I was the Iceland Wedding Planner and Photographer for a super cool couple from Chicago, Illinois.  It was raining that day in Iceland, so we executed our “Plan B” ceremony location, my favorite cave.  However, when we arrived we were greeted by a 200 person film crew for a upcoming Bollywood movie.  They were there with the famed actor’s, food trucks, gear trucks,  and tons of porta potties.

I’ll be honest, seeing that many people there, I panicked slightly.  Not because I wouldn’t be able to use the location (which never happens because we always get private permission and permits) but rather, I was thinking how off schedule this could potentially make our day (excuse the OCD part of me, lol)!  The couple had no idea that anything was out of the ordinary as I jumped out of the jeep and darted to the group to have a chat.  An easy 5 minutes later the entire crew was gone

Fast forward 12 hours and I was back at the hotel finishing up the table styling for the couples dreamy reception for two.  I grabbed a glass of wine and my computer to catch up on emails and sat down in the hotel lobby…  Completely enamored in my work I do not look up when I hear a man’s voice say, “Are you that 5 foot 3 inch wedding planner that kicked our entire crew out of the cave earlier today?”  I laughed and leaned around my computer to see who was so witty.  To my pleasant surprise, a 6 foot 7 inch  Icelandic Adonis was speaking to me.  My jaw dropped and that giddy smile still hasn’t left my face!

That night, I met a man who lives and breathes adventure just as I do (maybe even more) personally and professionally.  Allow me to introduce you to Davíð… He creates special effects for all of the big movies that come here to Iceland (you know like Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Interstellar, Noah, the list is endless) and has the incredible hobby of being on Iceland’s SAR team (Search and Rescue). ….yeah swoon swoon, right?!  From that moment on, we found ourselves inseparable.

Our third date was a 7 day adventure to Isle of Skye, where we went coasteering, hiked epic cliff lines, dined at small little cafes, and discovered super secret locales!

He didn’t even bat an eyelash when I suggested we spend a month in South America! Where we ventured through Chilean wine country, Rainforests, through epic fjords, and made our way down to the famed awe inspiring region of Patagonia!

Since Davíð and I met at the “top of the world” we thought it would be fun for us to ring in the New Year together at the bottom of the world in Ushuaia Argentina!

We spent several days camping (um yeah the only man on the planet that can get me to camp in a tent) and hiking the famed “W Trek” in the Torres Del Paine National Park.  Complete with glaciers, granite towers, and moments of mountaineering!

One of the most magical set of days we spent together was within the Los Glaciares National Park where we explored the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Fitz Roy Mountains!

One of my favorite hikes we have done together was in Norway doing the hike to Trolltunga. Have you ever been to Norway?

Back to the exciting news…

After exploring 7 countries; 40 cities; and over 30,000 miles together, I proposed! …and he said Yes!

…and we are planning a wedding in the Lofoten Islands for September 14-19th!

But that’s not all of the exciting news we have to share with you… There’s more!  We are also extremely happy to announce that we will be adding a new items to our menu of services… Drone Photography and Video for your amazing Iceland Weddings + Adventure Weddings beyond!

Are you excited?!  We are too!

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

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

The post Thriving on Adventure and Love appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Finding the right wedding venue for your Iceland destination wedding is one of the most important early steps in wedding planning. Objectives may include finding a hotel in a secluded setting, accommodating hard to please guests, close to the attractions you want to see, and offers a personal romantic experience. Good news! The ION Luxury Adventure Hotel includes every one of those features and so much more. There are very few hotels in Iceland that have such a dramatic setting while having a Michelin Star Chef at the restaurant helm. The ION made our 2013 Favorite Iceland Wedding Hotels list because of the complete experience they offer.

When you plan a trip to the land of fire and ice, you are in search of a place that encompasses that tagline, right? The ION Luxury Adventure Hotel’s location takes full advantage of the hotel’s natural backdrop of Mount Hengill’s lava fields and the majestic Thingvellir Lake. The ION brings the dramatic Icelandic elements of fire and ice together and connects you to them. Hotel ION provides guests with an unforgettable 5 senses experience. Your eyes will delight in the distinctive design of the hotel, your ears will appreciate the stillness of the natural surroundings, your touch will be encircled by the warm waters of their magnificent geothermal spa pool, you will smell the pure Icelandic air, and your taste buds will be overwhelmed by the delectable meals the Silfra Restaurant creates!

I’ll be honest and say that we had set some pretty high hopes for our stay at the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel and they exceeded our expectations at every turn! We highly recommend this fantastic hotel to any couple out there in search of an idyllic Iceland wedding location no matter the season you plan to marry. The ION Hotel in Selfoss opened their doors in February 2013 and currently has 45 total rooms to offer Iceland wedding guests, groups, and Iceland honeymooners. They have deluxe and standard rooms to choose from, all offering a phenomenal view of either the extraordinary lava fields and Thingvellir Lake or the steaming Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. The famed Silfra Restaurant, Lava Spa, and Northern Lights Bar are all located inside ION, so make sure you take the time to check them out! The starting price of a night’s stay at this superb hotel begins at 32,000 ISK (~$275 USD).

Iceland Wedding Planner’s ION Luxury Adventure Hotel Experience:

It was a rainy December afternoon as we made the drive from Frost and Fire in Hveragerdi to the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel in Selfoss. But it was still an inspiring drive beside the mountains. From the moment we left downtown Selfoss we saw signs leading us all the way to ION. The scenery you pass is filled with picturesque mountains, rustic farm animals, incredible lake views, and moss covered lava fields. At every turn we were anxiously anticipating our arrival. Then there it was… a very chic modernly designed hotel set within moss covered lava fields, cushioned between a volcano, geothermal grounds, and a lake! Our enthusiasm was off the charts!

ION was stunning and every bit as beautiful as all of the photos on their website suggest. Sadly, it was raining during our visit; otherwise we would have had more vibrant exterior shots to share. Walking into the front door of the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel, the staff members greet you with welcoming faces. We felt that everyone on the ION team throughout our stay were professional, accommodating, and knowledgeable. Once we checked in, we had a tour of the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel. The hotel design has immersed itself in natural tones. Even when we were inside, we felt completely connected with the Icelandic landscape. There was one extraordinary detail that surprised us… As you step down the staircase to the Lava Spa, there are full length windows that allow you to be submerged in the lava fields eye to eye but still sheltered from the elements.

As you continue down the stairs, to the right you will find the entrance to the Lava Spa. If you appreciate ultimate relaxation and spoiling, the Lava Spa offers numerous services for you to partake in. There is also a meditation room where guests are welcomed to unwind at any time. A brilliantly designed spa pool just outside of the Lava Spa allows you to experience the Icelandic elements without actually leaving. The hotel even offers champagne service poolside for anyone celebrating.

As you step down the staircase into the Northern Lights Bar, there are full length windows that allow you to be engrossed in the lava fields while still staying warm and cozy. This feature makes the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel a prime spot for Northern Lights viewing. Many I’m sure have spent the evening there with a cocktail in hand relaxing under the Northern Lights, the stars, or midnight sun. If you are planning an Iceland elopement then the ION’s Northern Lights Bar could also dual as your inside ceremony location if needed as well. Artistic elements throughout the bar are also ecologically sustainable. For example, salvaged driftwood was transformed into many of the wooded details throughout the hotel and even the lights over the bar are astonishingly fashioned from recycled cardboard.

The ION’s Silfra Restaurant is stylish, inviting, and offers plenty of seating for guests to dine. If holding a wedding at ION Luxury Adventure Hotel, there are two other sections outside of the main dining area that can accommodate larger groups for a more private experience. First there is a meeting room that can easily hold 50 people. Also, just outside of Silfra lies a spacious patio allowing you to sit amongst the lava field. For larger Iceland destination weddings at the ION, they have even put a pole tent over the patio to house more than 100 guests. Weather permitting you could also easily have your Iceland wedding reception cocktail hour out there.

Our dinner dining experience at ION’s Silfra Restaurant was first class from start to finish. The acclaimed Michelin Star Chef Gudmundur Sverrisson has created a remarkable menu full of traditional Icelandic treats. Chris and I had a bottle of champagne and each opted to each try 3 different courses that evening.

Chris chose the famed Arctic Char which was cured, served with pickled cucumber, alongside of a delightful dill sauce. This dish was served cold and we found every bite to be a refreshing mix. I personally could not resist ordering the Mushroom Soup and it was hands down one of the best I have had. It was creamy, full of flavor and had me vying for the recipe by the end of the bowl.

For the main course Chris chose the fresh caught Pan Fried Salmon. The plate was perfectly presented with parsnip puree, fried broccoli, in a white wine sauce, all of which brought an overall amazing taste and color to the dish. I chose the utmost wonderful Filet of Lamb, served with root vegetables, parsnip, pork cheek, and a red wine sauce.

You think all that is divine? …Oh wait! It gets better! The hand crafted dessert options at the ION’s Silfra Restaurant will make you smile from ear to ear! The Skyr Crème Brûlée was Chris’s choice, and he even boasted about it being the best he had ever had. I went right for chocolate bliss and ordered the Triple Chocolate Delight which was a luxurious combination of cake, mouse, and chocolate ice cream. The presentation of each course was tops all the way and the taste of all of the flavors coming together in each bite was monumental. The fine flavor combinations within each course are sure to please even the biggest foodie. We believe the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel’s Silfra Restaurant offers supreme quality, impeccable service, and would be a marvelous location to hold your Iceland wedding reception.

After trying some Icelandic specialty cocktails we grabbed our posh robes from the room and headed down to the geothermal spa pool. To our delight we had huge snowflakes falling as we sat and relished in that amazing moment! The combination of cold winter air, warm water, and snow falling, all created a magical memory.

Our room that evening was #219 which boasted a view in the direction of the lake Thingvellir. The entire room was outfitted with premium eco-friendly products from the bed to bath. You have all of the classic and luxurious 5 star room amenities on hand. Although we were not graced by the Northern Lights during our stay at ION, we knew we wouldn’t miss them since they have a night staff member checking for them throughout the night. That person phones guests if they make an appearance.

The next morning, we actually woke up to ice on our room window and about 3 inches of snow outside! ION Luxury Adventure Hotel offers an exceptional breakfast selection to its guests. It is beautifully presented and available in the Silfra Restaurant beginning at 7am. You can expect to have farm fresh eggs, warm bacon, cold meats, cheeses, breads, granola, Icelandic Skyr, fruits, and endless drink choices. Although, the sudden snow storm did spoil our original plan of taking the beautiful mountain pass road (Route #36) and going back into Reykjavík, instead we took the safer route back down through the Selfoss downtown. As a side note, there are several roads in Iceland that are closed during the winter months so be aware of them as you plan out your driving routes. Specifically Iceland route #431 and #435 are closed from Oct 1st-May 1st. So when driving to the ION Hotel during winter months use Route #36 (Mosfellsbaer) and turn right onto #360 towards Nesjavellir or take Route 1 to Route #35 and #36 in from Selfoss.

The ION Luxury Adventure Hotel can easily be your gateway to all of the daring activities Iceland has to offer. Organized adventures such as glacier hiking, ice climbing, dog sledding, horseback riding, Northern Lights chasing, 4×4 off roading, scuba diving, snorkeling, rock climbing, caving, heli-skiing, and even inside volcano experiences. This luxury location can accommodate any type of Iceland destination wedding at any point during the year. ION Luxury Adventure Hotel welcomes groups of 160 or less. Please feel free to reach out to the ION team below to see if they can accommodate you during your visit to Iceland:

ION Luxury Adventure Hotel’s Contact Information:
Website: http://www.ioniceland.is/
Address: 801 Nesjavollum vid Thingvallavtn; Selfoss Iceland
Phone: +354-482-3415
ION Luxury Adventure Hotel GPS Coordinates: 64.1133 N, -21.242752 W
Email: reservations@ioniceland.is

Iceland is filled with many extraordinary hotel options, but most times your Iceland wedding budget plays the deciding role on where you end up. As Iceland wedding planners, part of our service to you is personalized venue appraisals and timeline planning to ensure you make the right choice for your wedding day in Iceland. Please feel free to contact us for more information on getting this process started for your big day! We would love to chat more with you about your Iceland dream wedding, possibly be your wedding planners and Iceland wedding photographers! We hope you have enjoyed our Iceland wedding hotel 2013 favorites list over the past several weeks. In case you missed our previous posts please feel free to go back and check them out: Hotel Laekur, Hali Country Hotel, Frost and Fire, and ION Luxury Adventure Hotel.

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

2002-2014, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved.

The post Iceland Wedding Site: ION Luxury Adventure Hotel appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

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.