The BrookeBoeser

We had the down payment paid on a wedding venue. We had a guest list down on paper and a board on pinterest loaded with ideas for the big day. The mere thought of beginning the process of narrowing down items and people was exhausting to a mother of a toddler going to school full time while carrying twins as a surrogate. Although we loved the idea of having everyone around on the big day, at the same time we hated it. We sat down and talked with each other about what we really wanted. The day was about us. Coming together, saying our vows and agreeing to love one another for eternity. The idea of feeling obligated to entertain a barn full of people when all we wanted to do was be with each other on this big day was tiresome. So we quickly decided to get away. We were lucky to get our deposit back and we put a down payment on a beautiful all inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. We chose to go through the Royalton in Punta Cana. They had the whole thing going on. We had our swim out room, butler, bottles of tequila in the room and my own wedding planner. I picked my colors, flowers, cake, menu and everything required to throw a wedding on the beach from a template sent via email. Some brides might cringe at the thought but this was ideal. I wanted simple and laid back. I paid extra for lights to be strung along the beach where we sat and we had a private bar to let loose at.. and that we did. I didn’t get the flowers or color scheme that I envisioned when we were having the wedding at home, but it’s slim pickens when the options are laid out on a flyer.

We invited our immediate families and my best friend came along as my maid of honer along with her husband that was kind enough to get ordained and marry us. Merrit stayed behind because she was a little to young to appreciate what was going on but we had a perfect private ceremony with her where we tied the knot before we left. It was so important to us to have her there when we made that promise. I know she probably won’t remember it 20 years from now, but we will.

I think I bought just about every dress I could get my hands on from Lulus. Ask me how many I wore, 5. I still have a bin full of dresses with tags on them. But I lacked the will power to say no to a hot little number for my wedding trip.  I purchased my wedding gown just weeks before the wedding and apparently that is something you are supposed to do months in advance. Lucky for me I got the only one in production at the time and I was over the moon. We had an amazing family friend tailor it for me and she did the final alteration days before we left. I never even tried it on after. I just brought it along and put it on the day of, moments before the wedding. I had complete faith. I also had another 5lbs on me from 3 days prior to the wedding filled with eating and drinking whatever in the hell I wanted! We had just come off of another round of Whole 30 and I was going to the gym, hot yoga and 530 am cycling classes so I earned every damn pound! I picked my hair do off Pinterest moments before meeting with the hairdresser and I did my own makeup and that of a couple guests. We sipped champagne in the beautiful bridal suite and I walked down the isle holding my brothers arm. I let Kyle pick the song I would walk down the isle to and it was a surprise until we descended down the beach. We had a handful of options to choose from for the setting of the ceremony but we chose ocean front under a beautiful pavilion. Everyone around stopped and watched as we walked to the alter. I felt like a princess. Then everyone started to applaud. Not something they typically do at  wedding, but I think my makeup was on point that day. Anyway, we loved it. The temperature was extra spicy that day but we would take it over the rain anytime. We had the private reception at sunset and sipped lobster bisque and champagne. It was the simple ceremony we both wanted and we danced barefoot in the sand to our favorite songs..

We finished out our five day stay at the resort and had an amazing honeymoon. We spent a lot of time between the swim up bar and the restaurants. We had the best time on the jet skis and snorkeling in the clear blue while sipping mama juana on a party yacht. Punta Cana was a great choice for us and we are so glad we took the leap and went away. I know we would have had a great time here too but we avoided a lot of stress and money. I know I tend to go way overboard for my daughter’s birthday parties, I cannot fathom how extra I would have been for our wedding. The only thing I had to worry about on my wedding day was getting dressed and writing my vows (Yes, I waited till the day of). There is a lot to be said for destination weddings and removing all of the added stress from the equation. The more people you add to the list however, the more difficult it is to coordinate and plan a date. It can get overwhelming. I recommend planning a date that works for you two and everyone else will follow suite if it is a priority to them. This day is about the two of you.