A couple in wedding attire stands on a misty mountainside overlooking a dramatic landscape.
A couple poses against towering hexagonal basalt cliffs on a moody beach.
A couple in wedding attire stands against a misty mountain backdrop on dark volcanic terrain.

Jason and Jenna's Iceland Elopement


Jenna and Jason have always been adventurers at heart. When they got engaged, a local Texas wedding where they live wasn't even an option to them. “We love Texas, but we weren’t going to spend thousands of dollars to get married in Fort Worth,” says Jenna. The couple decided to exchange vows in Iceland – a place neither of them had been to before! Originally, they planned to elope just the two of them, but their closest friends and family crashed the party. ;)


“We always planned to elope, but thought we should at least tell our mothers the plan and if they decided to come, we’d happily receive them,” Jenna said. “It didn’t take long for parents, siblings and friends to start demanding to know a date, so they could book their tickets."


That's when they reached out to me. Since this was back in 2016, it was my first Iceland elopement, and of course I was stoked!


The couple also hired a local Iceland wedding planning company, Pink Iceland. “Pink Iceland handled literally everything,” recalls the bride. “They even provided us with an itinerary for our two-and-a-half week honeymoon/RV drive around the country. [For the wedding] they booked the location, bus, hair stylist, food and alcohol, hotel, flowers, cake….everything.” Jenna and Jason were happy to give the power of decision making over to their planner and she did not disappoint. “We had zero issues, thanks to Sigga, who entertained all of our ideas. Many things we wanted (the antique bus, cave location, lights in the cave – 10 miles from electricity) they had never done before, but they were professionals at wish fulfillment.”


I've worked with Pink Iceland multiple times since then, and absolutely adore everyone of them. They are the best at what they do!


When it came to the exact ‘where’ to get married, the couple discovered a beautiful cave online. Once again, their local wedding planner came to the rescue. “Sigga tracked down the location and the land owner and got permission to use it (it was private property),” says the bride. “There are also not a lot of accommodations in that part of Iceland, so Sigga found us a great hotel three hours away from the location. Once we realized there’d be over 20 of us there, we knew we needed a bus. We found this amazing 1960’s baby blue Mercedes bus, and Sigga rented it for us. We said we’d like a Nordic Chieftain to marry us. Check. A cake? Check. Booze, snacks, donuts and scenic stops? Check. We’d just ask, and they would deliver. We got there and it was all done.”


The couple tried to keep the plans under wraps for their guests and sent them “bus passes” instead of invitations. When the big day arrived, the guests only knew that a “shuttle” would be provided and to plan on spending the day out and about. The entire event went off without a hitch and everyone got what they wanted – the couple got to say “I do” in a unique destination and their friends and family got to be there to witness it.


Ceremony: Hjörleifshöfoi, Iceland, Reception: Frost & Fire Hotel in Hveragerdi, Iceland, Wedding Planner: Sigga with Pink Iceland, Makeup: Alison Jonell, Gown Designer: Bridal Designs, Groom’s Clothing: Hugo Boss, Antique Bus: GJ Travel


Silhouettes of people preparing in a room with mountain views through large windows.
Someone reading documents while sitting beneath a wall-mounted map.
Black and white photo of hands holding a handwritten letter.
A person in formal attire checking their phone while standing by a doorway.
Polished black dress shoes on hardwood floor near a doorway.
A person in a dark suit adjusts their tie while standing near a window.
A pair of tan and blue duck boots sitting on mossy rocks near water.
Elegant wedding hairstyle with curls and braids shown in side profile.
Close-up of intricate braided wedding hairstyle being styled with crystal accessories.
Hair styling session in progress at a salon with natural lighting.
A person in a white dress stands by a window with an elegant updo hairstyle.
A person in a yellow plaid shirt handles a white dress near large windows overlooking mountains.
A wedding dress being adjusted during final preparations in a room.
A bride in a white wedding dress sits casually on a bed during preparations.
A bride in her wedding dress playfully shows off her boots while sitting on a bed.
A person in a dark suit stands in a narrow hallway with artwork hanging on the white walls.
A black cat walks down a hallway with parquet flooring near white fabric.
Figure in white crouches down in a narrow hallway with wooden flooring.
Wedding couple standing together in a narrow hallway with artwork.
Wedding couple embracing in an intimate moment in a white hallway with artwork.
A romantic wedding moment captured in a bright white hallway with skylights overhead.
A couple shares an intimate moment in a modern white corridor with natural lighting from above.
Head-on view of a retro Mercedes-Benz bus against misty mountain scenery.
A couple peeks playfully from behind a wall under a black umbrella next to a glowing orb light.
A misty wedding scene outside white buildings with stone walls and a dark umbrella.
A couple navigates rainy weather near a vintage blue bus outside white buildings.
A wedding couple stands on a misty hillside sharing a black umbrella against an overcast sky.
Passengers laugh and smile while riding in a bus with retro floral upholstery.
Newlyweds share drinks and laughter while riding in a vehicle.
Someone in formal attire sitting inside a vintage bus with patterned seats.
View down the aisle of a bus with blue upholstered seats.
Beer bottles chill in an ice bucket at a celebration.
Passengers take photos during a festive bus ride celebration.
A passenger gestures enthusiastically while speaking inside a vintage bus.
People riding in a bus with blue upholstered seats and luggage stored overhead.
Person in a white wedding dress sitting outdoors on gravel ground.
Children running behind a flowing white dress on a gravel path.
A couple in wedding attire stands at the entrance of a vintage blue bus in a dramatic landscape.
Person in blue jacket crouches on dark ground examining something closely.
Wedding photography in progress against dramatic Icelandic cliff backdrop.
Photographers capture wedding moments in soft focus against natural backdrop.
Close-up shot of hands exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony.
Wedding party gathered outdoors with vintage blue bus visible in background.
Retro blue and white tour bus photographed against cloudy sky on dark volcanic terrain.
Wedding ceremony taking place against dramatic cliffside landscape.
Newlyweds standing in volcanic landscape with dramatic cliff backdrop.
Couple in wedding attire walking across dramatic black landscape.
Intimate wedding ceremony under string lights in a cave-like setting with guests seated.
Black and white image of a small child sleeping during wedding festivities.
Wedding guest holding cash while standing near others in formal attire.
Wedding guests watch attentively in black and white photograph during ceremony.
A wedding ceremony taking place with bride in white dress and two groomsmen in suits.
Close up detail of hands exchanging rings during wedding ceremony.
Wedding party gathered on coastal path with cliffs and ocean in background.
Wedding attendees seated in casual attire during outdoor event.
A speaker addresses a small crowd gathered outdoors during a casual event.
A group of people gathered outdoors under string lights for a ceremony.
Young guests share a laugh during an outdoor gathering.
A wedding ceremony taking place inside a dramatic cave opening with ocean views.
A person in glasses holds up a ceremonial candle during an outdoor gathering.
Children participate in a formal ceremony while adults look on.
A couple drinks from ceremonial cups during their outdoor wedding celebration.
A wedding ceremony taking place in a scenic cave opening with natural light streaming in.
An emotional moment at a wedding as loved ones embrace while holding a bouquet.
Two people examining bottles at a rustic beverage display against a rocky wall.
A hand holding a champagne glass and wedding bouquet against a sunlit background.
Elegant champagne bottles and flutes arranged on a wooden surface.
Wedding party poses for photographs against a rocky backdrop outdoors.

By the way, how amazing is this one of a kind vintage bus that the couple rented for the drive out to their ceremony location? In fact, if it looks familiar, you've probably seen one of my favorite comedies, "Eurovision Song Contest" with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams. This is the same bus they used in the movie! How cool is that? (The movie was filmed AFTER this elopement, so you can imagine how my jaw dropped when I saw the movie and noticed the bright blue vintage bus! So cool! And that means Will Ferrell got on the same bus as my awesome couple and the best Iceland elopement photographer!) :)

Couple shares intimate moment on black sand with blue vintage van and cliffs behind them.
Wedding party poses with retro blue Mercedes bus against rugged mountain landscape.
Interior view of vintage bus showing rows of blue seats and curved ceiling.
A vintage blue bus provides backdrop for wedding photos on stark volcanic landscape.
Wedding couple walks across dramatic black landscape toward vintage blue bus.

Reception

After a long scenic drive back to the hotel, everyone met for dinner and dessert, toasts, hugs and good wine.

Group enjoys dinner party with wine at rustic wooden table under pendant lighting.
Friends laughing together at dimly lit dinner party with wood panel walls.
Dinner party guests seated at elegant table with wine glasses and candles.
Guests enjoying dinner and conversation at a dimly lit restaurant with pendant lighting.
Two guests in evening attire chatting while holding wine glasses at an event.
Dinner guests seated at a rustic wooden table under pendant lighting.
Two guests in elegant attire engaged in conversation while holding wine glasses.
Guests engaged in thoughtful conversation at an evening dinner event.
Black and white photo of guests enjoying conversation at a dinner table.
Black and white image of guests seated at a dinner gathering.
Guests seated at an intimate dinner event with mood lighting.
Black and white photo of dinner guests seated at a long table during an event.
Black and white capture of guests at a dinner table in a rustic setting.
Wedding celebration guests engaged in lively conversation around a dining table at a rustic venue.
Black and white photo of guests enjoying conversation at a reception dinner with rustic wood walls.
Black and white shot of attendees seated at formal event with moody lighting.
Hands holding decorative wedding card with red heart designs and floral patterns.
Hands displaying handmade wedding card with pink background and drawn hearts.

day two


Jenna and Jason planned a second day of adventure that involved Icelandic horses and a visit to some of the country's beautiful glaciers. We left the hotel in the morning and drove out to Nupchester Farm with a few of the guests who were interested in joining us. The folks at Nupchester were beyond gracious and accommodating, and the morning was nothing short of incredible. A light rain fell most of the day, but it didnt stop anyone. I will never forget the experience of running our horses through the field in the cold rain (with my cameras in hand!) Talk about an adventurous Icelandic elopement!

Two wedding rings nestled among dark green foliage in an artistic macro shot.
A close-up portrait of a wet white dog with messy fur looking directly at the camera.
A delicate crystal tiara with ornate details photographed in dramatic lighting.
A scenic river flows through green hills and mountains under a moody sky in a rugged landscape.
Silhouettes of horse riders against a moody sky at dusk.
A couple on horseback stands atop a grassy hill on their wedding day in a misty landscape.
Two riders on horseback traverse a scenic hilltop meadow against a misty mountain backdrop.
Two horses, one black and one white, stand together on a grassy hillside.
A distant view of riders on horseback silhouetted against an overcast sky on a hilltop.
A black and white horse graze together on a grassy hillside under cloudy skies.
Riders on horseback traverse the crest of a rolling green hill against a misty horizon.
Horseback riders stand on a rocky coastal cliff overlooking the ocean.
A wedding party poses together in a rustic barn setting.
A couple shares an intimate moment on a snowy winter beach landscape.
A couple walks along a black sand beach with misty white sky in the background.
A romantic embrace on a dramatic black sand beach with foggy atmosphere.
A couple poses against dramatic basalt cliff formations on a moody beach.
Dramatic wedding photo with couple silhouetted against dark cliffs and waterfall.
White-clad figure stands against dramatic basalt columns on black sand beach in Iceland.
Intimate wedding moment captured against geometric basalt rock formations.
Wedding couple stands beneath towering misty cliffs in dramatic landscape.
Blue icebergs float in glacial lagoon under overcast Icelandic sky.
Wedding couple poses on windswept hill under moody grey sky in Iceland.
Wedding couple walks along misty mountainside with glacial landscape in background.
Wedding couple walking along rocky coastal landscape in dramatic overcast setting.
Silhouetted couple standing atop rocky hill against cloudy sky.
Couple in wedding attire holding hands while overlooking foggy ocean.
Couple in wedding attire embracing by misty coastline.
Wedding couple standing on ice field with foggy horizon.
Romantic moment between newlyweds on icy beach landscape.
Couple walking along rocky shore with glacial ice formations in background.
Intimate moment between newlyweds against blurred coastal background.