A Dreamy Inspiration Shoot at Sanctuary Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

May 22, 2023

A Dreamy Inspiration Shoot at Sanctuary Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

The raw beauty of Sanctuary Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic set the scene for this exquisite inspirational shoot. This private retreat consists of 30,000 acres of flawless beaches, and oceanfront valley roads, and is just the dreamiest spot for a destination wedding in the Caribbean.

For years, we had our sights set on this luxe hotel and had recommended it to various clients due to its unique style, European feel and intimate nature. It was just one of a kind, and did not disappoint when we finally got a chance to stay and dine.

Elegance, Luxury and Charm. These are the words that we would use to describe this luxurious editorial for Sanctuary Cap Cana. This hotel gives you the feeling of being in a beautiful chateau in the South of France, but is located in Punta Cana in the Caribbean. Could you imagine?

Nikolay Chernichenko from NCH Studio photographed the most breathtaking and romantic images for this shoot, that we had such a challenging time selecting just a few to share with you all today. For the editorial, we wanted to move through a couple’s experience from the very moment they arrived at the hotel, to dining at the amazing restaurants for dinner to the wedding day where they would share precious moments with their loved ones.

We knew we wanted to share the essence of the hotel and the quiet spots for couples, so we decided to take some photographs in Sanctuary Town which is an essential part of the experience for guests at this hotel. We walked through the town, catching the gorgeous light that day and also the sweet smiles of our couple as they held each other close and bonded over wine.

We then ended the night in love and started the next day at dawn with the sunrise gently touching the room and couple. This moment is one that we advise highly for couples before they officially tie the knot. At this time, you get a chance to really bond and share your thoughts before all of the festivities begin, and the balcony is the perfect spot.

From there, we moved straight into the bride’s wedding gown. Her gown was styled with luxe bridal accessories and her dress was designed by Bridal Designer Jaye Applewaite from Barbados. The dress was custom made with a lovely white lace and dark ivory lining to add a bit of contrast, and the final result was absolute perfection.

Sourcing colours from the natural environment and the sunset hues, Pena Ortega Events set about creating the gorgeous setting for both the ceremony and the reception, using sparkling white florals, candles, greenery and of course selective décor pieces such as the candelabras and café lights in the trees for the reception space to add that extra touch of romance.

The weather that day was beyond amazing, and the hotel shone so bright that we could not help but be in awe of its beauty. Every area that we selected was well thought out and intentional and every image captured was meant to be. We know that the details matter when it comes to events, and it is for this very reason that when designing the mood boards, we were very particular about the colour scheme, the décor pieces, the tablescape and the bridal fashion.

The white linens paired with the white napkins and gold cutlery perfectly, and the glassware complemented the final look also. Pena Ortega Events executed our vision so accurately and their team was extremely professional throughout the entire process, making the shoot go seamlessly.

From the stairs at Sanctuary Town all the way to the garden area by The Castle, this hotel has so many hidden secrets that truly wow, and we could not get enough. It is simply one of the best hotels in the Dominican Republic for a luxurious adults only all-inclusive experience and we highly advise that you book your flights NOW to find out just how wonderful it truly is.