Caribbean Weddings

So now that you’ve had some time to soak in all the sweetness of this couple’s stunning love shoot this morning, it’s now time to dive into their jaw-droppingly gorgeous wedding, all captured by Judy Pak of course. And when I say jaw-dropping, I mean you’ll physically have to pick it up off your desk, because this wedding is just beyond. From the stunning vistas to the gorgeous (totally in love) couple, and everything in between – there isn’t a prettier place to be this afternoon then this gallery of images.

From the Bride…A destination wedding was perfect for us- we love to travel and wanted to appreciate every minute we could with our families who travelled from all over the world to celebrate our marriage in Turks & Caicos.

We had been to Turks & Caicos once before, however neither of us had ever visited The Gansevoort before the wedding. We planned everything in good faith over email and arrived on the island to no unwelcome surprises.

The long weekend was highlighted by a bhangra flash mob at our wedding reception, an intimate portrait session on an uninhabited island in T&C, an impromptu karaoke night between both families and our guests, and the brief, yet peaceful, delicate sprinkle of rain only minutes before our wedding. While I enjoyed planning the creative details of our wedding- the customized fake tattoos, the s’mores bar at our rehearsal dinner, the playlist throughout the night- at the end of the day, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the perfect everything, but still, the most impactful memory from the wedding was the energy and excitement from our friends and family, which we will always remember.

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Photography: Judy Pak | Assistant Photographer: Jonathan Tan | Wedding Coordinator: TeresaBrummer, Tropical DMC | Venue: Gansevoort Hotel | Groom’s Attire and Shoes: Suit by Theory and Shoes by Gucci | Bride’s Dress: Saja Wedding | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choos | Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Videographer: Fred Lee

Can I just tell you, I just adore, and I mean adore, the idea of snapping up a few shots the day before your big day. Before all the hustle and bustle, before the whirlwind. I adore it even more when it’s captured by the lovely Judy Pak on the gorgeous island of Turks and Caicos because that means we are in for some serious lovely. And that’s just what is sitting in this gallery. But don’t stray too far today, this couple’s gorgeous wedding is coming up next!

From Judy Pak… Marissa and Kanu opted for a portrait session before their wedding day to document their time on the gorgeous islands of Turks and Caicos. We decided to charter a private boat and explore some deserted islands. These two were so happy, laid back and in love…a complete joy to photograph. They laughed, frolicked and just enjoyed each other’s presence with nothing around them for miles and miles. With the beautiful sun setting behind us, we headed back to the hotel where they were joined by friends and family for their gorgeous rehearsal dinner on the beach. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.

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Photography: Judy Pak Photography | Location: Turks and Caicos

If you ask me, destination “I dos” are where it’s at. Because when you combine the romance of a wedding, the excitement of adventure, and those postcard-perfect views…well, it’s like snagging yourself a one-way ticket to swoonville. And this Jamaica love fest? No exception. With Round Hill Hotel and Villas as their backdrop and the crazy talented Closer to Love duo behind the camera, there’s no doubt this wedding was the ultimate day.

From the Bride…We were the couple that never thought we would be wed – that progressive couple that thought we didn’t need marriage to define our relationship.  But something happened to us ten years later, our hearts changed and we were open to the idea.  Aaron popped the question and I had butterflies.  It couldn’t have been more perfect of timing.

Needless to say, I’ve never dreamt once before of what my wedding could be and had no expectations other than for it to be intimate and relaxed.  And since we’re not the traditional couple, we certainly did not want a traditional ceremony.  All of these things led to an easy decision, destination wedding.  We fell in love with Montego Bay right away, but trying to find the perfect resort was tricky.  With much research, it led us to the most incredible place on Earth (according to us), the Round Hill Hotel and Villas.  This former pineapple plantation captured everything we wanted:  complete sophistication but with an effortless atmosphere.  Grand enough to house the likes of Grace Kelly and the Kennedys but small enough that the entire Round Hill staff knew my guests by name. 

Transferring and planning for 40 people was certainly a tall task – someone described it on the trip as to “herding kittens.”   However, we were up for the challenge and made it work.  We were incredibly fortunate in assembling the best team that made everything incredibly easy for us – from our coordinator, Raquel, to our lovely photographers to the local artist that we used to letterpress our invitations and menus.  Everyone went above and beyond and made the planning process equally as enjoyable as the execution was.  Each detail was valued as a memory and was tailored to giving our guests the ultimate experience.  It was important for our friends and family to feel the gratitude that Aaron and I had for them – that they had traveled so far to witness us say ‘I do’ and that they had patiently waited all these years for our big day to come.

Every day was planned with an event.  A chartered sailboat served as our welcome party, where we snorkeled in a nearby lagoon and toured the bay until sunset.   The following day, Aaron proudly organized beach games on the shore, which involved tossing mangos into rings and relay races on paddle boats.  Later that night, we kicked off our shoes and dined directly on the beach in the sand for our rehearsal dinner.  We enjoyed a Jamaican barbeque feast and celebrated with folklore dancers, fire breathing artists and the now-infamous limbo.  News traveled quickly, and I was greeted as “Limbo Queen” from there on out.   

Our ceremony was held on a shallow cliff overlooking the bay and the cocktail party in a large hut next to the infiniti pool.  Candles illuminated the path for our guests which lead them to our sunset reception at the Hanover terrace.  Paper lanterns adorned the large tree that pierced through the balcony and shaded our guests below.  Candles glistened throughout…  That night was perfect and will forever have our hearts.  Every second was divine.

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Photography: Closer to Love Photography | Venue: Round Hill Hotel and Villas | Wedding Coordinator: Raquel Bernard | Cinematography: Elite Media Concepts | Floral + Candles: Tia Flora Services Ltd. | Invitations + Menus: Blackbird Letterpress  | Calligrapher of invitations + Menus: Neithersnow | Calligrapher of place cards: Nancy Hopkins Handlettering | Guest Bags: Faux Pas Printing | Cake: Round Hill | Officiant: Glenroy Clarke | Ceremony Guitarist: Jorge Valenciano | DJ: Kevan Stewart | Makeup: LVO Makeup Artistry by Lynna Vo | Hair: Huey Nguyen | Wedding Dress + Hairpins: BHLDN | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Veil: Mia Bridal Couture | Garter: Bella Fleur Bridal | Maid of Honor Dress: J.Crew | Groom + Best Man Suits, Custom: Luca Falcone | Shoes: To Boot New York | Tie: Tie Bar | Cufflinks: Zara

A weeklong celebration of love in St. John? That sounds pretty darn dreamy to me. And thanks to Pat Furey Photography, it looks pretty darn dreamy too. Gorgeous actually. With its subtle yet stylish vibe and stunning vistas, it will be hard to deny the prettiness in this post. And really, why would you ever want to? See all the pretty here.

From Pat Furey Photography…Jess and Dave’s wedding was a weeklong celebration on the small island of St John located in the US Virgin Islands. They got married and celebrated at Villa Kalorama; they rented the private mid-century modern villa for week to spend amongst family and friends. For portraits we headed to what Conde Nast Traveler named as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world, Trunk Bay. I think it more than lived up to it’s reputation. We found a cool private beach with a cove and tons of rocks for portraits.

From the Bride…Our destination wedding began as the perfect compromise between eloping and having a traditional soiree, but ended up being more than we could have ever imagined.

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Photography: Pat Furey Photography | Floral + Event Design: DIY by bride and mother-of-bride | Event Planning: Laurie Crandall | Ceremony + Reception Location: Villa Kalorama | Invitations: Powerhouse Paper  | Catering: Local & Tasty | Program Fans: DIY by Bride | Cupcakes: Island Sweet Stuff | Table Runners: DIY Bride & Mother-of-Groom| Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Grooms Suit: J.Crew

I don’t know if it’s the Summer months or just the seriously hot weather we’ve been experiencing here in the Southwest, but I’ve been itching for a vaca in the worst way.  One that includes endless sandy beaches, crystal blue waters and sunshine for days and days… and days.  So when I spotted this little gem of St. Lucia affair from Gideon Photography, my heart immediately began to race.  Because this isn’t just a wedding held in a tropical paradise itching for visitors (it soooo is), it’s a serious lesson in destination perfection.  And that’s a whole lot of pretty to soak in.  Join me in the gallery for more.

And a beautiful film from NP Films to wrap up the day.  Enjoy, lovelies. xo

From Gideon Photography… St. Lucia.  It doesn’t get much more romantic then a wedding set to views of the Pitons reflecting into the Caribbean as the sunset lights the sky on fire. An amazingly beautiful couple like Tiffany and Corbin make it that much more perfect. Their destination wedding with a small group of family and friends at the beautiful St. Lucia Heaven was the perfect wedding day. We also had an opportunity to go to Pigeon Island where the 17th century ruins of the British fort crumbles away making for some pretty breathtaking backdrops.

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Photography: Gideon Photography | Cinematography: NP Films | Venue: Caille Blanc Villa with Awesome Caribbean Weddings | Day of Coordination: Topp Events | Signage: Morgann Hill Designs Event & Bridal | Dress: Grace Attire

Fairytale romances?  They start out with a bang.  A chance meeting in a Las Vegas bar kind of bang that you kind of think only happens in the movies, but when it comes to this darling NYC duo, it’s a seriously awesome reality.  One that was followed up by a long-distance romance, a cross-country move and a San Juan wedding that will, put simply, blow you away.  It’s a day that was made for the big screen, complete with the planning expertise of Momentus and one image after another of pure pretty from Envi Photo. See them all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… I (a native Texan) was living in Los Angeles, working for a boutique hotel in Beverly Hills… and Devin (a life-long East Coaster) was living in New York, working as Director of Business Development for a cross-channel digital marketing company – when our worlds collided in a Las Vegas hotel bar on January 28, 2008.

After a few short months of cross-country dating and endless hours of long-distance phone calls (thank goodness for unlimited plans!), we decided to see what would happen if we lived in the same city – in fact, in the same apartment! By July of 2008, I (and all of my earthly belongings) had landed in Brooklyn, and we never looked back!

In 2010, while on vacation in Puerto Rico to celebrate my 40th birthday, Devin charmed me into a midnight walk on the beach. He had managed to keep the proposal and the ring a complete surprise – I had no idea what was happening! The next thing I know, he is on one knee. After a few squeals and joyously running around in a circle (my trademark), I accepted.

We immediately chose San Juan for the wedding, not only to commemorate the location of our engagement, but also to honor Devin’s family from the island. Devin (definitely the romantic of the two of us) selected January 28, 2012 for our wedding. On that date, guests from New York, California, Spain, Florida, Sweden and Texas converged on Puerto Rico for a sunset wedding, written entirely by us.

Four years to the day after walking into a bar in Vegas (in my “I love boys” t-shirt), I walked down the aisle and married the love of my life (this time I was in Vera Wang).

A destination wedding is certainly no easy feat – especially for a detail fiend like myself! I approached the planning and the event itself the way I would have if it were going to be in New York. I am very hands on, and we both really wanted something classic, yet modern – and most importantly “us” – which meant some fun and quirkiness added in.

I can’t seem to leave anything alone – even our Save the Dates, I hand-cut a layer of vellum and tied each one with a platinum ribbon. As inviting guests for a Destination Wedding is a substantial undertaking, we wanted to ensure that our guests had as much time as possible to plan – and we also hoped they would make an extended trip of it, and truly enjoy the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Although we selected a classic design, we included the note: “partypants required” which our friends and family loved.

The invitations were a critical component of the wedding for us. I found out through this process that my husband is as big a paper snob as I am! We both wanted letterpress, however, quickly decided it was well out of our price range. After weeks of searching, I simply could not get this ONE letterpress design out of my mind. We bit the bullet – and it was truly one of the best decisions we made. The invitations were exquisite… the design a perfect match of classic and modern. Of course, I couldn’t leave them alone – as gorgeous as they were. I wanted them to be absolutely one of a kind and set the tone for the entire weekend. I mounted each invitation on charcoal gray cardstock, and cut wide bands of the most stunning handmade paper that I had found in an art shop here in the city. And for my NEXT trick – I lined each and every last envelope by hand on our kitchen table – not only the invitation envelope, but also the RSVP envelope. I handmade the menus – using the same cardstock backing, and bands of the same paper that went around the invitations… details that were not lost on our guests – we had so many compliments!

Devin’s sister Cristina, also the Maid of Honor, was instrumental in organizing a number of group activities leading up to the wedding. More than anything, we really wanted to give everyone a sense of the island and to have multiple opportunities to meet and bond with each other before the wedding. We had a welcome happy hour at La Taberna Lupulo in Old San Juan, a guided rum tour at the Bacardi Distillery, and a sunset catamaran tour among others.

The day of the wedding was just happy. Everything had come together, and it truly just felt RIGHT. There were a couple of minor issues, but by the big day absolutely nothing could bother me. I think I may have floated down the aisle. Devin and I had spent hours and hours crafting our wedding ceremony. We wrote the ENTIRE ceremony, beginning to end. Our officiant said that in his almost 30 years of performing weddings, no one had EVER handed him an entire wedding ceremony. Especially as it was destination, and with a complete stranger performing the most important ceremony in our lives – I couldn’t imagine doing it any other way. We were able to take all the very best parts of who we are and who we want to be – and write a ceremony and vows that celebrated all of that, while including all of the amazing friends and family that have supported us and helped us become the people we are. It was so powerful for the both of us.

I also made the programs – MORE handmade papers and platinum ribbon – which included the story of us, as well as passages from the wedding, and favorite pictures and quotes. Although a lot of work, I truly enjoyed making each one of them knowing that a very special loved one would have this memento of our day to take with them. We had guests ask for extras!

The reception, the dinner and dancing – was all better than we could have hoped. For our table numbers, we decided to pay homage to hotels that had played a part in our story together. The Avalon Beverly Hills (where I worked when we met), The Rio Las Vegas (where we met), The London NYC (where I worked upon landing in NYC), The El San Juan (where we became engaged, and rounding out the group The Ritz-Carlton (the site of our wedding). It was such a magical night, and sharing it with friends and family from quite literally all over the world was simply overwhelming and humbling. To have these incredible people, from different parts of our lives all in one room sharing our joy and wishing us well – it was heaven! We sent our loved ones off to bed with a gift bag which included: an ultrasuede eye mask, bottle of water, advil, tylenol pm and emergen-c. We received MANY “thank you’s” the next day as everyone was recovering!

Our last hurrah, was our shoot in Old San Juan. I simply HAD to have pictures amongst the history, architecture, and colors of this amazing city. Enuel Viera of Envi Photo met us two days after the wedding, and we ventured all through the cobblestone streets shooting amazing pictures to complement our wedding day images. Of COURSE, as we met in a bar – we ended our shoot at a bar there in Old San Juan – and toasted our new chapter.

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Wedding Photography: Enuel Viera of Envi Photo | Wedding Venue: The Ritz-Carlton San Juan | Floral + Event Design: Gadiel Valentin of SIOD | Cake + Cupcakes: Vanilla Bean Cupcakery | Wedding Coordination: Momentus | Invitations: Elum Design Letterpress | Handmade Papers: Lee’s Art Shop | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Sash: Yaneth & Co. Bridal | Veil: VeiledBeauty | Shoes: Silver (Wedding Day) Kate Spade + Red (Old San Juan Shoot) La Fenice Venezia | Groom’s Suit: Ted Baker | Hair + Makeup: Javier Moreno | Manicure + Pedicure: Edouard de Paris Salon and Spa | Musicians: Camerata Filarmónica | DJ: DJ Rockhand | Welcome Reception Venue: La Taberna Lupulo

I swear, now that Summer has officially begun, every destination wedding has me literally chomping at the bit to pack up my bags and catch the first flight to paradise.  And today’s breathtaking affair has me dreaming of a weekend (or week) away in the land of clear blue skies and stunning ocean views, The Bahamas.  But, really, how could you not daydream the day away when taking in every last amazing moment captured by Amanda Julca?  It’s destination perfection from start to finish and you can see it all right here.

From Amanda Julca… Liz and Beau’s Destination Wedding weekend was the perfect blend of relaxation, elegance, celebration and discovery. Set on the stunning and unique island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, each moment of the day was full of beautiful detail, Caribbean color, clear skies and a spirited group of guests ready to celebrate the bride and groom.

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Wedding Photography: Amanda Julca | Destination Location: Eleuthera, Bahamas | Preparations: Private Residences | Wedding Ceremony: Private Residence | Wedding Reception: Rainbow Inn | Event Coordination: Boy Meets Girl | Event Design: The Bride | Wedding Dress: Sue Wong | Bolero + Brooch Bouquet + Veil: Etsy | Shoes: Badgley Mischka + BHLDN | Music: Hatchet Bay Eleuthera Junkanoo Band + Police Band + Briland Heritage Band | Catering + Desserts: Rainbow Inn

Here is your one and only warning. Shut your door. Turn off your phone. Put an out of office on your email. Because you are about to fall in love. We’re showing you what quite possibly could be the prettiest wedding Anguilla has ever seen, with a bride as lovely and a groom as handsome as ever. Lime Green Photography was the lucky one to travel to Anguilla with this couple in the name of capturing the most amazing memories of their lives (raise your hand if you’re jealous!). And they are all right here.

From the beautiful bride… I stand next to my father, my arm interlinked with his. We step out into the hallway and turn to face the beautiful deck overlooking the ocean where the ceremony will be taking place. I take a deep breath. This is it.

Our music starts and people stand up, cameras in hand.

I push the lump in my throat down as we’re signaled to start walking. I feel like I am floating on air. I have imagined this day and this walk in my head countless times and I didn’t think reality could surpass my dreams. I’m amazed to find that it’s even more magical.

As we make our way down the few steps to the deck and my father steadies me, I push back tears and walk towards Kris at the end of the aisle. His smile lights me up. When I finally reach him, Kris takes my hands in his – and as always, his touch makes me feel safe and I start to feel the nerves slip away.

We decided early on that we wanted a destination wedding and settled on Anguilla as soon as we saw photos of the Viceroy. We invited 80 of our closest friends and family to celebrate with us and were ecstatic that just over half of them were able to join us. From the moment that everyone arrived on Wednesday until they departed on Sunday – we had a blast.

The morning of the wedding was beautiful. About an hour before the ceremony the clouds started rolling in. Fortunately, the rain held off through the ceremony and the cocktail reception. However, as soon as my wedding coordinator told me that we could begin sitting for dinner at the single elegant table on the pool deck, the first rain drop fell. My guests sprang into action and it was beyond heartwarming to watch them scramble to move everything inside. When there was nothing left to move, they were by my side talking animatedly about each of their contributions. Some carried chairs, others organized silverware. My brother devised a new seating chart. When it was all said and done it was even more beautiful than the original set up.

The rain let up long enough for our first dance – which was huge as our dance floor was outside. But even though the rain fell steadily for the remainder of the night, my guests embraced it and we danced and danced and danced.

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Photography: Lime Green Photography | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang Jane gown | Rehearsal Dinner Dress: Stella McCartney | Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss | Best Man’s Suit: Jos A. Bank | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan | Florist: Black Orchid | Bride’s Jewelry: Alexis Bittar | Stationery: Designed by bride, printed by Dandelion Patch | Linens + Table Decor: Black Orchid | Chargers: Koyal chargers | Invitations: Aquamarine Invitation by Vera Wang | Hair: Fanny at Viceroy Anguilla | Makeup: Bride’s friend Lesley | Caterer: Viceroy Anguilla | Wedding Rings: Pave Jewelers

I often ask myself what my wedding would be like if I had a total do-over. And while I haven’t quite worked through all the details, I know it’d look a lot like this. Somewhere totally secluded and completely romantic. With only our nearest and dearest to bear witness. Throw in the ultra modern W Retreat & Spa plus the natural beauty of Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, and you’ve got my own little slice of wedding heaven. Believe me when I say this beauty from Lexia Frank is one perfect wedding you don’t want to miss.

From Lexia Frank Photography…Dana and Timo- two transplant Germans living in New York- planned their beautiful destination wedding on the tiny island of Vieques, off the coast of Puerto Rico.  The only resort on the island- The W Hotel- was a perfect location because it blended the soft pastel colors of the island with bright modern pops of color. The interior of the ultra modern hotel was designed by Patricia Urquiola, and was the perfect backdrop for the wedding. Dana and Timo wed on the cliff overlooking the turquoise waters, and had their intimate reception down on the private beach itself, with everyone barefoot and dipping their toes in the water while they ate.  After dinner they celebrated with a live guitarist, a bonefire (with soft blankets and pillows to cuddle with), sparklers and a flying paper lanterns to end the night!

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Photography: Lexia Frank Photography | Floral Design: Stem Events + Flowers by Anabelle (flowersby@stem-pr.com) | Ceremony + Reception Location: W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island | Event Planning: Ross Fatemi (ross.fatemi@whotels.com) | Makeup: Zoraida Deltoro for AWAY Spa Vieques | Music: DJ Paul Vieques 9dj.paul.vieques@gmail.com) | Officiant: Wendy Lum (vieques.propertypartners@yahoo.com) | Wooden Cake Topper: Morgann Hill | Calligraphy Wedding Guest Book: Quotesand Notes | Wedding Menu Cards + Programs: TheMemoryTrunk  | Ring Pillow: Bluepearl | Wedding Dress: Lusan mondangus via Wedding Atelier New York | Shoes: Vintage D&G | Jewelery: Adriana Orsana | Rhinestone Crystal, Pearl + Lux Satin Bridal Sash: Simplybridal1

I might have the absolute best thing ever to get you through the next few hours and off into your weekend. How does a trip to the Bahamas with the Karen Hill Photography sound? Like Heaven? It should, because it is. This wedding was stunning in that way that only a relaxing, yet totally awe-inspiring wedding can be. And the photos? Don’t even get me started.

From the photographer… We arrived the day of the wedding, it wasn’t what we had planned, but super storm Sandy had other plans. Hurricanes, like Sandy, reek havoc. Here in Nassau, the storm was settling down and as guests arrived to beautiful Lyford Cay Club, the sun was shinning. Laura and Kyle’s hope’s and prayers were answered. Family and friends gathered from near and far. Their wedding day was perfect.

Lyford Cay is the most beautiful little private club with a nostalgic, 1950’s meets modern charm that we loved photographing! Frank and I shot this wedding with a few cameras in both film and digital. Our cameras of choice were the Rollei, Hasselblad, the Contax 645 and the Canon Mark ll D5.

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Photography: Karen Hill Photography | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Lyford Cay Club | Coordination: Bernadette Burrows of Bahamas Bridal Affairs | Floral Design: Patricia Darville of Island Leaves | Hair + Makeup: Anna Berardelli-Knowles of Studio Vivo | Band: Traffic Jam Band of Falcons Entertainment | Music (ceremony, cocktails and Junkanoo): Arranged by Fred Munnings of Bahamas Events Intl Ltd; Steel Pan Selections by Leslie Munroe; Royal Bahamas Police Band Fanfare Party | Dress: Jenny Lee from Bergdorf Goodman Bridal | Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender | Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale from Bella Bridesmaid | Invitations: Cartier | Calligraphy: Sarah Hanna Calligraphy & Design | Programs: Dempsey & Carroll | Cake: Anne Lever of Simply Sweet Cakes | Officiant: Ricardo Errington Turner, Sr. | Reader: Timothy Watts of Temptations, United Kingdom

Let’s face it, narrowing down the exact style of wedding you want can be tricky.  Especially if you and your Mr. have attended nearly twenty nuptials together over the course of your nine year relationship… that’s a lot of inspiration.  But for this darling Boston duo, one thing was certain: they wanted a destination wedding.  One that would bring together family and friends for a weekend-long celebration. The result?  A perfectly breathtaking Regent Palms Resort affair in the always stunning Turks and Caicos complete with vibrant pink hues and one beautiful moment after another captured by Brilliant Studios.  See them all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Matt and I met in 2003 at the University of New Hampshire and fell for each other right away. Matt was a year ahead of me and moved back home after graduating, so we did two years of long distance between New Hampshire and New Jersey. In 2006, we decided to take a chance and packed as much of our stuff as we could fit in the Jeep and moved across the country together to California. It was a fun adventure, but we eventually moved back to Boston to be closer to our family and friends.

After nine years together, we were married on Providenciales, one of the most beautiful and picturesque islands of Turks and Caicos. We arrived on the island five days before our wedding and every single day it rained. There was so much rain, the streets actually began to flood. I tried to stay optimistic and on the morning of our wedding, I woke up to a picture perfect Caribbean day. Even though I had butterflies in my stomach, I couldn’t stop smiling from all the excitement and anticipation throughout the day. Everything went exactly how I envisioned it would be and I was proud of all my hard work, late nights and months of planning came together perfectly. The day of our wedding was like a dream come true.

The wedding planning didn’t start out so smoothly for us. I was a little overwhelmed with all the options out there. I had no idea even what I wanted, let alone where to begin. Before we were engaged, Matt and I attended nearly twenty weddings in seven different states and one wedding in the Dominican Republic. In fact, Matt proposed while we were away at my friend’s destination wedding in Napa Valley. We decided to extend our trip after the wedding to enjoy a few days exploring Sonoma. After a day spent biking around and sampling delicious wines from many different vineyards, Matt proposed at sunset on a hilltop overlooking the vineyards below. It was a very romantic proposal with just the two of us and a beautiful view.

After attending so many weddings over the years, I definitely had gathered some great ideas. However, it was during our trip to Napa that we both realized how great a destination wedding could be. We liked the idea of having a smaller and more intimate wedding with our closest friends and family in a beautiful setting. Since we knew everyone would be traveling for our wedding, we wanted to find a place everyone could have a good time. Once we set our minds on having a destination wedding, we decided right away to get married on the beach. I’m not sure if it’s because we are both Pisces, but we have always loved being by the ocean, so that was the easiest decision to make. However, finding the right location proved to be more difficult than we originally thought. After countless hours researching online and a scouting trip to the Outer Banks and Florida, we still did not find a venue that fit exactly what we were looking for. I started to feel discouraged and even thought about giving up on the idea of having a destination wedding. A few weeks later, my best friend came to the rescue and recommended Turks and Caicos after taking a trip there. We spent the next two weeks learning everything we could about the local venues and wedding vendors and just a few weeks later Matt and I made a trip there to check it out. We fell in love with the beauty of the island, from the luxurious resorts to the long stretches of white sandy beaches to the clear turquoise water. Everything was gorgeous. We knew we finally found the perfect place to be married. It was paradise.

Once our venue was finally set and we found a great wedding planner and I started to think more about the details of the wedding. I wanted our wedding to be romantic, dreamy and fun. I chose colors to compliment the beautiful Caribbean ocean with pink being the main focus and turquoise being the accent. I loved the idea of having all my bridesmaids looking slightly different and I was fortunate enough to find a bridesmaid dress designer that had a wide selection of pink shades to choose from. As I went through the wedding planning process, I had so much fun deciding on all of the personal touches. I think Etsy became my best friend as I found so many great and unique accessories there. Our bridesmaid jewelry, hair flowers, pinwheels, lace cupcake wrappers and even my invitations all came from the talented designers. We also had a few DIY projects ourselves. My favorite project was our “message in a bottle” favors/escort cards. I found the idea online, and together with Matt and my niece we spent a few hours assembling them the day before our wedding. I had so many last minute projects in the week leading up to our wedding that I ended up bringing an entire suitcase filled with arts and crafts supplies to the island!

We kicked off our destination wedding weekend with a welcome rum punch party for our sixty-two guests that were able to make the trip. The fun continued throughout the weekend with a casual oceanfront rehearsal dinner and a sunset cruise aboard an old schooner. One of my favorite things about our wedding was all the time we were able to spend with our friends and family. By the end of the weekend everyone really got to know each other. Most importantly, I felt so lucky to be marrying my best friend and the love of my life.

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Wedding Photography: Brilliant Studios | Wedding Venue: Regent Palms Resort in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos | Floral Design: Cyrille of Flowers by Environmental Arts | Wedding Planning: Diane + Michelle of Island Harmony | Invitations: Concertina Press | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Veil: Paloma Blanca | Shoes: Audrey Brooke from DSW | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Eden Bridals | Flower Girl Dresses: The Precious Girl | Hair: Geraldine of Maxime le Salon | Makeup: Ann Clift Northcote of Beauty and the Beach | Wedding Cupcakes: Cakes to Di For | Save The Dates: Minted | Wedding Program, Table Signs + Message in a Bottle: DIY | Wedding Menu: Pinch of Spice | Bride & Groom Signs: Wedding Chicks | Pinwheels: Paper Polaroid

Dreamy locales and dazzling weddings are a match made in nuptial heaven, which is why the Turks and Caicos Islands are kind of like the perfect place for some drop-dead gorgeous seaside marrying.  A breathtaking combo of sunny blue skies, crystal blue waters and endless sandy beaches, it’s a bride and groom’s dream come true… and one awesome vacation spot for your friends and family.  Need proof? Take a gander at this stunning affair planned to perfection by Shannon Gail Weddings, which is literally everything we love about destination nuptials, all wrapped up in some brilliant imagery by Just Love Me {Photo + Design} and beautiful bursts of vibrant colors.  Get your pretty on in the full gallery.

From Shannon Gail Weddings… As I cozy up with a cup of hot coffee and look outside at the frosted ground, I can’t help but reminisce about some of my very favorite weddings of 2012, and this is certainly a hard one to beat. Al and Colleen asked me to plan and attend their Turks and Caicos wedding this past July and I was beyond thrilled. One of the challenges that Brides face in planning a destination wedding is that many resorts offer all-inclusive wedding packages where your control over colors, design, etc. is very limited. For most, the idea of a wedding that looks exactly like another is less than enticing. The trick is to utilize what the resort is offering and find ways to add in your own personality and style.

My first task was working with the resort to bend the rules a bit so that we could fly in our own photographer and boy am I glad we did, because these photos are breathtaking! Every last detail was flown in with our luggage; from over sized pomanders to custom paper products, homemade favors, and our own ring bearer pillow, we had it all. Guests were entertained throughout dinner with live calypso music and fire dancers before dancing the night away quite literally under the stars. We capped the night off with all of the guests together on the beach lighting and sending lanterns into the sky along with our wishes for a long and healthy marriage. It was every bit perfection.

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Wedding Photography: Just Love Me {Photo + Design} | Wedding Venue: Beaches Resort, Turks & Caicos | Event Coordination + Design: Shannon Gail Weddings | Floral Design: Beaches Resort | Paper Products: Just Invite Me | Wedding Dress: Allure Couture | Wedding Accessories: Nordstrom | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: White by Vera Wang via David’s Bridal | Groomsmen Attire: Nordstrom

Destination weddings are pure genius to me. I mean, what beats a trip with your nearest and dearest to celebrate your love? I honestly can’t think of much, expect maybe having Kimberly Chau Photography on hand to capture every sweet moment of the weekend unfold. These two genius cuties had just such a plan, and the result is one beautiful gallery of memories.

From Kimberly Chau Photography… Vanessa + Ariel’s destination wedding to Puerto Rico was very simple, intimate, and easy going. The wedding day was flawless and oh-so-beautiful. The bride put together a lovely evening in the island of Vieques and it was nice that the whole family came to celebrate. Puerto Rico is just full of loveliness and I cannot wait to go back!

Thank you, Vanessa + Ariel for inviting me to the wonderful island to photograph your wedding! You and your families were so courteous and attentive to my stay and experience. I wish you two the best in your marriage!

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Wedding Photography: Kimberly Chau Photography | Ceremony Venue: Paradise Edge at W Retreat & Spa in Vieques Island, Puerto Rico | Reception Venue: Living Room Deck at W Retreat & Spa in Vieques Island, Puerto Rico | Officiant: Sandy Malone from Weddings in Viennese | Floral Design: Patricia Suero from Puerto Rico Wedding Flowers | Wedding Cake: W Retreat & Spa | DJ: DJ Ricky from DJs of the Islands | Wedding Dress: Legends by Romona Keveza | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaid’s Attire: Odylyne | Bridesmaid’s Shoes: Betsey Johnson | Groom’s Attire: Banana Republic | Groom’s Shoes: Johnston & Murphy | Groomsmen Attire: Zara | Groomsmen Shoes: Calvin Klein | Hair + Makeup: Away Spa at W Retreat & Spa

Barbados is pretty much like the land of fabulous.  A place where sunny blue skies meet even bluer ocean waves and dream weddings happen every minute of every day.  So, jetting off to this gorgeous locale to say I do?  A serious no-brainer.  As is enlisting the services of the majestic Crane Resort, the always-fabulous Scobey Photography and a plethora of other talented vendors to make those amazing memories happen. Get your pretty on in the full gallery.

From Scobey Photography… His smile ran through her like a breath. The kind of breath that makes you feel brand new again; no matter what else is going on in life. His smile always had a way of bringing her back to what was important – and that’s how she knew that he was The One. Because in a World where things don’t go as planned; in a World where life surprises you all the time, he is her constant and her best friend. Steady as the waves with a love for her as deep as the ocean. And as she walked down the aisle to her soul mate, on a cliff overlooking the sea, he smiled at her – and she felt brand new.

From the Bride… If I could give future brides one piece of advice, it would be to stay focused on what your wedding day is really all about – marrying your best friend! It is so easy to get lost in all the planning and spending and expectations of others. When things get a little crazy (and they will), remind yourself that this is a celebration of your love story and that’s the most important thing!

My favorite part of wedding planning was finding and creating special touches to make our big day memorable. I’m a huge believer in the saying, “Love is in the details” and I absolutely relished finding specialty thank you place cards, whimsical welcome bag items and doing the little things like choosing the paper and fonts for our invitations. It was like a scavenger hunt to find ideas and items that represented our relationship and also let our guests know how grateful we are to have them in our lives.

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Wedding Photography: Scobey Photography | Wedding Venue: The Crane Resort in St. Philip, Barbados | Wedding Cinematography: Cielo Productions | Wedding Coordinator: Keisha Yearwood | Floral Design: Simply Flowers | Wedding Cake: The Crane Resort | Out of Town Bags: Wedding Chicks | Wedding Stationery: Eberle Invitations | Wedding Dress: Monique L’hullier via Joan Pillow Bridal Salon | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Groom’s Attire: Savvi Formalwear

I am totally obsessed with our Travel features on SMP Living. My travel bucket list grows every week, and today it’s growing even more. We’ve got a wedding in Puerto Rico that is seriously a piece of art. Dziekonski Photography captured the Old San Juan wedding in a way that has left me speechless and packing my bags. Before you grab your monogrammed luggage tags, make sure to visit the gallery to fully fall in love!

From the couple … Puerto Rico! Armina and Erick live in Hollywood, Florida but lived in Puerto Rico most of their life, so it was only right to plan a destination wedding in the beautiful city of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

After ten years of having met each other and then getting lost in the distance, Armina & Erick reconnected only to realize that there was something that, unassumingly, they shared. In order to determine what was really happening, Erick who was living in Fort Lauderdale decided to board a plane en route to Puerto Rico. He was determined to find out if what he was feeling was as real to her as it was to him.

When Armina picked up Erick at the airport, she asked him: “So, what are your plans for this trip?” He replied: “Not really sure. I came to see you, so I’ll go wherever you take me or tell me to.” After the initial shock, they went to “Pal Cielo” where Erick asked her on their first date. We have the memory saved on a napkin…

Before embarking on their first trip to Argentina, they decided to go out for a romantic dinner. Erick had planned a night to remember. They went to a five star restaurant overlooking the ocean where they dined and enjoyed some fine wines for relaxation. After dinner they went for a walk on the beach: there was a full moon and the starry night was perfect. All of the sudden Erick stopped and while looking into her eyes said: “…this night would only be perfect if you would give me your hand in marriage”. Armina replied: “Yes!” The rest is history!

They where married at the historic 500 year old Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is located in the center of the city, just a few blocks from the Castle San Felipe del Morro. We didn’t find it necessary to do much decoration to the church; this would take away from the beauty of the Cathedral. After the ceremony the reception was held in the Hotel El Convento, a landmark monument of the Conquistador Age, it was originated as a Carmelite Convent 356 years ago. Our wedding colors where a light lime green, white and a light cream. Our flower was Orchids. The decoration was subtle and elegant. Since most of their dating time was spent on weekend trips between Fort Lauderdale & Puerto Rico, it only seemed natural that the wedding theme was Travel. Erick, being a Graphic Designer, created all of the artwork for the wedding including: the photo signs instead of table numbers, airport boarding signage for table setting, the guest book was a passport, favors, invitations, menu, etc. To top it off, Armina’s brother is a home brewer, so he brewed a special Beer, which we labeled as Full Moon Flight for our occasion, which we gave out as favors. it was the perfect gift.

Every moment of our wedding was memorable, I don’t think we could pick just one. Thanks to Marek’s Vision & Photography these moments are now captured forever and ever.

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Photography: Marek from Dziekonski Photography | Cinematography: Pablo Patrignani | Flowers: EOS | Event design: Erick Sala | Event Planning: Wedding Agenda | Ceremony Location: San Juan Cathedral | Reception Location: Hotel El Convento | Invitations: Erick Sala | Shoes: Marc Fisher | Dress: Calista by Maggie Sottero

This affair is tropical in the most glamorous of ways. And that glamour is translated into a wedding that will make you want to grab your suitcase and hightail it for the wilds of The One and Only Ocean Club; I promise you that. All the palm trees and chandeliers, crystal clear waters and bright blooms by Wildflowers Events & Occasions, they all intermingle quite beautifully for what can only be described as Destination done so, so very right. And if the mere mention of the Bahamas isn’t enough to send you to the gallery stat, then the gorgeous light-filled images by  Justin DeMutiis Photography will surely do the trick. See them all right here.

And topping things off is a film by Viola Cinematic that truly embodies the emotion and love behind all the beautiful details of this day. Have a look…

From the Bride…When Andrew and I first started dating, The Count of Monte Cristo was always on t.v. We fell in love with the movie because it’s a story that embraces so many themes… hope, love, justice, mercy and forgiveness. But above all else, it is an amazing love story – how neither one of them ever gives up on each other. No matter what. I also love the simple expression of their love – the yarn he ties around her ring finger, and how she wears it through the years. We also love the playful elements of pirates, treasure, and the masquerade balls! … Our ideal wedding has always been simple in the sense that we just want to be with the people that we truly love. We always dreamt of a destination wedding, and after Andrew went to the Ocean Club for the first time, we knew that it was the perfect place. My style is more vintage and romantic, while Andrew is more classic with a twist – he wants it to be classy and elegant, but not cliche. We are having the wedding outside, so we are imagining a lush, beautiful escape that is above all else relaxing.

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Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography | Cinematography: Viola Cinematic | Floral Design: Wildflowers Events & Occasions  | Ceremony + Reception Location + Catering: The One and Only Ocean Club | DJ: The One and Only Ocean Club | Cake Artist: Atlantis Pastry | Hair+ Makeup: Danielle Style + Annie Heyward | Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Shoes: Christian Louboutin

When your job entails writing about wedding after gorgeous wedding, you tend to fall fast and hard for a myriad of details and styles. I don’t have a favorite dress or style of wedding. I definitely play the field in that department. One day it’s a classic ballroom obsession and today it’s destination Jamaica. But it goes deeper than the dreamy beach details crafted by Firefly Events. For me, its all about the couple and the way their love is so beautifully captured by Bryce Covey. That love literally bounces out of each image. It’s palpable and these two also happen to be drop dead gorgeous which never hurts. Beauty, beach and love; it’s all entangled in one gorgeous gallery right here.

From the Bride + Groom… The story of our wedding was nothing short of an adventure. We are a creative couple (Andre is an artist) that simply wants to have fun with the people we love. We wasted no time attracting a set of partners that felt the same way. First we immediately fell in love with our wedding planner Teissia, owner of Firefly Events, after a quick dinner at Jane. She knew we were crazy and wanted to just have fun but was excited about the adventure. We quickly chose Jamaica as our destination because Andre’s family is from there and it allowed us to have a less stressful process. Even though Teissia was based in NY, we felt confident in her abilities to guide us in the right direction with my parents being her overseas liaisons. Next, we found Bryce Covey who was the perfect photographer to round out the crew. He loved traveling, he’s outgoing, an awesome photographer and, most importunately, was ready for whatever adventure we put in front of him. Last we used Tanayia’s brother, J William Washington, as our art director and master of fonts. He gave all our invites, cards, save the dates, and website the perfect design sensibility that was a mix of adventure, vintage elegance and fun.

Before the wedding, we did everything we could to set the stage for what to expect. The first element that set a tone was our Save the Dates. Instead of sending out cards, we made a video of us redubbing our own story on top of a scene from “Coming to America” and titled everything Coming to Jamaica. From that point on, all our guests knew they weren’t in for a traditional wedding. Our wedding website guided everyone through how to prepare for our wedding and even set up a live video chat to answer any questions before everyone took off. In planning the details of the wedding no tradition was safe. In everything we planned we asked ourselves: Is this necessary? If it wasn’t we tried to figure out a way to make it personal and fun for all our guests. One of the best decisions we made was taking over a private villa, Golden Cove Villa, for 7 straight days which allowed our guests to make a trip out of it all. We had an itinerary everyday that gave them a taste of Jamaica. It felt like a family reunion where the Golden Cove staff made us feel like a part of their family. 

The wedding dress was also non-traditional and that created a stir amongst mothers and friends. So eventually a compromise was made and a white dress was purchased for the ceremony while the original dress from Jenny Packham was set for the grand entrance into the reception. This turned out to be the perfect decision because it was a good surprise and delight but also in the end, everyone was in love with the original non-traditional dress. As for some of our own personal touches, there we many. Instead of having our wedding party walk down the aisle in faux couples we borrowed from the Indian tradition where the groom is danced down the aisle. Andre led a procession down the aisle with his groomsmen dancing to James Brown. The ladies strutted down the runway aisle to Beyonce’s “Girls.” To add a little drama (and because it was really hot) the girls carried feathered fans instead of bouquets. Each chair was dressed with sunglasses and guide to having fun at our wedding. 

For the reception it was really important that our guests get to know Jamaican culture. This means that it is mandatory that you drink Andre’s dad’s famous rum punch placed on each table in glitter covered bottles personally crafted by his mom. Dancing is also a mandatory, so to encourage our guests to hit the LED light floor we had a dance contest (shout out to DJ Kevan who rocked the turntables!) between each table where the winner would receive a prize. Instead of a guest book we created a “Love Line” with a vintage telephone connected to voice activated recorder where people could leave us message (which turned out to be hilarious as the night went on and the drinks were flowing).  Also, there was a photo booth in the gazebo to capture everyone putting on fake dreads. Because we wanted to celebrate all the love in the house the garter was tossed to the married men and the bouquet to the married ladies, coincidentally a matching married couple both won and “showcased” their love with the garter belt dance. The day after the wedding we took our friends to a hidden waterfall to hang out. We also brought our wedding gear to take a second set of photos. We didn’t plan it but the last shot was us “taking the plunge” which ended up being one of our favorite photos of the entire experience.

Wedding Photography: Bryce Covey Photography / Wedding Venue: Golden Cove Villas in Oracabessa, Jamaica / Wedding Planning: Firefly Events / Floral Design: Jan’s Bridal and Flowers / Wedding Catering: Chef Gregory Nelson / Wedding Cake: Lincoln Peterkin / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal (white ceremony dress) + Jenny Packham (reception dress) / Bride’s Shoes: ALDO / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: JLM Couture / Groom’s Suit: My Suit  / Groom + Groomsmen’s Shoes: ASOS

I kind of have an obsession with this bride and groom.  I’m just going to put that out there from the get-go.  Because, not only did they completely rock my world with their fabulous St. John USVI wedding, they’ve captured my heart in a BIG way with their equally as amazing e-session snapped up by Rebekah Westover Photography.  One uber-lovely moment after another, it’s sandy beaches meets crystal blue waters meets some seriously stylish ensembles – and I’m loving every minute.  Join me in the gallery for sooo much more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From the Bride… There is a saying, “If you are lucky enough to be at the beach, you’re lucky enough!” And I couldn’t agree more! St. John USVI was not only the setting for our wedding day but was also the backdrop for our engagement photos. The ever so talented Rebekah Westover captured yet again another special day for us in a location that is dear in our hearts. You know you have an AWESOME photographer when she voluntarily jumps in a small old dingy just to capture the perfect shot! We will always look at these photos and not only remember this day but the friendships created by chance. For me being a personal style blogger, the outfits were harder to decide on than the great guy I was lucky enough to marry! In the end I think It was a win-win. 

Photography: Rebekah Westover Photography / Locations: Cruz Bay Town Center + Leinster Bay, Both in St. John, US Virgin Islands / Boat Rental: Charter Yacht Cimarron

To say I am obsessed with this too-good-for-words Harbour Island wedding by Jenelle Kappe Photography would be the understatement of the century. The bride, who also happens to be the co-founder of Cocotay, an amazing jewelry line out of NYC, put together an event brimming with history, heart, character + beach-perfect color. The couple’s wedding theme of “Black Tie and Barefoot” set the tone for a truly gorgeous, but laid-back fête, and believe me pretties, you’ll be spending some serious time in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Jenelle Kappe Photography: Coco, the bride, is a jewelry designer – Cocotay. It is her and her twin sister that run the company. Hence the amazing jewelry that is seen throughout this wedding. Not to mention the Brass Invitation that was sent to everyone of the 100 guests. Coco had her jewelry manufacturer create them, so unique and amazing. Everything took place on the pink sands of Harbour Island, delightfully and magically put together by Ben Simmons, from Little Island Design. Coco (the bride), Ben (the event planner) and Coco’s father (Bruce), they worked countless hours together to create the ultimate, intimate black tie and barefoot wedding for their 100 close friends and family. Coco’s family has vacationed at Harbour Island since 1952, making it more of a second home.

From the bride: For us, weddings are about two people uniting in one journey, celebrating intimately with friends and family at a destination that not only is one of meaning, but one of beauty. What more could a bride ask for? As a young girl I wandered down these pink sand beaches, dreaming of grand adventures. Never imaging, in my wildest dreams, that I would begin the biggest adventure of my life on this very same beach. We fell in love at the White House and vacationed on these pink sands. For us there was no better place to celebrate our love for each other.

As the wedding weekend rush began, the pouring rain served as a wonderful spiritual cleansing of our past lives. The rehearsal dinner danced in candle lights and smashing stories unfolding into the night as we burst with laughter and tears. Sharing both in memories of our past island days and of when my grandparents first arrived on the island at Pink Sands Resort in 1952 in this very same dining room. Rising only to a glorious and calm weathered day, giving us peace and reflection as we spent our morning floating upon aqua waters. It was the perfect beginning to what is our new adventure, love. We all dressed for Black Tie & Barefoot, (celebrating both the glamour and island life in us both) and rose to the occasion with laughter, disco balls and tears, making it memorable and special, not only to us but to our guests. Upon our everlasting commitment to one another, we celebrated dancing to Junkanoo Bahamian Music, sipping mojitos and wandering down our new path together, as husband and wife.

Lounging aside rippling waters, a bonefire, friends & moonlight, I thought to myself “this is what magic is made of, pure magic.” As friends whispered, “I am having the time of my life” Ryan and I glanced at each other, souls entangled, knowing the time of our lives was just beginning. There are no words that describe the intimate, simple and smashing wedding that we shared not only with each other, but with the most incredible family and friends one could ask for, and in a place we consider home – Harbour Island.

Wedding Photography: Jenelle Kappe Photography / Floral + Event Design/Planning: Little Island Design / Invitations: Cocotay + Papyrus  /  Bride’s Shoes: Grace Footwear  / Bridesmaid Dresses: Aidan Maddox from Neiman Marcus  / Welcome Bags: DIY / Jewelry: Cocotay

Oh, Puerto Rico.  You are an amazing place.  Crystal blue waters, stunning architecture, vibrant hues every.which.way you turn… paradise never looked so good.  And when you add in a gorgeous couple ready to say I Do, well.  It makes for an even sunnier destination.  Especially when that gorgeous couple happens to be an uber-stylish duo such as these two and their day was captured by Alan Phillip Photography.  This is what we call a match made in engagement session heaven and you can see it all right here.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Alan Phillip Photography… This bride, who is a photographer, definitely didn’t want the cookie cutter engagement session. It’s always an honor when a couple chooses me to photograph their engagement, but it’s even more of an honor when a photographer who recently got engaged trusts you with their engagement photographs. We flew out to beautiful Puerto Rico from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the couple is originally from. Her fiance, Alex, is originally from Puerto Rico, so Polyana wanted to do her engagement session somewhere that meant a lot to the both of them. It was just a perfect location. I started their session in El Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which is rich in history and culture. I loved every minute of their session, and I would do it all over it again.

Photography: Alan Phillip Photography / Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico