Arianne and Xavier’s wedding day at Club Nautico San Juan was incredibly special for me. Not only because they’re charming, beautiful people and their wedding was pure perfection, but because this day tied together many personal and professional memories in one celebration.

Arianne reached out to me long before the wedding — she’s one of those organized brides who planned every detail more than a year in advance. We first connected during the 2018 wedding of Patricia and Gaby, one of my favorite couples, though in truth, Arianne and I go way back. We studied at the same elementary school and share many mutual friends, so documenting her wedding felt like photographing family.

Because they live abroad, all our planning happened online. We finally met in person during their engagement session at Royal Isabela, just days before the wedding. That afternoon was so relaxed and fun that it set the tone for what I knew would be an unforgettable wedding day.

Getting Ready at La Concha Resort

The morning of the wedding started early at La Concha Resort, where Arianne got ready surrounded by her energetic bridesmaids, her parents, and her grandmother. Her planner, Liliana Albizu from Handcrafted Weds, was already there making sure everything ran seamlessly.

Even with a full room, the large suite made it easy to move around. The balcony was perfect for photographing details without interrupting the action inside. When Arianne finally slipped into her ProNovias Barcelona gown, everyone’s emotions started to show — laughter, happy tears, and all the beautiful chaos that comes before “I do.”

Due to logistics, we didn’t photograph Xavier’s preparation as usual, but we met him at Parroquia Stella Maris before the ceremony. Surrounded by his groomsmen and family, he radiated the same calm joy that carried through the rest of the day.

A Ceremony at Parroquia Stella Maris

Moments later, Arianne arrived at the church in a bright orange Volkswagen Beetle, her long cathedral veil flowing dramatically as she stepped out. The crowd gathered in the plaza across the street started clapping and cheering — it was a movie moment!

The ceremony itself was heartfelt and full of laughter. You could feel how deeply loved these two are by everyone present. After more than a decade of photographing weddings, I can usually sense when a couple is about to have an amazing party — and this one definitely was.

Wedding Reception at Club Nautico San Juan

After the ceremony, we drove to Club Nautico San Juan, where the cocktail hour and reception took place. The venue overlooks the San Juan Bay, and its nautical setting always feels timeless.

Since we had plenty of time before sunset, I started by photographing the reception décor. Anabel from Glow Events designed a stunning setup with rustic textures and luxurious details, perfectly fitting the nautical glam theme.

When Arianne and Xavier arrived, we began their newlywed portraits indoors and then escaped to the docks. One of the boat captains kindly allowed us to photograph on his yacht — an unforgettable setting for their portraits.

Once the sun set, the celebration moved inside. Their reception opened with romantic dances and emotional toasts, followed by a lively dance floor led by DJ Giova and the iconic Yuvi Plena. It was one of those nights where no one wanted the music to end.

For me, it was also a beautiful full-circle moment — reconnecting with childhood friends and past couples, capturing laughter, and reliving how small and magical Puerto Rico can feel. I still look back at that night with so much affection and can’t wait to photograph more weddings like theirs at Club Nautico San Juan.

xo,
Cami