Ghent Photographer Wins Global Prize for Ice Cave Wedding
A photographer from Ghent, Belgium, has earned international acclaim after her ethereal ice cave wedding photograph was selected among the world’s best destination wedding images. Kaat De Malsche, 34, saw her work chosen for the prestigious ‘2026 Best of the Best Destination Collection’ by Junebug Weddings, a leading American wedding platform. A professional jury selected her image from thousands of submissions worldwide, with only 50 photographs making the final cut, as reported by VRT NWS.
The Winning Image
The award-winning photograph was taken last winter inside a glacier ice cave in Austria, near Hochgurgl. De Malsche traveled there with a Ghent couple to document their wedding ceremony in the frozen cavern. The image captures the couple bathed in the surreal blue light of the ice, a natural phenomenon that creates an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
“It was insane,” De Malsche told VRT NWS. “I have a bizarre fascination for glaciers, and this one was unreal.”
The specific glacier location is in the Ötztal Alps near Hochgurgl, Austria, where the couple stayed at TOP Hotel Hochgurgl, according to the photographer’s website.
From Traditional Weddings to Adventurous Elopements
De Malsche is no stranger to pushing boundaries. After photographing more than 200 traditional weddings, she made a deliberate shift toward ‘elopements’ — intimate, adventurous ceremonies in nature where couples trade grand ballroom receptions for mountain peaks, ski slopes, and remote beaches.
“The essence is to keep hanging on: do what you feel like,” she explained. “I encourage the couples I work with to color outside the lines and challenge themselves.”
Her career pivot proved timely. Since earning her bachelor’s degree in Photography in 2014, she has traveled extensively — from New Zealand and Hawaii to Chile and Sri Lanka — building a portfolio that merges her passion for the outdoors with her craft. She is also a Leave No Trace certified photographer and a member of 1% For The Planet, donating a portion of her income to environmental causes, as noted on her about page.
A Personal Milestone
For De Malsche, the Junebug Weddings recognition represents a dream realized. She had followed the prestigious competition since the beginning of her career.
“It absolutely feels like a personal milestone, but also as a victory for my alternative and adventurous approach,” she said.
On Instagram, she announced the achievement on June 12, writing: “Incredibly honored and thrilled to announce that this image has been selected for the ‘2026 Junebug Weddings Best of the Best Destination Collection’! Out of thousands of submissions from all over the world, it was chosen as one of the final 50 images.”
About the Competition
Junebug Weddings, a well-known American wedding planning platform, runs the annual Best of the Best Destination Photo Contest. For the 2026 edition, a panel of judges including Manuel Aldana, Authentic Collective, and Nina and Darek evaluated thousands of entries from photographers worldwide. The contest was sponsored by Wildernis Lab, an editing outsourcing lab for wedding photographers, according to the Junebug Weddings contest page.
A Growing Trend
The award highlights the growing popularity of elopement photography — a trend that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic as couples sought more intimate, personalized celebrations. De Malsche, who also runs Firgen (offering workshops for photographers) and co-founded Green Wedding Revolution (promoting sustainable weddings), has positioned herself at the forefront of this movement.
What’s Next
The recognition is expected to boost De Malsche’s international profile, potentially attracting clients from beyond Europe. Her travel schedule for the remainder of 2026 includes destinations in Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, and the Netherlands, with no travel fees for couples who align with her itinerary. The winning photograph will be featured in Junebug Weddings’ online gallery showcasing the 50 best destination wedding images of the year.