Fatima and Ricardo were married this past June at the Nuestra Senora del Pilar church in Punta Cana with a reception held at the Zoetry Agua Resort. Here’s a real wedding profile of the couple with some gorgeous photos of their big day all courtesy of Photo Souvenir – a husband and wife team based in Punta Cana.

Occupations: Fatima is a Sales Manager, Ricardo is a Network Security Administrator
How they met: At a neighborhood lounge
What attracted Ricardo to Fatima: Being the person who had the qualities he was looking for
What attracted Fatima to Ricardo: Being the person who had the qualities she was looking for
Engagement story: I was trying to watch the season premier of a television show, and Richie was trying to ask me questions about how did I know that he was the “one” and so forth. I wasn’t paying him any attention, giving him short answers, and not even looking over at him. Finally when I thought he gave up (He likes to talk to me during shows he doesn’t like), he got up, left the room, and then came back and knelt in front of me with the engagement ring that I cut out of the New York Times ad a year prior.  We were discussing our marriage for the near future, and we decided on having just wedding bands.  I’m not easily surprised, but he got me.

The Wedding Day
Wedding date: June 3^rd 2011
Number of Guests: 54
Her most memorable moment: There were many, putting his ring on his finger, seeing my reception space for the 1^st time. Feeling happy to see everyone I love in the same space for 4 days in a row!
His most memorable moment: The party

Advice to others: Once it starts, just let go and enjoy yourself, try to be a guest at your own party
Fave wedding detail: My bouquet!  My florist said that I was very lucky that the market had my deep red peonies, my favorite flower!
Signature Drink: Ginger Mojito
Most unexpected moment: Everything was expected with this crowd
Honeymoon: Italy
The day in three words: Fun, Fun, Fun!

Wedding Info:
Ceremony location: Nuestra Senora de Pilar church, Punta Cana
Reception location: Zoetry Agua
Bridal gown: Songul Prabas from Kleinfeld and a reconstructed Laundry dress for reception
Groom’s outfit: Kleinfeld custom suit
Music: Merengue, Perico Ripiao, house, & dance music.
Flowers: Gorgeous centerpieces by Florenzza – candelabra’s with palms, roses, carnations, and gerber daisies, and secondary arrangements in roses and carnations, all red! And a peony and rose bouquet.

Fun Stuff

Astrological Signs (hers) and (his): Capricorn, Libra
Type of Ring: Cushion cut engagement,  pave eternity bands
Wedding Colors: Black, red and gold
Bride’s Shoes: Red Por la Victoire for the ceremony, silver Manolo Blahnik’s for the reception
What was borrowed? My grandmothers watch from my mother, my friend’s grandmother’s handkerchief
What was new? Belgium lace handkerchief that my best friend brought from Belgium
What was blue? My blue topaz & diamond earrings
What did you put in gift bags?: I had made custom reusable gift bags with my wedding logo.  Along with some travel size toiletries, I  included traditional candies and coffee from the Dominican Republic.
Most romantic moment: Ricardo trying to keep my dry and my dress neat while walking from the church to the car, it was raining.

Please tell us about your experience working with LUXE Destination Weddings: Rebecca was amazing, a true professional. She understood what I was looking for and communicated it effectively.  I know that there were issues that I didn’t get involved with that she took care of.  I’m very grateful. Trying to find the venue was also hard for me, and Luxe took the time to investigate all of my ideas and I never felt pressure to settle on a resort.