Hyatt Ziva wedding. Lucy and Alex, bohemian Hyatt wedding.

by Milan | Feb 7, 2022 | Blog

Lucy and Alex, modern love story, or how bride from Ohio and groom from Georgia whipped up breathtaking destination wedding at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana in Dominican Republic.

Even in early stages of the planning process, exchanging emails with Lucy and Alex we knew they are our kind of people. They wanted their own story told with a special touch. Photos that are more than the ordinary ones. Unique angles and creative photos are our ‘love language’ so, it was an instant ‘click’.

I promise you quite a few giggles and couple of goosebumps if you read their full love story, you can thank me later for making your day bright and shiny! (Comments are allowed on this post).

Lucy and Alex met like many modern couples do… online! Their first date was Lucy’s first EVER online date… and it was Alex’s last. However, that’s where the “normal” part of the evening ended. After the initial “wow” of seeing each other in person, they cloistered themselves in a dimly lit Belgian beer bar sharing secrets and stories. With some people you have to build trust, but they both felt they could instantly be open and vulnerable with one another. Lucy was drawn to Alex’s devil-may-care attitude. Alex was drawn to Lucy’s adventurous spirit. The two ended the evening smooching on the steps of the historic Decatur courthouse (the same place Alex would propose two years later). A passerby loudly said “don’t mind me”, and Alex and Lucy gladly complied.

So, after such first date, the proposal couldn’t be lacking romance. Their first date and proposal mirrored one another, both happened on the courthouse steps in downtown Decatur, GA, USA. Alex proposed on November 14th 2020, exactly one year before the wedding date, almost to the hour. For the proposal, Alex suggested grabbing beers at the same pub where the they shared first date. Afterward, they visited the courthouse steps, as they usually do when they’re in the area. Lucy was looking up at the building commenting on the way the structure looked in the late afternoon sunlight, and when she turned to look at Alex, he was down on one knee.

With Lucy’s family living in Ohio and Alex’s living in Georgia, they knew the wedding would be a destination for at least half of the guests. So, they decided to make it a destination for everybody in the beautiful DR. With two goals on mind: that everybody has a fantastic vacation and celebration, and that they get married!

For their wedding venue in Dominican Republic, they choose Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana, an amazing all-inclusive resort on the beautiful Juanillo Beach.

The wedding decor theme was tropical bohemian, with lots of wood grain and handmade artisanal decor. There were sea glass place settings, custom wooden table numbers and cake topper, tropical print table cards, welcome notes, and invitations. Palm fronds and other tropical plant leaves were recurring motif. Keen observers may also have noticed couple’s two cats, Little Buddy and Gus, represented on custom cocktail sign. Tropical local flowers embellished ceremony arch, bridal bouquet, groom’s boutonnière, and reception centerpieces. The wedding colors were dusky blue and deep teal, drawing inspiration from the surrounding.

Here is how they replay on how they choose their wedding day outfits:

Lucy: I adore lace and was thrilled when I found a lace pattern that was fun and unique. I knew I wanted a fitted mermaid silhouette to add a little sass to the overall look, so it was a whole moment when I found my dress and tried it on to find that it fit like a glove! My Maid of Honor made the suggestion of adding off the shoulder sleeves (something I associate with a romantic, beachy wedding), and the slight sparkle in the veil was irresistible. Finally, I was inspired by the opera Carmen to add a flower to my hair, because why not! The result is a look that is timeless and screams “tropical beach wedding.”

Alex: I knew I wanted to have a dusky blue suit because the color is evocative of the ocean, and also looks good on me. I wanted something that would “pop” against the sand especially. The rest of the look was about clean details: an open white collar because ties are too stuffy for the beach, crisp white pocket square, and cognac leather to contrast with the blue and mirror the brown wood hues in the wedding decor.

For the wedding party we went for relaxed formal. A simple look that would be comfortable, but also turn some heads with stylish flair. Much like Alex’s suit, the dusky blue, deep teal, and warm browns were meant to mirror natural colors around us.

They told us that music played a large role on their wedding day. There were songs meaningful for them as a couple but also songs that had significance between them and their loved ones. It was the kind of music where a song comes on and you lock eyes with a friend across the room and share an “Oh YEAH!” moment. As the bride and the groom, their favorite part of the day was pausing at different moments and seeing all the people we love most having the time of their lives. Whether it was laughing, dancing, enjoying great food or drinks, there wasn’t a single person who wasn’t perfectly happy.

The most anticipated moment of the wedding day was when they first look at each other down the aisle. ”It was a long day of getting ready and attending to final details, but we both knew where it would lead, and the excitement of seeing each other for the first time was electric.”

Here is their advice for future couples planning their wedding:

Most importantly, accept that not everything will go perfectly and be ready and excited to go with the flow. Weddings are about the energy you bring, and if you are determined to have a great time no matter what, then you will have a great time no matter what! Once you have that mindset, trust your gut and choose people you trust to take care of the details that are most important to you and then give them the creative freedom to do their thing. This extends to photography, videography, etc. but also your wedding party as well.

Vendors List:

– Venue: Hyatt Ziva & Zilara Cap Cana
– Travel Agent: Lisa Zwissler at Beach Bum Vacations
– Photography: Photo Cine Art
– Videography: Victor at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
– Ceremony Officiant: Andres
– Hair and Makeup Artist: Anna Nuet
– Florist: Hyatt Ziva
– Cake: Hyatt Ziva
– Bride Dress: Carrie’s Bridal Collection
– Shoes: Sam Edelman
– Veil: Carrie’s Bridal Collection
– Bridesmaids Dresses: Baltic Born
– Groom Suit: Hugo Boss
– Groomsman’s suits: Calvin Klein
– Entertainment: Weddings by JSAV Hyatt
– Stationary: Etsy
– Gifts for the guests: Etsy

More beautiful Cap Cana weddings:

Secrets Cap Cana wedding, amazing Missouri couple Katie & Nick

Hyatt Ziva Zilara weddings. Samantha and Robert, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Secrets Cap Cana, Audra & Tyler wedding, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic