Guest post from Kári Björn Photography who specializes in elopement photography in Iceland. 

Getting married under the northern lights in Iceland is probably the unicorn of elopements. Imagine feeling the arctic breeze on your cheeks as you say your vows to your partner while they are gently lit by the green cast of the lights above! The northern lights can be seen in Iceland from September to April when the dark nights have taken over from the endless light of summer.

Photo: Kári Björn Photography

How to elope under the Northern Lights

First off, you’ll need to be flexible. Unfortunately, there isn’t an on/off switch for the lights (but wouldn’t that be great) so you’ll need to follow the northern lights and weather forecasts and be ready to travel to the location where they’ll most likely be seen that night. The best spots will be where there is a low chance of clouds. We recommend that you plan to stay in Iceland for at least 10 days to maximize the chances of finding your unicorn. Here’s a checklist of the most important things to make your Northern Lights elopement happen.

Photo: Kári Björn Photography

• Have reliable transportation, preferably a 4x4 rental car.
• Wear comfortable and warm clothes. Bring plenty of layers.
• Hire an experienced elopement photographer in Iceland.
• Don’t plan any intense activities on the day of your elopement.
• Opt for a symbolic ceremony, not a legal one.

What to wear on your elopement trip to Iceland

It should go without saying that Iceland will be cold in winter. Consider that you will probably not move a whole lot during the ceremony so definitely wear more layers than you think are necessary. If you plan on wearing a wedding dress, opt for a dress you can easily move and walk in as it is fairly likely you will have to hike a little bit to get to the ceremony location. Wool long-sleeve underwear, wool socks, winter mittens, hiking boots and a warm hat are essential! Wool is basically your friend.

How to get amazing elopement photos in Iceland

This is one area that you do not want to skimp on — pics or it didn’t happen, right? There are many great photographers in Iceland but capturing elopements in daylight in summer is a totally different game than shooting at night in sub-zero temperatures. There is special equipment needed that can withstand the elements of the Icelandic winter. You and your partner must stay as still as possible as exposures are longer in lower light which increases the chance of blurry images. So again, wearing warm clothes will help you stay still for longer periods of time.

Photo: Kári Björn Photography

What to do during the day of your elopement

If the weather and aurora forecast are in your favor, we do not recommend planning any intense activities on the day of your elopement ceremony. You can totally plan light activities during the day, just no hikes up a glacier or anything that will leave you exhausted when night falls.

Plan for a symbolic wedding ceremony

We recommend this route, even if you’re not planning to elope under the northern lights. In order to be legally married in Iceland, you have to file a few documents with Þjóðskrá, the national registry, several weeks before your ceremony date. It is not undoable, but not recommended as it means you will have to have your ceremony of the day you register for, leaving you with no flexibility if there is bad weather on the day you decide on. Ideally, you should have your legal ceremony in your home country before arriving in Iceland, firstly to not have to worry about paperwork, and secondly, to be flexible.

Photo: Kári Björn Photography

The best locations in Iceland for a Northern Lights elopement

Almost any location in the Icelandic countryside will be great. You definitely want to stay away from Reykjavik and the capital area as the light pollution from the city decreases the chances of seeing the lights. Here are a few of our favorite spots to enjoy the lights from.

• Skógafoss
• Þingvellir National Park
• Dyrhólaey
• Reynisfjara
• Kirkjufell
• Jökulsárlón (The glacier lagoon)
• Arnarstapi

When to have your elopement

As we mentioned, the northern lights are usually visible from September to April. If the cold is something you don’t handle so well, then you should probably aim for late September, October, or early April. If you want the whole package with snow-covered ground then January and February will be your best bet. These months are also the low season, so the likelihood of having a perfectly intimate ceremony will be the best then. Just know, that nothing is guaranteed when it comes to the northern lights and it’s important to keep that in mind.