EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW IN ORDER TO MAKE YOUR ELOPEMENT IN ICELAND TRULY UNFORGETTABLE

Hello, friends! Daria here.

Today I’d like to talk to you about ways to transform your elopement in Iceland from a dreaded never-ending photo session and a mountain hike to an epic day, filled with exciting activities and fun things to experience with your beloved. This concerns especially the full day elopements where you have more enough time to enjoy something outside of the regular elopement timeline.

Now don’t get me wrong, this guide isn’t designed exclusively for beefed up adrenaline junkies – there are plenty of fun activities that don’t require extra-strenuous physical effort, and trust me, even if you are more of a couch potato (like me!), you will most definitely find something in this guide that will tickle your fancy.

One of the biggest myths I’ve heard about 8-10 hour elopements is that the only thing you will be doing is constantly posing for pictures (and a hike of course!). Which, let’s be honest, doesn’t sound like a very attractive perspective (although if that’s what you want, go for it!). Truth is, your day can be filled with anything you and your partner enjoy – and that’s the beauty of elopements: you don’t have to conform to a certain standard or a set of rules, but rather choose what your hearts desire and do exactly what you want to do.
Iceland has some truly unique activities to offer, ranging from something budget-friendly (as in “free”) to a splurging extravaganza, and from a nice relaxing pastime to an adventurous challenge. Let’s dive into it!

Embark on a good ol’ road trip

A classic road trip is an ideal choice for couples who want to explore multiple locations without tedious walking / hiking. The good part about a road trip is that it’s very easy to include. When visiting Iceland, you will have to rent a car – public transport is notoriously bad here, and pretty much non-existent outside of Reykjavik, so unless you plan to spend all your time in the capital, a rental car is a must. It will allow you to travel freely, also on your elopement day! There are some breathtaking itineraries available here, and with a 4×4 you can escape the tourist crowds and go somewhere really special.

Want to elevate your road-tripping experience? Hire a super jeep and a private guide! That way you will be able to visit some remote spots that are difficult to reach otherwise (which means no people around!) and fully relax in the back seat, while sipping your favorite drink, chatting, and admiring the stunning views outside.

  • Economy rental (7 days): from $550 USD
  • Standard 4×4 (7 days): from $700 USD
  • SUV suitable for F-roads (7 days): from $900 USD
  • Super jeep + private driver (day trip): from $1600 USD

Dine outside

It’s true, Iceland’s weather is not always compatible with dining outside, but during summer months you’ll have a great chance to catch a perfect day weather-wise, sit somewhere picturesque, and enjoy food and drinks of your choice. You can opt for something simple like a traditional Icelandic cake and some (non-alcoholic) bubbly; get a one-time grill and do it camping style, with grilling some meat and veggies yourself; or go big and hire a caterer, with a chef or even a bartender, who will treat you with some delicious dishes and cocktails out in the wilderness.

  • One-time grill + DIY meat & veggies: from $50 USD
  • Cake + bubbly: from $100 USD
  • Private chef: from $600 USD

Soak in a geothermal pool

Ah, geothermal pools – the ultimate Icelandic experience! From natural hot springs hidden in the wilderness to luxurious spas, soaking in warm, mineral-rich waters is the perfect way to relax and connect.
A lot of the natural pools are free of charge and open to the public, so if you’d like to be alone, you’ll have to plan your visit strategically, and opt for late evening or early morning. Some of these are located on private land – in that case you can expect specific opening hours and a small fee to enjoy the soak.
Last but not least, you can opt for a fully furnished spa, where you will be provided with a lot of extras.

Pro-tip: time your visit to catch the midnight sun or the northern lights to enhance the experience.

  • Natural geothermal pool: free of charge
  • Geothermal pool on private land: $5-10 USD per person
  • Geothermal spa: from $50 USD per person

Sky Lagoon, a popular geothermal spa in the vicinity of Reykjavik

Befriend Icelandic horses

Socializing with the Icelandic horses is something that you absolutely have to do when visiting Iceland. You will see them everywhere, grazing in the fields in any kind of weather. A lot of farms offer horseback riding tours or just some quality time with these marvelous creatures. In case you didn’t know, the Icelandic horse is a tad smaller than your regular horse, but bigger than a pony – just the perfect size if you ask me! They are friendly and curious by nature, and you don’t have to be a trained equestrian to enjoy their company or ride them.
In more remote corners of the island, you can just ask the farmer nicely, and they will happily allow you to hang out with the horses, free of charge. In the crowded touristic areas they usually charge a fee.

  • Visiting a farm in a remote area: free of charge
  • Renting 3-4 horses privately for photos: from $100 USD
  • Horseback riding group tours: from $100 USD per person

Walk on a glacier

You can get relatively close to a lot of glaciers around here but if you’d like to embark on a journey over the ice, you need special equipment and a guide to accompany you. There are various levels of difficulty and duration where glacier walks are concerned, and I would highly recommend hiring a private guide, since group tours are usually chaotic and rushed. One of our favorite guides we work with on a regular basis says that glaciers are like living organisms – they are ancient, ever-changing, growing or diminishing – they are never the same, and there is something incredibly poetic about it. Imagine getting married in a spot like that!

  • Private tours: from $1200 USD

Explore an ice cave

Saying your vows in an ice cave is another unique touch you can add to your elopement in Iceland. Just like glaciers, ice caves emerge and melt, sometimes not lasting longer than one season, and you’ll need a trained guide and special gear to visit one safely. Again, I would most definitely suggest going with a private guide rather than a group, even though it might break your bank ever so slightly. Depending on which cave you are going to explore, the physical level may vary, from easy to difficult. And yes, it is possible to do it in a wedding dress!

  • Private tours: from $1800 USD

Enjoy glacier kayaking

Imagine this: you and your partner slowly gliding on the perfectly blue glacial water among the icebergs. Sounds crazy? Well, it can actually become a reality with a kayaking adventure in one of the glacial lagoons here in Iceland. You don’t need any prior experience, and will be provided with all the necessary equipment and basic training before venturing into the wild. Side note, we might just stay on land and use our wild life lenses to document your adventure!

  • Group tours: from $120 USD

Glacier kayaking with Ice Guide at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, courtesy of World Playground

Dive between two continents

Yes, you’ve read it right! You can actually dive between two continents on your wedding day, how cool is that? And although it seems like an activity reserved strictly for professionals, you can do it safely without any prior formal training. Although some limitations apply – among other things, you have to be physically fit. I’ll be honest, we haven’t done it with our couples before, but we’re game if you are!

  • Group tours: from $170 USD
  • Private tours: from $1200 USD

Courtesy of DIVE.IS

Experience Iceland from above

The crown jewel of all the adventures, a helicopter ride is a one-of-a-kind experience to share with your beloved – it will leave lasting memories and make any elopement truly special. It’s also the one activity that requires major splurging but I can assure you, it is absolutely worth it. Iceland from above is incredibly unique, and a helicopter will take you to places that you would never be able to visit otherwise. It’s become especially popular with the constant eruptions happening recently. Since the eruption site is never open to the public, witnessing an active volcano from above is the only option.

  • Private tours: from $800 USD per person

Stunning imagery from Norðurflug Helicopter Tours

Final thoughts

Whether you are a crazy adventurous couple in search of adrenaline and out-of-the-box experiences, or you’re both romantics preferring quiet moments, the most important thing to remember here is do it your way, do you. The whole point of eloping is creating a day that feels uniquely yours, and we will happily follow along and document all the wonderful moments, regardless of what activities you decide to indulge in.


That’s all I have for today.
Thank you for reading and happy adventuring!