What has been the hardest part of planning a destination wedding in Iceland? Hands down, that is making it legal. I think if we were at all religious, the whole process would be a lot easier. But because we’re not, it’s been a challenge.
Where to start
My initial questions were about paperwork and making sure the marriage was recognized by both the US and Iceland. That involved several emails back and forth to the district commissioner in both Reykjavik and Vesturlundi (the district where the wedding will be held).
Despite what it says online, i.e. that you need to show up in Iceland 5 days before the wedding (5 real days? 5 business days? no one knows), both D.C.s said that was not necessary, but that we do need to bring our passports into the office (before? after? 5 days rule? again, no one knows).
The Vesturlundi D.C. confirmed that they only perform marriage ceremonies in and around their office. By hearsay, I know that means only on Tuesday and Thursdays, even though he did not mention it.
So, probably we will send all our paperwork through Reykjavik because they keep more standard hours. That way, we can check in with our passports (yes, 5 days) before the ceremony, and will be traveling through Reykjavik on the way home, so time enough to pick up our birth certificates and MAYBE our marriage certificate before we leave.
Finding an officiant
Unlike in the US, not just anyone can officiate an Icelandic marriage. Only certain institutions are registered, and only those ones have the authority to sign off without being in the presence of a commissioner.
There is this super-helpful (#sarcasm) list of registered institutions within Iceland to help identify and narrow the search. Unfortunately, because of the lack of backlinks, searching for some of these people or places becomes an effort in internet stalking.
I found this wonderfully helped organization that seems very accustomed to non-traditional ceremonies and they have been very quick to respond to any inquiries. I also sent an inquiry to Avalon, which is another humanist organization with a focus on nature meditation-type spirituality.
Though we have not finalized, I do feel like things are moving along well.
What’s left?
I don’t think Peter has his original birth certificate, so that is a hurdle we will have to jump over in the coming months. We also still need to get all of our US paperwork in order. Neither of us have been married before, so that makes the process a bit smoother.
Sometime in May, we’ll send an email along with a real package over to the Reykjavik district commissioner with all of our documentation, including EEP! our real original birth certificates.
I also have to decide if I’m changing my name. Any thoughts about that?
Love,
Danielle (and Peter)
making life an adventure 