Intimate Punta Cana Beach Wedding | Leann + Matt

After 11 years together, on Christmas morning with their kitty Cora watching, Matt asked Leann to be his wife! These two love to travel and knew right away a destination wedding would most reflect them as a couple. “We chose the Hard Rock Hotel in Punta Cana—a place that we visited many years ago that was iconic, easy for guests to get to, and would make the wedding planning process easy (ish). Once we chose the destination and the venue, the rest of the pieces of the day fell into place.”

wedding dress: custom wedding Astrid & Mercedes Rain via Page Six…it’s haute | photographer: JJ Studio Wedding Photography

Choosing to get married on a beach came naturally. Even though Leann knew what sort of wedding dress she was looking for, finding the right one took a little luck and trying something unexpected! “I had only a few criteria when buying a wedding gown—most importantly, I didn’t want a mass-produced gown made in China. Since we were getting married on the beach and planning a beach reception, a dress with a short train, few embellishments, and something lightweight and airy was important. And the dress had to be stunning!

After only a few dresses, Maureen at Page Six Bridal in Skippack, PA pulled the Lea-Ann Belter Rain dress during a trunk show. The dress was nothing like what I’d tried on—it was fitted, beaded from top to bottom, and had a train. But the dress hugged my curves perfectly, and the beading resembled coral and would sparkle in the sunlight and on the dance floor. Plus, it felt like serendipity that the designer was also named Lea-Ann! I went back the next day to purchase my dress.”

Since their wedding was in the Dominican Republic, Leann and Matt married legally in the States. Just as when they became engaged, their Kitty Cora looked on as their officiant made them officially partners for life.

More of their story below!

What is your favorite thing about each other?

“Matt: I love that Leann complements my weaknesses to make us a perfect match for each other. Also, looking at all the other relationships around us…we win. Leann: Matt is always up for an adventure and incredibly supportive of any new challenge I want to take on. Whether that’s a longer hike than we’ve done before or getting my Master’s degree.”

What was the funniest moment of your day?

“I have no sense of direction. So, when the photographer for the first look told me and the bridesmaids to wait a few minutes while they set up the groom and then come down the stairs, I headed down the stairs closest to my room. At the window on the first landing, the girls could see the groom and groomsmen sitting waiting for the photographer’s directions, right outside of where the stairs exited the building. Cue bridesmaids scurrying down the stairs and me waiting in the stairwell and photographers having to call an audible on their planned first look location.”

What part of your wedding day was most important to you?

“We chose to write our own vows for our wedding day. We had to get legally married in the US before our symbolic wedding in the Dominican. It was a very small affair—just us, our kitty cat and our officiant. However, being given an opportunity to share our love to one another, and our promises to each other in front of our family and friends was special.”

Tell us about your outfits! How did you choose your gown?

“I had only a few criteria when buying a wedding gown—most importantly, I didn’t want a mass-produced gown made in China. Since we were getting married on the beach, and planning the reception on the beach as well, a dress with a short train, few embellishments and something that was lightweight and airy was important. And the dress had to be stunning! After only a few dresses, Maureen at Page Six Bridal in Skippack, PA pulled the Lea-Ann Belter Rain dress during a trunk show. The dress was nothing like what I’d tried on – it was fitted, beaded from top to bottom, and had a train. But the dress hugged my curves perfectly, and the beading resembled coral, and would sparkle in the sunlight and on the dance floor. Plus, it felt like serendipity that the designer was also named Lea-Ann! I went back the next day to purchase my dress. When we couldn’t find light grey suits for Matt and the groomsmen—especially a younger groomsmen—that all matched, especially as they live on opposite coasts, Maureen at Page Six was able to help in finding the perfect color suit with matching vests for all of them.”