Jet-setting Wedding in the Tropics

This is a story about Yelena and Alex, two jet-setting New Yorkers who held not one, but two ceremonies — a New Year’s Eve wedding in New York City and a summer wedding in paradise in the Dominican Republic.

Yelena is studying to be a doctor in Atlanta and Alex is a businessman.  He moved down to Atlanta temporarily just to be with his beautiful and talented wife to be!

Their love story started at their mutual friend’s birthday party where they first saw each other.  Alex was smitten by Yelena’s beauty at first sight.  However, he tried his best to hide it by giving her a hard time asking tough questions.   Yelena took a bit of convincing, but a year and a half later the delightful couple had an elegant NYC city hall wedding on NYE to make their relationship official.

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Despite the NY ceremony, Yelena and Alex wanted a destination wedding and the religious ceremony at The Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  Yelena and Alex took the term fun summer wedding to the whole new level by jetting their entire family and closest friends from all over the world to the gorgeous Caribbean island. Their pre-wedding “White Party” was jam packed with super fun activities such as dancing and singing on the beach, while enjoying some of the region’s finest food, hand-made cigars, and signature drinks.

The wedding was a flawless and elegant affair that started with a cocktail hour on the main terrace of the all-inclusive five-star Paradisus Palma Real resort, following by a Jewish wedding ceremony at the garden and reception at the wedding pavilion.

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

I started my day a few minutes before 1 o’clock with photographing some behind-the-scenes of hair & makeup, details, and preparations. Both bride’s & groom’s hotel rooms had gorgeous ocean views from their oversized balconies and I was delighted to take advantage of the exotic marine backdrops by snapping some portraits and family photos.

My favorite moments of the weddings were the first look, the first kiss in the end of the ceremony, horah dance and lifting the Bride & Groom on the chairs, and always emotional parents’ dance.

This destination wedding was a real trip to paradise and I wish I could turn back time to re-live it all over again.

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Paradisus_Palma_Real_Wedding_021

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Destination Wedding Paradisus Palma Real Punta Cana

Wedding ceremony setup at Paradisus PalmaReal Dominican Republic

Groom walking down the aisle wedding ceremony Paradisus PalmaReal

Wedding ceremony at Paradisus PalmaReal Dominican Republic

Wedding ceremony Paradisus Palma Real

Bride and groom's faces during wedding ceremony at Paradisus PalmaReal

Wedding ceremony Paradisus Palma Real Dominican Republic

Bride and groom holding handsWedding ceremony Paradisus Palma Real

Bride and groom rings exchange Wedding ceremony Paradisus Palma Real

Groom break the glass at wedding ceremony Paradisus Palmareal

Wedding ceremony exit Paradisus PalmaReal

Champagne toast after wedding ceremony Paradisus PalmaReal

After-wedding photo shoot at Paradisus PalmaReal

Wedding photos dominican republic

Wedding photos by the chuppah Paradisus Palmareal

Family photo session Dominican Republic Wedding at Paradisus Palma Real

Table decoration for a wedding Paradisus Palma Real

Table decoration for a wedding Paradisus Palma Real

Grandfather with bride dance Paradisus Palma Real

First wedding dance at Paradisus Palma Real Wedding

First Dance Mothers Dance Paradisus Palma Real Wedding

Paradisus Palma Real at night

Paradisus Palma Real at night


A fairy-tale wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Photography: Tatiana Valerie
Videography: Emiliano Rosemberg at Tripic One Studio
Hair & Makeup: Krystie Ann
Catering, venue, cake: Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana
Shoes: Sergio Rossi
Dress: Vera Wang via Saks 5th Avenue
Mc& DJ: Irina Gleyzer & Arthur Marants