Preparing for an Icelandic Destination Wedding

Over the past few years, destination weddings have risen in popularity. This could be due to the financial burden that traditional ceremonies often create. Many couples prefer to use the money they’ve saved for a wedding for flights, adventures, and a ceremony to remember for a lifetime. One of the most idyllic locations for such a marvelous destination wedding is the beautiful, scenic Iceland. If you’re preparing for an Icelandic destination wedding, the following are a few points to keep in mind.

Preparation

Once an Iceland destination wedding has been decided upon, working with professionals is the best way to reduce stress. Aim to get as much as you can get done from home. Search “nail shop near me” to find a salon to get your manicure/pedicure done, preferably within 2-3 days of leaving for your trip—to keep them in good condition. For brides and grooms who choose to dye their hair, have that done before leaving as well. When it comes to larger details, wedding planners are available to make selections seamless.

Locations

There are a variety of options for the location of an Icelandic wedding. Once again, working with a professional is the best way to be able to choose the most memorable views. There are gorgeous locations are on private property that are only permissible to select persons such as event planning companies. Due to these restrictions, it’s important to research and contact the necessary parties as far in advance as possible to ensure availability and access.

Waterfalls

Iceland is home to nearly 10,000 waterfalls, each beautiful in their own respect. Since nearly 75 percent of Iceland is privately owned, permission in advance is required for these sites as well. The cascading waterfalls are an ideal backdrop for a ceremony as well as photos.

If a private ceremony is desired, avoid Skogafoss waterfalls. This particular set of falls has become vastly popular to tourists and is crowded year-round. It’s also important to note that many of the larger falls are as loud as they are beautiful. That being said, it’s best to keep the ceremony at a distance—the falls are just as beautiful as a far-away backdrop.

Glaciers

Iceland is filled with nearly 270 named glaciers including outlet, mountain, alpine, ice caps, and piedmont glaciers. In fact, glaciers extend over more than 10 percent of Iceland’s land area. As with the aforementioned locations, most are privately owned or deemed a National Park. Permission must be acquired in advance.

One of the most popular glaciers in Iceland is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This particular venue boasts crystal blue waters and contrasting white icebergs, making it a breathtaking wedding destination for photographs.

Geothermal sites

Iceland is known for its geothermal activity, and many areas of its “geothermal belly” are seen from above ground. Hot springs, valleys, and mud pools are amongst the many sites to view this unique geothermal beauty. While many of these locations are popular amongst tourists for its believed healing properties, many sites are free from bathing and private to event services. Should guests choose to arrive a day or two before the “I do’s,” it’s popular to partake in these hot springs and lagoons for relaxation and beautification.

Private caves

There are a variety of caves throughout Iceland including lava caves, man-made caves, ice caves, and glacier caves. Many couples choose to host private ceremonies inside of these formations as they shelter guests from any undesirable weather and create a unique space for photos. The professionals you plan your wedding with should have access to several private caves that are not available to the general public including Hjörleifshöfði Cave, which is referred to as “Yoda Cave,” and was featured in the film, Star Wars: Rogue One.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to planning a destination wedding in the beauty and wonder of Iceland’s many landscapes. Due to the restrictions and local regulations of the area, working with professional planners can be vital to ensure a smooth celebration. Whether it’s standing at the base of a cave or in the picturesque marvels of a gushing waterfall, Iceland is the perfect place to say “I do.”