17 Years, Hundreds of Weddings, and Finally... A destination wedding!

After nearly two decades as a professional wedding photographer, I thought I’d seen it all. I have more than enough beautiful images in my portfolio to prove it. I’ve captured my fair share of tears, first looks, I do’s in almost every local venue (and a few across Canada!) imaginable. But as I sit here, making sure I am not forgetting anything as I pack, I keep asking myself a question that I am sure some of you are thinking too:

If I have been a successful wedding photographer for 17 years, why has it taken me so long to finally shoot a destination wedding?

It feels like some sort of cruel coincidence, doesn’t it? You’d think by year ten, I’d have a permanent tan on this pale Dutch Canadian skin tone and a collection of luggage tags and passport stamps from all sorts of amazing tropical places. The truth is, the “Destination Wedding” has been my white whale - the one box left unchecked on an otherwise very full career bucket list.

The Heartbreak of Hawaii

I was THIS close once. In the early days of the pandemic (sorry to bring that up!) I had the verbal commitment and a promise to “send the deposit at the end of the week when we get paid” for a dream wedding in Hawaii. Yes Hawaii. Then the world shut down, the “booking” became a memory and the wedding was held here in Southern Ontario. No one’s passport left their drawer. It was professional heartbreak that made me wonder if God just had different plans - one just to serve my local community that I have been blessed to serve for so many years.

The Punta Cana Countdown

But the streak officially ends in 48 hours.

I am heading to Dreams Flora Resort in Punta Cana and the mix of veteran confidence, and imposter syndrome jitters is setting in. after 17 years, I am finally asking myself new questions:

- What if I choke, and my stuff is just “ordinary”
- What if I get sick while down there as so many do while in the Carribean and I struggle to get out of bed on the morning of the wedding?
- What if what if what if.

I’m genuinely curious to see how a change of scenery shifts my perspective. There is a certain magic in the unknown where I will really have to put everything into my skills to knock it out of the park and I can’t wait to see how the tropical light and light tones of the beach plays with my style!

I have to give the biggest shout out to Chris and Emma, the Newly Wed’s to be. Thank you for trusting my vision for your big day and for being the ones to finally get me on that plane. You’re not just giving me a beautiful setting to shoot some great photos, you’re helping me fulfill a career-long dream.

Dominican Republic, I am coming for you. Let’s see if 17 years of waiting was worth waiting. Or better yet… I’ll post the images when I get back and you can help me decide!

Tyson and Jess: Hamilton Wedding Photographer

bride dress: David’s Bridal

bridesmaid dress: Birdy Grey

hair: Brides hair - one of the bridesmaids, the resT: hairstyles by beckyb

makeup: @christynesfaces

BRIDESMAID EXTRAS: Jewelry - Mrs Q Creation on Etsy

flowers: petals&parties by Nicci- @petals_parties

rings: Charm JewELlers

grooms(men) suits: Strauss Menswear

ceremony venue: Lakemount Worship Centre

reception venue: Carmen’s Event Centre

catering: Carmen’s

DJ: Raoul Willoughby