7 Epic Activities to Turn Your Iceland Elopement Into a Real Adventure

What I love most about elopements compared to traditional big weddings is the fact that the day belongs entirely to the couple. You aren’t tied to any strict stressful reception timeline, you are not running around greeting 100 guests and you can focus entirely on the things that bring you pure joy.

After photographing dozens of elopements in Iceland I have realised that some of my favorite images happen when the bride and the groom completely forget about the camera because they are too busy having the time of their lives. An elopement shouldn’t just be about standing in front of a camera looking pretty. It should be a full-day experience filled with things you actually love doing together. 

If you want to turn your wedding day into an unforgettable adventure, here are 7 amazing and fun Iceland elopement activities you can include into your itinerary.

Kayak in a Glacier Lagoon (With Some Curious Seals)

Imagine floating in a double kayak through completely still, mirror-like water past massive blocks of bright blue glacial ice. Glacier lagoons like Jökulsárlón, Fjallsárlón (my personal favourite) or Heinabergslón offer a surreal experience with the latter two lagoons being less touristy and more quiet. Plus, local curious seals love to pop their heads up out of the water to check out what you’re doing. From a photography perspective, shooting you two paddling against a wall of ancient ice is about as epic and cinematic as it gets.

Hike to a Completely Remote Location

If you love hiking, Iceland is one of the best places to do it! Put on your hiking boots under your wedding dress or suit and let’s head off the beaten path. Iceland is full of hidden canyons, secret waterfalls, and dramatic ridges that tour buses simply can’t reach and I know some incredible hikes that only locals know about. The journey itself becomes part of your wedding story: wind-swept hair, muddy boots, and the rewarding feeling of accomplishment standing completely alone in a landscape that feels like you just landed on another planet.

Dip in a Natural Hot Spring

There is nothing more quintessentially Icelandic than a hot spring dip, and it is the ultimate way to recharge after the whole day of adventuring. Whether we hike to a hidden, steaming river deep in the mountains or stop by a rustic stone pool, slipping into the hot water while the crisp Icelandic air hits your face is pure bliss. Throw on a beanie, bring a couple of local drinks, and just relax. This Iceland Elopement activity makes for incredibly cozy, authentic, and candid photos.

There is also an option to book this amazing hot spring just for yourselves if you want to keep it super private and get some amazing images.

Pro-Tip: Choose a waterproof wedding hairstyle or save this activity for the very end of our shoot so you don’t have to worry about wet hair!

Go Star Gazing or Aurora Chasing

If you are eloping between September and April, your wedding day doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. Once night falls, we can head out away from the city lights to hunt for the Northern Lights or the Milky Way! Standing under a sky painted with dancing green snakes of light, hugging your favourite human and drinking hot chocolate, is a core-memory experience (and yes, capturing a long-exposure portrait of you two under the Aurora is the ultimate grand finale for a wedding album that not many people get to experience).

Cuddle with Icelandic Horses

Icelandic horses are famous for a reason – they are incredibly friendly, smart and calm, and have famously fluffy winter coats. We can arrange a private horseback riding tour to a secluded waterfall or across a black sand beach, or simply visit the stables and feed them some treats. They love the attention, and the pure joy on your faces while interacting with them translates into the most heartwarming, genuine photos.

Have a Picnic in the Wild

You don’t need a formal sit-down dinner to celebrate. Instead, let’s pack a backpack with a cozy blanket, some local Icelandic treats (like flatbread with smoked lamb, local cheeses, or pastries), and a bottle of champagne (or beer if that’s what you prefer!). We can set up your picnic on top of a dramatic cliff overlooking the ocean or tucked away in a mossy valley or even on the shore of a glacier lagoon. It gives you a quiet moment to slow down, look at each other, and toast to your first day as a married couple.

Hike a Glacier and Explore Blue Ice Caves

If you want to have an ultimate Iceland elopement adventure, let’s go onto an actual ice cap with a private certified guide. Walking across a glacier feels like exploring a frozen world, and if you elope in the winter, we can even venture inside an authentic blue ice cave. The way the light filters through the deep ice creates a glowing blue backdrop that looks absolutely surreal in photographs. You can also try ice climbing if you are ready for the adrenaline rush! This will definitely be the experience that will make this day even more special and completely unforgettable.

For a step-by-step breakdown of timeline planning, cost and safety protocols for this terrain, check out my ultimate guide on how to elope on a glacier in Iceland.