Jules + Travis
Elopement in Reynisfjara, Gljúfrabúi, Seljalandsfoss, & Skógafoss
Jules and Travis had actually gotten married 10 years earlier, on paper. With the busy-ness of life and having a beautiful child together, and another on the way, they just never got around to having the wedding of their dreams. Life only got busier, and the idea of that wedding only got farther away. That is...until elopements started trending.
With the modernized idea of what it was to elope, Jules knew right away that this was the actual wedding they had been dreaming of. The thought of it being just the two of them, saying their vows privately (and for the first time!), in a place that they felt matched their vibe; it was the perfect idea.
They needed a bit of help, having never been to Iceland before themselves. They contacted me looking for a photographer that could guide them through the trip of their dreams, hitting up the places they wanted photos in the most. Of course, I was happy to help them plan their dream elopement and, essentially, their dream road trip through Iceland.
So. We started with step one: writing down all the feels you have for your partner in a cute, little book.
Created: June 22, 2025
Travis, groom
"I was so impressed not just by the photos we got in return, but also how amazingly Shawna helped us with the planning of our elopement. We were so lost, we couldn't have done it without her."
Why they chose Iceland
Jules and Travis wanted to choose a location that they had never been to before, but had been dying to see forever. They had some other requirements though. They wanted to make sure they found a spot that had mountains, waterfalls, and something really unique. On top of that, they wanted to avoid the heatwaves of August. So that narrowed the options down pretty easily!
Iceland is a place with extreme weather. You can definitely have a warm, sunny day. But it's not a place where you would plan to have a relaxing day on the beach while sipping cocktails. It's full of adventure, winds that can rip your car door off (or pretty close!), and unpredictable weather. Maybe that's not making it sound so pleasant, but the rewards you get from the epic landscapes are worth it.
And, I mean, the adventure! It's not your average holiday, that's for sure. You will always go home with plenty of stories to tell.
What you can expect when eloping in Iceland
You're going to get landscapes as raw as your love for each other. There's something about Iceland that's just so deep, poetic, and authentic. Yes, there are a TON of tourists as well, but you can find your own private moments, even in the dead of August. I don't recommend, necessarily, going when it's that touristy, I'm just saying it's possible!
Everywhere you go, there will always be a spot you can pull over where there's no one. Clients tend to want the big tourist destinations for their photos, which I understand. They're freaking beautiful, and so grand. But, if you wanted something a little more private, it's definitely possible to find! And I recommend it, because why not do something different ;)
Not to mention, we can still hit up a touristy destination for part of your elopement. Most people take a multi-day option, particularly for Iceland, just because they want photos in allllll the cool spots. And that makes it less stressful as opposed to trying to fit everywhere in on a single day.
If you're curious to learn more, check out this Free Ultimate Guide on How To Elope in Iceland.
When should you elope in Iceland?
If you haven't yet read the link above (my Iceland Elopement Guide), then let me talk about this one important thing here. You can elope there anytime, it just depends on what you want. They have some incredible winter-vibes, if you're into the cold & snowy weather. It can get quite extreme, so you really have to be prepared, but if you're wanting to see the northern lights through a glass cabin, this is your chance (though; clear weather not guaranteed!).
Fall and spring have huge bonuses too. They're outside of the tourist season, so a lot less people around, and you get those beautiful autumn colours and even some spring blooms (you won't find cherry blossoms here, though). The weather can still be iffy, so again, be prepared. But you can still have some of the most epic sunsets you've ever seen, with a little luck.
And then there's summer, which is peak tourist season for a reason. It has the best weather, somewhat warm at times, and a ton of daylight in June and July. That midnight sun thing is pretty cool, I have to say! But it's also the busiest season, so we will have to avoid tourists. But, like I said, it's possible if you're willing to go off the beaten path.
"Shawna is the freaking BEST. Like, truly, we don't have enough good things to say. We’d been together for 13 years, married on paper for 10, and never actually did the wedding thing because life got in the way. But when we decided to finally get our butts in action and elope, Shawna’s help was priceless.
She helped us plan the most incredible 3-day adventure, and it was honestly better than we could have imagined. Every single detail was spot on. She knew exactly how to avoid the crazy tourist crowds (major win), and we never felt rushed or like we were just checking off boxes. It felt natural and chill and like we were just hanging out in one of the most beautiful places on earth… while also somehow getting insanely gorgeous photos at the same time.
Shawna captured our connection so authentically—we’re obsessed with the photos. Like actually OBSESSED. Can’t stop scrolling through them.
This was so much more than a photo session. It was the celebration we had forgotten we needed, and we honestly couldn’t have done it without her. 5 stars, 10/10, would elope again (but only if Shawna’s coming with us).
Book her. Seriously. Just do it. You won’t regret a single second."
"She knew exactly how to avoid the crazy tourist crowds (major win), and we never felt rushed or like we were just checking off boxes"
Testimonial by Jules - Bride
© Shawna Rae Photography 2025
say hi
hello@shawnaraephotography.com
follow along @shawnaraephotos
shawna rae
photography