In May I had the opportunity to escape Atlanta for a bit and join Michelle & Michael at their destination San Juan, Puerto Rico wedding. After waking up at 4 am and making the three-hour flight, Holly (one of my best friends and assistant) and I were pretty exhausted. Once we arrived in San Juan we headed to the baggage area to pick up our bags. All our bags managed to make it with the exception of one of my lighting bags. Fortunately, I had all of my camera equipment and backup lighting with me since I always carry on the most vital things. That way when something happens, like say the airport loses my stuff, I can still work! Awesome!

After checking with the airport service desk, the rest of my stuff was on the next flight to Puerto Rico, so Holly and I took the few hours of opportunity to explore some of the things San Juan had to offer. Later that day once we finally made it to the hotel, we relaxed a bit before hitting the beach. I’m not much of an ocean person, I prefer to see what’s in the water, but I had to test out the warm ocean. By the way, it was the SALTIEST ocean I have ever been in! I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone there has high blood pressure from swimming in the ocean.

The next day we woke up early to prepare for the big day! Conveniently, Michelle and Michael both were getting ready at the resort, and the ceremony was downstairs on the beach! The closest wedding I’ve shot to date. Their wedding was beautifully decorated by the resort wedding coordinator and her staff with tons of yellow roses, white lilies, and flowing yellow fabric blowing in the wind of the altar. Palm trees, the ocean, beach, and a warm breeze completed the wedding ceremony location.

It rained all morning and we weren’t sure if it was going to clear up before the ceremony. As with most beach weddings, this is really common and has happened at pretty much every beach wedding I’ve done. But…..like all the weddings before, it cleared and dried up an hour before the ceremony start time. Amazing right?!

After the ceremony, we spent the rest of the evening walking the beach and taking advantage of the beautiful sunset shooting portraits. There is a nice breeze on the San Juan beach that stays really consistent, but the wind had picked up a lot as the evening drew to an end. Poor Holly had to manhandle the lighting equipment while trying to avoid getting blown away. We ended the evening with a trash the dress session in the ocean. The tide was coming in fast and hard and managed to sweep Michelle in a number of times making it almost impossible to stand up. It was really entertaining and we just kept pulling her back up to shore to recompose. Holly and myself almost got swept in a few times ourselves which wouldn’t have been so humorous with tons of photography equipment, but everything worked out perfectly.

Sadly we eventually had to make our way back to Atlanta. A few days seems to go by so quickly in such amazing places. Although you always want to just hang out on the beach, explore the city, and enjoy the culture just a little bit longer; when you finally get home…..you are REALLY glad to be home.

Since you may not be able to be at the beach right now, you can enjoy some of my favorite photos fromMichelle & Michael’s Puerto Rico wedding!

My name is Matt Druin and I’m an Atlanta wedding photographer that specializes in unique, offbeat weddings for all awesome people! Not only do I shoot amazing Atlanta weddings, but I also travel frequently for destination weddings, and weddings all over, with no travel fees in the US for amazing wedding photography. I also shoot Atlanta engagement sessions for newly engaged couples. I’ve even been known to travel, and far, for engagement sessions too! 

Contact Atlanta Wedding Photographer Matthew Druin

Email [email protected]

Phone 678-551-0115

Address 225 Parkway 575 #66 Woodstock, Georgia 30188

Portfolios www.matthewdruin.com

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