| October 26, 2017

An Actual Fairytale Wedding in Reykjavik Iceland With Julie & Tim

Table of Contents

Julie & Tim

Iceland is one of those places that when I traveled to for the first time I instantly felt like I was always meant to be there. I first visited back in winter 2013 (before it was all hipster and insta-famous) and still every time I go back, even though there are more and more tourists, Iceland will always be the wildest, awe-inspiring, other-worldly location that continues to call to me. With black sand beaches, hundreds of waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, volcanoes, mountains, fjords, and mossy canyons — I can’t think of a country with a more diverse and incredible landscape. The best way I can describe it is if you combined Hawaii and Yellowstone and moved it to the arctic — it’d be half as cool as Iceland. The whole place feels so incredibly “wild” — and that idea is manifested not only in the other-worldly landscape, but also in the culture. As the windiest inhabited place on earth, everything is very low to the ground (houses & fluffy horses alike). There are hardly any trees, so you can see for miles almost anywhere you go. Icelandic people remind me a lot of Coloradoans — extremely friendly and very much in tune with nature — and ready to brace themselves to survive harsh winters and constant wind. So when I visited for the first time, and every time I’ve been back since, it always feels very comfortable — and a lot like home.  More info on Iceland wedding packages.

So when Julie & Tim contacted me about photographing their incredible destination wedding in Iceland — you better believe I jumped at the chance. There’s nothing I love hearing more than “we aren’t sure what we want to do, or where we want to go, but we’d love your ideas!” I absolutely LOVE working with couples in this dreaming and planning stage to find the perfect corner of the world for to say their vows. Leaning on my knowledge from several trips there, as well as a passion to find unique, off-the-beaten-path locations — I dug in deep and sent Julie & Tim a giant list of ideas that fit their general vision. Collaborating with couples to create their unique and intimate wedding days is one of the most fun and fulfilling parts of being an elopement photographer. 

The resulting Iceland wedding itinerary we dreamed up for their elopement was nothing short of epic. We spent two whole days together on the south coast of Iceland — exploring, wandering, and cuddling (well Julie & Tim did a lot of cuddling — and sometimes all 3 of us huddled between shots to keep warm!). Starting in Reykjavik, they got ready and wrote their vows together. We jumped in the car and explored Seljalandsfoss and Reynisfjara before heading to the mossy canyon or Fjaðrárgljúfur for their ceremony. Julie & Tim said their tear-filled vows on the edge of the foggy canyon, popped some champagne and wrapped up their incredible elopement day. For our second day, we went on a secret waterfall hike to get away from the tourists, played with some fluffy horses, and finished up near the Blue Lagoon. I could not have imagined a more perfect couple of days, with two people more fully in love. It was a dream come true to work with a couple who was not only willing but wanted to spend 12 hours driving around the South Coast of Iceland and going along with every one of my spontaneous photographing whims. They braved the cold Icelandic winds and seeing these two hold each other tight and get to commit their whole lives to each other was so deeply moving & inspiring.

I could go on forever about how amazing this elopement was, but here are some words from Julie:

“My husband and I had initially planned a “normal” wedding, but the day we had to turn in the venue deposit we decided it just wasn’t for us. We wanted our day to be an adventure we’d never forget! I discovered Maddie while looking for Colorado photographers, and fell head over heels in love with her work. Seriously, we messaged her the second we saw her photos and would have been devastated if she had been unavailable! I can’t even begin to describe the level of detail and attention Maddie paid to every aspect of our day. We chose to elope to Iceland, and since she had been there before her advice was invaluable – she sent us a giant document with potential photo locations and walked us through every single one. She went above and beyond answering all of my incessant questions that were well beyond the scope of her services (it’s because of her knowledge and advice that I found the absolute perfect dress, it photographed SO well!), and even gave us a to-the-minute itinerary of our two days together so that we’d have a timeline to stick to. The two days we spent with her during our elopement were a dream come true. Maddie coordinated everything so unbelievably perfectly, and hanging out with her was a blast! She made both of us (my super-introverted husband especially) feel totally comfortable, and her passion for capturing our day perfectly was honestly so moving. Her genuine love for her job is inspiring. We couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces the entire time! We’re pretty awkward people by default, but were moved to tears when our photos were delivered – I don’t know how she managed to make us look so good!! You honestly can’t go wrong choosing her for your elopement – I can’t think of a single bad thing to say about the entire experience. Thank you Maddie for making our day everything we ever dreamed!”

Flowers: Bloma Naturra

landscape of fog passing over mountains in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Exterior of Airbnb in Reykjavik Iceland.
Flat lay of vows and rings.
Close-up of groom's boots, watch, and boutonnière.
Close-up of bride adjusting her flower crown, with peach colored roses and greenery.
Bride and groom writing their vows together, while sitting on a red leather couch, in their Airbnb.
Bride and groom writing their vows together, while sitting on a red leather couch, in their Airbnb.
Bride sitting on red leather coach, adjusting her flower crown, in Airbnb.
Landscape of waterfall in Iceland.
Bride and groom holding hands on their elopement day in Iceland.
Bride and groom embrace while looking at a waterfall in Iceland.
Bride and groom embrace in front of a waterfall in Iceland.
Landscape of waterfall in Iceland.
Bride and groom wrap their arms around each other, smiling, in front of a waterfall in Iceland.
Landscape of the ocean and a cliff in Iceland.
Bride and groom hold hands and walk on a black sand  beach in Iceland.
Bride and groom hold hands and walk on a black sand  beach in Iceland.
Bride and groom embrace in a cave in Iceland.
Bride and groom smile at each other in a cave in Iceland.
Bride and groom stand on grey rock formation in Iceland.
Bride and groom walk along a beach in Iceland.
Bride and groom walk along a beach, while holding hands, in Iceland.
Bride and groom standing next to the shore in Iceland. Bride is wearing a flower crown, shawl, and holding her bouquet.
Landscape of river between cliffs in Iceland.
bride and groom standing on mossy green cliff in Iceland, they are far off in the distance.
Bride and groom standing on mossy green cliff in Iceland.
Bride and groom hiking along cliff in Iceland. There's lots of fog behind them.
Bride reads her vows in Iceland. There are cliffs in the background.
Bride reads her vows in Iceland on a mossy, green cliff.
Close-up of bride placing ring on grooms finger.
Close-up of groom placing diamond ring on brides finger.
Bride and groom share a kiss on a cliff in Iceland.
Bride and groom kiss on mossy green cliff, with canyons in the background, in Iceland.
Close-up black and white image of bride and groom kissing.
Bride and groom pop champagne on a cliff in Iceland. There is a river behind them.
Bride and groom stand on the edge of a cliff in Iceland. The bride's white dress is flowing behind her.

Day 2


Landscape of mountains and houses in Iceland.
White horse in Iceland.
Bride and groom hiking while holding hands in Iceland.
Bride and groom hiking while holding hands in Iceland.
Landscape of waterfall in a canyon in Iceland.
Bride and groom embracing, with waterfall in the background, in Iceland.
Bride and groom stand facing each other, in front of a waterfall, in Iceland.
Bride and groom embrace in front of a waterfall. The bride's dress is flowing in the wind behind her.
Landscape of rocks and body of water in Iceland.
Bride and groom walking of jagged rocks, surrounded by blue water, in Iceland.
Groom hugs bride from behind. Bride is crossing her hands over his.
Black and white image of bride and groom kissing.
Bride and groom embrace while standing on jagged rocks, surrounded by water.
Bride and groom walking on rocks while holding hands and smiling in Iceland.
Landscape of light blue water and rocky shore in Iceland.

Iceland is one of my favorite places to photograph elopements, and I often travel there every year. Check out my travel dates to see when my next trips are planned, and get in touch to chat about your adventurous Iceland elopement. I’d love to share all of my Iceland elopement location ideas with you and I have special Iceland elopement packages.  

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Maddie Mae

Elopement Photographer

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Adventure Instead

Your Elopement Photographers & Planning Consultants. We are Maddie Mae, Amber, and Tori. We're your photographers, your elopement consultants, your cheerleaders, and your go-to adventure buddy on the day you say your vows.

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