2 May 2015
James & Jenny’s Wedding 2 May 2015 Snæfellsnes Peninsula Iceland
2 May 2015
ICELAND Hótel Búðir
Reykjavík Keflavík Airport
2 May 2015 We are getting married at Hótel Búðir on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland on 2 May 2015. We would be delighted if you joined us! Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice and is home to roaring volcanoes, icy mountains and deep fjords. It also has some of the best food we have eaten, delicious beer and warm hospitality; no surprise then that it has recently been voted the world’s friendliest country!
All the information you need about our wedding, including details about travel and accommodation, follows. We would be grateful if you would RSVP by 6 February 2015. Iceland is a truly special destination that we sincerely hope we can share with you. Skål (cheers)!
2 May 2015
Hótel Búðir
2 May 2015
Our Wedding Hótel Búðir (www.hotelbudir.is) is set in one of the most beautiful places in Iceland, approximately two and a half hours drive from Reykjavik. The hotel is situated on a lava field on the westernmost tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland. We have exclusive use of the 28-room hotel on Friday and Saturday (1 and 2 May) and are holding additional rooms at the nearby Hotel Hellnar, should we need them. Because of Hótel Búðir’s remote location we would love you to join us for both nights. We will be arranging transport to Hótel Búðir from the airport (for those arriving on Friday afternoon) and Reykjavik (for those that arrive on Thursday or earlier in the week). The bus will depart on Friday afternoon and return on Sunday in time for those with a Sunday afternoon flight. If you would prefer to drive yourself please let us know; we would be happy to help you make arrangements. As Monday 4 May is a bank holiday in the UK, we hope some of you will spend Sunday night in Reykjavik. After dropping off those that have a return flight on Sunday afternoon, we will be heading to the world famous geothermal pool at the Blue Lagoon (www.bluelagoon.com) for a swim, drink (at the swim-up bar) and maybe a spa treatment. Transport to Reykjavik will be provided afterwards. The Blue Lagoon is a highlight of many peoples’ visit to Iceland so we really hope you join us!
2 May 2015
Itinerary Friday 1 May Afternoon
Evening
Transport to Hótel Búðir (from the airport for anyone arriving today or from Reykjavik for anyone that arrived earlier in the week) Casual dinner at Hótel Búðir Live band (TBC!) Beach bonfire (weather permitting!)
Saturday 2 May Morning
Breakfast and morning at your leisure
Around midday
Wedding ceremony followed by reception drinks and photographs Wedding breakfast followed by speeches Party!
Early afternoon Evening Sunday 3 May Morning
Brunch before departure
Afternoon
Airport drop or Blue Lagoon
Early evening
Drop off in Reykjavik for those staying overnight
2 May 2015
Flights Iceland has lots of direct flights from the UK with Icelandair, WOW Air and easyJet. There are daily flights from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and London Luton (excluding Saturdays from Luton) as well as direct flights twice a week from Birmingham and four times a week from Manchester. Iceland is also serviced from Bristol and Edinburgh. The average flight time is two and a half hours. The flights from Birmingham and Manchester (that book-end our wedding weekend) are on the next page. We have also indicated our recommended flights from London but there are plenty of options. Please note that if you intend to travel to and from Hótel Búðir with us, your flight will need to arrive no later than 15.10 on the Friday and return no earlier than 15.25 on Sunday. To really enjoy the weekend, we encourage you to arrive on Thursday and depart on Monday.
2 May 2015 Date Birmingham Thursday 30 April Monday 4 May Manchester Thursday 30 April Friday 1 May Monday 4 May Tuesday 5 May London Gatwick Thursday 30 April Thursday 30 April or Friday 1 May Thursday 30 April or Friday 1 May Sunday 3 May Monday 4 May Monday 4 May Monday 4 May London Heathrow Thursday 30 April or Friday 1 May Thursday 30 April Monday 4 May Sunday 3 May or Monday 4 May
Direction
Airline
Depart
Arrive
Out Return
Icelandair Icelandair
13.25 07.50
15.10 11.25
Out Out Return Return
easyJet Icelandair Icelandair easyJet
06.40 13.25 08.00 09.05
08.25 15.00 11.35 12.45
Out Out
easyJet WOW Air
07.35 12.20
09.50 14.25
Out
Icelandair
13.10
15.10
Return Return Return Return
WOW Air WOW Air Icelandair easyJet
15.25 06.45 07.40 19.10
19.40 10.50 11.45 23.15
Out
Icelandair
13.00
15.00
Out Return Return
Icelandair Icelandair Icelandair
21.10 07.45 16.10
23.10 11.45 20.10
2 May 2015
Accommodation Saturday will be spent with us at Hótel Búðir (or Hotel Hellnar). We hope you will join us on Friday too. For those spending time in Reykjavik, there are plenty of options to suit all budgets: •
Icelandair Reykjavik Marina – approximately £96 for a double room, bed and breakfast
•
Center Hotels – offers five mid-range hotels in the city centre
•
Hotel Borg – approximately £175 for a double room, excluding breakfast
•
Kex Hostel - dorms start at £17 pppn and private rooms start at £62 per night, excluding breakfast
These are just a few of our suggestions. We have secured discounts with Icelandair Reykjavik Marina and Center Hotels, so please let us know if you would like to stay at one of those hotels.
2 May 2015
FAQs Why are you getting married in Iceland? Jenny has been working with Promote Iceland for a number of years (she has visited 14 times at the time of writing!) and has developed a strong affiliation with the country. James is also a huge fan, particularly of the food and drink. We want our wedding to be a fun adventure for all of our family and friends, so Iceland seemed like the perfect choice. What will the weather be like? The weather in Iceland is very unpredictable. The temperature in late April/early May should be between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. There is a saying in Iceland: ‘if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes’, so be prepared for everything! What should I pack? Lots of warm layers, a rain/windproof jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, hiking boots or good walking shoes, sunglasses and swimsuit. If you are a keen photographer, don’t forget your camera; Iceland is one of the most photogenic countries in the world.
2 May 2015 What is the dress code for the wedding? Formal dress but with some warm accessories! All activities will be taking place indoors unless the weather is particularly good. There may be a very short walk outside between the ceremony and reception but please feel free to wear whatever coat or jacket you are comfortable in; rain coats, anoraks or a cheeky fur number are all welcome! Will I see the northern lights? The best time to see the northern lights is between October and mid-April when the days are short and the nights are cold. It would be unusual to see the northern lights in May, however if the conditions are right (a clear, dark night with no light pollution) then there is a possibility. What will the daylight hours be? The sun will rise at around 05.00 and it will set around 22.00 during our stay. Isn’t Iceland expensive? It used to be, but since the financial crisis Iceland has become a lot more affordable for us Brits and prices are now comparable to London.
2 May 2015 What kind of monopoly money do they use? The currency is the Icelandic Krona and you will currently get about 200 ISK for every £1 spent. Most foreign exchange outlets in the UK will not stock Krona so we recommend ordering it online or withdrawing money from an ATM on arrival at the airport or in Reykjavik. You will be able to pay for things at Hótel Búðir with a credit or debit card. Do you have recommendations of what to do if we want to stay on in Iceland for a few more days? Absolutely, please just let us know as we have lots of ideas on how to extend your trip. I am feeling generous, what kind of gift should I give? Everyone making the effort to come to Iceland is a present in itself, but if nonetheless you feel so inclined, we would be very grateful for contributions (in the form of cash or cheque) towards our honeymoon. We have not decided on a destination just yet!
2 May 2015
Costs We know that we are asking a lot of everyone to come out to Iceland, so we are doing our best to make the trip as enjoyable as possible without breaking the bank for our guests. We will be covering everything on the day of the wedding (Saturday), other than some drinks. This includes overnight accommodation, food and entertainment. If you are planning on travelling to Hótel Búðir with us on Friday and returning with us on Sunday (which we sincerely hope you are!), we ask for a contribution of £125 per person in order to cover transport, food and Friday night’s accommodation (either at Hótel Búðir or Hotel Hellnar). In addition please note that drinks will be at your cost, other than some drinks on the wedding day. We will follow up with everyone that can make it in February and provide payment details then.
2 May 2015
Costs Flights Flights are currently £80-£200 return, depending on airline and departure point.
Transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik (if arriving earlier than Friday) Reykjavik is around 40 minutes from the airport and the best way to travel is by Flybus, which drops you at your hotel door. A one-way ticket is £12.50 and can be pre-booked at www.re.is/flybus. Buses wait for every flight. Taxis are also available at a cost of approximately £75 each way! Reykjavik Accommodation (optional) £65-£100 per double room, per night on average. Entrance to Blue Lagoon (optional) Approximately £27 each, however we are trying to secure a group discount.
2 May 2015
RSVP Please RSVP by 6 February 2015 by email to james_lydeard@hotmail.com / jennyg889@hotmail.com or by direct message on Facebook. If you would prefer to reply by post, please write to 32 Venice Corte, 2 Elmira Street, Lewisham, SE13 7FW. When you RSVP, please tell us the following: Name(s)! Yes, I will be attending / No, I can’t make it Yes, I have already booked my flights and here are the details … / No, I haven’t booked my flights yet but will send you details soon! I would like to have transport to and accommodation at Hótel Búðir or Hotel Hellnar on Friday night / I will not need transport but will need accommodation at Hótel Búðir or Hotel Hellnar on Friday night / I will not need transport or accommodation on Friday Yes, I want to join you at the Blue Lagoon on Sunday / No thank you to the Blue Lagoon Do you have any dietary requirements?
2 May 2015
We hope to see you there!