Alex and Nichole celebrated their love with a stunning beach wedding at the iconic resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The coastal setting, modern elegance, and personal touches made their special day unforgettable.
Location: Condado, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Style: Coastal, airy, ocean-inspired
Time of planning: 7 months
Number of guests: 110
Setting: Resort
Season: Winter
Their love story is a beautiful example of how the strongest relationships often begin with a deep and genuine friendship. Their journey from friends to life partners was a natural progression, built on shared interests, meaningful conversations, and an unspoken understanding. As their friendship blossomed into romance, their connection only grew stronger, laying the perfect foundation for their wedding wishes and the unforgettable celebration that followed.
The couple chose the stunning La Concha Resort in Condado, San Juan, Puerto Rico, for their December wedding. The breathtaking beach resort, with its iconic Perla venue designed by Mario Salvadori, offered the perfect blend of modern elegance and tropical beauty. The unique seashell shape and panoramic glass walls of Perla provided a captivating backdrop for their special day, with ocean views that were a dream come true.
Bridal Morning
Nichole’s wedding day began with her closest family and friends. Her modern and elegant style was perfectly captured in her couture gown by Galia Lahav. The dress featured intricate lace and beaded embellishments that added a touch of sophistication. The off-the-shoulder neckline and sheer illusion panels showcased delicate floral appliqués, creating a stunning and luxurious look.
She complemented the dress with Sophia Webster shoes and Penhaligon’s Empressa perfume. Her hair and makeup were skillfully done by Luis Ernesto. The bouquet, designed by Jat Lozano, was especially meaningful to the bride as it perfectly matched her vision and featured orchids – her favorite flowers.
"I was filled with immense joy and excitement about marrying the love of my life, this day was everything I had dreamed of since I was a child."
Groom's Fashion
Alex designed his sophisticated, timeless tuxedo with The House of Suits, featuring special accents like embroidered initials and palm-themed custom linings. His look was completed with Christian Louboutin velvet loafers, David Yurman cufflinks, a Rolex two-tone Submariner, and a Cartier wedding band.
First Look
The couple’s first look was an intimate and memorable moment, capturing their genuine reactions and the deep love they share. The couple chose photographers Natasha and Rey from Phosphilic for their ability to capture natural, candid moments: “We discovered Natasha and Rey through mutual friends who had used their services for their own wedding. After seeing the stunning images they had created, we were immediately drawn to their unique photography style,” the bride shared.
"We wanted our wedding photos to reflect the genuine emotions and special moments of the day, so finding photographers, who could capture the essence of our celebration, was essential. The Phosphilic's style was exactly what we envisioned, one that showcased our love and the day’s special moments in an authentic, unposed manner."
The photographers’ approach made Alex and Nichole feel at ease, ensuring that every meaningful glance, smile, and emotion was beautifully documented, allowing the couple to fully enjoy their day without feeling overwhelmed. “From the moment we met them, we felt an instant connection,” the bride recalled.
Ceremony
Alex and Nichole’s wedding wishes centered around creating a celebration that truly reflected their love and personalities. They wanted a day filled with genuine joy and heartfelt connections, where their closest family and friends could come together to celebrate their union.
The ceremony took place in an area called Atrium at the Resort. It was a blend of modern elements with traditional touches, officiated by Marilyn Gonzalez from Wedding Ministers Puerto Rico. The indoor garden setting featured beautiful white flowers and lush greenery, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere.
The ceremony began with live instrumental music by A Piacere, adding a special touch to the proceedings. One of the most cherished moments was when the officiant asked the couple to turn around and take in the sight of all their guests, a moment filled with gratitude and love: “Looking back at us, all tearful and emotional, and genuinely happy for us, it’s a moment we’ll treasure forever,” the couple shared.
"Another moment that filled us with extreme joy was when ceremony concluded, we walked down the aisle as husband and wife alongside all our friends and family applauding, cheering and celebrating our union."
Decor & Setting
Following the ceremony, Alex and Nichole took a moment to themselves to prepare for the evening and greet their guests as husband and wife. They went to the reception space that was a vision of modern elegance and sophistication, with a coastal and airy vibe that echoed the beauty of the Perla venue.
"Since the beach is our favorite place, celebrating with those stunning ocean views on our special day was a dream come true."
The reception tables were decorated with luxurious white linens, and the place settings included white florals, tall elegant candles, sleek silverware and crystal glass elements meticulously arranged by Jat Lozano, contributing to the overall elegant aesthetic. The stationery, crafted by Paper Crafts, featured minimalist yet sophisticated designs that complemented the decor seamlessly.
Reception
The evening continued with a delightful dinner, where guests made heartfelt toasts celebrating the love and journey of Alex and Nichole.
A highlight of the evening was the cake cutting. The cake, a three-tier geometric design by Gabriel Diaz, featured sleek white fondant with intricate layered details, reflecting the wedding’s elegant theme.
Music and entertainment were of the highest importance to the couple. They are passionate for dancing and were excited to spend the entire night on the dance floor. Their first dance as a married couple was to “Llegaste Tú” by Luis Fonsi and Juan Luis Guerra played by a live music band Cuenta Regresiva.
"Every wedding is unique in their own way but having all our friends and family gathered in one place to celebrate our love made the occasion truly extraordinary."
Afterparty
The afterparty was a vibrant and unforgettable experience. Nichole changed into a stunning dress by Puerto Rican designer Angel Guzman, adding a touch of glamour to the evening.
DJ Jose Concepcion kept the dance floor packed with a curated playlist that matched the couple’s musical tastes. Guests enjoyed the photobooth, which captured fun and memorable moments from the evening. Adding to the excitement were live entertainers in mirrored outfits, CO2 guns, and LED props, provided by Elite Luxury Entertainment. These elements, combined with “pitorro” shots, created an ultimate party atmosphere that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
"It was truly the ultimate party!"
Advice from the couple:
• To make that special day memorable and enjoyable, good communication is always fundamental.
• On the day of the event, be present with one another and enjoy every moment of the festivities as it tends to go by very quickly.
• Having a great team, including your planner, is also key to a successful wedding day. Mishaps always happen with things that are out of your control, don’t stress about them and trust your team.
PHOTOGRAPHERS Phosphilic Natasha & Rey | PLANNER Rosalina Torres | VENUE Perla, Atrium, La Concha Resort | FLORALS & DECOR Jat Lozano | MUAH Luis Ernest | PARFUM Penhaligon’s | CEREMONY DRESS Galia Lahav | RECEPTION DRESS Angel Guzman | HILLS Sophia Webster, Fabulous Shoes | BRIDE’S RING Ring Concierge | SUIT The House of Suits | SHOES Christian Louboutin | GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Watch: Rolex, Cufflinks: David Yurman, Wedding band: Cartier | STATIONERY Paper Crafts | CAKE Gabriel Diaz | OFFICIANT Marilyn Gonzalez | CEREMONY MUSIC A Piacere | DJ Jose Concepcion | BAND Cuenta Regresiva | ENTERTAINMENT Elite Luxury Entertainment | PHOTOBOOTH Jose Concepcion | BRIDE Nichole De Jesus | GROOM Alex Mercado
