Iceland Elopement with Windswept Waterfalls and Black Sand Beaches

Iceland Elopement with Windswept Waterfalls and Black Sand Beaches

It only took one trip to Iceland and we are completely obsessed! This Iceland elopement is truly where intimate and romantic elopement dreams come true. Not to mention, we had an unexpected fifth guest to Phoebe + Zach’s elopement, a crazy Icelandic storm that REALLY wanted to be involved in their day 😅. Honestly, the weather was perfect in the end, and made for such a memorable and fun-filled day running free with the wind and dancing through the torrent of sleet and rain. If you’re after an adventure elopement, Iceland is brimming with a million unique experiences and sights to see featuring seriously breathtaking landscapes that are sure to make you feel “some type of way.”

Iceland Elopement

cozy lodging for your iceland elopement

When it comes to lodging for your Iceland elopement, there are TONS of unique and cool places to stay depending on your vibe. Phoebe + Zach chose a classic yet extremely cozy and quaint Icelandic hotel, called Hotel Hofn. It provided a cute place for the couple to get ready with plenty of room, and was the perfect spot for our good friend and amazing makeup artist, Anne Timss, to get Phoebe all glammed up for the day. 

The hotel also features a restaurant serving up delicious local food, and the option for a breakfast included with your room. Iceland is actually known for having one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, due to their geographical location. But don’t worry, you can definitely always find made-from-scratch Icelandic ice cream and pastries wherever you look! 

Iceland Elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland Elopement
Iceland elopement

first up on the iceland elopement itinerary: the first look on a blustery bank

We LOVE first looks because they are the start to an amazing elopement day and are usually fueled with eager emotions and excitement. We never really know the emotions we are going to capture so it is always fun to watch the couple’s reactions. 

First up on the agenda for their Iceland elopement had to be the first look! Phoebe + Zach chose a scenic bluff located right outside of the hotel that looked out over the water. It was gorgeous yet simple, with the wind flying like crazy whipping Phoebe’s dress and veil every which way. The distant snow capped mountains even showed up to watch their intimate first look!

Iceland Elopement
Iceland Elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland Elopement
Iceland elopement

An Iceland elopement Winter weather adventure

Phoebe and Zach had never been to Iceland before, but they wanted to do something totally different for their wedding day. After seeing photos of this awe-inspiring island, the two felt drawn to it, and the prospect of a whole new experience that would create some amazing memories together. 

On the day of their Iceland elopement, it would be an understatement to say that the weather had a mind of its own. We’re talking 50+ mph winds sending freezing sleet and rain pelted every which way (including at us 😝). The distant mountains became a little shy after their first look moment, and were hiding underneath a blanket of clouds. But the show (or elopement) must go on! 

 

Iceland Elopement

We decided to take our chances with the weather, and for the first stop of the day, we ventured to a valley that offered some protection from the wind. It was definitely still ripping around pretty intensely, but Phoebe and Zach whipped out these adorable matching jackets, donned with a positive attitude, ready to embrace the storm. With so much movement in the air (thank you 50mph winds!), these two were definitely feeling the intense energy. Any sort of crazy weather outing usually makes a great story, and in the end isn’t that what makes your wedding day memorable?

winter weather advisory: don't forget the cute props for your iceland elopement!!!

If you know that the weather is going to be anything less than blue skies, take this opportunity to pack some cool elopement props! These can work double duty in keeping you warm and dry while also looking super cute for photo ops, and they will be something you can cherish later on to remember your wedding day. 

iceland elopement props to bring:

  • Personalized or matching jackets (you can have almost anything personalized on Etsy
  • Patterned blankets like these fuzzy wool ones
  •  Clear plastic “bubble” umbrella (with an option for personalization)
  • Matching socks for you and your SOLE-mate…. brb already thinking of the cute photos 😍 (…and cringing from that pun 😭)
Iceland Elopement

For more ideas on some props to bring to prepare for the elements, you can also check out our blog on the Top 3 Elopement Essentials!

Iceland Elopement

Elope beneath one of Iceland's many waterfalls

With windswept waterfalls, fjords carved by ancient glaciers, black sand beaches and massive glaciers, Iceland is really a “choose your own adventure” island. We couldn’t help but notice that there was definitely no shortage of waterfalls on this island. We’re talking about an island that is a little smaller than the state of Kentucky, and it boasts more than 10,000 waterfalls. Whoa! 

Iceland Elopement

don't go chasing waterfalls... but you most definitely should for your iceland elopement

Okay, okay, we had to throw in the classic TLC line somewhere in here while we’re talking about waterfalls, but seriously, Iceland has some of the most amazing ones, sometimes just right off the side of the road!

Since we knew that they were going to get some mountains later on in the day at the black sand beach (we’ll be getting there shortly…), we thought we’d take our first stop of the day at this waterfall we had scouted a few days prior.  

The couple got a little drenched standing so close to the windy waterfall, but they came armed with a positive attitude and a pocket full of smiles. 

Iceland Elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland Elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland Elopement

keep calm and whiskey on...

As we explored the waterfalls, the wind was really picking up sending water droplets and crazy gusts of wind every which way. We huddled in a cave passing around a bottle of Icelandic whiskey, taking turns sipping to ease the cold. We watched Mother Nature in awe for a while, in-between sips as the whiskey and adrenaline of the day warmed our bones. 

Huddled under the shelter of a natural cave, we really had the best seat in the house to watch these overhanging waterfalls. We sat and watched for a while as an intense gust of wind would catch the waterfall, practically making it blow the water sideways!! 

 

Iceland Elopement

The weather was quickly shifting and getting more and more intense by the second as it was initiating full-on storm mode. We love to embrace what some would refer to as “bad” weather, because usually it just makes all expectations for the day go out the window. By now we could feel the electricity in the air with all the action going on around us, and the couple was inspired in their own way to dance, move and run wild with the crazy weather, making for some pretty fun times and no shortage of unique photos.

Iceland elopement

Our favorite part of the day, as well as Phoebe + Zach’s, ended up being the waterfall and sipping whiskey in the cave. There’s something to say about the way Mother Nature makes you feel when you are in her lair, and there was just something so wild about this raging storm. It was an experience unlike any other and it ended up being such a fun day for their Iceland elopement, even though we weren’t sure about the unpredictable forecast.  We love that it’s always the most unexpected and uncontrollable parts of the day that end up making the most worthwhile memories, and definitely a day that these two (and us!) will never forget. 

Iceland Elopement

Romance on the Icelandic black sand beaches

The only “must” that was on Phoebe + Zach’s list for their Iceland elopement, was they were positive they wanted to read their vows at one of Iceland’s most iconic black sand beaches. The original plan was that we were going to make it to the beach just in time for sunset after we left the waterfall, but the incremental weather had its own agenda (as it usually does 😅). Fun fact, they actually shut down the highway due to strong winds, a real raisin at the end of the hot dog, to quote an Icelandic saying (or the cherry on top, to translate 😉), so needless to say we had to alter the plan a little bit. We decided to call it a day after we left the waterfall, and test the weather’s patience again in the morning. 

Iceland adventure Elopement

There are a couple white sand beaches on Iceland, but most people come to see the contrasting colors of the black sand beaches. They are almost otherworldly to witness. The mountains literally come right up to the ocean, the waves lapping against the base of a 454 meter bluff. 

The sand gets its black hue from the volcanic activity on the island, made up of the dark-toned mineral, basalt. The sand is actually formed from boiling lava that cools when it meets the sea and shatters into a million little pieces, creating the black sand you see dominating the tide. 

Not only is that cool as heck, it also creates the perfect moody and romantic vibe for your Iceland elopement! 

Iceland Elopement

geography lesson over... onto the iceland elopement!!!

Fast forward to the next morning, and to our surprise, the weather did a complete 180 from what we were experiencing yesterday. We woke up to calm winds and clear skies, the perfect ambiance to their intimate exchange of vows.  

We HIGHLY recommend getting up for sunrise if you plan on hitting one of these beaches as they can get pretty busy during the day depending on the season. Not to mention, sunrise and sunset can make you see a landscape in a whole new light (quite literally 😉). 

Iceland elopement

On this special morning, the sun slowly crept up over the horizon, illuminating the dreamy landscape ahead of us in shades of pink. It was quiet and oh so special in so many ways. These two chose the perfect little sandy knoll to hike up and read their vows aloud to each other. 

The wind picked up just a little bit as the sun inched its way over the landscape. Nothing near to what it was yesterday, but just enough to create a little movement in the air and stir the grasses to life. One of the amazing things about Iceland is that you can really feel the remoteness, and the landscape almost makes you feel as though you were on a different planet, all alone with your lover. We practically had the whole place to ourselves to run and play wherever we wanted!

Originally, they had planned to do this yesterday, but with the wind whipping so hard, they were glad that they waited until the morning so that they could actually focus and hear each other as they professed their promises of love. It was a beautiful moment between Phoebe + Zach, just the way they imagined it, yet not at all how they expected it – which made it perfect! 

Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland Elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland Elopement
Iceland Elopement
Iceland Elopement

the first dance featuring a little iceland magic

After they read their vows (and did some obligatory frolicking on the beach), we found a level sandy area where they could have their first dance together. The sun was shining a warm gold now, and it danced along with them as they sashayed across the beach for the first time as husband and wife. We started to wonder if the hills really were alive, because just like that, the clouds cleared and the jagged peaks of the distant mountains came out to watch their first dance, just as they did for their first look yesterday on the bluff. 

Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement
Iceland elopement

The Iceland elopement of your (and our) dreams

Okay Iceland, we hear you. You have staked your claim in our hearts as an amazing destination for adventure elopements. From the mountains to the sea, and every waterfall in between, there is much to love and on this volcanic island. Speaking of which, it is also home to dozens of volcanoes that are currently active 😳 which lends to all the geothermal activity on the island. Not only does that create tons of natural hot springs across the island, but there are actual lava fields that you can go and check out, or even tour a volcano. 

Aside from the fact that you can just casually walk on a volcano, there are so many wild experiences to have in Iceland, from the amazing local food, the plethora of glaciers (including the largest glacier in Europe), volcanic moonscapes and probably a million more waterfalls that we will be back to explore! We will forever remember this elopement, and that crazy storm we experienced on the first day. We found out that Iceland’s motto is ‘Þetta Reddast’ which means “whatever will be, will be!” And I’d say we embraced that one to the fullest – maybe with the help of a little Iceland magic! 

 

Check out our blog on Unique Ideas for Eloping for some tips you can apply to your Iceland elopement!

Iceland Elopement
Iceland Elopement
Iceland elopement
iceland elopement
iceland elopement

Sound like we're the one's for you?

Let's do this.

The Foxes are Brandon and Gabi Fox, an adventurous husband and wife elopement photography team living and traveling in their DIY renovated 1972 Airstream. They are loosely based in the Pacific Northwest, but travel for work and play throughout the western states and beyond. Their elopement photography is award winning and is described as candid photography that captures couples as they are, where they are, blending images of love and natural beauty in the great outdoors. 

CUSTOM PHOTO ALBUM AGREEMENT

THE FOXES PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC

These Terms and Conditions are a legally binding agreement is between you (“Client”) The Foxes Photography, LLC (“Photographer”) (collectively the “Parties”, or in the singular “Party”), for the purpose of Client purchasing a custom photography album from Photographer. This Agreement shall become effective upon the date you complete the checkout process.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  1. Fees & Retainer

Client shall commit to a custom album package by signing and returning this Agreement along with the initial payment for album service. Photographer will not begin its custom album services until the Agreement is signed and the album design fee is received. No final album will be printed until the full payment is made. In the event Client fails to remit payment as specified, Photographer shall have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement with no further obligation and retain any monies already paid as liquidated damages. Full payment must be completed by Client within 60 days of this Agreement’s date.

The fees in this Agreement are based on Photographer’s current album pricing at the time of booking. The price list is adjusted periodically, and any changes to custom albums will be charged at the prices in effect at the time.

  1. Album Design Procedure

The following outline indicates the general procedure of a custom album design. Client understands and agrees to this procedure.

  1. Photographer will use photos and album specifications to create their first custom album design.
  2. Photographer will send Client first draft of album design.
  3. Client will approve or send in revisions to album design.
  4. Photographer will make edits to album design. Only two rounds of edits are allowed.
  5. Client will approve final album design.
  6. Photographer will send in album for printing.
  7. Album is printed and shipped.
  8. Client receives final printed album.
  1. Album Spreads

Albums will include 35 spreads and no less. The definition of a “page” is one side of a spread in an album (for example, a 70-page album contains 35 spreads). If Client requests more than 35 spreads, additional spreads are $50.00 each. 

  1. Revision Rounds

The first draft will include photos selected by the photographer and will be sent to Client for approval. Client may request modifications to be made. Photographer shall complete modifications and send the second draft of album design to Client. Client may then accept the design or request one more round of modifications. Photographer will complete this second modification request and send the final draft of album to Client. After these two rounds of revisions to the album design, no further revisions are allowed. Any additional revisions are invoiced at a rate of $75.00 per round. All additional revision rounds must be paid before the revision is made by the Photographer. Photographer requires up to 10 days to complete a revision request. Client has 50 days to send Photographer any and all revision requests. Any revisions requested by Client more than 50 days after this Agreement’s date will not be accepted by Photographer.

  1. Final Approval

Photographer will not place an album order with the album Manufacturer until Client approves the design draft, and the balance is paid on any upgrades or additional spreads. Client agrees to check the final album design very carefully before giving final approval. Once final approval is given, Photographer is not responsible for typos, image defects, duplicate images, or other errors that may have been missed. 

  1. Parent/Duplicate Albums

Parent/duplicate albums cannot be altered from the original designs. All parent/duplicate albums shall be ordered at the time of final approval of the original album design and will be invoiced and must be paid prior to Photographer sending in album for printing. No parent/duplicate albums are available after the original album ordering phase is complete.

  1. Album Delivery

Client understands and agrees that Photographer’s album manufacturer (“Manufacturer”) generally takes 6-8 weeks to print and manufacture the album. While every possible precaution is taken and Manufacturer has been selected by Photographer for its superb quality, Photographer assumes no liability for the loss or damage of album while in possession of Manufacturer. 

  1. Ordering Date

Client shall agree to final album design within 60 days of this Agreement’s date. Any delay by Client in approving final album design will result in termination of this Agreement and no further obligation by Photographer.

  1. Retouching and Edits

Photographer will use the final edited images delivered to Client to make the album design. Photographer will not re-edit or retouch any images.

  1. Returns

Client understands and agrees that once final approval of album design has been given to Photographer, no returns or refunds are allowed whatsoever. In the event Client receives the printed album and sees any manufacturer defects or dislikes the album quality, Photographer will work with Manufacturer to the best of their ability to remedy the situation. Client is responsible for any additional fees associated with returning or reprinting the album.

  1. Album Archiving

Photographer shall keep a copy of final approved album design for 90 days but does not permanently archive the final album design. Client understands that after 90 days the album design will not be available to order additional copies and a new agreement must be signed to start the process over.

  1. Photographer Copyright

The final album design by The Foxes Photography, LLC is their property, will remain their property, and are protected by United States Copyright Laws (USC Title 17). Client hereby waives any claims for ownership, income, editorial control, and use of the images and album design. Violations of this federal law will be subject to its civil and criminal penalties.

  1. Reproduction

Client and Client’s agents agree to acquire the album design and product directly from Photographer through their professional album company. Client and Client’s agents agree not to scan, copy or reproduce the album design in any manner without written permission, including using the custom album design to create other albums. Photographer may seek damages for any illegal reproduction. Client and Client’s agents further agree not to supply the album to any third-parties.

  1. Communication

Photographer’s office hours are 9:00am – 5:00pm PST Monday through Friday. Photographer’s primary source of communication is through their email [email protected]. Photographer will respond to Client’s emails within those office hours.

  1. Indemnification

Client shall indemnify, release, discharge and hold harmless Photographer, its heirs, legal representatives, assigns, employees, contractors, or any persons or corporations acting under permission or authority of the Photographer from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, and expenses and costs, including reasonable legal expenses and attorneys’ fees, to which Photographer may become subject as a result of any claim, demand, action or other legal proceeding by any third-party to the extent such losses arise directly or indirectly out of activities performed by Photographer pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent such losses result from the gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional acts of Photographer.

  1. Maximum Damages

The sole remedy for any actions or claims by Client shall be limited to a refund, the maximum amount not to exceed the total monies paid by Client under this Agreement.

  1. Limitation of Liability

If, during the production and/or before the album(s) are delivered to Client, the media has been lost, stolen, or is unusable because of defect, damage, equipment/platform malfunction, processing, or other technical error caused by Photographer or by forces outside the control of Photographer, Client agrees to relieve and hold Photographer harmless and will not impose any additional liability.

In no event shall Photographer be liable under this Agreement to Client or any other third-party for consequential, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, punitive, or enhanced damages, arising out of, relating to, or in connection with any breach of this Agreement, regardless of (a) whether such damages were foreseeable, (b) whether or not Client was advised of such damages, and (c) the legal or equitable theory (contract, tort, or otherwise) upon which the claim is based.

  1. Force Majeure 

No Party shall be liable or responsible to the other Party, nor be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement, for any failure or delay in fulfilling or performing any term of this Agreement (except for any obligations to make payments to the other Party hereunder), when and to the extent such failure or delay is caused by or results from acts beyond the impacted party’s (“Impacted Party”) control that are unforeseen and unpredictable at the time of contracting, including, but not limited to, the following force majeure 

events (“Force Majeure Events”): (a) acts of God; (b) a natural disaster (fires, explosions, earthquakes, hurricane, flooding, storms, explosions, infestations), epidemic, or pandemic; (c) war, invasion, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riot or other civil unrest; (d) government order or law; (e) actions, embargoes or blockades in effect on or after the date of this Agreement; (f) action by any governmental authority; (g) national or regional emergency; (h) strikes, labor stoppages or slowdowns or other industrial disturbances; and (i) shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities. The Impacted Party shall give Notice (as defined in Section 27) within 10 days of the Force Majeure Event to the other Party, stating the period of time the occurrence is expected to continue. The Impacted Party shall use diligent efforts to end the failure or delay and ensure the effects of such Force Majeure Event are minimized. The Impacted Party shall resume the performance of its obligations as soon as reasonably practicable after the removal of the cause. In the event that the Impacted Party’s failure or delay remains uncured for a period of 15 days following Notice given by it, the other Party may thereafter terminate this Agreement upon Notice. The Retainer and all other payments made by Client up to the date of Notice of a Force Majeure Event are non-refundable.

  1. Cancellation of Album Services by Photographer

In the event Photographer determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot or will not perform its obligations under this Agreement due to circumstances including, but not limited to, injury, illness, death of family member, pregnancy, military orders, religious obligations, other personal emergencies, or total breakdown of communication with Client, it will:

  1. Immediately give notice to Client;
  2. Issue a refund or credit based on a reasonably accurate percentage of custom album services rendered; and
  3. Excuse Client of any further performance and/or payment obligations under this Agreement.
  1. Sales Tax

Should any sale and/or use tax be imposed on any part of this Agreement, such tax shall be collected from Client and remitted by Photographer. All sales tax will be included on invoices.

  1. Entire Agreement

This is a binding Agreement that incorporates the entire understanding of the Parties, supersedes any other written or oral agreements between the Parties, and any modifications must be in writing, signed by all Parties, and physically attached to the original agreement.


22. Venue and Jurisdiction

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington including all matters of construction, validity, performance, and enforcement and without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws. The Parties agree that any dispute or lawsuit arising out of, or concerning, this Agreement that is not first resolved by arbitration shall be resolved exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Whatcom County, Washington. The Parties assume responsibility for their own collection costs and legal fees incurred should enforcement of this Agreement become necessary.

  1. Arbitration

Any and all disputes or disagreements rising between the Parties out of this Agreement upon which an amicable understanding cannot be reached, shall be decided by arbitration in accordance with the procedural rules of the American Arbitration Association. The Parties agree to be bound by the decision of the arbitrator(s). The arbitration proceeding shall take place in Whatcom County, Washington, unless another location is mutually agreed to by the Parties. The cost and expenses of the arbitrators shall be shared equally by the Parties. Each Party shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses in presenting the dispute for arbitration.

  1. Severability & No Waiver

In the event that any part of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain valid and enforceable. Any failure by one or both Parties to enforce a provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other portion or provision of this Agreement.

  1. Transfer

This Agreement cannot be transferred or assigned to any third-party by either the Photographer or Client without written consent of all Parties. 

  1. Headings

Headings and titles are provided in this Agreement for convenience only and will not be construed as part of this Agreement.

  1. Notice

Parties shall provide effective notice (“Notice”) to each other via email at the date and time which the Notice is sent: Photographer’s Email: [email protected]

  1. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures 

The Parties agree that a facsimile copy (electronic copy) of this Agreement, which contains the Parties’ signatures, may be used as the original.

Signatures

By checking the box on this order form and upon completion of purchase, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.