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March 23, 2023
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Jaime & Craig’s Destination Wedding in the Dominican Republic | Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana

Shooting destination wedding photos is hands down one of my favorite parts of my job. Jaime and Craig tied the knot at the Hyatt Ziva in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, earlier this month, and I’m still not over the beauty of their wedding weekend! Plus, I can’t think of a better time to ditch Pennsylvania and shoot a destination wedding in the Caribbean than in the dead of March. The sun, sand, and palm trees were definitely a welcome change from the 40-degree temps back home. It turns out I wasn’t the only one who thought so—Jaime and Craig had 100 guests fly down for this beautiful beachfront ceremony!

100 wedding guests sitting in white chairs for beach front wedding ceremony in the Dominican Republic | Lauren E. Bliss Destination Wedding Photography
Large glass vase full of pampas grass beside row of white folding chairs at beach wedding ceremony | Lauren E. Bliss Destination Wedding Photography
Bride and groom holding hands under pavilion at beach front wedding ceremony in the Dominican Republic | Lauren E. Bliss Destination Wedding Photography
Pavilion set up for beach front wedding ceremony in the Dominican Republic | Lauren E. Bliss Destination Wedding Photography

Jaime and Craig met in 2018 when they walked down the aisle together at their friends Mia and Michael’s wedding. On their big day, they were surrounded by 16 of their closest friends. This bridal party was so easy to be around and even more fun to photograph!

Bride and groom kiss while bridal party looks on and cheers
Large group of Bridesmaids and groomsmen pose with bride and groom on the beach
Groomsmen wearing sunglasses cheering with plastic cups full of beer

Planning a destination wedding in the Caribbean

Over the past several years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how much planning goes into a destination wedding, especially for a large wedding party. Taryn Blake Events did an amazing job of making sure Jaime, Craig, and their families had a stress-free wedding planning experience. The entire wedding weekend was flawless, and I couldn’t have been more honored to work alongside their luxury wedding planner team to capture all the special moments.

Taryn from Taryn Blake Events dancing at clients destination wedding reception at the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic
Taryn Blake Events
Woman makeup artist applying makeup to a bride inside hotel room
Tina Horwitz Beauty
Woman wearing black dress on the beach holding a camera
Alyssa Bunton Photo

I also had a blast working and partying with my incredible friend, Alyssa (Alyssa Bunton Photo). Believe it or not, Alyssa and I met through the wedding industry in Lancaster and have probably shot 50 weddings together since then! Throughout the year we take turns second shooting for each other’s wedding clients. I couldn’t think of a better travel partner to second shoot for this tropical destination wedding adventure!

Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana Resort Sign in Punta Cana Dominican Republic
Poolside chairs at the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana Resort in Punta Cana Dominican Republic
The pool at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana Resort in Punta Cana Dominican Republic

Working With a Caribbean Destination Wedding Vendor Team

If you’re interested in sitting back and enjoying your wedding day in paradise, hiring destination wedding planners and vendors is the way to go. You can essentially leave all the logistics up to them! The team at Taryn Blake Events handled everything. From the location and international travel and wedding policies, to the design and style, vendor coordination, and on-site planning, every detail was taken care of! Jaime and Craig’s celebration began on Thursday with a rehearsal and private welcome dinner followed by a Friday beach wedding ceremony. They concluded the weekend with an after-party on Saturday!

Wooden shoe racks holding pairs of shoes on the beach next to a chalkboard sign that reads "Life is better barefoot shoe valet"
shelves holding liquor bottles behind bar
boxes of cigars sitting on table
Table holding finger foods and appetizers in cups

Caribbean Destination Wedding Vendor Team:

Their color palette was a mix of off white and earthy neutrals, with accents of blue, peach, pink, and mauve. It was the perfect combination of tropical spring colors that had a warm, beachy feel.

Bride in white dress holding large bouquet of white flowers, eucalyptus and greenery
Bride reaching up to take wedding dress off hanger
Large square wooden table on the beach set with floral arrangements

Cardsmith Design Studio created the invitation suite, wedding signage, and place cards. I loved the incorporation of sea glass into the hand painted name cards. Jaime and Craig also had these cute custom Philly stickers created for their guests’ wedding favors.

Wedding invitation suite, florals and palm leaves with orange velvet ring box
Hand painted blue seaglass name card on wedding place setting
Custom illustrated wedding favor stickers

Prepare For Unique Atmospheric Shots And Locations

Destination wedding photography involves unique settings, weather conditions, and lighting that come with a beachside or seaside ceremony. I love arriving early to scout prime locations in advance; sunsets over the ocean, hidden gems around the resort, or local attractions can make the perfect backdrops. Cap Cana is known for its high-end resorts, and I think it’s safe to say this paradise wedding at the Hyatt Ziva came with a romantic backdrop at every turn! I can honestly say narrowing down which photos to share in this post was a doozy. After all, the final wedding gallery I sent them was close to 2,000 images… 

Bride and groom on the pier holding each other smiling at camera
Bride and groom holding glasses of champagne
Bride and groom facing each other and laughing
Bride and groom holding hands as they walk on a beach pier
Bride and groom holding hands as they walk on a beach pier
Bride and groom on the beach holding each other smiling at camera

If you’re thinking of celebrating your wedding in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, or another unique destination, I’m your girl! With breathtaking backdrops, stunning receptions, and memorable moments, a destination wedding will leave you with extraordinary photos to look back on for years to come. I’d love to talk to you about capturing your wedding day in paradise. In the meantime, enjoy some of my all time favorite shots from Jaime and Craig’s big day!

Meet    artist
the

If there’s one thing we have in common, it’s our unwavering commitment to the details -

- the lush cascading bouquet, the elegant wax seal on your invitations, and the seemingly small moments that become dear reminders of your big day. But, most importantly, it’s how we thrive on connection.

I believe the best wedding photography experience happens when we’re connected. That means trusting your photographer, a level of faith I treat earnestly.   

You deserve a custom experience as breathtaking as your final gallery, and that’s what I’ll deliver.

and I can’t wait to capture it.
of a lifetime,
celebration
Your wedding day is the

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