Sofia and Dirk are a sweet and energetic couple. They're a well-traveled duo, and during their vacation trip to Puerto Rico, they fell in love with the Island of Enchantment, as us locals call it.

During their newlywed photo session after their wedding, Dirk told me that shortly after their visit, Puerto Rico was battered by Hurricane Maria in 2017, and they felt they wanted to help in some way. They decided the best way to help out was to bring a full bunch of people from all over the world to visit us for their Puerto Rico destination wedding.

I'm twice as grateful, not only because of their kind-hearted intentions behind hosting their wedding in Puerto Rico but also because we stumbled upon each other in the process!

Why it's a good idea to involve your photographer in your Puerto Rico destination wedding planning

With almost two years of anticipation, Sofia and Dirk were the first clients to hire me for 2020 weddings, and we started building a beautiful relationship during their wedding planning and research.

I love being so involved and acting as a source of advice during the wedding planning process. It helps give wedding photos a priority during the timeline planning, but also because by the time I show up at the wedding, there's a built mutual trust, and the day goes off without a hitch.

Puerto Rico Destination Wedding at Hacienda Siesta Alegre

After many months of planning, finally, their wedding day arrived. A hot and bright February day, many of their guests were quite excited to be escaping their cold hometowns.

Everything happened on the gorgeous Hacienda Siesta Alegre Inn, a popular wedding venue that also offers lodgement options that can double as getting ready locations for the couple and their wedding party. My day started going back and forth between the different rooms, so I could get Sofia and Dirk's last intimate moments with friends and family before the ceremony. 

The lovebirds had an ample list of portrait requests. To get some of them out of the way before the event started, they had a first look session, after which we did an initial set of couple portraits. Then, they had a beautiful, bespoke wedding ceremony officiated by a good friend of theirs. On our way out of the service, we stopped for one of my biggest group photos ever, after which we quickly went over the family and group formals. 

Sofia and Dirk were lovely and kind as a couple, and that helped them get away with stuff that usually we can't on a wedding at the Hacienda. The owners allowed us to go upstairs into the rooftop of their residence for a lovely and unique portrait set, after which we were pretty much set for the day. I then switched into decor photography mode before the party started. It was a wonderful celebration, and as you will see in the photos, everyone had a blast, including the photographer! 

Enjoy this set, and if you're planning a wedding, I hope you consider visiting us for your Puerto Rico destination wedding just like Sofia and Dirk did! 

xo,

Cami