on easy planning, reliable vendors that won’t ghost you, several backup plans for when the local weather does its thing and anything else you might need when conjuring your dream elopement here.
We mean it when we say it: we’ve got you covered

let’s go on an adventure

And when you’re traveling to Iceland from the US or abroad, having someone local who truly understands this place changes everything.

What’s holding you back from saying heck yes! to the day you actually want?

Your elopement, your rules. No chair covers or a buffet line. No distant uncle asking when you’re having kids (yikes). Just the two of you, breathtaking Icelandic landscapes, and a damn good time.

Terrified of reading your vows
in front of 180 people?
Fair. We would be too!

At your Iceland elopement the audience is usually just us, the wind, and the curious sheep stumbling through like a confused wedding guest.

And when you’re traveling to Iceland from the US or abroad, having someone local who truly understands this place changes everything.

Local Iceland elopement photographers

We’re not up-to-date on the latest wedding trends, but we know everything there is to know about eloping in Iceland.

You can count on stress-free planning, reliable vendors that won’t ghost you, several backup plans for when the local weather does its thing and anything else you might need when conjuring your dream elopement here.
We mean it when we say it: we’ve got you covered!

let’s go on an adventure

Hi. Hello.
This is us.

Ást og Hraun

/aust ɔːɣ r̥øyːn/ love and lava

Daria & Hjalti

Your local Iceland elopement photographers


Partners. Introverts. Gamers. Movie buffs.
Deeply inspired by Iceland’s desolate landscapes and intimate connection, shared between two human beings.
In love with the Westfjords, black & white and each other.

Oh, and we have a cat. Her name is Kisa
(it means “cat” in Icelandic).

MORE ABOUT US

What to expect from our time together

A carefree adventure.
Silly prompts and lots of laughs.
Quiet moments, shared just between the two of you.
Hidden spots you’d never stumble upon on your own.
Feeling the raw power of Icelandic nature.
Challenging weather (probably).
Forgetting you’re being photographed.
Time passing by too quickly.
Feeling seen, safe, and understood.

But don’t just take
our word for it

“We had a magical elopement in Iceland, and a pivotal part of our wonderful day was thanks to Daria and Hjalti. From the very beginning, they were kind, helpful, and worked with us to customize the elopement to what we wanted. They were incredible at giving us photo ideas and making us feel very comfortable. We explored favorite spots that meant so much to us, and they also introduced us to hidden gems, from driving into the mountains toward the glacier, to a cliffside waterfall, to hiking up to the top of another!! Above anything else, spending the day with them was just fun. We cannot recommend them enough!”

Adam & James, USA

“If you’re even thinking about booking Daria and Hjalti for your Iceland elopement, stop thinking and just do it. This was, hands down, the best experience I’ve ever had with any service provider, in any field. What stood out most was how supported we felt the entire way. Daria and Hjalti don’t just take photos, they guide you through the experience with expert local insight, warmth, and genuine passion.
Ast og Hraun is made up of rare, truly amazing humans. If you want photos that will move you for the rest of your life, and an experience that’s easy, joyful, and deeply human, Daria and Hjalti are the ones.”

Cath & Oli, Canada

“To us, Ást og Hraun are the best photographers in Iceland. They made our wedding day amazing, and we truly appreciate everything they did for us. Daria was so easy to work with, she helped us figure out locations, was kind, helpful, unbelievably organized, and had excellent communication. Even with us being seven hours apart, she made the whole planning process so seamless and easy. Our day started with a ton of rain, wind, and overcast skies, but they pivoted effortlessly and captured the most beautiful photos for us – we felt comfortable, cared for, and had the best time. They’re true experts at what they do, and we can’t thank them enough for being such an important part of our wedding day. Excellent customer service feels rare these days, but I was blown away by how amazing they were and how well they took care of us.”

Becca & Willie, USA

Planning an Iceland elopement in 2027?

Our books are open!
And we’re here for the wild, the weird,
and the wonderfully untraditional

let’s start dreaming it up

We only take on 15 elopements per year

This means you’ll get our full attention at all times, and you’ll never feel like just another client in a long row of many.
We love building genuine connections with our couples and often stay in touch for years after their elopement day.

Planning an Iceland elopement in 2027?

Our books are open!
And we’re here for the wild, the weird,
and the wonderfully untraditional

let’s start dreaming it up

We only take on 15 elopements per year.

This means you’ll get our full attention at all times, and you’ll never feel like just another client in a long row of many.
We love building genuine connections with our couples and often stay in touch for years after their elopement day.

So many incredible Couples
from the US and around the world
Chose us to document their Iceland elopement

and here’s why you should too

Local knowledge of Iceland

We live here and shoot elopements all year round, which means we’re not guessing, Googling, or relying on someone else’s “Ultimate Iceland Guide” written after a long weekend in Reykjavík. This is real, lived, everyday experience.

With us as your local Iceland photographers you can:
• explore spots that aren’t on every Pinterest board
• get travel times based on reality and local expertise
• have reliable backup options that are just as epic as your plan A
• trust our quick judgement calls when the weather inevitably does its thing

Two photographers (are better than one!)

You get a team: two photographers who work together seamlessly but see the world differently. Hjalti focuses on cinematic wide shots and landscapes, and Daria finds inspiration in emotion, connection, and storytelling details. It’s the kind of coverage a single photographer simply can’t replicate.

With two photographers documenting your elopement, you can:
• get the same moment captured from multiple perspectives
• have both big landscape shots and intimate close-ups without missing anything
• enjoy a smoother, more relaxed flow without constant repositioning
• feel at ease knowing nothing important will slip through the cracks

A fully personalized planning experience

Your elopement shouldn’t feel like assembling IKEA furniture without the manual. From timeline suggestions to weather monitoring, vendor recommendations, and location scouting, we will guide you through every step of planning your adventure in Iceland.

With our planning support, you can:
• stop wondering where to start or what’s “normal” for an elopement
• make confident decisions with local insight behind them
• enjoy a day tailored to your personalities, comfort, and pace
• feel fully supported from the first email to the gallery delivery

Down-to-earth, nerdy humans who give a damn

When people book us from across the world without ever meeting us first, they’re putting an enormous amount of trust in our hands, and we don’t take it for granted. We show up as real humans, not a brand persona, and we care deeply about creating an experience where you feel safe, respected, and celebrated for exactly who you are.

With us as your team you can :
• feel comfortable even if you’re introverted and / or camera-shy
• trust that your identities and boundaries won’t need explanation to be respected
• count on fast, clear, and friendly communication from start to finish
• have an experience that feels grounded, thoughtful and genuinely fun

read our Google reviews

become one of our happy couples

Looking for inspiration or ideas? Start here

Iceland Elopement Planning Guides

How to elope in Iceland. The ultimate Guide

Everything you need to know about planning your Iceland elopement: locations, legalities, timing, costs and more. Written by locals

Top Iceland elopement planning tips you need to know in 2026/27

The essential planning tips couples wish they’d known before eloping in Iceland. Based on years of experience and planning + documenting multiple elopements.

Best locations to elope in Iceland if you want to avoid the crowds

Leave the tourist and overcrowded spots behind. Our insider guide to Iceland’s most stunning and secluded elopement locations, from the Westfjords to the Highlands and beyond.

What to wear for your Iceland elopement

Practical advice on dressing for Iceland’s unpredictable weather without sacrificing comfort and style. Expert tips and tricks from two photographers who’ve seen it all.

Featured Elopements

A whimsical Budir black church elopement with Icelandic horses

An intimate midnight sun elopement in the Westfjords, Iceland

Exploring the Eastfjords: a hidden gem for your Iceland elopement

Iceland elopement with two dresses:
a dreamy white + bold black

Frequently asked questions

Your quick guide to what matters most when planning an elopement in Iceland

Good news is, anyone can get married in Iceland legally. All you have to do is book your officiant, gather the required documents 4-6 weeks prior to your elopement, and submit them to the Icelandic District Commissioner. Most couples only need passports, birth certificates, and certificates of marital status.

If you want a detailed overview, check our Guide on How to get married in Iceland as a foreigner

If it’s just you and your partner (or you two + a handful of guests), you don’t need a wedding planner. For small, simple elopements, we will help you with locations, timelines, permits, vendors, logistics, and all the Iceland-specific stuff that can feel overwhelming to figure out from abroad. All you’ll have to do is send a few emails.

If, however, you’re imagining something bigger, like florals, chairs, decorations, catering, a structured guest experience, or anything that resembles a traditional wedding, then a planner becomes essential. Once the guest count climbs past ~10 people and / or the setup gets complex, it’s worth having someone who will coordinate all the moving pieces for you.

Iceland isn’t a budget destination, and if you’re coming all this way you’ll want to spend a few extra days exploring, which adds to the overall cost. Between flights, accommodation, car rental, and elopement-related expenses (photographer, officiant, HMUA, florist, cake) most couples spend between $8,000 and $25,000 in total. That said, you can create a meaningful, beautiful elopement here without overspending.

If you want a full breakdown, take a look at our comprehensive Iceland Elopement Guide

It really depends on the type of experience you want. Every season in Iceland has something special to offer, but each comes with its own quirks and challenges.

Summer (June – August)
The most popular season for a reason: long days, mild weather, and easy access to most locations. Just be prepared for higher prices and lots of tourists.

Shoulder Seasons (April – May, September – October)
The weather becomes more unpredictable, and the days get shorter, but the landscapes are stunning (especially in September and October) plus you’ll see fewer people around.

Winter (November – March)
The most dramatic and challenging time of the year. You’ll need a bit of luck with storms and difficult road conditions, but if snow-covered landscapes and northern lights are your thing, winter can be absolutely magical (and also the most budget-friendly).

Iceland’s landscapes are incredibly diverse, and you definitely don’t need to chase the most over-photographed locations to get that epic, otherworldly backdrop. With the help of local photographers, you can avoid the crowds and explore remote, untouched regions like the Westfjords, the Eastfjords, or the Icelandic Highlands.

Of course, iconic favorites like Skógafoss, Jökulsárlón and Reynisfjara can still be a part of your day if you really want. But we definitely recommend mixing well-known landmarks with hidden gems nearby, to make sure you have some privacy, especially during the ceremony.

If you’re looking for more examples, check our ultimate guide on best Iceland elopement locations

Absolutely! We’ll guide you through all of it: timeline, itinerary, weather strategy, logistics, accommodation, celebrant, florist, hair+makeup artist, and anything else you need for your elopement in Iceland to run smoothly.
Think of us as your photographers and your local guides. We’ll make sure you’re never left guessing, and that every step feels easy, clear and achievable.

As a matter of fact, yes! We’ve teamed up with the best local Iceland elopement videographer Michal and have a few exciting photo+video packages available. You can check out his work and learn more about our offers on the dedicated Iceland elopement videographer page.

Yes! One of the most meaningful traditions couples love incorporating in their Iceland elopement is a pagan Ásatrú ceremony, led by a goði, an ordained heathen priest. It’s deeply rooted in Icelandic traditions and history, and it includes beautiful rituals that make it truly unique.
The entire ceremony can be done in English (with some Old Norse woven in), and the best part, it’s fully legal – you will receive an official marriage certificate exactly the same way you would with a civil or a church ceremony.

Icelandic weather has a mind of its own, and we firmly believe that’s part of its charm. Our favorite photos were taken during the least favorable conditions, and trust us, these will be the memories you’ll cherish the most.
Having said that, we always build in backup options and, when needed, backup days to keep you safe and comfortable. If the forecast turns wild, the roads close, or conditions become unsafe, we pivot. You’ll always have a solid Plan B (and C) so you can enjoy your day regardless the weather.

We strongly believe that love doesn’t need permission and human rights are not negotiable. We proudly support LGBTQ+ couples, transgender and non-binary partners, BIPOC love stories, and chosen families. Our work and our business are rooted in inclusion, safety, and respect.

We do not work with people who align with ideologies or political movements that promote hate, exclusion, discrimination and the erosion of others’ rights, namely those that want to criminalize identity, control bodies, dehumanize immigrants, or deny safety and dignity to marginalized communities.

If our stance makes you uncomfortable, that’s a clear sign we’re not the right team for you.

Have more questions or feeling a bit overwhelmed?
We’re just a message away

So.. Did we pique your interest?

Here’s what you do next

Get in touch

Reach out by filling in the inquiry form and tell us a bit about your plans.
We’ll get back to you shortly and set up a relaxed, no-pressure online call to talk things through.

Plan your dream elopement with us

Here’s where things start coming together! You’ll get our full support and assistance with conjuring your one-of-a-kind elopement experience.

Have the best day of your life

Let’s celebrate! We’ll be there to capture every precious moment of your special day, and make sure that everything goes smoothly.

LET’S DO THIS

Are you ready?

Let’s ditch the traditional, embrace the extraordinary,
and make your love story an adventure to remember

inquire

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