M&R may live in West Palm Beach, but Casa de Campo in La Romana, the Dominican Republic is truly a second home for the bride and her family, and it has been for decades. So needless to say, it became the perfect setting for their destination wedding in March 2023.

The couple chose the Altos de Chavón church, St. Stanislaus of Cracovia, for their Catholic ceremony. This church is a client favorite, as it truly looks as a church you’d find in a mediterranean village. The beauty of the cobblestone with the tropical jungle on the back is unbeatable. The space was elegantly adorned with white flowers and green foliage. Because the church is surrounded by restaurants, a barrier of plants was chosen to ensure the privacy of the event, and creating the double benefit of further enhancing the decor. A classical quartet with a soprano provided a beautiful sound track for this moment!

With strong connections to the world of sugarcane, the couple devised a unique welcome. A tunnel adorned with sugarcane plants welcomed guests, while a mobile band and ladies dressed with skirts that held up champagne glasses entertained them. The cocktail took place in the family’s villa courtyard, where hostesses passed around appetizers, as well as trays with the escort cards, which guided guests towards the reception.

Over 300 guests made their way to the private beach, where a platform was built from scratch for the reception. Dinner, dance, and music from a Latin band and an international DJ from Miami animated the evening. Under a clear roof, with numerous custom-made pieces, from furniture to hanging decorations, turquoise and fuchsia colors dominated the decor, merging with tropical elements and the traditional architecture of the house.

To end the night on a high note, a saxophonist led guests to an afterparty in the style of a “tropical disco night in Miami.” Pizza and gelato carts, along with a golf cart transformed into a photobooth, added a festive touch to this unique experience, while performers in glowing attires invited all to keep dancing the night away!

We invite you to enjoy this beautiful gallery by David Abel, as well as to check out the behind the scenes in the making of this project here!

GETTING READY & PORTRAITS

CEREMONY

COCKTAIL & RECEPTION DECOR

COCKTAIL HOUR

RECEPTION PARTY

TROPICAL AFTER PARTY

CREDITS

Planning & Design: Claire Duran Weddings & Events
Photos: David Abel
Video: Live StoryTellers
Flowers: Omar Garrido
Rentals: Divano, Eventos del Cibao & Nuage
Stationery: Alison Pennline Designs
Calligraphy: Isabel Lee
Custom Installations: Eccentrico Studio
Tenting, Sound, Lighting: Prodigium
DJ: DJ Rascal
Reception Band: Glamband
Ceremony Quartet and Cocktail Hour Mobile Band: Batuta by Pablo Polanco
Soprano: Paola Gonzalez
Ceremony Venue: Altos de Chavón
Reception Venue: Client’s Family’s Villa in Casa de Campo
Catering and Service: Casa de Campo
Cake: Bake Artistry
Sax Player and Violinist: Entertainment Department of Casa de Campo
Hora Loca: Crew Up