But…. If you have some extra funds that you can put towards even just 3 of the items below, you will create a more memorable visual experience for your guests / selves during your fabulous Iceland wedding reception dinner.  Many of the options below are affordable and will make a huge difference in your overall ambiance during your Iceland wedding reception.

1: LOVE Balloons 

This is a personal favorite of us here at Iceland Wedding Planner because this not only is super fun (warm and inviting), but it photographs well throughout the entire night.

2: Chair Ties

Having chair ties is an affordable way to dress up your Iceland wedding reception.  Imagine how beautiful the space can look when you add in a chair tie that compliments your color scheme too!  These can easily add to the “wow factor” to your guests.

3: Place Cards

I personally love having assigned seating place cards for several reasons, such as the following: They can bring full circle your color scheme, dress up the table, give your guests something to swoon over, they can act as a “meal choice” marker, they avoid chaos / awkward moments between guests.

4: Charger Plates 

5:  Create warm ambiance with tall candles down the table

6:  Iceland Wedding Dinner Menu’s

This is a brilliant and budget friendly (even do-it-yourself) item that makes a huge difference not only in the place setting (hello pretty Iceland wedding photos) but also to your guests!  It’s nice to know what they’ll be eating, you know?  …and this is an easy way to communicate to your guests what you are offering in the bar on your tab.  I adore pretty dual purpose Iceland wedding decor items!

7: Marquee Signs 

They add a fantastic fun flare, so why not!

8: Table Runners

9: Colored Napkins

I would say 85% of the Iceland wedding venues and restaurants offer white / white linens.  The other 15% does paper napkins.  So how about bringing in your own cloth napkins that goes along with your Iceland wedding color scheme or renting some from us?

10: Hang Something in the Room!

Examples could be… A bubble wall, glass globes, a background, lights, etc.

11: Iceland Wedding Party Favors

Everyone enjoys getting a little thoughtful treat!  Add to your guests Iceland wedding adventure experience by surprising them with a party favor!  Could be things like… Icelandic Chocolates, Salts, Wool Items, Soaps, Moss/Lava Candles, Books, etc to have as your Iceland wedding favors.

12: Icelandic Wedding Cake

Did you know there is a super cool Icelandic tradition that goes with the Kransakaka (Iceland wedding cake)?

13: Napkin Rings

14: Special Glasses that are themed

15: Chandeliers

Add a easy elegance to your Iceland wedding reception decor.  Can be fancy or rustic!

16: Craft Your Own Personal Sign

What a lovely way to add a bit of your personalities into your Iceland wedding reception!  Hanging a fun sign like “The Adventure Begins,” “Adventure Together,” or even simply “Just Married” is a fun reminder of why everyone came to Iceland in the first place!

17: Chair Covers

18: Embrace the local Nature into your Design Plan

Could be including items like… Driftwood, Moss (dried like the below, do not take live), Basalt Rocks, Wool, Reindeer Furs, etc (Special Note: Please talk to landowners before you even THINK about going scavenging).

19: Chair Signs

20: Add in your Adventures Together!

Have you visited a ton of places together or have a dream to adventure together to a long list of places?!  Then incorporate those dreamy locales into your Iceland wedding reception centerpiece decor!  Guests appreciate (and often “wow-ed” by) that personal touch!

21: Rent your Iceland Wedding Reception Décor from Iceland Wedding Planner!

It’s not easy to haul an entire suitcase(s) full of wedding planning decor to Iceland (remember, I’ve been there done that almost a decade ago!)!   That said, we encourage you to take a look at the Rental section of our website and inquire about the availability of an item(s) you love.

© 2017, Iceland Wedding Planner /  Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved.

The post 21 Practical Decorating Ideas to Enhance Your Iceland Wedding Reception appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

A little over six years ago, Derek did just that with Abbie.  They bonded quickly over their combined love of being outside, experiencing nature, learning about different cultures, international travel, and being foodies.  Fast forward to Christmas time in NYC and add in a huge beautifully decorated tree, windows that overlook Central Park, champagne, and strawberries and you get the sweetest marriage proposal!  Abbie of course said “YES” and thus planning an adventurous elopement began!

Abbie and Derek were called to Iceland for a whimsical elopement because of the dynamic landscape and to quench their thirst for epic travel experiences.  They yearned for an adventure wedding day that was laid back, offbeat, secluded, intimate, and most importantly PRIVATE.  They came to the right place when they came to us here at Iceland Wedding Planner!  They were married on August 5th in the heart of the Icelandic summer and throughout all of their locations (minus the quick stop at Reynisfjara) they saw zero people!  How special, personal, and memorable is that?!

I’m super excited to share with you, today, these fabulous images from their adventurous elopement in Iceland!  Enjoy   Also if you get a sec, go checkout their Iceland wedding being featured on the Wedding Wire blog!

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

THIS Iceland wedding dress was fabulously not traditional and I LOVED IT!  Abbie also took our Iceland wedding shoe advice and came fully equipped with 2 sets of perfect shoes!

Abbie’s Iceland wedding bouquet is also on my top 5 list for this year!  The perfect romantic combination!

So when you said you wanted to get married in Iceland at a private waterfall… You had THIS in mind, right??!! #dreamcometrue

You know there is a green here in Iceland that exsists nowhere else?

The textures and tones in the caves here in Iceland are unbeatable!

There are endless amounts of super green canyons here in Iceland and we find the greenest and the sweetest!

As most of you hopefully know by now, it may rain on your Iceland wedding day, but don’t worry we still make it super fun!  Derek and Abbie just grabbed our awesome clear umbrellas and played in the rain!

True to the  unpredictably of Icelandic weather… The rain stopped as quick as it started!

Abbie + Derek ended their beautiful elopement in Iceland with a dreamy styled wedding reception for two!

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

The post Incredible Iceland Elopement of Abbie + Derek appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

For years Cassie and Kyle have plotted on a real life map where they have journeyed together and where they desired to go next.  They spend their trips doing offbeat adventures like dog sledding, canyoneering, ziplining, and incredible hikes.  Iceland has always been a top runner on that list.  So after a dreamy marriage proposal from the top of a hot air balloon in Vermont it was only fitting that Iceland wedding planning would begin!

Naturally being adventure seekers, they found us to put together an experience they would never forget.  Did you catch their Iceland Pre-Wedding Session we featured last week?  If not, go back here to see.

These two held their Iceland summer wedding at the end of June this year and their details were gorgeous!  The blues, the light pinks, whites…Swoon!

…and how romantic is this Iceland wedding dress?

Kyle and Cassie decided to be traditional and not see each other the night before their wedding day.  So once they were ready, we held a first look before their Iceland wedding ceremony.  What a special moment they shared overlooking a very misty fjord!

When we arrived to their mystery Iceland wedding location, it was raining but their +15 guests didn’t even notice as they were so enthralled by the beauty that surrounded them.

One of the prerequisites of being one of our clients, is being excited about running around in the rain or shine on your wedding day in Iceland.  Plus it also makes for some amazing photo opportunities!  See how easy these two make it look?

Our second stop during Cassie + Kyle’s Iceland wedding adventure was pretty little golden sand beach in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula where they ran around  hand in hand.

Lava fields are abundant here in Iceland so it’s only natural for a bride and groom to find their way to them for a romantic walk!

No adventure day to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, would be complete without a quick stop at one of the oldest churches within that famed area!

Adventuring to one of the islands 100’s of waterfalls must always be on the Iceland wedding schedule!  This fab couple chose this gorgeous beauty!

Oh la la and do not even get me started on how dreamy their Iceland Wedding Reception setup was!  Shouldn’t every wedding in Iceland have an incredible fjord view?!

Greens, browns with pops of pinks set the dreamy color scheme.  The guests delighted in delicious Icelandic chocolates and salts as party favors.  And were pleasantly surprised by a 4 course traditional meal and an Iceland wedding cake!

Take a few minutes to peruse a few more of our favorites below from Cassie and Kyle’s magnificent Iceland wedding day!  Also see some additional images from their fabulous Iceland wedding, featured on MyWedding.com!

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

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

The post Iceland Wedding Photos | Cassie + Kyle’s Adventure Wedding appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

During that moment in time, they declared their endless love and admiration to each other.  It was a marvelous and magical blue sky day!  I mean LOOK at that Iceland Elopement VIEW below?  Hello – Did I walk into a fairy tale?

Do you remember their gorgeous Icelandic elopement was featured by the amazing Smitten Magazine?  Go back HERE to relive and explore!

Very few people are brave enough to choose Northern Iceland as their Iceland wedding location but more should!  More often than not, it’s a hidden offbeat gem people do not typically venture to.  The area literally breathes fire and ice just as Miranda and Pete’s Iceland wedding reception for two!

M+P:  Happy first Iceland wedding anniversary!  Your wedding day in Iceland was EPIC, just in case you forgot!  I know Iceland pulls at you like it does me =) so I do not need to invite you back, because I’m pretty sure each year you’ll be “called” back here in your hearts!  Savor today, and I wish you endless more!

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

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

The post Iceland Wedding Photos: 1st Wedding Anniversary M+P appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

As you probably already know, from reading our fabulous “About Us” section, I was too =)  I actually planned my Iceland adventure wedding long before it was cool to get married there.  Shortly after, Iceland Wedding Planner emerged as the #1 Official Resource for any couple considering to marry in Iceland!  Thanks for continuing that trend!  We feel honored to help you plan your Iceland Wedding, even if you are not a direct client!  ? ? ?

Today, I wanted to go back in time and pull some of our amazing Iceland Wedding Planning advice from our 5+ years of archives and put them all in one spot for you to read through and enjoy!

Iceland Wedding Bridal Advice:

1. Iceland Wedding Shoes
2. Iceland Wedding Coats
3. Iceland Bridal Bouquets
4. Preserving your Bridal Bouquet
5. Emergency Kit for your Iceland Wedding Day
6. Day of Gift Ideas
7. Iceland Wedding Ceremony Vows
8. Love Letter Ceremony (Type of Unity Ceremony’s)
9. 10 Tips for the Perfect Iceland Wedding Kiss!
10. Iceland Wedding Rings: Engraving Ideas

General Iceland Wedding Planning Advice:

1. 10 Biggest Myths About Getting Married in Iceland
2. Best Time of Year to Marry in Iceland
3. 20 Tips on Planning Your Iceland Wedding Part 1
4. 20 Tips on Planning Your Iceland Wedding Part 2
5. Iceland Wedding Timeline Advice
6. Planning an Iceland Destination Wedding (My Story from 2011)
7. Questions to Ask Your Iceland Wedding Photographer
8. Iceland Destination Wedding Etiquette
9. Protocol for Family Issues (Advice for Parents)
10. Iceland Wedding Save The Dates!
11. Iceland Wedding Invites Part 1 (Extravagant Destination Wedding Invitations)
12. Icelandic Wedding Invitations Part 2 (Creative Iceland Destination Wedding Invites)
13. Iceland Wedding Invitations Part 3 (Whimiscal Destination Wedding Invitations)
14. Iceland Wedding Detail Planning
15. Why You Should Have an Unplugged Iceland Wedding
16. Iceland Wedding Locations (Mainstream)
17. Iceland Engagement Guestbook
18. Iceland Wedding Welcome Bags
19. Iceland Wedding Favors
20. Importing Your Iceland Wedding Details
21. Iceland Wedding Reception: Menu Ideas
22. Iceland Wedding Reception Table Setup
23. Iceland Wedding Ceremony Music Ideas
24. Iceland Wedding Reception Music Ideas
25. Iceland Wedding Reception Alcohol Advice
26. Iceland Wedding Cake: Kransekake
27. Tipping in Iceland
28. Things You Should Know Before Having a Wedding in Iceland
29. To Seat or Not to Seat Your Iceland Wedding Guests
30. Iceland Wedding Signature Drink Ideas!

Iceland Wedding Guest Advice:

1. What to Wear to an Iceland Wedding
2. What to Pack for an Iceland Destination Wedding
3. How to Drive in Iceland
4. Things to Do in Iceland!
5. Things to Do in the Snaefellsness Peninsula
6. Iceland Destination Wedding: Guest Advice
7. Best Hot Springs to visit in Iceland
8. Top 12 Restaurants in Reykjavik
9. Most Adventurous Things to do in Iceland

With a smile, Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Planner & Adventure Wedding Photographer)

PS- This information is copyrighted, so please don’t make us sad and steal our years of hard work.  But do feel free to read, take notes, and possibly link to our site!

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

The post Iceland Wedding & Travel Expert: Official Iceland Wedding Planning Advice appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Answer: Northern Iceland

Angela and Richard have had almost a decade of adventures together, so it was only fitting that their biggest and greatest be their wedding in Iceland!  A strong theme of fire and ice was followed through the Iceland wedding itinerary and included epic landmark spots such as Godafoss Waterfall, Dimmuborgir Lava Fields, Namaskard geothermal area and sunset in Lake Myvatn Nature Preserve.

When they returned to their host hotel Hotel Reynihlid in the evening, they found an unbelievable uniquely styled reception for two (compliments of Iceland Wedding Planner).  The elements of fire, ice, nature, and adventure were deep seeded throughout. …seriously amazing!  Check out all their glorious Iceland wedding favors!  The adventurous Icelandic elopement ended with sunset photos along the famed Lake Myvatn Nature Preserve.  Enjoy a little look into their Iceland adventure wedding below by our fabulous photo company, Photos by Miss Ann!

With a smile, Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Planner and Photographer)

The post Iceland Summer Elopement: Angela + Richard appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

The day… Let me take you back to that wonderful summer day in Iceland, we’ll fondly call, Tanabata.  What is that, you ask?  If you’re familiar with Asian customs, you might have heard of the inspiring “Star Festival” which is a legend that allows two lovers to meet in the Milky Way for only one day a year, which is on the seventh day of the seventh month… July 7^th.  It’s lucky, it’s beautiful, it’s romantic, and it frankly gives me goosebumps.  Plus who doesn’t want an epic date for their wedding day, am I right?

My Iceland Adventure Weddings always begin before 7am so we can lead a very action packed 16+ hour day.  After all it’s Your Adventure Wedding, right? =)  We were out the door of Hotel Ranga and on our way to one of my favorite private waterfalls in Iceland via super jeep.  D+G “Ooooo, and ahhhhh” over the epic blue skies, lushness, and splendor of this private super-secret waterfall.  The day carried on to a luxurious and very romantically styled picnic on the side of what could be one of Iceland’s most powerful subglacial volcanos.  So exciting!  A wickedly awesome drive through some of Iceland’s sweetest canyons and then on to one of our last stops was a gorgeous black sand beach that had amazing basalt columns protruding from the North Atlantic Ocean.

Upon returning to Hotel Ranga, the couple was greeted with a stunningly styled (by us, Iceland Wedding Planner of course) intimate Iceland wedding reception for two overlooking the beautiful Ranga River.  Accoutrements included connections to nature within the rock centerpieces, organic salt Iceland wedding favors, an elegant Iceland wedding menu card, and flasks that said, “The Adventure Begins…”  A luxury elopement in Iceland screams details.  That’s just what this fabulous couple received!  As the sun began to set after dinner, we headed back out to a sweet little sod farm for a few more images ending our adventure just after midnight!

A remarkable couple plus an extraordinary day, surely equals mesmerizing Iceland wedding photos, as you’ll see below compliments of Photos by Miss Ann!  Enjoy!!

With a smile, Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographer and International Wedding Planner)

© 2015, Iceland Wedding Planner /  Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Luxury Icelandic Elopement appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Shira and Matan are one of the most amazing couples I have ever met!  They were brought together by their passion for travel, love of NYC, and have an amazing deep rooted love and respect for each other, that most of us can only hope to have one day.  Seriously, I’m envious!  Shira is beautiful, articulate, and just GLOWS when she is in Matan’s presence!  Matan is beyond GQ, professional, and cares for Shira like every man should.

So you know how I always say that Iceland is moody and unpredictable and you should be prepared for the worst weather conditions no matter the season?  I’m not kidding.  It doesn’t matter if you’re getting married in the middle of winter or summer, you need to be a couple that embraces the essence of Iceland and her fickleness.  Shira and Matan were married on Sunday, July 5^th 2015 and were primed for Iceland’s ever changing conditions and equipped their guests with poncho’s, umbrellas, and luxurious super jeeps for their Iceland wedding adventure.  Turns out they needed them!

The day began at Hotel Grimsborgir which is a beautiful hotel in Selfoss, Iceland.  Shira adorned a beautiful BHLDN dress for their ceremony while, Matan had a custom suit from NYC that was even embroidered with their wedding date!  I love details and all of theirs were swoonable!  The Jewish contract signing began at 7:15am with their immediate family and following all of their guests loaded into the super jeeps for the day’s super-secret Iceland wedding adventure!

The Chuppah was set against a super-secret waterfall and even though it was pouring down with rain, Shira, Matan, and all of their fabulous guests had endless smiles on their faces!  The adventure continued to a glacier and gorgeous cave where the couple held a wonderful champagne toast!  When the adventure concluded, the guests were welcomed to an amazing 4 course Iceland wedding reception that was styled with a very rustic romance vibe with traces of Iceland throughout.  We are super excited to share with you some of our favorites from their day below, enjoy!

With a smile, Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographer and Adventure Wedding Planner)

© 2015, Iceland Wedding Planner /  Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Secret Waterfall Wedding in Iceland: Shira + Matan appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Do you even know about having a super cute champagne lunch picnic or a styled Iceland wedding reception table?  You should.  Even though you’re eloping, there should still be a little glitz and glam to wow you on your destination wedding day.

<Enter Us>  We get it, we design for months, create, pick out unique items, and style an unforgettable setup that will make you swoon on your Iceland wedding day!

Have no idea what that might look like?  Good News!  Today I bring you an Iceland Wedding Reception that is romantically styled for two!  Atlanta, Georgia couple, Miranda and Pete expressed an interest to me about having a “Fire & Ice” themed wedding from the schedule to the styled Iceland wedding reception table design.  I was most certainly up to the challenge to creating and commissioning some unique items to complete this fabulous Iceland wedding reception!

In case you missed it, don’t forget to head back to Pete and Miranda’s other Iceland elopement posts here:

• Godafoss Waterfall Wedding Ceremony
• Iceland Wedding Photos in Dimmuborgir Lava Field

Stay tuned next time as we head back to Southern Iceland for their super fun and romantic Iceland post wedding session!

With a smile, Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Planner and Photographer)

© 2015, Iceland Wedding Planner /  Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Northern Iceland Wedding Reception // Miranda + Pete appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Bethany and Richard from Chicago, Illinois embraced these ideals from the very beginning of their Iceland wedding planning escapades. When Bethany first emailed me she said, “The thing that struck me was how much the ruggedness and sheer beauty of the landscape complemented the couples in your photos.  We want to have a strong sense of place in our wedding and be surrounded by nature.” Then we Skyped… Um yeahhhhhh no brainer, I want you as my clients! Your wish is my command my dear!

When we set out to plan their fabulous wedding day in Iceland we had the opportunity to incorporate some ethnic dynamics such as a Chinese Tea Ceremony, family style story-telling, and Iceland inspired party favors at their wedding reception.

Bethany and Richard fell in love with holding their Iceland wedding ceremony at the legendary Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and so we did… Around 9am on a fabulous April morning, all of the guests began their Icelandic adventure wedding day from Vik and headed east for a thrill-seeking day of sunshine, hiking, and being awed by the vivid landscapes! Upon arrival to the lagoon, the excitement between the bride and groom was infectious and you could not keep your eyes off of them! They delighted in a beautiful Iceland Humanist wedding ceremony where they spoke their own vows to each other, ended with a sweet kiss in front of the floating icebergs and a rose petal toss in celebration!

Two super-secret waterfalls were next on their Iceland wedding adventure agenda and they were stunning as you will see from the gorgeous images from Photos by Miss Ann, below. The travel part of journey ended at the dramatic Reynisfjara black sand beach basalt columns and boy was it a lovely wave-crashing snow filled ending! After arriving back to the hotel, the guests freshened up and came downstairs to Richard and Bethany’s exquisitely set Iceland wedding reception! Oh la la and make sure you check out their Iceland wedding centerpieces, wedding favors, and menus, you’ll swoon I’m sure of it. Enjoy these Iceland wedding images below and as a side note folks – Did you see their impromptu Iceland Pre Wedding Session at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall? If not, go back here to view.

Bethany + Richard,

You two!!!!! Your wedding day was so much fun, can we do it all again like ASAP? You guys will go down in my Iceland wedding day history books as the couple who never said no =) I think seriously everything I suggested you both looked at me in unison and said YES! One of my favorite parts of the day was when Bethany hiked up her fabulous couture dress and scaled a fence, ladder, and went mountainside barefoot! A day full of amazing surprises, endless blue skies (until our snowy black sand beach photos), and spectacular Iceland wedding portraits! Thank you for the chance to be part of your epic day!

Lots of love, hugs, and smiles, Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographer and Planner)

© 2015, Iceland Wedding Planner /  Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Iceland Wedding Photographer: Bethany + Richard’s Southern Iceland Adventure Wedding appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.