HEATHER & DANIEL’S DESTINATION WEDDING

You’ll remember Heather and Daniel, I’m sure. It feels like not more than just a few short weeks ago that we were walking with them and their Boston Terrier along the beach in Toronto for their engagement shoot (click here to view the photos we took that lovely, sunny summer’s evening). You might remember them because I may have gushed about them, just a little bit, in the blog post I wrote up about them (that’s because they seriously rock).You might also remember that for their wedding, we’d be meeting up with them again on a beach, but a different beach…a very different beach. A beach far far away from our little stretch of beach on Lake Ontario. We’ve been super excited for Heather and Daniel’s wedding ever since they first got in touch about having us come and take the photos, and I’m super excited that today I get to share with you their amazing amazing wedding that took place earlier this month under the swaying palm trees of the Dominican Republic.

They were married on a Wednesday, and that morning I was with the girls getting ready in Heather’s suite. When we realized we’d left it too late to order food straight to the room for lunch, a couple of the bridesmaids hot footed it down the resort’s buffet where they piled up a few plates to bring back up to share. Heather sat down for a minute and started pulling strips of chicken off the bone, chewing slowly. She got all quiet just then, and I looked over and saw a smile on her face and I thought I saw water brimming up in her eyes. I was all like “Is the chicken spicy?” and she laughed and said no, it was just that she was just so happy. Sitting there eating cold chicken on her wedding day. And all she could think about was everything the day symbolized. I think at that point anyone who was around to hear had tears welling up in their eyes too…and we were all like “boy have you tried the chicken?! That’s some spicy chicken!”

I’m so excited…I’m having so much fun…this is the best…randomly throughout the day, I’d hear words like these coming from Heather’s mouth. She was maybe the happiest bride that ever there was. And Daniel was a pretty happy guy too. His smile as he saw Heather walking down the aisle towards him was just priceless. And their love and joy spread to the forty-odd guests who had joined them to celebrate their wedding day, and the celebrations lasted well into the warm Dominican night. By the end of it, we got the sense that we belonged, and it got to the point where people were pretty much demanding Dave and I to leave our cameras behind and just dance the night away with them on the dance floor.

Heather and Dan, what can I say? People go to the Dominican. The Dominican’s alright. But it was your wedding day; your warm and inviting and super fun wedding party and friends who welcomed us in; your awesome families who were just so happy for you; and most of all, your awesome selves, who made this an experience we won’t soon forget. We hope you love these images. That you look back on them for years to come and remember the week you got married in the Dominican, surrounded by people who love you.

I don’t know how we got so lucky because we will be seeing Heather and Daniel again very soon at their Canadian reception that is being held for all their family and friends who couldn’t make it down south…we can’t wait for the big reunion! I hope to have a fun post up tomorrow that involves Heather + Daniel + a white dress + the ocean (…eek!), but first, let’s get to some of my favourite images from their big day. I look at these shots, and it’s like I’m back there.

Enjoy.

- Jenn xx

Venue: MAJESTIC COLONIAL PUNTA CANA | Photographers: Jenn & Dave Stark of JENN STARK PHOTOGRAPHERS | Heather’s Dress: BECKER’S BRIDALS