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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
Caribbean Destination Wedding Vendor Team:
- Planner: @tarynblakeevents
- Venue: @hyattzivacapcana
- Travel Agent: @heatherchristophertravel
- Photographer: @laureneblissphoto
- Second Photographer: @alyssabuntonphoto
- Makeup:@tina.horwitz.beauty
- DJ: @deejaymakuto
- Dress: @loversxsociety @lovelybridephilly
- Rings: @jayrobertsjewelers
- Stationary/Signage: @cardsmithdesignstudio
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.
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.
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…
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!
