Wanting the intimacy of a destination wedding by the sandy beaches and under the sunny sky of Uruguay, Emily and Daniel knew two years prior to their wedding that Jose Ignacio was the perfect fit.

“We both knew a beach wedding was our first choice and wanted to do something more intimate than a large-scale wedding,” says Emily. “Everyone was very supportive and excited about the location.”

With a limited guest list exclusive to close friends and immediate family members, the couple wanted to celebrate Daniel’s Uruguayan culture, while also enjoying memorable experiences. Doing that in a location where both families and friends united turned out to be the wedding of their dreams.

But, planning a destination wedding isn’t always as easy as it seems. Coordinating with vendors from afar proved to be a challenge for the couple, but it was nothing Skype and a Spanish-speaking tongue couldn’t fix. “At times it was hard to get a response to make decisions in advance, but as the date approached everyone was overwhelmingly helpful and professional,” the couple says. “We are bilingual and are able to speak Spanish, so we found that to be helpful for working with some of our vendors.”

Using her own knowledge about wedding planning as the owner of a design studio, Emily took her skills and made her wedding into everything she’s ever wanted. Incorporating personal touches into small details like custom linens and adorning the invitations to bring in a bohemian-chic feel to the celebration, the wedding had the couple’s touch.

The couple feels their destination wedding ultimately reflected everything they wanted. “The whole experience and cultural feel of the wedding would have been very different if it were not away from home,” Emily says. “The experience of being together with a smaller group of our dearest family and friends enriched the experience significantly. We were able to enjoy quality time and outings with them both prior to and in the days following the wedding.”

With a longer wedding celebration, as opposed to a more traditional wedding, the couple not only feels like they spent it with great company, but they also believe they got more bang for their buck.

The bride shared with us some advice she has for any couple looking to plan their own destination wedding. “Start planning early and get clear in the beginning about the look and feel of the wedding,” Emily says. “If you’re unfamiliar with wedding planning, talk to friends or other professionals that can provide insight and resources to begin the process.”

Vendors: Photographer: Myleen Hollero Photography, Day Of Wedding Planner: Big Punta del Este, Ceremony/Reception Site: Ceremony: Fisherman’s Port beach / Playa Mansa, Reception: La Huella, Floral & Event Designer: Soulflower Design Studio, Stationery: Aerialist Press, Cake: Volcan of Dulce de Leche by La Huella, Hair & Makeup:  Mantra Resort Spa, Gown Designer:  BCBG Max Azira, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Calvin Klein, Linens, pillows, décor:  Custom made by Soulflower Design Studio, Lighting/DJ:  DJ Marcello, Custom Gobo: Got Light, Guitarist: Matias Romero Balado