If the idea of having your ceremony at a church just doesn’t interest you and you are thinking of having your wedding somewhere a bit different, like perhaps near or inside an Icelandic volcano? Yes, you read that correctly, there are dormant (non active) volcanos you can actually go inside! If this excites you, then Iceland is the perfect place for you! In fact, the country is made up of 99% volcanic rock and it is responsible for over 35% of fresh lava on earth since 1500 AD.

We have compiled a list of 5 tips to help you prepare for your wedding, elopement, couples photos, or just visit to the most recently active volcano called Fagradalsfjall. This volcano is located in Geldingadalur which is on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Grindavík and Keflavík.

*** Call 112 for emergencies ***

Fagradalsfjall volcano wedding tips

1) Check for weather and volcano warnings

Before you start your journey to the volcano, it’s highly recommended to check safetravel.is/eruption-in-reykjanes to see if it’s safe. Their website shows hourly updates on the weather in the area, multiple trail maps to the volcano, and other useful information.

2) Avoid poisonous gases emitted from the volcano

Possibly one of the biggest dangers when visiting an active volcano is inhaling the invisible gases. Some of the gases are Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. These gases can be odorless and can be deadly. One of the first signs of being in contact with the gases is sudden fatigue. If you feel anything unusual, leave the area immediately. We would recommend always being aware of the wind direction, avoid low areas where the gases can settle, and possibly think about getting a portable gas detector and/or a mask with the appropriate filters. Also, new eruption craters can open up without much notice. So it’s good to have that in mind.

3) The hike

The hike to Fagradalsgjall is fairly easy. There are a few places that have a bit of an incline, but for the most part it’s pretty easy. The total roundtrip hike is about 4 km (2.5 miles) and takes an average of 3-4 hours of hiking. If you are concerned this will be a bit too difficult, then there are services like ATV rentals and other ways of transportation.

4) Proper Clothing

The weather in Iceland can be very unpredictable. So even though it appears to be sunny, it can change to sideways rain or snow (depending on the season) halfway through your hike. So we recommend wearing hiking boots or good shoes with tread, a warm jacket, and a beanie. Also, waterproof clothing and thermals are a plus. Then you can either bring your wedding attire in a bag or you can wear your nice clothing under your hiking clothing. We have a portable pop up changing tent so you can have privacy when changing into your wedding attire. If you are expecting to be in the area at night, a headlamp or a flashlight is an essential piece of equipment to bring with you.

5) Food and drinks

The hike isn’t too long or difficult. However, it’s a good idea to bring water and snacks with you just in case.

6) Fully charge all devices

It’s good to have all your gear fully charged and bring extra batteries. This is especially important for a headlamp/flashlight and for your phone for emergency situations.

Top 5 alternative volcanos

A bit concerned about getting married near active volcanoes? Well don’t worry, here’s a list of safe dormant volcanoes and volcanic areas to get married at.

Raufarhólshellir - The Lava Tunnel

This is a rare, incredible tube created by lava flow from the Leitahraun eruption that took place around 5200 years ago. If you are interested in an Icelandic lava tube wedding, then this would be a perfect place for you! This dormant volcano is safe and there are no indications of it erupting again in the near future. The only danger is the possibility of falling rocks from above, so a helmet and a trained guide is provided by The Lava Tunnel tour company. This area is best for elopements or small weddings due to the limited space. There is an entrance fee for this area.

Kerið - crater lake

This volcano erupted about 3,000 years ago and overtime it has filled up with water to create this beautiful little crater lake. The red and black lava rock combined with the turquoise blue water is an amazing sight to see. There are a few nice spots to have a wedding ceremony. So depending on which spot you would like, this area could comfortably hold about 20 guests. There is a small entrance fee of about 400 ISK per person.

Rauðahraun - Secret volcano location

This location is great if you are wanting to get away from the crowds and have a more private ceremony. We try to keep this volcano a secret and only give the location information to couples that book with us. We don’t know anything of the history of this crater. But we do know that it is dormant and that it has some of the most amazing contrasts of vividly red, dark purple and black lava rocks that we have seen! This place is great for small and big weddings.

Rauðhólar

If you don’t want to travel far from Reykjavík, then this volcanic area could be a good option. It’s located just outside of the city area and requires very minimal hiking. It’s a fairly large area, so there are many spots to explore for some breathtaking and unique wedding photos. This place is great for small and large wedding ceremonies.

Þríhnúkagígur - Inside the Volcano

Visiting this dormant volcano is a truly amazing experience. You get lowered down 120 meters (about 400 feet) from the opening and into the gigantic magma chamber of the volcano. It’s so large, you can fit the famous Icelandic church Hallgrímskirkja inside! We once photographed a proposal inside this volcano. It was certainly one of the most epic things we have photographed! A helmet and trained guide is required for this area. Since guided tours are operated here daily, a few time slots may have to be rented to hold a ceremony inside the volcano chamber. If you are interested in getting a quote to rent this volcano, then we recommend contacting us or Inside The Volcano for more information.

If you’re looking for a local wedding photographer in Iceland for your volcano wedding, elopement, pre wedding, proposal, etc in Iceland. Then feel free to get in touch with us to get our photo package pricing and other information. We are looking forward to hearing from you and we would be honored to photograph your special and adventurous day!