I always look forward to returning to places that inspire me. Iceland is one of those places that offers up raw natural beauty, even after many years of traveling there for personal and professional reasons. Lucas and Jess decided on a very intimate Iceland elopement and I was thrilled to be able to join them.

Lucas and Jess experienced the wild beauty that Iceland had to offer when they traveled there on their first holiday together 4 years ago. Lucas has family ties to Iceland and grew up visiting many times and so the country holds extra special meaning for him, and now them. Lucas and Jess were contemplating with the idea of getting married somewhere exotic or having a big family wedding, and they just couldn’t settle on how they wanted to celebrate their relationship in a personal way, as well as including all their friends and family who are so important to them.  Lucas suggested to Jess that perhaps they could have a quiet and small personal commitment in Iceland that they could have just to themselves in an intimate setting, and then a big party back in Melbourne to celebrate with their nearest and dearest. Immediately it felt like this ticked all the boxes for them and they didn’t look back from there.

Lucas and Jess live in Australia, so flying over to Iceland was quite a journey, but one that would prove to be worthwhile. Morning preparations took place in a cool and contemporary space set in the hills in Vík.

The ceremony took place on a cliff outside of Vík. The plan for where to have the ceremony changed, as Lucas expressed wanting something more intimate and special, away from the crowds of the black sand beaches. Jess’s parents looked on as Lucas and Jess exchanged personal vows to one another. The ceremony was deeply meaningful and poignant. When there were no words left to say, the family took to a heartfelt embrace before taking a moment to take in the landscape and really relish the moment. To be standing on the outside watching in on this special moment was unforgettable.

We made our departure to the waterfalls close by to spend some alone time. What is Iceland without some magical moments near some powerful waterfalls! The real adventure however came when Lucas and Jess, true adventurers at heart, wanted to bolt over to the Southern Eastern coastline to have some photos taken at the breathtaking Stokksnes. While we watched the clouds roll in, we made our way out, with Vestrahorn mountain behind us, making for an unreal setting. The remainder of the day, we spent exploring the beauty the South coast had to offer, from mountains and open ranges to the mossy lava fields. Ending the day with the midnight sun, some familiar furry friends joined us as the ultimate send off.