Amanda and Ryan transported their guests to Puerto Rico for their Condado Vanderbilt wedding weekend, and into their world of how much they love each other and this island. These two New Yorkers turned a March weekend at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel into the kind of celebration people are still reminiscing about for weeks after. As their Puerto Rico destination wedding photographer, I was lucky enough to get a front-row seat to all of it!
They even gave the weekend its own name. Welcome bags read “Puerto Riordan,” a little reference to Ryan’s last name and the place they fell for. That detail told me everything about how this weekend was going to feel.
Welcome to Puerto Riordan: The Wedding Weekend Begins
Friday kicked off on the West Veranda with sunset cocktails over the Atlantic. The welcome party leaned into fun, vibrant colors, which felt SO right for an island that’s rich in culture and knows how to party. Bright orange linens, hot pink and coral florals, custom cocktail umbrellas, and napkins that gave a nod to San Juan.
Guests picked up blue-and-white striped totes stamped “Puerto Riordan,” tagged with vintage “Greetings from San Juan” postcards, and packed with local snacks. This attention to detail and care for the guest experience was one of my favorite elements throughout the whole weekend. It’s also one of the tips I share in my post on destination wedding planning dos and don’ts!
Amanda wore this showstopping paillette halter gown from ASOS for the night that caught every bit of the golden hour light. I caught her on the terrace with a fresh coconut drink in hand and the ocean behind her. These frames are some of my favorites from their whole Condado Vanderbilt wedding weekend!
| Wedding Weekend | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | March 6–7, 2026 |
| Location | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Venue | Condado Vanderbilt Hotel |
| Welcome party | Friday, March 6 — West Veranda, sunset cocktails |
| Ceremony & reception | Saturday, March 7 |
| Couple’s home | New York City |
| Attire | Tropical cocktail (Friday) and formal (Saturday) |
The Condado Vanderbilt as a Destination Wedding Venue
If you have ever wondered why so many couples plan a Condado Vanderbilt wedding, the photos answer it fast. Arched windows and doors, marble columns, and this stunning oceanfront perch right on the edge of Condado in San Juan. The light moves through the whole property all day long.
Saturday morning, the details of Amanda and Ryan’s day came together perfectly. Custom woven palm fans embroidered with their initials and wedding date in green. The invitation suite laid out with white orchids and the couple’s rings. Ryan and his guys got ready in a wood-paneled lounge, while Amanda got ready in a gorgeous suite overlooking the turquoise waters.
Vows on the Oceanfront Terrace
Their waterfront wedding ceremony took place on the terrace, with the ocean stretched out as far as the eye could see. White florals and greenery lined the aisle, a low floral backdrop framed the couple, and gold chiavari chairs filled the space.
They asked for an unplugged ceremony, with a sign that gently reminded everyone to put the phones down and stay present. Guests did exactly that. As a destination wedding photographer, this is one detail I always appreciate. The ceremony photos my team is able to capture look that much more polished when there aren’t multiple phone screens competing for space and taking away from the focal point—you! You could feel how loved Amanda and Ryan are, and how much they love right back.
| Event | Space | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome party | West Veranda | Sunset cocktails, tropical color |
| Ceremony | Oceanfront terrace | White florals, ocean backdrop, gold chairs |
| Reception | Patio del Fauno Ballroom | Olive green, hanging greenery, checkered dance floor |
Olive Green, Disco Balls, and Orchids: The Reception Design
The reception moved into the Patio del Fauno Ballroom, and the design switch was so good. The couple traded their bright welcome-party palette for deep olive green, and it looked incredible against the room’s marble and chandeliers. Amanda and Ryan’s faces when they saw the space for the first time tell you how perfectly Alexa Blanco Weddings pulled off their vision!
Serpentine tables ran through the space, dressed in olive velvet linens with black round-back chairs. Place settings layered green-and-white plates with gold rims, green velvet napkins, and personalized welcome cards at every seat.
A few of my favorite design details:
- Hanging greenery installations dripping over the dance floor, dotted with disco balls (this setup took me back to Kathryn & Blake’s wedding reception design I photographed at Water Works in Philadelphia!)
- A black-and-white checkered dance floor with green velvet lounge seating around it
- White orchids, peonies, tulips, and ferns layered through the centerpieces
- Sage green draping framing the head of the room
This is exactly the kind of Puerto Rico wedding reception I love to shoot. Romantic and refined, but built for an actual party.
Amanda’s Bridal Style & Second Wedding Dress
Amanda’s fun fashion sense took center stage all weekend. For the ceremony, she wore the Shay gown by Jenny Yoo, a modern take on the classic Basque waist gown in a sleek satin fabric. She paired it with a long cathedral veil edged in lace and carried an all white wedding bouquet of peonies, ranunculus, and soft greenery.
When she changed for the reception, our jaws all dropped a little bit. Her strapless mini dress covered in beaded florals, styled with sheer shimmering gloves and a silver seashell clutch gave major mermaid energy! (But make it grown-up and chic)
Three looks across two days. Every one of them felt like her!
A Wedding Reception Party That Wouldn’t Quit
Guest experience was the whole priority for Amanda and Ryan, and the reception details proved it. Each table got an “Ahoy Mate, You’re the Table Captain” card paired with a little captain’s hat, complete with rules for keeping the table loud and on the dance floor. Don’t you love this idea?!
Cuenta Regresiva kept the live music going, the photobooth stayed busy, and a sweet heart-shaped “Just Married” cake (vintage-meets-modern, with scalloped piping) sat waiting at the sweetheart table next to Amanda’s bouquet.
Beyond grateful I got to capture this celebration for these two lovebirds!
Planning a Puerto Rico Destination Wedding?
If Amanda and Ryan’s weekend has you dreaming about saying “I do” somewhere with palm trees and ocean views, San Juan is hard to beat, and the Condado Vanderbilt makes a stunning home base for the whole thing.
For more destination wedding inspiration, take a look at Jaime and Craig’s Dominican Republic destination wedding.
Condado Vanderbilt Wedding Vendor Team
Check out the dream team that brought together every perfect detail of this stunning wedding weekend!
- Venue — Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
- Photography — Lauren Bliss Photography
- Invitations & Stationery — Lili Weds Co.
- Wedding Planner & Design — Alexa Blanco Weddings
- Florals & Rentals — Hamsell Santos
- Cake — Double Cake
- Hair & Makeup — Makeup by Louise Ernest
- DJ & Lighting — DJ JC
- Live Band — Cuenta Regresiva
- Videography — Christian J. González
- Photobooth — Flipéate
Lauren Bliss is a Philadelphia based wedding photographer capturing engagement photos and weddings across the East Coast, NYC, and destinations worldwide, and is ready to capture your romance in her soft, film-inspired photography style. If you’re ready to book your wedding photography package, inquire here to reserve your date!
