By pure coincidence, Alyssa and Luke’s wedding at Sandals Jamaica South Coast was my second wedding at this exact resort. Within two weeks of the first wedding I photographed there. How does the joke go? Of all the gin joints?

Alyssa and Luke were lucky enough to have many friends and family join them for a full wedding weekend in paradise. The energy was electric. Everyone was drinking, dancing, and fully in vacation mode. At the end of the night, the couple and their friends spontaneously ran into the ocean together. It was that kind of party.

The day started out hot and muggy, with storm clouds slowly building. Sure enough, right in the middle of their ceremony, it poured. I mean cats and dogs. I’d brought a towel and umbrella to the ceremony just in case, so I grabbed them and ran back toward the beach. Most photographers would’ve covered their gear and waited it out but I couldn’t not document the moment. I held the umbrella between my chin and shoulder and kept shooting.

After a rain delay, the skies cleared and we were gifted a warm sunset and a rainbow! The rainbow was such a fun surprise. Because Alyssa’s dress was drenched, she changed into her rehearsal dinner dress and we went out to get photos with the beautiful golden light. Her bridesmaids worked together to blow dry Alyssa’s dress so she could wear it at the reception.

The resort is stunning—classic beach-luxury perfection—and the Sandals wedding team is wildly impressive. At one point, they even dug trenches to drain the reception space after the storm. Truly pros.

Destination weddings are magic. And this one? Unforgettable.

The day after their wedding, Alyssa and Luke chartered a catamaran for their guests. We got to cruise in The Caribbean, eat yummy boat snacks, jump off the boat into the water, and enjoy another rain shower.

Do you need a photographer for your destination wedding? Let’s talk!