Royalton White Sands Jamaica Wedding

Royalton White Sands Jamaica Wedding

Royalton White Sands Jamaica plays host to Kate and Billy's destination wedding I Dos

This destination wedding marked a new chapter for me touching down in Montego Bay to shoot in Jamaica for the first time.  And who better to shoot than my new friends Kate, Billy and 40 of their islanders from Newfoundland.  These are two of the happiest, kindest people and they ooze joy making my job so damn easy.

The group on the other hand ayayaa... you had to keep an eye on them!  Between the resort Red Stripe chug champ, the Paradise drink champ and the napkin thieves (don't ya just love inside jokes?) there was always something to track down and shoot.

The Royalton White Sands is fairly new with modern rooms and facilities.  It's a little on the smaller side grounds-wise which makes getting around easy and fast.  On a hot wedding day this was key to keeping Kate and Billy cool and smiling.

Royalton Wedding Rings photo

Bride prep at Royalton White Sands Spa

Pro Tip When Travelling with Sunwing for Destination Weddings

Photogs flying Sunwing be sure to call them well ahead of time to let them know your carry-on gear will be slightly over their cute 5kg limit... like triple-ish over. Although this trip my notification wasn't in their system when I went to check in - it took getting a manager involved before I was allowed to pass.  But leaving Jamaica... "Ooo that's heavy. You get good pictures mon? Excellent, have a safe trip home to Canada!"

Of course nobody wants to hear from me, let's hear Kate and Billy's story in their own words below...

HOW DID THEY MEET:

Through mutual friends while going to college and university in Corner Brook.

WHAT DO THEY REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR FIRST DATE:

Kate: Getting to know each other on the chair lift, snowboarding at Marble Mountain.

Billy: Chatting over beers in the lodge after a day of snowboarding.

Read Kate and Billy’s Royalton Montego Bay wedding photography review

THE PROPOSAL, HOW DID IT GO DOWN:

Billy told me to turn around because he and Max (our Boston Terrier) had one more Christmas gift for me and when I turned around he was on one knee with the ring in his hand and Max by his side.

WHAT DID THEY LOVE MOST ABOUT THEIR WEDDING?

Kate: When Billy hugged my mom and dad and took my hand and we walked up the stairs together to say our "I do's"

Billy: The moment I saw Kate coming down the aisle

Father Daughter First Look photos

WHAT MADE THEM CHOOSE A DESTINATION WEDDING?

We love to travel and have always said we'd get married on the beach. We chose Jamaica because we have been there before during a cruise visit and said we'd love to go back and this was the perfect opportunity.

Royalton White Sands Jamaica wedding ceremony

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT FROM THEIR DAY:

Kate: Waking up and realizing it was our wedding day, getting ready with the girls and mom, first look with dad and walking down the aisle to see my groom and marry my best friend.

Billy: Getting ready with my best buddies, first seeing my mom and dad, first 1/2 look/ touch with my bride, kissing my wife for the first time (as husband and wife) and dancing with everyone at our reception.

We loved having 40 of our closest family and friends with us in Jamaica - definitely one of the most memorable moments of our wedding day. Basically we loved every moment of the day and can't wait to see the pictures and emotion that you captured :)

ONE THING THEY LOVE ABOUT THEIR NEW BRIDE/HUSBAND:

Kate:

His comedic personality and genuine love for me and his family.

Billy: Her kind heart and beautiful smile.

Royalton White Sands Destination Wedding

A TIP FOR FUTURE BRIDES FROM KATE:

Don't sweat the small stuff and over think on decorations, set up, etc... it's a destination wedding so the beach setting is all you really need. Enjoy the day because it really does fly by. Bring flip flops because you never know where your photographer is going to take you to get that perfect shot.

A TIP FOR FUTURE GROOMS FROM BILLY:

Bring lots of hair gel, it gets pretty windy :) But seriously don't be afraid to take a minute to take it all in and enjoy every moment because it goes so quickly.

TIPS FOR FUTURE COUPLES ABOUT THE ROYALTON JAMAICA

The Royalton White Sands is the perfect wedding venue. The wedding team and staff throughout the resort are amazing and work with you to ensure your day is exactly how you envisioned it. The beach gazebo is absolutely stunning (but windy so highly recommend updo's for brides and bridesmaids).  Hire Vaughn for your photography - he takes care of everything from keeping you on time, finding the best places for photos and keeping you calm throughout the day.

Planning a Jamaica Wedding?

More Destination Weddings