In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Iceland.
Weddings in Iceland: What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a truly unique and breathtaking setting for your destination wedding, look no further than Iceland.
With its pristine landscapes, otherworldly lava fields, and ethereal northern lights, Iceland offers an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.
And with a variety of luxury hotels and resorts to choose from, you can be sure that your wedding will be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Whether you want to exchange vows in front of a glistening glacier or under the stars, Iceland is the perfect place to start your journey as husband and wife.
But first: you need to know where in the world Iceland is…
Where is Iceland?
Iceland is located in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Area: 39,769 sq mi (103,000 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 380,500, Capital: Reykjavík.
Iceland Facts To Know:
- Language: Icelandic
- Currency: Icelandic króna (ISK)
- Airports: The Keflavik International airport (KEF), Reykjavik Airport (RKV)
- Official Tourism Website:https://www.visiticeland.com/
- Driving side: Right
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Iceland for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Iceland
Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Iceland:
1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests
Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Iceland or closer to home.
You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.
Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:
- How To Pick A Date For A Wedding?
- When To Send Out Save The Date For Wedding?
- How To Write Date On Wedding Invitation?
2. Decide on a budget
When it comes to having an Iceland wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.
But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:
- How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget?
- What Is A Good Wedding Budget?
- How To Decorate A Wedding Reception Hall On A Budget?
3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget
No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.
Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Iceland:
4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details
A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.
Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Iceland
Iceland Weddings: Key Information
Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.
To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Iceland:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in Iceland?
- What are the marriage requirements for Iceland?
- What is the weather like in Iceland?
- What should you pack for a trip to Iceland?
- What things are there to do in Iceland?
- What are the best Iceland wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in Iceland Cost?
In Iceland, the usual cost of a simple civil ceremony is around $80 (10,000 ISK). This is for ceremonies held in the registrar office on weekdays during regular business hours.
For an extra fee, the ceremony may also be held outside in the stunning Icelandic nature.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Iceland
When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Valid passport, and a copy of the passport.
- Birth certificate.
- Certificate of Marital Status or Certificate of no impediment (CNI) issued no more than 8 weeks before the wedding date.
- Marriage Notification (Hjónavígsluskýrsla).
- Provide the relevant documentation if one or both partners are divorced or widowed, and legal translation of the certificate.
If one of the partners is a resident of Norway, Sweden, Denmark or Finland please read this document, but take note that it is in Icelandic.
For more information please visit the Icenald’s public services website or contact them at gifting@syslumenn.is.
Other legal requirements are:
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
- According to the law, 2 witnesses are needed who musn’t be family.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in Iceland, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
- Only original documents are accepted or certified copies, and they have to be in any Scandinavian language or English. Documents in other languages have to be translated into Icelandic by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first.
- All documents must be submitted 3 weeks prior to the ceremony. You can email the documents first and then submit the physical copies once you get to Iceland.
Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.
After the ceremony, it is possible to get your marriage certificate in English.
What Is The Weather Like in Iceland?
Summer, namely the months of June through August, is by far the most pleasant time to go to Iceland. The weather in the spring is chilly and relatively comparable to that of winter, with numerous snowfalls and frosts; nevertheless, the days are longer than they are in the autumn.
March is a better time to go skiing and cross-country skiing than the beginning of winter since the days are longer. The ideal period to see the northern lights (aurora borealis) is from November to January, when the nights are longer.
What should you pack for your trip?
In the winter, pack warm clothing – a fleece, a down jacket, a hat, a scarf, gloves, a wind jacket, a raincoat or umbrella, hiking boots, and a swimsuit.
In the summer, you should pack a swimsuit, a windbreaker, a raincoat or umbrella, a sweater, a shirt, a jacket, a hat, and a scarf, as well as hiking boots and waterproof rubber boots.
Iceland Weather By Month
Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Iceland:
Average Temperatures in Iceland
The table below shows the average temperatures in Iceland each month:
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
| January | -2.2 | 3.4 | 0.6 | 28 | 38 | 33.1 |
| February | -2.4 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 28 | 38 | 32.9 |
| March | 1.8 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 29 | 40 | 34.2 |
| April | 0.8 | 7 | 3.9 | 33 | 45 | 39 |
| May | 3.8 | 10.1 | 6.9 | 39 | 50 | 44.5 |
| June | 7.1 | 13.1 | 10.1 | 45 | 56 | 50.2 |
| July | 9.1 | 14.9 | 12 | 48 | 59 | 53.6 |
| August | 8.6 | 14.2 | 11.4 | 47 | 58 | 52.4 |
| September | 6 | 11.5 | 8.8 | 43 | 53 | 47.8 |
| October | 2.3 | 7.7 | 5 | 36 | 46 | 41 |
| November | -0.5 | 4.9 | 2.2 | 31 | 41 | 36 |
| December | -2 | 3.6 | 0.8 | 28 | 38 | 33.4 |
| Year | 2.4 | 8.2 | 5.3 | 36.4 | 46.8 | 41.5 |
Average Rainfall in Iceland
The table below shows the average rainfall in Iceland each month:
| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
| January | 85 | 3.3 | 15 |
| February | 90 | 3.5 | 15 |
| March | 85 | 3.3 | 14 |
| April | 55 | 2.2 | 11 |
| May | 50 | 2 | 10 |
| June | 40 | 1.6 | 9 |
| July | 50 | 2 | 10 |
| August | 65 | 2.6 | 12 |
| September | 85 | 3.3 | 15 |
| October | 80 | 3.1 | 13 |
| November | 85 | 3.3 | 14 |
| December | 100 | 3.9 | 15 |
| Year | 870 | 34.3 | 153 |
Sunshine Hours in Iceland
The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Iceland each month:
| Month | Average | Total |
| January | 0.5 | 20 |
| February | 2 | 55 |
| March | 3.5 | 110 |
| April | 5.5 | 165 |
| May | 6.5 | 200 |
| June | 6 | 175 |
| July | 5.5 | 175 |
| August | 5 | 155 |
| September | 4 | 120 |
| October | 3 | 90 |
| November | 1.5 | 40 |
| December | 0.5 | 10 |
| Year | 3.6 | 1315 |
Sea Temperatures in Iceland
The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Iceland each month:
| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
| January | 6 | 42 |
| February | 5 | 42 |
| March | 5 | 41 |
| April | 5 | 42 |
| May | 6 | 44 |
| June | 8 | 47 |
| July | 10 | 50 |
| August | 10 | 51 |
| September | 9 | 49 |
| October | 8 | 46 |
| November | 7 | 44 |
| December | 6 | 43 |
| Year | 7.3 | 45.1 |
What To Wear in Iceland? (Packing Tips)
It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.
We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Iceland so that you can make the most of your time there.
- Warm clothing: You will need to pack warm, waterproof clothing. The weather in Iceland can be unpredictable, and you don’t want to be caught unprepared.
- Comfortable shoes: You will need to pack comfortable walking shoes. Iceland is a very scenic country, and you’ll want to be able to explore as much of it as possible.
- Camera: The landscapes in Iceland are truly breathtaking, and you’ll want to capture as many memories as possible.
- Icelandic króna: You should pack some Icelandic currency. While most places in Iceland accept major credit cards, it’s always good to have cash on hand just in case.
- Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
- Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
- First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
Things to Do in Iceland
There are many different things to do in Iceland, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- Perlan
- Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Center
- Dettifoss Waterfall
- National Museum of Iceland
- Hallgrimskirkja
- Black Sand Beach
- Kerid Crater
- Selfoss Geyser
- Godafoss
- Volcano Eyjafjallajokull
- Ring Road
- Landmannalaugar
Best Iceland Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Iceland?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in Iceland
- Hotel Búðir in Snaefelssnes Peninsula
- Mathús Garðabæjar in Gardabaer
- Friðheimar greenhouse in Reykholt
- IÐNÓ in Reykjavik
- Eyvindartunga in Laugarvatn
- Midhraun Lava Resort in Snæfellsnes peninsula
- Aurora Basecamp in Hafnarfjordur
- Árbæjarsafn Museum | Reykjavik
- Bjórböðin in Dalvík
Hotels in Iceland
- Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel – Reykjavík
- City Center Hotel – Reykjavík
- Exeter Hotel – Reykjavík
- Grandi by Center Hotels – Reykjavík
- Guesthouse Lyngholt – Þórshöfn
- Siglo Hotel by Keahotels – Siglufjörður
- Fljótsbakki Farm Hotel – Godafoss
- Lighthouse-Inn – Gardur
- Grenivik Guesthouse
- The Viking Country Club – Hjalteyri
