Ervin & Falisha Destination Wedding In Puerto Rico At Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde

Las Brisas at Courtyard Marriott Isla Verde

     Ervin and Falisha traveled all the way from New Jersey to tie the knot in the breathtaking setting of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. As a Puerto Rico wedding photographer, I’ve seen many couples choose this gorgeous island for their special day, and it’s no surprise that Ervin and Falisha fell in love with it too. Their wedding, held at the Courtyard by Marriott, was intimate yet vibrant, showcasing the couple’s joyous spirit. The day began with their ceremony, as they chose to skip the traditional getting-ready shots. This gave us ample opportunity to capture stunning wide-angle shots of the venue, as well as intimate, tight portraits of the couple. It’s always a privilege to photograph a destination wedding in Puerto Rico, especially for couples like Ervin and Falisha, who wanted their day to focus on the moments that truly mattered.

     The Courtyard by Marriott in Isla Verde is one of the most versatile wedding venues in Puerto Rico, perfect for couples looking for both elegance and a laid-back tropical vibe. The ceremony took place outdoors, where palm trees and the shimmering ocean provided a naturally beautiful backdrop. As a Puerto Rico photographer, I strive to capture the essence of these lush surroundings, blending the couple’s love with the beauty of the location. The wide-angle shots during the ceremony perfectly framed the couple against the stunning landscape, adding depth and context to each image. While Ervin and Falisha opted for a simpler approach to the day’s schedule, the love and excitement shared by their family and friends created a lively atmosphere that was a joy to document.

Falisha was smitten.

     After the ceremony, we jumped right into family portraits. Having the freedom to focus on the interactions between Ervin, Falisha, and their loved ones made this part of the day particularly special. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love being a photographer in Puerto Rico. The natural warmth of the people, combined with the beauty of the island, offers an unmatched experience for capturing heartfelt moments. We took the time to photograph a variety of groupings, ensuring we captured all the key family dynamics. These images reflect not only the bond between Ervin and Falisha but also the strength and joy of their support system.

     For the bride and groom session, we took Ervin and Falisha down to the grassy area and onto the beach just as the sun was beginning to set. This was the perfect setting for romantic portraits, and as a Puerto Rico wedding photographer, I couldn’t have asked for better conditions. Using a combination of natural light and flash photography, we were able to highlight the couple’s happiness while showcasing the dramatic ocean backdrop. Wedding locations in Puerto Rico like Isla Verde offer such diverse settings, from tropical greenery to pristine beaches, allowing for a range of photographic styles. These images are some of my favorites from the day, as they truly encapsulate the love and joy between the couple.

Swoon!

     Once the bride and groom portraits were done, we headed back to Las Brisas, the venue’s indoor reception hall. The energy was palpable as guests eagerly awaited the couple’s entrance. The reception hall is one of the many fantastic wedding venues in Puerto Rico, offering a spacious area for dancing, toasts, and dining. As the evening progressed, I captured the speeches, the laughter, and the emotional moments between the couple and their guests. Ervin and Falisha’s first dance was especially moving, as the dimmed lighting and spotlights provided the perfect ambiance. Capturing these intimate moments is one of the greatest joys of being a Puerto Rico photographer, and this wedding was filled with countless memorable ones.

     The night continued with plenty of dancing and celebrations. Guests filled the dance floor, and as a photographer in Puerto Rico, I made sure to be right in the middle of the action. The vibrant energy of the crowd made for some lively and fun photos. I love how Puerto Rican wedding receptions blend the joy of the couple with the rich cultural elements of the island. The music, the food, and the energy of the people always create an unforgettable experience. I find myself smiling as I edit these shots, remembering how the night felt more like a giant family gathering than a traditional reception.

Smooches.

     One of the highlights of photographing a destination wedding in Puerto Rico is the opportunity to blend cultural traditions from the couple’s home country with the natural beauty and ambiance of the island. Ervin and Falisha’s New Jersey roots showed through in their playful interactions, but the island’s warmth embraced them fully, making the day feel magical. The combination of indoor and outdoor settings at the Courtyard by Marriott allowed for diverse photo opportunities, showcasing both the intimacy of their love and the grandeur of the landscape. This flexibility is one of the reasons why wedding locations in Puerto Rico are so appealing to couples from all over the world.

     As a Puerto Rico destination wedding photographer, I always encourage couples to take advantage of the island’s varied settings. Ervin and Falisha’s decision to have portraits on the beach, followed by their lively indoor reception, highlighted the best of both worlds. It was an honor to be part of their day, from capturing the serene beach moments to the energetic dancing at Las Brisas. The dynamic nature of their wedding allowed me to use different techniques, from natural light photography during the beach session to flash photography at the reception. This blend of styles is one of the many reasons why I love shooting weddings in Puerto Rico.

Lovebirds.

     When looking at wedding locations in Puerto Rico, the Courtyard by Marriott stands out as a venue that offers both convenience and beauty. Its proximity to the beach and the elegance of its indoor spaces make it an excellent choice for couples wanting a seamless transition between ceremony and reception. For Ervin and Falisha, this meant they could enjoy the island’s natural beauty without worrying about logistics, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in their day. As a Puerto Rico wedding photographer, I appreciated the thoughtful layout of the venue, which made capturing every important moment both easy and enjoyable.

     In conclusion, Ervin and Falisha’s Puerto Rico destination wedding was a day filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. From the stunning ceremony by the beach to the lively reception at Las Brisas, every moment was a testament to their love and the support of their family and friends. As a Puerto Rico photographer, it’s weddings like these that remind me of the incredible privilege I have in documenting such meaningful moments. I’m grateful to have been part of their special day and look forward to capturing more beautiful love stories in wedding venues in Puerto Rico.

Storybook ending!

I Don’t Offer Packages As A Wedding Photographer in Puerto Rico

Amar & Haley at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel Deck

     In the wedding industry, it is common for photographers to present clients with generic packages that correlate with varying tiers of value based on the client's budget. These standard offerings often fail to capture the unique essence of each couple, relegating their memories to a one-size-fits-all approach. While this method provides a clear structure, it can dilute the artistry and creativity inherent in wedding photography. Couples deserve a customized experience that reflects their individual love story, transcending mere transaction to become a true collaboration that embodies sophistication and intimacy. At Francisco Álvarez, we believe in tailoring every aspect of our service to ensure that each couple’s vision is not only met but exceeded, resulting in a luxurious and unforgettable wedding experience.

     A cookie-cutter approach to love stories simply doesn’t resonate with our philosophy at Francisco Álvarez. We believe that each union is unique, deserving of a bespoke experience that captures the essence of the couple's story and the atmosphere of their special day. In the enchanting backdrop of this island, we prioritize tailoring every detail to perfection, ensuring our couples receive unparalleled attention and a personalized touch that transforms their wedding into a cinematic masterpiece. Our commitment to understanding and celebrating the individuality of each couple elevates their experience, creating lasting memories that reflect the beauty of their love.

How are we different?

The lovely Cara in Old San Juan

You’re Treated Like Royalty

     For starters, we make it a priority to answer a lead as fast as humanly possible, often within just moments of receiving your inquiry. We understand that while your wedding day may be several months away, the intricate planning process can often be filled with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Our unwavering commitment to excellence means we prioritize your precious time, ensuring that every single inquiry is met with prompt and thoughtful responses that reflect our dedication. We truly believe that even in the early stages of your journey together, our exceptional customer service sets the perfect tone for an experience that is not only luxurious but also as seamless as the beautifully curated wedding day you envision.

     We take great pride in getting to know your love story, immersing ourselves in the unique moments that define your journey together. From the serendipitous way you met to the cherished memories of how long you've been dating, every detail adds depth to the narrative we aim to capture. We believe in connecting on a personal level, learning about the sweetest gestures that have woven your hearts together, ensuring that our photography reflects not just imagery but the essence of your relationship. As a wedding photographer in Puerto Rico, I can assure you are not merely a walking dollar sign but a cherished couple deserving of a luxurious and personalized experience that honors your love.

Angie & Willy in Copamarina Beach Resort

You Receive a Personalized Questionnaire

     Upon reaching out with an inquiry, you will be greeted warmly and, shortly thereafter, you will receive my thoughtfully personalized questionnaire. This meticulously crafted document has been designed over the course of my career as a dedicated destination wedding photographer in Puerto Rico, ensuring that I gain a comprehensive understanding of your unique vision and preferences. This essential first step serves as the foundation for our collaboration, allowing me to tailor my approach to cater specifically to your desires, ensuring that your wedding experience is not only luxurious but also profoundly personal and unforgettable.

     My personalized questionnaire is meticulously crafted to capture every intricate detail of your vision for your extraordinary special day. It delves deep into what you envision, ensuring I fully understand not only the essential elements you wish to include but also those that you may consider less important. By taking the time to thoughtfully explore your preferences, dreams, and priorities, I can hit the nail on the head, allowing us to create a truly cinematic experience that beautifully reflects your unique love story. This comprehensive and thoughtful approach positions us perfectly to transform your expectations into breathtaking imagery that will be cherished and admired for generations to come.

April & Kyle during their first dance at the Courtyard Marriott Isla Verde

I Send You A Tailor-Made Proposal

     Upon receiving the completed questionnaire, I will meticulously and thoughtfully review your answers to ensure a comprehensive understanding of your unique vision and heartfelt desires for your special day. This careful and detailed analysis allows me to truly grasp the nuances and sentiments you wish to beautifully convey through your exquisite wedding imagery. Once we've aligned our thoughts and aesthetic preferences, I will prepare a fully personalized and tailored proposal that presents you with at least three distinctive options, each carefully crafted to suit your individual preferences and capture the essence of your remarkable celebration in a way that is undeniably unforgettable.

    You can expect a finely-tuned quote that thoughtfully takes into consideration all of your insightful answers from our comprehensive and detailed questionnaire. From your selected venue and the various cherished stages of your wedding day to the duration of services and any desired luxurious add-ons, we meticulously analyze every intricate detail to ensure that your unique vision is fully realized. Our unwavering commitment to excellence means we leave no stone unturned, guaranteeing that you receive precisely what you set out to accomplish, all while providing an experience that exudes unparalleled sophistication and luxury, befitting your momentous occasion.

Sumanth tying things up at the Royal Sonesta San Juan Hotel

So why don’t we offer packages…?

     At Francisco Álvarez, we do not offer traditional wedding packages because we firmly believe in providing an unparalleled Puerto Rico destination wedding experience tailored specifically to each couple's unique vision. We wholeheartedly believe that treating you the same as everyone else would not only diminish the luxury you deserve but also undermine the intimacy of your celebration. Instead, we prioritize understanding your individual preferences and desires, ensuring that every moment is as extraordinary and personal as your love story. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and we are dedicated to capturing it with the meticulous attention to detail that it warrants.

     As a Puerto Rico photographer, it is my utmost duty to ensure that you feel heard, valued, and genuinely appreciated throughout your beautiful journey as a couple. Your love story is uniquely intricate, and capturing its essence is not merely a task, but a profound privilege that I take to heart with great sincerity. I firmly believe that every nuance of your relationship deserves to be recognized—every meaningful glance, every heartfelt smile, and every precious moment that fundamentally defines your bond as partners. By fostering open and honest communication, I strive to create a collaborative atmosphere in which your vision and emotions are always at the forefront, allowing me to transform your cherished memories into breathtaking cinematic imagery that truly reflects the depth and beauty of your love.

The Power of One: Why Hiring a Combined Photography and Videography Team Elevates Your Wedding Day

Malikqua, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort

     Planning a wedding is a journey filled with countless decisions, from choosing the perfect venue to curating a guest list that includes your nearest and dearest. Among these choices, selecting the right professionals to capture your big day is crucial. As a destination wedding photographer in Puerto Rico and filmmaker, I’ve seen firsthand the advantages of hiring a team that can seamlessly handle both photography and videography services. Here’s why this approach is a game-changer for your wedding day.

1. Seamless Coordination: A Unified Vision

     One of the biggest benefits of hiring a combined photography and videography team is the seamless coordination that comes from a shared vision. When photographers and videographers work together regularly, they develop an intuitive understanding of each other’s styles and techniques. This synergy ensures that both mediums—stills and motion—complement each other perfectly, creating a cohesive narrative of your wedding day.

     For a Puerto Rico destination wedding photographer like myself, understanding the unique charm of the island is crucial. By choosing a unified team, you ensure that both the photography and videography will capture the essence of your Puerto Rican celebration without any creative conflicts, providing a harmonious story of your special day.

The Acorn, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort

2. Consistency in Style and Aesthetic

     Your wedding day is a unique story that deserves to be told in a consistent style, whether through photos or film. When you hire a combined team, you ensure that the aesthetic of your photos and video will align perfectly. This consistency extends to everything from color grading and lighting choices to the overall mood and tone. If you were to hire a light and airy photographer from one vendor and then a dark and moody videographer from another, things aren’t going to look great. 

     As a photographer in Puerto Rico who understands the island’s vibrant colors and breathtaking landscapes, I know how important it is to maintain a consistent style across both mediums. Whether your wedding has a romantic, tropical vibe or a chic, modern feel, a unified team can carry that theme seamlessly across both photography and videography, resulting in a stunning, cohesive collection.

3. Streamlined Communication and Planning

     Wedding planning can be overwhelming, with countless details to manage. By choosing a combined photography and videography team, you simplify the process by having a single point of contact for both services. This streamlines communication, making it easier to coordinate schedules, discuss your vision, and ensure that all your expectations are met.

      As a destination wedding photographer in Puerto Rico, I understand the complexities of planning a wedding from afar. Having a single, reliable team for both photography and videography means you’ll spend less time managing logistics and more time enjoying the lead-up to your big day.

Window portraiture, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort

4. Efficiency on the Wedding Day

     Your wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions and events, and time is of the essence. A combined photography and videography team works efficiently together, capturing every important moment without stepping on each other’s toes. They understand how to position themselves to get the best shots without interfering with each other, ensuring that both photo and video coverage are comprehensive and unobtrusive.

For a Puerto Rico destination wedding photographer, capturing the natural beauty of the island alongside your special moments is key. A unified team knows how to work in harmony, making the most of Puerto Rico’s stunning locations while ensuring your day flows smoothly. In a nutshell, my photo and video team are not going to be at odds about who gets to use the aisle as the bride walks down.

5. Cost-Effective and Convenient

     Weddings can be expensive, and finding ways to maximize your budget is always a plus. Hiring a combined team for photography and videography can often be more cost-effective than booking separate vendors. Many teams offer bundled packages that provide significant savings, allowing you to invest in other aspects of your wedding without compromising on quality.

The bouquet, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort

As a photographer in Puerto Rico, I know how important it is to find the best value without sacrificing quality. A combined team not only offers convenience but can also provide a cost-effective solution that still delivers exceptional results. I will tell you firsthand: if you hire both photo and video with me under the same roof, you will save some money; that’s my promise!

6. A Cohesive Storytelling Experience

     Ultimately, your wedding day is about storytelling—capturing the essence of your love and the joy of your celebration. When you hire a team that can do both photography and videography, you’re ensuring that your story is told in the most cohesive and compelling way possible.

     Whether it’s the vibrant energy of a beachside ceremony or the intimate moments shared during a sunset shoot, a Puerto Rico destination wedding photographer and filmmaker team can weave together still images and moving footage into a seamless narrative. This storytelling approach allows you to relive your wedding day through both photos and film, with each medium enhancing the other and creating a complete picture of your special day.

Conclusion: The Best of Both Worlds

     Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and the memories you create deserve to be captured by professionals who understand the importance of every moment. By choosing a combined photography and videography team, you’re not just hiring vendors—you’re investing in a team of storytellers who will work together to create a stunning, cohesive record of your day.

     As a destination wedding photographer in Puerto Rico, I’m passionate about helping couples tell their love stories through both photos and film. I’d love to help you create a beautiful, unified narrative of your wedding day that you’ll treasure for years to come. If you’re ready to experience the advantages of a combined photography and videography team, let’s connect and start planning the wedding of your dreams!

Gorgeous falloff, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort

Tamiaka & Willie Wedding at Caribe Hilton

Lounging…

     This is the wedding that almost didn’t happen, for a plethora of reasons. Firstly, Tamiaka & Willie were not meant to be my clients. It just so happens that a pair of colleagues were contacted by this couple but, because they were already booked that day, my fellow Puerto Rico wedding photographers reached out to me to see if I had availability. Fortunately, I looked at my calendar and saw an opening. Shortly thereafter I’m put in contact with Tamiaka and Willie so that we can get the ball rolling on a potential union. They were looking for a short, four-hour intimate wedding and those just so happen to be some of my favorites. We hit it off from the get-go and agreed we’d be a wonderful fit

     As the special day got closer, we decided it’d be best to keep in touch. I asked Tamiaka to provide me with a ‘shot list’: that is the group portraits of both family and friends that to her are ‘must-haves’ & make my life as a wedding photographer in Puerto Rico a lot easier. Whenever we get a shot list we basically do a roll call of the people on it so that we’re efficient yet effective with the couples’s time (specially when they only booked me for four hours). They weren’t working with a planner so I had my work cut out for me as far as a timeline was concerned. More responsibilities fall on the photographer’s shoulders when wedding planners aren’t hired because, for the most part, the documentation vendor is second-in-command; we got on the same page and dove head first.

“Put your hand in mine…”

     It was about 4 p.m. when I got to the Caribe Hilton on July 13th: wedding day. Tamiaka’s parents, Kevin and Frances, met me downstairs as the entire bridal was still getting ready in their hotel rooms. They were the nicest people coming in from Grand Rapids, Michigan; I told them that Eddie, my assistant for the day, and I would be in a few minutes to start documenting some of the behind-the-scenes process. The heat and humidity was already getting to us as we broke out in. sweat just by sitting down at the hotel lobby; this is something that you can expect when you’re getting married down here and a feeling I know all too well as a result of being a Puerto Rico destination wedding photographer.

     As we made our way up to Tamiaka’s room, I was greeted by one of her bridesmaids who was kind enough to let us into the busy room. Tamiaka herself was still in the bathroom getting ready so Eddie and I decided to start shooting pictures with her immediate entourage. She has a lovely dress, nice pair of shoes, a few bouquets for her main girls and a whole lot of charisma that pairs well with the pendant she had on her head. Miscellaneous shots of her bridal party were take and, as soon as she was fitting into her dress, Eddie and I decided to move onto the venue area to snap a few pictures of the scenic sights and sounds photographers in Puerto Rico love to see and hear shortly before the ceremony is about to start.

When I got to the ceremony venue, I saw a lot of empty chairs; I imagined the entourage just hadn’t made their way to the site but that wasn’t the biggest concern at the time. When I looked up, I saw I had no blue skies or white clouds but an overcast afternoon instead. In the grand scheme of things that’s not the worst thing in the world because an overcast day provides a natural softbox of light for photography (which is welcome when you don’t have one but that wasn’t the case here). I made some friends among the guests and took their pictures while I wanted the first order of business to kick off. That’s when I started seeing the immediate bridal party lining up to start making their way onto the ceremony grounds. As I thought we were just about to commence, I catch wind of another possible inconvenience: the DJ was late.

Not only is he not present but he’s also the master of ceremonies and supposed to kick things off with music specifically chosen by Tamiaka and Willie. The looks of concern start appearing in everyone’s faces including my own; Eddie and I start shrugging shoulders and each other wondering what the hold up is when, our of nowhere, we see a guy with an iPad in one hand and a loudspeaker in the other making the way to the backyard which is where my couple was going to tie the knot. As he fumbles through his hear and cable management, I come to the conclusion that he was the vendor on which we were waiting and I walk over to the couple to reassure them everything was going to be alright. Little did I know I was wrong…REALLY wrong.

Brother Willie.

It started pouring.

At first I thought we were going to be able to fight the sprinkles coming down but, in a matter of two to three minutes, the torrential downpour forced us to scurry inside and me to cover up my expensive equipment. Needless to say the wedding guests were not happy and don’t even get me started with Tamiaka. She was dumbfounded as to why the DJ kept them from proceeding; he later pleaded his case chalking things up to a miscommunication on his part. The more he spoke, the more irate Tamiaka became and it looked as if she had a bomb in her chest which could explode in any second. In order to mitigate that from possibly happening, I looked out the window and later told the bride and groom that the rain had subsided. This meant that, instead of taking the event indoors (which admittedly is not what Tamiaka wanted), we could give the outside ceremony another attempt. Lo and behold, we did and it was beautiful.

It was then that I was introduced to Ana, the officiant hired by the couple, and exchanged some quick pleasantries before the entourage was back in their positions. As we were about to start, Eddie hits the record button on his Sony A7SIII so that he can record some behind-the-scenes footage for me, a strategy that I’ve recently adopted in order to use that footage to market myself as a destination wedding Photographer in Puerto Rico. The heavy clouds dissipated and we were on our way. The ceremony went on as expected with Ana swinging the microphone towards the couple for their “I dos” and I was circling everyone present so that I could capture the wonderful and heartfelt moments that make a weddings in Puerto Rico truly memorable.

Tamiaka

Willie.

As soon as the ceremony wrapped up, Eddie and I quickly grabbed our flash gear and starting looking for areas for the ensuing bride and groom session. This is the perfect time for wedding photographers in Puerto Rico to showcase their skillset using creativity knowing they’re going to have time alone with the bride and groom. As the rest of the guests made their way to the reception hall for cocktail hour, I got to work on the couple using my Godox kit while maintaining as much ambient light as possible; truthfully, there wasn’t a lot of natural light to work with but I did my absolute best to balance it with the artificial one we were using.

Wholesome.

When we wrapped up the bride and groom session with Tamiaka & Willie, they went to join their guests at the cocktail hour balcony while Eddie took a breather and I got started on the reception details. While my clients unwind, I like to sneak into the reception hall when nobody is around so that I can, in an uninterruptedly fashion, paint the picture of what it was like to be there before the raucous crowd takes over. If there’s any peaceful and or stress-free moment during a wedding I’d say it’s definitely these instances where you find yourself in a mostly empty room (aside from the venue staff still working tirelessly to set everything up). You have nobody tapping you on the shoulder and you can whip out your best lenses to get that dreamy, out-of-focus background while isoating the couple’s’s knick-knacks.

W + T = Love

Table etiquette.

As with everyone, vendors are people and we eat too. Eddie and I sat down to grab some grub while the entire entourage was also enjoying their food. As a wedding photographer in Puerto Rico, I think this is the appropriate time to do so for two reasons: it levels the playing field and allows for the couple to understand that you have needs too and also due to the fact that whenever you try to capture the guests eating dinner, they hardly ever look great with food in their mouths. The staff in charge of the kitchen served Eddie and I a lovely eggplant parmesan dish that was rather small in size but quite large in taste. I wouldn’t say it was the most lavish meal I’ve ever had but Tamiaka and Willie definitely took my request seriously and for that I’m grateful.

Dancing towards forever…with you.

I stayed behind a few minutes after the cake cutting portion of the festivities because Tamiaka had confessed that they had scheduled it for roughly the same time that I was scheduled to leave. When these things happen I don’t mind staying behind a few more minutes if it’s either going to make a huge difference and/or put a smile on my couple’s face. As they took to the dance floor, I turned on my flash trigger and dialed in my settings which I had configured as soon as I arrived onto the reception area. As they spun around and professed eternal love, I did my thing circling them back and forth trying to find the perfect vantage point to encapsulate them within my frame but also have the burst of flash be present in the compostion. Can’t blame me: this is what you can expect when I’m hired as your wedding photographer in Puerto Rico.