30 W E S T W O R L D A L B E R T A | S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 gabe mcclintock
L
ove calls for grand gestures, and Europe's
storybook settings are tailor-made for the
grandest gesture of all: saying "I do." The
only hard part may be choosing which setting, from
the shores of a Scottish loch or the base of a roaring
Icelandic waterfall to the grounds of a tucked-away
Tuscan villa.
Iceland: Against a Backdrop of Waterfalls
and Glaciers
Declare your love in the land of ice and fire over the
roar of Gullfoss (Golden Waterfall), or on a stark-yet-
stunning lava field, where wisps of steam waft from
geothermal pools, and Icelandic huldufólk, or elves,
peek from behind boulders. Arrive in winter and the
northern lights may put on a show during your
ceremony. In light-filled summer, opt for an
extended sunset by Snæfellsjökull National Park, on
the westernmost tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula,
where the little black Budir Church is a favourite spot
for weddings. Or get hitched atop Mýrdalsjökull
Glacier at the south rim of Katla Volcano. ingvellir
National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along
the famous Golden Circle route, is also a popular
spot for outdoor weddings. And just 20 km to the
south lies the super-sleek ION Luxury Adventure
Hotel, itself an haute-and-hip wedding venue.
Local charm: In the Viking era, it was customary to
drink mead to seal the union, and continue for a full
moon (the "honeymoon"). Now, you might just try a
shot of aquavit beforehand to settle any jitters.
Follow Iceland's southern
coastline to the magnificent
glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón
on a day trip from
Reykjavík. From US$207.
AMATravel.ca/Activities
Wedding
Destination:
Europe
Where to marry across the pond
by BARB SLIGL
