A destination elopement in Iceland with freshly picked blue lupine bouquets for pansexual brides 

After deciding to have a romantic destination elopement, wives-to-be Sarah (she/her) and Devon (she/her) traveled from their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Iceland for a week of adventure and celebration. The couple customized their itinerary, accommodations and schedule to be relaxed, flexible and full of nature.

The morning of their summer wedding ceremony, the pansexual brides got ready together, spending some quality time in matching white robes and sleep masks with “bride” embroidered on them. After enjoying their morning coffee, Sarah and Devon wandered outside to say hello to the horses they’d met on a nearby farm. The nearlyweds knew they wanted to enhance the surrounding natural beauty for their wedding photos, so they also picked blue Nootka lupines, which are a signature of Icelandic summers, in a field, gathering the flowers for their matching bouquets.

Both brides wore white lace Justin Alexander wedding gowns and hiking boots, with pearl accessories and parka jackets for the walk to their ceremony location. Sarah wore pearl jacket earrings that belonged to her grandmother. The couple exchanged vows in an open-air ceremony in front of Gufu Waterfall, just outside of a town called Seydisfjordur, which is famous for its rainbow walkway and queer Pride. They wrote their own vows and incorporated religious and spiritual elements through handfasting and the reading of cardinal directions, a blessing practice featured in many cultures.

Sarah shared more about their romantic Iceland elopement.

Tell us your love story!

Devon and I met as work colleagues. We quickly became friends and were inseparable. We talked about every topic and aligned on so many of our core values. A few months after meeting, we were at dinner with friends and Devon asked me what my sexual orientation was. I shared with her that I was pansexual and described what it meant. Devon said that was a lightbulb moment for her, when she heard the term and felt like I was describing her. She also said that’s the first time she thought she might have a chance with me.

We continued to form a close friendship and the following summer, Devon shared that she was in love with me and asked if we could start dating. I was also in love with her but was nervous. I tentatively said yes, but within a week had declared my love for her as well. Devon enjoys the outdoors very much. While dating, she shared those activities with me and we hiked, kayaked, hammocked and picnicked. We also enjoyed the opera, saw Broadway shows, traveled to other countries and explored the arts in our then-hometown of Frederick, Maryland. After a year of dating, we took a vacation to Ambergris Caye, Belize. While there, I proposed to her on the beach.

What advice would you give to engaged LGBTQ+ couples or marriers?

You’re creating a new family, so be very true to yourself and exactly what you want in a partner. Go to therapy together, and learn how to communicate and fight well. Discuss big items like religion, children and lifestyles before getting married. Make your wedding about you as a couple.

What challenges did you face as an LGBTQ+ couple planning your wedding?

Finding LGBTQ+ friendly and inclusive vendors to work with is the first hurdle. One of the reasons why we chose Iceland, aside from how gorgeous the country is, was that it is very LGBTQ+ friendly. During our week-long elopement, we were greeted by many locals who went out of their way to congratulate us or do something to make the trip extra special, late check-out at our Airbnb and full use of the grounds for pictures. Choose your wedding location and honeymoon location where you can be 100 percent authentically in love and on display.

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