Dawnbee and Alex eloped and said their vows to one another on Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Iceland.
Iceland is a stunningly beautiful country that will make the perfect backdrop for any occasion. From the majestic snow-capped mountains to the vibrant and unique culture, there are endless opportunities for adventure and exploration. Dawnbee and Alex’s Iceland elopement was such a joyous event and I’m excited to share more details about their special day!
Dawnbee and Alex’s story
So, Alex (he/him) and Dawnbee (she/they) actually had planned a getaway to Iceland. And unbeknownst to Dawnbee, Alex was planning to propose at Diamond Beach! But, unbeknownst to both of them, COVID-19 was going to throw a wrench in their travel (and surprise proposal!) plans.
With a trip canceled, Alex shifted gears and proposed to Dawnbee in the comfort of their home by tying a ring to one of their dog’s collars. So cute, right? Well, the next year, they planned to have their Iceland elopement. But with Europe still on lockdown, the chances of that happening were looking slim. So they got married at the Mill Mountain Star in Roanoke, Virginia.
Where I came in…
Now you may be wondering, “How did Dawnbee and Alex meet you and how did y’all end up in Iceland?” I was just getting to that!
Long story short, I was scrolling on Instagram one day doing what I normally do: engaging with prospects, friends, and supporters via DM. I stumbled upon Dawnbee and Alex’s account and got a really good vibe, so I cold DMed them and explained that I was a photographer who would love to take their couples’ portraits. But instead, I found a couple who was dying to travel to Iceland and searching for a photographer who would be willing to come along with them. It turns out that I was the photographer they were looking for! Fast forward to March 2022 and Dawnbee and Alex are finally getting to experience the wonders of Iceland and have their dream elopement!
How the day of the elopement went
Dawnbee and Alex rented a campervan with Happy Campers and drove to their cute cottage, which was just a 5-minute walk from Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. The weather leading up to the day of the elopement had us a bit worried. But despite all of the anxiety we had about the weather not cooperating, we couldn’t have asked for better weather (could’ve been warmer, but it is Iceland after all).
Part of our collaborative planning process is to create a formal photo list. So Dawnbee, Alex, and I had already created a list of posed photos we wanted to capture. We started with taking informal couples’ portraits in the van that they rented from Happy Campers. They traveled throughout the country in this van, so it only made sense to photograph them in it!
We then moved on to the flatlay photos. I started with photographing Dawnbee’s accessories and her written vows. Then, we moved on to capturing Dawnbee and Alex’s accessories together (which consisted of these adorable matching pens!), followed by capturing Alex’s accessories and his written vows.
Their flatlays, individual portraits as well as their first look and touch photos were all taken at the cottage Airbnb that they stayed at for their trip. Once the flatlays were done, we moved on to individual portraits of Alex and Dawnbee.
Dawnbee and Alex decided they wanted to do a first touch to build suspense and anticipation, followed by a first look. Dawnbee was particularly excited about Alex seeing her in her dress. His reaction was priceless.
Now it was time for us to head to Black Sand Beach. Alex and I held onto the back of Dawnbee’s dress while my friend René (who was acting as my assistant throughout the day) held onto their vows.
Dawnbee and Alex said their vows in front of Hálsanefshellir Cave in a simple and quaint ceremony. This was a true elopement because Dawnbee and Alex were the only people present for their ceremony besides me and my friend, René. They were already legally married in Virginia prior to having their Iceland elopement so no officiant was needed.
At one point, a crowd of 10 to 15 tourists gathered around to listen. Dawnbee and Alex didn’t seem to notice because they were focused on one another, but whenever I looked up from my camera, I saw smiles all around. It was such a magical and intimate moment. After they said their vows, we took couple’s portraits on the beach.
This marked the end of our time together in Iceland, which left Dawnbee and Alex with plenty of time to spend the rest of their trip doing whatever their hearts desired.
Testimonials
I truly had THE most amazing time with Dawnbee and Alex during their Iceland elopement and Dawnbee and Alex did too. Check out what they had to say about the entire experience!
“We truly couldn’t say enough amazing things about Cameron. We hired her for our elopement, and she was there for us every step of the way. We never had to worry about if Cameron had her sh*t together, she was so on top of things and we were consistently impressed. Her check-ins and meetings with us were always so organized and productive, she asked questions we never would’ve even thought of and she was clearly very invested in taking beautiful photos that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. She was also extremely patient in working with us on certain poses and we were impressed with how fast we received our pictures after the elopement. All of that being said, it was such a pleasure to work with Cameron and her positive and caring attitude, and we now cherish Cameron as a friend.” – Dawnbee (she/they) and Alex (he/him)
Planning a destination elopement in another country requires some research and detailed planning but it isn’t impossible to achieve. If you and your partner have decided to elope and are wanting to get the 411 on what you should and shouldn’t do, you’ll definitely want to check out these two blogs: What is an Elopement? Everything You Need to Know About Eloping and Where, When, and How to Plan Your Virginia Elopement.
And remember, I am here to answer all of your questions regarding your elopement. If you’re planning to elope in Virginia or at a destination around the world, I would love to be your photographer! Check out my pricing to learn more about my philosophy, process, and packages. If you’re ready to book now, fill out an inquiry form to get started!
