As members of the wedding industry themselves, Chelsa and Ryan chose to celebrate their love with a pared-down elopement in Iceland. Inspired by Budir Church, the little black chapel in the middle of the rugged country, the pair dressed in black and white; Chelsa keeping warm in a polka dot J.Crew sweater over her blush-dyed wedding gown. The entire experience was full of raw emotion, from handwritten vows spoken before their officiant and witnesses — their photographer Lauren Apel and videographer White in Revery — to the adventurous trek through epic greenery as husband and wife.
The Couple:
Chelsa and Ryan
The Wedding:
Budir Church, West, Iceland

I have always been a huge fan of eloping. Elopements are just so romantic, whether it be alone in the mountains, Vegas or just down to city hall. It all makes me swoon. Something about your wedding day being so authentic and personal that it was meant for just the two of you. It just doesn’t get any dreamier than that. So planning the ultimate romantic escape that suited our couple-style consumed us and we loved every single minute we spent dreaming up our perfect wedding day for two.
That little black church called to my soul. It was my muse in the entire planning process.

We each wrote our own vows and I also wrote our ceremony. Since we were eloping we walked into the church hand in hand, and we laughed and cried with our photo and video team who quickly felt like our family.

Oh my g...