8 Best Iceland Waterfall Wedding + Elopement Locations

Let me guess: you’ve been searching for an epic place to elope in Iceland, but despite all the incredible options, you just can’t get those iconic waterfalls out of your head. You know the ones—the giant, cascading falls surrounded by lush greenery that you’ve seen all over social media, and are probably featured on desktop screensavers around the world. Except the thing is. . . you just can’t seem to choose which one will be best for your day! That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my top 7 favorite Iceland waterfall wedding + elopement locations, from world-renowned landmarks like Skógafoss to hidden gems like Kvernufoss. 

You know what that song says: definitely don’t do go chasing waterfalls on your elopement day. In Iceland, specifically! 😉

All About Iceland Waterfall Weddings + Elopements

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty about each of these 7 breathtaking waterfalls, I wanted to answer a few questions you might be wondering as you plan out your Iceland elopement.

Can you get married at a waterfall in Iceland?

Yes! Most waterfalls in Iceland are amazing for private vow exchanges or super intimate wedding ceremonies with just one or two guests. Certain locations like Skógafoss are free and don’t require any permits or ceremony fees, but it’s important to double check beforehand to make sure you know what to expect.

Going through the legal process of getting married in Iceland can be a bit of a hassle, so I recommend considering a symbolic ceremony instead for an easier experience. This means you’ll complete all the official paperwork and be legally married in your home state/country before you travel to Iceland, so that once you arrive, you don’t have to worry about the logistics! Symbolic ceremonies are just as meaningful and special as legal ones; you’re welcome to exchange vows, gifts, letters, whatever feels right to ya.

If you’d like to learn more about how to get married in Iceland as foreigners, be sure to read through my full Iceland Elopement Guide—or skip right down to this section to get straight to the legalities.

When is the best time to elope at a waterfall in Iceland?

While Iceland’s waterfalls honestly look incredible at any time of year, the scenery definitely changes throughout the seasons. The waterfalls themselves are at full flow all year-round due to the heavy snow and rainfall during the winter, as well as the glacial melt in the warmer months, but the surrounding landscapes will be greener in the spring and drier in the summer. Although it really depends on how much rainfall the region gets in the summer, because Iceland never gets too dry! You honestly can’t go wrong any time of year, so don’t worry about picking the exact right time for your wedding.

As far as crowds go, peak tourist season in Iceland is usually from June to August, so if you elope in the summer months, just be prepared to see lots of other visitors—especially at the more popular waterfalls.

Do you need a permit to elope at a waterfall in Iceland?

Not usually! Most of the locations in Iceland are very easily-accessible and don’t require permits or ceremony fees. But it’s always good to check before your big day for the most up-to-date info—which is something I can help you with.

7 Best Waterfalls in Iceland for Weddings + Elopements

I won’t put it off any longer—let’s get into what you came here for! Below are my favorite Iceland waterfall wedding + elopement locations for absolutely unreal scenery + a guaranteed unforgettable celebration.

1. Skógafoss

If there is ONE waterfall you recognize on this list, I’d bet it’s Skógafoss. After all, it’s only one of the most famous waterfalls in the world—and for damn good reason. Situated on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland, Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country and is accessible via the iconic Ring Road. It’s super famous because you can walk straight up to the waterfall, and if you manage to visit on a rare sunny day, you’re framed by the waterfall and a massive rainbow created by the spray from the falls. Skógafoss is insanely breathtaking from every single angle, in every single season, and is perfect for a vow exchange close to the falls (if you’re down for a bit of mist)! 

Be prepared for some sore quads, though—there are almost 500 steps to climb if you want to trek to the top of Skógafoss. It’s so worth it!

Oh, and one of the other awesome parts about visiting Skógafoss is that you not only get to explore the base of the falls, but you also get access to one of the most popular hiking trails in Iceland called Fimmvörðuháls. Skógafoss can be both the start and end point for this trail, which is definitely worth walking along for a little bit to check out the area. 

Skógafoss is perfectly paired with the well-known Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach nearby—check out Layla & Kyle’s adventurous Iceland wedding, or this dreamy beach elopement for a peek at what your adventure could look like.

2. Dettifoss

Did you know that Iceland is home to the second most powerful waterfall in Europe? Dettifoss is part of Northeast Iceland’s breathtaking Vatnajökull National Park, located on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river. It’s not as tall as some of the other falls on this list, but its 300+ foot width makes it feel HUGE. You can get up close and personal (and literally get water in your face), which makes for some pretty epic photos! 

Dettifoss is best visited in the spring, summer, and fall months, when there’s a low possibility of road closures that could affect your ability to access the falls. There are a couple of different ways you can see the falls: from the west side via an 0.5 mile hike from the parking lot, or from the east side via a 0.25 mile hike. The hike from the east side is shorter and steeper, but both options only take around 10 minutes. I’d say that’s pretty low effort for such an insane waterfall!

3. Seljalandsfoss

One of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland, Seljalandsfoss is a dreamyyyy waterfall on the South Coast of Iceland. It’s a great spot to visit if you’re already in the area visiting Skógafoss or Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, or simply on its own! The stream of water from the falls is fairly narrow, but what makes it super dramatic is the way it falls from a towering cliff along the coastline. The most insane feature of Seljalandsfoss is easily the fact that you can actually walk around the entire waterfall via a pathway that curves around it—which is especially beautiful at sunrise, when the water glows gold as it’s lit up from behind!

4. Gljúfrabúi 

I know I’ve already given you three incredible options, but this next one is potentially the coolest waterfall I’ve ever seen. Gljúfrabúi (or Gljúfrafoss) is this super hidden waterfall just north of Seljalandsfoss, a bit more off-the-beaten path than the bigger falls. To get to the falls, which are encompassed by massive canyon walls of dark, moss-covered basalt, you actually have to hike into a crevasse in the rock before wading through a rocky stream. Waterproof hiking boots will definitely be your best friend here to keep you safe and sturdy along the way as you experience this surreal landscape! You can even stand on a huge boulder at the base of the waterfall, which makes for a crazy cool photo with the waterfall cascading directly behind you + the sky peeking through the crevasse from above.

5. Kvernufoss 

A lot of these waterfalls are pretty popular, and therefore get quite crowded during peak season—so I don’t blame you if you’re wanting something a little lesser-known. Kvernufoss might be the perfect option for you, as it’s hidden off the road, so most tourists don’t actually realize it’s there! This means you’ll get way more privacy than most of the other waterfalls on this list, while still getting to experience a stunning waterfall. It’s located on the Skógá River, just down the road from Skógafoss, and offers an opportunity to walk behind the falls in the summertime—such a cool experience to get this unique perspective. Make sure you have a raincoat on hand to protect you from all the mist!

6. Kirkjufellsfoss 

I’m obsessed with Kirkjufellsfoss and the wildly beautiful views it offers of Mt. Kirkjufell in the background! It’s for sure one of the iconic spots in Iceland that can’t be missed. Not only do you get a super picturesque waterfall along the Snæfellsnes peninsula—you also get panoramic views of one of the most stunning mountains in all of Iceland. Don’t be fooled by the short drop: Kirkjufellsfoss makes for incredible photos, and there are even beautiful spots along the water nearby where you can admire the expansive mountain views.

P.S. This view of Mt. Kirkjufell was actually used as “arrowhead mountain” in Game of Thrones due to the way it looks triangular from the right angle by the falls!

7. Dynjandi 

Okayyy obviously I had to save the best for last. Dynjandi is the largest waterfall in the remote Westfjords, standing at a whopping 328 feet tall and appearing almost like a bridal veil (is that a sign or what?). An Icelandic friend once said that Dynjandi is the “jewel of the Westfjords,” and that has stuck with me ever since—they were completely, absolutely, 100% correct. You only need to hike about 15 minutes to reach these majestic falls, where you can get up close and personal and get what will probably (no, definitely) be the most epic elopement pictures EVER. It’s literal heaven on Earth, and the journey to get to the falls is equally as incredible of an experience!

The Ultimate Iceland Elopement Guide

There is SO much more to be said about having your adventure wedding or elopement in Iceland. . . way more than I could include in this one guide. So to make things simpler for you, I put together an entire Iceland elopement guide, filled with more epic elopement locations around the country, travel tips, beautiful places to stay, adventurous activities, and plenty of other tips + advice you won’t want to miss. Read it here to make planning your Iceland elopement 10x easier!

Iceland Waterfall Wedding + Elopement Photographer

Capturing your vows in front of a glorious Icelandic waterfall would be an absolute dream come true—and all you’d have to do is show up and have the best day ever. 

For more info about what it could look like to elope at a waterfall in Iceland, check out my all-inclusive elopement packages here, and then reach out to get your special day booked! I cannot wait to hear which one (or two, or three. . .) of these unreal locations has caught your eye 👀

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Want a little more inspo first? Izzy and Britton’s hot springs elopement in the Icelandic Highlands will leave your jaw on the floor.