Congratulations Julie and Brandon – your recent wedding at the Royalton Punta Cana is pretty as can be! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness….

About Julie and Brandon
Occupations: Brandon is the General Manager at Cintas and Julie is a Senior Sales Manager at EF Education
How they met:  Brandon’s brother was dating one of Julie’s roommates and best friends in university – those two got married and guess who was in the wedding party together! Ever since we have been inseparable. We definitely have family to thank!
What attracted Brandon to Julie: Her beauty and her sass!  She was a beautiful blonde that was a girly girl while being able to hang out with the boys all at the same time!
What attracted Julie to Brandon: His Humor! He played hockey, he was really cute and he was REALLY funny! What more could a girl ask for! I knew he came from a great family, I knew he had a great brother and sister in law, and we are more alike than anyone we know. It just clicked!
What was the best advice you received as a couple? To set some time aside with each other throughout the week.
Engagement story: This is pretty cool: Brandon planned a day in the city, scavenger hunt style for Julie. The day started to her waking up with her phone being taken away, a note on the counter and Brandon MIA. First stop was their favorite breakfast spot where Julie was greeted by the hostess, severed her breakfast and given another card. Second stop – a blow dry, again, greeted with another card (you get the picture on the cards!). Julie was then sent to pick out a new dress, eat cupcakes, have some spa time enjoying a massage,  eat lunch at their favorite spot and the last card gave clues to meet at the first place they said I love you! Julie made her way down to the beaches, and saw Brandon waiting. He got down on one knee and she said yes! The night finished with dinner at a special restaurant for the two of them.

The Wedding Day
Wedding date: November 8^th, 2014
Number of guests: 70
Wedding colours: Light pinks, grays, whites and creams “Beachy Chic!”
Julie’s most memorable moment: Secretly watching from around the corner, Brandon walk our one year old daughter down the aisle
Brandon’s most memorable moment: Seeing Julie’s father walk her down the aisle looking so beautiful.
Advice to others: Dress accordingly for the weather, it can get hot!
Favourite wedding detail: Reception on the beach! It was everything we pictured, and hearing the ocean directly behind us, looking at our guests with no shoes on, completely relaxed, made the day perfect
Most unexpected moment: Julie’s brother busting out a Mexican wrestling mask, getting naked and dancing! (Completely sober!)
Most romantic moment: Sitting alone at our sweetheart table, telling each other how perfect the day had been and knowing it was the start to a new chapter together
Did you include any traditions in your wedding? We took a modern tradition of the first look and did this a couple hours before our ceremony. It was incredibly special, intimate and forever memorable. We didn’t except to be so emotional, but both of us said the same thing, our breath was taken away and the excitement levels jumped through the roof!
Honeymoon: Mini-moon to Chicago sans baby! Something casual for us to enjoy; both the quiet time, spa time, good restaurants and sleep!
The day in three words: Amazing, Hilarious, And Outstanding!

Wedding Details
Ceremony location: Beach Gazebo – Royalton Punta Cana
Reception location: Beach – Royalton Punta Cana
Why did you choose this location for your wedding? We said I love you on the beach, we were engaged on the beach and it only felt right to get married on the beach. We wanted something “beachy chic!”
Julie’s gown: Vera Wang
Julie’s shoes: Flip Flops!
Brandon’s outfit: Custom Harry Rosen
Type of rings: Custom made with a second eternity band for Julie to represent our little baby girl in our life together.
Jewellery: Brandon surprised Julie with a necklace for the wedding, incorporating their daughters birthstone, as well to match her rings – Jewelry made by Twain Designs
Bridesmaids dresses: Brother of Honor – wore linen Michael Kors
Groomsmen attire: Best Man – wore linen Michael Kors
Wedding song: Lee Brice – I Don’t Dance
Signature drink: Muma-juana! Local shot of the evening for guests.
Favours: Wish Bracelets – when they fall off, your wish comes true. Using pink and gray pearls for women/men.
Music: DJ – Royalton Punta Cana
Flowers: Royalton Punta Cana
Photographer: Lee Weston
Hair: Salon – Royalton Punta Cana
Makeup: Best friend – Natalie Poulie (with help from Bobbie Brown!)
Stationery/Invitations: Julie designed
Catering: Royalton Punta Cana

Fun Stuff
Astrological signs: Julie – Aries, Brandon – Taurus
What was old? Our Family!
What was new? The Dress
What was borrowed? Best Friends Bracelet
What was blue? Can’t say! 😉
What did you put in gift bags? LOTS! Bags were delivered a month before everyone left – in a gray box tied with pink ribbon, they had everything from band aids, Advil, sunscreen, cameras, canvas beach bags, luggage tags, passport holders, chap stick, Kleenex and aloe vera!
Is there anything else that helps tell the story of the day? Going into this blindly, not knowing if our vision was going to be a reality was a major stress – walking up to the ceremony, and then again to the reception brought tears to my eyes knowing that every single detail down to the strings of beads hanging on the gazebo was perfect. Our friends were speechless during the entire night, the fun that was had, and the bonds that were created during our entire wedding week away are friendships that will now last a lifetime!

Tell us about your experience working with LUXE Destination Weddings: We had an amazing experience with our planner Cindy; she truly was able to capture all of our vision and make it a reality. The ideas she had and the proposals she provided were flawless. I felt a great connection with Cindy and truly believe she is great at what she does!