An Emotional, Beachfront Celebration: David & Ashley’s Hyatt Regency Aruba Wedding
There’s something magical about photographing a wedding in Aruba—and David and Ashley’s wedding at the Hyatt Regency Resort was no exception. From emotional first looks to a beachfront ceremony with 130 of their closest family and friends, this destination wedding in Aruba was full of moments that reminded me why I do what I do.
As an Aruba Wedding Photographer, I’ve seen a lot of beautiful days. But this one? It had that extra sparkle—maybe it was the matching pajamas and champagne. Maybe it was the Bushiri Garden first look and the private vows. Maybe it was the love. (Definitely the love.)
Let’s rewind and relive this special day…
But before we do, shout out to the amazing dream team!
Vendor Dream Team
- Wedding Planner: Taylor from Taylored Events, based in Boston and Aruba.
- Florist: Elsa’s Flowershop NV, a top Aruba florist specializing in wedding blooms.
- Entertainment: Lee‑Edward Croes from Our Wedding DJ, Aruba’s premier wedding DJ service.
- Hair & Makeup: Marta Collell, renowned Aruba bridal makeup artist
- Content Creator: John Marcos, capturing behind‑the‑scenes and candid moments.
- Photography: Proudly captured by me, Steven de Cuba, your Aruba Luxury Wedding Photographer.
Getting Ready: Champagne, Pajamas, and All the Feels
The day started at the Hyatt Regency Aruba, where David got ready with his dad, brother, and groomsmen. It was all laughs and good energy—a solid start to the day.
Meanwhile, in the bridal suite, Ashley was surrounded by her sisters, her mom, the mother of the groom, all her bestfriends and a whole lot of love. Everyone wore matching pajamas (yes, we got the classic popping-champagne photo—because of course we did). I took my time photographing the details: the dress, the bouquet, the invitations, the rings… all the little pieces that tell the bigger story.
Ashley’s mom helped her into the dress while her sisters took care of the veil and bouquet. And when I say this was a moment, I mean there was not a dry eye in the room—including mine (shhh).
The First Looks: Cue the Tears
Let’s talk about first looks. If you’re still on the fence, I wrote an entire post about whether you should do one: Should You Do a First Look?
Ashley decided to do three first looks:
- Bridesmaids – We gathered the girls, and when they turned around to see Ashley fully dressed, the reactions were priceless. Pure love.
- Dad – We headed outside, on the beautiful stairs by the ballroom of the Hyatt, where Ashley shared a sweet, emotional moment with her father. Cue more tears.
- David – Then, at the Bushiri Garden, the real magic happened. Ashley walked up to David for their first look, and they exchanged private vows right then and there. No audience. No distractions. Just the two of them, and it was everything.
This is the kind of moment that reminds you what weddings are truly about.
Portraits and Family Photos (a.k.a. Organized Chaos)
After their first look, we jumped straight into bridal party photos and family formals—while the makeup was still fresh, and the emotions were high (in the best way).
If you’re planning a destination wedding in Aruba, this is exactly where a well-thought-out wedding timeline makes or breaks your photo flow. Want help planning it all out?
👉🏼 Download my Free Aruba Wedding Timeline Guide
The Ceremony: A Sunset Beach Dream
With everyone freshened up and the guests arriving, we made our way to the beach for the ceremony. Imagine the warm Aruba breeze, the sound of the waves, and the golden light slowly dipping behind the ocean. Yup, that was their backdrop.
The ceremony was heartfelt and romantic, with personal touches throughout. Surrounded by 130 guests, David and Ashley made it official—Aruba style.
Cocktail Hour & Reception: From Sand to Dance Floor
After the “I dos,” guests enjoyed cocktail hour right there on the beach while we sneaked away for some golden hour portraits. This is where the Hyatt Regency Aruba really shines—it offers endless photo ops, from the beach to the gardens to the gorgeous tropical landscaping.
The reception kicked off on the lawn area, transformed into a warm, glowing celebration under the stars. With fairy lights strung across, heartfelt toasts, and epic dancing (yes, someone did the worm), the night ended just as beautifully as it began.
Working with Taylored Events
Huge shoutout to Taylor from Taylored Events (https://tayloredevents102.com), who flew in all the way from Boston to make this dream destination wedding happen. From timelines to decor, everything was seamless—and as a photographer, that’s a chef’s kiss kind of planning.
Final Thoughts (and a Little Wedding Wisdom)
David and Ashley’s day was the perfect example of how a well-planned, love-filled wedding can feel both luxurious and deeply personal. Whether you’re dreaming of a beach wedding in Aruba, wondering if a first look is worth it, or trying to figure out how to fit everything into one perfect day—just know that it’s possible.
Your destination wedding in Aruba can be as magical as this one. And I’d love to help capture every second of it.
👇🏼 Planning your Aruba wedding? Start with this:
Download the Free Aruba Wedding Timeline Guide
Or check out more real wedding inspiration here:
👉🏼 Top 5 Aruba Wedding Venues
👉🏼 Why I Love Photographing Hyatt Regency Aruba Weddings
👉🏼 See More Destination Weddings in Aruba
Until the next love story,
Steven de Cuba
Your Aruba Luxury Wedding Photographer ✨
