A Windy Highlands Elopement in Iceland | McKenna + Dalton
McKenna + Dalton
Iceland is one of those places that makes you feel small in the best possible way. Vast landscapes stretch for miles, weather shifts by the minute, and every corner of the island feels like it belongs in a movie. For couples who want their wedding day to feel like an adventure, Iceland is pure magic.
McKenna and Dalton’s two-day Iceland elopement was exactly that: a wild, wind-swept ceremony in the Highlands followed by a slow, intentional honeymoon day exploring the South Coast.
It was the perfect reminder that eloping in Iceland isn’t about perfect conditions. It’s about embracing the adventure together.
Day One: A Highlands Adventure to Kerlingarfjöll
Their elopement day started with one of the most iconic Iceland experiences you can have: heading into the Highlands by super jeep.
A private Defender tour picked us up and began the journey deep into Iceland’s interior. The Highlands are one of the most remote and rugged regions in the country, only accessible by specialized vehicles that can cross rivers and navigate rough mountain roads.
The drive alone felt like stepping onto another planet.
As we climbed higher into the mountains toward Kerlingarfjöll, the landscape shifted dramatically. The earth turned shades of rust, gold, and deep red. Steam rose from geothermal vents in the distance. Snow patches lingered along the ridgelines.
And the weather made sure we knew we were truly in the Icelandic Highlands.
When we arrived at Kerlingarfjöll, the conditions were intense. The temperature hovered around 40 degrees. The wind whipped across the mountains with full force. Rain fell sideways in that classic Iceland fashion.
But McKenna and Dalton leaned right into it.
They shared their ceremony surrounded by the dramatic geothermal mountains of Kerlingarfjöll, with the wind roaring around us and clouds racing overhead. It was raw, wild, and completely unforgettable.
Because that’s the thing about Iceland elopements. Sometimes the weather becomes part of the story.
After their ceremony, we didn’t stay long in the harsh conditions. The Highlands have a way of humbling you quickly, so we made our way back down to a slightly lower elevation where the weather was a little calmer.
Along the drive, we pulled over for photos with the Defender against the dramatic Highland landscape. The vehicle itself felt like part of the adventure, dusted with mist and framed by endless mountains.
Before heading back toward their accommodations, we stopped at a cozy little lodge tucked away in the Highlands. Inside, the warmth felt incredible after being out in the wind and rain.
We wrapped our hands around mugs of hot chocolate, warming up and soaking in the moment.
It was one of those quiet pauses that makes an elopement day feel so meaningful. Just slowing down, getting warm, and letting the reality of the day sink in.
From there, we continued the drive back down out of the Highlands as the light began to soften across the mountains.
Day Two: The First Day of Their Honeymoon
The next morning looked completely different.
Day two wasn’t about a ceremony or timeline. It was simply the beginning of McKenna and Dalton’s honeymoon, and they wanted it documented the way they would naturally experience it: exploring Iceland together.
We started the day along Iceland’s South Coast, a region known for its dramatic landscapes and constantly changing scenery.
One of our first stops ended up being one of the most unexpectedly charming moments of the trip.
We stumbled across a small pasture filled with Icelandic horses and sheep. These horses are one of Iceland’s most iconic animals, known for their thick coats, friendly personalities, and distinctive gait.
McKenna and Dalton wandered through the pasture, laughing as curious horses wandered up to greet them. Sheep dotted the hillsides behind them, and the soft green grass stretched out toward distant mountains.
It felt peaceful and playful all at once.
From there, we made our way to a glacier lagoon tucked along the South Coast. Massive chunks of ice floated quietly across the water, slowly drifting away from the glacier that had carved the landscape over thousands of years.
McKenna and Dalton explored along the shore, skipping rocks across the icy water and taking in the surreal beauty of the lagoon.
It was simple and unplanned in the best way.
No timeline pressure. No rush. Just two people soaking in the very first day of their marriage together in one of the most incredible places on Earth.
And honestly, that’s exactly what an Iceland elopement should feel like.
Tips for Eloping in Iceland
If you’re dreaming about your own Iceland elopement, here are a few things McKenna and Dalton’s experience perfectly illustrated.
1. Expect (and embrace) wild weather
Iceland’s weather can change extremely quickly, especially in places like the Highlands. You might experience wind, rain, sunshine, and fog all within the same hour.
Instead of trying to avoid it, the best approach is to embrace it. Some of the most powerful and cinematic moments happen when couples lean into the wildness of the landscape.
Bring waterproof layers, sturdy boots, and a sense of adventure.
2. Consider exploring the Highlands
The Icelandic Highlands are one of the most unique landscapes in the world. With colorful geothermal mountains, remote valleys, and rugged terrain, it feels dramatically different from the rest of the country.
Because access requires specialized vehicles, booking a private super jeep or Defender tour is often the best way to explore these areas safely.
3. Build space into your timeline
One of the most beautiful parts of McKenna and Dalton’s elopement was the slow moments. Stopping for hot chocolate in a mountain lodge. Pulling over for photos during the drive. Wandering through a pasture with horses.
When planning your Iceland elopement, leave room for spontaneous stops and unexpected moments.
Those often end up being the most memorable parts of the day.
4. Turn your elopement into a multi-day experience
Iceland has so many incredible landscapes that it can be difficult to choose just one.
Planning a multi-day elopement allows you to experience different regions of the country while keeping your wedding day relaxed and meaningful.
One day might be focused on your ceremony in a dramatic location like the Highlands, while another day can feel more like an adventure session exploring waterfalls, glaciers, or the South Coast.
For more information on how to elope in Iceland, visit my How to Elope in Iceland blog post.
McKenna and Dalton’s elopement was the perfect reminder that your wedding day doesn’t have to look traditional to be deeply meaningful.
Sometimes it looks like wind-swept mountains, mugs of hot chocolate in a remote lodge, curious Icelandic horses, and skipping rocks beside a glacier lagoon on the first day of your honeymoon.
And honestly, that kind of wedding day is hard to beat.
READY TO START PLANNING YOUR ELOPEMENT? REACH OUT NOW!
Hey, I’m Sally! I’m a destination adventure elopement photographer based in Washington, but traveling worldwide!
