Casa de Campo Wedding Photos • Ashley + Luther

One for the books. That’s what Ashley and Luther’s wedding at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic was. This wedding will go down in history as one of the best anyone there has ever been to. (I don’t even need to poll the audience for it because I experienced it first-hand! And I don’t want to brag but I’ve been to a few weddings.) I’ve never been so overjoyed to be a destination wedding photographer. Working with Mahla, of The Eventeur, was also amazing and I’m so grateful for this occasion, where our paths crossed for the first time. (Hopefully not the last!) She’s a great planner and coordinator and the day definitely ran as smoothly as it did because of her and her team.

I had the pleasure of being a guest and their photographer. I know Ashley through her wedding planning business, Dulce Dreams Events. We met many years ago and were instantly fast friends. We’ve grown really close over the years and I consider her one of my absolutely closest friends. It’s really cool to be in your friend’s life when she meets the love of her life and I can say I was there from the start with this one. Her and Luther had instant chemistry and a strong bond from their first date. (It was awesome to hear everyone recount the start of their relationship, nearly four years ago, at their rehearsal dinner the night before.)

They are such supporters of one another’s dreams and passions in life and are truly best friends. When I think of who could possibly be deserving of my friend Ashley’s love and attention I can happily say it’s Luther. And she of his.

They’re really outstanding humans. I am so fortunate to be in their lives and to have witnessed this sensational once-in-a-lifetime event where everyone there got to celebrate them all weekend!

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Most people came in at least a day prior to the wedding day. As an avid traveler, and a person with a lot of experience in destination weddings, I was sure to show up two nights before because hey, you never know with flights and such. We arrived to the resort ready to relax and celebrate.

We were happy to partake in their all-inclusive option to experience their awesome food and drinks, stroll around their wonderful marina (we went yacht shopping of course), and lay {in the shade} on their aqua-blue beach. The rehearsal dinner was in a restaurant named Lagos, overlooking the ocean with an ideal view of the watercolor sunset. Welcome bags were handed out that had a welcome letter, recovery kit and Mama Juana bottle! (It’s a Dominican Republic drink!) The canvas tote had a drawing Luther’s sister-in-law created from one of the most memorable photos from their engagement session. (It was also the picture they used for their Save the Dates!)

Ashley and Luther were upgraded to a pretty awesome villa (which we all got use out of for fun gatherings the days before and after). It provided the perfect tropical backdrop and location for Luther to get ready with his groomsmen. He also gifted them very useful presents, including a custom engraved flask and cigar holder and cutter.

The hotel resort and spa is about a twenty minute drive from their wedding location. It’s crazy to think it’s still even the same property but it is! (They have over 7,000 acres of property at Casa de Campo!) Ashley and I jetted over to meet Luther at the first look location and, I must admit, enjoyed a few minutes of bonding on the day. I felt so lucky to be there with her! I was like the chosen one. 🙂

They had one of the SWEETEST first looks. And maybe it’s because I’m just very emotionally connected to them, as close friends, or because they simply DID but I teared up. Then wanted to jump up and down and scream. But alas, I was also working and jumping up and down simply doesn’t do well with camera clicks. So I captured their beauty instead!

There’s truly an ENDLESS amount of locations to take great photos at this insanely cool destination wedding location. Everywhere I turned I thought of another vision to capture them, their wedding party and family. So much so I went around the resort the day before to take some landscape photos, which I’ve intertwined into this post, because I knew we wouldn’t have enough time on the day of to capture them in every location I wanted. Truly I could have spent an ENTIRE day taking Ashley and Luther around Altos de Chevon for pictures.

One of my favorite photos is of Ashley and her bridesmaids. How do you spell F-I-E-R-C-E?! (Right, like that. And it looks like this:)

By the way if you think this photo of the palm in front of the river and mountains (or any others for that matter) are fake, it’s just because it was unbelievably gorgeous there. They’re ALL REAL, baby!

Ya know….a lot of weird things can happen at weddings. Luckily, (to my knowledge) this moment with Luther’s groomsman, Chris, and a donkey is as weird as it got.

There’s a beautiful church at Altos de Chevon that a lot of people get married in. However, I feel like if you’re inside the church you miss the real beauty of everything surrounding you. That’s why I was extra excited when Ashley and Luther decided to get married on a nearby terrace overlooking the river and mountain valley. Yet the church was still a great backdrop for some family photos! How sweet is the picture above of Luther and his mom, Cynthia hugging?

Their ceremony was stunning. A floral arch perfectly framed the bride and groom as Luther’s uncle Dan officiated. (Kudos to Mahla from The Eventeur for ensuring it was perfect for them.) Ashley’s mother walked her to the back of the aisle and her dad escorted her to her groom. Beautiful blue and white fans were provided for guests to keep themselves a little cooler from the Dominican Republic heat. And right before they were pronounced husband and wife their mothers draped a beautiful rosary around them. A petal toss celebrated the official announcement as they walked down the aisle and towards the picturesque platform overlooking the colorful landscape.

One of the most iconic areas of Altos de Chevon for Casa de Campo wedding photos is their amphitheater. Need I say why when you look at this photo? It’s also a concert venue; Bad Bunny (who I thought was fake until groom and DJ, Luther Calvin Riggs, told me he was, in fact, a real badass bunny) was there the weekend after their wedding with Daddy Yankee. Who knew?  STOP IT RIGHT NOW! I can’t with how breath-taking these two are! Have I mentioned how lucky I was to photograph this AND be their friends?

I get such a kick out of seeing my name in calligraphy. Which is why I’m keeping our custom calligraphy escort cards FOREVER! (Maybe it’s because I have a unique name and never had “off the rack” name items, like pencil cases and mugs, growing up.) Their escort card board was finished with a custom wax seal, matching their stationery set, on each card.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan you’ll get this reference: don’t you think their mirrored cocktail tables are just like an Invisibility Cloak? It’s just about the coolest high top table I’ve ever seen, anywhere. Guests had poolside cocktails while we finished up photos. Afterwards they were welcomed into such a beautiful dinner venue space. If my photos do it any justice at all I’ll be happy because words fail me when I try to describe how I felt about seeing it for the first time.

Their first dance was on an outdoor dance floor just yards from the cocktail hour pool and covered dinner area. String lights twinkled above them as they danced to a slow version of Sam Smith’s song, “Latch.” (You know the words: “Now I got you in my space, I won’t let go of you…”)

Pictured below: evidence I was there (holler!) with Dan and one of our favorite wedding additions: a cigar roller! Fun fact: Dan and I both love a good cigar once in a while. Seems Luther does too! (They were really good cigars!)

I was kind of obsessed with their wedding cake. It was two tiers covered in white fondant with green gumpaste leaves. It was so elegant and simple yet so impactful and perfect for their day.

 Ashley is a d-a-n-c-e-rrrrr and while her first, primary gown was lacy and wonderful, and suited her perfectly, she was looking forward to changing into something a little more dance appropriate and suitable for the tropical weather. How hot does she look? Those beads kept up with her shimmy-and-shake movements all night long! As did her guests. I should mention, one of the reasons they decided to get married in the Dominican Republic was because of Ashley’s heritage. She grew up in Massachusetts but her parents are both from the island. And because all their guests would have to travel to a destination anyway, from California, and Chicago, Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts, why not travel here? It had meaning, warmth in October, and exquisite scenery.

That fan in Ashely’s hand may as well be a mic she can drop because that was her on the dance floor!

Congratulations to two of my favorite people in the entire world! I LOVE YOU and will forever celebrate your marriage for years to come. With cocktails, carbs and great conversations.

Venue: Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic / Overall planning and coordination: Dulce Dreams Events / Day of planner: The Eventeur / Videographer: Live StoryTellers / Flowers: Tres Eventos / Gown: Ines di Santo / Hair and makeup: NYC Beauty Clique / Calligraphy and invitation: Write Pretty for Me / Band: GC Star Punta Cana / Bridesmaids dresses: Brideside / Tuxedo: The Black Tux 

For more destination weddings check out:

• Crystal and Steven in Riviera Maya, Mexico
• Lucy and Van in Charlottesville, Virginia
• Eboni and Carl in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Interested in having us capture your destination wedding? Don’t be shy! Contact us!