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Melissa and Gerardo’s Caribbean Destination Wedding Photos in Jamaica

Where to begin! They say someone always goes wrong at every wedding, but to be honest, this Caribbean destination wedding was absolutely perfect. From the vendors to the incredible couple and their amazing family and friends, we couldn’t have asked for a better destination wedding to photograph. Oh, and did I mention the weather? Because it could not have been more perfect. Am I biased? Absolutely. I love these two. But am I wrong? Absolutely not, and The Wedding Ring agrees with me. They published this wedding in the January 2023 edition of their magazine as a featured destination wedding of the year. Check out the feature here starting on page 49!  

A bride and groom kiss under a veil at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario

GUYS’ GETTING READY

When the bride and groom decided to purchase full-day coverage for their wedding, they knew they wanted every moment documented. So when Gerardo told Taylor, my incredible husband and partner here at TKM Photography, to meet him at the gym, we knew the day was going to start with a bang. Taylor photographed the groom and his groomsmen during their morning workout, and got some pretty sick photos while the guys got amped for what was to come on the wedding day!

After the gym, Gerardo opened a card and wedding day gift from Melissa, which was so beautiful and touching. The love these two have… I can’t even! It’s amazing.

Having several hours before the ceremony, Gerardo asked Taylor what they should be doing. Being documentary destination photographers here at TKM Photography, Taylor told them to do whatever they want! We always tell our clients that their wedding is a wedding, not a photoshoot, and the best photos are going to come from you just enjoying your wedding day and us documenting what happens. So the guys decided to go to the pool and enjoy the gorgeous day for a few hours. Shortly before the ceremony, they came in, shaved, and got ready for the wedding day!  

A groom poses at the pool before his Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
Groomsmen play football in the pool before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
Groomsmen throw the groom in the pool before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A groomsman throws a football in a pool before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A groom comes out of the water in a pool before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A groom shaves in a mirror before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A groom combs his hair in a mirror before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A groom reads a card from his bride before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A groom cuts his father's hair before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
Groomsmen laugh before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A groom's father helps his son get dressed for his Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario

GIRLS’ GETTING READY

The bride and her bridal party had a super relaxed morning with breakfast at the Grand Bahia Principe, Runaway Bay buffet, and a trip to the spa for their hair appointments. Mel is such a laid-back person and her wedding morning was no exception. The bridesmaids wore matching bridal party robes and drank mimosas. Mel’s mom even surprised her with a family heirloom ring and bracelet, which resulted in lots of hugs and a few tears. There were so many beautiful moments! Our destination wedding bride opened a beautiful card and gift from her groom, which resulted in some more tears (hers and mine!!). Finally, the staff at Bahia Principe, Runaway Bay picked up the bride and her bridal party and immediate family in golf carts and transported us to the ceremony.  

A bride examines her hair in a mirror while her mother looks on in a hair salon before her Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride laughs while getting her hair done before her Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride has hairspray applied to her hair while getting her hair done before her Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride pouts happy tears while her mother gives her a family heirloom before her Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride has her makeup applied by her sister before her Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride and her sister adjust her hair before her Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
The maid of honour and junior bridesmaid laugh before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride laughs while holding her wedding dress before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bridge adjusts her bouquet before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride puts her earrings on in a mirror before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride holds her bouquet before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride laughs with her bridesmaid holding hands before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride has her dress done up while her mother and niece watch on in the background before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
A bride and her sister stand in front a window before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
The mother of the bride holds her heart while reading a card from her daughter before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
The mother of the bride wipes away a tear from her eye while reading a card from her daughter before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
Bridal party reacts positively to seeing the bride for the first time fully dressed in her wedding dress before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
Bride walks down a hallway looking amazing with a big smile before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario
Bride and her brother travel in a golf cart to the ceremony before a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.

THE CEREMONY

If you’re getting married in the Caribbean, it’s a no-brainer to have your destination wedding ceremony on the beach! That’s exactly what Melissa and Gerardo did. About ten minutes before the ceremony started, some beautiful wispy clouds rolled in which brought relief from the heat for their guests and some perfect even lighting for our wedding photography! The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, with Gerardo’s father giving a lovely wedding talk and his brother translating it. Those that couldn’t attend the wedding in person enjoyed watching on Zoom, and everything was just perfect.

A groom smiles wide as he watches his bride walk down the aisle at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bride and groom smile at each other while seated at their ceremony at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bride wipes a tear from the groom's eye while he says his vows at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bride and groom kiss at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
Bridesmaids shed tears of joy during the ceremony at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The first kiss between a bride and groom at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The bride and groom smile with their hands in the air after the ceremony at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The groom jumps for joy in front of his guests right after the ceremony at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The bride and groom smile and wave at their virtual guests on a laptop at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.

PORTRAITS

We did lots of family, bridal party, and couples portraits right on the beach in that perfect light, with our wedding couple photoshoot being blessed with this perfect diffused golden light that came out of nowhere and was VERY appreciated! Their portraits were pure magic and they were on such a high from their ceremony that we barely had to direct them. They just were so happy and so high on love that made for the perfect photos all on their own. Our portrait time was short, but as we always say, we can do more in 20 minutes of good light than we can in 2 hours at noon. These photos are a testimony to that truth!!

RECEPTION

The bridal party made a grand entrance into the reception, and only one pair of pants split open from vigorous dancing, so I’d call that a win! After an amazing dinner, a mix of touching and hilarious speeches, and cutting the beautiful cake, the party started!  I swear, for a small destination wedding in the Caribbean, the dancefloor felt packed and the energy was insane!! We had so much fun with this super dynamic group who danced the night away.

Congratulations Mel & G for an insanely fun, touching, beautiful, impactful Caribbean destination wedding that we will never forget. We love you!!!

A bride and groom dance into their reception at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bride and groom dance salsa at the reception of their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bride and groom dance their first dance at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bride laughs beside her groom during her sister's speech at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The maid of honour gives a speech while the bride and groom laugh in the background at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The groom's sister embraces him while a tear runs down her cheek at his Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bride laughs after putting wedding cake on her husband's face at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The groom's sister laughs during speeches at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bride wipes a tear from her eye while her parents give a speech in the background at her Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bride and groom laugh while giving their speech at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bride and groom kiss behind a curtain of twinkle lights at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The groom's grandmother kisses his cheek in a tender embrace at his Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The groom and his brother dance while other wedding guests cheer and look on in the background at his Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The groom is lifted by his brother while the groomsmen look on at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The groom's sister kisses his cheek while a tear runs down her cheek at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The flower girl watches her mother and aunt dance in front of her at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The groom and his brother dance and laugh together at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The bride and groom make funny faces with a cut out of their dog at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The best man kneels in a dance move at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
The bride sings in her niece's smiling face at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
A bridesmaid dances in a circle with her husband like giving a peace sign and sticking her tongue out at a Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.
Kat and Taylor, wedding photographers of TKM Photography, smile with the bride and groom at their Caribbean Destination Wedding photographed by TKM Photography located in Roatan, Honduras and Durham Region, Ontario, while her sister plays traditional wedding songs behind them.

TKM Photography is made up of Kat and Taylor MacDonald. We are a husband and wife wedding photography team located in Durham Region, Ontario, and Roatan, Honduras that favour a documentary approach and live to capture true, raw, beautiful emotions of people in love.

Want to talk about your photography needs? Hit us up here!

Want to see more of our work? Check it out here!

THE WEDDING VENDORS:

Every Caribbean destination wedding photoshoot takes a village, here are a few fabulous wedding vendors who supported this Caribbean Destination Wedding:

Photographer: TKM Photography

Videographer: Wedding Visuals Jamaica  

Florals, Venue, Hair, Catering: Bahia Principe, Runaway Bay

Dress: Justin Alexander

Suits: Azzaro

Her ring: Livia Diamonds

His ring: Edwards and Davies

Wedding Visuals JA, the videographer, was an absolute delight to work with. As you already know, we lean heavily towards a documentary-style approach to our photography and he was on board with our fun and dynamic prompts that result in such fun and natural photos.

Our Caribbean destination wedding bride, Melissa, absolutely stunned in her Justin Alexander dress (so much so that her sneak peeks led to brides from all over North America reaching out to her on Instagram to talk about it!), and of course, Gerardo looked amazing in his Azzaro suit.

Above all else, the team at Bahia Principe absolutely crushed it in everything they did. From destination wedding coordination to décor, to the hair and makeup team, and the delicious meal, every detail was thought of, planned, and executed to perfection. We were blown away by their work.

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