When You Know, You Know and We Knew It Had to Be Iceland
Before we were “we,” my partner and I had both separately fallen in love with Iceland. For me, it was a solo trip that flipped something in my soul: the clean air, the stillness of lava fields, the quirks of Reykjavik. For him, it was the feeling of being somewhere rugged and otherworldly. When we got engaged, it didn’t take long to realize: this was it. This was the place we wanted to say yes to forever.
I live for travel and today, I even create trip planners for people traveling overseas. But planning our destination wedding in Iceland taught me more about flexibility, logistics, and wonder than anything else in my professional life.
Whether you’re dreaming of an overseas wedding in Iceland or another one of the top destination wedding spots, here’s what we learned and what we’d do differently.
1. Destination Weddings Can Be Cheaper If You’re Strategic
Pictured L to R: 1. Hopsnes Lighthouse, 2. Photography by Leszek Nowakowski, 3. Traditional Icelandic cake
A traditional wedding in our home state would have cost more, emotionally and financially. Choosing Iceland allowed us to keep the guest list intimate, invest in meaningful experiences, and skip the chair covers and LED dance floor.
Our biggest expense? Alcohol. We prioritized an open bar to thank our guests who crossed an ocean for us. Iceland isn't cheap, but it can be elegant and simple if you work with what’s already there.
Lesson: Focus on the people and the setting, not recreating a Pinterest board from scratch.
2. Plan a Pre-Wedding Scouting Trip
Pictured L to R: 1. Arbaer Open Air Museum, 2. Raudholar, our ceremony site
I booked a solo weekend in Reykjavik months ahead. Rental car, checklist, Google Maps pinned with potential ceremony sites and florists. It helped me feel more grounded and excited instead of overwhelmed.
We didn’t hire a wedding planner. That money went toward food, photography, and making memories.
3. Be Flexible Especially with Timelines
In the U.S., people love 12-month timelines. In Iceland? You’re on lava time. Vendors might not confirm things until a few weeks out. It’s cultural, and it’s not personal.
Reminder: You chose an international wedding to experience something new. Let it stretch you.
4. Let the Destination Be the Decor
Pictured L to R: 1. Hofnin Restaurant, 2. View from wedding reception, 3. The restaurant's decor
We didn’t bring florals, arches, or elaborate decorations. We didn’t need to. Iceland is the decor. The volcanic fields, the harbor-side restaurant where we held dinner, the Arctic sea salt wedding favors we had shipped to the hotel. This way everything felt cohesive, minimal, iconic.
Pro tip: Order gifts, favors, or keepsakes like our Reykjavik travel guidebook in advance and ship them.
5. Hire Local Talent
Pictured L to R: 1. Photography by Leszek Nowakowski, 2. Wedding bouquet by Blomagalleri, 3. Nordur sea salt as a wedding favor
Our local florist crafted a bouquet of eucalyptus and moss, ready the morning of. Working with locals allowed us to tap into the rhythm of the place, not just drop in. We got so lucky with our photographer, Leszek Nowakowski. Iceland is stunning, but it takes a rare eye to make it feel intimate, not just epic and he did exactly that.
He didn’t just shoot our wedding. He captured the quiet in-betweens: the wind lifting my coat before I noticed it, the nervous laugh before vows, the softness in a stare I didn’t know I was giving. His work didn’t just document the day, it gave us back a version of it we didn’t even know we had the right to remember that clearly. If you're planning anything in Iceland (wedding or not), I can’t recommend Leszek enough. He made us feel seen, not staged, and that’s rare.
Check out more of his work here
6. Expect the Unexpected
Pictured L to R: 1. Photography by Leszek Nowakowski, 2. The post reception hot dog joint, 3. The hot dogs
Our outdoor ceremony was freezing. But we laughed through it. Our late-night snack? Icelandic hot dogs with crispy onions. Our guests still talk about it more than the vows.
Unscripted moments make the best memories.
7. Add a Personal Touch Like Welcome Bags
This is the one thing we didn’t do and I regret it. If I could go back, I’d greet guests with things like:
- Mini Reyka vodka bottles
- Warm Icelandic wool socks
- Chocolate from Omnom
- Icelandic water
- Hangover candy drops
- A printed Iceland itinerary planner
It’s thoughtful, it’s functional, and it helps guests feel grounded in a new place.
Final Thoughts
Pictured L to R: 1. Vik, Iceland, 2. Photography by Leszek Nowakowski
Planning a wedding abroad is both a logistical challenge and a spiritual experience. It strips away the fluff and asks: what really matters to you? For us, it was place, people, and presence. Iceland gave us all three.
If you're considering a wedding in Iceland or any destination wedding, I hope this helps you feel more empowered, less overwhelmed, and wildly excited.
Want to Simplify the Planning?
Check out our Reykjavik Iceland Holiday Planner a hybrid of a travel journal, itinerary builder, and packing checklist. It makes a perfect pre-wedding tool or a classy favor for your guests.