A Destination Wedding

How do you start a great love? You take a lot of independence, mix with a carton of international trip, a teaspoon of doubt, a cup of sweetness, and a bowl of patience. That is only a PORTION of Robin and Attaliah. We met on the island of Koh Phagan, check out “The Thailand Adventure.” Robin & I knew right away we wanted a destination wedding! In this post, we talk about having a destination wedding, all things from our wedding and answer some FAQs.

Dreams Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

We got married at this beautiful resort on the beach with an intimate wedding of 60. Haha. Our guest list was far from small, but a little over 60 people saw us walk down the beach, share our vows, and kiss for our happily ever after. I am Zimbabwean, so in my culture our wedding was “small.” Majority of our guests stayed at Dreams. Dreams Punta Cana is an all-inclusive resort located on Uvero Alto Beach near a golf course on the beach. The resort has 7 restaurants, which are delicious! There is so much variety! We were looking for a place where everyone could enjoy themselves and bond at the same time! The resort had a pool bar, activities, a SPA to die for, and the BEST service a bride can ask for.

One thing that is essential in planning a wedding is SERVICE! You are ultimately throwing a big party for everyone and you want to make sure that everyone is having a good time. Dreams & their wonderful staff did that for the Strubel Wedding! The bartenders showed us how to party, the cleaning staff made turn down service a dream & the kitchen cooked like they were feeding their families. I cannot thank this resort enough. Let me start off by saying, I am NOT getting paid for this post. I always want to give you the real!

Planning

Alright, I am a tad jealous of the whole “I asked her to marry me and told her make it the wedding of your dreams” brides. I think that’s how the quote goes. Wait… She asked him, “What kind of wedding would you want?” He replied, “The one that would make you my wife.”

“She asked him, “What kind of wedding would you want?” He replied, “The one that would make you my wife.””

— unknown

I was close! When we started planning, I got a bit frustrated with Robin because DUH, we don’t have to plan anything bunny, it’s all on my Pinterest board! I mean Salagadoola mechicka boola Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo. I was not surprised that he had an opinion but more surprised that he cared what color the napkins were. Let me paint the picture really quick. Robin was in Germany and I was in Los Angeles doing a travel nurse assignment on night shift, so we had an 8-hour time difference trying to plan the biggest PARTY of our lives.

Biggest Party of my Life

Well, probably as big as my first birthday party, but STILL! Planning for an engaged couple can be frustrating and truly overwhelming then you add distance and you’ve got a big issue, but we made it! My tip is to keep your focus, you do not need to go bankrupt and the marriage is BETTER than the wedding. I am in no way saying don’t splurge, we left the Dominican and had a honeymoon in Jamaica, but spend with in YOUR reason. Another thing is a wedding puts everything in perspective because a wedding will show you who will drop everything and run and who will drop everything!

Wedding Welcome Bags

We did our very best to meet every guest in the lobby because each person spent so much time & money to join us on our special day! Each room was greeted with bags from WhiteAppleThreads. Bride tip: It’s about you this weekend, but no one wants your name on everything. 😉 Well, let me speak for myself. The bags included:

Goodies from the Target Bullseye’s Playground such as sunglasses

Flip flops from Old Navy for close family and bridal party

Koozies from SipHipHooray

We smuggled (FREE) water bottles and wrapped them with ThatPartyChick (This is an easy way to personalize because these labels are printable and guest will FEEL the love!)

We also added pens, notepads, peppermints  & cokes from the resort because its included RIGHT!

SasEink made our “Do Not Disturb” Wedding door hangers because hangovers.

Complete your welcome bag with a thank you note along with an itinerary! We used JonesStreetPress to seal our LOVE bag. If you are just getting to know me, I am someone who finds SO much worth in thanking those who love me. Those who choose to support me and I am endlessly grateful with each step of my life!

As a bride, you have to figure what’s more important to you because you’ll constantly have to choose between things… unless you have the finances to do it all. I chose my guests experience every chance I got! I AM SURROUNDED BY THE BEST! They deserve the best and to be honest I didn’t feel like I did it all! Even though only a couple people showed up to the Sunday morning brunch (the party was GOOD). I may be Petty Labelle. Bride tip: choose a resort that is in alignment with your heart! Don’t just choose a place to choose It may sound silly, but if you aren’t visiting beforehand like we didn’t, ask brides on social media, check Pinterest or do what you can to find out more details about the resort! Your resort is a reflection of YOU!

Do I Ship My Things?

As we have established I have a large family, so they carried some things for me. Mom, did I say thank you? The resort had options for décor, signs, etc that can be purchased. We wanted things that were more personal and customized, so we ordered prior and brought them to the wedding with us! We ordered SOO many things! Follow the links and the pictures!

How Do I Make My Day Unique?

BirdieMaeDesigns created the cards that I gave to my BIL & SIL. How wonderful is it to start your new family with a simple, but impactful letter?

LoveMeetsCraft provide us with the MOST comfortable customized robes. I am still wearing mine! Provided means I bought them. ahah. A gift to my lovely bridesmaids. How cure are they?

Sometimes we get so focused on our groom that we forget our parents. I got these handkerchiefs and showed my parents AFTER the wedding. I don’t even wanna talk about it. Luckily, I have that option!

Ordering things to your guests rooms can make them feel love! We had an advantage because of the all-inclusive, so we ordered drinks, breakfast, etc to some of our guests rooms!

Purchase sentimental gifts which will make your girls match and your heart scream!

Robin & I also gave each other gifts and wrote letters to one another! I made him a reasons I love you book while he gave me a bible of things about us. An engraved watch is a great gift for your groom! I hinted at the things I wanted and Robin made them his own!

I showered my ladies with gifts throughout the planning process because IT’S HARD. My giving love language is DEFINITELY giving gifts!

The Rehearsal

We had our photographer for a large portion of our trip! (read below). We had an all-inclusive, so we decided to have a rehearsal. To not get things confused, we paid for our guests to eat and drink for the rehearsal dinner. Although the resort is all inclusive, there is a surcharge for events! We started the rehearsal with PICTURES, PICTURES, & PICTURES! I am looking at pictures right now getting nostalgic. I want to go back… Robin, will you marry me? 😉 I can express enough my gratitude for these pictures in this moment! Bride trip: Get a photographer to capture your rehearsal. Honestly 4 years later, I am looking at photos in AWE that we DID that!

Did I mention it rained? We danced in the rain & everyone celebrated!

We may have had a couple of Mamajuana shots. The bartender taught us: Arriba (glass up) Abajo (glass down) al centro (glass out!) y pa’dentro (inside) for ending, tasting the drink.

 After the party, it’s the AFTER PARTY. We snuck the kids into the VIP bar.

Wedding Morning

I slept in a friend’s room and forgot to get my wedding day outfit, so ladies let this be an example. GOLDEN GIRLS “08!!! Bride Tip: Keep your outfit handy! if it wasn’t for my best friend, I would have spent the entire day in a tie dye shirt! I HIGHLY suggest starting the day with something relaxing. We started with massages at the spa! Do a little self-care and decompress! Afterwards, I arranged a brunch with my closest ladies with mimosas & breakfast!

If you have to get ready separate from your girls, GO JOIN THEM! I wrote my vows and then on a flight to Germany met a woman who impacted me, so I asked her to translate my vows and practiced for months to finally say my vows in German! Just another example of individuals coming into your life for a reason! She’s got some exciting things to come and I cannot wait to share them!

Groomsmen

I would like to put it out there that while I was getting beautified my husband and his groomsmen were enjoying beers on the beach. I’ll forever cherish the photos of my brothers (Best friend & Brother in Law included) and my husband, but there’s definitely a difference in days. They started their days getting pedicures. Men get pedicures, too!

I mean look at them. Chilling on the beach. Soaking up the sun. Relaxing. UGH.

The guys were all FLY! Hugo Boss, I got some models for you!

White button down shirts from anywhere!

Blue Pants: the exact pants are not available! (The link takes you to similar pants!)

Flip flops from Old Navy (Groomsmen gift)

Suspenders from Amazon (Groomsmen gift)

Bridesmaids

The bridesmaids strutted down the aisle with Show me your Mumu dresses in Sage & Paradise Found! I was in another state when I chose the dresses and Show me your Mumu was the perfect store because everyone could purchase their dresses separately!

The big reveal should include being dressed by your mother or mothers in my case!

Have your girls cheer you on before you head down the aisle!

Wedding Dress Details

My dress was from LeAnn’s Bridal off the rack. LeAnn’s was actually the last place I went to try on dresses. I originally had put back the dress because it wasn’t what I thought it would be for the day. Yet again, my best friend had Gabby steal the dress back!!  Bride tip: Bring your friends who will see something even if you don’t see it. Bring the women who will lift you up!

How gorgeous is this Ashley Justin Dress?

The Wedding

Our destination wedding for UNPLUGGED. I didn’t want people’s phones in my photos and honestly, I wanted everyone to hear our vows and be there with us. It was a bit selfish, but when I look at the photos and see the crowd of faces I AM SO HAPPY! Bride Tip: DO YOU BOO. Everyone will have an opinion, but do what makes YOU happy!

We toasted on the beach!

We took pictures on the beach! Remember when I said do you? Also make sure to have a conversation with your family members to find out what is important to them!

The Reception

We both agreed on a table setting and cloth! It was a journey!

WhiteFoxPaperCo made our table number. Each table had anniversary table number books from Event123, so our guest could leave us little notes. I guess we have missed a couple of years! Ahah.

We also THANKED our guests with thank you notes from TinyDogwoodDesigns!

Our Pilot & Co-Pilot chair signs are from NgoCreations

SouthernScribe made our marble place cards which we tapped table numbers to the back

MulberryMarketDesign created our wonderful cake stand which doubles as a storage space for all of our memories!

Our Wedding guest book was created by TotallySalinda. We had a polaroid for people to take pictures and write us love notes! If you decide to do a polaroid style, buy extra film because people will steal the photos! Props were from BigDotOfHappiness!

For the kids we had glow sticks, disposable cameras with a scavenger hunt from TinyDogwoodDesigns!

We started the reception with our first dance!

Our buffet style dinner!

It poured rain in the middle of our reception and the tables were moved to the side so quickly! That SERVICE I was talking about!

And we PARTIED the night away!

Oh, Mamajuana

A Letter To Our Photographer

Michael,

Thank you for capturing these amazing photos! Thank you for becoming part of our family and dedicating your time to not only take pictures, to get to know Robin & I. You were present and what you created is absolutely breathtaking. You not only took pictures on our special day, but extended your stay to go on an excursion and capture an unforgettable adventure with our families! Michael, we may not have told you before, but your talent is raw and it shows with all of those photos we get to keep forever! We are so grateful!

You can find more of Michael’s photography and contact information here!

FAQs

DID YOU HAVE AN ITINERARY THAT ALIGNED WITH HIS WHILE IN THAILAND?

We met each other and hung out for about 4 hours and that was it. We had Chang beers with my friend, talked and never saw each other again in Thailand!

WHO MADE THE FIRST MOVE?

When I met Robin, I thought he was just a friendly individual. We laugh because I say he kissed my neck when we touched it. Ahaha. Before he left the island, he said, “You’re cute” and I said, “Thanks.” We exchanged numbers and Facebooks. The rest is history!

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DATE?

Well, Robin & I’s first date was two weeks long. Yes, you read that right a TWO week date. He arrived to Dallas March 17th and we had pizza and beer at my apartment because he had flown over 10 hours to come see me. In this two weeks, he met my family and friends, we went to SXSW (music festival in Austin), and just got to know each other.  Oh we also went to Robin’s Brothers to look at rings!

WHEN DID YOU KNOW HE WAS THE ONE?

Funny story, when I told my mom I was going to Thailand she said, “You’re going to meet your husband.” I was NOT looking for anyone! The next morning, he messaged me the sweetest message saying that he was thinking of me and I thought I will give this a chance! We messaged in the mornings saying what we planned on doing for the day & in the evening we would send pictures of things we did. In Krabi, I sat and wrote a letter to him…. I told myself that if I was ever able to give it to him then that would be it. March 17th I handed him that letter!

HOW DID I KNOW?

The way he made me feel! Robin has a way of looking and making me feel like I’m literally the only person in the world. Not girl, but person. He sees me for who I am. When I met him at times I was insecure about some things. He brought out the best in me. To this day, he encourages me to be my BEST self. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, but through the storms he holds onto me tighter.

HOW LONG DID YOU KNOW EACH OTHER BEFORE YOU GOT MARRIED?

We got engaged after 6 months and married 11 months after we met. DO YOU BOO!

Thank you for being here! I hope this post gave you a bit of insight on planning a wedding! Also you got to know Robin & I’s story a little more!