Intimate Destination Beach Wedding in the Dominican Republic

I was honored to photograph the Agudo wedding in Punta Cana as their destination beach wedding photographer. Catherine, the bride, is my best friend’s little sister. I am so thankful that she chose me to capture her intimate destination beach wedding.

Arriving in the Punta Cana

The wedding took place at the Secrets Cap Cana Resort and Spa. This luxurious resort is all-inclusive and adults-only. It’s the perfect place to honeymoon as well, which is exactly what Catherine and Josh decided to do. The wedding took place on Saturday. Catherine, Josh, and their families all flew into the DR on Wednesday. This gave them some time to relax by the pool, throw back some cocktails, and enjoy each other’s company in the sun. 

Unexpected Flight Delays

My husband and I were supposed to arrive in Punta Cana on Thursday, but our flight got delayed. This caused us to not be able to get there until Friday. Unexpected delays and travel disruptions are something you will want to plan for when planning a destination wedding or elopement. I would suggest flying your vendors in three days prior to the event. This gives everyone a buffer in case something happens. It also provides vendors a chance to explore the venue, ensuring they have what they need to provide a memorable experience. Building some downtime in the schedule for your vendors is greatly appreciated. Take care of your vendors and they will take care of you.

Getting Ready at the Resort Spa

Catherine and her bridesmaids got ready at the resort’s spa. There was plenty of space and natural light in the bridal suite. This made my job as a photographer much easier. When a group of women are preparing for a big event, the space tends to get messy quickly. To ensure the bride gets those beautiful getting-ready photos she’s dreamed of, keep the space tidy and place belongings out of mirror reflections. Your photographer and the bride will thank you! Also, make sure your lip combo is available to purchase. This way, you can touch up your lips throughout the day.

First Looks

First looks are always one of my favorite moments throughout the day. Catherine chose to do a first look with her sweet dad, Jason, and her soon-to-be husband, Josh. There are several benefits to doing a first look, which I talk more about in my blog post on timeline building. Check it out! 

Ceremony on the Beach

The Agudo’s wedding ceremony was stunning, so intimate, and special. It’s a beautiful thing to see two people so genuinely in love with one another.

As soon as the ceremony was over, it decided to rain. This was a bummer, but we all made the best of the situation. We covered the DJ equipment and headed to the bar on the beach. The rain didn’t last long. So we were able to take some breathtaking photos of the bride and groom before sunset. The golden hour light was perfect, and it was less humid. Win-win for all! 

The Reception – Time to Party

The reception was a party, as always, with CH Entertainment. Everyone had a blast, but the party didn’t end when the reception was over. We carried it over to one of the bars at the resort. We drank, danced, and made memories until after 2 a.m. THEN, we all decided to chill in the hot tub until we couldn’t keep our eyes open any longer. 

Final Thoughts

Most of us flew back to Tennessee the following day. 

It was an unforgettable experience of a lifetime for everyone that attended.

Catherine and Josh remained at the resort for another week to celebrate their marriage, and plan to go back!

If you’re considering a destination wedding, but you’re on the fence, do it!

Choosing Your Wedding Vendors

If you’re looking for a photographer / DJ bundle, my husband and I would love to talk with you about your vision for your special day.

Check out my website to see if we might be a good fit. Then, complete my contact form to get in touch!