Sunrise Vows

This mini-elopement took place in one of the most iconic locations in Iceland – the most famous black sand beach on the island on a cold November day.

The Icelandic weather gods were on our side and although it was a freezing morning the skies were absolutely clear and the sunrise was as stunning as it can get – soft golden glow that lasts for hours during this time of year.

As the tide was low we decided to walk all the way to the end of the beach to get away from crowds that usually surround the basalt columns so that Lisa and Ryan could read their vows to each other and exchange the rings in privacy being surrounded only by raw nature. The golden sunshine looked so magical that it was hard to believe it was real.

The cold was biting, but the beach was perfectly still, allowing Lisa and Ryan to exchange vows in their wedding attire without rushing the moment. What followed was a wave of all kinds of emotions — laughter, soft smiles, and tears of joy — making it a memory none of us will ever forget.

After the ceremony, we headed to the iconic basalt columns and volcanic rock formations for some adventurous portraits. While this area is understandably popular due to how impressive it looks in photos, arriving early and outside of peak season allowed us to find a quiet section of the stone wall with no one else in sight.

Visiting a Glacier During Your Elopement Day

After spending a bit more than 1 hour on the beach we headed off to our second location of the day which was quite different and not less impressive – Sólheimajökull glacier. It’s one of Iceland’s most accessible glaciers and is a part of the larger Myrdalsjökull ice cap, which is famous with tourists, especially glacier hikers and ice climbers.

One of the key features of this location is the fact that you can get really up close with the ice without needing to walk on ice or hire a glacier guide (which is a rule if you are going on any glacier in Iceland as they can be very dangerous). The parking to the glacier is very close to the main road Number 1 (about 5 minutes of driving) and the walk from the parking lot takes only about 15 minutes.

Although it was freezing cold standing so close to the glacier we were all having an amazing time with Lisa and Ryan laughing while trying to keep each other warm as much as they could.

And what could be more romantic than kissing and dancing next to a giant blue tens of thousands of years old glacier? The air felt crisp and fresh and love was definitely in it. Despite the freezing conditions, there was a sense of peace and presence, as if time had slowed down just for them.

We took a couple of solo portraits at the end of our session and although nobody wanted to leave this stunning location I was starting to get worried that they would turn into icicles soon so we had to wrap it up.

Ending their Iceland elopement on the glacier felt symbolic and truly unforgettable for my couple as they arrived from a place where it’s summer all year round. The locations they chose for their elopement day reminded them how small they are in the best possible way, and how meaningful it is to choose a wedding day that reflects both adventure and connection. Having their adventure elopement in Iceland on a cold November day was a powerful reminder that some of the most meaningful and memorable moments happen far outside our comfort zones.