Such a romantic quote that really captures the essentials of eloping in Iceland! We hope you have felt those dreamy vibes from the images we have shared with you over the last 3 posts of Farid and Vanessa’s Icelandic wedding adventure. If you missed it, be sure to go back and enjoy those posts here:

• Iceland Winter Engagement Session
• Iceland Wedding Ceremony at Lakeside Country Church
• Romantic Thingvellir National Park Wedding Photos

Today we are rounding out their thrill-seeking Iceland wedding day by bringing you back to the beginning of the day details and celebrating the end. All of which happened at the fabulous ION Luxury Adventure Hotel. Vanessa and Farid began their wedding day with a sunrise breakfast in ION’s Silfra Restaurant. After parting ways, Vanessa made her way down to the Lava Spa to meet the fabulous hairstylist Marion and talented makeup artist Harpa. Having such incredible light coming through the over-sized windows, we decided that it would be a stunning spot for Vanessa to get her wedding dress on along with doing a few pre-wedding bridal photos. Can you imagine a more perfect place to get ready for your wedding day in Iceland? Shortly after, we left for their Iceland wedding ceremony at a stunning lakeside country church and then the adventure continued to Thingvellir National Park for romantic Iceland winter wedding portraits.

After their beautiful Iceland wedding photos at Thingvellir while on the way back to the ION Hotel, we stumbled upon the sweetest horse farm! Icelandic horses are not like the typical North American sized horse. They are much smaller in stature with their cute stocky legs! I gave Farid and Vanessa part of my lunch to feed the horses and they became fast friends. One horse even became a little too friendly attempting to climb over the fence to play, surprising us all!

Back at the ION we continued the Iceland wedding photo adventure in the Northern Lights Bar and in the snow covered lava fields around the hotel. Farid and Vanessa made a February wedding in Iceland look gorgeous, right? You better believe it! A four course traditional Icelandic wedding reception dinner was exactly what they needed after an exciting day of newly wedded bliss and ION delivered. Iceland Wedding Planner thoughtfully decorated their sweetheart table with some dazzling details such as Iceland wedding menus, embroidered black and white bride and groom napkins, and the best Iceland wedding favors we have found to date… genuine Icelandic moss candles! Without further delay, we are super excited to share these Iceland wedding photos at the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel with you, enjoy!

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

2014, Iceland Wedding Planner / Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved.

The post Iceland Elopement at ION Luxury Adventure Hotel Selfoss | Wedding Photographer Iceland appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Thanks for stopping by our Iceland Wedding Planner blog today to check out our third installment on the very best and most unique Iceland wedding hotels!

Hveragerði (pronunciation found here) in Southwest Iceland, is known as the hot spring capital of the world.  It is only 45km from downtown Reykjavík, but still far enough away to offer a spacious country feel.  This fabulous and historical city is home to one of our favorite Iceland wedding hotels, Frost and Fire.  It is unlike any other hotel in Iceland, because of its distinctive experience.  There are very few hotels in the world that are built on active geothermal land.  The property also borders alongside of a river with hiking trails, and a waterfall.  Being outside of the city limits of Reykjavik also allows the chance of viewing the Northern Lights during the winter months.

The first rooms of this boutique hotel were built in 1995 and it has continued over the years to expand along the banks of the Varma River.  Presently, Frost and Fire has 19 rooms with 4 more on the way to completed by this summer.  The location, the wilderness that surrounds, and staff really set Frost and Fire a part from others in the area.  The river Varma which flows behind the hotel never freezes because of the geothermal heat exiting the ground.  The steam vents around the property exude volcanic gas, bubble, and hiss.  It’s a pretty sight to see especially at night, as it creates a dreamy and romantic atmosphere.

Iceland Wedding Planner’s Visit to Frost and Fire:

From the moment we first­ heard about Frost and Fire in 2012, we were so excited to stay there.  Frost and Fire is such a unique location for couples planning an Iceland wedding that we had to try it out ourselves.  We had made the drive that December morning from Hali Country Hotel in Hofn to Frost and Fire in Hveragerði.  From Route 1 you turn onto Breiðamörk Road which takes you into the town of Hveragerði.  It has a well maintained historical downtown.  So if you have time to spend, check it out!

As you head further up the road towards Frost and Fire you will be passing by the Varma hot spring river and Reykjafoss waterfall on the right hand side.  This charming waterfall was once the site of a wool factory (1902 – 1914) which ran its electricity from the power generated by the waterfall.  Now stands just a ruin of the factory’s foundation, but the old world stones provide a fabulous backdrop for some really gorgeous Iceland wedding photos.

If you continue down the road, you will find Frost and Fire’s entrance on the right hand side.  Once you park and step out of the car you may smell a tinge of sulphur and see steam rising from mounds in the ground.  You check in at the main building where the restaurant Varma is.  No matter the hour you check in a staff member will greet you with a warm smile, give you direction to your room, and explain the wonderful amenities.  We felt so welcome and thrilled to be there!

Our room was in the main building on the far left side near the pool.  The walk to our room was decorated by wall hangings from local Iceland wool artists.  Inside of the room was bright, fun, and inviting.  It was very clean and offered all the comforts of home (queen size bed, hairdryer, warm towels, sandals, robes, TV, and coffee).  To our surprise, our room also offered a phenomenal balcony that gave us a direct view of the rippling Varma river.

After settling in to our romantic abode, we changed and decided to give their spa facilities a whirl.  They have a 39 foot geothermal heated swimming pool, hot tubs, a circulation relaxation room, and a sauna which all guests have the ability to use at any of time during their stay.  They also offer massage and acupuncture services onsite by appointment.  The swimming pool and hot tubs were our personal favorites during our stay, especially at night.  Feeling the cold air rush beside you, seeing the stars, and steam rising from the ground created a romantic and mysterious setting that is unforgettable.

In the restaurant Varma, they serve traditional Icelandic foods such as an appetizer titled, “A Taste of Iceland” which is a mix in season traditional foods like smoked puffin/goose, Icelandic langoustine, Artic Char, etc (2,200 ISK / 20 USD).  They also have other interesting menu items to choose from like Fish Stew (2,800 ISK / 25 USD) and Grilled Horse Tenderloin (4,440 ISK / 40 USD).

We had kept our fingers crossed for seeing the Northern Lights that night but sadly our clear night turned into a downpour of rain for the remainder of our stay.  But had we been graced by the Northern Lights presence, a staff member would have come around and knocked on each guests door to let them know to come out.  When we turned in for the night we kept the sliding balcony door open slightly to hear the sound of the river rushing, it was so relaxing to sleep to!

A European style breakfast is included with your room stay each morning and is served in the Varma restaurant.  You can anticipate fresh fruit,  different types of rúgbrauði (rugbread), cereals, meats, cheeses, liver oil shots, coffee, juices, and a special boil an egg station.  Guests are invited to try their hand at boiling an egg in the geothermal ground outside.  What a unique experience!

Despite the sideways rain during most our stay at Frost and Fire, we still enjoyed every second of it!  Before leaving Frost and Fire, we took a 10 minute walk down the path south of the hotel and enjoyed the wool factory ruin and Reykjafoss waterfall.  There is a flat area to the left side of the waterfall that would be perfect for a intimate Iceland waterfall wedding of 20 people or so.  In case of rain an alternative option could be Hveragerðiskirkja Church only minutes away.  The closest natural wonder attraction to Frost and Fire would be the Geothermal Park where you can take a dip in warm hot springs, bake bread with heat from the ground, or hike.  If you visit in the summer they are open every day otherwise you must call ahead.  Frost and Fire is a great base camp if you intend on doing a self drive tour of the Golden Circle as it is close proximity of Gulfoss Waterfall, Geysir, Kerid Volcanic Crater Lake, Skálholt, and river rafting on Hvítá.

Frost and Fire is an optimum location for Iceland spring and summer weddings.  With a waterfall on the pathway south of Frost and Fire’s property, it provides a grand natural backdrop. What a romantic walk it would be for guests and the bride to take.  So dreamy!  The hotel and restaurant can accommodate an Iceland destination wedding of up to 50 people.

We had a wonderful time chatting with the owner, Elfa Dögg Þórðardóttir about Iceland destination weddings at Frost and Fire.  She offered this advice to couples planning an Iceland wedding, “Have enough time for hotel reservations, since we get fully booked over the summertime.  Use the amazing nature.” We very much agree with Elfa too!  If you’re planning an Iceland summer wedding you should try to book at least 12-18 months before to ensure your first choice on location.  Frost and Fire is already taking bookings into 2015, so do not delay if you’re interested in staying here on your Iceland wedding day, honeymoon, or romantic getaway.

Frost and Fire’s Contact Information:

Website: http://www.frostogfuni.is/
Address: 810 Hverhamar; Hveragerdi, Iceland
Frost and Fire GPS Coordinates: 64.006122 N” -21.184113 W”
Phone : +354 483-4959
E-mail: info@frostogfuni.is

Thanks for stopping by our Iceland Wedding Blog today and checking out Frost and Fire.  Remember to go back to our other posts in this series too as you plan your Iceland wedding adventure:  Hali Country Hotel and Hotel Laekur.  Make sure you come back to read about our final location that topped our favorite host hotel list for 2013, you won’t want to miss it!  If you’re a couple who has decided on Iceland as your destination wedding location, congratulations!  We’d love to chat with you more about your dream wedding in Iceland, be your wedding planners and Iceland wedding photographers!  Please feel free to contact us directly here.

With a smile, Ann & Chris Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographers)

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

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