Woah!  So here we are and it’s our 2nd year milestone already!  It has officially been 2 years since I started this awesome Iceland Wedding Planner Blog!

Since October 2012, I have brought you 84 Iceland wedding planning blog posts.  Super thrilled also to say that over 175 countries have found their way to our blog and generated almost 100,000 views!  That being said, today, I am totally toasting cheers to YOU!  I appreciate you as our reader, your interest in Iceland destination weddings, love for Iceland wedding photography, and all of your curious inquiries!

::Thank You::

So as you know, every company evolves and it’s important to do so.  I personally, embrace/welcome change and opportunities to be better (professionally and personally), always.  This past year I have learned some amazing lessons (IE, Not letting anyone dull my sparkle) and have had some awesome transitions like, adding the fabulous Beth Golden to our Iceland planning team along with bringing in some AMAZING strategic partners!

So who is Iceland Wedding Planner?

• We’re professional, crazy creative, planning and scheduling geniuses, your answer source, feel like your best friends and sometimes your witty comic relief =)
• We love to laugh, create, connect, make your Iceland wedding day perfect, combat all unexpected moments (like big brown labs photo bombing) with a giggle and a plan, and more importantly forever pause this super exciting time in your lives with unforgettable Iceland wedding portraits!

What started out as a joke over wine, turned into this short little 56 second film showing you our silly side!  It snowed, slightly hailed, and we prevailed to bring you this little ditty, enjoy!  Also note the special photo-bombing appearance by Nagli (Translation- Hard as Nails), the famous Hotel Budir pup!

PS- We are putting our “Top Iceland Wedding Hotel List for 2014” on hold until December because we must celebrate and share with you in the upcoming weeks a GORGEOUS Iceland Pre-Wedding Session and Tiffany + Brian’s 40+ person wedding we just photographed (21 months of planning finally came alive)!  Sneak peak as the header photo today but make sure you ….stalk our blog like everyday, okay?

Lots of smiles to you, Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographer and Planner)

The post How Do You Get the Best Iceland Wedding Adventure Ever? appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Roots of a Traditional Iceland Wedding Cake:

A wedding cake in Iceland is typically referred to as a Kransakaka dessert, but the origins began before it actually came to Iceland. The cake style has Danish and Norwegian roots, as a fancy dessert that was once served to aristocrats. As the recipe spread to Faroe Islands and throughout Iceland, the Kransakaka became a popular Nordic cake used for various types of celebrations. This included its use as the traditional Iceland wedding cake.

Kransakaka: Ring Cake

So what exactly is a Kransakaka cake? Good question!  Well, it directly translates to as “ring cake” to start.  But it is an elaborately decorated ring shaped tiered tower cake (sometimes also in shape of a heart). The texture is very similar to a mix of a firm sponge cake to a biscotti but has a bit of a wet texture.  And the underlying taste of almond flavor.

The ingredients are super simple… eggs, marzipan (an almond and honey mix), and powdered sugar. That’s all!  So gluten-free folks rejoice!  Also, if needed it can also be made as “vegan” too!  Bakers will usually decorate the outside of the Iceland wedding cake with intricate icing designs, chocolate, and sometimes fruit.

The Icelandic bakeries (bakarí) can make small versions for 2 people for Iceland elopements, and ones suited for small and large Iceland weddings (think 100+ folks). They will usually charge a per person price just as North American bakeries do. As far as timing to order, you’ll want to order an Iceland wedding cake at least 1-3 months in advance to ensure the Iceland bakery has your wedding reception day and time on their schedule.

The Tradition:

If you’re looking to add a traditional Icelandic wedding element this would be a fantastic one to incorporate while planning your Iceland wedding or elopement.  There is a fun tradition that comes along with the cake too… The bride and groom begin by breaking the cake (viking style with your hands).  Then each of the Iceland wedding guests to come up one by one, break off a piece (since it’s a ring cake) with their hands, say a wish to the bride and groom, and then delight in eating the cake.

If you want to stay with the adventure theme, have your guests challenge you to an adventure to take together!  …or go with the true Icelandic tradition of each piece leftover after guests break, represents how may children you will have.  You choose!

If this is not something of interest to you, there are other alternatives to the traditional Kransakaka Iceland wedding cake. You could consider some of the other local dessert fare such as Icelandic Skyr Cake or a delicious chocolate lava cake with homemade ice cream. As a side note, many restaurants and bakeries in Iceland do embrace North American wedding traditions and are able to provide a typical wedding cake. Make sure you are equipped with photos of exactly what you are looking for.

Whatever your heart’s desire, chances are the fabulous wedding vendors in Iceland can make it happen for you for your epic wedding day in Iceland! Please feel free to contact us for more information on planning and photographing your Iceland wedding day adventure.

With a smile,

Ann Peters & Team (Iceland Wedding Photographers & Planners)

© 2014, Iceland Wedding Planner & Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Iceland Wedding Cake: Kransakaka appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.