Kicking off a new week is often easier said than done, but this Monday just got a whole lot better with Ryan Ray wedding goodness from morning ’til night. I’m talking a four-part feature set in the Dominican Republic, starting with this gorgeous rehearsal dinner designed in the hands of Stefanie Miles. She pulled together a celebration chock-full of bold color, beautiful textures and cultural nods to their tropical setting. Get started in the gallery and sit tight for wedding day part one coming up next.
From Stefanie Miles…Our aim was to create a first impression experience for the guests that embraced the culture and the country, with special emphasis on togetherness and family. We were inspired by the warmth of the local earthenware and coffee grinders during our site visit, and put them to use as floral vessels. Michelle and Geoff’s thoughtfulness of their guests allowed us to use the space in such a way that we gave every guest a view of the ocean from their seat, and the groom personally hand-twisted the wire placecards for each guest. The bride’s beautiful silk gown held special meaning for them, as the gown she wore during their their stateside ceremony. The result was a perfect blend of color, texture, and floral that reflected the excitement and anticipation of the following day’s celebration.
From The Bride…For our Welcome Dinner, I had given Stefanie total control of the planning and she far exceeded my expectations. As soon as my eyes caught a glimpse of that long, luscious table overlooking the ocean I knew that I was going to be speechless. It felt like effortless beauty, as if we had stumbled upon a secret garden where all of the loveliest native foliage and flowers had been growing together naturally. The whole scene was simple enough to compliment the natural beauty of our surroundings, yet had the perfect special touches that made us feel how it had been thoughtfully created just for us. Our vendors had created an atmosphere where all of our guests could meet and truly feel the magic of our reality…that we were in the Dominican Republic living a once in a lifetime experience together! It brought me so much joy seeing all of our most treasured friends and family members instantly connecting with each other in such a beautiful setting.
Photography: Ryan Ray Photography | Videography: Candlelight Films | Florals: Bows and Arrows | Dress: Badgley Mischka | Hair & Makeup: Amy Clarke | Design, Planning & Production: Stefanie Miles Events | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper & Calligraphy: Ladyfingers Letterpress | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Flor De Cabrera | Venue Coordination & Production Assistance: Felicita Garcia