What began as a plan for two quickly became an experience shared with many—but never lost its sense of intimacy along the way.
Kierstin Holman and Jennifer Pohlman originally envisioned an elopement in Iceland. The idea was simple: travel together, take photos, and skip a formal ceremony altogether. But once they began sharing those plans, something unexpected happened. Friends and family wanted to be there—and more importantly, they were willing to make the journey.
That shift changed everything.
Instead of stepping away from their original vision, the couple expanded it. What started as just the two of them evolved into a 28-person micro wedding made up entirely of the people who mattered most. It was still intentional, still deeply personal—just shared.
Choosing Iceland remained central to that decision. It wasn’t just about getting married; it was about creating an experience. And being able to do that in a place as visually striking and immersive as South Iceland made the celebration feel even more meaningful.
A Day That Felt Like One Continuous Experience
From the beginning, the day was designed to feel less like a series of scheduled events and more like a shared experience.
The morning set the tone. Instead of separating for traditional getting-ready moments, Kierstin and Jennifer welcomed their guests in. Champagne, music, and time spent together created an energy that carried through the entire day. They got ready side by side before heading out for photos, already surrounded by the people they love.
By the time they arrived at their ceremony location—a private waterfall in South Iceland—the atmosphere felt both relaxed and surreal. With all 28 guests gathered, the setting offered something rare: a balance between scale and intimacy. The landscape was expansive, but the moment itself remained deeply personal.
After the ceremony, there was no rush to move on. The group stayed, shared drinks, and cut into a cake that revealed rainbow tiers beneath a red and black exterior—a detail that mirrored the couple’s approach to the entire day: thoughtful, expressive, and entirely their own.
Redefining What a Wedding Can Look Like
Very little about the day followed tradition—and that was intentional.
Kierstin and Jennifer walked down the aisle together, handing out Fireball shots and rainbow flags to their guests as they went. Instead of a formal officiant, their best friends led the ceremony, shaping it into something that felt more like a series of meaningful reflections than a scripted event.
One of the most personal moments came at the end of the ceremony. Together with their guests, they raised a shot and repeated a phrase that had long been part of their relationship: “Cheers to loving each other, forever and ever.” It was simple, but it held weight—and captured the spirit of the day in a way no tradition could replicate.
These choices weren’t about rejecting tradition entirely, but about keeping only what felt meaningful and letting go of the rest.
Carrying the Energy Forward
The transition from ceremony to reception didn’t slow things down—it amplified them.
A disco party bus transported the group from the waterfall to Hótel Grímsborgir, turning travel time into part of the celebration. It was a continuation of the same energy that defined the entire day: fun, connected, and shared.
At the reception, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Deep, moody tones created a more refined setting, but the overall approach remained simple and intentional. The space, the food, and the flow of the evening allowed the couple to stay present—something they credit in part to the support of Pink Iceland, who handled coordination once the guest list expanded beyond their original plans.
Letting the Day Evolve
What stands out most about this wedding isn’t just the setting or the details—it’s the willingness to let the plan change.
The couple started with a clear vision, but stayed open when it shifted. That flexibility allowed the day to become something bigger without losing what made it special in the first place.
Even with more guests than originally planned, it never felt overwhelming. It still felt like them.
A Reflection on Small Weddings
For Kierstin and Jennifer, a smaller wedding created space to focus on what mattered most.
It allowed them to shape the day around their relationship instead of expectations. It gave them the freedom to design an experience that felt natural, personal, and unstructured in the best way.
And in the end, that’s what made it memorable—not the scale, but the intention behind every choice.
Couple: Kierstin Holman (@kierstinkilynn) & Jennifer Pohlman (@jenniferpohlman)
Images: Anna Isabella Photography (hello@annaisabella.photography)
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Jennie LaVanchy is a former micro wedding bride, and she now supports countless couples in planning their own intimate celebrations through her blog, featuring real micro wedding stories and a curated vendor directory. Her practical advice and firsthand experience make her a go-to resource for those seeking to create memorable and meaningful micro weddings.
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