best places in iceland

An Autumn Road Trip Around Iceland // Matt and Sayde's Personal Adventure

Matt and Sayde's great big, landscape loving, road trip having, honeymoon - babymoon adventure in Iceland // Victoria Wedding Photographers

Way back when Matt and I first started talking and getting to know each other as friends, we talked mostly about photography, and camera stuff in general.  As time went on we chatted more about our hobbies, our childhoods, and things we had hoped to accomplish and do in the future - bucket lists, if you will.  One of the things that embodied all of those things was the experience of past travels, and dream of future travel. We made lists of all the places we wanted to visit, and shared photos of interesting landscapes from places we wanted to see.  Norway, Croatia, Australia, and beyond. One place that came up in almost every conversation and photo share session was Iceland, which crept quickly to the top of both of our lists of must-see places. Fast forward four years to 2016; we were getting married and we were planning a honeymoon to Iceland.  For those who don't know, 2016 was an eventful year for us as we moved to Vancouver Island, worked hard to establish our wedding photography in Victoria, and then got married ourselves.  We decided to wait a year and take our dream honeymoon in a less busy times!

With this postponement of our honeymoon came the most wonderful opportunity: photographing a series of destination elopements in Iceland.  Perfect! Not only would be be travelling, meeting interesting people, and photographing a place we'd been dying to see for years, but we'd also get the opportunity to get to know, and photograph, adventurous couples who were as filled with Iceland wanderlust as we are. You can find each of their elopements in our blog.

This post however is about our personal trip around Iceland in the days leading up to the elopements we photographed. We started our road trip in  Reykjavik and travelled counterclockwise around the ring road, stopping everywhere that made our jaws dropped.  Our jaws dropped almost every ten minutes down the road.  We were awestruck not only by the striking, and often times surreal, landscapes, but also by the way we often felt like we were the only people there, the way the sun hung so low along the horizon on autumn days that it seemed like sunset all the time, and the way the northern lights danced like rivers through the sky at night. So many times we found ourselves staring, or gasping, and asking out loud, "Could this possibly be real?!", as we tried to pinch ourselves awake from what felt like dreams.  

Without further adieu (and because I promised Matt I wouldn't write a paragraph for each photo about the geology of each location, and the saga histories that revolve around them), here's a few highlights from our trip!   Make sure to check out the drone video at the bottom as well! 

 

We also made a video featuring footage from our drone throughout Iceland!  Check that out below:

Snaefellnes Peninsula Iceland Elopement // Meagann & Neil

Meagann and Neil elope amongst basalt columns, waterfalls and lava fields in Iceland // Victoria Wedding Photographers

 

In our experience photographing three destination elopements in Iceland, on back to back days, we took away so many highlights to reminisce about.  We loved getting to know our couples' different personalities, how they met, and what their lives were like back home, away from this dreamland.  One thing we weren't (but should should have been) expecting was the way all three of our couples would plan and execute their elopement in their own special way.  It only magnified the romance factor of an already romantic way to marry, and we felt it gave us an even more intimate look into the couple's relationship dynamic.

If you read Jessika and Mack's elopement blog from the day before, you know that they had legally married in their home state of Colorado a few days before they left for Iceland.  They had exchanged their wedding rings, but saved their vows for their big day Iceland.  As well, Jessika's wedding dress made it all the way to Iceland without Mack seeing it, so they could get ready the traditional way; without the groom seeing the bride, even though they were going to be in the same apartment at the time!   

The following day we met with Meagann and Neil at their hotel to start the day at their Reykjavik hotel, where they'd get ready together to share the anticipation and excitement of the day.  We found it so romantic that Neil would be the person to help Meagann into her wedding gown (insert 100 heart-eyes emojis), before they looked each other up and down with huge smiles, and headed out the door.  Meagann and Neil also legally signed their marriage papers in their hometown in Ontario, where they had exchanged vows and wedding bands.  The unique twist that we love, is that while the two had their wedding bands, Meagann had not yet seen the beautiful custom sapphire engagement ring that Neil had made just for her.  What a treat for us to get to see her face as Neil opened the little wooden box for her during their ring exchange ceremony. And what better place than an isolated area of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula; at the foot of a waterfall, and overlooking an endless field of bright green, moss-blanketed lava, veined by a river speckled with swans.  The warm light shining through overhead clouds, and the misty wind that danced through Meagann's hair and gown only added more drama to an already dreamlike day.  After their ring exchange, we explored more of the Snaefellsnes peninsula area, that Meagann and Neil had fallen in love with their first few days in Iceland.  They showed us areas that we hadn't had the opportunity to explore on our first trip to the area, and it felt like casual day out adventuring with friends as Neil pointed out all the quaint homesteads he was for sure planning to retire to when it came time.  We took in the impressive basalt column cliffs, took a drive through the incredible Berserkjahraun (mad-man's lava field), and they finished the day with some beachside cuddles at Djupalonssandur (the black lava pearl beach).

Thank you Meagann and Neil for letting us be the ones to peer in and capture such an intimate and personal milestone in your life.  We had so much fun driving around an area of Iceland that meant so much to you, and hope these photos hold a life time of treasure for you! 

 

 

  

Westwood Plateau Wedding in Coquitlam // Kerri and Nik

Kerri and Nik's Modern and Regal Coquitlam Wedding at Westwood Plateau Golf Course // Vancouver Wedding Photographers

Remember Kerri and Nik’s winter engagement in Whistler?  While January may feel a long time ago, their session is still so fresh in our minds because of how awesome they were to photograph and hang out with on that chilly, bright, music-filled afternoon.  We had so much fun with them that we were counting down the days to their wedding, when we’d finally get to meet the friends and family they had talked so much about, and see more of their wicked dance moves.

The day finally arrived for their wedding at Westwood Plateau in Coquitlam, and we were practically bouncing!  With their black-tie attire, and their easy-going attitudes, the day went seamlessly and regally - from their traditional church ceremony, their portraits, right up until that very last, (very-cocktail-fueled) photobooth photo printed out.  Their whole bridal party, family, and group of friends seemed to burst with energy and love, and this wedding was jam packed with picture perfect, genuine human connection and moments. It was a celebration full of hugs, happy tears, outrageously funny stories, and even more outrageous laughing. We couldn’t get enough!

Thank you Kerri, Nik, and to your family and friends, for being so genuine, loving and well… a little wild!  We loved capturing these moments for you!

Here's a few highlights from the Photobooth!

Fort Langley Engagement Session - Ming and Kim

Ming and Kim Explore Fort Langley During Their Engagement Session // Victoria Wedding Photographers

On the day of Ming & Kim's engagement shoot, dark clouds were hovering over the Vancouver area, threatening to downpour at any moment.  And downpour it did!  But only in pockets.  We somehow managed to avoid the rain throughout their whole shoot even though it rained just before and just after.  Talk about perfect! 

We had a great time wandering around Fort Langley area together.  Joining us for a few shots was their cute little pup, Olive.  Ming & Kim were naturals in front of the camera, and Fort Langley made a beautiful backdrop to their shoot.  The rainy day meant it was relatively private, with few people around, and we were free to create to our our hearts' content!

We can't wait to shoot their wedding in September!  Check out all the images from their shoot below. 

Thank you for stopping by to check out our wedding photography. If you'd like to know more about our lives in BC, or as Pebble and Pine Photography, Creative and Modern Victoria and Vancouver Island wedding photographers, you can read About Us.

Church and State Winery Wedding in Victoria - Lindsay and Darren

Lindsay and Darren's First Look at Brentwood Bay Resort, Photos at Woodwynn Farms, and Wedding at Church and State Winery // Victoria Wedding Photographers

When we met up with Lindsay and Darren for their engagement shoot this spring, we could tell their big day was going to be a special one.  Having brought along a few props to use during their engagement photos, it was clear that Lindsay and Darren not only had an eye for detail, but a knack for making details very personal.  We could NOT wait for their wedding at Church and State in Brentwood Bay.   It has to be one of the very best wedding venues in Victoria, probably one of the best wedding venues on Vancouver Island!

 When their big day arrived, that part of Lindsay and Darren’s personalities shone from start to finish; with how they prepared their day, their use of personal items, thoughtful tokens from and for their loved ones, personal typer-writer note cards, their unique vows, their silliness, and how they hosted their friends and family.  They truly did everything they could to make sure their guests felt comfortable, welcome, and excited.  That’s what we think weddings are all about.

The morning of their wedding day, every shade of blue painted the horizon.  The sun peeked through the clouds, but the rain was threatening.  Little did anyone know, a record-breaking windstorm was headed our direction, and the power would go out at their ceremony and reception site at Church and State Winery.  By the time Lindsay and Darren were ready for their first look, the rain had started and the wind picked up.  The moment Darren turned around to see Lindsay, and both their faces lit up, everyone forgot about the weather.

That’s the beautiful thing about love, and about weddings.  It’s natural to fret a little about the skies beforehand, but when the day arrives, the weather pales in comparison to the moments you’ll share with the company you have.   Lindsay and Darren’s wedding was a perfect example of that.  You couldn’t hear the wind over laughter.  You couldn’t feel the rain amongst the warmth of friends. You didn’t notice the loss of electricity when you were surrounded by intimate candle light. Their day was truly spectacular!

Congratulations Lindsay and Darren. Thank you for having us there to photograph your day. “We’re so glad you chose us.” ;)

Lindsay and Darren incorporated so many great, hard working local Vancouver wedding vendors, and Vancouver Island wedding vendors in their day, and we’d love to give a shout out to a bunch of them featured!
Venues: Church and State WineryWoodwynn Farms
Florist: Rook and Rose
Cake: Coastal Cake Company
Hair and Makeup: Ma-Luxe
Gown: Truvelle gown, from The White Peony
Jewellry: Catherine Hartley
Groomsmen Ties: Beauxties
Officiant: Bobbi Salkeld of ‘Young, Hip and Married’
Music: Cole Schmidt

Thanks so much for having a look at Lindsay and Darren’s Vancouver Island Wedding at Church and State Wines. If you’d like to see more of our photos,  follow us on Facebook, and check out our feed on Instagram.

Thank you for checking out our wedding photography.  If you'd like to know more about our lives in BC, or as Pebble and Pine Photography, Creative and Modern Victoria and Vancouver Island wedding photographers, you can read About Us.

Lighthouse Park Engagement Session - Grace and Matt

Grace and Matt Explore Lighthouse Park During Their Engagement Photos // BC Wedding Photographers

I had a lot of fun with Matt & Grace at their engagement session in Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver.  This was actually my first time shooting there so it was a bit of a treat to see a unique part of Vancouver that I had never been to, despite it being one of the most popular areas in the city for photography!  It was a bit more of a hike than we anticipated, but Grace was a trooper even though she was wearing boots with a fairly tall heel!  Matt and Grace were naturals in front of the camera and their love really shone through. They have a ton of fun together and smile non-stop.  Enjoy!