Elegant Puerto Rico Wedding at Dorado Beach Ritz Carlton Reserve
I'm kind of a super fan of Abby Jiu. It never fails. the second she steps foot behind a camera magic ensues. Timelessly beautiful yet fresh all at the same time, her images tell the stunning story of this couples' gorgeous destination wedding. Complete with an envy-worthy Oscar De La Renta gown, a first look in a pineapple field and too many perfect details to count, this gallery should not be missed.
From The Bride...How did you decide on Puerto Rico? We visited Puerto Rico together for a close friend's wedding in 2013 and fell in love with the island. We really enjoyed exploring San Juan and the beaches, and found everyone we met to be incredibly warm and friendly. Our guests were also traveling from all corners of the country (and world!) so we wanted to find a location that would be an easy trip and a fun little getaway for everyone.
How did you decide on the Dorado Beach Ritz Carlton Reserve? As soon as we stepped on to the property we absolutely fell in love with the venue. It felt secluded and private and had such a romantic vibe - we loved the drama of seeing the waves crashing on rocks from virtually every angle. The property is also a nature preserve, so the lush vegetation also made the otherwise modern resort feel rustic. As history nerds, we also loved that the property has such a rich history. It was bought my Laurence Rockefeller who preserved its lushness and enhanced the property. He opened it up to celebrities such as John F Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Amelia Earhart.
What was the inspiration for your wedding decor? I was mostly inspired by the venue itself. The architecture is completely harmonious with its natural surroundings - the ocean, the beach and the plant life. I wanted the decor to feel similarly integrated and organic. Arquetipo helped us with our decor and blew us away, using lots of white orchids, willow vine and green dianthus, which almost looks like a sea creature itself! The lanterns and mercury glass helped to give everything a shimmery glow.
What is your favorite memory from the wedding day. My favorite moment from our wedding day (other than marrying Matt) was looking around the room at our reception and seeing the faces of so many people I love (who also happen to be fantastic dancers!). It was so special to have so many of our family and friends in one room having a blast together.
How did you decide on the Dorado Beach Ritz Carlton Reserve? As soon as we stepped on to the property we absolutely fell in love with the venue. It felt secluded and private and had such a romantic vibe - we loved the drama of seeing the waves crashing on rocks from virtually every angle. The property is also a nature preserve, so the lush vegetation also made the otherwise modern resort feel rustic. As history nerds, we also loved that the property has such a rich history. It was bought my Laurence Rockefeller who preserved its lushness and enhanced the property. He opened it up to celebrities such as John F Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Amelia Earhart.
What was the inspiration for your wedding decor? I was mostly inspired by the venue itself. The architecture is completely harmonious with its natural surroundings - the ocean, the beach and the plant life. I wanted the decor to feel similarly integrated and organic. Arquetipo helped us with our decor and blew us away, using lots of white orchids, willow vine and green dianthus, which almost looks like a sea creature itself! The lanterns and mercury glass helped to give everything a shimmery glow.
What is your favorite memory from the wedding day. My favorite moment from our wedding day (other than marrying Matt) was looking around the room at our reception and seeing the faces of so many people I love (who also happen to be fantastic dancers!). It was so special to have so many of our family and friends in one room having a blast together.