Geothermal Iceland Wedding

August 31, 2020August 31, 2020Leave a comment

Iceland the land of fire and ice. It is not without reason that our magnificent country gets that very enormous title. After all Iceland is very much alive, with erupting volcanoes, powerful earthquakes, and roaring glaciers. In fact some of the largest glaciers in all of Europe. Iceland is also very much known for all of its geothermal powers, and let us tell you we have a lot of it. If you haven’t guessed it yet, this months blog is dedicated to our awesome geothermal power!

Seeing as Iceland is located on a continental drift it is known to be the most geothermically active places on our planet. When people start researching Iceland or discussing what makes Iceland so different than other places around the world, the focus tends to be on the landscape. What really makes Iceland so unique is what lies beneath the landscape: the geothermal energy.

Geothermal energy is, as it sounds –
heat (thermal) from the earth (geo); which typically comes from the sub-surface of the earth, but can also be found as far down as the earth’s hot molten core. The heat is contained in the ground (rocks) and water in the earth. The heat, either liquid or steam, is accessed by digging deep wells into the ground. Depending on how deep the heat reservoirs are located, the depth of the wells will vary. With the vast amount of volcanic activity in Iceland, the hot water and steam resources are endless.

Pumps are used to draw the water from wells and depending on the temperature (it can be boiling) the water may need to be mixed with cold water (also plentiful in Iceland from the glaciers) to regulate temperature.

The water and the steam can also be harvested to drove turbines connected to electric generators to produce clean electrical power.

Many farms and homesteads in Iceland have geothermal wells and glacier waterfalls on their property, which allow them to run their homes entirely on clean energy – 100% off the grid!

A handful of our previous clients have opted on adding a geothermal location to their wedding day. No matter what time of the year it is, their wedding photographs are always mystic and breathtaking. This February Elopement has some examples of wedding photos taken in a geothermal area. The natural smoke coming out of the earths core really does add to the atmosphere. We highly recommend adding a geothermal location to your Iceland Wedding experience.

Are you not ready to commit to having a geothermal location added to your wedding day? That is completely fine. Do not fret we have you completely covered. Located all over Iceland you can find numerous natural hot springs. The most famous one being the Blue Lagoon. (Pro tip: if you do plan on hitting up a natural hot spring, we highly recommend keeping your hair out of the water. Hell give your hair and extra treat while indulge in the spa like ambiance and put on a hair mask.) The Blue Lagoon Retreat is the perfect place to end your Iceland wedding seeing as it is so close the the airport.

Are you science junkie with loads of wisdom about geothermal heat and energy, but have not had the chance to see it up close and personal? Then Iceland is the perfect location for you to visit, better yet have your Iceland wedding! Come on over and check out all that our country has to offer including (but not limited to) boiling geysers, waterfalls, glaciers and volcanoes. Contact Us today and we can get started planning your amazing Iceland wedding!

The Mysterious Folklore of Iceland

July 30, 2020July 30, 2020Leave a comment

This month’s blog features some of Iceland’s mysterious and magical folklore, including everything from elves, trolls, and witchcraft. With this blog you will be able to impress your friends and family with your knowledge of Icelandic folklore during your long road trips exploring our magnificent country of fire and ice.

The Hidden People

Elves, as you may have guessed, are also known as The Hidden People. One story of how the elves were first created says: in the time of Adam and Eve, Eve was expecting her creator to come for a visit. While Eve was washing her children, she realized God was at her door earlier than she had expected Him. Being ashamed of not being able to wash all of her children before his arrival, she hid the remaining children. God, of course, knowing everything punished her by saying if she was hiding them from Him, he would hide them from the world. This is how the Elves became to be known as The Hidden People.

Most native Icelander’s still believe in Elves and do so by respecting the Elves’ homes and privacy. Many teach their children early on not to tease or torment the Elves by throwing or knocking on rocks. A common reason for why Icelander’s still believe in elves is, it is said to bring bad luck not to believe in them.

Construction sites have had to relocate their plans for streets, homes, and company buildings due to the location on which they planned to have excavated being elf territory. Seeing as they are The Hidden People, their homes are often hidden as well. There is no way to know what is an elf home and what isn’t. The easiest way to find out, but also the most expensive way, is to start construction. The Elves will quickly let you know you are disturbing them when numerous heavy machinery fails or if construction workers start having freak accidents. This is when you know it is time to pack up, as you are obviously disturbing the Elves. Continued construction would only bring on more bad luck.

If you are interested in visiting an area known for The Hidden People, in the town of Hafnafjörður you can visit the Elf Garden in the park Hellisgerði.

It is said that elves will allow themselves to be seen only twice a year: New Year’s Eve and on Midsummer Night. If you are to a cross road on Midsummer Night, the Elves will come at you from all directions and try to seduce you (be careful they are quite good looking, or so we are told). If they succeed, you will become insane; however, if they do not succeed, they will reward you with gifts.

Icelandic Trolls

Icelandic folklore often also revolves around our famous Icelandic trolls. After all, the mother and father of our Icelandic Yule Lad’s are trolls. You can read all about the 13 Yule Lad’s and their parents HERE.

Like the Hidden People, trolls also like to remain unseen, living mostly in the mountains of the highlands of Iceland. Icelandic trolls are nocturnal creatures, which is why they are commonly not seen by humans. However, if they are not careful and home by sunrise they meet their unfortunate fate and turn to stone. All over the country of Iceland you can spot a few of the unfortunate trolls that did not make it home. The most famous Icelandic trolls are located in the southern region of Iceland in the town of Vík. The Reynisdrangar rock formation tells the famous story of two stubborn trolls who were trying to drag a shipwreck to shore before sunrise. Seeing as they are now rock formations, we can assume they met their fate when the first rays of light from sunrise hit.

Icelandic Witchcraft

Icelandic folklore is also full of stories of Icelandic witchcraft. We even have a Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft, located in the Westfjords of Iceland in a town called Hólmavík. In the museum you can find items from famous Icelandic folklore stories including the necropants belonging to the witch known as Katla. Katla is said to have owned and created these pants which bestowed special powers to anyone who wore them allowing them to travel at the speed of light.

Midsummer night is annually celebrated on June 24th of each year. Being the longest sunlit day of the year, it is believed this is the day all of Iceland’s magical creatures come out to celebrate. Seals removing their skins and becoming human for the night, and cows speaking in human tongue are just a couple of the magical myths. Some Icelander’s (mainly the daring ones) still follow old traditions and roll naked in the dew on the night of Jónsmessa (what Icelander’s refer to as Midsummer Night).

Northern Lights of Iceland

Another example of Icelandic folklore pertains to the Northern Lights. The magnificent lights, although beautiful, can hold an undesired fate for newborn children: if a laboring woman looks up at the colorful lights her child will be born cross-eyed. Vikings, on the other hand, believed the lights were a sign they would win in upcoming battles. HERE you can read about how and when is the best time to see the Northern Lights.

Iceland in all of its glory, magic, and beauty is filled with immense energy. Whether it is to explore your new relationship, propose, or even get married – you can only experience the best Iceland has to offer by coming to visit. Can you imagine popping the question in all of the magic of Midsummer Night, or having The Hidden People attend your elopement? Contact Us today and we can get you started on an adventure of a lifetime!

Honeymooning in Iceland: Ideas

June 29, 2020June 29, 2020Leave a comment

Are you newlyweds looking to experience an adventurous honeymoon in Iceland during the months of the midnight sun? This month’s blog is dedicated to adventurous things to do during the summer in Iceland. Do not be discouraged if you plan on visiting during the winter months; stay tuned for an adventure blog dedicated to the colder months!

For those looking for a unique spa like experience, why not soak your aching muscles in a wooden cask barrel full of beer? In the north of Iceland, not far from the northern capital Akureyri, you’ll find The Beer Spa Bjórböðin. The beer casks are sized for two (perfect for couples) or choose to enjoy the bath alone. After your 25 minute soak, choose to add the use of outdoor hot tubs and sauna for an additional 500 Icelandic kroner. Did we mention each beer barrel is outfitted with a beer tap so you can sip on Kaldi beer while you relax your worries away? Bjórböðin also has on onsite restaurant and gift shop where many beer infused products can be purchased. Wanting to try the Kaldi beer before you experiance The Beer Spa (or even after)? Kaldi, an Icelandic beer can be purchased at the Duty Free in Keflavík International Airport upon arrival or at the Icelandic liquor stores Vinbúðin.

Intrigued by The Beer Spa or are you a hops enthusiast? Over the last few years Iceland has burst into the microbrew business with several breweries opening up all around the country. Locally crafted lagers, ales, and pilsners can be found in many pubs and bars all throught the country; while many offer tours or tastings. In Reykjavík, Ægir and Reykjavík Brewery two recently opened brewhouses which offer tastings. Also in Reykjavík, Microbar is known for their wide selection of local and international beers. For those willing to do more than wet their whistle, why not enjoy some of the rare delicacies Iceland has to offer? Fermented shark, smoked puffin, and whale steak are just a few of the traditional Icelandic foods one can find on several restaurant menus. To enrich your Icelandic taste bud experience we recommend adding a shot of Brennivín to your foodie experience. Worried these exotic dishes will not suit your palate? Not to worry, Icelanders love burgers, pizza and hot dogs. Believe it or not , the most popular restaurant in Reykjavík is a hot dog stand. The Icelandic “pylsa” (aka hot dog) is an Iceland must!

While spending time in the North of Iceland we highly recommend checking out bakkaflot.is for all types of adventurous things, including extreme river rafting, kayaking, whale watching, and horseback riding.

Adding an epic ice experience to your Iceland Honeymoon is definitely something to brag about. Vík Expeditions has you covered with an amazing Vík Glacier Walking and Ice Climbing! Imagine a gorgeous sunshiny day on top of a glacier or even climbing one! The guide of Vík Expeditions Davíð is really in his essence while guiding you around breathtaking landscapes most people couldn’t even dream of seeing. Vík Expeditions even offers a photography Adventure, so don’t forget your camera.

If water sports tickle your fancy, the southern coast of Iceland offers several different activities to satisfy your adventure needs. Adventure Vikings offer a multitude of activities such as surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. Take off from the black sand beaches on the coast of Vík, and dip into the Atlantic Ocean waters. Wanting to spend your honeymoon diving into the glacier clear waters Iceland has to offer? Adventure Vikings also offer diving and snorkeling tours of the epic Silfra – the separation between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Instead of land or sea, perhaps your inner adrenaline junkie is looking to soar through the air. Zipline Iceland, also located in the Vík, offer a hiking and ziplining adventure – a once in a lifetime opportunity to observe Iceland’s beautiful canyons while speeding through the air.

One of the many amazing things about Iceland is it’s combination of fire and ice. Where does the fire come from? Volcanoes! Iceland is hotspot for geological volcanic activity. Not far from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, is Þríhnúkagígur (three-new-ka-geeger) volcano…even the name of the volcano is adventurous! Inside the Volcano takes you on a rare adventure experience. After hiking the scenic lava fields, you descend into Þríhnúkagígur volcano. No worries, the volcano is dormant; however, the magma chamber remains intact. Explore the amazing colors and atmosphere of this geological formation.

Even though you visited Iceland during the summer months does not mean you cannot get a taste of our winter time with the help of the Pearl. Perlan is a beautiful architectural building located in Reykjavík with a handful of exhibits focusing on the wonders of Iceland, including a man made ice cave made from over 350 tons of snow from the Icelandic mountains. Other exhibitions include an underwater journey and an aurora borealis planetarium. While enjoying the Pearl you can also inspect their top deck where you can see a 360 degree view of Reykjavík. It is highly recommended to stay and enjoy a delicious meal at their delicious restaurant or a sweet treat from their ice cream shop.

Always wanted to ice climb, snorkel between the tectonic plates, or enjoy a nice beer bath? Iceland definitely has you covered. Has this blog helped spark your interest in having a Iceland Honeymoon to brag about for years to come? Our team at Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons would love to help you plan your bad ass Iceland Honeymoon! Contact Us and lets get started today!

Iceland Wedding Bouquet

May 28, 2020Leave a comment

A handful of your favorite flowers, a few sprigs of green, a velvet ribbon, and a dash of baby’s breath… Deciding on your Iceland wedding bouquet can be such a fun assignment, especially since there are loads of different ways to make your Iceland wedding bouquet more than just a bunch of flowers. In this blog we will provide you a bunch of insider tips and tricks on how to make your wedding bouquet one of a kind. Whether or not you plan on having real or faux flowers; we got you- petal to petal! Wanting to take your bouquet home? This blog will also advise you of different ways you can preserve your Iceland wedding bouquet.

Are you planning on eloping in Iceland but still want to feel like you have your friends and family close? There are several ways to incorporate your loved ones into your Iceland wedding bouquet. Something as simple as adding the favorite flower of a loved one to your arrangement can make for a touching sentiment. Tying a ribbon around the stems in their favorite color or using the fabric from your grandmother’s vintage dress can make the bouquet even more special. Another popular option is to add a photo locket of your loved ones to hang around the bouquet ribbon. On Etsy you can find an endless number of custom lockets, some which you can request to have engraved, to further customize your personalized bouquet locket.

Another fun option is to pick a color theme and ask your friends to help you make your perfect Iceland wedding bouquet. If having a bridal shower (or bachelorette party) you can request your friends to provide you the name of their favorite flowers and ask your Iceland Wedding florist to incorporate all those flowers into your Iceland wedding bouquet. If you plan on going with silk, or artificial flowers, your besties can provide you with a single faux flower from a store, like Michael’s or our favorite Afloral.com. Make a pitcher of margaritas, grab your pals, and make your own customized Iceland wedding bouquet- not only will it make them feel closer to you on your special day, the memory of your collaborative bouquet project will make you smile for years to come.

Do you plan on carrying a fresh flower Iceland wedding bouquet arrangement? One thing you need to keep in mind: Iceland is an island in the Atlantic Ocean. In other words, your favorite flower may not be available or in season. We recommend getting in contact with an Iceland wedding florist in advance and discussing with them your wishes for your favorite flower. This allows the florist enough time to order the flowers, if they are not locally available. The florist can also provide you with options for a similar flower which is more readily available.

Another very important aspect which should be considered is; your flowers could bleed, causing your dress to stain. Often when high pigmented flowers get wet, they bleed. This also includes faux flowers such as silk, waxed and paper/wood. We highly recommend testing your flowers on a small patch of fabric before venturing out on your wedding day.

Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons works with an Iceland Wedding Florist who not only knows all about the Icelandic weather (multiple seasons occurring in a matter of hours); but also knows how to make sure your flower bouquet will last throughout the entire day. She engineers each Iceland wedding bouquet with detailed precision. Many of our brides choose to use their Iceland wedding bouquet as a centerpiece at their reception and the arrangements are still flawless by the end of the night!

Which brings us to our next point. Why stop at just an Iceland Wedding bouquet when you could have our Iceland wedding florist style your whole reception and ceremony? Whether its pew bows with flowers, petite flower place settings, or two eucalyptus aisle runners at one of our breathtaking locations. Our Iceland wedding florist and our Day of Planners often work hand in hand to insure that your ceremony/reception setup is flawless. – Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons is there for you.

And why should the bride be the one to have all the floral fun? Have the perfect boutonniere to match with your amazing Iceland wedding bouquet created as well. Our Iceland wedding florist is super creative and loves a challenge. Do you have an amazing idea? She would love to hear it!

Just because you decided on a destination wedding doesn’t mean you can’t keep your Iceland wedding bouquet after you say your “I do’s”. There are plenty of different ways you can keep your flowers as a keep sake. The easiest way to travel back home with your flowers is by gently pressing them in a book. A beautiful way to display them is to hang them in a clear frame with your wedding date. Another super gorgeous idea is to collect only a few buds, dry them out and place them in a small box. Once you are back home you can use epoxy resin to create a stunning preservation. Dipping the flowers in wax is also a popular way to preserve flowers.

Do you have the perfect bouquet idea and you are ready to finally make it a reality? Has the above blog inspired you to take the leap to have an Iceland elopement or Iceland wedding with the perfect flower arrangements? Contact Us and we can start planning today!

Iceland Elopement in February

April 24, 2020Leave a comment

In this month’s blog we will be featuring the wonderful couple Christina and William from Canada. The couple chose to tie the knot on their 10 year anniversary together, and what better place than Iceland! Christina and William decided on an intimate Iceland elopement with just the two of them. The happy pair contacted us in September of 2019 and over the next 5 months Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons joyously assisted in planning their wedding. On Monday February 24^th, Christina’s and William’s dream came true: a perfect, intimate, elopement ceremony under the Icelandic sky.

Planning any wedding can be an exciting, but also a daunting task – especially if your dream is to marry in a foreign country. When planning their dream wedding in Iceland, Christina and William, decided to calm their worries and reached out for assistance. By choosing a local wedding planner, Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons, Christina and William were able to get assistance with the complicated tasks, such as the marriage license. We were also able to provide them with the inside scoop on all the marvelous locations and numerous accountable vendors available in Iceland.

As mentioned in our last blog Skógafoss Wedding In Iceland, an Iceland Elopement in February can be quite tricky when it comes to weather. As many other places around the globe, the weather in February can mean clear blue skies one minute and a snow squall the next. When you have a bad ass couple like Christina and William, who cares what Mother Nature is throwing at you? When they initially contacted Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons, Christina and William mentioned, and we quote, “we’d ideally like to do this somewhere outside. In the snow or rain is fine.” In February, expect the weather in Iceland to be a numerous combination of the following; rain, snow, fog, sun (yes, it can most definitely happen) and gale-forced winds. None the less, our amazing adventure driven couple were in it all the way – that is our kind of couple! February 24th was a cold, windy, and snowy day. However, when it was time for the ceremony, the skies cleared, and the snow stopped. It’s almost as if Freyr, the Norse God of sunshine and fair weather, was in on the ceremony. Even though weather can be unpredictable, do not let it ruin your moment. Going in with an open to ‘whatever weather mentality’, can make your Iceland wedding an incredible adventure and provide some amazing photographs: you, in an ice cave, with snowing falling in the background outside the entrance of the cave, and the sun just peaking out from behind a cloud…..AMAZING!

Christina and William’s wedding day included mesmerizing locations such as a snow covered lake, a super cool (but hot) geothermal area, numerous caves, and classic Icelandic lava fields aged over 800 years. Their photos do not do these locations the justice they deserve. Pack your bags and come visit Iceland, in all its glory, to see it yourself.

Depending on what you have your heart set on seeing while visiting Iceland, you will need to plan for the correct season. For instance, if you wish to experience the Northern Lights you will need to aim for a time where there is primarily darkness. From October through to March there are fewer daylight hours, therefore making it more ideal to see the Northern Lights (Note: the Northern Lights have been seen as early as September and as late as April). You can read more about the Northern lights HERE.

If you plan on being in Iceland during its famously know midnight sun season, you should aim for May through August. Although Iceland is not known for having a very hot-tempered climate, do not underestimate the power of the sun. Due to Iceland’s geographical location and the tilt of the Earth’s axis, Iceland is closer to the sun, in the summer months (hence midnight sun) than a lot of other warmer climate countries. Even though it may not be a sunny 30°C (86°F) in Iceland, we highly suggest always wearing sunscreen. The great thing about Iceland having such a diverse weather palate, it means that every season is wedding season.

Has Christina and Williams Iceland elopement encouraged you to take the leap and start planning your Iceland wedding or elopement? Contact us and we can start planning today.

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We would love to give a big shout out and thank you to our Iceland Wedding Photographer Jean Smith for allowing us to feature her photography in our blog.

Skógafoss Wedding in Iceland

March 25, 2020March 26, 2020Leave a comment

They meet. They fall in love. He presents a ring. She says yes. And then the wedding plans begin. The couple sends our team, Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons, an inquiry in September of 2019. One week later, on October 1st they commit to working with our team; they are ready to take the leap and start their planning process with us.

This month’s blog is dedicated to the charming couple Becky and Calum, from the United Kingdom, who decided to have their wedding in Iceland. Instead of a guest filled celebration, the couple wanted to have an intimate elopement; no guests – just the two of them. And on February 10th, 2020; their wedding dreams came true.

In Iceland, February can be a very tricky month weather wise. You can expect any kind of weather: sun, rain, snow, hail, gale-forced winds, overcast skies – all at the same time; or a mixture that changes every few minutes. February is known to be Iceland’s most stormy month. Regardless of the questionable weather, it is also the month that brings hope and promise. February can be a month with lots of road closures so leaving buffer time/day and having a planner who can change things quickly for you is beneficial to keeping your stress level down. In the winter months, Iceland has minimal daylight; you blink, and you may miss the sun. In February, the sun starts to stick around a little bit longer every day to remind Icelanders the coming of spring: warmer temperatures and endless daylight. On February 10th of this year the sun rose at 9:41 am and set at 5:43 pm. The air was crisp and cool, with bouts of wind; but lucky for Becky and Calum the sky was lit with beautiful sunshine. They cherished every single minute of it.

The couple chose to have their wedding ceremony at Iceland’s famous Skógafoss waterfall, located in the south of Iceland. The majestic waterfall is 60 m high, which is almost 197 feet tall, with a width of 25 meters (82 feet). The glacier waters of Skógá River collapse over the cliff, a border separating the coastal lowlands and the mountainous highlands, to create this stunning attraction. Ever wonder how to have a waterfall wedding in Iceland?

Becky and Calum were legally married in Iceland by one of our Iceland Wedding Celebrants. Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons helped the couple with all the required legal documents and proceedings, including booking them an appointment with the District Commissioner in the Southern Region of Iceland.

Calum is of Scottish decent, so it was important for the couple to find a celebrant who was familiar with the handfasting ceremony. A Handfasting ceremony is a Celtic tradition symbolizing the binding of two together or “tying the knot” by physically binding the hands of the betrothed together. The couple stands side by side holding each other’s hands or facing each other with both their hands intertwined with one another. The celebrant recites a series of vows, and with each vow a layer of the string or cord is wrapped around the hands of the couple. Couples may also choose to write their own vows, which they profess during the handfasting and then proceed directly to the exchange of the rings.

After their intimate ceremony the couple ventured out along the south of Iceland with their Iceland photographer Lezek. Iceland Wedding and Honeymoons would like to thank him for sharing his photographs with us, seen in this blog.

Has this month’s inspired you to get married at one of Iceland’s hundreds of waterfalls? Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons has a long list of breathtaking locations; any of which could be exactly the one you have been looking for. Whether it be an elopement, a family filled celebration, or a wedding with your closest friends; we are certain we have the perfect location suited for you and your group. Contact us today and we can start the planning of your special day!

Iceland Wedding Tips

February 29, 2020Leave a comment

Planning a wedding in another country can be quite stressful. Obtaining the proper license and gathering all the required paperwork are often a breeze compared to selecting a ceremonial location and reception venue in a place you have never been or seen. That is why in this blog we will help put you at ease by providing you with some helpful tips to plan your Iceland wedding.

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Location

When selecting an Iceland wedding location for your ceremony there are a number of factors to consider:

landscape
guest count
travel distance
and accommodation availability.

Are you set on ice caves or waterfalls? Do you need accommodations for your guests? Is the plan to travel back to Reykjavík for the reception?

We suggest having an idea of the region of Iceland you would like to get married in. This makes finding the right hotel stay for you and your guests much easier. Depending on your guest count we suggests doing this earlier rather than later. Many of the countryside hotels have limited vacancies, therefore; for a group larger than 10 we suggest booking a hotel no later than 6 months ahead. For a group over 30 we highly suggest booking around a year in advance. This enables you to have all of your guest stay at the same hotel.

Photography

When deciding on a photographer we advise that you pick the best package suited for you. For example a lot of photographers have different options such as:

Just the ceremony
Ceremony + Wedding Shoot
Ceremony + Wedding Shoot + reception
Full day coverage

Even if on a budget, we highly recommend you allocate funds for photography. In our experience couples on a budget tend to lower prioritize photography for their wedding day and greatly regret it later down the line while revisiting these memories. Being able to revisit your whole wedding day from all the excitement of getting ready, to the ceremony and tying the knot, and to your champagne toast at the reception.

If you truly want to capture the whole essence and bliss of the day we have a great local videographer team that comes highly recommended.

Wedding Dress

Choosing a Iceland wedding dress can take days, weeks and even months. However, when you finally find the perfect one, you just know! Even with that being said, we would like to give you some of our expertise on this subject. Iceland’s ever changing weather can be quite challenging, which is why it is important to defeat it with a few subtle twerks in attire.

Choose a wedding dress which allows you to wear thick tights or leggings is ideal. We also highly recommend a good pair of hiking boots (Pro wedding planning tip: Make sure to wear these shoes in before your Iceland Wedding to avoid sore feet and blisters).

Another important aspect in choosing your wedding dress is being cognitive of your choice in fabric. For instance, imagine wearing a silk dress, the wind is blowing every which way. This causes your dress to cling to your legs in a skinny jeans like manner.

Have you been dreaming of marrying the love of your life in Iceland? Here you can read all about having a waterfall wedding. Here is some inspiration for a big wedding inside of a cave. Contact us today and we can give you a quote for your special day whether it be with guests or an intimate Iceland elopement.

Iceland Wedding in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

January 19, 2020Leave a comment

Have you found your way to the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula? Countless folklore stories say that it is an enchanted area filled with alchemy and mystery. And when you visit the area it feels a bit more “alive” then the rest of Iceland. So why not have an Iceland wedding in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and be among the legends?

Planning an Iceland Wedding in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Meet Brittni and Mark, these two fell in love with all of the charm the peninsula exudes and embarked an adventurous day within for their wedding in Iceland. But let’s go back to give you the lowdown… This lovely couple originally reached out to our Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons team in the beginning of July 2018 to inquire about planning a fall 2019 wedding.

Days later, they committed to being clients and we started planning their dream Iceland wedding together!

Our Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons team helped with the following:

An appointment with the District Commissioners Office (in the region the Iceland wedding in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula ceremony was to be held).
Iceland Wedding Celebrant (Officiant)
Iceland Wedding Photographer
Iceland Wedding Bouquet
Vegan Wedding Cake (Yes a traditional Kransakaka – Iceland wedding ring cake can be made vegan too, believe it or not!)
Private Iceland Wedding Reception Venue

Our Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons team also assisted with the following:

Wedding Location recommendations and support (pros and cons),
Marriage Licence Support (before and after).
Accommodation Recommendations
Wedding Spa/Nail salon recommendations.

Iceland Marriage License Process:

When looking to have a legal (recognized outside of Iceland) marriage ceremony in Iceland, the paperwork can be confusing. There are required documents which need to be in order for the wedding to be deemed legal. Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons will help you through every step of the process.

Convinced the process sounds to complicated? Worried about the marriage license? Booking with our Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons team, means we are there to assist you every step of the way (before and after!). Couples have come up with questions and concerns (and no worries, there is no such thing as a stupid or dumb question) we have not been able to tackle and solve. After all, it is what we are here for….you!

Once we had all of Brittni’s and Mark’s paperwork and had them pre-approved, we booked them an appointment with the local district commissioner in the district they were to get married. This appointment is usually only a few minutes and is usually booked on the last weekday before the wedding.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula Waterfall Wedding Ceremony

With the legal proceedings out of the way, the betrothed were ready to say ”I do”. Brittni and Mark choose to have their wedding in the fall, a time when the landscape colors of Iceland can be the richest. Brittni’s gown, an elegant white lace and sheath dress did not disappoint. Mark wore a deep blue suit, which accented Brittni’s dress, and contrasted perfectly with the Icelandic fall colors.

Brittni and Mark wanted to have an intimate wedding with only their closest friends and family. The couple along with their 15 guests headed to their selected breathtaking ceremony location with a waterfall as their backdrop. At their ceremony location they met with their Iceland Wedding Celebrant.

*Please Note: Only an Icelandic based celebrant can conduct a legal wedding ceremony. If you plan on having your own celebrant you would need to have a civil ceremony (only on weekdays) before you have your outdoor wedding ceremony.

Creating a Schedule for your Iceland Wedding Day

One of our favorite things to do is to help provide feedback on Iceland wedding locations. We adore putting together an unforgettable day and schedule for our couples to maximize their adventures through Iceland. Likely get amazing wedding photos along the way too! Following their waterfall wedding ceremony, two newlyweds went around with their local Iceland wedding photographer to stunning locations such as…

Moss Covered Lava Fields
Lake and Ocean Views
Amazingly shaped mountains
Sea Arches
Golden Beach
And the famed little black church, Búðakirkja!

Iceland Wedding Reception

After a fun filled day, these two ended their wedding day with a cozy reception in a private room at Lækjarbrekka, one of Reykjavík’s most charming restaurants. Also happens to be one of the town’s oldest houses dating back to 1834.

We highly recommend visiting the restaurant while in Iceland. We promise you will not regret it! Neither did Brittni and Mark. Lækjarbrekka was very accommodating to the couple and their group by allowing them to bring in a cake from another vendor, seeing as a few of their guests were vegan. To accommodate their guests, Brittni and Mark decided on a vegan version of a traditional Icelandic wedding cake.

Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? In their own words, here is what Brittni and Mark felt of their experience:

“So a month has gone by and live is finally starting to settle again. We just wanted to say thank you.

The Pastor was an incredible person. We met him before the wedding for a coffee to talk about the plan for the wedding and it was great to meet him. He was so great and taking your advice on using him was a great idea and we thank you for that.

Bragi ended up being the most fun of everyone we met. He and his wife were beyond professional yet so much fun at the same time. He has us laughing a lot and the photo shoot was so organic. He’s the first person I would be suggesting to anyone that you’re planning weddings for.

Laekjarbrekka was unreal. The room we ended up getting was so nice. The food was so delicious and presented so well and all of our needs were met. The two servers that assisted in the evening were so helpful and did an amazing job. Everybody that attended the dinner made a point to tell us how good it was.

And the cake, was AMAZING. It was perfect. They had it set up for us in the corner of the room and everyone was amazed at how different it was than a traditional North American style cake. We ended up travelling a bit after the wedding in Iceland and Brittni and I snacked on it the whole time haha!

And of course, the location we decided to use. was an incredible backdrop for our day. The tourists that were there respected us having the ceremony and actually congratulated us on our way out. It was magic. The pictures are going to be stunning.

We just wanted to extended our thanks to you for helping us out with everything. We couldn’t have done it without you and I would highly recommend you to anyone looking to get married in Iceland. Thank you so much!

Regards,

Brittni and Mark”

Are you in awe of this gorgeous couple’s intimate Iceland wedding in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula experience? We absolutely are! Furthermore, has the magical Icelandic nature inspired you to take the leap and have your own Iceland wedding or elopement? Contact us and we would love to start your Iceland wedding or elopement planning process!

We would also like to thank Bragi the local Iceland wedding photographer for sharing his work with us of this gorgeous couple! Thanks again Bragi!

Iceland Cave Wedding

December 30, 2019January 7, 2020Leave a comment

Our last blog of the year is dedicated to the very in love, very photogenic couple Brittany and Seth. The couple reached out to us in January with very a specific idea of what they envisioned for their event of the year, their Iceland Wedding.

We started our planning time together only 11 days after their original inquiry. We helped take care of every aspect of their Iceland Wedding including:

Private Property Ceremony Location
The photographer
A Day of Planner
Transportation
Bridal Bouquet and Bridal Party Flowers
Ceremony Decor
Iceland Lunch Experience
Accommodation Recommendations
Private Room for Iceland Wedding Reception
Reception Decor
Traditional Iceland Wedding Cake
Reception DJ / MC

We also helped with last minute details to help insure things went as smoothly as possible.

Iceland Wedding Ceremony Location

Brittany and Seth had 50 guests and wanted the perfect location to hold their Iceland Wedding Ceremony. They wanted a venue that was both outdoor but had the comfort of a roof in case of inclement weather. Which is why they in the end chose the Iceland wedding location: Hjörleifshöfði Cave.

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Please take note… The cave is located on private property, which is why Brittany and Seth contacted our sister company Iceland Wedding Planner to rent the cave from the landowners. The cave rental includes:

Privatizing the Cave (IE, There is not already a wedding or event there when you arrive or a film project shooting).
Closing the road to it, by placing “closed” signs to the road leading to the cave.
A staffer on site to keep out rouge tourists that do not respect the sign and walk to the cave (yes this happens).
Cleaning of the cave. For example, that there are no pink rose petals from a previous wedding when you get there. (Believe it or not, as the the cave grows in popularity with self-drivers, it has been used in many different ways such as overnight camping or even as a bathroom facility. THIS IS NOT ALLOWED, but it has happened thanks to naughty travelers).

Having an Iceland cave wedding is so charming! Furthermore, the couple also took our advice and went with a seated ceremony. A seated ceremony is far more comfortable and not to mention more photogenic for your Iceland wedding photos. They rented the chairs and sound system from Iceland Wedding Planner, you can too, just click HERE!

Iceland Wedding Ceremony

Brittany and Seth had their hearts set on having their dear friend conduct their Iceland wedding ceremony. These pictures just do not do this ceremony justice, as it even had us tearing up!

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Ceremony Decor and Flowers

As décor for their Iceland cave wedding, Brittany and Seth did not just purchase 1 bouquet but 8! One for Brittany and 6 for her bridesmaids plus one extra one, as these bouquets doubled as centerpieces for their Iceland wedding reception. They also purchased 2 eucalyptus runners to form an isle way decorated with led light candles to add extra ambiance. It was stunning!

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Champagne Toast

After the beautiful couple exchanged their vows during their Iceland cave wedding ceremony and said their “I do´s” the happy couple returned to the back of the cave. Meanwhile their guests formed 2 lines outside of the cave for their grand exit as a married couple!

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Following their epic silver streamer premiere they had a delightful champagne toast. They had the help of our Day of Planner to set up the Champagne table (in this case an epic rock). The décor not only had the champagne glasses, champagne, but also greenery and candles to continue the overall theme. The newlyweds and their guests thoroughly enjoyed!

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Iceland Wedding Lunch Experience

Being so close to lunchtime by the Iceland wedding ceremony end, Brittany and Seth surprised their guests with a traditional Iceland lunch experience. In fact, no experience in Iceland is complete until you have tried the Icelandic Hot Dog, and trust us, this is no basic hot dog!

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The Icelandic hot dog is mainly made of lamb (not who knows what pig parts like our American counter parts). Once the hot dog has been formed it is drowned in pig lard for extra flavouring. Iceland even has their very own version of favorite condiments they use on top of their hot dog. Which includes raw onions, fried onions, ketchup, spicy mustard, and Remalodi (tastes like relish/potato salad mix).

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We highly recommend adding the Icelandic BBQ experience to your Iceland cave wedding.

Iceland Wedding Photographer

Brittany and Seth choose a photographer to cover their whole experience. From getting ready at their luxury lodge and hotel to covering the end of their Iceland wedding reception celebration. Choosing a photographer for your Iceland wedding should take time and precision, as the weather in Iceland is constantly changing. So you need to be sure your photographer can handle the change in climate and especially extreme rains!

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We just can not get over how photogenic this gorgeous couple is! They look like something from a magazine!

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The lovely couple wanted their group of guest to experience a tour of Iceland which is why we helped them plan a full day out and about for their guests. At one point, the newlyweds went off for a more private experience with their Iceland wedding photographer. While their guests visited 4 locations on the day. Fun Fact: They even went on the Golden Circle Tour a few days prior followed by a night of pizza and beer at a local pizza at a craft beer bar!

Iceland Wedding Reception

After their Iceland cave wedding and an exciting magical day of adventuring, our newlyweds and their guests took a bit of time to rest and refresh before the Iceland wedding reception. Brittany and Seth as we previously mentioned were very detail oriented and had a vision for how they wanted to have their reception.

Their seating chart was very easy to understand as they had brought with them beautifully cut seating labels for their guests to take home as a keepsake.

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Even their guest book was whimsically clever, a puzzle of Iceland in which their guests wrote their names / wishes to the couple! How adorable is that?

Brittany and Seth ordered a Traditional Icelandic Wedding Cake along with a beautiful red velvet American style wedding cake. Once everyone was full from the many courses of delicious Icelandic food and cakes they danced the night away while their DJ played all of their favorite songs! Truly, a perfect end to a perfect day!

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Has Brittany and Seth’s Iceland cave wedding inspired you to plan a similar day? Maybe the landscapes they explored further sold you on getting married in Iceland? Feel free to Contact Us! As we would love to be the local Iceland wedding planner who can help you with all of your wedding or elopement in Iceland plans today!

We would also like to send some love to Christin Eide for all of the beautiful pictures featured in this blog!

Iceland Wedding Ceremony

November 22, 2019January 7, 2020Leave a comment

It is your wedding day; everything has been planned just the way you want it. You arrive at your ceremony location; a breathtaking Icelandic nature backdrop. Your dress and suit are perfect. The bouquet and decorations are beautiful. The celebrant has personalized the ceremony script to suit you and your partner. Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons can make this dream wedding yours – you take care of the dress and suit; the rest, leave that with us!

Your Iceland Wedding Ceremony should not just be everything you imagined it to be; it should be more. Today’s blog we will suggest ways for you to have the most memorable Iceland Wedding possible.

Iceland Wedding Music

To start, let us set the mood by adding a little bit of Iceland to your day by listening to Icelandic songs. Below are some of our favorite Icelandic love songs. Not only are they “easy on the ears”, they are the perfect musical addition to your Iceland Wedding Ceremony.

1. Ást – Ragnheiður Gröndal
2. Ást við fyrstu sýn – Páll Óskar
3. Draumalandið – Svavar Knutur
4. Ástin á sér stað – Sverir Bergmann & Friðrík Dór
5. Ó þú – Pálmi Gunnarsson
6. Þú eina hjartans yndið mitt – Björgvin Halldórsson
7. Lifið er yndislegt – Land og Synir
8. Með þér – Ragnheiður Gröndal

Can you imagine walking down the aisle during one of these Icelandic love songs? Number 8 is perfect after the first kiss!

Looking for something a little more familiar? Some of the world’s most famous love songs have also been translated into Icelandic and have been covered by some of Iceland´s music artists. Here is a list of our favorites:

1. What a Wonderful World Yndislegt líf- Bob Thiele / George Weiss covered by Páll Óskar
2. Always / Án Þín – Bon Jovi covered by Sverir Bergman
3. I just cant help falling in love with you / Hinn Gullni Meðalvegur – Elvis Presley covered by Ðe Lónlí blú bojs

To get the best out of the experience we recommend either renting a sound system or bringing a portable Bluetooth speaker. Pro Iceland Wedding Planning tips: Download the music ahead of time. Relying the on a streaming service is not recommended due to the limited cellular and data services in some areas Also make sure your speaker is waterproof.

Iceland Wedding Celebrant

Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons prides themselves in offering you all Iceland has to give. We have something for everyone! We have 5 different Iceland ceremony types with 5 different celebrants. They include the following: Civil Ceremony conducted by a Civil Officer in the region you are getting married. A spiritual celebrant, a religious celebrant. A Norsk/Viking celebrant and last but not least a Humanist celebrant.

Iceland Wedding Photographer

Iceland is known for their always changing weather. There is actually a saying that goes something like this: ” If you do not like the weather, wait 5 minutes, chances are it will likely change.” What does this have to do with your Iceland Wedding Photographer you ask? Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons highly recommends hiring a local Iceland Wedding Photographer. Why you ask? Local Iceland Wedding Photographers will have waterproof gear as well as a backup gear. They will also very likely know of a Plan B location if the weather gets too bad. Pro Iceland Wedding Photographer tip: Ask your guests not to take photographs during the ceremony. You will not regret it!

Iceland Wedding Ceremony Seating

To sit or not to sit? -why is seating so important? The length of your Iceland Wedding Ceremony can vary depending on a few aspects. Your celebrant may have prepared an eloquent script, you may get a little chocked up when reciting your vows, or the even weather may cause a slight delay. Adding a traditional or cultural aspect, such as handfasting or Sheva B’rachot, to the ceremony may also lengthen the time you expect your guests (or even yourself) require to be on their feed. Providing your guests with seating at your Iceland Ceremony can add all the difference. Even though is this your special day, a comfortable guest is a happy guest. Seating also accentuates the look of your Iceland Wedding photos by providing a touch of elegance, especially when contrasted with the beautiful, but rugged landscapes of Iceland. Adding seating to your ceremony also adds depth and is far more picturesque than having your guests stand.

Flowers and Decor

Throughout history and within different cultures the act of carrying a bouquet of flowers and greenery (or even grains) was done for different reasons. Whether it be to symbolize an unbreakable bond (Romans) or to bestow luck and fertility to the happy couple (Greeks), adding a little hint of floral decoration to your Iceland Wedding can be the “pièce de résistance” your ceremony needs. We love little subtle details such as eucalyptus aisle runners (aisle runners can be secured by gently placing rocks under the ropes and hiding them under the leaves). Lanterns filled with candles and decorated with greenery are also aesthetically pleasing and can also be used to decorate your reception afterwards. On a budget? Use silk or faux flowers and pack pre-made bouquets in your suitcase. Pro Iceland Wedding tip: Use LED candles as Iceland is known for high winds.

Champagne Toast

You just had your first kiss as a wedded couple; now it is time to toast the occasion with your favorite champagne. Adding a champagne toast to the end of your Iceland Wedding ceremony adds an element of elegance. Sipping champagne by a waterfall…why not?

Day of Planner

Choosing to use the assistance of a Day of Planner to help in setting up seating, decorations and even coordinating your guests; can make all the difference. When it comes to the champagne toast, the Iceland Wedding Day of Planner can ensure every guest has a glass filled with champagne and is ready to go for when the celebrant officially pronounces you and your partner as one. Hop on to our why you should hire a Day of Planner blog for more information. You can read more about our Day of Planners HERE.

Has our blog inspired you to have your own Iceland Wedding Ceremony? Contact Us and we would be more than happy to start planning your fabulous day, today!