Mosha Lundström Halbert and Aidan Butler’s Iceland Wedding

The night before the wedding at our party on Vioey Island, Aidan and I gave guests stepping onto the boat a shot of Icelandic Brennivín (aka Black Death) as admittance to the Viking-themed Ísland Ínvasion party. Why have a conventional rehearsal dinner when you can have a costume party on a medieval isle? These were the Viking toasts during the warrior feast of lamb roast, caramelized potatoes, wild vegetables, and Icelandic skyr with berries. I’m cheers-ing with some of the groomsmen; chef Cory Vitiello; Suits actress Meghan Markle; Aidan’s niece and nephew Charlie and Luke Butler; my dad, Joel Halbert; and my groom. This was my ’90s Björk-inspired Viking hairdo by Nordic braiding specialist Theodóra Mjöll. I planned live Viking entertainment for Aidan as a surprise when we all arrived on the island. He is a massive Game of Thrones fan, so this was right up his alley. These guys were skilled swordsmen. At dinner, one nominated “Viking” from each table had to give a toast. This was the back of my custom Linda Lundström (my mum) parka with sequin appliqué and crystal fox cuffs and hood. Also here is my Wolford bodysuit that my mum doctored with an attached slip and more fur. All of her fur is Canadian and ethically sourced by First Nations trappers. Not seen: the skirt I wore down the aisle, as mum was too afraid it would wrinkle! My custom Paul Andrew Liberty thigh-high boots in ivory suede—made for warmth and glamour. I had an incredible beauty team. Theodóra Mjöll on hair—she gave all bridesmaids and my mum some form of braid, too, in keeping with the Nordic theme—and makeup artist Harpa Káradóttir, who works a lot with Of Monsters and Men. They gave me a facial first with Skyn Iceland products. Theodóra pinning my hair back into a low chignon. I was told the style looked just like Elsa from Frozen, but I have never seen the movie, so that was coincidental. I’ve always worn a braid crown for special occasions; it makes me feel super Icelandic. My boots went very, very high up. Mum made me a silk garter with crystals in Icelandic blue as my “something blue.” My darling friend Paul assured me that I would be able to withstand over eight hours in his high heels, but still made me a custom pair of his fur-lined Siberia boots just in case. He was right, though. I wore the flats horseback riding on the south of Iceland after the wedding. The ranch hands tried to get me in mucky Wellies, but no good shoe shall go to waste. All of the bridesmaids, my mum, and my officiator got to pick their favorite pair of L.K. Bennett sparkly crystal-covered black shoes—from booties to d’Orsay pumps—to complement their navy skirts and Wolford bodysuits. I love black and navy together, and I told them to choose the style they would dance the longest in. I was fixing my sister Sophie Lundström Halbert’s hair. She looked stunning. My bridesmaid Niccola Milnes is in the background. My bracelet was my “something borrowed”—a pearl necklace belonging to my Icelandic grandmother, Olive Lundström. Lacing up my Paul Andrew shoes! My finished beauty look. The makeup artist used mainly Chanel and Dior products. My lip color is by Toronto brand Bite Beauty in Café. The earrings reminded me of snowflakes and were my “something new.” They were a gift from my pal Daniel Lawler, the accessories designer at Oscar de la Renta. I loved being with my dad before the ceremony. He has refused to wear a tuxedo since his bar mitzvah in 1958, but he wore one just for me with a knit Icelandic sweater bow tie we got him for his 70th birthday just days earlier. He always likes to rebel a little. The final adjustments on my look with my mum. She designed her dress as well and looked so regal. She wore the other pair of Oscar de la Renta earrings Daniel gave me. This was right before my dad and I walked down the aisle. We sang “Hotline Bling” just prior to keep from tearing up! If in doubt, sing some Drake. The bridal party popped some champagne pre-ceremony to quell those nerves. Here are the groomsmen on the rooftop, from left: officiator Jonathan Weinberger, Simon Benstead, Rob Noble, Cory Vitiello, best man Luke Butler, Aidan Butler, Alistair Leyland, Thomas Griffin, Ryan Selwood, and Joel Halbert. Dad and I entered the ballroom and walked down the aisle to Sigur Rós’s “Hoppípola” played live by violinist Greta Salóme. Approaching the chuppah my mum also designed and made. The groomsmen, all in kippahs, held the chuppah over us, which is an Orthodox Jewish tradition we did out of respect for my dad, and because it looked so pretty. The “I dos.” Aidan looked so handsome in his bespoke gray cashmere and navy tuxedo by The Dirty Inc. And who needs a veil when you have fur? Just after “You may kiss the bride.” My skirt had an intermission hemline, which I love from the side view. Aidan and I exiting the ceremony while Greta played “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Aidan and I making our entrance down the balcony staircase for the “Happy Marriage” toast, an Icelandic tradition. A cheers during dinner, just before the really fun parts started. A view of the opera house during dinner. We went simple with the decor so that our guests and the space’s beauty could shine. Some of our beautiful guests, from left: Simon Dean, model Eve Tramunt, and Oliver Peckham. Our first dance. To Fetty Wap. Oy vey. At least it looks elegant! I was laughing because our first dance was supposed to be a romantic Paolo Nutini song, but instead it was Fetty Wap. How timeless. Cutting the cake. It’s an Icelandic Vinarterta by Icelandic-Canadian baker Arden Jackson. Mum brought it from Toronto. People actually ate it and asked for seconds and thirds, which is rare for wedding cake. The complete wedding party covered in snowflakes. Our New Year’s Eve toast from the rooftop of Gamla Bíó. Dressed in my Lundström evening parka with Aidan, who wore John Lobb oxfords. The endless fireworks over Reykjavík. We had the best view, as the Gamla Bíó has one of Iceland’s few rooftop patios. Groomsman Thomas Griffin photobombs us on the rooftop party. After midnight we brought out 101 party hats. Aidan’s was a light-up hat. Keeping cozy in my parka. You can take a girl out of Canada, but . . . For some serious dancing from DJ Atli, I changed into a Wolford chiffon-trimmed body tank and wore a glitter mask. Guests wearing the assorted party hats Aidan got from Danish store Tiger. The flamingos were probably the biggest hits. Our friends Matt George, Kelly Dowd, and Ashleigh Dempster at the rooftop bar. Our version of playing in the snow. I was so happy we had a real wintry mix that night. Snowflakes were our version of wedding confetti. By the end of the evening, all the boys were having a snowball fight on the patio, which is always good for the soul.