I hope that you all had a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. Is everyone still as full from turkey and pie as I am?
Today, we are heating things up with a destination wedding that took place last month by Amber Karson Events at a seaside villa in the Dominican Republic. The couple, Sandie and Alan, live in DC but travel a a great deal for their jobs so a destination wedding was the perfect option for them.
And, I just LOVE their story…
A summer internship during graduate school took Sandie to Brussels, Belgium in 2003 where she first met her future husband. As fate had it, Sandie did not meet Alan, the handsome U.S. Marine, until her last night in Belgium. Trusting a gut feeling, Alan asked Sandie to return to Brussels that fall for his Marine Ball. Feeling spontaneous (and a little like Cinderella), Sandie accepted and returned to Belgium to attend the event (in a historic castle.) They had a wonderful time together, but their paths (and long distance) led them different ways soon after the ball. However, Sandie always kept a picture of Alan on her dresser and no guy she dated afterwards ever compared. Four years passed, and on the eve of yet another deployment, the two reconnected by chance- this time, for good.
For a destination wedding, it is crucial to embrace the local culture and let your guests experience everything your locale has to offer. This wedding took place in Cabrera, a small town at the eastern end of the Dominican’s north coast. Cabrera has little tourism infrastructure – far from the resort towns most people are familiar with – and the quaint, remote atmosphere added to the tropical mood.
The Rehearsal Dinner took place at Playa Grande Beach (once rated as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches by Conde Nast Travel) the day before the wedding.
The ceremony was full of fabulous, island details. Amber Karson dressed up standard slip-covered chairs with a unique chair sash knot, adorned with a simple shell.
Invitations communicated the upscale beach vibe the bride and groom wanted throughout all the print pieces. The invitation included a real starfish – getting everyone excited early on for the tropical location!
Custom place cards were set in “sand box” trays with shells and pearl accents, program fans were also functional during the humid tropical afternoon and menu cards continued the theme. Guests also received prepared detailed welcome packets and gift bags that were delivered in the guest rooms upon arrival.
Amber Karson hand-painted sand dollars to create a custom table number for her client. Simple touches like starfish set against blue linen created the upscale beach vibe her client wanted. Also, silverware with a bamboo pattern added a subtle tropical element to the table setting.
Thank you to Amber for sharing this beautiful, exotic wedding. These are the details, and story, that we love at District Weddings!
The vendor team behind this lovely wedding…
Planner: Amber Karson Events
Bride’s Dress & Veil: Modern Trouseau from Hitched
Stationary: Invitations by Emily
