Sarah-Jane and Spencer’s story began on a fateful night in 2010 at Cryans, a bar near Seton Hall University. Little did they know that their paths would intersect and their lives would forever change. 

Sarah-Jane shared, “Our first interaction was actually pretty funny. I wasn’t interested, but then as the night went on, he started to grow on me, and we eventually hit it off. I gave him my number at the end of the night, and we continued to talk and then started seeing each other.” Spencer added, “It was a roller coaster ride, to say the least. One minute, she acted like she wanted nothing to do with me, and the next, I was in her favor. Long story, short, this continued for the remainder of the night.”

Fast forward to their interview as a soon-to-be-married couple, Sarah-Jane and Spencer found themselves excitedly planning their dream destination wedding. When asked why they chose a destination wedding, they replied in unison, “Since many of our friends and families live far and wide from Ireland, Mexico, California, Chicago, Colorado, New York, and New Jersey, we wanted to bring everyone together for a relaxing few days and create some beautiful core memories, and we did just that!”

Their search for the perfect location led them to Puerto Rico, a place they deeply cherished. Sarah-Jane shared, “We had been there seven times at that point. Usually, we go to Old San Juan for a few days and then head to a small island off the coast called Culebra. Culebra didn’t have the infrastructure to plan an 80+ person wedding, so we decided to stay in San Juan and venture out to the rainforest for the wedding day.”

The couple found their ideal venue through a Google search and were immediately captivated. “We had a video call with the coordinator, and she showed us around the property. We were sold and signed on the dotted line. We didn’t get to see it in real life until four months before the wedding,” they explained.

Planning a wedding from afar presented its own challenges, but Sarah-Jane and Spencer had an organized wedding planner who kept everything on track. “Our wedding planner had things very organized on a Trello board, and we knew what our deadlines were for everything, which made everything very streamlined and helpful,” they shared. They also made a pre-wedding visit to Puerto Rico to finalize the details and ensure everything was in place for their special day.

The couple’s attention to detail and desire to create a unique experience for their guests was evident in their choice of decor and extras. They wrote individual cards for each guest, expressing their gratitude and love. Sarah-Jane said, “Handwriting the cards took some time, but it was well worth it. We really enjoyed it.” They also arranged for Liz, their officiant, to write personalized poems for each guest using her vintage typewriter. The couple believed these special elements added a personal touch and made their wedding day truly memorable.

The ceremony itself was a reflection of Sarah-Jane and Spencer’s journey. They opted for a non-traditional ceremony that incorporated their 12 years together. Liz, the officiant, wove their love story into a beautiful narrative, leaving the guests in awe. Sarah-Jane’s brother also contributed by reading a chosen piece that resonated deeply with the couple’s relationship.

Reflecting on their destination wedding, Sarah-Jane and Spencer couldn’t imagine it any other way. Sarah-Jane expressed, “I feel that the time would’ve felt too short. We got to spend so much quality time with everyone since we had a boat and beach day, a welcome party, and then the wedding. We were there for an entire week, and our guests were there for 4-7 days as well. We never felt rushed or that we weren’t getting to see everyone.” Spencer added, “The weather was perfect, the environment was gorgeous, and we were around all of our closest friends and family. What more could we ask for?”

Sarah-Jane and Spencer’s Puerto Rico destination wedding was a testament to their love, their desire to bring loved ones together, and their commitment to creating lasting memories. As they embarked on this new chapter of their lives, their journey began with a celebration that was uniquely theirs, surrounded by the beauty of Puerto Rico and the warmth of their loved ones.

Vendors: Photographer: Kirnos Photography; Videographer: Zura Film; Wedding Planner: Nerida Alvarez; Ceremony/Reception Site: Hacienda Siesta Alegre; Florist: Lorraines Flowers; Stationery: Sweet Date Prints; Hair & Makeup: Hair and Makeup by Paris; Gown Designer: Rebecca Ingram; Groom’s Clothing Designer: MySuit; Officiant & Poem Writer: Have Lover, Will Travel; Rum Tasting: Nativo Rummeliers; Coffee Bike: Café Sobre Grecas; String/Jazz Ensemble: Allied Music Solutions; Catering: Caribbean Catering PR; DJ: SBN Entertainment