I think one of the coolest parts about my job as a wedding photographer is seeing the creativity of my couples. This includes details, style and location.
More memorable venues include an old Victorian Mansion in Southern Californian farmland, a historic Bank Vault in San Francisco, a darling Red A-frame in Yosemite, The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles and this French Revolution survivor Castle in France. The sky really has not limit and certainly keeps me on my toes as an artist that loves to play.
I got the chance to photograph a Winter Wedding on a very remote part of Iceland. My expectations were far exceeded by the entire event. Eloping is getting more traction year by year and I wanted to share a few reasons why you might want to consider Iceland as the location for your wedding.
Yes, even in the dead of winter. Strap in…
1. Your Wedding Guests get a Vacation of a Lifetime.
I hear over and over again that one of the single best things about getting married in the first place is that all of your favorite people get to gather in one place. In most cases, your wedding day is the only time when all of these people will be in the same place, EVER. Imagine this, then, all of these people together– but halfway across the globe in iceland? A beautiful bonding experience as well as an epic lifelong memory. Also, most destination weddings take place over a few days instead of just one day.
2. Traditional Moments featuring some of the Most Beautiful Backdrops in the World.
Nature lovers rejoice. Iceland, specially in the winter, provides one of the most gorgeous settings I have ever actually seen in my life. Imagine overlooking an inlet to the nearby ocean with snow-capped mountains in the distance + the stillness of the world surrounding you as approach your love for your first look? This couple shared their first dance surrounded by the beautiful Icelandic bareness and it was pure magic. What would be big moments in traditional weddings are small moments with big impact on a destination wedding in Iceland.
3. The Freedom to Break the Rules.
Weddings are rooted in tradition. By having a destination wedding in Iceland, or anywhere for this matter, you are able to deviate from the norm + have things play out a bit more to your own liking. You can start your own traditions, make your own rules. This couple opted for a unique ‘declaration of love’ ceremony. They had all of their guests prepare something to share about their thoughts on love whether it be a poem, a saying, an excerpt, a song, a quote, a story, whatever. Anything that felt significant to them or to the bride + groom. It was a beautiful circle of laughter + happy tears before the official ceremony proceeded. When you opt for a destination wedding you have more time and more freedom to sprinkle in some of your own ideas + activities into your celebration.
4. Icelandic Horses.
They speak for themselves.
5. You get the Most Beautiful Wedding Photos.
Its just the truth. Sure, you may not have the luxuries of being close to home but you get to capture your love in one of the most epically beautiful places on the planet. Iceland, in summer or winter, is filled with stunning landscape after landscape that puts one in a state of constant awe. The sky in the winter looks like it’s constantly between ‘sunset/sunrise mode’. Your wedding photos get taken up a few notches. After the wedding ceremony for this wedding, we spent a couple hours driving around the peninsula, exploring and stopping where we pleased. We froze, jammed out to tunes + created an entire collection of art from this phenominal place.
Bonus
The northern lights are most prominent in the winter months of Iceland. They, of course, are never guaranteed but there is always a chance. Over the four nights I saw them twice.
In short, Iceland in the winter is actually a wonderful idea. It’s a daring, bold and fantastic location proving worthy of some consideration when planning your wedding.
Certainly not for the faint of heart.
Certain to enchant brave souls who opt for something out of the ordinary.
adria + ron’s full wedding post // iceland wedding photographer // teri b photography
I shoot destination weddings in Iceland, France + all over California [learn more]
