There is something incredibly powerful about tying the knot in the Land of Fire and Ice
Imagine beginning your marriage on top of a glacier, behind a hidden waterfall, or even inside a dormant volcano. For many couples, eloping in Iceland is about more than a ceremony — it’s about creating an experience that feels intentional, intimate, and unforgettable.
Can Foreigners Get Married in Iceland?
THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES!
One of the most beautiful things about choosing a legal marriage in Iceland is how inclusive the law is.
Anyone can legally get married here, regardless of nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or residency status.
You do not need to live in Iceland, hold a special visa, or have any prior connection to the country. As long as you meet the legal requirements and work with a licensed officiant, foreigners can get married in Iceland with ease — even on a tourist visa.
Choose Your Iceland Wedding Ceremony Type
In Iceland, your wedding ceremony sets the tone for your entire experience. Whether you want something spiritual, symbolic, deeply personal, or purely practical, Iceland offers one of the widest ranges of legally recognized ceremony types in the world.
Humanist Ceremony
A modern, non-religious ceremony that focuses entirely on your unique human connection and shared values.
What it is: A bespoke ceremony led by a celebrant from Siðmennt (The Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association). It is 100% secular and legal.
Who it’s for: Couples who want a deep, intentional ceremony that reflects their personalities without religious or ancient references.
Pros: Highly customizable; celebrants are known for being warm and storytelling-focused; legally binding.
Cons: Celebrants are in high demand and can book up fast for summer dates.
Ásatrú (Pagan) Ceremony
A powerful, spiritual experience rooted in Old Norse mythology and deep respect for the Icelandic nature.
What it is: A legally binding ceremony led by a Goði (Chieftain). It involves rituals like blót (symbolic offering to the gods), reading personal oaths (vows), drinking from a Viking horn (could be mead or water), and calling upon the gods (Odin, Thor, Freyja) or the spirits of the land (don’t worry, you don’t have to be pagan to have this ceremony, it’s more spiritula than religious).
Who it’s for: History buffs, mythology lovers, or anyone who wants a “raw” and elemental connection to Iceland’s Viking roots.
Pros: Incredibly cinematic; includes unique physical rituals (the brass ring, the horn); feels very “authentic” to the landscape.
Cons: limited number of officiants.
Religious Ceremony
A traditional Christian service, usually held in one of Iceland’s iconic, colorful country churches.
What it is: A service led by a Lutheran priest. While most are in churches, some priests are willing to perform the ceremony outdoors.
Who it’s for: Couples who value tradition, religious heritage, or the aesthetic of Iceland’s famous country churches. While more traditional in structure, they can still feel incredibly intimate — especially in remote villages surrounded by dramatic landscapes. One of my favourite churches to photograph is the black church in Búðir.
Pros: Access to beautiful, historic indoor venues (great for weather backups); classic “wedding” feel.
Cons: Requires a consultation with a priest; more structured/traditional than other adventure options. Churches also have to be booked in advance and usually have a separate booking fee.
Symbolic Ceremony
The ultimate freedom: a private exchange of vows with no government involvement or legal weight.
What it is: You handle the legal “boring stuff” at a courthouse in your home country and use your time in Iceland purely for the emotional experience and photos.
Who it’s for: Couples who want to avoid international paperwork, or those who want to be “off the grid” in locations where a legal officiant won’t travel.
Pros: Zero paperwork in Iceland; you can have a friend “officiate” or just speak to each other; no deadlines or witness requirements.
Cons: Not legally binding (you aren’t “officially” married until you do the home-country paperwork); no marriage certificate from Iceland.
Civil Ceremony
A straightforward, secular legal union conducted by a government official (my least favourite of all as it feels more like a formality rather than a true celebration and I usually don´t recommend it).
What it is: A legal signing usually performed by the District Commissioner (Sýslumaður). It can be done in an office in Reykjavik or, for a fee, the official can meet you out in nature (most often it is indoors).
Who it’s for: Couples who want the “legal bit” done quickly and efficiently so they can focus on their adventure and photos.
Pros: Often the most affordable legal option; very clear and simple process; zero “fluff.”
Cons: Can feel a bit “transactional” or “bureaucratic” compared to a Humanist or Pagan ceremony.
CHECK OUT THESE BEAUTIFUL ELOPEMENT SPOTS IN
ICELAND
Pick Your Officiant For Your Legal Ceremony
In Iceland, only licensed Icelandic officiants are legally authorized to perform marriages. Unlike in some countries, your friend or family member cannot officiate your wedding — even if they are ordained elsewhere.
That said, many couples choose to involve loved ones by having them do a reading, bless the rings, or participate in the ceremony in a meaningful way, while the Icelandic officiant handles the legal portion.
Estimated Costs:
While prices vary by officiant, a standard legal ceremony is approximately 90,000 ISK, plus travel fees (approx. 201 ISK per km) and hiking fees (approx. 15,000 ISK per hour) if you are planning on hiking to your ceremony spot (believe me, usually if you want to completely avoid the crowds and have the ceremony location all to yourself you will have to pay a price by hiking there which is an adventure on it own!).
Gather Your Marriage Documents
You are not alone in this! Your officiant (and I) will guide you through it.
While requirements vary slightly by nationality, most couples need these four core items:
The “Apostille” & Translations
Documents 1, 2 (and divorce papers if you need them) must be Apostilled (a specialized stamp that makes your document legally valid internationally) by your home country’s government (e.g., Secretary of State in the US or the Foreign Office in the UK). If they are not in English or a Nordic language, they must be accompanied by a certified translation with a stamp.
Submit Your Application
Once you have collected, apostilled (and translated if needed) all the necessary documents you have to download and fill out your Hjónavígsla or Marriage Notification (you can download it below).
The scary part: It’s an Icelandic form with a long name.
The reality: It’s a simple two-page document. You fill in your info and have two “trustworthy persons” (witnesses) sign it back home. They do not need to be present at the wedding!
You don’t need to fly to Iceland months in advance to handle the paperwork.
The Process: Once your documents are apostilled and translated, you simply email scanned copies together with the Marriage Notification to the District Commissioner (Sýslumaðurinn) at least 3-4 weeks before your wedding date. They will perform a “pre-check” to ensure everything is perfect. Once you get the green light via email, the hard part is over! You then must mail the original physical documents to Iceland. These must arrive at the office in Reykjavík no later than 5 days before your wedding date (but the sooner the better).
My Pro-Tip: Do not use standard international mail. Use a tracked courier like DHL, FedEx, or UPS. Icelandic weather can sometimes delay the post, and a tracking number is the only way to ensure your legal papers aren’t sitting in a sorting facility when you’re standing at the altar.
Get Married
& Receive Your Certificate
On the day of your wedding, you’ll meet your officiant at our chosen location. After the vows are exchanged and the register is signed, you are officially married! You will receive an international marriage certificate that is recognized worldwide about 2-3 weeks later.
FAQ
Here are the questions I am most commonly asked as an expert Iceland wedding photographer.
READY TO MEET YOUR
Elopement Photographer?
I would love to hear about your vision and help you create and document the most unique and unforgettable elopement experience in Iceland. Just click the button bellow and fill out the form, I’ll get back to you as soon as I can and we can start planning your dream day together!