Congratulations Carolyn and Joseph on your marriage in beautiful Punta Cana.

About the Carolyn and Joseph
Carolyn: 31years old, athletic, compassionate, bubbly personality, jokester
Joseph: 32 years old, laid back, sports fanatic, big teddy bear
Occupations: Carolyn is a Special Education teacher (teaches students who are mentally and physically disabled), and Joseph is a Project Manager
How they met:  We met through mutual friends on Thanksgiving Eve, November 2005.  We went to a dance club with our close friends. We were introduced and spent the rest of the night together … and we were inseparable ever since.
What attracted Joseph to Carolyn: She was very shy and couldn’t stop smiling. Her smile and her one dimple are beautiful.
What attracted Carolyn to Joseph: I loved his eyes and the way he spoke.  His eyelashes brought out his big brown eyes and I fell in love. He spoke very “proper” and was such a gentleman. He had me at: “Can I buy you a beer?”
What was the best advice you received as a couple? Carolyn: Be best friends and make sure to communicate. Joseph: Pick and choose battles and never go to bed fighting.
Engagement story: Carolyn has a very big heart and loves to work with children.  When I met her, she was going to graduate school for her Special Education degree.  Her sister is Autistic and her family are very big activists for special needs children.  She loves her job and considers it her happy place.  She comes home and doesn’t stop talking about “her children.”  The only appropriate place for me to propose was in her classroom.  I brought her sister and her students to surround her.  Needless to say, she said “I DO!”

The Wedding Day
Wedding date: June 21^st 2014
Number of guests: 57 adults and 2 children
Wedding colours: Coral and white
Carolyn’s most memorable moment: Starring at his face (hysterically crying) while walking down the aisle
Joseph’s most memorable moment: Starring into her eyes as we said our vows
Advice to others: Enjoy your day, relax, don’t worry about anyone but the both of you.  You have been dreaming of this day forever so soak it all up, dance, drink and be merry
Favourite wedding detail: The atmosphere.  Having our ceremony on the beach, the palm trees, the blue water, and all of our close family and friends.
Most unexpected moment: The fire dancers asked us to come dance in the middle of their performance.  It was super hot and we thought were going to catch on fire.  It was all in good fun but, we didn’t expect that.
Most romantic moment: When we danced our first dance.  We looked into each other’s eyes and just cried from happiness.  We finally did it, we were married!
Honeymoon: We stayed a few days longer in Punta Cana.  We got massages, went horseback riding, we had a romantic dinner on the beach.  The best part was enjoying each other’s company.
The day in three words: Remarkable, Amazing, Memorable

Wedding Details
Ceremony location: Dreams Resort and Spa in Punta Cana
Reception location: Bordeaux Terrace overlooking the beach
Why did you choose this location for your wedding? We choose Dominican Republic because we heard so many amazing reviews.  We definitely wanted to get married in the Caribbean and for it to be affordable to our guests.  With great advice from Luxe representatives we decided to go with Punta Cana.  We went to a wedding the year before in the DR and checked out a few possible resorts but nothing called our attention until we went to Dreams.
Carolyn’s gown: I wore a Maggie Sottero with a few altercations.  I removed the bow it came with and added a beaded belt.
Carolyn’s shoes: None I planned as being as comfortable as possible.  I did wear old navy flip flops to dance the night away.
Jospeh’s outfit: Guyabera linen shirt, Gap slacks (light), and a Banana Republic Fedora
Type of rings: Joseph’s ring is sold band made from Tungsten.  Carolyn’s ring is made of sapphires and diamonds.
Jewellery: I bought my jewellery from Overstock.com (earrings and bracelet)
Bridesmaids dresses: AV Neck Bridesmaid Dress with Beaded Waistband. I found it on Pintrest
Groomsmen attire: Guyabera linen shirts, Gap slacks (khaki), and a Banana Republic Fedora
Wedding song: Bendita Tu Luz by Juan Luis Guerra
Signature drink: Mamajuana – The local shot from Dominican Republic
Favours: The place cards were the favours -They were starfish with their names on them.
Music: We had an amazing DJ who played lots of 60’s and 70’s music
Flowers: The bouquets were made up of coral roses and white Calla lilies
Photographer: Was provided through the hotel.  He was Amazing!!!!!
Stationery/Invitations: Exclusively Weddings
Catering: Dominican Buffet provided through Resort

Fun Stuff
Astrological signs (Carolyn) and (Joseph): Pisces and Sagittarius
What was old? 1 of my bracelets
What was new? Dress
What was borrowed? Hair accessories
What was blue? Garter
What did you put in gift bags? We made welcome bags-sun block, white sunglasses, pepto, Tylenol, tissues, alka seltzer, matches, chap stick, and hand sanitizer
Is there anything else that helps tell the story of the day? Given that we had our guests arrive two days prior, we had a bonfire and excursion planned for them.  All of our guest got to meet and become friends.  By the time the wedding came along everyone seemed like one big family.

Tell us about your experience working with LUXE Destination Weddings: I had the most amazing experience working with the ladies from Luxe!  Professional, attentive, personable, and great communicators are just a few praises I can give them.  I had no worries.  All the wedding plans went smoothly.  It was so easy to plan for the wedding.  I am very grateful for the Luxe team.  They gave me my dream wedding.  I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for professional wedding planning.