Now bring on the endlessly AMAZING options for Iceland Wedding Locations…  So I invite you to take a deep breath and savor our post today!  I even dare you to close your eyes, revel in the beauty as you read your way through these amazing Iceland wedding locations.  Then start asking yourself, if you see yourselves there, saying “I do!” in the midst of that epic landscape!

Disclaimer:  Several of the locations featured within this post are on private property and require special permissions that most people do not have (don’t worry, our Iceland Wedding Planning team of course does, because we are the offbeat Iceland adventure wedding experts!).  Other locations may require specialized gear and vehicles to get to them.  Good News!  This is exactly why we specialize in planning Iceland Adventure Weddings, so when you fall in love with a location, please contact us and we’ll put together some crazy awesome unique Iceland wedding plans for you!

With a smile, Ann Peters + Team (Iceland Adventure Wedding Planners + Photographers)

32 AMAZING Iceland Wedding Locations:

#1-  Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Iceland Wedding:

It’s one of the most iconic landscapes in Iceland (and believe us, there are plenty of iconic landscapes to choose from in this country!).  Reynisfjara Beach is located on the southern coast of Iceland, not far from the town of Vik.  It’s famous not just for its black sand, but its three distinctive sea stacks, jutting out of the ocean.  Many couples pay a visit to Vik Beach (in front of the town side) before shooting their wedding photos at Reynisfjara Black Beach.  You could also consider a Basalt Sea Stack Wedding, if you’re so inclined.

Reynisfjara Beach is also home to a rather unique columned stone wall that opens to form the mouth of a large cave.  The cave provides a perfect, sheltered spot for a wedding ceremony, framing stunning views of the black sand beach and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.  If you’re planning to visit Iceland during winter however, you will likely not be able to go inside of the cave (between November-April) as the waves consume the cave and making it CRAZY dangerous.

Please Note: Since this blog post was written, this Iceland black sand beach wedding location has turned into a heavily populated tourist location.  It is best to arrive shortly before sunrise or sunset to avoid the heavy tourist times.  Also know to check the tide schedules to stay safe on this beach.  This beach is known for it’s heavy riptides so please visit with care and knowledge.

#2- Have your Iceland Wedding in front of a Secret Private Waterfall:

Is there anything more picturesque than adventuring to a private waterfall in Iceland to say your vows at?  There are an endless amount of waterfalls in all sorts of shapes and sizes to choose from.  But, did you know, that over 75% of Iceland is privately owned, therefore some of its most spectacular scenery is on private property (requiring in advance permission).  One of our favorite private waterfall wedding ceremonies was Brandi and Zach’s from July 2018.  Followed by the hidden waterfall elopement of JoAnne and Corbin.

Finding you the most perfect, secret spot for your wedding ceremony is our forte and we have exclusivity at countless stunning private waterfall wedding locations!  Love the idea of having a wedding at a private waterfall where it’s just the two of you and your guests?!  Connect with our experienced Iceland Wedding Planner team for more information.

#3-  Iceland Wedding at Dyrholaey Sea Cliff:

For panoramic coastal views, Dyrholaey Sea Cliff is a unique spot with a breathtaking outlook in all directions.  The cliff is, quite literally, an island with a door hole.  It’s possible to walk across the bridge of the of the cliff, where you can see as far as the Myrdalsjokull glacier in one direction, and Reynisdrangar’s sea stacks in the other.  You will also find an impressive lighthouse at the top.  Note: Since this Iceland Wedding Planner blog post was published, a crazy amount of ropes have been installed throughout this area.  Before it was roped off and became heavily populated with tourists, we shot these wedding photos at Dyrholaey Sea Cliffs.

It’s also possible to visit the bottom of the cliff, located on a dramatic black sand beach (photo above). Our Iceland Wedding Planner team has been granted exclusive access to this area by the landowner.  When you step out of the super jeep, your jaw will drop as you marvel over the incredible view from this direction.  A sunrise wedding ceremony at Dyrholaey Sea Cliff might be one of the most dreamy things we have witnessed!  You may even cross paths with one of the local Puffins if you’re lucky!

#4-  Iceland Wedding at the famed Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon:

It’s famous for a reason, and this gorgeous glacial lake is a wedding photographer’s dream – a still blue lake surrounded by national park and filled with majestic icebergs.  Note: To have a wedding within this national park space, you must ask for permission in advance (even if not bringing chairs or a setup for the Iceland wedding ceremony).

Do you remember Richard and Bethany’s Glacier Lagoon wedding?  Or what about visiting a more offbeat one that provides a more intimate experience during your Iceland wedding adventure like Melissa and Vince’s fall wedding?

#5-  Wedding at Iceland Geothermal Area:

You’ve probably heard Iceland referred to as ‘the land of fire and ice’.  The ‘fire’ moniker comes from its many, quite spectacular geothermal areas.  Think bubbling mud pools, steaming hot springs and the occasional spurting geyser.  Oh, and about 30 active volcanoes too!  If your wedding day wish list requires something truly unique, consider one of these stunning locations and prepare for some truly epic wedding photos.

Our Iceland Wedding Planner team also has exclusive access to some to some private geothermal areas that will have ZERO tourists.

#6-  Iceland Wedding Ceremony inside of a Secret Private Cave:

Iceland is famed for its numerous caves, many of which become stunning ice formations during the winter months.  Caves provide a perfect, private space to exchange your vows, particularly if you want to shelter from some of the wilder weather that this country is known for.  Visit our Iceland Wedding Planner blog to see the endless amount of caves our team has access to.

#7-  Northern Iceland Wedding at Godafoss Waterfall:

Another of Iceland’s picture perfect waterfalls, Godafoss (also known as ‘the waterfall of the gods’) is a 30 meter wide, horseshoe shaped beauty in the north of Iceland.  It’s a lovely spot for an intimate ceremony, complete with stunning views and the thundering soundtrack of water flowing through an ancient lava field and crashing into the river below.

Iceland Wedding Planner Tip: We no longer have this location on our Iceland wedding location list (it has become too touristy for our taste) but if you are planning on your own, we highly encourage you to marry on the left side of the falls versus the touristy right hand side.  See our previous Iceland elopement at Godafoss Waterfall for reference.

#8-  Iceland Country Church Wedding:

For those who crave the beauty of Iceland’s natural landscape but still prefer a more traditional church setting for their wedding ceremony, Iceland has many options for you.  There are beautiful churches dotted across the countryside, each with their own unique character and charm.

Special Note: Iceland Wedding Planner no longer offers weddings or elopements in churches unless the couple embarks on an adventure afterwards like this couple who married in Vik Iceland.

#9-  Have an Icelandic Elopement in a field of Lupines!

Do you love the color purple?  Then how about saying ‘I do’ amongst a sea of lovely Lupines?  During the time frame between mid June to mid July, the island is coated with millions of Alaskan lupine, it’s super dreamy!  Please make sure before choosing a spot though please ask permission from the land owner or location before holding your Iceland wedding ceremony there (if not hiring us).

#10-  Iceland Northern Lights Wedding at the little black church in Budir: Búðakirkja

Speaking of churches, Budir’s little black church would have to be one of the most instantly recognizable churches in Iceland.  Búðakirkja is set in the midst of a lava field, with an epic glacier as its backdrop.  And who needs a fireworks display if you’re lucky enough to see a spectacular sky show courtesy of the Northern Lights overhead?

Of course, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and their appearance is unpredictable.  As much as we would love to ‘turn them on’ for our couples, it’s impossible to guarantee when and where they will appear.  Certain times of year and certain locations do offer more favorable chances of spotting them however and of course, we know all of the best vantage points.  You can find more information in our blog post about the Northern Lights in Iceland.

#11-  Iceland Elopement at the historical Silfra (Where the North American and Eurasian Tectonic Plates Meet):

Could there be a more powerful spot for a wedding to take place than the exact meeting point of two tectonic plates?  The Silfra ravine is filled with crystal clear glacial water and surrounded by unspoiled national parkland.  It’s an awe inspiring location and a magical setting for an intimate elopement ceremony.

Rewind back to before tourists flooded this place, Chloe and Danny held their romantic wedding ceremony at Oxarafoss Waterfall in Thingvellir National Park.  We no longer offer this location as part of our Iceland wedding locations (too touristy) but our friends at Iceland Weddings and Honeymoons can help you!  This location does require in advance permission to hold a wedding ceremony there.

#12-  Iceland Wedding on top of a Cliff!

What better vantage point to take in all of the beauty that Iceland has to offer, than perched on the top of a spectacular cliff.  With a setting like this for your wedding ceremony, zero styling or decor is required.  Do you remember Tim and Antonia’s cliff side Iceland Viking wedding ceremony HERE?

#13-  Iceland Crashed Airplane Wedding:

For a completely unique wedding photo shoot, visit the famous wreck of a DC plane that crashed on a black sand beach back in 1973 (not to worry, everyone on board survived!).  It’s a little off the beaten track and can be difficult to find.  Of course, we know exactly how to get you here.

Update:  This location is no longer part of our Iceland wedding planner repertoire of locations as it has become too touristy (the area has no closed to driving and you must hike the 1-2 hours).  For the right couple though, we have rented ATV’s like Petra and Jan did HERE for their honeymoon adventure.

#14-  Iceland Wedding near a Historical Shipwreck:

Picture this . . .  An intimate wedding ceremony beside the ocean, framed by spectacular windswept coastal scenery and overlooked by a towering historical shipwreck.  Oooh la la!  See one of our previous elopements HERE that took Iceland wedding photos at that location.

#15-   Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall Wedding in Iceland:

Kirkjufellsfoss is a beautiful waterfall surrounded by green fields and overlooked by the rather distinctive Mt. Kirkjufell.  As far as picture perfect wedding locations go, this one couldn’t be more photogenic.  It’s a blissful setting for your wedding portraits, or perhaps even an intimate waterfall wedding ceremony for two.

Special Note: As tourism has increased, this sweet little location in the Snaefellsness Peninsula has been overrun.  Arrive early to beat the crowds.  Before it was heavily populated and roped everywhere, we photographed some gorgeous Iceland wedding photos HERE.

#16- Iceland Wedding at a Basalt Rock Sea Formation:

Reynisfjara Beach might be the best known location for spotting basalt sea formations, but there are other, far quieter locations for spotting these spectacular lava structures.  If you fancy having one of these Icelandic artworks in your wedding photos, we know just where to find them.

#17-  Iceland Green Mountain Wedding:

Iceland’s landscape covers the full spectrum of colors and textures, from frozen glaciers to thundering waterfalls, from barren lava fields through to majestic green mountains – take your pick!  In fact, our epic Iceland wedding adventures often span all of the above in a single day.

#18-  Iceland Wedding in 2300 Year Old Lava Fields:

Iceland is a hotspot for volcanic activity, and when these magnificent beasts erupt, they certainly leave their mark on the landscape – even thousands of years later.  A visit to one of these ‘out of this world’ locations will make you feel as though you’ve landed on the moon!  Relax, it’s just one more example of Iceland’s many and varied landscapes.  No doubt there is another spectacular waterfall, glacier, mountain or beach … just a short drive away.

#19-  Sod Farm Wedding in Iceland:

If green is your color, why not consider the verdant surrounds of a sod farm wedding?  Inspired by this?  Head back to our previous Iceland Wedding Planner blog post HERE to see Ciara and Jared’s rustic ranch style wedding!

#20-  Lakeside Elopement for two in Iceland:

Iceland offers the perfect setting for an adventurous elopement.  And after a full day of exploring, it’s time to retire to yet another spectacular location and enjoy one more memorable experience.  A romantic lakeside table just for two is the ideal spot to share a toast (and some delectable local cuisine!) while you celebrate your first day of married life.

Remember these two lifetime sweethearts who wed at one of Iceland’s many fresh water lakes?  Head back HERE to experience their fabulous day!

#21-  Choose an Iceland Wedding Location that looks like another Planet!

Does a barren glacier appeal to you?  How about a jagged, rocky plain or maybe even a lava landscape or some steaming, bubbling hot springs?  Iceland has just the backdrop for you!  Just imagine exchanging your vows in one of these spectacular, otherworldly settings.

#22-  Iceland Wedding in the Snaefellsness Peninsula:

If there’s one thing that Iceland does well, it’s a dramatic landscape.  So when the locals refer to the Snaefellsness Peninsula one of the most beautiful and dramatic regions in their country, well, you can guess just how spectacular this area is.  And while the Snaefellsness Peninsula is a little off the beaten path and often overlooked by most visitors, that just makes us love it even more.

#23-  Iceland Wedding on a Golden Sand Beach:

Although Iceland is known for its black sand beaches, it’s also home to several quite beautiful golden sand beaches.  If you prefer a golden backdrop on your wedding day, these ‘off the beaten path’ beaches are well worth the trek.

#24-  Get Married in Iceland on top of a Glacier!

Imagine exchanging your vows on top of a vast sheet of pure ice.  How spectacular!  Yes, it is possible, and Iceland is one of the few locations on earth where you can plan such a magical white wedding.

#25-  Iceland Sunrise or Sunset Wedding:

What a beautiful time of day to enjoy Iceland’s spectacular landscapes all to yourself.  Don’t even get us started on all of the incredible colors and hues that make an appearance at this hour.

#26- Iceland Volcano Field Wedding:

Fancy a towering Volcano as the backdrop for your wedding ceremony?    Iceland has many active volcanoes so you have plenty to choose from!  Admire the epic view as you exchange your vows in a field of ancient lava.  Wow!!

#27-  Iceland Grass Covered House Wedding:

If you’re keen to capture the spirit of ancient Iceland on your big day, how about a wedding ceremony in front of a lovely grass covered house?  Grass covered houses were actually the traditional building style in Iceland many centuries ago, and the oldest example dates all the way back to the 9th century.  At one time there were over 100,000 of them dotted across the countryside, however a wave of modern development has all but wiped them out.  Today these beautiful grass cottages are an endangered species and only a few remain.  For a (rare) slice of history on your wedding day, why not exchange your vows in front of one of these cute, turf covered houses?

#28- Hold your Iceland Wedding or Elopement at the base of a Majestic Mountain!

Who needs props or decorations when you marry in front of a breathtaking landscape that has stood for millions of years?  A majestic mountain (or two!) is one of our favorite wedding accessories!

#29- Iceland Fishing Village Wedding:

A sleepy little fishing village complete with stunning coastal scenery. Romantic, much?  We couldn’t agree more!

#30- Iceland Blue Ice Cave Wedding (the real thing, not man-made):

Imagine exchanging your vows against the backdrop of blue ice.  Iceland’s ice caves come in many beautiful hues from clear right through to deeper blues, turquoise and even shades of violet.  Your ‘something blue’ never looked so good!

#31- Have a vibrantly textured Icelandic Highlands Wedding:

How about the beauty and the serenity of a wedding in the midst of Iceland’s vast and uninhabited highlands?  The highlands are home to many of Iceland’s most spectacular sights, from mountains to glaciers, waterfalls to lava formations.  This pristine wilderness area is only accessible at certain times of the year, so some forward planning is required if you want to ensure that you’re able to visit this piece of paradise for yourself.  We would love to be your wedding day tour guides!

#32- Marry in Iceland at the famed Southern waterfalls Skogafoss or Seljalandsfoss:

If you’re dreaming of an epic backdrop for your Iceland wedding day, it doesn’t get much more impressive than this.  Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss are two thundering waterfalls located in the south of Iceland.  They are actually located just 30 minutes apart, so you can easily visit both on your wedding day.  And if the sight of a towering waterfall isn’t breathtaking enough, you can even walk behind Seljalandsfoss or hike to the top of Skogafoss for a totally different perspective.

Can you picture your wedding against any one of these drop dead gorgeous backdrops?  If you’re looking for more inspiration, you’ll find plenty on our Iceland Wedding Planner blog, and if you’re keen to learn all there is to know about weddings in Iceland, head over to our FAQ page.  Or perhaps you’re ready to start planning your own epic adventure wedding or luxury elopement in Iceland.  Perfect!  You can get in touch with us here.  We can’t wait to hear from you!

© 2016, Iceland Wedding Planner /  Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved.

The post 32 Iceland Wedding Locations That Will Leave You Speechless appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

I hope this finds you well and in the midst of a fantastic and productive week!  So sorry for the delayed post- The week got away from me!  Between the beautiful children and newborns that we have had the pleasure of photographing in our Plymouth, Michigan portrait studio, the marvelous weddings we have photographed lately, Chris turning the big 3-0, Photos by Miss Ann has been sweetly swamped but savoring ever second.

A few weeks ago in our Iceland Reception Music blog post, I had mentioned that my mother and I shared a mother-daughter dance and one of our readers asked why I chose to do that.  Well, good news lovely, my answer is going to be rolled into this week’s topic Iceland Wedding Protocol for Family Issues & Advice for Parents.  Welcome to part 2 of 2 of our mini-series on some sensitive issues you may encounter while planning a destination wedding in Iceland (see our 1 of 2 post here on how Iceland Love Conquers All Things)!  Today, I am going to walk through some family issues Chris and I specifically ran into while we planned our Seljalandsfoss wedding and explain how we handled in hopes of helping you!

So!  Buckle your seat belts; this is going to be a long Iceland Wedding Blog Post!

You might be surprised to know, that Chris and I are both only children and come from extremely small families.  His parents are still married celebrating 30+ years of marriage and mine are divorced.  Between the two of us we also only have 25 living relatives that are spread between the USA and as far as Australia.  So you’d think having a small family equals no drama right?  Sigh, one would hope!  A little personal background on myself… My parents divorced when I was 6 years old.  I was raised by a very strong-willed single mother and have had very little contact with my father for various reasons since.  That being said, this has caused a few issues and lots of tension in our family throughout the years.

Issue #1:  Deciding on whether or not to invite a disconnected parent, certain family members, or a problematic friend to your wedding in Iceland.

As Chris and I were planning our Iceland destination wedding at Seljalandsfoss, Vik Beach, and Skogafoss Waterfall, he asked me if I wanted to send an invitation to my father or to anyone on that side of the family.  Out of respect for my father, his family, and for myself, I decided to not rush into an absolute decision.  Do you ever wonder what the protocol should be on how to handle these concerns?  I know I did!  In the beginning of our Iceland wedding planning, the first step was asking myself a few questions before drawing any pivotal conclusions.  If you’re in a similar situation with a family member or friend and find yourself torn, the below may be helpful questions to ask yourself as you plan your Iceland wedding guest list:

• Have I spent time with him/her in the last 5 years?
• Has he/she spent time trying to get to know my fiancé?
• Has he/she held a significant overall impact on my life?
• Was he/she there to support me when I had humbling or exciting life moments?
• Is the relationship worth improving?  Or is it on the contrary, toxic or drama filled?
• Would my Iceland wedding day be incomplete without him/her there?
• Would his/her presence cause drama between any other Iceland wedding guests?
• Would I regret my decision years later when I look back on my Iceland Wedding Photos?

Answering those questions may shed a bit more light your complicated relationship with that person.  Some of you may also find the above questions to be a guideline when figuring out your guest list too (we took a very similar method for our overall guest list too in order to cut it down to ensure an intimate affair).  Fortunately, in my case it was an easy answer in regards to my father.  But I know there are other Iceland destination wedding brides and grooms out there right now that might be struggling with a similar decision.  To be honest, Chris and I tend to let the rule of thumb be: no drama in all facets of our life.  It is not worth being stressed out on what should be the deemed the “happiest day of your life” because of a family member or friend.  Life is too short for that nonsense.  Instead, turn your focus to the positive people who will be there in Iceland supporting you on your big day!

Issue #2:  Who walks you down the aisle when you do not have a father to do so?

Because I chose to not have my father attend my Iceland wedding, it left 2 wedding customs open.  The first being, who would “walk me down the aisle” and the second, who would I honor with a dance at our Iceland wedding reception?  I had contemplated having my mother walk me down the aisle but I did not think she (or I) would be able to make it down the aisle without tearing up.  My future father-in-law also offered to walk me down the aisle but the more I thought about it I declined the sweet offer.  In the end, I thought it was ridicules that I even felt like I had to have someone walk me down the aisle.

The tradition itself roots from an old world tradition of arranged marriages where the family would “give away” the daughter to the husband and his family.  I instead chose to walk myself down our wedding aisle at Seljalandsfoss waterfall.  It was super surreal too; I remember every second… Jumping out of the Iceland super jeep, walking towards everyone I love, 60,000 pink rose petals, all eyes on me, how I paused and took a deep breath at the start of our aisle way, how my eyes locked onto Chris instantly, the exchange of smiles, and how my future happiness all flashed before my eyes.  For sure, one of my “somewhere in time” wedding moments!

If you find yourself in a position like I was but do want someone to walk you down the aisle, I suggest you choose someone important to you.  After all, it is an honor for them to walk you down the aisle and a special memory you will forever cherish.  We have seen many of our local and destination brides (and grooms) choose their step father, mother, father-in-law, a grandfather, a brother, godfather, an uncle, cousin, best friend, or even a son (if applicable) and actually one couple even walked down the aisle together!  Shape your Iceland wedding ceremony walk exactly to what you are comfortable with; it is your big entrance!

Issue #3:  How do I honor my parents during the Iceland wedding weekend? 

Now I know you have heard me say this before, but Chris and I typically do not embrace tradition…  We did however; feel as though our parents needed to be honored in some way during our Iceland wedding planning process too.  So we let each of our mothers choose a wedding reception song.  It was super special and a moment I know our mothers will always remember.  The typical wedding dance practice is for the bride share a dance with someone special (i.e. father or grandfather) and then the groom dances with his mother or (or grandmother).  Others we have seen choose to have each set of each parents join in the bridal party dance.

If you wish to not go that route there are other ways you thank them.  This could be as simple as a card or gift.  After our wedding was completed we created a special flush mount Iceland wedding album (we use the professional print lab: Millers) as a keepsake for our parents.  We had photos spanning from our Kauai engagement session, a few images we could salvage from our hired photogs (there were many mistakes they made that we personally had to edit out, and lots of details/candids were unfortunately missing), Iceland wedding detail photos we recreated ourselves when we returned from the trip, candid photos gathered from friends of our Iceland wedding, and some post wedding trip photos.  Giving your parents an album of your wedding day allows them to relive the big day too =)

Issue #4:  A death in the family close to your Iceland wedding day:

Sadly, I have experience on this topic too.  Literally the morning we were all driving from Plymouth, Michigan to the Toronto airport (YYZ) to catch our Iceland wedding flight (KEF) I received word that my grandmother had passed away.  I had 7 family members down in Ohio instantly affected and they called me debating on whether or not they would be coming.  I had a selfish bridezilla moment… Here I was 2 days away from saying “I do” in the land of fire and ice, why did this have to happen?!

Unfortunately, it’s at this point where you have to pick up and be a family “rock.”  I felt terrible in that moment saying this at the time, but the death had happened and there is nothing to do to change it right now.  I literally remember telling my mother, “Plans need to continue, grandma would not want for us all to stay here to bury her and grieve.  You need to see me get married in Iceland mom.”  If someone passes away that close to your wedding day it is hard for people to refocus and find the joy in your day, but I promise you that they will once they arrive at your stunning Iceland ceremony site.  We even found a way to turn the sadness into a positive.  For instance, each time we saw a picture perfect spot or a rainbow during our wedding weekend in Iceland we all said it was my grandma who had brought it to us.  Doing that really made her a part of our day and made the tragedy easier to cope with.

Overall it was really sad that it had happened so close to our wedding day, but in the grand scheme of things, life is filled with losses and I think wedding bliss and births are the things that balance them.  I’ll be honest though, if this happens to you, you will have no time to grieve.  For months after we returned I still hadn’t given myself a proper chance to grieve because Photos by Miss Ann went right into high wedding season upon our return from our wedding in Iceland.  It wasn’t until this past Jan-April that my grandmother’s death really hit me.  It was then, I finally had given myself time to grieve and honor her.  At the end of the day, you need to do what is best for you so stay strong!

Issue #5:  Someone is late to your Iceland destination wedding events: 

This one is frustrating and rightfully so.  Not 10 minutes late either… I am talking about 30+ minutes which can really have an impact to the meticulously planned wedding day itinerary.  Regrettably, this specific issue happened to us both during our Iceland wedding rehearsal (Iceland wedding welcome dinner) and at our actual destination wedding reception too.  My best advice to you is to stay positive when this actually happens, you can only change what is in your control.  Be gracious even though your first instinct will be to be upset at their inconsideration.  People do get distracted, get lost, lose track of time (especially in such an amazing locale as Iceland!), under estimate how much time it takes to get somewhere and then again there are also those folks who are always notorious late for everything.

So you’re wondering how do you combat this potential wedding problem and ensure you set him/her up for success?  Your best bet is to personally provide them with an Iceland wedding timeline card, a destination wedding schedule, or a very detailed outline/itinerary of where they need to be and when.  This detail is especially needed if this person is one of the wedding VIP’s (ie, parents, bridal party, people that affect the overall events).  We had wedding timeline cards given to the guests at time of check in at Hotel Ranga and also in their wedding welcome bags.  But looking back on our Iceland wedding weekend, I still wish I would have provided a nitty-gritty outline for our wedding VIP’s of where and when to be the day before our Seljalandsfoss wedding day.  It may have made that portion of our planning a tad bit smoother and less maddening.  Worst case scenario also would be telling that person who is particularly late, that the time to meet is actually earlier (IE, they must be present by 4pm instead of 5pm).  Then hope for the best because you have done all you can do!  If they are late, move on without them because the rest of your event and guests should not have to suffer.

Issue #6:  Either set of parents are too involved in your wedding planning or you are worried they could potentially cause an issue during:

Woohoo, we actually didn’t have this problem!  My wonderful mother, Chris’s mother and father were all very hands off when it came to our wedding plans.  After we were engaged, they merely assumed that we would be planning a destination wedding somewhere and just prepared for an extreme location.  Ha, my mom new it was going to be somewhere out of the ordinary and I think Chris’s parents hoped for a destination wedding in Australia.  Little did they know that Chris and I had already preliminary decided on just about everything even before we told them Iceland.  The things we finalized with them was the date, guest list (family addresses), any must haves they felt needed to be included, and what time-frame they would like to stay.  Later on we did finalize our 5 course wedding menu with them but luckily there were no objections to all of our hours of planning and research.

Conversely, I know of many destination wedding couples where the parents are tremendously involved and almost to a suffocating amount.  Here are a couple of mini issues that may come up within this larger issue and how you can possibly respond:

a)      Situation:  The parents are not contributing to the wedding budget and are insisting on making decisions (and/or having their names on the invitation).  What to do:Make it politely clear that this event is being funded by you and therefore all direction also is led by you.

b)      Situation: Parents insist on inviting all of their friends, co-workers, and acquaintances that you do not know.  What to do: Circle back to the root of why this event is happening, the two of you and your love.  Let them know you are uncomfortable with inviting people that you do not know and that you want this lifetime event to be one you can look back on fondly celebrating with all the people you love and adore.

c)      Situation: Your mother or mother-in-law wants you to wear her wedding dress or use mementos from her wedding day.  What to do: If you like them, use them!  Many times those items can be your “something old or borrowed.”  If not, kindly decline saying that you had a specific vision for that items role in the wedding (or you would rather not travel all that way with something so special to her) but do express your immense appreciation.  Or if you feel totally obligated to use the item (IE, like a garter, ring, or handkerchief) at least put them out for your Iceland wedding photographer to take detail photos of as you are getting ready.  Many times brides in this situation will also use the item in a different way.  Example, one of my brides pinned the handkerchief to the inside of her wedding dress and another wore the grandmother’s ring at the wedding welcome dinner the evening before (versus on the wedding day so it did not compromise her style).

d)       Situation:  <In a separated family context> One parent threatens to not attend the wedding if the other parent attends (or a certain family member).  What to do: Call his/her bluff.  It is foolish he/she would give you such an ultimatum on the most important day of your life.  It is important to make it clear that kind of behavior during your wedding weekend will not be tolerated.  This wedding is about your love and the celebration of it and he/she must put their differences to the side during.  One thing you can do to rest their worries is to let your Iceland wedding planner know to not seat them together for any of the weekend events and that there may be confrontation.  Also, let your Icelandic wedding photographer know ahead of time that there is an issue and to not put that group of family together for any wedding portraits.  Sometimes we are used as a buffer to ensure everyone behaves!  This information helps to make your big day flawless.

e)      Situation: The parents purchase items (without your input) for your wedding and they do not go along with your overall wedding vision.  What to do:  Lead by gratitude by thanking them for their continuous consideration but that you had a specific vision on that detail that you had already planned on incorporating.  If you feel obligated, try to incorporate that item (or wedding favor) into your bridal shower, bachelorette party, or wedding welcome dinner instead.

f)       Situation: Someone cannot responsibly handle alcohol.  What do to:  Make your destination wedding planner aware so they may make the reception locale aware to limit service.  You must do something about it or else you are enabling your family member to possibly cause a disruption to your lifetime event.

Iceland Wedding Planner Tip: 

Advice to parents who have children planning a destination wedding in Iceland:

• Don’t convince the couple to change their mind on their wedding location.  Iceland may sound cold, unattractive, and not on your bucket list at first to you but it will not disappoint, I promise!  You will love every second of your trip and return renewed, revived, and refocused in life.  The beauty you will experience in the Icelandic people, food, countryside, and incredible natural wonders will leave your life changed for the better.
• Remember the wedding weekend is about your child getting married!  No matter the external/internal family issues that are happening they should not be of concern during this magical time for your son or daughter.  Please put those worrisome things aside and embrace the excitement he/she is feeling.
• Offer to help.  Even if you cannot offer something financially, offer to help with the small tasks like folding invitations, putting together welcome bags, carrying the brides wedding dress while traveling, folding napkins, labels on water bottles, etc.  Any genuine thought is appreciated, I assure you.
• If you have decided to help your son or daughter financially with their Iceland destination wedding in some way, please tell them early!  Budget management is something we specifically work on early with our couples so we can stay on target to narrow or expand on “must have” and “would be nice to have” lists.
• Please do not wear the colors white, ivory, champagne, red, or polka dots.  Solid and/or neutral color tones are best in family portraits and do not detract from the bride and groom or the dynamic Iceland landscape.  Examples would be black, browns, grays, lavender, muted silver, light/royal blues.
• Give the bride and groom a heartfelt card.  Not only give them a card but write a message in there to them.  Ideas: How excited you are for them, welcoming the bride or groom to the family, marriage advice, how amazing they are together, or how proud you are.  This goes a long way now and later, I guarantee you.  Chris and I still have our cards from our parents in our Iceland love letter ceremony box.

Phew, that was a long one =) Now onto the photos of the week!  In honor of this blog topic, our parents, belated Mother’s Day and upcoming Father’s Day, please enjoy some of our family portraits!  We hope you have found this Iceland Wedding Tips Blog Post helpful as you wedding plan.  No matter if you are planning a wedding at the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Snaefellsness Peninsula, Vik Beach, Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon or another stunning part of Iceland we can help you secure locations, plan every detail, keep the peace between family members, and capture every detail with our experienced Iceland wedding photography skills.  Please feel free to contact us directly to chat more about your big day in making!

Lots of Iceland Wedding Smiles,  Ann and Chris Peters

Expert Iceland Wedding Planners and Iceland Wedding Photographers

© 2002-2013, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Protocol for Family Issues & Iceland Destination Wedding Advice for Parents appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.