Yes, it has been a lot to contend with. Thanks for asking. If you've been around us in the last two years you know that we are taking things--masks, vaccinations, exposing ourselves, and exposing you--seriously. This is one of the reasons that we opted for a destination wedding. Iceland is very special to us, it has a low population and high vaccination rate (79%), and it allows us to have a small group and a big experience. Your comfort and safety is our priority.
This day is about celebrating us and our commitment to one another. It's that simple. We want to be surrounded by the people who have been there for us these last 6 years and who will be present for us in the future. This isn't a family reunion of relatives. This is a gathering of our chosen family and an affirmation and demonstration of your support. We aren't inviting you for the day, we're inviting you to be part of our lives. We want to actually experience this moment. Elopment with guests, minimony, microwedding...whatever you call it, a small wedding means that we get to be present with you and, most importantly, with each other. We want to celebrate in a place that is special to us. Burcu's relatives are mostly in Turkey. Travis's family is in the States. Iceland is where we became a team and fell in love as a family-of-2. A small, intimate wedding in Iceland with a handful of our special people that brings together food, adventure, and special moments? Sounds perfect.
Iceland is part of the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Iceland without a visa for up to 90 days for tourist purposes. Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date. Burcu's recent passport renewal took 3 months so if your passport is expired or coming up on expiration we suggest that you get the process started now. It'll give you peace of mind, mean that you can book your travel arrangements, and let you comfortably decide whether to expedite the administrative process or not.
In short: layers. When travelling in Iceland we recommend layers: * Lightweight woolens * A sweater or warm fleece * A rainproof coat (and trousers if you have them) * Walking shoes or hiking boots are great * A swimsuit is essential if you want to take advantage of the geothermal and/or natural pools, whatever time of the year you visit. A favorite pastime is year-round outdoor swimming in countless geothermally heated pools and lagoons, with a typical temperature of 77-82°F. For the wedding: * Black-tie attire for the ceremony and the dinner/reception * Outdoor and active clothing for the adventure portion of the day Check the forecast frequently as the weather is known to change suddenly. The wedding is in May, the start of their more moderate temperatures, but weather and more specifically rain is unpredictable in Iceland.
The banks in Reykjavík are usually closed during the weekend. You can also change money at the Tourist information in Aðalstræti 2, in the city center, as well as in some hotels. It’s highly doubtful you’ll be anywhere that doesn’t accept international credit cards. Visa and Mastercard are pretty much accepted everywhere, and most vendors accept Amex. If you want to stay on the safe side and bring cash then we suggest Icelandic Krona. Service and VAT are included in prices in Iceland and tipping is not required. However, if you are very pleased with the service provided, Icelanders are not offended if they are offered a tip.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland isn’t as cold as it sounds. In May the average temperatures range between 39-49°F. Always be prepared for both cold and wet weather at all times of the year. The weather can be extremely changeable. Icelanders often say, "If you don't like the weather, just wait 15 minutes." Icelandic days range between super short and super long. On May 18 sunrise will be around 4 AM and sunset around 11 PM. Summer visitors who arrive to a bright midnight sky and ask when it gets dark in Iceland are sometimes told "in the middle of August".
Renting a car is convenient and gives you flexibility but is not required. Reykjavik is a walking-city and you can join tours to take your site seeing. In 2017, we rented a van (it was our car AND our hotel) which allowed us to see more and spend less time on the roads. If you plan on exploring Icelandic nature, be on the safe side and have a look at safetravel.is and learn more about how to drive in Iceland at http://www.icetra.is/road-traffic/how-to-drive-in-iceland/. During the summer, be careful driving in the countryside as the sheep roam freely between May and early September each year. Driving off-road in Iceland is illegal and there is a big fine for it. Please respect nature, drive on marked roads only. The Icelandic Road Administration (ICERA) has information about road condition, weather and basic info for foreign travelers. Road condition information is entered in the morning and updated as needed, weather info is updated 1-2 times every hour around the clock.
There is free wifi almost everywhere you go in Reykjavik and in many places in the country, you will most likely not see any signs advertising that, but that‘s only because they assume everybody knows about it. If you can‘t find it on your device, just ask. As remote as some places in Iceland are, network connection and cell service are not an issue.
Iceland has 220 voltage, 50 HZ AC. Standard European plugs are common so you'll need a converter. Before you pack your curling iron, blow dryer, and other necessities make sure you have the right plug or an adapter.
In Iceland they speak Icelandic...and English, everywhere. 98% of the population speaks English fluently. So relax. But if you see the name "Eyjafjallajökull" in the news, take caution. Eyjafjallajökull became famous when the volcano under its ice cap erupted in 2010, causing massive disruption to air travel, affecting 20 countries and 10 million travelers over a period of six days.