The Icelandic Weather

More often than not, your outfit for the day may be dictated by preparing for the Icelandic weather.  After all, you could encounter rain, blizzard-like conditions, gale force winds, sand storms, freezing temps, etc.  Additionally, it’s important to also research the time of year the couple is getting married and the region of Iceland in as well.  Truly so many factors to consider!  Furthermore, the best way to figure out what to wear to an Iceland wedding would be tracking the weather on Vedur.is.

What to Wear to an Iceland Wedding Adventure:

As a general rule, remember that weddings are semi-formal regardless of the location, but the translation of that to an adventure wedding in Iceland is as follows:

• Boots and Suits (meaning nice on top for photos and rugged on the bottom to navigate comfortably through the terrain).
• Ladies, we would encourage you to wear something nice with FLAT shoes / boots.  This could mean a cute warm long sleeve dress with fleece lined leggings, layers, and like an awesome pair of hiking or Sorel boots

Overall, if you are attending a wedding we have personally planned…. For sure, you will need hiking boots and waterproof outerwear.   Further, we also encourage you to bring a “go bag” which contains things like layers, extra socks, extra shoes, Hot Hands, and snacks.  Iceland Wedding Planning Tip: Ask your couple further on how to prepare (will vary depending on their Iceland wedding locations).  Additionally, it is also proper etiquette to ensure you do not wear anything that will draw attention away from the couple.  Below we have compiled our list of “do not ever wear to a wedding” items.

What NOT to Wear to an Iceland Adventure Wedding:

• Jeans (they will get wet and uncomfortable).
• Shorts (you will likely be cold).
• Tee-shirt (on the outside, not nice enough for photos).
• A fluorescent colored shirt/dress.
• White/Ivory/Champagne colored dress or suit or coat.
• Skimpy Dress (you’ll freeze).
• Animal print or camouflage.
• Trainers / Running Shoes (trade them in for hiking boots if your couple is doing an adventure wedding)
• Heels over 2 inches (save them for the reception!)

Now that you know what you should never wear to an Iceland adventure wedding, we’re going to narrow down what wear to an Iceland wedding.  Firstly, you may find our previous blog post on “What to Pack,” helpful as you pack for that Iceland destination wedding.  Secondly, the best way to communicate your desired attire for your guests would be through your wedding website.  For example, is easy to include a section focused on this topic on your webpage explaining the expected attire.   Thirdly, some example Iceland wedding scenarios below you can draw from as well as you educate your guests on this topic…

What to Wear to a Iceland Waterfall Wedding:

When you decide to get married at a waterfall in Iceland, there is a lot to consider!  After all, how do you plan a waterfall wedding?  Next, if the wedding in Iceland is happening at a waterfall please consider the following advice:

• Clothing: Layers!  Wear warm enough clothing to be outside in for 1-2 hours at a time in temperatures just above freezing or lower.  Why?  Because no matter the time of year you visit Iceland the wind can plummet the temperatures to be below freezing.
• Outerwear: Rain Gear and/or a Parka depending on time of year and how cold you get!  Maybe even both are good to have!
• Recommended Shoes: Hiking Boots (our faves are Salewa), low wedged heels (think Sorel’s or Sperry’s) or Hunter Rain Boots.  Regardless of shoe type please make sure they are closed toe!
• Reception: Bring cocktail attire to change into for the Iceland wedding reception if your couples says to!  For instance, some couples may encourage you to stay cozy / comfortably casual for part two, the dinner.

Furthermore, we would love to share specifics of what guests have previously worn… First, may opt in for a suit and tie (no shame in rocking long-johns or Smartwool underneath!).  Second, others guests wore dresses with lined leggings and boots.  Third, all of guests wear / brought a coat and simply took it off for a few minutes when participating in Iceland wedding photos.  Next, the majority of guests change into cocktail dresses upon the return for the Iceland wedding dinner!

What to Wear to a Glacier Wedding Ceremony:

If you’ve visited a glacier before, you know they are ever changing from day to day and season to season.  Therefore, it is best to consult your Iceland Wedding Planner on what the anticipated conditions could be and what to wear to an Iceland wedding at a glacier.  Also be aware that there can be a different in how to dress if planning an ice cave wedding or one just at or in front of the glacier.

Firstly, going to either one, proper hiking boots are a must.  Why?  Because there is uneven ground that can easily twist an ankle.  Second, there can be a chance you’ll encounter glacier quick sand or need to cross a river so boots are beneficial regardless of the terrain.  Third, weather can be more volatile at the glacier areas so dressing in layers becomes a MUST.

Forth, making sure you have waterproof outwear (with a hood) is important too as the wind can be insane and sideways rain or sleet isn’t nice if ill prepared.  Likewise if you’re heading up to one of the countless the glacier areas in Iceland, you have hired a local professional that will provide required safety gear, wear it!

How to Dress for a Cave Wedding Ceremony:

Heading to a natural cave in Iceland to witness a wedding ceremony is the most indoor yet, outdoor experience you can have.  To illustrate, here you can get away with more formal attire and still be comfortable.  Meaning, not aerating the landscape or falling on your bottom.  Also, if you’re working with a local Iceland Wedding Planner there is an opportunity to bring in rentals like heaters, firepits, etc to warm the place up!

But that being said, what to wear to an Iceland wedding in a natural cave?

• Layers – Continuous theme for having an Iceland adventure wedding with guests!
• Coats- Wind still blows into the cave and sometimes if a sunny day outside, it’s colder inside the cave than out!
• Boots- Are still suggested as depending on the weather or season there can be ice on the floor, mud, and for sure dirt no matter what!  Therefore, we would shy away from any open toe shoes unless you do not mind dirty feet!

Iceland Church Wedding Location:

Having a church wedding in Iceland is the easiest option for your guests to dress because it is the same as it is for any local or destination wedding elsewhere.  You can keep it simple and offer the following as suggestions to your guests:

• Semiformal attire or casual depending on your vibe!
• Whatever shoes you wish!  However, a pair of comfortable walking shoes (if you plan on having a little country or city tour after) could come in handy.

Basic Iceland Adventure Wedding Attire:

In conclusion, if you have decided to hold your destination wedding on one of Iceland’s many rugged landscapes make sure you prepare your guests for your adventure!  Via your wedding website or email are the best routes so folks having something to look back on and find as they pack.  For instance, give your guests ideas on what they may need…

• Hiking poles.
• Dress in layers (state what the average temperature may be on your wedding date).
• Dress to possibly withstand high winds, rain and / or sand storms (IE, layers like long johns or Under Armour).
• Waterproof coat with a hood.
• Wear hiking boots.
• Gloves & Hat.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen.
• Be prepared to walk on uneven surfaces, loose rock, mud, or sand.
• Plan to encounter strong wind gusts, sometimes gale force gusts!
• Make your guests aware of how long they may be outside (IE, 20-40 minutes at a time, etc).
• If applicable: Cocktail Attire for indoor reception / dinner.

Hope this gets you thinking!  In the meantime, we hope you have enjoyed today’s post on what to wear to an Iceland wedding!  Furthermore, if you’re a client of our Iceland Wedding Planner team, please link your guests to this page via your wedding website.

Lastly, feel free to contact us if interested in planning your own exciting adventure wedding in Iceland!

© 2002-2023, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved.

The post What to Wear to an Iceland Wedding (Updated 2023) appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Thank you for stopping by our blog!  Planning a destination wedding in Iceland is a tall order even for super planners.  With no elaborate wedding industry as there is in North America it surely complicates things.  There are so many twists and turns that you could have within your day it takes a professional to pull it all together and capture your vision flawlessly.

That being said… Welcome to the Iceland Wedding Planner Blog!  It is our intention in creating this blog to be informative about planning a wedding in Iceland and leave you inspired during each visit.

My Story:

My name is Ann Peters (formally Ann Rezbanyay) and I have a passion for destination weddings!  I am a seasoned destination wedding photographer and owner of Photos by Miss Ann.  Over the last decade, I have had the pleasure of being a part of and photographing over 500 wedding weekends/days local and destination weddings.  In October of 2011 my fiancé (now husband) Chris and I brainstormed on where to hold our wedding day.  So one thing was for sure, it was a no-brainier we were going to plan our wedding in a crazy-awesome-adventurous location that would stun our guests.

Our Must Have List:

1. The location needed to be somewhere Chris and I had never been to.
2. A location where no one on our guest list had visited.
3. A locale that offered endless outdoor adventures.
4. A place where the scenery was completely different than all the yearly weddings I photograph (from beaches to mountains).  We needed dramatic scenery!
5. Where the food was full of flavor and unique to the country.
6. We would receive personal service from our vendors.

What locations made the list!

1. Sweden Destination Wedding
2. Iceland Destination Wedding
3. Bali, Indonesia (we ended up doing our honeymoon 6 months later there)
4. Greenland Wedding
5. Antarctica Wedding
6. Faroe Islands Wedding

Loving Nordic cold weather, Chris narrowed the list down to Sweden or Iceland.  I sent away for travel guides, books, spent hours researching, and calling.  Because the next most important thing was securing locations within our country of choice.

• Wedding at Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden.
• Wedding in Southern Iceland.

Iceland was our answer.  More endless hours of research brought us to the decision of getting married at Seljalandsfoss waterfall and hold our Iceland wedding reception in Hella, Iceland.

We bravely decided on April 14^th 2012 as our wedding date (ask any Icelandic native and they will tell you we were crazy!).  We kept the location a secret until our custom wedding invitations went out in November (see our destination wedding invitation samples below).

The benefits of holding your wedding November-April in Iceland follow:

1)      Best chance to see the unforgettable Northern Lights every day.

2)      Seeing Iceland in its winter/spring glory.  It looks like a completely different country!

3)      In April the temperatures can still be a balmy 45 degrees!  Our day was and with that sun shining it felt even warmer!

4)      Low tourist season.  No fighting crowds for your stunning wedding photos.

5)      Vendors cater to you during the off-season which equal discounted rates and individualized service!

6)      Slower time to import goods which equals less hassle (IE, I imported my own rose petals as a cost saving) and assurance you’re getting the right shade of pink!

7)      Although there may be a chance of snow or rain on your wedding day (which both are good luck!) wait 10 minutes and you’ll probably get some sunshine.  The weather is always changing.  I think we had all 4 seasons in 1 day and it rocked!

8)      You’ll make headline news from being the brave souls who said “I do” at a waterfall in winter or late spring!  See our wedding on the Icelandic News!  We still get photos emailed to us from random people who witnessed our wedding there =)

Our Iceland guest list included a total of 120 guests both from as near as Syracuse, New York and as far away as Perth, Australia (42 hours of traveling).  Our wedding invitations gave the initial shock to our guests of “Iceland!  Really, Iceland?!”  Luckily, we had ~40 guests RSVP yes before January, so we were stoked!  Honestly, we would have been happy if it had just been ourselves, a glacier, a waterfall, and our parents.  So we were seriously overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our family and friends.

When our guests received the wedding invitation, they received 4 things in the envelope:

1)      The actual Iceland Wedding Invitation.

2)      An “Accommodation” Card that shared our wedding website: chrisandann2012.com – This website (when it was fully active, communicated air transport, lodging, car rental coupons, and schedule for the week).

3)      The RSVP return card and envelope (We went for the 5-course  menu).

4)      4 photos of the amazing sites our guests would see if they attended.

It was important to us to communicate to our guests why we were drawn to marry in Iceland and why they should travel to the Land of Fire and Ice.  This trip was not only about saying “I do” for us but to have all the people we love, adore, and appreciate all in one amazing place to partake in this adventure with us.  Once guests visited our website and saw that everything was planned and available for them to easily book through the website- excitement began!

Chris and I spent weeks planning all of the available activities in and around the area.  Although, when we arrived in Iceland we devoted the first 1.5 days to finalizing food and wine choices, putting together welcome bags, decorations, and getting our marriage license we made ourselves available to our guests.  This was our wedding week/end, not our honeymoon so it was critical for everyone to feel included young and old.

For more tips on planning a wedding in obscure locations check out the article written by Ann on Wedding Photos USA along with the rest of this Iceland wedding planning blog!  This is just the beginning so some really awesome posts on Iceland weddings!

Who are we?  We’re a very detailed, adventurous, energetic husband and wife team who have a passion for weddings and Iceland.  We are, Ann and Chris Peters and we have 10 years of destination wedding photography and planning experience.  Traveling the globe photographing love stories and wedding adventures is seriously the best career on the planet (in our opinion)!  Not only all that, but we were also married in Iceland at the majestic Seljalandsfoss waterfall on April 14th 2012 (our 40 person Iceland destination wedding even made the Icelandic News)!  So we truly know first hand, how epic of a country it is and how special it is for you to plan your wedding in Iceland!

Throughout the last decade, we have learned what our couples desire in a wedding planner & destination wedding photographer.  Which means knowing what you want and us providing the most cherished experience possible.  We’re so excited to meet you!!

With a smile, Ann & Chris Peters  (Feel free to contact us directly here)

© 2002-2012, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Planning an Iceland Destination Wedding appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.