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.

>>>> Meet Jen.  Meet Jeff. <<<<

This adventurous duo started dating and shortly after took their first trip together and guess where that was?  ….ICELAND!  They were hooked.  So when the topic came up of where they would hold their wedding, Iceland was the only place that felt right.

We had so much fun Iceland wedding planning with these two!  After much awesome debate, they decided that Hotel Glymur and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula needed to be part of their Iceland wedding adventure!

How cute and practical are these sweet little Iceland wedding welcome bags?

…and Jen’s Iceland wedding dress!!! Swoon! Perfect dress to blow in the Icelandic winds!

My favorite kind of Iceland wedding shoes, are BOOTS!  Love’me some Hunter rain boots and frilly dress for an adventure wedding!

Jen and Jeff held a STUNNING Iceland Wedding Ceremony at Hotel Glymur overlooking the whale fjord (Hvalfjörðinn).

They chose to hold a beautiful Humanist Iceland wedding ceremony.  The low lying clouds provided such a mysteriously beautiful backdrop.

Once the ceremony concluded their 40 guests loaded into a bus for the day to embark on a wonderful Iceland adventure wedding day.  Our first stop was the magical area of Arnarstapi.

Jen + Jeff spent a little while exploring these inspiring windy seaside cliffs.

The clouds may have been overcast and at times threatened rain, but Jen and Jeff continued to adventure, laugh hand in hand, and find time for kisses in between

If you already didn’t know, Iceland if flooded with waterfalls, especially on rainy days the island somehow becomes even more magically filled with them.  Do you see the secret one behind them that falls into the sea?  Dreamy!

How lucky are they to take a romantic stroll through this rocky sea arch?!  Heights worry Jen, but she was not worried along this stretch because from her perspective it looked like just a huge rock pathway (totally stable and awesome).  But from my perspective it looks like this! Storybook!

This one is one of my favorite moments during Jeff and Jen’s Iceland wedding adventure.  Why you ask?  Look at it!  The incredible look of adoration they have on their faces, the waves crashing, the colors, the textures, and the tones!!

What do you think about Jen’s Iceland wedding bouquet?! I adore the whites with pops of green!

Uh, and there are those boots and frills again! #yesplease

Did you know that Arnarstapi is also a super sweet little fishing village too?  Crazy cute houses line the area.

Jen + Jeff’s Iceland wedding day journey with their guests continued to taking breathtaking Iceland Wedding Photos at a Gorgeous Golden Sand Beach.

This fab beach was the perfect place to engage their guests in a delicious Iceland wedding champagne toast!

The third stop these two surprised their guests with was the famed area in the Snaefellsnes named Kirkjufellsfoss where an incredible mountain and waterfall reside.  This is a very special place and I was thrilled to take their Iceland Wedding Photos at this striking waterfall!

After the last stop, we were on our way back to the hotel and the guests had  an hour to rest and refresh.  Then at 8pm the guests were invited to enjoy a lovely Iceland Wedding Reception!

The decor theme held strong elements of an earthy vibe complete with a moss runner down the tables, twigs, and candles both high and low.

Hotel Glymur always puts on a mouth-watering show for our Iceland wedding clients.  Jen and Jeff’s wedding was no exception, as they created an amazing custom menu option.

A very special wedding dessert treat concluded Jen and Jeff’s very special night!

How remarkable are their Iceland wedding rings?  Custom and totally one of a kind!

Ohhhhh Jen + Jeff!!  Your day was extraordinary and filled with endless amounts of love, laughs, and just the right amount of adventure to delight in!  I know Iceland is forever engrained into your souls so I look forward to seeing you again! …and wish you the very best on your exciting months ahead!

Also head over to Mountainside Bride to see more of their beautiful day!

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 at Hotel Glymur | Jen + Jeff 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.

Did you see our AMAZING clients, Sarah and Sean, our mother company: Your Adventure Wedding and sister company Photos by Miss Ann featured today on the fabulous Brides Without Borders blog?  You. Must. Go. Here. Now.

…stay tuned shortly for our yearly series of the “best wedding hotels list!”

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

The post Iceland Wedding Blog Feature appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Seriously, I do and I hope you do too!  I know for sure this amazing couple who met in Alaska and now reside in Wyoming do!  If you recall, Ciara and Jared married on August 1^st on the cutest little sod farm in Iceland.  Head back here, to relive it.  Or better yet, go see their wonderful wedding featured today on one of my favorite wedding blogs, Fab You Bliss.

Seeking adventure and great light in summer in Iceland usually begins with a 3am sunrise.  When I suggested that time to Ciara and Jared, they didn’t even bat an eyelash, woohoo for me!  So there we were, on the road for their Iceland Engagement Session from the lovely Ion Luxury Adventure Hotel at 1am heading Southeast.  I was stopped in my tracks as I watched this gorgeous light come up behind Skogafoss Waterfall.

We. Had. To. Stop.

Some of my favorites from their Iceland Pre-Wedding Session below, enjoy!

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

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

The post Sunrise Iceland Engagement Session 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.

The groom, Jared contacted me first with a rather cute email way back in September of 2013 saying, “I’m on an initial scout attempt at epic wedding locations. Searched for Iceland and it brought me to your site.  You’re awesome, exactly what we are looking for.” And then a month or so later his bride Ciara, follows the message up with, “We can Skype soon but we’re currently moving from Alaska to Wyoming, so maybe next week?”   I totally laughed and enjoyed those notes for 2 reasons:

1. Knowing Jared after 2 years of planning, he’s a hardcore adventurer (so is Ciara), a jokester, and pretty straight to the point too! …and Ciara wanted to make sure I knew why there was a delay in their response, you know she’s the super sweet thoughtful half of this dynamic duo.
2. I am happy that even 2 years ago I was spot on my brand message of planning adventure weddings, my vibe, and obviously my virtual personality protruded its way out from my words for folks to be EXCITED when they contacted me. That’s the goal, you know?

When we started planning Ciara and Jared’s August 1^st Iceland wedding almost 2 years ago, they were in love with the idea of getting married at the magnificent Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.  But after a super exciting pre-wedding day portrait session with them the Friday before their Iceland wedding day, I walked them around the area of the waterfall.  They both looked at each other and were overwhelmed by the amount of tourists flocking the areas (it’s changed THAT much in 2 years).

As you know from reading some of my previous posts, having an Iceland wedding in summer can be a bit of a challenge due to the crowds of tourists at all of the famed Route 1 stops.  I’m very aware and conscience that not all budgets allow the luxury of having super jeeps to escape the tourists so sometimes we need to get crafty on angles, get hiking, or I present plan “b” routes on the spot.  While, there were several nook and cranny spots I suggested to Ciara and Jared, that they could have had considered to have a more private feeling at the waterfall, in the end we executed “Plan B!”  There is a little hidden gem of a sod farm nearby we instead held their intimate affair.  Between the grass covered houses, rivers, pathways, cattle, mountains and the stunning 1800’s church it felt right for them.

The morning began at the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel with my “A-Team” of Iceland Hair and Makeup Artists and we were quickly out the door and on our way to the Icelandic Sod Farm.  The Iceland wedding ceremony scene was set with gorgeous colorful rose petals and unforgettable view as Ciara and Jared forever vowed themselves to each other at that Icelandic ranch.  The Iceland wedding day journey continued onto many locations inside the historical UNESCO site, Thingvellir National Park.  Afterwards, guests were welcomed back to a lovely Iceland wedding reception at the ION.  The reception was styled as if guests were stepping onto an Icelandic ranch, it was awesome! Wooden details, burlap, moss, petals for color, and a giant cow skin rug!  Swoon!  Anyhow, we hope you delight in their lovely Iceland wedding images take by Photos by Miss Ann, below!

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

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

The post Rustic Ranch Wedding in Iceland | Ciara + Jared appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

There they stood out on a jagged cliff in front of the massive 40 foot by 100 feet wide waterfall professing their lifetime love to each other.  It was wildly stunning and the essence of an adventure wedding by pushing their fear of heights limits!  Today, I share with you their Iceland wedding ceremony at Godafoss Waterfall, enjoy!

Their amazing elopement adventure continued to the other amazing locales:

• Iceland Wedding Photos in Dimmuborgir Lava Field
• Iceland Wedding Reception for 2

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

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

The post Godafoss Waterfall Wedding: Iceland Elopement Photographer appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

You know the place that if I could snap my fingers and be there right now, I would.  Believe it or not, it’s an easy answer for me- it’s Hvítserkur Sea Arch.

This hidden gem is off-the-beaten-path in the untouched Vatnsnes Peninsula of Northwestern Iceland.  Some say from a distance formation looks the like a dragon is drinking water- you be the judge! The road to get there is a little bumpy but take it slow.  Park, breathe in a deep breath of the crazy awesome fresh air, and then hike down (or walk out to the left until you’re in front of it and then try to traverse down) from the parking point.  I have found it far more fun to traverse my way down from that point and then walk the beach to the sea arch.  It’s stunning and at low tide you can actually walk right to it and touch it.

One of my fabulous previous brides feel in love with this spot too, so we decided to do a Iceland post wedding bridal session followed by a pretty little styled session at a nearby hotel.  Today this striking session is featured on Crazy Beautiful Weddings blog so I thought I’d share some of my faves from Hvítserkur Sea Arch here too, enjoy!

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

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

The post Northern Iceland Post Wedding Bridal Session at Hvítserkur Sea Arch appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Did you see us featured today on the ground breaking wedding inspiration blog: Burnett’s Boards?  We are over the moon excited… so take a moment to fall in love with Iceland over and over again…. HERE!

Hugs and Love,  Ann + Beth

The post Iceland Wedding Photographer + Planner Featured on Burnetts Boards appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.