A Classic, Romantic Elopement in Iceland

Why did you decide to elope in Iceland?

Amber and I traveled to Iceland in 2018 when we graduated college. We stood in front of the beautiful Skogafoss waterfall and said, “We should get married here one day.” 

Well, five years later, we did it! 

We love nature and spending quality time with our friends and family, so those were the two things we prioritized. Iceland was appealing because we could have a gorgeous outdoor ceremony with our closest friends and family and really extend the quality time we would get to spend with our guests. 

We essentially had a four-day trip with everyone before Amber and I left for our honeymoon, and I truly feel like it was the best time I will ever have in my life.

How did you overcome the challenges that family placed on you during the wedding planning process?

There were several challenges that we had to overcome right before the wedding involving family, but we worked together and persevered. These challenges brought us closer and made us stronger and even more excited to walk down the aisle because we knew if we could overcome these, we could overcome anything. 

We navigated these by taking them one bit at a time and focusing on how we could move forward together, on the same page, and with each other’s feelings at the forefront. 

Wedding planning was actually pretty smooth and I enjoyed every second of it!

Tell us about finding your dream wedding dress second hand.

I had this wedding dress saved on my Instagram for years. I never thought I would be able to afford it, but then I saw it for sale on StillWhite, brand new and in my size. I hesitated a bit but couldn’t resist, so I went for it! 

Best decision ever. 

Don’t underestimate resale apps—mine came from a boutique that had closed down and was selling lots of unworn dresses. Let’s be honest, wedding dresses and everything related to weddings are so expensive, and it can be hard to justify spending so much for just one day. There are plenty of great options out there through resale, used, and thrifted dresses!

Walk us through the elopement day. 

Well, I think we have to start with the night before. Amber and I woke up in the middle of the night and decided to walk to the main house to get a snack. On our way back to our casita, the northern lights were dancing above us, so we sat outside eating a quesadilla while watching them. I cherish that memory.

On the wedding day, we woke up together (we saw no need to be apart), had breakfast with everyone, and got ready together with our incredible hair and makeup artist, Sabrina. We briefly parted ways to get dressed, during which our photographers and videographer captured details, family moments, and us getting ready. I had a first look with both Amber and my dad at the Airbnb.

Afterward, we headed about an hour away to our ceremony location, Dyrhólaey, where our family and friends gathered for Amber and me to walk down the “aisle.” My sister and our maid of honor, Riley, conducted the most amazing and heartfelt ceremony in such a stunning location, and we exchanged vows. It was really important for us to have someone who knows us well officiate, and I highly, highly recommend it—it was incredibly special.

After the ceremony, Amber and I joined our photographers at several other beautiful waterfalls along the South Coast of Iceland, while our friends and family had free time to explore or relax. Hours later, we reunited at the Airbnb for a catered dinner by private chefs and a full night of dancing.

Tell us about the magical, and unforgettable, ending to your night. 

I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever have a moment that beats this. During dinner, someone rushed inside and shouted, ‘THE AURORA IS OUT!’ Everyone dashed outside and gazed at the sky, mesmerized by the stunning streaks of pink and green. 

There we stood, with my incredible WIFE, in my dream dress, surrounded by 20 of our closest friends and family, watching the northern lights together in Iceland. 

I’m actually crying as I type this. 

It feels so surreal to experience such a once-in-a-lifetime moment with my favorite people on the best day of my life. We all shared something truly incredible, and I’ll cherish that memory forever.

Also, I have to add that we danced, sang, and drank A LOT. My one ‘requirement’ was to have a wild, fun, unforgettable night, and everyone definitely delivered!