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.

Faroe Islands

Are you racking your brain right now trying to figure out where are the Faroe Islands?  They are owned by Denmark (just as Greenland is) and are a hypnotizing set of islands in-between Iceland, Norway, and the U.K.  Inside these magical 18 islands you will lose yourself and find yourself over and over again.  …and the almost unbelievable part is when you leave the islands, you’ll be overcome with an unyielding amount of inspiration, focus, and view of nature that you didn’t know was possible.  You’ll almost believe Faroe Islands = Narnia!

You giggle, but I’m serious!  What other place has more grass covered houses than anywhere in the world, more sheep than people, horses playing in magical looking areas (see below), jagged cliff edges that will get your heart pumping, hikes that are self-finding, a serenity that you thought only exists in your mind, and a place that still offers a deep and rich culture that mixes the best of the best Nordic worlds of Denmark and Iceland?!  Nowhere, Natta, No place but the magnificent Faroe Islands, I tell you!  …and you all know I’ve traveled the world seeking the world’s best Adventure Wedding spots!

Within the mainland island just a 5 minute drive from the sparkling seaside city of Torshavn, sits on a hillside overlooking the city, the perfect Faroe Islands wedding location: Hotel Føroyar.  Back in September I was lucky enough to call this amazing hotel my home base for several nights as I location scouted both on land and on sea for epic Faroe Island wedding locations!  From the moment I arrived, I smiled.  It was very late and pitch dark but I was able to see the lights shinning from the city below and when I opened my hotel room window I found that the hotel was built right into the hill it was perched upon!  The next morning, I may or may not have climbed out my window and did somersaults down it

So, are you wondering why I personally loved Hotel Føroyar?  The connection I felt to nature was outrageously awesome.  Walking towards the entrance to the hotel, you see the entire roof of the hotel is grass covered and then you follow your way to the reception desk and the colors, tones, and textures all feel earthy but with an underling accent of luxury.  I was given my keys and told to walk down the hallway where there are rocks from the land incorporated right into the walls you pass to your room.  It was brilliant, really freaking brilliant!

…and then you ask me the real question: Why would I choose Hotel Føroyar to hold my Faroe Island destination wedding?  I would playfully ask the question back to you as, “Why the heck wouldn’t you? It’s the best the Faroe Islands has to offer, hands down.” #TrueStory

There are 106 panoramic view rooms overlooking the amazing city below.  The room list follows below:

• Clinton Suite
• Prime Ministers Suite
• (2) Wedding Suites –I toured and loved!
• (98) Double rooms –I stayed in one and it was light, bright, and beautiful.
• (2) Family rooms
• (2) Combined family/handicap rooms

All of the rooms are well equipped and even more so, I think by American standards and offers the following in-room amenities:

• Fast Wifi
• Private bathroom with shower/bathtub
• Full size hairdryer
• Vanity Pack (hair tie, cotton balls/pads, nail files, earplugs, and q-tips)
• Minibar
• Telephone
• Clock Radio
• Work Station
• Iron/Ironing board
• Digital TV (10 channels) / Satellite TV
• Coffee and tea facilities
• Wake Up Call
• Free Parking
• Additional Costing Services are available as well such as the following: Room Service, Car Hire, Laundry Service, Horseback Riding, and Excursions.

Another reason why you should consider Hotel Føroyar is because they have lavish conference rooms that can perfectly accommodate your Faroe Island wedding reception from a whimsical Faroese elopement to a 300+ guest list.  There are 3 standout locations within Hotel Føroyar that I was totally struck by… First, the VIP top floor houses a hall that can capably host your 340 guest Faroe Islands wedding reception.  Second, there is a wine cellar that would be perfect for your intimate elopement for two or exclusive party of 10 that has a deep romantic vibe embedded in it.  Third, there is the CUTEST little grass covered trailer that can fit your fabulous party of 2-8 people in it and it can be towed to some of the really amazing spots we have scouted throughout the island!  Talk about service and options, right?  So I’m here right now, picturing you, your soon-to-be, and your closest friends/family indulging in exquisite cuisine… Seaside, Cliff-side, in View of an Amazing Natural Wonder, or set within one of their super cute magical towns.  Are you in?!

The final reason why Hotel Føroyar is rounding out my Top 5 Adventure Wedding Hotel List for 2015 is the caliber of the food and the euphoria it left me in.  Never have I ever had such an intense, beautiful, and creative tasting experience than at Hotel Føroyar’s world renowned (and awarded) restaurant: KOKS.  For 3 hours and 21 courses, I put things in my mouth I never thought I would and each dish made me even more excited in taste and presentation.  For my lovely high-end foodies out there that are all about the adventurous experience during the day and the evening being about food and conversation… THIS IS THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION WEDDING EXPERIENCE.  The dishes were delicate, intriguing, and came with amazing drink pairings that amplified the experience (as if that was possible).  Each course was introduced by a restaurant staff member who was well-versed on the local/cultural ingredients and also a skilled sommelier. The menu I had follows below (don’t drool too much!):

1. Oda (Horse Mussels)
2. Igulker (Sea Urchins)
3. Toskur (Cod)
4. Jakupskel (Scallops)
5. Skerpikjot
6. Reydrotur (Beetroot)
7. Garnatalg
8. Rabarbur (Rhubarb)
9. Toskur Og Urtir (Cod and Herbs)
10. Skota Og Sanddunnuber (Skate and Sea Sandwort)
11. Makrelur Og Mairotur (Mackerel and Turnips)
12. Hummari (Langoustine)
13. Skinka Og Ostur (Ham and Cheese)
14. Breyd Og Raest Kjot (Bread and Lamb)
15. Sitronjarnurt Og Timian (Lemon Verbena and Thyme)
16. Sula Og Skardssyrusmaera (Gannet and Wood Sorrel)
17. Lamb Og Tari (Lamb and Seaweed)
18. Hvonn Og Jogurt (Angelica and Yoghurt)
19. Rabarbur Og Hvonn (Rhubarb and Angelica)
20. Godarad
21. Kvarkkoka (Cheese Cake)

Drink pairings were out of this world and follow below:

1. Cote 2000, Maison Bereche (Champagne, France)
2. Riesling Cuvee Theo 2013, Domaine Weinbach (Alsace, France)
3. Sancerre “Akmenine” 2011, Sebastien Riffault (Loire, France)
4. “La Mailloche” 2012, Andrew Tissot (Jura, Portugal)
5. Rinkusteinur, Okkara (Local Faroe Islands Beer)
6. Marquis de Terme 2009 (Margaux, Bordeaux, France)
7. Riesling Mandelgarten Spatlese 2013, Weingut Muller-Catoir (Pfalz, Germany)

To say that having your destination wedding in the Faroe Islands would be magical, would be an understatement.  Simply put, it would be an off the charts fairy-tale!  Mark my words folks, the Faroe Islands is just like Iceland was before the HUGE tourism boom… Pure, untouched, majestic, and no matter where you go you can escape people even in the frequented areas.  We would love to help you plan an incredible unforgettable adventure wedding in the Faroe Islands using Hotel Føroyar as your home base!  Please contact us for more information!

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

Hotel Føroyar Contact Information:

• Address: Oyggjarvegur 45 ; 100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
• Phone: Tel +298 31 75 00
• Website: http://www.hotelforoyar.com/
• GPS Cords: 62.0128859 / -6.8013864

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

The post Top Faroe Islands Wedding Location: Hotel Føroyar appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.