…and today I write you from the “bottom of the world” in Ushuaia, Argentina.  The furthest most Southern city of the world.  I find it slightly ironic since my business first started at the token “top of the world” in the Nordic countries.  It seems only fitting I begin my best year yet here at the bottom!

As many of my weekly followers know, 2015 was a big year of changes for me personally and also professionally.  But taking a big bird’s eye view back over the last several years (and maybe you will to?), I sit for a moment, smile and am reminded at how different each year has been for me as well.  Different in gratitude, grace, in mission, and adventure.  I am addicted to it, crave it, live it daily, and breathe adventure every day in my life and in my career.  When those two things aligned, my life changed to purely positive.  I learned how to love, live in the moment, embrace my passions, found where there is a will there is always a way, and a renewed respect and admiration for people and cultures, I frankly didn’t know was possible.

I committed to myself after my divorce was finalized in January 2015, I very would very bravely pack up everything I own, put it in a storage unit, and leave the USA to travel for a year in order to bring my Adventure Wedding concept to life.  I did and I have absolutely no regrets (even after flipping a car in Galloway, Ireland) as I come to the close of 2015.  The things I have seen, tasted, and experienced, I could write for years on (and I will, so please follow Your Adventure Wedding).  The new offbeat locations I have brought into my destination wedding planning repertoire are unbelievable!  Did you see my travel schedule I posted?  That was just a simple taste as to what I have planned… if you know me, you know I get down and offbeat, not mainstream tourism!  My travels continue on into 2016 and I will continue to live out of only 3 suitcases and a purse =)  It’s a lifestyle I have come to love and embrace whole heartedly with all my being.

Follow me on Instagram to see daily updates and/or inspiration!

Additionally, I am incredibly thankful to the couples who trusted me in 2015 to plan and forever document their Iceland weddings and elopements (and locations beyond), it was so amazing to be a part of history with you!  No one can rock out rainy, snowy, and cloudy weddings with a smile, like you!  I have the best most hardcore clients ever, THANK YOU for being so badass!  …and to my fabulous couples upcoming in 2016 and 2017, you have challenged me and more importantly, trusted me to step it up a notch and plan some indescribably unique things in some incredible places, I heart you!!  THANK YOU and I look forward to making it the best year yet!!

To my amazing partners all over the world… Without you I wouldn’t be able to rock out adventure weddings in some of the most obscure locations people told me weren’t possible!  Thank you for supporting and running with me in my crazy awesome visions!  I’m really excited to having you as part as our “A-Team” of vendors as we change the way the world views destination weddings!

So, I left you a little teaser from last week’s Christmas Eve post about some big news, right?!  In an effort to continue our mission of leading the change in the destination wedding industry to equal Adventure Weddings… I’m happy to announce that we have officially opened up our South American market!  If you’re an outdoorsy couple who loves to hike, be in the middle of epic landscape scenes, and be completely awed by nature then allow me to introduce you to the underrated: Patagonia.  ….wondering where it is?

Patagonia sits within the Andes mountain range in Southern sections of Chile and Argentina.  This is also where the mysterious and most intriguing “W” trek of mountains live and breathe.  There are volcanos, lakes, rainforests, glaciers, fjords, caves, penguins, bird watching, endless mountain views, and so many unique experiences to be had, you will not be able to sit patiently still!  We would love to chat more with you about this location being your unforgettable destination wedding location, please contact us for more information and if you’re up to the challenge of being the first!

Every year, must conclude with reliving some lovely moments in time, right?  Today, I’d like to share with you a few of our favorites from the 2015 Iceland wedding year (Note: We do not post the majority of our Iceland weddings or destination weddings on this blog because we respect the privacy of our high profile clients) but some of our clients love and allow us to share them with you, so let’s look back and delight in those today along with a few of my favorite travel photos!

Enjoy!  …and cheers (Skal!) to you and yours as we head into 2016 being our best year yet!
With a smile, Ann Peters (Adventure Wedding Planner and Photographer)

PS- Come back next time to see the most amazing elopement we planned and photographed at the Igloo Hotel in Lapland!

© 2015, Your Aventure Wedding / Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post 2015: We Came, We Conquered, and We Continue (Our Mission of Changing Destination Weddings to Adventure Weddings) appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Nordic Hotel Forum in Tallin, Estonia.

I’m so excited today, to introduce you to not only a gorgeous country in the Baltic States that is filled with heart-warming history, art, stunning villas, parks, delicious food, and endless activities for my thrill seekers, but a hotel that is near it all.  The Nordic Hotel Forum offers you luxury within walking distance of the Old Town Tallin and is minutes away from everything else!

I arrived at the hotel totally tired from driving in several hours from Latvia and as soon as I walked in my mood changed as the staff greeted me.  The super professional team took my bags from my hands, checked me in quickly and wished me a wonderful day.  I suddenly found my second wind!  Luckily too because I was minutes away from eating out of my mini bar or ordering room service when I was reminded about their FABULOUS 5 star restaurant on site: Restaurant Monaco!

The meal I had in this fabulous hotel and restaurant, was one of the most delicious, surprising, and inspiring I have ever had.  Not kidding folks… and I eat out a lot!  The chef is genius and the space is gorgeous!  Which proves to be the best combination for having a destination wedding in Estonia, am I right?  You want your guests to walk away from their meal saying, “Oh my, that was the BEST meal I have ever had!”

I began with the astonishing “signature drink” of the hotel and it was calm, cool, and refreshing!  I delighted in a delicious 4 course meal that evening that brought in some traditional elements like duck/deer but brought it up 100 notches by taste and presentation (as you’ll see from my photos below)! …and I might have had the most amazing thing I have ever put in my mouth for dessert.  Nothing like I have ever had before, it blew my mind as it exploded (literally and figuratively) in my mouth!

So why is this marvelous location ideal for your Nordic/Baltic Adventure Wedding?  Countless reasons really but a few of my favorite highlights follow below:

• We already know that check box #1 is marked with having: The Most Remarkable. Food Ever.
• 267 luxurious new modern rooms await you and all you love.
• One of the Newest and most elegantly Modern Designed hotels in Estonia.
• Sinine Salong Spa is right next to the hotel (you will not have to go far for your hair and makeup on your Estonia wedding day)!
• Premium Linens and Toiletries (and of course a full size hair dryer!).
• Free Wifi.
• Breakfast is included each morning.
• Fabulous Mini Bar.
• Can easily accommodate any handicap guest concerns and needs flawlessly.
• The hotel is already a proven “go to” location for local clients as well international for special events… Your Estonian Destination Adventure Wedding will have the highest attention to detail!
• They have 6 private rooms that can accommodate any event size flawlessly (Fun Fact: They are named after stars in the Northern sky and can house the following group sizes for weddings in each: Sirius – 250 guests, Capella – 150 guests, Arcturus – 80 guests, Vega – 40 guests, Altair – 25 guests and Miitsar – 10 guests).
• Seasoned professional staff who go above and beyond.
• A very Nordic / Estonian vibe is throughout the hotel with clean lines, local artist decor, and followed into the luxury rooms.
• Eco-Friendly Hotel from the floors to the ceiling!
• Room Service at your beckon call.
• 24-7 Business Center (we all know work doesn’t stop even on a wedding weekend)!
• The Monaco Restaurant, enough said.
• Swanky Lobby Bar
• Hot Tub, Sauna, Bar, Gym and lounge area on the top floor that overlooks the grand city of Tallin, Estonia. Check out their Leisure Room here.
• Nordic Hotel Forum is 10 minutes from the Tallin Airport.

It is no understatement to say that the happiest hotel in Tallin, Estonia is the Nordic Hotel Forum.  The vibe throughout the hotel and the attention to detail the staff has is the best I’ve seen in a city hotel.  The best thing is too is that the concierge on staff can direct you to anything your heart desires whether it be museums, art, historical villas, the beautiful national parks in the area, or lead you to more limit pushing escapades for your daily activities.  For my lovely adventure seekers, there are many many things within the area that will get your heart thumping!  Activities like the Tallin Balloon, Tallinn TV Tower, the Sailing vessel “Kajsamoor,” and the Tallinn Creative Hub!

You better come back next week as we head to our next location on our Top 5 Adventure Wedding Hotel List for 2015… It’s in one of the most majestic and mysterious places on the planet for you nature lovers out there!  If you missed out previous posts on this year’s list, please go back Vihula, Ammende, and Baltic Beach to enlighten yourself on them.

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

Nordic Hotel Forum Contact Information:

• Address: Viru väljak 3; 10111 Tallinn, Estonia
• Phone +372 622 2900
• Website: http://www.nordichotels.eu/en/
• GPS Coordinates: 59.437334 / 24.7529373

© 2002-2015, Photos by Miss Ann / Iceland Wedding Planner, All Rights Reserved

The post Top Adventure Wedding City Location: Nordic Hotel Forum appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

The majority of you are aware of my boundless passion for being an International Wedding Planner. Photographer. Adventurer. Entrepreneur. A lover of defining moments, people, and champagne.  You might also be privy to know that I’m on a serious mission to change the destination wedding industry.  Like heart attack serious.

No more thinking a destination wedding should equal a sunny all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean.  Not kidding folks, STOP thinking that now.  Time to learn and educate yourself, friends, family and random people on this topic!  It’ll make the world a far more interesting place, I promise.  I challenge you to stop being like everyone else and START to think about 17 hour kick-ass wedding adventure days that are in unique, offbeat, and destination wedding locations you’ve never heard of or know anything about until you talk to us.  That’s the stuff that you’ll (and your guests) will remember for the rest of your lives… THE EXPERIENCE of Mr. + Mrs. ____________ getting married in _____________ and having an epic wedding adventure day!

MISSION: Destination Weddings = Adventure, that simple. We’ve proven our adventure wedding concept works all over Iceland and the other amazing Nordic countries… so next step is for us to take on THE WORLD!  Are you brave enough to accept this challenge too?  If so, we’re ready for you!  <Enter in our new umbrella company>

Your Adventure Wedding

For the next year, we’re on a personal and professional mission to educate people and places on Your Adventure Wedding, why?

Because your wedding day SHOULD BE the ULTIMATE ADVENTURE!

It’s one of the single, most important days of your life.  Who wants to spend it in a stuffy church in your home town, with 100’s of people you don’t like very much, and eating food that doesn’t have any fun cultural elements to it?  Or worse yet, who wants to be married in the same overdone resort millions of others have already said “I do” at?  Ummm, not me.  Let’s be honest, not you either, right?  Alternative, please!  Instead, hold an unforgettable Adventure Wedding!

So!  All that being said, here’s our current travel schedule in case you want to help us change the world and stuff.  We’re excited to book any adventurous elopements, destination weddings, pre-wedding, post wedding, or honeymoon session in any of these locales, because don’t forget we own the photography company, Photos by Miss Ann too!

• September 2015: Baltic Sea Countries, Faroe Islands, and Iceland
• October 2015: Scotland, Iceland, California, and Scottish Isles
• November 2015: Turkey, Morocco, Italian Islands + Spanish Islands
• December 2015: Northern Finland + Peru
• January 2016: Patagonia
• February 2016: Brazil + Antarctica
• March 2016: Himalayan Countries
• April 2016: Himalayan Countries + Lofoten Islands
• May 2016: Faroe Islands + Iceland + Hungary
• June 2016: Madagascar + Iceland
• July 2016: Norway + Greenland + Iceland
• August 2016: Cyprus + Iceland
• September 2016: Portugal + Ireland + Iceland

In the meantime, contact us for more information or support our “change the destination wedding industry” effort by following us on Facebook or Instagram, okay?

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

The post Your Adventure Wedding Planner and Photographer: Travel Schedule appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Do you remember these two?  They got married on top of the subglacial volcano, Katla.  I don’t have to tell these two to come back to Iceland because they are forever called to it by their fabulous professions!  Remember when their gorgeous weddings photos and story were a big deal on the Daily Mail and the Offbeat Bride blog?  I do =)  Or how about when Fab You Bliss featured their super fun and playful Iceland engagement session at Þingvellir National Park (which was also featured on our blog here).  Their Iceland wedding video was kinda cool too if you want to go back here to check it out!

Today, I am sharing with you a few of my favorites from their day… Let’s relive it and wish them more endless years of adventure together!

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

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

The post Iceland Summer Wedding Anniversary: Landon + Tara appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

Julian + Fredrik met each other while at a week long conference with friends.  Neither of them were looking for love per se, but sometimes serendipitous connections lead you down that wonderful unforgettable path!   These two gents were actually married in Sweden in April and chose Iceland to honeymoon- good idea, right?  The fabulous Fredrik, surprised Julian with a Post Wedding Session Adventure as his day of wedding gift!  Seriously how fun and thoughtful is that?

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is one of my favorite places in Iceland because it feels like you alone, just discovered it!  This gorgeous Iceland canyon is over 1 mile long, over 300 feet tall, and has a beautiful river flowing through it.  So as you can imagine, I was seriously stoked when they chose it off my long list of options for their Iceland Honeymoon Session!

I had such a fun afternoon with these two and happy to say they crossed off a few “firsts” off their list too… Such as having a date in a lava field and stealing kisses in a canyon =)  Makes me happy to document their honeymoon adventure- thank you for choosing me gentlemen!  The best part of my job includes… Meeting cool couples like these two, climbing on sides of mountains like a badass mountain goat, and running around on 500 year old moss covered lava fields!  Ummm, yes any day of the week, please!!!  Without further ado, may you find yourself inspired by these Iceland Post Wedding images!

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

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

The post Iceland Honeymoon Session at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

This fabulous pair contacted me last spring, to plan and photograph their amazing February 14^th Iceland destination wedding adventure and ooooooh boy did we plan something EPIC! Can someone say FIRST Iceland wedding in a super-secret Icelandic cave? Yes, please! At sunrise, we loaded their 40+ Scottish guests into super jeeps and surprised them with a unique lantern lit ceremony locale! They were in awe. <Remember! You saw the location here at Iceland Wedding Planner / Photos by Miss Ann, FIRST>

The Grooms Style: They donned themselves head to toe in traditional Scottish garb! Their tartan’s were: Purple Slanj and Scotland Forever Ancient and they looked just dapper!

The gents held a traditional Icelandic Ásatrú wedding ceremony which is inspired by the historic Norse culture. The ceremony was performed in Icelandic, included holding an oath ring as they spoke their vows and the guests even drank whisky from a horn as they toasted the groom’s new life together!

The next several locations on their wedding day adventure came with sideways rain and 20-30mph wind gusts. We mustn’t forget Rule #1 about getting married in Iceland:  Iceland is moody and unpredictable! Pretty sure most couples would have tapped out at this point and said, “Plan B indoor locations, please!” Paul and Marc, didn’t! The guests and grooms prevailed over it and made it to another cave on a gorgeous black sand beach. The group drank Prosecco, recanted awesome stories of the grooms, and had many laughs over the ever-changing Icelandic weather which had just transitioned to hail/snow. To be expected and embraced! The guests found their way back to the jeeps for a packed lunch and the grooms and I continued on for some epic rainy day wedding portraits in front of some gorgeous basalt rocks that emerged from the sea.

Sometimes, the weather gets pretty rough in Iceland and pushes you to your absolute maximum limits. When we reached Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, the rain and wind were pushing 40mph! Needless to say, the stop was not long and we executed Plan B to turn the adventure into a driving tour. One of the last stops was Sólheimasandur Black Sand Beach, which is a private beach where an abandoned United States DC-3 airplane resides. The plane crashed in 1973 and is one of Iceland’s super-secret spots.

Marc + Paul’s Iceland wedding reception was full of endless amounts of energy! Their guests were pleasantly surprised by the party favors on the table… Mini bottles of Reyka Vodka which were covered by little hand knit Icelandic sweaters that had their initials on them! How flipping cute, right?! From the endless laughs, smiles, stories, the Scottish Gay Gordon traditional dancing, to late night Icelandic snacks the guests and grooms went strong long after midnight!

To Paul + Marc:

I’m your biggest fan =) Your love story captivated me as soon as I Skyped with you two. I mean who is lucky enough to have an instant serendipitous connection be… A Rainy Night + Mutual Friends x All Night Talk of Zombies / VW Campers / Antarctica Penguins = 7am Marriage Talk?! Then to have a surprise proposal in Iceland under the Northern Lights?! I am insanely jealous and so is the rest of the romantics out here with me! Needless to say after hearing all of this… I was dying to be a part of your wedding day and make it out-of-this-world! Thank you for choosing me to plan and photograph such an epic adventure for you and your guests! I welcome you back to Iceland every year to renew those vows =)

Lots of Hugs, Smiles, and Love to You, Ann (Iceland Wedding Photographer and Planner)

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

The post Scottish Icelandic Cave Wedding: Marc + Paul appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.