SO! You and your partner decided you want an elopement day that's full of connection, adventure, and intention while being grounded in one of the most beautiful places on Earth: Iceland.
HERE'S THE THING: For couples like you who find their peace in wild places, Iceland hits different. Whether you're dreaming of a exchanging vows under the midnight sun or hiking around a glacier & ice caves in your wedding attire — I'm here to take that wild vision in your head and make it YOUR reality.
Because you two? You're not about traditional. You're about creating a day that's FULL of adventure and that just feels right.
luxury of
nature
For those who crave connection in the
luxury
of nature
for those who crave connection in the
- Open, clear communication
- Custom location scouting based on your vibe
- Activity recs that’ll create a full-day experience — or even a full weekend!
- Guidance on lodging, permits, vendors & more
- Custom planning portal to hold all the details in one place (think packing lists, inspo & playlists)
- My expertise as a local Midwesterner
- Realistic timelines with plenty of back-ups
- Day-of direction that is all about capturing real moments and emotions
- Images that capture you, your connection, and nature
- All my love & support ALWAYS
Here’s how I create elopements that are grounded and focused on the experience—
my clients invest in me because of:
And if you’re here, I bet you’re the same.
Maybe that means hopping on a plane to a new country or sitting by the lake with a good romance book while soaking up the sunshine.
I crave new experiences and romanticize the shit out of life. And I think that’s what attracts me to working with cool couples like you who are planning a celebration that's earthy and totally you!
I’m out here living for experiences, not things.
I believe in the importance of preserving our beautiful Earth, and respecting the lands we are so lucky to experience. We will be following Leave No Trace practices to preserve the beauty of Iceland.
- Ling & Roy
An elopement should be these things; simple, strategic, and stress-free, all while meeting your needs and making you the most organic genuine comfortable being on camera and I can say whole heartedly ALL of these things Samantha accomplished for us and MORE. EVERYTHING; from the communication, detail planning, she made us absolutely feel ensured every detail was perfect!"
Testimonials
- Marena & Alex
"Where do I even begin?? Samantha was a dream come true for our wedding. On top of being extremely talented; she was attentive, energetic and caring - exactly what we were looking for in a photographer! She was extremely flexible with us through many date changes due to the pandemic and made the planning process very smooth. She took the time to get to know us and made us feel comfortable every step of the way. Our photos were a dream come true and even more!! RUN, don't walk to book Sam as your photographer!"
Testimonials
SELJALANDSFOSS
KIRKJUFELL
Látrabjarg cliffs
Black Beach
skogafoss
diamond beach
Glaciers, islands, mountains, volcanos, waterfalls, hot springs, and more!
some of the best locations for your iceland elopement
iceland elopement packages
every package includes:
experience creation
After spending the last 7+ years photographing elopements and weddings, I've created such an intentional process to hone in on your vision, and then help you make it come to life! This includes intentional questionnaires, location scouting, custom recommendations, unlimited planning calls, etc.
custom planning portal
Access your custom client portal where all your elopement details live in one organized space. Your planning portal includes location guides, timeline details, vendor recommendations, and a checklist to keep you on track. This makes planning seamless and stress-free, allowing you to access important information anytime, anywhere!
click here to see melissa & seth's full elopement!
travel costs
Focus on planning your perfect day without worrying about additional travel fees. All my travel costs are included in your package price – no hidden fees or surprises.
back up plans
Weather can be unpredictable, but your elopement doesn't have to be. Every package includes thoroughly researched backup locations and alternative timelines. I'll monitor weather conditions leading up to your day and have contingency plans ready, ensuring your elopement is beautiful regardless of what Mother Nature has in store! (Don't worry, I have experience navigating Iceland's weather!)
- Coverage ranging from 4 hours to 2 days
- Expert planning guidance
- Custom planning portal
- ALL Travel fees included
- Sneak peeks within 1 week
- Full online gallery within 12 weeks
Starting at $4500
Creating hand-crafted elopements across Iceland rooted in natural experiences, adventure, and deep emotions.
iceland elopement packages
Includes
step one
Step Two
Step Three
contact me
consult call
BOOK BABY!
The first step in this journey is to fill out my contact form and then send it over! I'll respond back to you via email & text within 48 hours!
We'll hop on a consultation call to get to know each other better and start your journey of crafting your elopement experience together!
Once your date and general location is finalized, I'll send over a contract and invoice! A flat fee retainer of $2,000 is due to reserve your date!
Here are the next steps in your iceland elopement journey!
we're obsessed.
let's do this!
If you're thinking...
Want to know what your Iceland elopement could look like?
CHECK OUT LAURA & HUGO'S KVERNUFOSS ELOPEMENT
tips for eloping in iceland:
3. Have a symbolic ceremony
1. Go for a midnight adventure
2. Plan a unique experience
- Stephanie + Reid
"Sam was awesome to work with for our elopement! We booked with her in advance (over a year) and she continued to reach out to us throughout as we got closer to our date. The planning process was easy, her suggestions and expertise were great to have, and our pictures turned out so so good! She always made sure we got the pictures/poses we wanted and came us with ideas as well that we loved! So grateful to have picked Sam to be our elopement photographer and to have such wonderful photos to look back on forever to remember our day!"
Testimonials
- Allison & Eric
Sam was such a dream to work with! The photos she took of our elopement were absolutely incredible. She captured the exact feel we were hoping for. Plus, not only was she maybe the most positive and upbeat person I have ever met (and prepared when weather threatens to be uncooperative!), she was so helpful in planning the details of our elopement from 500 miles away! Highly recommend Sam for your elopement adventure!
Testimonials
what is the best time to elope in iceland?
Great question!! This will depend on your vision and what matters most to you, but here's a general run down of the 4 seasons! One thing to note is that you can get crazy weather in ANY month :)
Spring (April-May): You can get a little bit of everything in spring. You can still get some snow, sleet, right, but you also have a chance for sunshine. The average temperature in the spring is 32-50 degrees F, but there will be less crowds!
Summer (June-August): The days are extra long (hello neverending sunshine) and temperatures can range from 41-77 degrees F. It's important to note that summer is Iceland's busiest tourism season! (July is the BEST month in my opinion!)
Fall (September-October): Looking for some gorgeous fall colors?! Fall might be the perfect time! But be aware that it can be windy, wet, and cold! The average temperatures are 32-50 degrees F.
Winter (November-March): Daylight in Iceland becomes scarce in the winter season. The shortest day of the year (Dec. 21st) only gets about 4-5 hours of sunlight! It's also important to know that Iceland has strong winter storms that can happen out of nowhere. Roads close, and average winter temps are anywhere from 14-41 degrees F.
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What happens if we run into bad weather in iceland?
Great question!! While Iceland is known for its unpredictable & constantly changing weather, there's things that we can do in case this happens. In most cases, we can embrace the weather by being prepared! This can look like having backup plans, being flexible with your timeline & schedule, having proper gear, etc.
If the weather is too dangerous to be in, we'll look at rescheduling! Which is why I build in extra free days into my schedule, just in case this does happen ;)
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how do we see the northern lights for our elopement?
Soooo you wanna see Lady A on your elopement 😏 HELLLLL YEAH!!
So the thing about the northern lights is that they're unpredictable!! They come and go as they want, but you have a high probability of seeing them in Iceland during the right season!
If you're in peak summer months where the sun doesn't really set, you won't have a chance to see them since you need complete darkness. However, I've seen them at the end of August before! (Where the sun sets around 10-10:30pm)
LONG STORY SHORT:
The best months to catch the Northern Lights are September through March!
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how much planning do you actually help us with?
I am here to take as much of the planning stress of your shoulders as possible. I'll help you with anything you need from finding locations that speak to your hearts (aka location matchmaking), finding some local vendors (florist, hair & makeup, etc), giving you lodging recommendations, etc.
The only thing I don't do is book vendors, lodging, activities, etc. on your behalf! But I'm more than happy to give you recommendations for all those things.
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why should we hire you for our iceland elopement?
- As an American that's lived through traveling all over Iceland, I totally get your excitement for visiting Iceland and taking in all the raw nature it offers. I'm there to be JUST as excited as you checking out these gorgeous places for the first time & giving you all the information you need. And now, I focus on traveling to Iceland at least once a year.
- Now from living in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, I'm used to the severe weather we get here which helps me be more prepared for the unpredictable Icelandic weather. At home, we can get up to -50 degrees in the winter with 40-50mph winds at times! Consider me experienced in some wild weather.
- I am extremely intentional about where my money goes when I travel. I make sure I'm supporting local small businesses & artists, and pouring into the local economy. As well as supporting the parks, ethical outdoor experience businesses, etc.
- My speciality is incorporating the natural landscape & beauty around you while also documenting all the special moments you share on your elopement day - which is exactly how you'll want to remember your elopement in Iceland.
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REACH OUT HERE!
Hello, hello! I'm so excited to hear from you :) If you're ready to inquire, this is the place to be! Have a quick question? Shoot me an email at samantha@sburkephotography.com
You can expect to hear back from me within 48 hours.
Within 48 hours, you can expect detailed next steps via email! Please be sure to check your spam and promotions email folders, sometimes emails like to end up there! If you don't receive an email from me within 48 hours, please don't hesitate to reach out directly at samantha@sburkephotography.com.
Until then, feel free to have a look around and explore! :)
I can't WAIT to chat with you and your partner!!!
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Free Elopement Resources
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HOLY FUCK! DO YOU HEAR THAT? THAT'S THE SOUND OF THE UNIVERSE CHEERING YOU ON!
HERE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:
