Jess and Kyle’s story began in high school, where they became each other’s first love. Fast forward to several years and two beautiful baby girls later, the two decided to tie the knot with a destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

When asked about why they chose to do a destination wedding, Jess explained that as a wedding hair and makeup artist, she wanted to do something different from what she usually does. “I wanted to create a memorable experience that we could share with our family and friends, and what better way to do that than in a beautiful location like Punta Cana,” she says.

The couple knew they wanted to get married in the Dominican Republic because of the amazing experience they had during a previous vacation there. Jess and Kyle searched online for a reputable resort that could host their wedding and found the Hard Rock Punta Cana. They were confident and comfortable bringing their loved ones to the resort and had zero issues during the planning process.

The Hard Rock handled everything, from the decor to the ceremony, making the planning process a breeze for Jess and Kyle. “They did an amazing job, and everything was better than the pictures,” the couple says.

For the ceremony, the couple had Jess’s aunt officiate, and they incorporated their daughters into the ceremony, making it personal and special. Jess and Kyle did not have a pre-wedding site visit but had bi-weekly phone calls with their wedding planners at Destify and Hard Rock Punta Cana. The wedding planners were thorough and hands-on throughout the process.

When asked about any special advice they would like to share with readers, Jess and Kyle both agreed that having a destination wedding was the best decision they could have made. “DO IT! You will not regret it! We will forever cherish the memories and the excuse to go on a vacation with all of our close family and friends at the same time! Who gets to do that in their life?! It was magical!” says Jess.

Vendors: Photography: Cascade & Canyon Photography; Venue, Decor, Florals, Planning: Hard Rock Punta Cana; Additional Planning Services: Destify; Hair & Makeup: Jessica Romana; BTS Content Creation: Samantha Longton