Stefanie and Zachary’s wedding felt like the perfect closing chapter to my year.
It was my last Puerto Rico wedding of 2024 and also the last one of my own wedding year, so I arrived at Hotel El Convento already a little nostalgic and very ready to soak in every moment with them.

They chose Old San Juan for their destination wedding because it is the kind of place that instantly feels like a celebration. Cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the soft echo of church bells in the distance. Surrounded by about one hundred guests, they transformed a December Friday into a long weekend of love and joy in Puerto Rico.

More than anything, Stefanie told me she wanted to remember people having fun. She dreamed of a dance floor packed with friends, a walk through Old San Juan with live music, and photos that would let her relive every laugh. That wish shaped how we planned the day together.

Getting ready at Hotel El Convento

We started the afternoon tucked inside the bridal suite at Hotel El Convento. The room was full of soft light, satin shoes, heirloom details, and the gentle buzz of wedding day excitement. While hair and makeup finished their last touches, I photographed Stefanie’s dress, invitations, rings, and the delicate florals that would later fill the ballroom.

Bridesmaids in matching robes gathered around her, alternating between laughter and happy tears. Stefanie has the kind of smile that lights up a room, but she is also wonderfully honest. At one point she joked about being nervous of her double chin in candid photos. I promised her what I promise many of my brides. My job is to guide, flatter, and be mindful of angles, so she can relax and enjoy the day. The most beautiful photos always come when you are fully present, not worried about posing.

Across the hall, Zachary and his groomsmen were getting ready in a different suite. Bow ties, cufflinks, black tuxedos, and that particular mix of calm and nerves that appears right before a ceremony. I enjoyed watching his friends help adjust his jacket and tease him just enough to keep him relaxed. These quiet moments are some of my favorite parts of photographing weddings in Puerto Rico, because they show how much support surrounds a couple before they even say their vows.

First look in the historic cloisters

Once both Stefanie and Zachary were dressed, we stepped out into the iconic arcades of Hotel El Convento for their first look. The yellow walls, checkered floors, and wooden doors create one of the most romantic corners in Old San Juan. Tucked away from the main flow of guests and tourists, it was just the two of them, framed by the arches.

Zachary waited facing the courtyard while Stefanie walked up behind him, her dress gliding across the tiles. When he turned around, his whole face softened. They held each other for a long time, whispering words only they could hear. I stayed a few steps back so that they could sink into the moment.

The first look calmed their nerves and allowed us to move smoothly into wedding party portraits in the cloister corridors. Formal black tuxedos, champagne gowns, and delicate white florals looked right at home against the architecture of this historic hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

A classic Catholic ceremony at Catedral de San Juan Bautista

From there we crossed the street to one of the most iconic San Juan Puerto Rico wedding venues. The Catedral de San Juan is a dream location for couples planning a Catholic wedding in Puerto Rico. Its high ceilings, black and white floor, and soft golden light create a timeless setting for vows.

Stefanie had requested to do immediate family photos at the cathedral before the ceremony so that everyone could leave together after, following the music. We gathered parents, siblings, and the wedding party for a few formal portraits inside the church, then tucked everyone away as guests started to arrive.

During the ceremony, I watched the two of them go from excited to deeply peaceful. Surrounded by family and friends who had traveled to Puerto Rico for their wedding, they promised to build a life filled with kindness and joy. Even though some loved ones could not be there, you could feel how present everyone in the pews wanted to be for them.

A plena parade through the streets of Old San Juan

The moment the priest gave his final blessing, the energy in the room shifted from reverent to electric. Outside the cathedral doors, Yuvi Plena waited, drums and panderetas ready. As soon as Stefanie and Zachary stepped out, the music started.

This is one of my favorite traditions for weddings in Puerto Rico. A plena group leads the newlyweds and their guests through the cobblestone streets, turning the walk from ceremony to reception into its own mini festival. Guests clapped and danced, waving handkerchiefs and singing along while we moved toward Hotel El Convento.

Stefanie had a very specific vision for this part of the day. She wanted to walk into cocktail hour with the pleneros in front and the two of them dancing behind, entering through the grand hotel lobby with its black and white flooring. Watching that idea come to life was incredible. The music echoed off the high ceilings, guests cheered from every direction, and they danced their way into the next chapter of the day.

Sunset portraits in Old San Juan

After the parade and a few quick hugs during cocktail hour, we slipped out for a short newlywed session around Old San Juan. This is one of the reasons couples love planning a destination wedding in Puerto Rico. Within just a few steps, you go from a historic cathedral to colorful streets, balconies filled with flowers, and views of the bay.

We walked around the block, using the soft late afternoon light against pastel facades and quiet doorways. I kept their posing simple and natural so they could keep enjoying the afterglow of the ceremony and the music still ringing in their ears. It was less about creating dramatic portraits and more about capturing that feeling of just married during a perfect Old San Juan wedding afternoon.

Elegant reception at Hotel El Convento

Inside, the ballroom at Hotel El Convento was transformed for the reception. Tall floral arrangements filled with white blooms, candles on every table, and gold chairs that mirrored the warm tones of the room. The black and white floor tied the whole design together, giving the space a classic yet modern feel.

I arrived a few minutes before guests so I could photograph the room undisturbed. Details like the seating chart, place cards, and dessert table are part of what make weddings in Puerto Rico feel so personal, especially when couples bring together local vendors who know the venue well.

Stefanie and Zachary made their grand entrance as newlyweds and went straight into their first dance. From there, loved ones offered toasts, the dinner service started, and I shifted completely into candid mode, exactly as Stefanie had hoped. Children ran between tables, friends reunited over wine, and parents watched from their seats with proud smiles.

A dance floor that never slowed down

If there was one thing this couple wanted for their Puerto Rico wedding, it was a lively party. They absolutely got it. Once the formalities ended, the dance floor stayed full for the rest of the night.

Mauricio from Newave Events kept the music flowing while guests sang along, lifted Zachary into the air at one point, and surrounded Stefanie in spontaneous group hugs. Between spins and dips, they still found quiet pockets of time to hold hands, lean in close, and simply look at each other. As their photographer, I loved that the room gave me constant little windows into their connection.

Before I finished my coverage, I checked in with them for any last photo requests. It is important to me that couples feel fully seen on their wedding day and that we capture the people who matter most to them, from big extended family groups to the one cousin who always travels the farthest to be there.

Closing a beautiful season with a dreamy Puerto Rico Wedding

As I packed up my cameras and stepped back out into the Old San Juan evening, I felt a deep mix of gratitude and nostalgia. Stefanie and Zachary’s celebration was my final wedding of the year and the perfect way to end a season of destination weddings in Puerto Rico.

Their day reminded me why couples from all over choose to get married in Puerto Rico. Historic churches like Catedral de San Juan, romantic hotels like El Convento, live plena music, warm December weather, and most important, families who show up ready to love and celebrate.

To Stefanie and Zachary, thank you for trusting me with your memories and for letting me witness a love story that is both elegant and full of joy. I cannot wait for you to look back at these images years from now and remember exactly how it felt.

xo,

Cami