Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Elopement with Stunning Stokksnes Beach Sunset that Won Our Hearts (and Junebug & IPWOTY Awards)
When couples think about elopement at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, they normally imagine dramatic landscapes and an epic elopement experience. Haven and Connor’s day had all of that, but at the same time, it was also something quieter and more personal. Their elopement day was not just about rushing from one location to another to create perfect pictures. Their day was about looking back to a place they already loved with all their hearts and experiencing it in a way that felt true to them.
Haven and Connor chose Iceland after visiting for the first time in 2023 on a birthday trip and completely fell in love with the island. The landscapes, the energy, and the feeling of being somewhere unique and magical stayed with them a long time, even after they got home.
And yes, one of their drone photographs from Stokksnes Black Sand Beach won Junebug Weddings’ 2025 Best of The Best Wedding Photos award and even an International Wedding Photographer of the Year 2025 Award, but that’s not what made this Jokulsarlon elopement so special to us.
It was the way they said yes to their own wildest dreams and trusted us and each other so together, we could create true art.
The Couple and Their Plan to have a Jokulsarlon Lagoon and Stokksnes Beach Elopement
Haven and Connor are a very active couple who have travelled to many countries together doing numerous activities: hiking, trail running, marathon running…you name it! So it was very genuine that they were so drawn to the wild beauty of Iceland. They loved the countless waterfalls, the breathtaking cliffs, the jet-black sand beaches, and the way the whole country feels both peaceful and cinematic at once. More than anything, they wanted to have an elopement that would feel intimate, honest, and full of wonder. As adventure elopement photographers, we (Tony & Jane) valued this SO MUCH, as it let us craft their day with no limitations.
The couple shared that at first, planning everything from abroad felt so overwhelming. But once we all started working together, the whole process became so much easier. The vision of the couple was pretty simple from the start. They wanted an experience that felt natural and meaningful, without too much pressure or unnecessary expectations. I mean…isn’t it one of the main reasons to elope?! We were incredibly touched by the fact that Haven wore earrings that belonged to her mom, which gave the day a quiet connection to home and made everything feel even more personal.
Haven and Connor’s Iceland Elopement Experience: A Day Filled with Beauty, Presence, and Intention
Cozy Getting Ready Moments at Hótel Jökulsarlon
We planned the itinerary of Haven and Connor’s day so it would be calm and unforced. Instead of trying to follow a rigid timeline, they focused on being present, having some fun and quiet moments together, and letting the experience unfold naturally. They had cozy and slow moments of getting ready together at Hótel Jökulsarlon, located super close to the main area of our points of interest. The views from the hotel room are fantastic, overlooking vast moss fields, countless mountain peaks, and one of the biggest glaciers on Earth – Vatnajökull. The hotel’s location is also an incredible upside, especially when planning your ice cave elopement in Iceland.
Intimate and Fun Portraits at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon was one of the places that made their elopement feel especially unforgettable. It was a rare, comfortable, and sunny day, which made the color of the water and ice look just out of this world – all shades of blue. There is something about that area’s landscape that instantly slows everything down. The stillness of the water, the sounds of huge chunks of ice colliding in the lagoon, the scale of the glacier, and the icy beauty of it all create a feeling that is hard to put into words. It was such a fantastic location to start the portrait shoot, capture an intimate first dance of Haven and Connor, and even greet sea lions who were sunbathing in the pure blue water. We had some absolutely great time there and in the end were even able to have some good burgers and fries with the epic view. I mean…does a better way to have some wedding snack even exist?!
Cinematic Sunset at Stokksnes Black Sand Beach
As the day continued, the mood shifted in the most beautiful way. When we started approaching the iconic Stokksnes Beach and Vestrahorn mountain, we immediately understood that we were really blessed by Iceland and the Asatru gods on that day: the sunset light was so bright, golden, and intense. We rushed to the black dunes, flew up our beloved drone, and had such a fantastic, fun, and productive time at the beach. One of the most vivid moments of the entire day happened there. Connor and Haven had an amazing time kissing, hugging, warming each other, and having so many small in-between moments that we filled up our memory cards with incredible photos and videos at ease.
Haven and Connor ran hand in hand across the black sand beach with the wind in their hair and the ocean crashing beside them. It felt like a scene from a movie. It was joyful, alive, and completely natural. They later shared that this was one of the most unforgettable moments of the day, made even better by the energy and excitement around them in that moment.
3 Tips for Planning a Unique Jökulsárlón Elopement
Choose Your Accommodation Wisely
One of the things we often help couples with during the planning process is choosing the right accommodation. While everyone’s budget and preferences are different, and we do not choose your Airbnb or hotel for you, we are always happy to look through the options you are considering and share our thoughts on what will work best visually and logistically.
For Haven and Connor, choosing the right place to stay was about more than simply having somewhere comfortable to sleep. Their accommodation also became an important part of the story, giving us a beautiful setting for getting ready, and at the same time, it was located so well.
Embrace the Weather
Weather is such a big part of any Iceland elopement, and Jökulsárlón is no exception. Conditions can shift quickly, and the landscape often feels different from one moment to the next depending on the light, wind, and sky. Instead of hoping for everything to feel perfectly predictable, it is often better to embrace whatever the day brings and see it as part of the experience.
Elope Your Way
Your elopement day does not have to be the same day you legally get married. One of the most special things about eloping is the freedom it gives you to create a day that feels deeply personal and entirely your own. We have worked with many couples who chose to handle the legal paperwork separately, either before their elopement or some time after. For them, the most important part was not the official process, but the chance to slow down, be present with each other, and celebrate their commitment in a way that felt meaningful.
An elopement can look however you want it to be. It can be focused purely on the experience, the connection, and the place you chose to begin this chapter together. Whether the legal part happens that day or not, it does not make your promises any less real. What matters most is the intention behind it and the way you choose to celebrate your love.
Kind words from the Couple
We had the absolute joy of working with Jane and Tony for our Iceland elopement in May, and we truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
I’m not someone who’s naturally comfortable in front of a camera, but they created such a relaxed, fun, and supportive atmosphere that I honestly forgot we were even filming most of the time. It was clear from the start that they put so much thought and care into finding the most magical, breathtaking locations for us to shoot at. Their creativity, attention to detail, and genuine passion for what they do really shine through in every moment. I’m so incredibly grateful we found Jane and Tony Iskra, and I would recommend them to anyone looking for amazing elopement photographers in Iceland. They’re not just talented professionals – they’re kind, thoughtful, and an absolute joy to be around.
Thanks again, Haven & Connor
Meet the couple and their Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Elopement
Jokulsarlon and Stokksnes Elopement video from Iceland by ISKRA
MEET THE BEST ICELAND ELOPEMENT VENDORS
Elopement Photographers | Jane & Tony ISKRA of ISKRA Photography
Elopement Videography by ISKRA
Elopement Venue | Hotel Jokulsarlon
Wedding Dress | V. Chapman
Bride’s Accessories | by Mom 🙂
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Together with Tony Iskra, they are ISKRA Photography - a husband & wife duo shooting in Iceland and beyond.
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