Alanna and Matt had contacted me for my Puerto Rico elopement packages at the beginning of June for their upcoming September wedding. These lovers of the #saltlife wanted a small puerto rico wedding on the beach at the same place they got engaged: shacks beach in Isabela, with only their nearest and dearest. 

Eloping During Quarantine

As with every single photoshoot or elopement after March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic uncertainty makes it almost impossible to make plans and arrangements with the anticipation one would like. Because of that, Matt reached out again and booked my services just as they were boarding their plane to Puerto Rico, six days before their wedding. I was so excited to be available for their day. Once I met them, I was even more grateful for being part of such a beautiful and intimate event.

My day started in a beachfront residence where everyone was getting ready. After getting acquainted with everyone, I started documenting everything that happened as everyone went about their day. As Alanna was ready, I took her apart for a few bridal photos before we called Matt for their first look session. 

On the second-floor terrace, they shared this intimate moment together as we all watched from the windows. The intriguing part about meeting a couple on the wedding day is that you meet them separately. They were individually cool and lovely, but you could really see the sparks flying once I saw them together. They have fantastic chemistry and a profound love for each other.

Puerto Rico Wedding on the Beach

Once it was time for the ceremony, we walked down to the sandy beach behind the house. Alanna's brother had assembled a DIY altar with material found on the same beach. It looked so cute! Matt and Alanna were so happy and confident about their new step together that the surf got to them at some point, and everyone else freaked out except them. They were in perfect harmony and definitely in their element.

After the beach ceremony was over, we did family and group photos. Then we walked along the coastline for a beautiful set of newlywed portraits, before walking back to the house for cocktails and toasts. Eventually, it was time for dinner, so we all walked down the beach to Villa Montaña Beach Resort. 

Micro Wedding Reception at Villa Montana Beach Resort

Some beloved family members couldn't travel due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions on their different cities. For dinnertime, there were some empty spaces, and I was invited to stay. This was the first time this family celebrated togetherness after being apart for so long. There were lots of happiness, tears, and words of love and affirmation.

I came back home so energized and grateful: even in a group full of strangers, the human heart craves connection, celebration, and relationships. And as a wedding photographer, that's what I miss most about weddings. I hope we get out of this soon, but in the meantime, I'll make out the most of my small weddings here and there. 

xo,

Cami