Suzi and Joanna started out planning a Colorado elopement. Beautiful choice, obviously. But Iceland was the bucket list place, the one they figured was out of reach, the someday trip. Then we ran the actual numbers. One all-in price, travel included, and suddenly the someday trip was the wedding. And because they were already on the island, married, with nowhere to be? The honeymoon was built in. One trip, one budget, zero regrets.
That is the part nobody tells you about destination elopements. The place you think you cannot afford is often closer than the wedding you do not even want.
Best Friends First
Suzi and Joanna met in nursing school in 2017 and became best friends almost immediately. Their words: “It was so easy being around each other and being ourselves. We knew since the beginning that our friendship was one of a kind.”
After graduation they moved to Indianapolis together to start their careers, Johanna in the ER and Suzi in GI. Somewhere between the night shifts and the new city, the friendship became the whole story. It was not always easy to explain to everyone around them. Their answer to that was the best one there is: “As time went by we realized that nothing mattered besides us. We put the negativity behind us and displayed our love for everyone and anyone to see.”
Johanna proposed on July 4th. By October they were standing in Iceland.
Why They Eloped
When I asked what made them decide to elope, they gave me the single best answer I have ever gotten on a questionnaire: “We only care about making US happy at OUR wedding.”
That is it. That is the whole philosophy. No performing, no seating chart politics, no explaining themselves to anybody. Two introverts, a one of a kind friendship, and an island at the edge of the world. I get a lot of clients who say, “this is my second marriage, we don’t want the whole production just to cater to everyone else. We want intimate and something that feels like US”
The Day: October 21
Iceland in October is moody in the best way. Low gold light all day, waterfalls at full power, and almost nobody else out there. Suzi wore a Gloria lace maxi dress for the first half of the day and changed into her Eddy K. gown for the second. Johanna wore a custom suit with leather Oxfords and brought the calm, like she always does. Wood flowers that could survive the wind, hiking boots under the dress, vow books in their pockets.
And then the waterfall happened. I will let them tell it: “We were NOT expecting to be completely soaked in any location, especially being in Iceland, but we are SO GLAD we did. It was the most fun we have had in a long time. The moment felt so freeing and magical. It truly felt like we were in a movie. We did not want the moment to end.”
That is what standing inside the spray of an Icelandic waterfall in your wedding clothes does to people. You cannot plan that feeling. You can only still be there when it happens. Also, recognize it? Game of Thrones, anyone?
Their Advice to You
“Say YES to everything! This day is a once in a lifetime experience and goes by so quickly. Make the absolute most out of it and do not worry about the little things, they mean absolutely nothing. There is no way we could have gotten the elopement experience we wanted without Brit. There are a ton of photographers out there who claim to do elopements, but not like her.”
Nurses know a thing or two about what actually matters. Listen to them.
Vendor Love
Dresses: Baltic Born (Gloria lace maxi) and Luxe Redux Bridal, Indianapolis (Eddy K. EK1222). Suit: Images by Jordan, Indianapolis. Flowers: Sola Wood Flowers frosted forest bouquet. Rings: Brilliant Earth and a natural moss agate set from cooljewelrycraft on Etsy. Vow books: RedBerryGuestBooks on Etsy. Boots: Salomon and Bruno Marc.
Want Your Own Iceland Day?
Start with my Iceland Elopement Guide. Locations, legalities, what your day actually looks like hour by hour, and real pricing with every travel cost included. Then book a free consult and we will start planning the day that only cares about making YOU happy.
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