Ever since our first date we have been inseparable. Eight months after meeting David, he flew us to Paris under a rouse that we were attending a friend’s wedding. Our second day in Paris he proposed while we were at the top of the Arc de Triomphe. It took us a few weeks to even start to think about how and where we were going to celebrate. We both have a passion for international travel and Latin cultures. We wanted to bring all of our favorite people together for an extended amount of time so we could enjoy everyone’s company in a relaxing a beautiful environment while sharing some of our passions with our guests.

When we came across Casa Kimball in the Dominican Republic online it seemed too amazing to be true. We reached out to Monica who manages the private villa and quickly realized that she is organized, detailed, responsive and gracious. We were immediately taken by the gorgeous villa pictures and Monica’s ‘can do’ attitude. When we arrived in Cabrera we were so excited by the lack of tourism and the chill laid back attitude of the area. Casa Kimball is striking in photos but in person it is infinitely more than we could have imagined.

We found our fantastic photographer extraordinaire, Michelle Turner Photography, online. Michelle came down with her husband Eric as her second photographer and they started scouting the area immediately. I don’t think they stopped working the entire time they were in Cabrera.

We chose there ceremony location for it’s proximity to the crashing waves and for it’s lush green grass. David’s aunt lead our ceremony in which we asked each of our guests to speak on the topic of love and relationships. We had so much fun during the ceremony with our guests and all the personal touches each person brought. After the ceremony we toasted and got to some preliminary dancing! I had sent Monica a few pictures of what I envisioned for the flowers and the decor and she made my vision sing! Our meal was outstanding and the service we received the moment we stepped on the island was superb. We absolutely had to invite the whole staff into the dining room so that we could express our gratitude and give them a round of much deserved applause. We danced late into the evening while sipping on our tropical cocktails and nibbling on the homemade desserts.

The next day we got to do it all again -well sort of. We got dressed up and met up with Michelle and her husband for a day of fun local shots. We went back to the beach where we had the bonfire, we hit the center of Cabrera and a fun local bar called Manny’s where we found time to have a few drinks with our talented photographers. We went back exhausted and spent the next day on the beach alone reliving the moments of the days that just passed.

Photography: Michelle Turner Photography / Flowers: Casa Kimball / Event Design: Casa Kimball / Venue: Casa Kimball / Shoes: Jimmy Choo

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beach Wedding, Casa Kimball, Color Palette Red White, Destination, Dominican Republic, Jimmy Choo, Michelle Turner Photography, Ocean, Outdoor Ceremony, Palm Trees
Post categories: Destination, Little Black Book Blog

Their story …

Jennifer and Eliu met in Bayonne, New Jersey many years ago during high school. Hear what Jenn says about the ensuing years …

Although we had our bumps in the road, our paths always stayed together- fighting with passion toward our vision and what we knew in our hearts and souls- that our love transcended that of husband & wife.  So for a long while, we never saw the need to marry. We were revolutionaries and non-traditionalists and we loved that about ourselves.

Honestly, we struggled with what marriage would provide that we didn’t already have. We didn’t feel the need to be like Nike and “Just Do it!”    Our lives had taken us through so many new situations, states, homes, phases of development and personal growth. As each year passed, we didn’t think about not being married or how it seemed, we thought about being mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally prepared for the beauty and challenges of marriage.

In 2007, after a particularly long period apart, Eliu showed up on Jenn’s doorstep and asked her to marry him!

Again, from Jenny …  Time literally stood still. Eliu said that he had traveled across the country to say that he loved me more than life itself. After many hugs and kisses, he said there was one more surprise!  ANOTHER? He popped in a video tape and started playing a home video of his mom, sister, nieces and MY parents flooded with emotion and CONGRATULATING us on our engagement! Truly, it was the best day of our lives.

from Candice at The Finishing Touch …

The fun began on Friday when Jenn and Eliu, along with many of their guests arrived in Punta Cana at the Paradisus Palma Real. Their wedding weekend kicked off with welcome drinks ~ a “Bienvenidos Gathering.”  Saturday was filled with an amazing excursion … swimming with the Dolphins and Sting Rays.  Although the water was chilly, all had a wonderful time and got some amazing pictures.  They all came racing back (literally racing) for the rehearsal on the beach.

The Rehearsal Dinner was held at the Bana Bistro where guests enjoyed family-style Asion Fusion fare. Our design team had created a photo book that featured all of the guests in attendance, along with a write-up about their importance in Jenn & Eliu’s lives. It was during dinner that they shared this special gift with each of their guests.

In all my years as a Wedding Consultant, I have seen and been touched by many wedding ceremonies … but none more so than the one I witnessed on Naos Beach at dusk.  One of Jenn’s closest friends performed the ceremony. It was a mix of culture and spirituality that brought tears to EVERYONE’s eyes. Jenn’s brother added a special touch by providing all the music, played on his saxophone.  We often tell our brides and grooms to always remember that although they are hosting a great party, the importance of the day is found at that moment when they become man and wife, and this was certainly true for Jenn and Eliu.

And here is the part that sums it all up … from Jenn …

Eliu and I work so well because our spiritual beliefs sustain us and carry us when the road appears too long and too dark.  He trusts me- even when I over analyze and make him take psychological assessments and bring my work home- he humors me and honors me and what I do- he appreciates that I will be a doctor and that I am a strong woman who occasionally roars. We work because we LIKE each other more than LOVE each other.  We work because we are best friends with benefits. We work because when one of us is almost out of steam the other picks up. We work because we take mini-getaways to revive our spirits. We work because we respect each other.

Jenny, you have reminded us ALL what this thing called LOVE and MARRIAGE is all about. We truly thank-you for sharing your story with us today!

You can see more photos and details from their wedding over on Candice’s blog!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 24 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Dominican Republic, Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana, The Finishing Touch
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Planners & Designers

And as far as stunning bridal parties go … hold onto your hats!

This is just a tidbit of what the beautiful bride, Laura,  had to say about their story …

We first met during a modeling runway show in Houston, Texas but we actually did not speak to each other until we met up through mutual friends at a birthday party. From then on we began our love relationship. Alex proposed to me on the 1st of February. My birthday is on the 31st of January and he took me to California to visit for my birthday gift. As we were traveling to our destination, we wanted to enjoy the beautiful scenery from highway 1. Once he found the perfect spot we got out of the car close to a cliff near the water and he got down on one knee and asked me to share the rest of my life with him.

I am a recent graduate from the University of Houston with a major in Computer Engineering Technology and I have been modeling for over 6 years.  We enjoy working out, training, dancing and outdoor activities like white water rafting.

I actually chose my wedding location from a magazine I was looking at from Barnes and Nobles. As long as I can remember, I always wanted to get married on the beach. The only problem was … where?  I went to Barnes and Nobles and picked up a magazine that had all the wedding destinations across the world. Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic was my favorite place … and that’s how I chose my wedding location!

As far as flowers, this was very important to me. I knew I wanted orchids. I looked online for the perfect flowers and I sent them to Viviana the wedding planner and she duplicated the picture. Other than that, I wanted our wedding to be as easy as pie ~ the least difficult as possible …

If you think these two gorgeous people ought to be on the cover of a magazine … they very well might be! {They are both models!}

Laura’s dress is a Badgley Mischka design. Our congratulations to Laura & Alex on your marriage and wish you the very best!!

Thanks SO much to Laura Burlton with D. Jones Photography for sending us both of these fabulous weddings featured today on the Little Black Book Blog!

For more of this fabulous weddings from Laura Burlton and D. Jones Photography, please visit the website and blog.

Day After Session

Resort Details

More of Laura & Alex’s Wedding Images (and here)

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bagdley Mischka, Bavara Beach, Beach, bouquet, Caribbean, D. Jones Photography, Dominican Republic, Orchids, Paradisus Palma Real Resort, Punta Cana
Post categories: Contemporary, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style