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Reviews

Author: Sigmar Sommer

Jennifer & Adam

Posted on by Sigmar Sommer

Jennifer & Adam

Jennifer & Adam

For Jennifer, it was his kind, hazel eyes. For Adam, it was her infectious laughter and smile. But that romantic click didn’t happen right away. Jennifer and Adam first met in band class in high school when  Jennifer was a freshman flutist and Adam a sophomore saxophonist. It wasn’t until two years later, when one of Jennifer’s friends had a crush on Adam, that Jennifer developed a crush on his as well (those hazel eyes!) and eventually mustered up the courage to ask him out. Fifteen years later, the two sealed the deal on the beautiful shores of Palm Beach at the Aruba Marriott Resort, surrounded by over 100 family members and friends, and our Aruba Wedding team had the immense pleasure of capturing all the special moments of their destination wedding in Aruba as their wedding photographer and videographer. Adam attributed the large number of guests to Jennifer’s ability to so easily attract people to her, given her fun-loving, charismatic nature, which we witnessed firsthand. But Adam undersold his own part in bringing so many people together to celebrate their wedding in Aruba. His hotel room was indeed filled with good vibes and positive energy as our wedding photographer shot all the guys getting ready for the beach ceremony.

Speaking of the beach ceremony…it was the bohemian beach wedding of Jennifer’s dreams, with a wooden octagon arch decorated with white flowers and wispy pastel pampas grass, set in the sand against the azure Caribbean Sea backdrop. The understated wedding colors, slate blue and gray, kept to the natural, bohemian vibe, with just a few fun touches thrown in, like the groomsmen handing out beers to the guests left and right as they walked down the aisle.

We especially loved the speech given by Adam’s little brother and best man, Matt, who shared that during Adam’s college days, he would come home during summer breaks and play video games late into the night in the attic with him. But every night at 11 pm sharp, Adam would pause the game to call Jennifer to talk to her and wish her sweet dreams. (Yeah, he’s a keeper!)

Jennifer and Adam’s “semi-nude” cake also kept to the bohemian theme, and we captured some great shots of Jennifer playfully smearing some icing on Adam’s nose in the wedding video. But the moment that really took the cake was when Jennifer stopped halfway through the father-daughter dance with her dad to invite her sister, Michelle, to finish the dance with her dad since Michelle didn’t have the chance to dance with her dad at her own wedding. Tears were flowing during this heartfelt moment—our own team even got a bit teary-eyed.

Based on the laughter and love we witnessed at their beautiful destination beach wedding in Aruba, as you can see yourself in their wedding video, we’d venture to guess that Jennifer and Adam have a long, loving future ahead of them. We feel honored to have been part of their incredibly special day to provide them with a wedding video they can cherish forever. Congratulations, Silbermans!

Agata & James

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Agata & James

Agata & James

On August 21, 2017, James pulled up to Sandbar Island in Lake Norman in a boat with his friends, hoping to be in a special place to experience the expected solar eclipse, dubbed the “Great American Eclipse.” They arrived just as another boat was pulling up, and that’s when James laid his eyes on Agata for the first time. For James, Agata stole his attention and eclipsed everything else that day. Five years later, on June 25, 2022, the couple officially tied the knot on Aruba at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino among a small group of loved ones, all eager to celebrate the couple’s love and devotion to one another. Our team was honored to be there to capture this very special part of their love story.

With Agata originally from Poland, the majority of her family was absent, except her mother and sister. Both mom and sis helped Agata get ready for the big day in the quiet, intimate setting of their hotel room. The understated wedding preparations reflected Agata’s demure nature, and also gave her the perfect chance to take a peaceful moment, which we captured on camera, to read out loud the beautiful letter that James wrote her. Likewise, the groom’s preparations were equally quite private and intimate. James lovingly helped the couple’s son, William, to get ready for the ceremony. He also received a letter and gifts from Agata, which he took the time to enjoy during an emotional moment.

The Hilton’s clean elegance and classic beauty were the perfect match for this lovely, modest couple. The wooden gazebo arch, featuring a crystal chandelier, gorgeous flowers, and flowing gauze, backed by the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea, served as the perfect backdrop to the couple’s “I dos.” And what a gorgeous sunset! It started off a classic orange and yellow that eventually bled into pink and purple—the perfect backdrop for amazing wedding photos!

The couple chose a reception right on the beach at the Hilton, with the tables surrounding the dance floor. After heartfelt speeches given by family and friends, and the cutting of the stunning wedding cake, the couple and all their guests tore up that dance floor!

Our team clicked so well with Agata and James, which undoubtedly led to really exceptional footage. The couple also chose really nice music from our library, resulting in unique videos that we know they will enjoy for the rest of their new life together. Congratulations, Agata and James!

Diana & Mike

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Diana & Mike

Diana & Mike

The Rogers family had been vacationing in Aruba for years when Mike’s dad asked him if he thought his girlfriend, Diana, might like to join them the next year. The couple had been together since meeting each other at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania during their second year of undergrad. Not only did Diana join them the next year, but she eventually decided that she wanted to get married on the beautiful island that has always been so special to the Rogers, and now her as well. 

It was certainly a process—Diana Morales and Mike Rogers met in person with our team leader, Jordy, back in January 2020 and stayed in contact via email for two years during the height of the pandemic. But their steadfast commitment to having the destination wedding of their dreams paid off, and on August 6, 2022, the couple finally said their “I dos” in Aruba.

Aruba offers a wide variety of venue options for destination weddings, but one of the most unique and unforgettable locations is the exclusive Renaissance Island, a 40-acre tropical paradise situated a short boat ride away from Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort’s Marina Tower in downtown Oranjestad. The island is home to Aruba’s only private beaches and its famous pink flamingos. This gorgeous island is precisely where Diana and Mike chose to hold their wedding.

With the unparalleled guidance of Renaissance’s wedding planner, Zulaika Dijkhoff-Boekhoudt, the couple planned a truly beautiful wedding day, with preparations taking place at the Marina Tower. Our team captured the wide range of emotions that are often experienced by the couple and their closest friends and family during this special time before the wedding. In the guys’ room, Mike handed out gifts of beautiful engraved watches to his groomsmen as they shared Midleton Irish Whiskey in special glasses embossed with the Rogers family shield. We then had the honor of taking beautiful shots of Mike reading a letter from Diana and opening her gift to him, creating a special memento that will last a lifetime. We also captured the beautiful blend of sentiment and excitement in the ladies’ room, where Diana handed out gifts of personalized tropical robes as flutes of champagne were passed around.

After the preparations, the guys headed off to Renaissance Island in their own private boat. Meanwhile, Diana and her dad shared their first look in the gorgeous lobby of the Marina Tower’s light-filled atrium. Diana and the rest of the wedding party were then whisked away to the private island, our team taking gorgeous shots the whole way. Diana’s choice of colors for her flowers—pink, magenta, and fiery orange—set against the bright blue of the water, made for some really striking photos on this boat ride.

The wedding ceremony itself took place under a beautiful arch of fresh flowers at the water’s edge, looking out at the Caribbean Sea. The wedding officiant’s words were perfectly fitting: “We have so little faith in the ebb and flow of life. Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back nor forward to what it might be, but living in the present. Relationships must be like islands, accepted for what they are, here and now, surrounded by the sea.” Following the ceremony, our team took advantage of the “golden hour” light and the naturally gorgeous backdrops of the exclusive island to take amazing shots of the just-married couple. 

During the reception, our videography team captured the heartfelt speeches of family and friends, many of whom shared how special the couple’s love is. In particular, they pointed out that while Diana is now officially part of the Rogers family, she has actually been part of the family for many years already. We also captured the really impressive choreographed first dance by the couple, as well as a Carnival celebration set to fireworks.

For us, the Rogers wedding was the perfect embodiment of “teamwork makes the dream work.” The couple worked with Jordy in the planning stages; team members Rafael, Kanter, and Joshua during the wedding for photography and videography; and then Joshua again during the island tour. (We have to admit, the island tour photos came out stunning! We capitalized on Aruba’s natural, raw beauty to get some epic shots all over Aruba—incredible sunset shots, a striking cactus shot, shots by the water with perfectly timed spray, and shots featuring all types of light, even night shots.) 

Thank you, Diana and Mike, for choosing our team to make YOUR dream work!

Minu & Phillip

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Minu & Phillip

Minu & Phillip

We have ourselves a real-life Grey’s Anatomy going on here, people!

The Destination Wedding Edition, that is.

Meet Phillip, a dashing young doctor who had started a new job in a hospital in New Jersey. One day he received a call to run up to the ICU to assist a patient. While running in, he saw nurses working to keep a patient alive… one of the nurses in particular. So in control, hardworking..but hey, there was work to be done, right?! Luckily, the patient survived, and Phillip went his merry way, but he kept thinking about one nurse.

Phillip continued being called up to the ICU to save lives together with that particular nurse. Once, after assisting with a code, Phillip finally looked at the nurse and asked, ” Do you like pizza?” Minu, the nurse, had noticed Phillip from the beginning and was happy to accept the invitation.

Fast forward to February 27, 2021. After being together for a while and being engaged for well over a year, Phillip & Minu finally said their vows at The Ritz-Carlton Aruba for their destination wedding. You see, Aruba, much like the rest of the world, had this thing going on called the Corona pandemic, and many weddings were postponed, as was Phillip & Minu’s wedding. So we were really excited to finally capture their long-awaited wedding through photography and videography.

Katelyn & Christopher

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Katelyn & Christopher

Katelyn & Christopher

While Christopher explained a “love at first sight” scenario (“the first time I saw her across the room, with her side braid, she stole my heart”), the love that he and Katelyn have for one another is based on true friendship. Katelyn made this very clear when she so beautifully shared that she is marrying the love of her life, her best friend, her partner, and everything that makes her a better person.  She added, “You have been my favorite part of every day, and I can’t wait to have more of those with you.”

As photographers and videographers, we strive to capture weddings in a way that truly reflects the unique relationship that exists between couples. For Katelyn and Christopher’s wedding, we knew that we needed to make sure to capture and showcase the deep, down-to-earth connection that these two lovely people—these best friends—share as they tied the knot in front of their friends and family on May 28 at the Divi Resorts, under the guiding hand of Divi’s premier wedding planner, Aruba Weddings for You!. Both Katelyn and Christopher are also very close to their families, which we also aimed to highlight.

The festivities began as both the groom and bride got ready with the wedding party in their respective rooms. The couple chose beautiful pistachio green and khaki as their wedding colors, which perfectly complemented the couple’s easy, laid-back vibe. The guys threw back a few beers wrapped in personalized beer cozies while the ladies had some fun of their own with some bubbly as they primped.

Dad’s first look was incredibly special. Katelyn had a beautiful gift for her dad—a handkerchief printed with words of love and appreciation for the “first man she ever loved.” We felt truly honored to witness and capture such an important moment between father and daughter.

The day could not have been more gorgeous, with the sun reflecting off the pure white sands of Sandpiper Beach. The couple exchanged their vows under a breathtaking wedding arch filled with white flowers, lush greenery, and wispy heather. A unity sand ceremony followed, representing the couple’s new union and their mutual vow to embark upon a new life together, no matter the challenges they would face.

We love that the couple chose to hold their reception right on the same beach where they just got married. We also loved the specially rehearsed first dances of the night, which took place under the gorgeous twinkling lights strung over the sand dance floor. Most of all, we were incredibly impressed by the sincere sentiments shared during the speeches given by the bride’s sister and the groom’s brother. It’s been a long time since we heard such an emotional, heartfelt speech given by the best man, and our first thought was, “This marriage is definitely going to work!”

We were truly honored to work with such a great couple with inspiring energy. We established a really amazing chemistry with both the couple and the wedding party, and that’s truly one of the most important keys in capturing incredible footage. Thank you, Katelyn and Christopher, for allowing us to be part of such an amazing day and for reminding us that love based on friendship is perhaps one of the best kinds of love there is.

Caleb & Kelly

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Caleb & Kelly

Caleb & Kelly

The Contact

Kelly and Caleb’s ceremony was first scheduled for September 2020, but due to security restrictions related to the pandemic, it was postponed exactly one year to September 2021. This allowed us to get to know each other better through constant communication, not only with them, but also with the wedding planners from Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort.

After learning that Kelly is a correspondent at Fox Business Network and a former Miss Massachusetts USA along with her many academic achievements, we knew she would make a beautiful bride and would plan an event in style. Likewise, we have Caleb, who works for the NBA as a Strategic Initiatives Lead in Global Strategy & Innovation, also backed by a big load of academic and athletic achievements. So this confirmed a few things: they are intelligent, good-looking, and determined; they know what they want and they are going to go for it all-in.

Indeed, the couple easily and in detail conveyed their wishes and expectations for the day of the event and for the photos that they wanted to get of their destination wedding on the beautiful Caribbean island of Aruba. Once everything was discussed, it only remained to meet in person and hope for the best…

Pre-Meeting (a few days before the wedding day)

Of course due to the pandemic, every situation was more fragile, and as if it were not enough, the wedding planners had to be present for the meeting by video call due to a threat of possible contagion, so the situation was more challenging than usual.

However, when this couple entered the door—in sports clothes, a little sweaty, hydrating themselves, and snacking on nutritional bars—we saw how committed they are to themselves and their healthy routine. We immediately felt admiration for them, and this admiration can be really inspiring when taking photos.

The meeting was a success—meeting in person allowed us to clarify every small detail. We realized the logistical challenge that that day required, so everyone’s collaboration and commitment was key to achieving our goals, like moving from one building to another and even from one island to another in a short period of time. Everything pointed to a new adventure full of excitement and love.

Wedding Day

The big day arrived and both wedding coordinators tested negative on their Covid tests; they were full of energy taking care of every detail with a big smile as they always do.

The photos began around 2 pm in the room where Caleb was dressing with his groomsmen. Sports on the TV, beers and drinks at the tables, a group full of energy where jokes and anecdotes were united with laughter. Meanwhile, in the girls’ room, loud music, makeup, and champagne were the norm. We easily detected the glee in the bridesmaids’ eyes and voices as makeup artist Marta Collell finished the details of Kelly’s makeup.

Following the the room shots was the first look. Caleb and Kelly’s father were waiting for us at the Renaissance Ocean Suites, but they still didn’t know the exact point where the first look was going to take place. We went to find them and placed them at one of Aruba’s greenest, most beautiful parks, Wilhelmina Park, and captured that perfect moment when Caleb saw Kelly for the first time in her dress.

And then there was the boat ride to the ceremony destination. The temperature was high, the waves crashed against the boat, and the colors of the day were popping with each passing minute. We arrived at Renaissance Island in style!

These guys thought of everything: one of their best friends was in charge of officiating the ceremony, and the flamingos mingled with friends and family as guests of honor (and of course they starred in occasional photobombing). The couple even had special cocktails with their names and their dogs’ names. As expected, the first dance showed the perfect synchronicity between the two lovers. Every detail spoke of Kelly and Caleb, and every smile showed the love they share with each of their loved ones.

Thank you for allowing us to share such a special day with you. We wish you the best, Kelly and Caleb!

Paulo & Leticia

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Paulo & Leticia

Paulo & Leticia

Ladies!! Are you tired of waiting on your man to pop the question? Well, this was not really the case of Leticia and Paulo. The first three times Paulo proposed to Leticia, she was just not ready yet. When she finally was ready, she was scared Paulo had given up. Leticia, an assertive go-getter from Brazil, saw an advertisement from Aruba offering the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Aruba for women ready to propose to their boyfriends, and she took it as a sign.

It must have felt like destiny calling when she was informed that she had won the trip. Experienced back-packers, Paulo and Leticia always look for new destinations and things to see. A surprise trip did not seem strange to Paulo, so the happy campers got on the airplane and went on their next adventure.

Being experienced wedding photographers and videographers, having captured many proposals, we got to take the couple out on a tour around the island and capture “whatever” would happen. Paulo and Leticia always try to find new experiences on a budget, and to Paulo, participating in a video/photo shoot didn’t raise any suspicion.

When we arrived at our first location, a secluded beach on the north coast of Aruba, it was H-hour for Leticia. She walked up to Paulo with the rings in hand, asked him if he would marry her, and Paulo took his sweet loving time to register what happened. Once he fully comprehended what Leticia was asking him—that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, breaking all convention and proposing to him—he couldn’t hide the emotions!!

It is more than acceptable for a man to shed a little tear of joy at moments like this, right ladies?

The Aruba Tourism Authority, the organizer of this all, wanted to stimulate women to propose to their partners, breaking with all conventions and encouraging women to take control of their lives. That is why we love this particular story. We don’t see this nearly enough. Most stories of proposals and engagements in Aruba are of men proposing to their girlfriends/partners. We are sure more women are out there, ready to take control and just pop the question. It is more than acceptable in this day and age, and we support it fully!

Side note…have you guys seen those rings? With a map of the world engraved on them?!?! Are you kidding me?? How fitting is that for a couple that love traveling, always on the hunt for their next adventure? Well, Paulo & Leticia, we wish you all the best as you embark on the biggest adventure of all!

Gallery

Brooke & Ralph

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Brooke & Ralph

Brooke & Ralph

Their love story began when Ralph used to wait outside Brooke’s math class during high school to sneak a kiss between classes. In the next 10 or so years, the love of these high school sweethearts matured and evolved into a truly beautiful relationship, and our team was honored to capture the day, June 23, when they officially committed themselves to each other in marriage.

These Long Island, NY, natives, both of Italian background, invited their families and friends to share their special day with them at Divi Sandpiper in gorgeous Aruba, with everything painstakingly planned and coordinated by the amazing team of Aruba Weddings For You.

From behind our cameras, we could sense how important family is to both Brooke and Ralph, and also how intertwined their respective families are, given the longevity of Brooke and Ralph’s relationship. We captured a beautiful moment when Ralph’s mom was reading a letter from Brooke that stated, “I’ve been your girl since 16,” as well as the moving words, “Today a wife, tomorrow a bride, forever your daughter.” It was moments like these that perfectly illustrated the strong love between the bride and groom’s families, with the couple’s own love at the core. Ralph and Brooke’s letters to one another shed more light on their love story as well as where their story goes next. They are both excited to start a family together, and in their words, “It starts today.”

The couple added special touches to their wedding that we featured in their wedding video, including the unity sand ceremony, as well as a moving memorial butterfly release in honor of Ralph’s late father. The Divi Sandpiper, as always, created the perfect setting for the wedding ceremony on the beach, followed by a beachside reception. After some really great speeches given by family and friends, the newlywed couple and all their guests tore it up on the dance floor.

Brooke and Ralph additionally chose to book our photography and videography island tour, whereby we took them to gorgeous island landmarks for even more amazing opportunities to build their story through photos and video. We took them to the quaint Civil Town House in downtown Oranjestad, as well as a few special spots highlighting Aruba’s beautiful and unique nature. We were really happy with how these shots turned out, as we were able to truly leverage Brooke and Ralph’s playful personalities against perfect backdrops.

Cheers to Brooke, Ralph, and their families, as well as the new family they will soon start together!

Elaine & Travis

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Elaine & Travis

Elaine & Travis

When you’re in the business of wedding photography and videography, you come across a lot of photographs and videos capturing all sorts of weddings, from simple yet elegant beachside ceremonies to extravagant ballroom affairs. You would think that the particular color scheme of the wedding or the ceremony décor or the choice of poses or even the weather would play a major role in determining the quality of wedding photos and videos, but you would be wrong. So what matters the most? The positive energy of the couple as well as their wedding guests…hands down.

Case in point…the Drobbins. We recently had the true pleasure of working with Travis and Elaine Drobbin from Hoboken, New Jersey, who chose beautiful Aruba for their destination wedding. From the moment we met them, our team clicked with this lovely couple. They exuded a warm, relaxed, down-to-earth energy that drew us in and made us feel equally relaxed and comfortable. This positive chemistry created space for mutual respect and trust, which is the backbone of any successful collaboration.

Not only were Travis and Elaine incredibly welcoming of our team, but so were their friends and family. We weren’t just documenting their celebration – we were PART of their celebration, allowing us to capture all those intimate, raw moments that often only close family and friends get to witness.

The fact that Travis and Elaine were so relaxed also ensured that they looked completely natural in the photographs and video. For them, their wedding wasn’t about creating the perfect moment, but rather about LIVING in the moment, which translated so beautifully in photo and film. It was this “living in the moment” attitude that had them all jumping in the pool by the end of the night!

Ultimately, the level of comfort and trust established between the wedding couple and our team is one of the most important factors determining how “successful” wedding photos turn out. Positive vibes almost always equate to fabulous photos and videos, no doubt about it. After all, this trust that we hope to establish on every shoot gives us the freedom to be creative.

Alexi & Todd

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Alexi & Todd

Alexi & Todd

During all the years we have spent as destination wedding photographers and videographers in Aruba, we have yet to experience rain during the ceremony. With over 300 days of sunshine recorded annually, located outside of the hurricane belt, and enjoying steady trade winds, Aruba is a sure bet for nice weather on your wedding day. This doesn’t mean it doesn’t rain in Aruba at all. On October 1, 2020, after that whole Covid lock-down, postponing the wedding, and postponing again, Alexi, Todd, and loved ones finally made the trip to Aruba for their destination wedding.

Expecting clear skies and sunshine, Alexi was not in a good mood when she woke up to see dark skies over our lovely island. The tone was set for the day. Stressed because of the weather, people were arriving late. You can only imagine. When we entered Todd’s room to take the preparation shots, you could see the worry in his eyes. What would Alexi be going through!? He was a caring man; he checked if there was a “bad weather option” for the ceremony. Here in Aruba, although we have never experienced a destination wedding ceremony indoors, almost all hotels do have the option to move indoors in case of bad weather.

After looking at the weather radar and speaking with people, Todd and Alexi took the risk to continue their destination wedding ceremony on the beach.

We then met up with Alexi for her part of the wedding preparation photography, and boy, she was worried. At this point, I told her that we had never had rain during the ceremony, and there is something about the Aruban climate so that it doesn’t rain around sunset. It is hard to explain, but I have never seen it occur.

At that moment, as if it was meant to be, the sun peeked through from behind the clouds. At this point, Alexi relaxed, and we could get some great wedding preparation photography done here. Doesn’t she look stunning in these wedding portraits?

Finally, when we headed down to the ceremony, the skies cleared a bit further. Things started moving smoothly. During her vows, Alexi told Todd that the hair-dresser that morning said to her that rain on your wedding day is a blessing because a wet knot is hard to untie; therefore, if you tie the knot on a rainy day, your marriage is hard to unravel.

Days after the big day, we met up with the happy couple once more to take a few bridal portraits in the Aruban countryside in a short “trash-the-dress” photo shoot. They looked like they could stand whatever comes their way, ready to face a lifetime together.

The wedding photography looks fantastic, and once again, we chalked up another dry ceremony, cementing the fact that in the years of experience we have as destination wedding photographers and videographers, we have never had rain during the ceremony.

Nature is a fickle beast, though, so please don’t hold it against us when you plan you plan your destination wedding in Aruba, and you have a slight drizzle during the ceremony…wink wink.