Beach Destination Wedding in Punta Cana

I met Katie and Nathan for their engagement session a year ago. The day of their shoot ended up being a crazy rainstorm (which I’m always game for!). It seemed only fitting, then, that they would opt to have an intimate beach wedding in Punta Cana, surrounded by their closest family and friends. The wedding day brought nothing but blue skies, warm ocean breezes, and bare feet firmly planted in the sand.

Everyone flew in on Friday to get ready for the Monday wedding. Katie and Nate both have big, fun, welcoming families. It was SO amazing to be able to spend time with everyone during the week. There was laughter, fun, chatting, and sunbathing. We also swam in the ocean, drank awesome cocktails (obviously!), ate wayyyy too much amazing food, and hit up the disco. There were also impromptu late-night rap battles while waiting for tacos, beach volleyball games, bachelor and bachelorette shenanigans…

The beauty of a small wedding is that there’s plenty of opportunity for one-on-one time with your friends + family.

The few days prior to the wedding flew by because of all of the activities we crammed in. The morning of the wedding, I walked with the girls from Katie’s room to the salon while they got ready. By the time we left the salon, hair and makeup done, Katie looked like a movie star. Any earlier jitters had completely disappeared, and when she slipped into her wedding dress it was GAME. ON.

When you hear “beach wedding”, a vision comes to mind of palm trees, dresses flowing in the breeze, bright cocktails, and a wedding party barefoot in the sand while guests sport sunglasses and floral shirts. This was all of that, and more.

When it came time for the ceremony to start, everyone was SO excited. Katie’s mom and dad walked her down the aisle, where Nathan was waiting barefoot in the sand, looking away so he wouldn’t catch a glimpse of her too soon. When Nate finally looked up and caught the first glance of his babe, he was smiling the BIGGEST smile and it made my heart melt.

After exchanging “I do’s” and sharing their first kiss as husband and wife, they grabbed some champagne and mingled with their guests on the boardwalk. A three-piece band played while friends and family joked and chatted. Drinks and food were served on the beach, and the rest of the evening was filled with fun, laughter, and the best dance moves ever. It was the best party, and such an awesome tribute to an amazing couple.

I’m so grateful to have been a part of this beautiful ceremony and to have been treated like family by everyone there! Katie + Nathan, congratulations again, and good luck on your newest journey together as Mr + Mrs!!! xoxoxo

Vendors // Bride’s Gown by Mon Cherie Bridals from Helen’s Bridal  // Suit from Moore’s // Resort + Venue Occidental Punta Cana // Wedding Planning by Julie Thivierge //

Check out their wedding video by clicking play below: