Christophe: 

NYC Digital Guru who is an epicurean of all things delicious.  Dapper from head to toe.  Addicted to super cool things like Iceland, adventure travel, and Mary.

Mary:

She is hands down the most adventurous, compassionate, and thoughtful person I have ever met.  She cares about others on a level that doesn’t exist in most people. Not to mention she is also one of the most beautiful!

Together:

They make my cheeks hurt from smiling so much by simply just being around them.  The love they radiate is contagious, serves as an example to the world and makes you want to love whoever is in your life, harder and deeper.  …and they adventure together, often.

Quickly bonding over their shared obsession for good food, adventure seeking, travel, love of motorcycles and a continuous curiosity with Iceland…. They soon found themselves ~2,100 feet up on top of Whistler Mountain the day after Valentine’s Day where Christophe got down on one knee and proposed a lifetime of love and epic adventures to Mary.  She said “yes” and Iceland destination wedding planning began!  ::Update:: Checkout more of their amazing images on the Destination I Do blog, when they featured it, HERE!

One of the most important aspects of having a wedding in Iceland was that Christophe and Mary wanted to share in an EXPERIENCE with their friends and family not just have a wedding day like they could have back in the USA (church to reception).  To their guests surprise they were invited to an epic wedding day journey beside Mary and Christophe exploring the purest areas of Iceland.  Come along with me as I share with you some highlights from their 100+ person Rugged Adventure Wedding in Iceland!  All images you’ll see below were captured by myself and other primary photographer, Jean Smith!

Also check out Destination I Do Magazine’s blog for more from their amazing day (and specifics from the couple!), HERE!

The day began in a quaint little village called Vik.  The town of Vik is about 2.5 hours from the capital of Reykjavik.  The area is known for some of the most stunning landscapes but also the most amount of wind and rain.  It’s a tradeoff risk Christophe and Mary were willing to take.  “Boots and Suits” were the dress code theme and within each guest’s welcome bag they found some helpful items to help during the adventure like a backpack for a shoe change and an emergency rain poncho.  How fun, right?

By 9:30am their 100+ guests gathered in the hotel lobby and patiently waited for the super jeeps to arrive.  They were shuttled up to the top of the hill in the village where a beautiful white and red church sits overlooking the village.

Christophe and Mary professed their endless love to each other in that sweet little countryside church.

From there, we went waterfall hunting!  After hiking for 10 minutes their group was greeted with a secret waterfall to explore!

Did you know that between all of our 9+ Super Jeeps we had for their 100+ person Iceland wedding adventure the bride and groom had the ability to talk to their guests and sync a music playlist?  You can only imagine how that increased everyone’s excitement level!

The second stop on the adventure wedding agenda was a hot dog bbq lunch in a private cave!  To get there, we forged some sweet rivers and jammed out to music.  Once there everyone ate a delicious lamb hot dog with all the sauces (Icelanders LOVE their sauces) and fixings (like raw and fried onions), toasted with Christophe’s family’s champagne (La Caravelle) and had a fun Icelandic sing-along.  The energy from all the excitement in there was intoxicating and truly an unforgettable experience!

A subglacial volcano was the next exploration spot.  It rained a lot, but the smiles just got bigger the closer we got to the glacier.  Everyone was in utter awe of the colors, depth, tones, and textures.  And even in the rain, Christophe and Mary bounced around laughing and playing together hand in hand.

The final stop for the guests was my favorite private beach.  It comes complete with epic sea arch, black sand, and a stunning glacier view.  To say everyone enjoyed would be an understatement!

The team of Iceland wedding photographers and videographers continued to our last stop with just the bride and groom….  A private canyon area where some of my favorite shots from the day were taken!

The rest of the group had about an hour to rest and refresh before they were invited to delight in an incredible four course Icelandic meal.  Many amazing toasts, endless laughs, delicious cocktails, and dancing kept the night lively. Then close to the final hour the couple cut their traditional Icelandic wedding cake for a sweet treat!

Just when you thought the night might be coming to an end, several folks in the group went on a Northern Lights hunt.  They were successful too, somewhere around 2am!  Perfect end to a fabulous September wedding in Iceland!  Our friends at Two Penny Productions created a lovely video (including those dancing Northern Lights) documenting Christophe and Mary’s adventurous wedding day in Iceland.  We encourage you to go check it out here and leave them some love!

Mary + Christophe,

Ugh. You two!!  You’re disgustingly BEAUTIFUL humans, both individually and together.  Getting to know you over the last 2 years has been a super fun experience!  I’m going to miss our 5am Skype calls and your witty emails.  But!  You will not escape me anytime I come to NYC or you come to Iceland

I cannot say it any better than my friend Pastor Egill… “Part of your home is here now.  You are home here in Iceland.”  I know you know this in your hearts, feel this, and that you will always come back to have more experiences and incredible adventures here.  I’m excited to see your marriage and journey unfold!  Lots of love and hugs to you!!

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

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

The post Vik Iceland Rugged Adventure Wedding: Christophe + Mary appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

So who do you tip and when do you tip them?  Here are the folks that make your Iceland wedding day smooth and how you may show your appreciation for their time and attention in making your Iceland wedding day unforgettable!  (Side Note: This cost would be in addition to their base fee’s):

• Iceland Hair Stylist: $30-60 USD
  • When to Tip: Immediately following your service.

• Iceland Makeup Artist: $30-60 USD
  • When to Tip: Immediately following your service.

• Iceland Wedding Day Transportation: $100-300 USD to each driver
  • When to Tip: Immediately following your service.

• Iceland Wedding Celebrant: $50-100 USD or a donation to their organization
  • When to Tip: Immediately following your service.

• Iceland Wedding Photographer (each): $100-400 USD per person depending on hours covered (half day versus full day)
  • When to Tip: After you have received the final product.

• Iceland Wedding Videographer: $100-400 USD per person
  • When to Tip: After you have received the final product.

• Iceland Wedding Planner: $100-500 USD or a thoughtful gift.
  • When to Tip: Immediately following your service.

• Iceland Wedding Day of Planner (Coordinator): $100-300 USD
  • When to Tip: Immediately following your service.

• Iceland Wedding Reception Waitstaff: $50-100 USD per person
  • When to Tip: Immediately following your service.

• Iceland Wedding Ceremony Musicians: $50-100 USD per person playing
  • When to Tip: Immediately following your service.

• Iceland Wedding Reception Musicians: $50-100 USD per person  playing
  • When to Tip: Immediately following your service.

• Any Post Wedding Adventure Guides (Ice Climbing, Scuba Diving, Caving, Snorkeling, Glacier Guides, Inside Volcano Guides, etc): $25-100 USD
  • When to Tip: Immediately following your service.

• Waitstaff at Restaurants during your Iceland Post Wedding Adventures: 15-25% (note, some places do not offer a “tip line” so cash is appreciated!).

All Iceland wedding vendors, are happy to accept tips in ISK or USD/CAD, so no worries on exchanging monies!  You may want to plan on $500-1,000+ USD in your Iceland wedding budget for tipping during your day.  Maybe even have them in in thank you cards/envelopes ready to go.  In the meantime, I hope this post is helpful to you as you plan your epic Iceland wedding day adventure!

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

The post Tipping in Iceland || Iceland Wedding Planner Advice appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Well here we are again at the close of another unforgettable year!  Our hearts are gratefully overflowing here at Iceland Wedding Planner and Photos by Miss Ann!  Big amazing changes, exceptional opportunities, partnerships, and we were blessed with so many incredible couples that chose us to be a part of their Iceland wedding day adventures!  Thank you!

As we look into the new year… We are off the charts excited about 2015!  The designs, styling, Iceland wedding locations we have coming up for our 2015 couples are EPIC in every way, and not to mention every single couple we have on our books next year is frankly the definition of ADVENTUROUS!

Instead of wishing you Happy Holidays… I want to wish you a legendary start and countless adventures in 2015!  My advice: Make 2015 be the year of YOU, filled with unforgettable experiences that push your limits!  Do it, I dare you.

On that note, I’d like to share a super fun Iceland wedding video I shot while traversing my way around the country, exploring new and exciting locations for YOUR Iceland wedding (Note: The new super secret locales didn’t make the cut as those spots are reserved for our clients eyes only)!  But in the meantime, please come with me to Iceland and Get Married!  I can help you =)

With a smile, Ann + Team (Iceland Wedding Photography & Planning)

Note: The amazing song is called “The Road” by the fabulous Frank Turner

© 2012-2015, Iceland Wedding Planner, All Rights Reserved

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