C&J Eloped in Iceland in the middle of summer in Snæfellsnes

When the midnight sun is at its peak and the greens are as long as the eye can see. When planning this Iceland elopement for C&J, they wanted a day that:

felt like it was just for themselves
where they could slow down a bit and be in the moment of the day
something intimate instead of a big wedding
an elopement day that they could have a special experience.

In the Iceland elopement planning stage they told me they wanted tall sea cliffs, to be around water, and somewhere we can hike — I knew Snæfellsnes was the perfect spot for them.

We had such a fun, summer storybook romance kind of day that was the quintessential meaning of freedom. I love Snæfellsnes Peninsula, it was one of my first loves the very first time I ever visited Iceland before I was a resident. It’s filled with folklore, saga stories, hidden people, trolls, and is the inspiration of so much literature. There’s something special about being in the presence of Snæfellsjökull — the glacier sitting on top of a volcano at the centre of the peninsula always watching you.

Snæfellsnes is one of my absolute, all time favorite spots that many call ‘‘little Iceland’’ because it has just about everything in it. I love being able to bring my couples to areas on Snæfellsnes most people don’t even know about as the peninsula has gotten a wee bit more popular in the recent years — but don’t worry, there is so much to see without crowds.

And for my fellow True Crime junkies, Snæfellsnes is home to the one and only serial killer to live in Iceland, Axlar-Björn.

The mystical power of being around Snæfellsjökull Glacier on your Iceland Elopement

Snæfellsjökull has captivated imaginations for centuries. This 700,000-year-old volcanic wonder served as the gateway to the center of the Earth in Jules Verne's famous novel, and modern spiritual seekers consider it one of the planet's seven major energy centers. Standing at 1,446 meters, the glacier dominates the skyline and creates an otherworldly backdrop for intimate elopement ceremonies.

Many couples are drawn to this mystical location precisely because of its reputation as a place where the veil between worlds grows thin, making it an unforgettable setting for beginning a new chapter together.

Visit Bárður Snæfellsás —The Guardian Spirit of Snæfellsnes on your Iceland Elopement

The half-troll, half-human figure of Bárður Snæfellsás remains the peninsula's most beloved folkloric character and protective guardian spirit. According to the medieval Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss, this powerful being settled in the region and used his supernatural strength to help travelers and punish wrongdoers before eventually walking into Snæfellsjökull glacier to become its eternal guardian.

You can find the big statue of Bárður in the small town Arnarstapi, one of the peninsula's most photographed coastal villages (and one of my personal favorite places to stay when I am staying in Snæfellsnes). His legend adds profound depth to Iceland elopement experiences in Snæfellsnes, as you can invoke the protection of this ancient guardian over your marriage journey.

And, if you go just one village over, you can get some of the best seafood soup of your life.

The huldufólk and Elf dwellings you might ‘‘see’’ on your Iceland Elopement in Snæfellsnes

Snæfellsnes harbors numerous álagablettur, the enchanted spots that elves and hidden people dwell. Locals treat with genuine respect and caution, you should never move an Elf Kingdom rock. The peninsula's dramatic lava fields, including the protected Berserkjahraun, are believed to house thriving communities of huldufólk (hidden people), and construction projects in Iceland have famously been rerouted to avoid disturbing these sacred sites otherwise they will fall on bad luck. I have some personal stories about this, so when we are on your Iceland elopement, remind me to tell you.

When planning elopements in Snæfellsnes, understanding this folklore isn't just cultural appreciation, it's also about respecting the land and the beliefs that have shaped Icelandic culture for over a millennium.

Most of my couples are a bit witchy, nerdy, and into folklore so this is always a fun added touch to their Iceland elopement experience.

Kirkjufell Mountain is Iceland's most photographed peak which offers a Game of Thrones look to your Iceland elopement

Kirkjufell, the distinctively pointed mountain that has become synonymous with Snæfellsnes Peninsula and appeared in Game of Thrones as "Arrowhead Mountain’’, carries its own supernatural associations. The mountain's name translates to "Church Mountain," and local folklore suggests its unique shape resembles a church steeple, marking it as a sacred space.

The nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall is also one of the most visited and photographed areas. The viewing area for Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss has multiple parking lots it gets so busy. This and Búðakirkja, the little black church, are probably the two most busy spots in Snæfellsnes in recent years.

When bringing my couples to Snæfellsnes for their Iceland elopements, there are a few lesser known spots to view the mountain and black church which I prefer to take them to avoiding the crowds.

we tend to skip the waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss all together in exchange for a few other (better in my opinion) lesser known or visited ones.

The best time of year to Elope in Snæfellsnes

Planning a Snæfellsnes elopement requires understanding how Iceland's dramatic seasons transform the peninsula's character and location accessibility opportunities in the different seasons. Snæfellsnes is good any time of the year, if I am honest, as it has many low-land areas to adventure to. There is even a fun snow cat truck we can take to the top of the Snæfellsjökull glacier should you want to add that to your experience.

Each season brings its own magic to Snæfellsnes as the sun patterns change how the landscapes look, the snow changes the greens into whites, and the summer sun brings a vibrant sunshine (usually) to the day.