The Hotel Búðir is a charming, remote boutique hotel that sits on the rugged Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland. The hotel is luxurious, yet laid back, with gorgeous lighting, big windows, quirky accents, and a relaxing atmosphere, surrounded by the absolutely jaw-dropping landscapes that Iceland is known for! For any adventurous couple that wants to tie the knot in Iceland, a wedding at Hotel Búðir is the perfect way to celebrate – and there are countless adventures to have all around the peninsula.

As elopement photographers that work in Iceland, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to plan an intimate, one-of-a-kind wedding at the Hotel Budir!

Location of the Hotel Búðir

The Hotel Búðir is located on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which is home to some of the most iconic views in Iceland and the site of plenty of outdoor adventures. Though the hotel feels remote and isolated, it’s only a 2 hour drive from the airport in Reykjavik, and is easy to get to!

One thing to note is that while you’ll find plenty of jaw-dropping scenery around the hotel, you won’t find very many amenities nearby. However, Snjófell Restaurant (fantastic pizza!) is just down the road in Arnarstapi, and there is a little a coffee shop on the coast in Hellnar, Fjöruhúsið Café, (home to what Austin and I both agree is one of the best cups of coffee we’ve ever had, though that also may have had to do with the view and a chilly breeze outside.) There is also a gourmet restaurant in the hotel itself, so you truly do have all you need right there.

The Best Time for a Hotel Búðir Wedding

We’re based in Alaska, so we have tons of experience dealing with wild weather – and if there’s one thing Iceland is known for, it’s the temperamental climate!

In the summer, Iceland is warmer and a *little* less rainy than the shoulder seasons, but no matter when you visit, you’ll want to be prepared for anything! Summer is also the most popular time to visit, so a great way to avoid crowds is to get married in September when tourism slows and there aren’t quite as many people around.

Eva and James said their vows in the fall of 2021, and during their elopement, the hotel (and entire peninsula!) was covered in a thick fog the entire time! Because of this we opted to stick along the coast and explore all the unusual rock formations we had scouted out in days prior. During Eva and James' elopement, we took a break from the outdoors by finding shelter in a coffee house we had discovered ahead of time, and spent some time warming up in the car between locations. This is all part of the adventure of eloping, and we’ll help you navigate through it!

Weddings at the Hotel Búðir

You can definitely host an intimate wedding ceremony inside the Hotel Búðir or iconic Black Church nearby, which is great a great option if you’re concerned about contending with a torrential downpour, but of course most of our couples choose Iceland for the scenery! This part of Sneafellsnes Peninsula (referred to often as “Iceland in Miniature”) is an incredible location, surrounded by the ocean, glaciers, a lava field, and more – so when you elope, we recommend taking advantage of the spectacular views.

Eva and James got ready at the Hotel Búðir, and had their first look outside, meeting each other at a corner of the building. Then, we drove and hiked down to their ceremony location on a gorgeous black pebble beach. With just their immediate families around them, and both of Eva’s sisters officiating, they exchanged vows and tied the knot surrounded by the incredible landscape!

Then, the couple hopped in the car with us to explore the coastline, grab some tea and coffee, and take plenty of photos along the way. Afterwards, we all returned to the Hotel Búðir for a private dinner with their family.

We always love how meaningful it is when couples choose to bring an intimate group of those who know and love them best along to celebrate their new marriage. This allows for quality time with each person throughout the day, eliminates conflict and keeps stress low, while also not detracting from a couple’s time together. Win-win-win!

James and Eva started their wedding day by going on a run together, and while they did take some time to themselves when we explored the peninsula for photos, they included their family throughout the entire day. Eva’s sisters officiated the ceremony together, and then the couple's other family members read poems, quotes, and shared some words of wisdom. It was so special to see how they included their loved ones in their ceremony, and when it was time for dinner at the hotel, they even had seats for Austin and I at the table. After spending all day together, it was so sweet to be included at the ned of the day in the family’s conversations and stories!

Things to Do Near the Hotel Búðir

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is sometimes referred to as “Iceland in Miniature,” because of the incredible landscapes and natural beauty all around it. Here are a few things that you can do when you elope at the Hotel Búðir!

Explore Lava Caves

The lava tubes are one of the most fascinating things to see on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. You can walk into caves and take a tour through the truly unique formations. (Vantshellir Cave is 8,000-year-old!)

Waterfalls

Iceland is known for the incredible waterfalls all over the country – and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is no exception! All around Hotel Búðir, you’ll find amazing falls to explore.

The Black Church

The Black Church is an iconic spot in Iceland, and it’s located right next to the hotel! The church sits in a lush field of green, with mountains in the backdrop.

Remote Beaches

Eva and James had their ceremony on a stunning black pebble beach — a place they had entirely to themselves! The Hotel Budir sits right next to the ocean, so there are plenty of stunning beaches to explore. Our job as elopement photographers is to help you find those secret spots with amazing views, whether it’s for your ceremony or for some photos, we’re happy to give you all our best recommendations!

Vendors for Your Hotel Búðir Wedding

Vendors have the ability to make a huge difference in any wedding, and when it comes to your adventurous elopement day, it’s important to make sure that you partner with the right team to bring your day to life —even if they are simply supplying a few meaningful details!

Florist

Þórdís Zophia is an amazing florist based in Iceland. She created the stunning bouquet for Eva.

Wedding Cake

The Sandholt Bakery is located in Reykjavik, and made a beautiful (and delicious) wedding cake for Eva and James. They even held onto the flowers that the couple’s florist dropped off at the bakery so that Austin and I could come pick up both the cake and flowers on our way to the peninsula for their elopement!

Elopement Photographers

We may be photographers, but we truly believe it’s about the experience more than the images. If you’re not having a good time, what are those photos really worth? Helping you craft a wedding that’s adventurous, beautiful, a bit luxurious, and full of meaning is one of our favorite parts of the job. We’re here for everything from location recommendations, to picking up your cake on the way to your hotel, to dress bustling assistance, and everything in between!

If you’re ready to elope at the Hotel Búðir, or to plan an intimate wedding in the magical country of Iceland, contact us!

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