NICOLE | St. Lucia to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
“When I stopped worrying about everybody else and started truly enjoying the moment…I was truly at peace.”
*Photos courtesy of Junior Cruz Weddings
EPISODE 41
How Nicole Planned (and moved) Her Destination Wedding from
St. Lucia to the Dominican Republic!
I LOVE IT when I get to interview DESTIBRIDES who are a part of the DESTILOVERS Community! There’s nothing - and I mean nothing - like working with a beautiful bride along her destination wedding planning journey, hearing how much the DESTI Guide to Destination Weddings show has been helpful for them AND THEN experiencing their excitement and seeing that big smile appear when it’s finally their turn to share the wealth of advice and their personal experience to help those coming up behind them.
This interview with DESTIBRIDE Nicole was all of that and more! Nicole and her husband brought 42 guests to celebrate their loving union at the Jellyfish Restaurant in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (right smack in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic) but not before much drama - including relocation from St. Lucia. The amount of destination wedding planning tips that Nicole shares is so unbelievable that I had to split it into 2 parts Bridefriends!
THAT’S RIGHT - A TWO-PART INTERVIEW!
and I can't wait to hear how much you love it!
Destination Wedding Planning Topics Covered:
We chatted about:
💕Their proposal story
💕Why they decided to have a destination wedding
💕Choosing their destination wedding date
💕Planning and saving money TOGETHER
💕Postponing their wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic
and then ultimately moving their wedding from St. Lucia to the Dominican Republic
💕 Planning their small intimate ceremony at home
💕How they chose their destination wedding venue
💕How they picked their destination wedding vendors - makeup, photographer, etc.
💕 An unexpected destination wedding luggage fees tip!
💕Her Jellyfish Restaurant Wedding Review
💕and so much more!
Soooo…how do you plan a destination wedding
in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic?
Click Play and find out how Nicole planned her destination wedding
at Jellyfish Restaurant in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!
Enjoy!
WATCH NICOLE’S INTERVIEW!
YOU CAN LISTEN ON THE PODCAST TOO!
Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Podcasts | YouTube
THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE’S SPONSOR: THE DESTILOVERS COMMUNITY
DESTICOUPLE: Nicole + Eric Pittman
Destination Wedding Date: June 18, 2021
City & Country: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Venue: Jellyfish Restaurant
Host Resort: Royalton Bavaro
Wedding Budget: $13,000
(DESTINOTE: My husband said $10,000 but mentally I prepared for no more than $15,000)
Number of Guests: 42
Bridal Party: 5 Bridesmaids + 6 Groomsmen
THE PITTMANS
Age: Bride, 36 / Groom, 38
Occupations: Bride Registered Nurse / Groom Engineer
Hometown: North Carolina
(Bride from Scotland Neck NC, Groom from Greensboro NC)
THE PROPOSAL
Fun Fact: Eric planned a surprise proposal in Egypt! Here’s their story…
“Our proposal took place in front of The Great Sphinx of Giza, with the Great Pyramid in the background while on vacation in Egypt. Egypt had been on the top of Eric's bucket list for quite some time. We both had seen so many beautiful pictures taken in front of The Sphinx, that we wanted to take some great ones as well to add to our collection. One, in particular, was a photo that appeared as if you were "kissing" The Sphinx. It required you to face The Sphinx and pucker up!! The photographer positioned the camera to appear that the two were sharing a kiss even though you were nowhere near the statue. Nicole attempted to master the picture, let’s just say when she opened her eyes to see how the picture turned out, it was not what she expected. Behind her, Eric was on one knee with a ring. We may be biased, but that was hands down the most amazing proposal ever.”
THE VIDEO
The proposal video will drop soon so stay tuned !
THE BRIDE
Bride’s Dress: stay tuned!
Bride’s Shoes: Betsey Johnson
(DESTINOTE: however they never made it to my feet for the ceremony lol)
Bride’s Jewelry: Ali Express + Amazon for all ceremony Jewelry; SuReina Bridal for reception headpiece
Hair + Makeup: Jasmin Abad Brito
#IMADESTI
DESTIBRIDE FUN FACTS:
Favorite DESTI Episode: All Episodes with Sarah Kline!!!!!!! She is amazing and made me realize how much my TA sucked!!
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Cocktail: Sex on the beach
Follow her on Instagram @hawt_rn
THE GROOM
Groom’s Attire: stay tuned!
Groom’s Accessories: stay tuned!
THE BRIDAL PARTY
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Etsy - Divine Bridal Shop
Groomsmen’s Attire: Black Tux
Bouquets and Boutonnières: Etsy - Darlas Blooms
THE WEDDING
Planning: Janelkis Garrido and Gianna Paola
Styling & decor: Gianna Paola
Photography: Junior Cruz Weddings
Videographer: Palmpalm ( Previously Weddingroll Cinematography & Photography)
Florals: Ceremony + Reception flowers were provided by Jellyfish Restaurant. Bouquet + boutonnières were purchased from Darlas Blooms on Etsy
Cake + Catering: Jellyfish Restaurant
DJ: supplied by Jellyfish Restaurant
MORE WEDDING DETAILS
Paper Invitations + Details:
Round Menu Cards, Custom Monogram for Welcome Sign and Ring Box, Seating Arrangement Signs, Guestbook Sign, Table Numbers Sign, Decal SVG for Welcome Cups - Amy with PaperTales Customs
Program Fans - Zazzle
Welcome Letter for cups - Etsy
Wedding Website: Zola (see it here)
DESTINOTE: We ended up making a wedding Facebook page and communicated on that way more
Etsy Vendors:
Divine Bridal Shop- Bridesmaid dresses
Darlas Blooms- Bouquets and Boutonnières
Bella Blossom Shop - Bridesmaids Personalized Boxes for Day-of Jewelry
Simply Mai - Wedding Hanger
2b1Wedding - Acrylic Heart Guestbook
Rawkrft - Cake Topper
Gibb Daan- Personalized Cake Cutter Set
Line Ave Calligraphy - Flat Lay Stationery Items
Mod Party - Getting Ready Robe
LINKS MENTIONED:
* = affiliate link
Sterilite Trunks Nicole Traveled w/: Amazon* | Walmart*
Alternative Trunk | Omi mentioned: The Container Store
Omi’s favorite wedding website company: AppyCouple*
Join the DESTILOVERS COMMUNITY!
Everything Else: See all Pink Links above!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: THE DESTILOVERS COMMUNITY
DESTIFACT:
The DESTILOVERS Community Archive has hours and hours of replays, secret episodes, that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s your destination wedding’s dream come true!
TO EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THE DESTILOVERS COMMUNITY:
THANK YOU - FOR MAKING THIS SHOW WHAT IT IS!
I’m SOOO happy to finally have a place where all of my Desti Bridefriends can meet and discuss All Things Desti!
The DESTILOVERS Community is an extension of the show and is your safe space for sharing and collaboration while planning your destination wedding! Here’s what you can also look forward to:
DESTIHOUR LIVE Q+A’s! | Episode Discussions! | BRIDEFRIEND BRUNCH Connection Calls | Destination Wedding Topic Deep-dives! (w/ hours and hours of replays!) |
Secret Episodes | Special Guests! | Giveaways! | And More!
*While the main hub is in a Facebook Group, all Non-Facebookers have access to a secret portal (The DESTILOVERS Archive) to enjoy all events and festivities too!
This space is whatever you Bridefriends make it! And where I get my inspiration for the DESTI Guide to Destination Weddings!
Bridefriends truly are the BEST friends👯♀️
xx, Omi
Thank You Nicole!
We appreciate you being our Bridefriend Forever and giving us a peek
"behind your veil" of destination wedding planning
in beautiful Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!
We wish you + your beautiful family the absolute BEST!
Thanks for Watching + Listening Bridefriends!
