I’m totally head over heels for this tropical and romantic fete. I love the simplicity of the monochromatic florals and their incredible impact on the tables surrounded by the white chairs and gorgeously draped white fabric overhead. The romance and drama continued into the night with candle lit dining and a gorgeous sunset. And when the bride and groom had their first dance, all the guests were surprised by a pretty, pretty firework display. We’re talking pure romance from beginning to end thanks to Elegant Occasions. Ambrosio Photography captured all the details and I highly recommend checking out the full gallery for this one!
From Ambrosio Photography…LeAnn and Bernard chose Vieques because of the ease of access and being a U.S. territory. The W does a wonderful job at transporting you to some place new, a place that is relaxing. Elegant Occasions helped design and produce elevated flowers on boxes that glow. This helped create a romantic feeling for the two long tables. LeAnn was all about the details.
The day before the wedding, everyone went on a Biobay tour. For the day of the wedding, the beautiful town’s church hosted the ceremony. LeAnn hired the local high school marching band to lead the bridal party and guests out of the church. She did this because in high school she was in marching band! Cocktail hour consisted of over-looking the beautiful sun setting. Another surprise for the guests was as the couple started their first dance, there was a fireworks display.
Say hello to a whole lot of gorgeous and goodbye to those mid-week blues, SMPers, because this charming Bahamas affair by Lyndah Wells Photography is just the pick me up we needed (and more) this lovely Wednesday morning. All planned by Marva Munroe, this sophisticated meets beach chic soiree is boasting a vibrant red color palette, fabulous stylings by Chic Weddings Bahamas and one insanely gorgeous hair piece (swoon). There isn’t a single detail that I don’t absolutely adore, so I’ll be in the gallery soaking in all of the pretty. Join me there for even more!
From Lyndah Wells Photography… Michelle & Roy wanted a destination wedding far from their native New Jersey residence. They chose Island of Grand Bahama, in The Bahamas for their destination wedding and flew down with 70 guests. Their wedding date, February 19th 2011, fell just after Valentine’s day which made it perfect to carry along the theme of love. 50 red roses filled the bridal bouquet whilst rose petals dotted the aisle & seat ends of the beach ceremony & reception venue.
On a perfectly sun-filled day, a barefoot Michelle said “I do” to Roy on the pristine white sands of Spanish Main beach and while the guests returned to the reception venue on a ferry, they couple travelled back in style in a limousine. After the first dance, the speeches and dinner, all the guest were thrilled with an amazingly vibrant performance from a local Junkanoo group. Playing drums, horns & dancing. They experienced a TRUE TRUE Bahamian tradition!
This 3-day extravaganza that we are about to embark on is a complete dream from start to finish. We are talking about a jaw-dropping sangeet ceremony and a gorgeous wedding that followed and all of it wrapped up in a melody of beautiful colors and Old World elegance in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sweet Caroline Photo snapped all of the beautiful imagery and INvita Wedding and Event Designers designed each stunning event throughout this wedding weekend. Even the florals by Arquetipo are leaving us breathless. This is indeed a wedding for your favorites folder. See the whole gorgeous spread here!
From Sweet Caroline Photo…This was a 3-day event, the first day consists of a beautiful sangeet, the 2nd day was the wedding ceremony, the 3rd was a day after session held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At the sangeet they had professional Bollywood dancers come in as well as a Plena band (playing traditional Puerto Rican music).
From the Bride…My favorite photograph is from the sangeet night when William, my husband and I performed to a Bollywood song on stage. The performance was a surprise to our wedding guests. The photo is full of so much life (and color) and I loved to see our friends and family around the stage supporting and cheering us on. We took 3 classes and practiced almost everyday for a month leading up to the wedding. We were so excited to surprise our family and friends!
I was lucky to have two nights to celebrate our wedding. I wanted these two events to look different from each other and represent some of the cultures we were celebrating. The sangeet night was modern, colorful, and lavish. The decor was moroccan themed. The reception venue, the next night, was held at an old convent house turned hotel. It’s located in the heart of Old San Juan which has an old vintage feel. I was inspired by these locations and used them to create a different look for the wedding ceremony and reception night. I wanted something romantic and simple. Color was understated and we used a lot of candle-light to set the mood.
My brother/officiant/groomsman created and sang a song just for me. He performed, guitar in hand at the sangeet. It was a beautiful and rare moment. What a great brother! Also, in the few days leading up to the wedding, I woke up to find a hand-written letter from my husband under my hotel room door that went into detail about the vows he would make to me at the wedding. At the ceremony, I knew exactly what he meant when he recited his vows. They were perfect and full of hope for our future. The tears wouldn’t stop rolling.
My biggest piece of advice for brides and grooms planning their wedding today would be start planning early. I can’t stress this enough. Your wedding day was meant to be stress-free and it’s important to get all the details out of the way early. If your budget allows, hire a wedding planner or a day-of coordinator. These planners know their stuff and give good advice. You know the old adage, “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”? Well, your wedding is no exception to the rule. Despite the best efforts of many detail-oriented brides (trust me, I’m one of them), something may go wrong. So, go with the flow and don’t let the “small stuff” stain your memories. Additionally, if something does go wrong, don’t let guests in on your frustrations; your family and friends will feed off your vibe- so just enjoy it! In a few weeks, you won’t even remember you’re guests were rained on. True story.
This wedding film has got it all. It’s sweet and sentimental but it’s also fun and exciting to watch. The music is perfect and the couple is absolutely adorable. I’d be lying if I told you I only watched it once! REB6studios flew all the way to Puerto Rico from San Francisco to capture their special day and aren’t we so glad they did because the outcome is fabulous! And don’t worry, I won’t tell if you watch it over and over again!
From REB6studios…Coming from the Bay area, Mariane and I had to fly thousands of miles to get the opportunity to be the wedding videographer of Michelle and Armand’s destination wedding in San Juan Puerto Rico. The 12hrs of travel was definitely worth it. The place is just wonderful, the weather was also perfect. It reminded me of the Philippines.
I was eager to shoot because the place was just stunning. There were no bad locations for a shoot. I could walk around the resort for one day and I would have shot almost everything. Michelle and Armand and family will remember everything, especially the details and landscapes I shot. I actually had to go to old San Juan the next day because Armand’s parents suggested that it was a very nice place, which it was!
The couple expects nothing but the very best from us or else, it wouldn’t make sense to fly us there. And so, just like we always do, we shot like there was not tomorrow, got out there and had fun to prove to the couple that their investment with us is worth it.
One Love Photo has been wowing us time and time again with their exquisitely unique and artful photography but this Puerto Rico wedding has definitely sealed the deal for me. I am in full blown crush mode right now. Each and every image is like stepping into a dream. An elegantly chic and romantic dream from which I never, ever want to wake. Of course, the photographers did get a little help from the details like the insanely gorgeous Romona Keveza gown, the beautiful stationery made by the bride and the decor that is just the perfect amount of beachy and a whole lot of glam! Lounge seaside in the full gallery to soak it all in!
From the Bride…We would like to first thank you, Style Me Pretty, for allowing us to find our super talented photographers, One Love Photo! I will never forget the moment…wedding blog browsing on a rainy Friday night and seeing a post of their work on your site. I knew that weeks and weeks of interviewing and meeting photographers were finally over. I was beyond thrilled with their talent and knew I would do anything to have them capture our wedding. Thankfully it worked out and we could not have been any happier with Heather and Jon from One Love. So thank you again!
Our story began more than 10 years ago in high school…2 proms, 6 months abroad in Australia, many vacations and a whole lot of laughs later, we are married! We always knew we would have a wedding on the beach, you can call us beach bums (everything is a whole lot better near the water after all, isn’t it?) After Josh proposed, our first order of business was finding the perfect location. When we found the W Retreat & Spa in Vieques, we knew we found our destination – a tiny island off the coast of Puerto Rico where horses run wild! (Guests would need to fly a 20 minute charter flight from San Juan to Vieques.) The design of the resort (modern yet rustic), the terrain of the island, it was all just very ‘us’. We are always searching for that little gem whether it is a travel destination or a restaurant. And Vieques was our new-found gem. And to top it, Alain Ducasse was the chef! And so the planning began!
As a designer myself, I had a pretty good vision for our day and was lucky to have the ability of designing most of the elements of the wedding day and every detail that came along with it. I guess you can say 5 years of tear outs was a big help! I have been dreaming of planning my wedding ever since I was a little girl therefore my creative mind really took over for the 7 months before our wedding! We were lucky to have the talented W team and Arquetipo, the florist in San Juan, to carry out our vision. I would call our aesthetic modern and elegant yet classic. Natural linen was used in many elements along with gold accents on an ivory background, combining a beachy feel with a modern touch. The island and more-so the resort has a vibrant vibe with splashes of bright colors incorporated in the design so I chose to keep the decor simplistic and minimal. I didn’t want to disrupt the natural beauty of Vieques.
I designed a monogram that featured 2 seahorses along with our initials, used in many items as an accent. Our seating cards were die cut seahorses that hung on each guest’s water goblet. I also designed our linen welcome totes that were manufactured in China, using a work vendor. Engraved and guilded-edged invitations were sent out in linen envelopes, designed by yours truly, along with the menu, programs, welcome notes, table settings, save the dates and tags for wicker fans provided at the ceremony. Custom made luggage tags were given at the brunch that were personalized with each guest’s contact information. As for my left-side brained husband…he handled all the logistics as there is an enormous amount of coordinating involved in a destination wedding. Thank god for his love of excel sheets! As much as a destination wedding is a whole lot of work, in the end it is worth every single second of the process in getting there!
All in all, it really was our dream come true.
Wedding Photography: One Love Photo / Flowers: Arquetipo / Event Planning: The Bride / Ceremony Location: Paradise Edge at W Retreat & Spa / Reception Location: Alaine Ducasse’s MiX at W Retreat & Spa / Invitations: The Bride / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo + Christian Louboutin / Groom’s Shoes: Gucci / Wedding Gown: Romona Keveza / Maid of Honor Dress: Marchesa / Welcome BBQ, Ceremony + First Dance Music: Zack Borer with Rachel Frankenthaler / Reception Music: DJ Paul Gonzalez-Chavez / Cocktail Hour Music: Will Colon’s Steel Drum Band / Catering: Chef Alain Ducasse
Sometimes (ok, all the time) I crave travel to a tropical location like other people crave chocolate. It’s one of the (many) reasons I LOVE the Destination blog. It’s my daily dose of destination goodness, and keeps my cravings at bay a bit. So I can promise you that this Bahama beauty by Ben Jamieson Photography is where my imagination will be for the rest of the day. With its beach meets traditional meets gorgeous vibe, it makes for a gallery of images worthy of your best destination day-dreaming.
From the Bride…Lyford Cay in the Bahamas is a very special place not only to my family, but also to Mac and me. It was there in the sea that Mac proposed on New Years Eve day 2009 as we waited to go snorkeling with my three brothers. I had my goggles and flippers in hand making my way toward Mac. As I drew closer, he knelt on one knee in the water until he was chest-deep, and then he pulled an opened ring box from the pocket of his board shorts. I cried and laughed at the same time.There was no doubt in either of our minds that The Lyford Cay Club would be the location for our July 2, 2011 nuptials. My grandparents had lived there since 1960, and it became a second home to my family; in fact, my brothers and I were all christened at the Church of St. Christopher’s. As a little girl, I remember sitting in church counting the number of pews and people that could fit into each pew. This would dictate the maximum number of guests who could attend my wedding – 98.
Since July in the Bahamas can be toasty and the ceremony took place in a unairconditioned church only “cooled” by paddle fans, we left straw fans with ribbon ties in the pews for the guests to use. Also, at the reception, rather than a guestbook, I found some really neat and unique “Well Wishes” tags with a starfish print on it which we asked our guests to write a “well wish” for the newly married couple. Alongside the tags, there was a Polaroid camera so the guests could take pictures of each other as they walked in. Ideally, Mac and I would then match up the pictures with the well wishes to create a sort of scrapbook (we have yet to get to that!).Naturally, our intention was to incorporate as much local influence as possible. Our color scheme reflected and included the natural landscape of our surroundings. We used green, white and silver accented by shells and flowers of the Bahamas. We encouraged everyone to enjoy the laid back Caribbean feel, while still offering them an elegant and traditional evening. We wanted to stray from the barefoot, beach wedding vibe and leave that for the after-party. We opted to use all local vendors: Ben Jamieson Photography, Wildflowers, Visage (band), and Anne Lever (cake). And, our menu boasted local catch of the day and conch prepared every which way. The real icing on the cake – pun intended – was a surprise appearance by a costumed Junkanoo band that Mac and I planned for all the guests. During Visage’s set break, we had a Junkanoo rush, which gave everyone a true feel for a Bahamian celebration. And then the band returned… There was not a single guest left dry from all the dancing!
Both our families were so instrumental in planning our wedding. We are incredibly appreciative of their constant love and support throughout the process. In addition to my mom, each of my brothers contributed by designing invitations, creating a “Save the Date” video and a wedding “highlight” video, planning a fishing trip, and shipping large packages to Nassau for me. A large contributor to the flawlessness of the evening, though, was The Lyford Cay Club. Not only is it a beautiful venue, but the food is also wonderful, and everyone involved was so helpful and accommodating. It was a perfect location for our wedding. Looking back on the evening, there is not one thing Mac and I would change. We are so grateful to all of our family and close friends who flew to Nassau to help us celebrate.
These amazing St. Thomas nuptials by Jules Bianchi Photography are the perfect example of why I l.o.v.e a destination wedding. I can’t think of anything more romantic than running away together with close friends and family, tying the knot with the ocean as your backdrop and a tropical paradise surrounding you at every turn. Yes, I think this bride and groom pretty much have it covered. And with the pretty yellow and blue color palette, stunning bouquets by East End Flowers and a plethora of unique details all designed by the gorgeous bride and planned by Island Bliss Weddings, this is most definitely a destination wedding done oh so very right. I’ll be in the gallery soaking up all of the lovely, so join me there for even more beachy goodness!
From the Bride… My fiancé and I got engaged on the cliffs of the Italian Rivera at sunset, and as we began describing our wedding day together, we knew that we had to follow suit to the engagement, hosting a wedding in another exotic location away from home. Both of us are entranced by the ocean, love soft sandy beaches and wanted an intimate affair in a tropical relaxed location. I grew up in LA where the ocean was always a huge part of my life and he has an undying love for the Caribbean and all that it encompasses. We picked the Sand Dollar Estate in St. Thomas, USVI, known as the White House of St. Thomas for its view of the famous Magen’s Bay, but mostly for its ability to host a private small wedding with its own beach where the ceremony would take place. We also LOVE sunsets, and have very special moments throughout our relationship during sunset and watching the view from the estate over the water at sunset blew convinced us this was our spot.
Our inspirations morphed into what I was calling “Beach Chic” using more of a romantic, soft casual feel of Shabby Chic playing off the bright turquoise waters of the Caribbean and the “pop” of yellow sunshine. Special details from the day included Michigan “M” Sugar Cookies, as my Husband and friends are avid University of Michigan fans, a Russian Babushka doll next to the guest book in remembrance of my Grandmother and Russian heritage, Chinese parasol’s brought from our current city in San Francisco, Frank Family wine – a favorite of ours from Napa, custom burlap and lace runners made with love from my mother-in-law and other fun items I sourced on Etsy. All these special items were flown down with us to the island in 6 checked bags!
The day before our wedding day was the first rainfall of the year on St. Thomas, and rare for May. It poured, all night! The morning of the wedding, with the storm still looming above us, brought in the tide hiding our private beach where the ceremony was scheduled. However, we adjusted our plans, the rain held off and we were married outside on the patio overlooking the water. Even with the beach unavailable for the ceremony, we were luckily able to snap a few shots down on the rocks (without getting an ounce of water on the dress). Even with the threat of the rain, and the change in plans, it was an amazing day! My husband too cute, our guests lovely as ever and everything just as we imagined, including a spectacular sunset.
If you’re on the fence as to whether a destination fete is in the cards, well, we’re about to seriously sway the decision. Snapped by the fabulous Smitten Photography, this Bahamian number is about as beautiful as you can possibly get with a bride that is jaw droppingly gorg (and seriously has the best hair I’ve ever seen which is completely irrelevant) and a groom, NFL player Britton Colquitt, that is absolutely in love. Reason enough to share some serious eye candy with you guys here on SMP. Plus, it’s a wedding that gives proof to the idea that if you find yourself a crazy gorgeous backdrop, the rest will follow. Oh and a fun little tidbit before we set Pinterest on fire…the couple had a tiny guest list and opted to have their reception at a local restaurant in town. So romantic. So so intimate. Love that.
From the Bride…Britton and I are both Tennessee natives and are close to our southern roots but moved to Denver when Britton got a job punting for the Denver Broncos. We fell in love with the mountains of Colorado and spend much of our free time exploring the Rocky Mountain National Park. Britton popped the question there on a snowy rock on December 20th 2010. We quickly decided because of the football season, we would plan our wedding for March. Three months is a narrow window to see a girl’s dream come to fruition! Needless to say, there was much work to be done. Our vision of the perfect wedding combined Britton’s love of the islands and my dream of a traditional elegant wedding. We were amazed to find the jewel that is the One and Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. This venue combined our desire to have a sophisticated and unique island wedding with the charm of an exclusive plantation-style country club. We chose the Cloisters in the gardens of the resort for our ceremony. The beautiful ruins are definitely what sold us on this location because they are truly breath-taking and unmatchable. Next, I found a traditional wedding gown designed by Ramona Keveza at Ana Be’ in Denver and had a lace belt custom made by my seamstress to mirror a Monique Lhullieur design. Britton was referred to Astor and Black by a teammate when he asked around about a custom tailor to create a one of a kind linen suit.
We arrived in the Bahamas 4 days prior to the wedding and our guests also got a vacation out of the trip. Everyone had such a great time reuniting and unwinding on the beach the days leading up to the wedding. On the big day, my mom helped me get ready for the ceremony in a private bungalow onsite. It was such a relaxing experience to share with my mother the final moments before the wedding. My something borrowed and blue was a ring passed down to me that day by my mom. Our bridal party consisted of only us, we just felt like that was right for us. And much more romantic. We hired a local Bahamian bishop, Lester Cox, to perform the ceremony and could not have been more thrilled with the authentic island feel he brought to our day. To add to the authenticity of our Bahamian wedding, Francis Henry played Canon in D on the steel drum for the bride’s procession. Guests sipped on key lime pink lemonade as they arrived, and were graciously passed pink champagne after our announcement. With only 30 guests in attendance we decided to have a casual dinner reception dining on local fare in town.
In less than 100 days, with the help of many, Britton and I were able to plan and experience the best day of our life. Immeasurable thanks to Sharon Clark our photographer who documented the day and delivered the most amazing wedding photos we have ever seen! We still have to catch our breath when we look at them.
I can’t think of a better way to start the week here on Style Me Pretty Destination Weddings than with these lovely nuptials straight from the island of Aruba. I know… Enough said, right? And with a ceremony AND reception held on a gorgeous beach (love that), beautiful florals and seashells filling every table and a beyond breathtaking sunset, this fabulous soiree is definitely everything you dream of when you dream of a destination wedding… And more. Thankfully for us, Timeless-Pixx was there to capture every ounce of pretty. See it all here!
Melanie & Tim’s paths first crossed eight years ago as college students when they both traveled (Melanie from Iowa & Tim from New York) to Washington D.C. to intern. Despite their very different backgrounds they hit it off and over the course of the next year traveled back and forth between the Midwest and the East Coast to make things work. They finally settled together in Chicago, and later moved to New York City where they currently reside. Traveling was an early and necessary theme for them, so when they became engaged a destination wedding seemed to be in order.
The couple decided to exchange vows on the gorgeous island of Aruba. Bucuti Beach Resort is a small boutique resort located on Eagle Beach in Aruba. It is a quiet, serene setting perfect for honeymooners and newlyweds. It was also important for the couple to have one on one attention and help from the resort and wedding planning staff, and Bucuti offered exactly that. The wedding planner, Nashette, walked the couple through everything step by step and met their every wish, request, and allowed them to fully customize our wedding. The bride had several DIY elements, such us the wedding programs (fans) and a seating chart that were incorporated into the big day. Twenty guests attended the wedding and afterwards were able to join the bride and groom for a fun group shot with the photographer. It isn’t very often a bride and groom can be photographed with every single guest at their wedding, so that was really special. All in all, Tim & Melanie felt like royalty on the day of their wedding, even though an actual royal couple happened to get married on the same day.
Oh be still my glamour loving heart. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a more gorgeous backdrop for a wedding. But all palm trees and cobblestone laden streets aside, the details of this affair are what really shine through in each and every breathtaking image by Kristen Marie Photography. That and the insanely beautiful bride and groom. I’m just going to go ahead and vote them best dressed of 2011 as well as most likely to have the cutest offspring. The tuxedos, the baby’s breath, the old romantic architecture, the stunning dress…we’re dying over every second of it and you, my friends, can see it all here!
From Kristen Marie Photography…Camillie and Blake were married in Camillie’s hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico at El Convento Hotel in the heart of old San Juan. Bridesmaids wore peach floor length dresses and the groom and groomsmen wore black tuxes. Blake and Camillie wanted a sophisticated, romantic day to be shared with friends both in town and out of, and opted to have the ceremony held in the courtyard of the hotel and reception in the grand hall. Many small details with roses, peonies, hydrangeas, silver candle holders and baby’s breath adorned the tables and guests enjoyed salmon, chicken and great drinks. A band came in shortly after 10pm to surprise Blake and guests were given maracas to join in.
Sometimes all you need is a girl, a boy and a beach. It doesn’t get much more romantic than a dreamy getaway to a beautiful island like St. John especially when that rendezvous involves a sweet proposal followed by a resounding YES! Lovely Leaf Studio captured the love and excitement as these two cuties plan their next big adventure! Read their sweet proposal story below and see the entire enchanting island shoot in the full gallery!
From Lovely Leaf Studio… Ming & Travis vacationed in St. John after she completed her 3rd yr of medical school. On the first day after arrival, Travis was really protective and watchful of his backpack while swimming at Hawksnest. On the second day, just before heading to dinner after a wonderful day at Honeymoon Beach, Travis suggested a leisurely walk along an overlook. Because Travis was acting funny, Ming got suspicious and nervous too. At the top of the hill by a bench, they looked out over ocean and saw a beautiful rainbow. They finally got into the car and while turning the car around, Travis abruptly stopped. He had stalled 3 times already – at two gorgeous beaches and with a rainbow backdrop overlooking a sunset. He knew that no matter how many times he stalled, he would be just as nervous. He got out, opened Ming’s door, knelt down on one knee, and presented the ring he had been closely guarding the whole trip. SHE SAID YES! She was shocked, he was in shock, and it was really quiet for a few moments. Eventually they made it to dinner and started celebrating!
This Bahamas wedding looks like it just sashayed off the pages of a fairytale. It’s all white decor is beyond gorgeous and the bride’s dress? Yup. That’s none other than Oscar De La Renta and it’s pretty amazing if you ask me! And don’t even get me started on the chuppah, cascading with hundreds, maybe even thousands of white, fluffy flowers. I think I’ve died and gone to all-white-wedding heaven! James Christianson was there to capture all pretty, little details and there’s so much more in the full gallery!
From the Bride…Bill Fulghum (our creative director, if you will) and I worked tirelessly, pouring over every detail to make sure that the light fixtures would be perfect, locating a white dance floor, designing the chuppah, coordinating stationary. We were both incredibly detail oriented (maybe to a fault in my case).
Incents wafting as guests entered the garden; servers dressed in white glove attire stood in lines with trays of champagne as the guests entered; custom-made seat cushions softened the Philippe Starck ghost chairs we decided to use. At first I was worried that the design would be limited by what we were able to procure on the island; however, Michelle White, owner of Floral Arts, really came through and was able to supply us with every last element we wanted. She went to great lengths for us, whether shipping items from Miami, outright buying them for her company, she was really great to work with!
If you want to feel a bit fancy this Tuesday morning (and really, who doesn’t want to feel a little fancy on a Tuesday?), this elegant wedding by Amy Nichols Special Events will do just the trick. Complete with an Oscar de la Renta gown, stunning Puerto Rico views and drool-worthy Jimmy Choos – this wedding is making even my yoga-pant wearing self feel pretty glam on this otherwise standard weekday. We have Studio 1208 to thank for dressing up our morning with gorgeous images of the affair, and there is even more of this fancy fête in the full gallery of images!
And let’s continue the party for a bit with the gorgeous video from Studio 1208 – who also composed the original track you hear just for the couple. How special is that?
From the Bride…The Horned Dorset will always be a very special place for us. Our first trip together was to this hotel. We planned the trip at the 11th hour with little expectations for the resort or Rincon. When we pulled into the hotel, it was a pleasant surprise- 37 intimate villas on the beach. Once we reached the villa, we almost jumped out of our skin! Every room was Moroccan decor and they weren’t only romantic, they were two stories! We were so impressed with our room, and the property, we decided we needed to come back.
On our fourth trip, Bryan popped the question with a cushion cut diamond on a rose gold setting. It was the perfect place for me to say YES to a lifetime with him! Almost immediately, the planning began. The next day, we had breakfast with the GM, who led a tour of the property to see all the magical nooks and crannies (including the presidential suite). The key selling point: the entire resort to ourselves and all 85 guests! With Bryan from the West Coast, and Kimberly from the East Coast, a destination wedding was the perfect happy medium. Our 4 and half month planning process began had already begun!
With a short timeline to bring our vision to life, I knew hiring a planner was key. With some research, plus recommendations, I choose Amy Nichols Special Events. The reception room at the Horned Dorset is traditional, formal black and white decor with romantic red chandeliers. To keep the color theme consistent we had white flowers, adding other touches. Amy used red and pink flowers to add pop along with mercury and silver vases. I loved having more than two colors- it kept every room fresh and festive. I walked into the reception and was filled with the smell of flowers- they were over the top and gorgeous (thanks to Arquetipo Flowers!). One splurge, we flew in table runners / linens for the wedding from La Tavola Linens. They pulled the black and white floors and table centerpieces together. Never skimp on linens!
Since the ceremony overlooked the water, I wanted a dress that was sophisticated and beach appropriate, but nothing casual. Slipping into my dream Oscar de la Renta dress, I couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle! I felt like a princess, fortunate for me since our wedding was the same weekend as the royals! The ceremony stage was set. It was simple and tasteful with oversized lanterns surrounded by pink and orange flower petals.
I was looking back through our real wedding archives yesterday and stumbled across THIS insanely beautiful wedding. It was given to us by my friend and crazy talented photographer, Aaron Delesie way back in the day when SMP was still finding its sea legs. Since that wedding, we’ve featured Aaron’s work time and time and time again…each perfect wedding more beautiful than the next. Well, I’m going out on a limb here and going to say this one, might be his best to date. The wedding itself is gorgeous (and don’t even get me started on the bride)…but the photography. Oh the photography. The images will literally take your breath away. And then, if it seemed like it couldn’t get any better, I got to open the film clip that Julie over at one of my fav cinema studios EVER, Elysium, sent my way. And I was proven completely wrong. The beauty is palpable…from the photographs to the film. Click here to see even more.
I know, I know. I’m considering printing some of these babies out and framing them for my home. They are art. To put it simply. Well, my friends. Wait until you see this next little piece of wedding heaven. Handcrafted by the fabulous team at Elysium, this vignette is beauty…come to life.
From the Bride…When Charlie and I began the wedding planning process, we knew exactly what type of event we wanted: An elegant yet intimate ceremony possibly under the stars surrounded by our closest family and friends. We wanted it to feel timeless, personal and romantic. A celebration of love and life between loved ones. I also knew I wanted to incorporate my Colombian heritage and customs into our wedding celebration. Loving all things creative, I was ecstatic at the opportunity to design and create a beautiful and memorable experience and so the search for the perfect venue began in our home city of New Orleans. However, after numerous site visits, nothing seemed to fulfill our vision! We started toying with the idea of doing an intimate destination wedding …after all, it would allow us to share in a weekend-long celebration with our guests! Immediately, a light bulb clicked and a trip to Puerto Rico from two years prior came to mind. When we visited the island, we fell in love with the architecture and its old world charm. Puerto Rico or “La Isla del Encanto” (The Island of Enchantment) as locals rightfully call it, was the perfect representation of our two cultures- a blend of both English and Spanish influences plus it offered the old world elegance and allure we desired. After proposing the idea to our families, it was an easy decision and the Puerto Rican adventure began!
As we were glancing through our Puerto Rico vacation pictures for inspiration, we stumbled upon some shots from Castillo de San Cristóbal, a magnificent 200+ year old fortress and remembered its natural beauty. We knew the site would be perfect for a romantic, candlelight ceremony under the stars! Next we booked our reception site at the Salon Campeche in the breathtaking Hotel El Convento, a landmark monument located in Old San Juan. Once a convent, the hotel embodied the essence of Spanish Colonial architecture and design adorned with rich wooden beams, handcrafted tiles, carved chairs, velvet settees, antique chests and old ship bells.
We knew not all of our friends and family would be able to attend due to the distance so photography and cinematography were at the top of our list. I used SMP as my resource as I knew its featured vendors were the best of the best in the industry! It didn’t take long for me to fall head over heels in love with the work of Elysium Productions so I immediately contacted them and as luck would have it, they were available for our date! I struck double gold because I found my photographer, Aaron Delesie through them as well. I couldn’t have been happier…I was going to get married to my prince charming in a castle in front of our dearest friends and family and it would all be captured by the two most creative wedding vendors! Our fairytale was slowly coming to life!
Oh my goodness, this Dominican Republic wedding just calls to me. I can hear the waves crashing on the shore and the wind softly blowing through the palm trees. I can smell all the fragrant red flowers and I can feel the love. It seems to be pretty stinkin’ perfect. Anyone else packing their bags, ready to join me? Michelle Turner Photography is the genius behind the images of this stunning beach wedding. She was able to take full advantage of the amazing island ambiance and has totally rocked our socks off. Which is fitting, as we’re all ready to dig our toes into the sand after this amazing affair. If you’re dying for more, like we were, check out Michelle’s blog for the album!
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.
I sure hope you’ve got some frequent flier miles burning a hole in your pocket, because after you spend some time with this Jamaican wedding from David Murray Weddings, you’re going to be turning up the Bob Marley as you zoom to the airport. You may recognize this couple from their engagement shoot a while back. You may also recognize the bride as one of our favorite LBB floral geniuses, Melanie of Le Bonne Fleur Flowers. Needless to say, we were all a tizzy when we finally got a peek into their Caribbean wedding, which did not disappoint. It’s completely stylish, completely laid-back, and completely fabulous. And there is more in the gallery. Ya mon.
About eight months before we were engaged we took a trip to The Rockhouse Hotel. My family has always liked those hidden, off the beaten path places and decided to try Rockhouse. After spending a week swimming in the lagons, cliff jumping, sleeping, eating, taking in the breathtaking western susnsets and enjoying the friendly staff and laidback atmosphere of Jamaica, Mike turned to me and said “I have never been this relaxed in my life!”
When we got engaged, we thought this would be the prefect place to get married and share with our friends and family. Since the resort was the perfect size, we figured we could occupy the whole thing and spend the weekend sharing, celebrating and entertaining those closest to us. We did just that and have no regrets!
The setting was a large part of the inspiration for the style and overall feel of the wedding. Being in Jamaica, where “ya mon” is a way of life, we wanted things to be relaxed and comfortable, from the guests’ attire (flip flops welcome) to the family style sit-down dinner.
Our palate was neutral as the surroundings of the property’s gardens, the ocean and sunset were the focus of the decor. The Rockhouse Hotel is located on the cliffs at the western most point of the island, making for the most spectacular sunsets. The ceremony, cocktail and reception all took place here.
Rocks, cliffs and jumping became a theme throughout the wedding and weekend’s events. Not only did the venue provide the perfect setting for this, being perched up on the cliffs, but also the act of “jumping-in” seemed to be the perfect metaphor for taking the leap into marriage. We incorporated hand drawn images of cliff jumping by our stationer, Paper Daisies, and select phrases custom calligraphed by calligrapher Neither Snow on the invitations and RSVP cards.
To conclude the wedding weekend, Mike and I recreated the image on our invitations in person, jumping in with both feet into our new life as a married couple – committed fully, no turning back, a little scary, but so much fun!
One memory I will never forget is how nervous, excited and hot (I think that was the warmest day of my life) I was before I walked down the aisle. Once I saw Mike standing at the end of the aisle, I didn’t feel any of that. It all went away and my focus was on him. The most vivid memory Mike has of our actual wedding day was “the beauty that glowed from Melanie as she turned the corner and walked down the aisle with her father, tears rolling down her face. I have been known to cry at times like these, but I did not. I really couldn’t do anything else but smile at that point, knowing I was about to spend the rest of my life with the woman I love.”
Every couple has those moments while planning their wedding when running off to a beautiful island and eloping sounds like a really good plan. Well, if you’re prone to these moments of fantasy you may not want to look at this Harbour Island elopement shot by Patrick Moyer. You just might find yourself with bags packed, your honey in one hand and a plane ticket in the other. There is something so special and romantic about the quiet, intimate moments captured here. Immerse yourself in the full gallery and get your destination on.
We’re not ready to head home just yet. Take one last magical journey with this super 8 film by Patrick Moyer.
From the Bride… I feel like I’ve been to the moon and back. After a cumbersome few months of trying to coordinate a small wedding at home, we decided to elope on the intimate Harbour Island – a very small Out Island in the Bahamas, complete with all the rustic charm frequently found with small island living. We stayed in the Cricket Pavilion on Hibiscus Hill…. designed & owned by India Hicks, the Pavilion was perfection. Just steps from a beach of pink sand and an ocean of turquoise with gentle breezes – it was bliss at every turn. Even an evening of heavy tropical rain was enjoyed on the porch, by candlelight, with a glass of wine and a little David Gray.
We married in a little pink church on Dunmore Street – the oldest church in all of the Bahamas – it was beyond words – beyond all expectations on every level. My husband amazed me and I am forever grateful for what we experienced. After a very intimate ceremony, he surprised me with an over-the-top dinner for two, back at the Pavilion. Unbeknownst to me, in the previous weeks, Kevin had been working with a small team to bring this evening to fruition. A two-piece Bahamian band heralded our arrival. The stairs were flanked with floating candles and covered with white rose petals and hundreds of white blooms and candles covered the porch and interior. I was beyond amazed and surprised – and many tears followed. Not one detail was missed – a British-trained private chef, a table draped in linen, printed menu cards and name cards, a first dance, and our private band played as we dined by candlelight on the porch. Just us. I would not have wanted it any other way… those moments were ours, and ours alone and I wouldn’t trade any of them for a windfall.
Making the decision to elope was bittersweet – saying our goodbyes to family friends the week prior to our departure was emotional, and the final call to my mother from the airport really tugged on my heartstrings. But ultimately, I feel that preparing for our marriage privately, and experiencing it exclusively, created an indescribable bond of conquering this milestone together. We truly had the best of both worlds – our elopement and then upon our return, we hosted a small dinner party which was another evening of magic all on its own. We were blessed with the company of those closest to us, a dozen or so toasts, and an evening of many smiles and happy tears.
The Super 8 film, in hindsight, was one of the best decisions… it told “our story” in such a unique way and we will cherish it always. And I cannot say enough kind words about Patrick Moyer and his wife Rachel. They were a true asset to our elopement and were just as much as a support system as they were our photographers. Pat & Rach arrived on Harbour Island as our photographers and left as friends. I have thought of them often since our return and wish they weren’t on the opposite coast!
Being in the industry myself, I did have a leg-up on the planning process but it doesn’t mean that it didn’t come without its stresses – we were planning this excursion with very little lead time. For what it is worth, I do have some advice for brides that are in the throes of the planning process:
Choose a celebration which really represents you as a couple – whether that means eloping our hosting 500 guests, it will make your experience more “real” for both of you.
Select wedding professionals whose work you not only love, but who you really enjoy as people – it will make all of your interactions so much easier, ESPECIALLY your photographer as they’re with you every step of the way the day of your wedding. Also select wedding professionals that you trust so that you can simply let them do their job, there is much value in “letting go” – your “team” will appreciate it and you will be relieved of much stress.
Discuss your priorities & make them your “big ticket items” – you can be really creative with the rest to stay within your budget.
Take any “road bumps” in stride & don’t take your eye off the ball – as much as everybody loves a fabulous party, the bottom line is that it’s about your union, not the “stuff” on the periphery.
Slow yourself down through the planning process and especially the day of your wedding – this event happens once and it’s gone in a blink – embrace every fleeting moment!
Wedding Photography & Film: Patrick Moyer / Accommodations: The Cricket Pavilion / Bouquet & Boutonniere: DIY, The Bride / Calligraphy: Betsy Dunlap / Post-Elopement Dinner Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher / Wedding Ceremony Location: St. John’s Anglican Church / Bride’s Dress: H&M / Bride’s Earrings: Chouettes / Elopement Announcement, Dinner Invite & Menus: Up Up Creative / Floral & Event Coordination: Prince Jay Jay Percentie of Dunmore (Princeofdunmore@gmail.com) / Bride’s Shoes: Nordstrom
From the e-mazing (yes, with an e, it’s that good) table runner to the brilliant pops of Bermuda color to the Kate Spade welcome bag and fab shoes to Bermuda’s national cocktail, this photo shoot by the lovely ladies at DM Events captured by the ever so talented Allan Zepeda is most definitely my sunshine on a cloudy day. All of this pretty took place at the Mandarin Elbow Beach Bermuda, which has also been added to my “must visit” list (this list is getting quite long thanks to this Destination Weddings blog!) Of course you should sit down and stay awhile, because the gallery is full of vibrant, sun-filled images for you to soak in!
From DM Events… After a long winter in New York, our team stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac in Bermuda and all thought the same thing: Hello Sunshine! And so the theme of the trip was born – from the amazing Bermudian sunrises, to the design of our table, and every cocktail in between, the sun never left our side!
When you have an opportunity to design for a resort as world renowned as the Mandarin Oriental, in a location as gorgeous as Elbow Beach, having the right person to capture the details is key and Allan Zepeda was certainly the man for the job!
When creating this design, we knew that color was going to play a pivotal role, but the elements we were able to find far exceeded our expectations. DM Events spends tons of time in the fabric stores of NYC’s garment district finding just the right fabrics to create custom linens for our clients so that is where we started our hunt. Believe it or not, the bright pink/yellow/orange patterned fabric was one of the first we found and we built the rest of the design around it! In order to allow the linen to be a showstopper, we used neutral colors and textures in the rest of the table top design. Large white blooms were placed in clear and white vases of varying shapes and sizes and, along with candles, filled the center of our oversized table. Rattan chargers and burlap napkins provided a great natural beach feel. If you have ever been to an event on the beach, you know that wind is always an issue – to combat place cards blowing away, we stamped each guest’s name onto their napkin – it was a fabulous custom look and uber simple! When we arrived at Elbow Beach and realized that our table could be set up on the beach right in front of the gorgeous Bird of Paradise private cottage, we were ecstatic – sometimes nature adds the best design elements! The cottage also had a large balcony overlooking the beach- the perfect place for a lounge at our nighttime party, complete with decadent desserts made on-site by Elbow Beach’s talented pastry chef. (Yum! Trust us!)
It was important to find the perfect bold stationery to match our design, so for the ceremony programs, it was all about finding fun, colorful paper to complement the already beautiful outdoor ceremony location… and then picking just the right seashells to hold them down!! (Note to brides- Bermuda beaches are filled with soft sand, partially because there are no shells on the beach! Don’t forget to pick them up at a craft store and fly them down with you!) We like to keep outdoor ceremonies simple – flowing fabrics and candles are great for this!
Guests at destination weddings love welcome bags so we filled the cutest Kate Spade tote bag ever (Check out the words stitched on it!) with all the local treasures you need for a day in the sun! The goodies didn’t stop there – from the jewelry to the shoes, Kate Spade had the perfect colorful accessories for our sunshine wedding. And guess what? Lord & Taylor has an amazing wedding shop where we found amazing, light weight dresses for the beach soirée! The local cottages on the property provide the perfect serene environment to prep for your special day – it was amazing to listen to the waves crashing outside our window as we set up the accessories- we are an NYC-based company and are used to hearing taxi horns as we set up.
Not only was the staff of Elbow Beach accommodating in every way possible (Ask for Sophie Dier – she rocks!), but they told us a key bit of info before we arrived: Bermuda has a national cocktail! Not only are Bermuda Rum Swizzles delicious (Again, trust us!), but they are colorful- just what our cocktail hour design needed… and reason number 1,758 that we fell in love with the island!
I have been swept off my feet by the pastel goodness found on the streets of Old San Juan and I love that the sweet, soft hues are mimicked in the pretty bride’s bouquet and adorable candy favors. It’s taking all my control not to lick the computer screen because Dia Rao Photography‘s images are like fluffy clouds of cotton candy yumminess. The dramatic and elegant reception just tops off this already delectable treat of a wedding! Click here to see even more!
From Dia Rao Photography… Terra & Kevin were married at the Old San Juan Cathedral, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Terra’s family is from Puerto Rico, many of whom hadn’t been back for many years. And with many of Kevin’s family coming from Ireland, the couple settled on a destination wedding in the middle.
Terra & Kevin spent the week in a lofty Old San Juan rented flat which doubled as the bride’s getting ready space. They roamed the streets of San Juan with their family and friends, enjoying the local flavors, tastes and smells. The reception took place at the El Convento Hotel, a former convent, turned quaint boutique luxury hotel.
The small group of guests were greeted at the reception by an assortment of family photos by escorted to their tables with XOXO lollipops.
Two words came to mind when I first saw this dress – hubba hubba. It is a total wowzah, showstopper, jawdropping number like only Vera Wang can do and perfect for this destination wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The glamor did not stop at the gown but continued with a mix of modern luxury and historic charm at a breathtaking seaside ceremony location. SB Childs Photography beautifully captured both the old-world loveliness and the modern elegance throughout this magical day. Click here to see even more!
From the Bride… I couldn’t be happier with our decision to have our wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Everything turned out just as I had hoped. We had just over 50 people, our families and closest friends. It was exactly what we wanted.
When picking a location, I used a wedding planning company who sent me many recommended properties. While their suggestions were nice, none of them really “wowed” me. I did some internet research and fell in love with the aqueduct at Rose Hall Resort and Spa. The aqueduct was built in 1837 and had an archway cutout overlooking the ocean. It was perfect for the ceremony. We had minimal flowers, the aqueduct and surrounding landscape were all we needed.
The reception immediately followed the ceremony, in the courtyard of the Three Palms Restaurant. We had a steel drum band during our cocktail hour to enjoy some local music, followed by dinner and dancing. About a half hour before the reception ended, it started to rain. We had been so lucky with the weather up to this point. Taking pictures outside, the outdoor ceremony, dinner in the courtyard. As I looked around at my friend and family on the dance floor in the pouring rain, everyone was still dancing and having a great time. It was a moment I will always remember. Everything was perfect.
I’m so thankful to have captured these memories in pictures from SB Childs. Stefanie and Brock are not only talented, they are such sweet and genuine people who were amazing to work with. My friends and family instantly connected with them, too and I felt like they were guests at the wedding, not our photographers.
