An Intimate Vow Reading in Iceland: Christina + Patrick

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Vow readings are extremely personal and sometimes, in a destination or elopement setting, the focus shifts from the vows + the meaning behind them to logistical details + travel itineraries. But with the paperwork aside back home, and little bit of desire to elope, Christina + Patrick prioritized their vows – planning an extra special honeymoon to Iceland, where they could be adventurers together amid a romantic, awe-inspiring backdrop. To top it off, they planned to share something incredibly personal with one another on this trip: their vows.

They were able to further memorialize the occasion by working with the talented design team at Pink Iceland + our friend Cole from Nordica Photography to choose just the right spot for their reading + snag some absolutely incredible portraits along the way…

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

The Lovely One Catherine Dress

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Christina says, We were married on May 14th in a small self-uniting ceremony in the Magnolia Garden in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia with our families, and left for Iceland the very next day. We had originally been considering eloping, and when we chose to have a ceremony we still wanted to keep something that would be “just ours”. So we decided that we would exchange our vows together, privately, on our honeymoon.

Iceland Vow Ceremony

The Lovely One Catherine Dress

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

The Lovely One Catherine Dress

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

The Lovely One Catherine Dress

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland had always been on the top of our list of places to go, which is also more of a “things to do” list (cave tubing in Belize and swimming with jellyfish in Palau are up there also). We drove to the Reykjanes with Cole from Nordica Photography on our last day staying in Reykjavik, before renting a car and driving east along the southern coast towards Skaftafell. It was cold, it was windy, but it was staggeringly beautiful. We were so excited that even taking photos was an adventure in itself.

Iceland Vow Ceremony

The Lovely One Catherine Dress

Christina wore such a stunning dress + for those who love it, too, we have the details: it’s “The Lovely One Catherine” from Lovely Bride

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

The Lovely One Catherine Dress

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Ponies

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

What a truly surreal dream!

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Iceland Vow Ceremony

Let’s end the beauty with a little bit about how Christina + Patrick met:

Patrick and I first met in an photography class on alternative processes – daguerrotypes, salt prints, liquid emulsion, and the like – I was a student and he was my TA (he had also graduated as a photo major from Philadelphia’s University of the Arts). Although I harbored schoolgirl-esque a crush on Patrick, our interactions were exclusively in class and the occasional simultaneous walks to work afterwards (he worked at a gallery across the street from my college retail job, only a few blocks from the media arts building).

We met again, years later, just before my graduation. I was in a group show and Patrick, as an alumni, former TA, and still-gallery assistant, was invited as a guest critic. I almost didn’t show up to the pre-show critique – I was getting my chest tattooed. But I did, and we clicked.

When we met for coffee I told him that I’d be going to Europe for a few weeks after graduation, then moving back to Ohio for a few months before returning to Philadelphia. He waited for me anyway.

Congratulations, you two! We love your idea for an intimate vow reading and think you will be a big inspiration to other couples hoping for a similar experience!

photography: Nordica Photography // venue name: Reykjanes, Iceland // event design: Pink Iceland // planning: Pink Iceland // wedding dress: "The Lovely One Catherine" from Lovely Bride // hair stylist: Nína Kristjánsdóttir // makeup artist: Nína Kristjánsdóttir // groom attire: Commonwealth Proper // rings: Custom engagement ring and wedding bands from Concrete Polish Jewels by Angela Monaco // dress alterations: Toile Custom Atelier // boots: Frye // tie: Commonwealth Proper // cufflinks: Commonwealth Proper // groom shoes: John Varvatos

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