What to Wear for an Iceland Elopement: The Practical Guide
Choosing an outfit for an Iceland elopement is a little different from choosing one for a wedding where the longest walk is from the hotel lobby to the ceremony.
In Iceland, you may walk over black sand, wet grass, gravel or snow. The weather can change quickly, and the wind has a habit of appearing exactly when you remove your coat.
The good news is that you don't need to choose between looking beautiful and feeling comfortable. You can wear the dramatic dress, tailored suit or giant veil of your dreams, you just need to prepare for Iceland to behave like Iceland.
Dress for the Wind, Not Only the Temperature
A forecast of 10°C may sound mild, but 10°C beside the ocean with wind and rain feels very different from 10°C on a calm day.
Wind is often what makes Iceland feel cold, even in summer. Formal fabrics usually provide less protection than they appear to.
The easiest solution is to wear thin, warm layers underneath your outfit and keep a waterproof, windproof coat nearby.
Useful hidden layers include:
Merino wool thermals
Nude or white thermal leggings
Fleece-lined tights
A thin thermal top under a shirt
Warm cycling shorts under a dress
Try everything together before travelling. Make sure seams and waistbands do not show through the fabric, especially if the dress is fitted or has a slit.
Choose an Outfit You Can Move In
An Iceland elopement usually involves more walking and movement than a traditional wedding.
Before the trip, practice walking, sitting, taking large steps and getting into a car while wearing the full outfit.
For dresses, a wrist loop or bustle can make a big difference when carrying the train between locations.
Also, the bottom of the dress will probably get dirty.
It may collect black sand, damp grass, mud or waterfall spray. This is completely normal and usually looks much better in photographs than spending the entire day trying to keep the dress three cm above the ground.
Lighter fabrics such as chiffon and tulle are generally easier to carry and move beautifully in the wind. Heavy lace and satin can become noticeably heavier when wet.
For suits, wool or wool-blend fabrics usually provide more warmth than lightweight summer suits. Leave enough room for a thin thermal layer underneath.
Wear Proper Shoes
Even locations close to a parking area may involve wet grass, gravel, sand or slippery paths.
I usually recommend bringing two pairs:
Waterproof boots with good grip for walking
Formal shoes for selected photographs, when the ground allows
Hiking boots can look surprisingly good with wedding clothes, especially in Iceland.
Most importantly, break them in before the elopement. Your wedding day is not the ideal time to discover that one boot has declared war on your heel.
Wear wool or wool-blend socks rather than cotton, and keep a dry spare pair in the car.
Bring a Coat You Actually Want to Wear
A warm layer does not have to ruin the outfit. A wool coat, tailored overcoat, bridal cape, leather jacket or knitted shawl can become part of the photographs.
You should also bring a genuinely waterproof jacket for walking and breaks - even if it never appears in a single image.
You will not need to carry everything yourselves. I always work with an assistant who can hold coats, bags, spare shoes, phones and other essentials while we photograph.
This means you can remove your coat for a few minutes, take the photographs and put it straight back on before Iceland has time to personally offend you.
Veils, Hair and Makeup
Veils can look incredible in Icelandic wind.
They can also wrap around your face, attach themselves to your partner or attempt to leave for Greenland.
Secure the veil with extra pins and bring a few spares. In strong wind, we may use it only for specific photographs rather than wearing it throughout the entire day.
For hair, styles designed to move usually work better than trying to maintain a perfectly smooth look. Textured updos, low buns, braids and natural waves tend to handle the weather well.
Waterproof makeup is helpful not only because of rain, but because wind can make your eyes water. Bring a small touch-up kit with hairpins, tissues, lip colour, powder and a small comb.
Remember That Waterfalls Are Wet
This sounds obvious, but waterfall spray often looks much more delicate from a distance than it feels up close.
Near powerful waterfalls, clothing and hair can become damp quickly even when it is not raining.
Keep a waterproof coat, small towel, spare socks and possibly a spare shirt in the car.
What to Keep in the Car
Prepare one small, accessible bag containing:
Waterproof jackets
Warm coats
Gloves
Spare socks
Formal shoes
A small towel
Hairpins
Makeup for touch-ups
Water and snacks
A bag for wet clothing
Do not bury it underneath your luggage. The weather will change precisely when no one remembers where the gloves are.
Comfort Is Part of How the Photos Look
Couples sometimes worry that thermals, boots and coats will make their photographs feel less romantic.
In reality, discomfort is much more visible than practical footwear.
When you are freezing, your shoulders rise, your hands tighten and it becomes difficult to relax. When you are comfortable, you can move, laugh and actually experience the day.
You can remove your coat for a few photographs.
You cannot Photoshop feeling miserable out of the memory.
Choose an outfit that feels like you, add warm layers no one will ever know about and let Iceland look like Iceland.
Wear the dramatic dress. Wear the velvet suit. Wear hiking boots underneath.
Just make sure you can still feel your feet.
Planning your own Iceland elopement? Explore my Iceland elopement photography packages and see how we can create a day that feels completely like you.
