Photos by Anna Isabella Photography
Jen and Kierstin had a micro wedding in South Iceland in July 2025 with 28 of their closest friends and family, a ceremony arch set in front of a waterfall, a disco-themed party bus and a drag queen who emceed the reception. They call that group their chosen family.
Iceland was Kierstin’s idea. She loves Nordic mythology (her whole tattoo sleeve says so), and when the idea came up, Jen says their answer was simple: “Let’s do it. How epic would that be?!”
Two proposals
They met on Bumble in 2020. Kierstin proposed first, on a cruise ship in Greece during a meteor shower. Jen answered with a surprise of her own at her best friend’s wedding. The bride, in on the plan, turned around for the bouquet toss and walked the flowers straight to Kierstin while Jen dropped to one knee, and that bride’s photographer caught the whole thing.
Black sand, waterfalls and lupines
Both wore long-sleeve lace gowns, and at least one pair of purple hiking boots made it under the hem, which is the right call for Iceland. Before the ceremony they took portraits on a black sand beach, in front of a tall waterfall and in a field of purple lupines.
An Iceland micro wedding in front of a waterfall
Guests sat on benches facing a triangular wooden arch dressed with red and pink flowers, with a waterfall behind it, and someone waved a rainbow flag when they kissed. They worked with Pink Iceland, a Reykjavík planning team, and stayed at Hotel Grímsborgir near Selfoss. Local pros handled makeup and flowers: makeup by Margret Magnus and flowers by Þórdís Zophia. Wedding attire came from Rebecca’s Wedding Boutique in Louisville, Kentucky, with jewelry from Kay. The cake was a rainbow layer cake hiding under a dark chocolate exterior.
A disco bus and a drag MC
The party had two headliners: a disco-themed party bus and a drag queen who emceed and performed at the reception, which Jen calls “the perfect addition to our evening.”
After the wedding they stayed two more weeks and drove the ring road in a Cozy Camper. “We have never felt more at peace.”
Get the look
Editor picks inspired by this wedding, not what the couple wore.
- BHLDN Long-Sleeve Lace Maxi Dress, $298 at Anthropologie. Sheer stretch lace over a lined body, a mock neck and long bell sleeves: the long-sleeve lace look both brides wore, for well under a gown budget. A few sizes have already sold out, so order early if you need alterations.
- Merrell Women’s Speed Strike 2 Mid Waterproof in Lost Lilac, $130 at Merrell. Purple hiking boots under a lace hem are the detail to copy if your portraits involve a black sand beach or a waterfall. This waterproof mid comes in half sizes from 5 to 11, so break them in before the trip.
The idea worth stealing
Make the ride part of the party. A themed bus solves the getting-everyone-there problem every destination wedding has, and it turns a transfer into part of the celebration.
Wedding vendors
- Location: South Iceland
- Photographer: Anna Isabella Photography
- Event planner: Pink Iceland
- Accommodations: Hotel Grímsborgir, Selfoss, Iceland
- Makeup: Margret Magnus
- Floral design: Þórdís Zophia
- Dress store: Rebecca's Wedding Boutique
- Jewelry: Kay Jewelers
