When Floridians Leyensshka and Victor first met, they bonded over the fact that they both hail from Puerto Rico. Most of their family members still live there to this day, and both found themselves returning to the island often for a visit. From the start of their destination wedding planning process, the couple knew a party in Puerto Rico was the only wedding celebration right for them. 

“The island is extremely beautiful, so we believed it would be the perfect place for our special day and knew our friends who lived elsewhere would enjoy it,” says Leyensshka.

Initially, Leyensshka and Victor had a clear picture of the kind of venue they desired for their wedding away. However, once they narrowed down the options, prioritizations like location and pricing drove their decision-making. 

“Casa de España just felt right once we visited,” Victor says. “It is a beautiful historic place in San Juan, close to the airport, and the staff was extremely warm and attentive to us.”

Leyensshka loves anything girly, flowery, and colorful, so selecting the details of the day didn’t come as too much of a challenge, especially with the help of a professional decorator who understood the couple’s vision from the jump. 

“Since a young age, [Leyensshka] has been a Barbie fan,” says the groom. “We hired a harpist and violinist to play her favorite arrangement of a Barbie song while she walked down the aisle.”

Including tributes to their Puerto Rican culture, the couple included Plena music, where a group of musicians surprise guests with songs on their special day. Everyone was not only surprised, but they immediately began dancing which offered the ideal vibe to celebrate into the night. 

To ensure guests felt prepared for their time in Puerto Rico, the couple included as much information on accommodations, activities, and FAQs as possible. Unfortunately, no matter how much planning you do, a snafu or two is inevitable. 

“It was announced two months before our wedding that the first Puerto Rican Day Parade would be happening ON the day of our wedding. They would be closing the street of the venue and several other streets surrounding it for the parade,” the bride says. “We were extremely worried, but the venue was helpful in securing parking lot for our guests and ensuring the bride’s limo had police escort through the closed-down street. We had peace that it would be taken care of and proceeded with the wedding day anyway. It worked out in the end and it is now a fun story to tell!”

Even with a hiccup or two, Leyensshka and Victor’s day couldn’t have been more fairytale-like. After their firsthand experience, they advise other couples to save some planning stress and hire a wedding planner rather than going it alone. Additionally, they highlight the importance of not comparing your destination wedding to others. 

“Our number one piece of advice is to not compare your budget to other weddings you see online,” Leyensshka says. “It can be easy to be wrapped up in the aesthetics, but number one is ensuring you and your partner agree on a budget and stick to it. Have frequent dates where you talk about wedding planning and check in on each other.”

Vendors: Photographer: Memories by Lindsay; Venue: Casa de España; Florist: Tempus Events; Stationery: Stikealo; Cake: Sabe a Gloria; Hair & Makeup: Derek Muñoz; Gown Designer: D’royale Bride; Men’s Attire: Leonardo 5th Avenue; Bridesmaids Dresses: Birdy Grey; Bouquet Florals: Blessings Flower and More; Catering: Lola’s Catering