By Joel Reyes, Destination Elopement Photographer
Last updated: March 2026
Iceland is not a cheap destination. But compared to a traditional wedding, an Iceland elopement is a fraction of the cost and delivers an experience that’s incomparably more personal and adventurous. Here’s a realistic budget breakdown.
Quick Budget Overview
Budget elopement: $6,000 to $10,000 total (flights, car, lodging, photographer, officiant)
Mid-range elopement: $12,000 to $18,000 (add ice cave tours, nicer lodging, florals, hair/makeup)
Luxury elopement: $20,000 to $35,000+ (multi-day adventure, premium lodging, helicopter, all extras)
These numbers include everything for two people: flights, car, lodging, photographer, ceremony, and basic extras.
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Flights: $400 to $1,200 per person
From East Coast US: $400 to $700 round trip on Icelandair or PLAY airlines. Direct flights from JFK, Newark, Boston, and DC.
From West Coast US: $700 to $1,200 round trip. Usually one stop (often in Seattle, Minneapolis, or the East Coast).
From Europe: $100 to $400. Iceland is a quick hop from London, Paris, or Amsterdam.
Tip: Book 3 to 6 months in advance. Icelandair often has sales in January and September.
Rental Car: $80 to $200 per day
A 4×4 vehicle is strongly recommended (and required for highland roads). Budget $100 to $150/day for a mid-size SUV.
Insurance: Get the gravel protection and sand/ash protection. Iceland’s roads throw rocks, and volcanic sand can damage paint. This adds $20 to $40/day but is worth it.
Fuel: Gas in Iceland is expensive ($8 to $10/gallon as of 2026). Budget $100 to $200 for fuel over a 3 to 5 day trip depending on driving distance.
Lodging: $150 to $500+ per night
Guesthouses/hostels: $100 to $180/night for a private room.
Hotels: $180 to $350/night for a standard hotel along the South Coast or in Reykjavik.
Boutique/luxury: $350 to $800+/night. Properties like Hotel Ranga, Ion Adventure Hotel, or Deplar Farm.
Tip: Book lodging early for the South Coast (Vik area). Options are limited and sell out in peak seasons.
Photography: $4,000 to $10,000+
Destination elopement photographers who travel to Iceland typically charge:
$4,000 to $6,000: An experienced photographer with a half-day of coverage. May or may not include travel expenses in the package price.
$6,000 to $10,000: A full-day experience with photo and video, planning assistance, and all travel expenses included.
$10,000+: Multi-day coverage, premium editing, album, and complete planning services.
My Iceland packages include full-day photography and videography, drone coverage, complete planning, and my travel expenses are built into the package price. No surprise add-ons.
Officiant: $300 to $600
For a symbolic ceremony (handling legal paperwork at home), any ordained officiant can perform the ceremony. Budget $300 to $600 including any travel to your ceremony location.
For a legally binding ceremony in Iceland, you’ll need an officiant registered with the Icelandic authorities. This may cost more due to the additional paperwork involved.
Florals: $200 to $600
Bouquet and boutonniere: $200 to $400 from a Reykjavik florist. Arrangements can be delivered to your hotel or picked up.
Larger arrangements: $400 to $600+. Not common for elopements given the logistics of transporting flowers to remote locations.
Tip: Iceland’s landscape IS the decoration. A simple bouquet is all most couples need.
Hair and Makeup: $300 to $600
Available in Reykjavik. Most artists will travel to your hotel. For South Coast elopements, plan to get ready in Reykjavik before departing or arrange for a local artist in Vik (limited options).
Ice Cave/Glacier Tours: $150 to $400 per person
Standard ice cave tour: $150 to $200 per person.
Private ice cave tour: $300 to $500 (worth it for an elopement to have the cave to yourselves).
Glacier walk: $100 to $150 per person.
Helicopter glacier landing: $400 to $800 per person.
Meals: $50 to $150 per person per day
Iceland dining is expensive. Budget $50 to $80/day for casual meals, $100 to $150/day if dining at nicer restaurants. Grocery stores (Bonus, Kronan) are significantly cheaper for breakfast and lunch.
Total Cost Scenarios
The Adventurous Budget Elopement ($7,000 to $10,000 for two)
Flights ($1,200), rental car 3 days ($400), lodging 3 nights ($600), photography half-day ($4,500), symbolic officiant ($300), bouquet ($250), meals ($300). Total: ~$7,550.
The Full Iceland Experience ($15,000 to $20,000 for two)
Flights ($1,600), rental car 5 days ($700), lodging 5 nights ($1,500), photography full-day with video ($8,000), officiant ($400), bouquet ($350), hair/makeup ($400), ice cave private tour ($600), glacier walk ($250), meals ($600). Total: ~$14,400.
The Luxury Multi-Day Adventure ($25,000 to $35,000 for two)
Premium flights ($2,400), rental luxury 4×4 7 days ($1,400), boutique lodging 7 nights ($3,500), multi-day photography ($12,000), officiant ($500), premium florals ($500), hair/makeup ($600), helicopter glacier ($1,600), ice cave private ($600), meals ($1,200). Total: ~$24,300.
How to Save Money
Fly from the East Coast. If you’re flexible, route through NYC or Boston for the cheapest flights.
Visit in shoulder season. September and October or April and May have lower prices than peak winter or summer.
Cook some meals. Grocery stores in Iceland are reasonable. Cook breakfast and lunch at your guesthouse.
Skip the extras. You don’t need a helicopter to have an incredible Iceland elopement. The roadside waterfalls and beaches are free.
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