Emilee and Landon’s wedding in Iceland was anything but conventional. With no wedding party, a small guest list, and design decisions rooted in intention rather than tradition, they built a day that reflected who they are—quietly adventurous, deeply thoughtful, and drawn to beauty that doesn’t try too hard. From the moment guests stepped off a bus at a waterfall wedding ceremony site to the last bite of a five-course reception dinner under the midnight sun, every detail reflected the couple’s intentional approach to love and celebration.

But before Iceland, there was Colorado—and a pandemic.

“We met on Hinge and connected right away,” Emilee shared. “Our first date was effortless—we talked for hours. A couple of months later, the world shut down, and we ended up in each other’s bubble.” That unexpected stillness gave them the space to explore nature, build a foundation, and discover a love that felt both easy and real.

Featured Vendors:
Styrmir & Heiðdís Photography
Pink Iceland

The original plan was to get married in Colorado. But something didn’t feel quite right. “It eventually became overwhelming,” Emilee said. “I wanted something small and intimate, while Landon wanted to celebrate with those closest to us. Iceland had always held a special place in my heart—I had visited before and fallen in love with its beauty.”

They pivoted to a destination wedding with 42 guests and never looked back. Together, they envisioned a wedding that felt like “stepping into a dream—whimsical, natural, and full of quiet magic.” With the invaluable support of their planner, Pink Iceland, and photographers Styrmir + Heiðdís, the end result couldn’t have been a more perfect reflection of their vision.

What We Love About this Iceland Destination Wedding:

• No theme–just the feeling of Iceland personified
• A floral aesthetic inspired by Emilee’s colorful Rue de Seine Rider gown
• A small guest list allowed for meaningful splurges
• The post-ceremony grazing picnic in place of a standard cocktail hour
• Five-course dinner at a cozy Icelandic restaurant

Infusing Meaning into the Details

“We weren’t following a theme or trend—we were chasing a feeling,” Emilee explained. Inspired by the landscape, the couple embraced organic elements that felt native to Iceland. In the simplest of terms, Zophia Flowers worked with the natural surroundings instead of competing with them. “Lupine surrounded us at the ceremony site. The florals felt like they were always meant to be there.”

The color palette echoed both the environment and Emilee’s dress: soft blush, dusty rose, sequoia green, and earthy neutrals.

Stationery helped tie it all together, with wax seals, silk ribbons, and watercolor botanicals. “Every detail was a love letter—to our guests, to Iceland, and to each other.” Emilee and Landon worked closely with their stationer, Amy Elizabeth Artistry, to custom design every piece of the invitation suite and day-of paper. The illustrations told the story of their relationship—bougainvillea for their Amalfi Coast engagement, a mountain motif for their shared love of adventure, and even a sketch of their pup. These personal touches appeared everywhere, from wrapping paper to menus to welcome notes, making the experience feel deeply reflective of their story.

Wedding Day Fashion

“My dress was the first I tried on, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” Emilee shared. “It had color, movement, and a floral pattern that somehow matched the wrapping paper our stationer had designed for our save-the-dates. Choosing it surprised me—I never thought I’d wear color. But it felt serendipitous. It completely matched the vision I had for the day and the landscape around us. It felt very in harmony with Iceland.”

Shop Emilee’s bridal style:

Because the dress had so much personality, Emilee kept everything else simple—soft hair and makeup, and no heavy accessories.

Landon wore a brown suit that mirrored the earth tones of the Icelandic landscape and complemented Emilee’s dress perfectly. There wasn’t a formal wedding party, but the entire group embraced the moody tones and natural textures, making everything feel cohesive and effortless.

A Private Waterfall Wedding Ceremony

The magical ceremony took place at Írárfoss, a secluded waterfall tucked into the southern countryside. “It felt wild and magical,” Emilee shared. “Behind us was the waterfall, with seabirds flying overhead and mist rising around us. It felt wild and magical.”

The officiant was Sam, one of Landon’s best friends, adding a deeply personal layer to the already moving setting.

Transition from Ceremony to Reception

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a light picnic while Emilee and Landon ventured off for a private photo session. The couple stopped at a black sand beach, a field of wild lupine, and right up close to the thunderous Skógafoss waterfall. “It was otherworldly,” Emilee recalled.

Meanwhile, guests boarded the bus for a short sightseeing tour, including a stop at Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. The day unfolded with the same quiet, expansive energy as the landscape around them.

An Intimate, Elevated Dinner in Reykjavik

The reception took place at Matur og Drykkur, a cozy restaurant in Reykjavik known for its modern Icelandic cuisine. Because the guest count was small, the couple served a five-course plated dinner paired with signature cocktails. “Everything felt dainty, intentional, and warm—just how we imagined it.”

The mood was romantic and slightly enchanted, made even more surreal by Iceland’s midnight sun. “It never fully got dark,” she said. “Everyone was laughing at how the sun was still out at 2 a.m. It gave the whole night this timeless, dreamy energy.”

Trusting the Process (and the Place)

The day began with a slight hiccup: a road closure delayed the bus bringing guests to the ceremony. But instead of letting the moment throw them off, Emilee and Landon embraced it. “Our planner popped open some champagne, and we had an extra hour with our photographer to bop around nearby locations. It calmed our nerves and gave us some amazing photos.”

Planning from another country wasn’t without its challenges. “The biggest challenge was not having seen any of the locations in person. It was a leap of faith to plan from a distance and ask 40+ people to fly across the world. But we trusted our planner and took on the mindset of, ‘Whatever happens, it will be wonderful.’”

They partnered with Pink Iceland, a Junebug-approved planner with deep local ties. “We shared our vision, and they came back with thoughtful, aligned vendor suggestions. They truly cared, and it showed.”

Advice for Couples Planning Their Own Dream Wedding

“Do whatever you want to do,” Emilee advises. “Forget what a wedding is supposed to look like. There’s no one way to do it. Our day was perfect because it felt like us—not because we followed tradition.”

Whether you’re planning an Iceland destination wedding, a waterfall wedding ceremony, or a dinner under the stars, Emilee and Landon’s Iceland celebration is a reminder that meaning matters more than rules—and that when you listen to your intuition, the magic finds you.