Dream Wed-Cation In The Dominican Republic – Leah + DJ Married!
My people.
They are not ordinary. They do things their own way. They’re practical and kind. And they know how to have fun.
These two got married the first time in Minnesota at the start of the year, even though their destination wedding (hereon wed-cation!) in the Dominican Republic was already planned. While their marriage in the DR would have been completely legal and recognized, the hassle and cost of obtaining copies of the marriage license in the future were a bit much. Leah and DJ held a small ceremony, made photographs in the snow and their dogs, and were grateful that family members unable to travel to the Dominican for their wed-cation could see them exchange vows and become officially married. For the first time.
And for their second official wedding, a handful over forty people fled the latest Minnesota snow storm and met them in Bayahibe at the Dreams La Romana resort. They enjoyed the all inclusive resort with different kinds of food, drinks with umbrellas, the views, and of course the temperatures that took them from below freezing to well above and comfortable in one layer of clothing. Many flew down over the weekend prior. I flew in Tuesday and had the pleasure of joining this crew partying on a catamaran on Wednesday, the day before their beach wedding. And mid-Thursday morning, I joined Leah with her Mom, sister, and two dear friends in the spa while they got their hair and make up done. It kicked off a relaxed day filled with love and laughter. And true enjoyment of the company shared by everyone involved.
Leah and DJ did a first look on this wedding day and said they felt completely relaxed. Perhaps it was because they were already married and had done this once before that the normal wedding day jitters stayed at bay. And perhaps it was because these two are incredibly laid back people. The skies opened up a few times throughout the day and there were discussions about pulling the ceremony indoors. But then the skies cleared up, chairs were wiped down, and the ceremony took place in the gazebo on the beach as originally planned.
It’s always awesome to get unrushed time for portraits and to work out the nerves a bit before a ceremony. Of course, Leah and DJ didn’t have any nerves so all they had was fun together!
I told you my people aren’t ordinary. These two went searching for crabs in the middle of making portraits. And that was totally okay. (There had been dozens of crabs on that fallen tree when we first walked up!)
Leah’s Mom Sherry made the most incredible bejeweled L for the top of their wedding cake! I loved the outline of all the beads from behind.
Such a fun display of photographs of Leah and DJ!
Sherry is a dancing machine. If you didn’t see Leah and DJ’s day on the catamaran and all the dancing, you should check it out now.
Leah and DJ.
Your wed-cation was phenomenally and wonderfully incredible.
It still feels like a dream in an alternate reality.
Thank you for inviting me to join you and document such a fabulous week with you and your friends + family.
The relationships you have created show nothing less than the love and caring I wish everyone could have the good fortune to experience.
May these images from your wed-cation and the memory of that fun + love fill you with warmth when you close your eyes and remember when you started your marriage for the second time on a gorgeous beach in the Dominican Republic.