Earlier this month we found ourselves in Iceland photographing for our Christmas card.  We encountered just about every type of weather during our stay, which really set the scene for some gorgeous and dramatic Iceland couples portraits.  The land of fire and ice has never disappointed and always leaves us inspired no matter the weather.  One of our favorites we share with you below, was taken at the stunning Dyrhólahey Cliffs (Dyrholahey Cape, nearby Vik Beach), enjoy!

Want to know a fun fact?  This season, I (Ann) also found myself slightly obsessed with the Icelandic Yule Lads.  The tradition starts with writing a letter to the Icelandic Santa by the first week of December.  The legend says for children to leave their shoes by the window each night.  Then 13 days before Christmas Eve the anticipation continues with the arrival of the 13 quirkily named mountain men who appear each day bringing presents.  If you’re good, you get a nice surprise, and if you were bad the Yule Lads bring you a rotting vegetable.  The Yule Lads have very fun unique names like: Sheep Cote Clod, Gully Gawk, Stubby, Spoon Licker, Pot Scraper, Bowl Licker, Door Slammer, Skyr Gobbler, Sausage Swiper, Window Peeper, Doorway Sniffer, Meat Hooker, and Candle Stealer.  Each Yule Lad has a bit of mischief inside them reflected by their name.  Can you guess what Door Slammer does?

In honor of the holidays, Chris and I hosted a small dinner this past Sunday that was rich in Icelandic and Hungarian traditional foods (lots of lamb, Björk Birch, and Dobes Torte)!  We also created the CUTEST party gifts for each of our guests… DIY hot chocolate favors!  These would be so perfect for an Iceland winter wedding too!

How to Create Hot Chocolate Wedding Favors:

Purchase 16.9oz clear glass canning jars with metal lids (we found ours at our local Dollar Tree store).  Find your favorite brand of coco, buy enough to put 1 cup in each jar, and tip the jar as you fill it so it creates a layered slant.  Add in 3/4 cup of mini marshmallows, milk chocolate chips or pieces.  Make sure jar is filled to the top to prevent movement of your design within.  For the finishing touches tie a bow with raffia ribbon.  We were holding an adult only Christmas party so we added a fancy tag, a fun paper straw and a mini bottle of Bailey’s.  It was a hit!

Next week, we’ll be back to share with you another Iceland wedding hotel that made our favorite list for 2013, so stay tuned!  In the meantime, are you considering an Iceland destination wedding or Iceland elopement?  Dying to have your wedding day be one epic adventure and have dynamite Iceland wedding photos to remember it all by?  If so, we’d love to chat with you more about your dream wedding in Iceland, feel free to keep the excitement going and contact us.  Until next time, have a spectacular holiday folks!

With a smile, Ann & Chris Peters (Experts in Iceland Destination Weddings)

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

The post Happy Holidays from Iceland Wedding Planner appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

You’ve chosen Iceland, lucky you!  You are one of the few in the world that have be proud of that!  Planning an Iceland wedding is a lot harder than you think.  Especially in a country where the internet is not used as a crutch as it is elsewhere.  You cannot just go to The Knot and pick your wedding vendors as you would here in the States.  Those wonderful in the country wedding vendors cannot get their name out there like we can here.  So we’re here to make that happen!  I know, planning your Iceland destination wedding during the holidays can be very stressful.  The best advice I can lend is make a list and take a break!  Your must be booked list ASAP should consist of at least the following:

1. The Date!
2. Book your Iceland Wedding Planner
3. Order save the dates or Iceland wedding invitations.
4. Book your Iceland destination wedding photographer (Please visit: Photos by Miss Ann)
5. Ceremony Location
6. Reception Location
7. Your plane tickets.
8. Hotel Rooms for Guests.
9. Order the dress and tux/suite.
10. Ceremony & Reception Design.
11. Flowers and Centerpieces
12. Relax!  Start back up after a little break!

My husband and I are having guests in from around the world for the holidays so my apologies for some delayed blogging!  I will pick back up after the new year.  Please look forward to the Iceland Wedding Planner’s next topic:

• Importing your wedding details!

To tide you over here in the meantime, here are a few Iceland wedding photos celebrating Christmas!  Ornaments compliments of Hotel Ranga.

Yours in Iceland wedding planning and destination wedding photography, Miss Ann Owner of Photos by Miss Ann

© 2002-2012, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Iceland Wedding Planning During the Holidays appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.