OUR WEDDING IN NAUSTAVÍK
A comment straight from my heart became an internal joke and now, several years later, a dreamlike reality.
"I would like to get married here". The Gentle Giants staff sat on the grass hill in Naustavík - across the bay - and this strong feeling of admiration bubbled up inside me. It is an abandoned, remote and unspoiled paradise which you can see, but not reach whenever you want or without planning. Since that day we have joked, talked and dreamt about Naustavík as the place for our wedding.
Two days ago we realised our dream. Daniel (who is also working for Gentle Giants) and I got married there, in the presence of family, friends and pure nature. We shipped people across the bay on board our oak boat Sylvía, from Húsavík to Naustavík. Our guests had loads of diverse backgrounds; Iceland, Sweden, Germany, Scotland, India, Turkey and Ireland. Just above the beach, the civil officiant led the ceremony while the sun found its way down the mountain hills to the spot where we were all gathered. A milestone in our lives!
Pallurinn grilled the toothsome food, followed by cake and coffee in the oh-so beautiful, deserted house. A bonfire was lit on the beach and we sang and danced while a local trubador, Siggi, played the guitar until it was time for us to make our way home. Unexpected fireworks ended the wonderful evening by the mountains. During our sail back we were bathing in warm light from the midnight sun, and watched the silhouettes from humpback flukes raised up in the air, time after time.
Around midnight we left Naustavík, which for the first time in decades had been brought to life again, even if only for an evening.
It may sound a bit cliché, but our wedding day is absolutely the best day of my life (so far)! The whole thing was like a dream from start to end, and we want to thank everyone who participated in making it all so memorable! Special thanks to;
- Stefán Guðmundsson
- Hanna Sigga Svavarsdóttir
- Sædís Guðmundsdóttir
- Þóra and her staff at Pallurinn Restaurant
Text: (the bride) Lia Annisius Askelöf
Photos: Emme MacDonald and Lars-Åke Gustavsson
