This is a very exciting wedding, cakelets. Not only is it gorgeous and Icelandic and volcanic and postcard-worthy, it was also styled by our very own Jillian. Hooray! Seriously, when you see these pictures, you’re going to cancel your current plans and opt for a small wedding in Iceland too.
Christina and Mark had a difficult time deciding where to get married. Christina is from Vancouver and Mark is from the UK, and they have close friends dotted all over the world. Finding a location that was convenient to everyone seemed impossible, but Iceland ended up being perfect. It’s between London (their old home) and New York (their current home) and represented everything they wanted in a destination wedding: romance, intrigue, tranquility and 24 hour sunlight!
Christina contacted Jillian pretty much the moment J launched her business in January. Christina is super stylish, but not really the crafty sort. While she loves the handmade look, she knew she wasn’t going to be able to pull it off herself (for a wedding in Iceland) and also couldn’t count on local vendors, who she didn’t know at all, to create the wedding she envisioned. Perfect solution: hire one very talented lady to style it up!
Their invites, designed by Sarah Hanks, were little books documenting not only the wedding festivities but also their story as a couple, a sweet poem by Cole Porter, and a few other travel essentials.
In terms of design, Christina knew she wanted to play up the amazing natural beauty of Iceland and use the land whenever possible. Jesse and Jillian even picked handfuls of the local wildflowers (which are like milkweeds to the locals, but very pretty to guests) and added them to Christina’s bouquet.
The ceremony was outside, overlooking the ocean and lava fields. How cute are the mix n’ match chairs? Definitely a perk of having such a small wedding.
They booked Hotel Budir for the entire weekend and as Christina says, they could not have been more hospitable. They treated their 50 guests like family and went out of the way to make their wedding celebration completely perfect. Plus they got to indulge in 2 am hikes to waterfalls and dancing til 6 in the morning. It’s hard to sleep when the sun is always out and you’re about to get married!
For the reception, Jillian made fun escort cards inspired by the Us Box we posted from Summer of Grey Likes Weddings. Guests picked up their escort card and then found a corresponding phrase at their seat. Christina’s said “I Heart” and “Mark”. Cute idee-er! Christina found the trinkets on Etsy.
Seriously so beauitful, everyone! Christina and Mark, what exceptional style you have! And Jillian and Jesse, amazing design skills, ladies. Congratulations, newlyweds. We’re so happy we could share your pretty, perfect day.
Quite extraordinarily romantic, if you ask us.
Planning/Event Design: Jillian Event Design / Flower: Jesse of Rountree Flowers / Photography: Kyle Hale / Invites: Sara Hanks / Venue: Hotel Budir / Dress: Oscar de la Renta / Hairpiece: Sposabella Lace Place / Hair/Makeup: Emily Cheng (Christina’s sis) / Bridesmaids: Laila NY “A Feathered Affair” dress / DJ: Kristinn Thorisson (goes by Kiddi)
