I love the personality of this destination wedding from the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort in Jamaica. The hot pink and orange are spectacular against the setting of the tourqouise-blue water of the ocean and the soft white sand! Kristina Hill sent us these lovely images and here is what she said about this gorgeous destination wedding:
“Vusala and Gurban were a dream to work with! They are also from New York, so I was able to meet and work with them before we traveled to Jamaica which isn’t always possible with destination weddings! I had shot at this resort before, so I had an idea of shots I wanted to get, but Vusala and Gurban brought it to a totally different level! They are a couple who truly value photography and had such fantastic ideas and input. Their enthusiasm lent so much to the photos. Vusala knew she wanted certain photos and allowed two hours in between the ceremony and reception to Trash the Dress (she had a second gown to wear later!). The grounds are just gorgeous and we had perfect weather (with the exception of a bit of wind). The three of us ventured into restricted areas, climbed coral rock, borrowed workmen’s equipment and even asked the police to remove the blockades on a dock! More than anything, Vusala and Gurban had an amazing sense of humor about the ‘bumps’ in their day (there will always be bumps)! This attitude comes through in their photos and I’m sure it’s the same for their memories. Because of their easy going personalities, day was totally stress free, which makes for an really fun photos. I’ve shot a lot of destination weddings and couples are always so stressed about weather! But, it always works out. A grumpy rain sky can lend a lot to images and a little wind (or a lot as in Vusala’s case) can create your favorite image (true story)! I say enjoy your surroundings and leave the weather worry for the photographer!”
Some thoughts and great tips from the bride:
“From the very beginning we wanted to have something unusual, informal and original. The idea to have about 200 guests, being all formal and organizing this whole thing just seemed to be scary. Plus, I’m in love with photography and destination wedding pictures always seemed so out of this world. We decided, why not!? We wanted to be different and make this day about us, and not the crowd of people. Obstacles? Definitely communicating with resorts trying to find out wedding plans, locations and all that stuff. It’s really hard and unbelievably stressful to organize and get answers when you are not there and can’t really see the actual picture. We were expecting it to be much smoother and stress-free than it was!
Our favorite wedding memory would be the fact when we decided to trash the dress the day of the wedding and finish the photo shoot by jumping into the water in the wedding dress and suit. It was a great feeling of happiness and excitement! When we came out from the water, the whole beach of strangers were clapping for us, coming up to us, sharing in our happiness, and congratulating us. One of the locals, a teenage girl came up to us and told us that she wants to be just like us when she grows up. It was extremely sweet and felt simply amazing!
Tips: (1) If you have a chance, try to visit the location before the wedding. Speak face-to-face with wedding coordinators and see the wedding site. (2) If you can, spring for a photographer experienced in shooting destination weddings Pictures are everything for this type of weddings and someone with experience traveling for work and the right gear can make all the difference.”
27 Comments to “Real Destination Wedding – Jamaica”
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:43 am
Thanks Christie! It looks great
I’m so excited to be featured.
Oh and I should have mentioned, Vusala doesn’t know how to swim!!! She told me that just before jumping into the water. How funny is that?!
March 23rd, 2011 at 9:14 am
[...] snow?) to find that Vusala and Gurban’s Jamaica wedding was featured on the gorgeous blog, Travel To I Do! Definitely stop by and check it out. It’s a great blog filled with stunning real weddings [...]
March 23rd, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Aw, this is sooooo exciting!!!!! We’re featured!!! The whole credit goes to Kristina, she is simply amazing!!! I can’t get enough of our wedding pics. She managed to create these shots while wearing an ankle bracelet! (!!!!!!!!!!!)
Lol Kristina, I didn’t want to freak you out in advance since my wedding gown was already an issue for that shot. It was too heavy and plus on top of that I don’t know how to swim. I thought it might be too much too handle!:)))
March 23rd, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Awesome photos! I’m so excited to have Kristina shoot my destination wedding in Kauai in just two months! This pics are awesome!!! Vusala and Gurban…may you always remain as joyous as you looked on your wedding day!!
March 24th, 2011 at 4:51 am
Beautiful! I love the cake topper, so sweet!!!
March 24th, 2011 at 5:00 am
What a joyful, gorgeous wedding, and Kristina, as always- amazing work! I wish I knew your work before I got married! And Susan, what a lucky bride you are! (we honeymooned there!) And you get Kristina AND kauai! amazing! Have a great wedding and marriage!
March 24th, 2011 at 5:01 am
These photos capture a timelessness that makes me so jealous (oh, Kristina Hill, where were you in March 1995?). The people, the “props” and the landscape fit perfectly together.
March 24th, 2011 at 5:09 am
You really captured the joy of the couple, family and friends, a match made in heaven all around I would say!
March 24th, 2011 at 5:29 am
As usual, amazing work Kristina. You really capture all those unseen moments on a day as special as a wedding!
March 24th, 2011 at 5:38 am
What an amazing destination wedding, captured by an amazing photographer! I love the creativity in the shots – especially the one with Vusala holding up her veil! Makes me want to get married again (with the same Groom, of course)… destination wedding this time
March 24th, 2011 at 5:56 am
I’m trying to pick a favorite shot. Problem is, every time I scroll up and down the line, I can only narrow it down to (let me count)… 14. Too hard to choose! Amazing wedding, captured to perfection!
March 24th, 2011 at 6:02 am
Jamaica at it’s finest. I am so in need of a sand between my toes vacation, but until then these photos really were a nice alternative on this cold Thursday morning. Kristina’s work is so beautiful.
March 24th, 2011 at 6:39 am
I can’t believe she jumped into the ocean, but couldn’t swim?! What a great memory. Congrats to the couple!!!
March 24th, 2011 at 6:46 am
Breathtaking. I could look at your photos all day!
March 24th, 2011 at 6:48 am
It is magical how the still photography captures utter happiness and love between the bride and groom!! I can truly get a sense for the feeling of the entire event from this selection.
March 24th, 2011 at 6:55 am
So much more fun and interesting than other, more traditional shots!
March 24th, 2011 at 6:59 am
Kristina captures skies like NO other… Absolutely gorgeous work!
March 24th, 2011 at 7:44 am
i second every comment up here! you so feel the couple’s happiness; kristina, you have a gift for poetically telling the story of the couple and of the day. i love-love-love these pictures!
March 24th, 2011 at 7:45 am
Beautiful work as always, Kristina!
March 24th, 2011 at 7:57 am
That last shot is awesome! Looks like they had a blast.
March 24th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
I love these pictures!! The colors are vibrant and I can feel all the joy and happiness of that day! Its like the pics tell their wedding story! Everytime I see pics done by Kristina-I am more and more happy that I chose her to do my pics for my wedding in May-her work is amazing!!!!
March 24th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
These pictures are so natural and vividly portray the personalities of this fun loving couple. Hats off to Kristina! I have seen some of her other pics and they always reflect the personality of the subjects.
March 24th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Wow, what an amazing shot with her veil up! The clouds happen to look magical as well. I sure wish I knew of you when I had my wedding!
March 25th, 2011 at 11:52 am
Great shots from a fantastic looking wedding. Love that she jumped in and could not swim!!
March 25th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Beautiful job capturing another fantastic wedding! I’ve been following Kristina’s work long enough to instantly recognize these photos as hers. Her voice is consistent through her work while still allowing the couple’s personality to come through in the photos.
LOVE the dress shot! Can’t wait to see more!
March 27th, 2011 at 10:03 am
[...] share with you all of the amazing images from Kristina Hill, whose recent work was featured on the Travel To I Do website here. AND, this means I get to start creating my wedding album. I have chosen to create it through My [...]
March 28th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
As a photographer myself, your work is truly incredible. As I loooked through them, it took my from the start of the day to the final plunge into a lifetime together – and throughout each shot – you can see love, excitement and a forever bond between the couple. AMAZING!