Elizabeth & Richard
DESTINATION WEDDING IN PUNTA CANA
Elizabeth and Richard recently celebrated their breathtaking destination wedding at Hyatt Ziva & Zilara Cap Cana, joined by their closest family and friends. It was an honor to be part of their wedding journey, and they were an absolute delight to work with throughout the entire planning process.
Wedding date: May 2026
Travel advisor: Andrea Norfolk
Destination: Punta Cana
Resort: Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana
How did you meet?
Rich and I met in the medical school library! As dorky as it sounds, it couldn't have been more fitting. I was working in the library at the time, and Rich had just started medical school and was getting the lay of the land. My boss called me over one day to introduce us, and the rest is history.
That library became the backdrop for the start of our relationship. We spent countless hours—and plenty of late nights—studying side by side before eventually moving to Baltimore together for residency. Along the way, we navigated the challenges of training during COVID, working long, exhausting hours in the hospital while supporting each other through both the difficult moments and the joyful ones.
After graduating from residency, we started our next adventure together by moving to North Carolina. Looking back, it's amazing to think that a simple introduction in the library led us here, and we couldn't be happier to be beginning this next chapter as husband and wife.
Why did you choose to have a destination wedding?
We knew from the beginning that we wanted our wedding to be more than just a single day—we wanted it to be an experience. Rich and I have always loved traveling together, so a destination wedding felt like the perfect way to celebrate the start of our marriage.
One of the biggest reasons we chose a destination wedding was the chance to spend an entire week with the people we love most. Wedding days can fly by in the blink of an eye, and it's nearly impossible to spend meaningful time with every guest. Instead of a few quick conversations, we loved the idea of sharing meals, relaxing by the pool, exploring, celebrating, and making memories together throughout the week.
For us, it wasn't just about the ceremony—it was about creating an unforgettable vacation with our closest family and friends. We feel incredibly grateful that so many of you chose to celebrate with us.
Why did you choose to have your wedding at Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana?
We were actually open to several destinations when we first started planning, but this resort in the Dominican Republic quickly rose to the top. It offered the perfect combination of luxury, beautiful scenery, and convenience, especially since so many of our family and friends were traveling from the East Coast.
I've been fortunate to visit quite a few all-inclusive resorts over the years, and I can honestly say this one stands out. From the exceptional service and incredible food to the stunning property and overall experience, it checked every box we were looking for. We wanted our guests to feel like they were on an unforgettable vacation—not just attending a wedding—and this resort made that possible.
In the end, it was the perfect place to celebrate with the people we love most, and we wouldn't have chosen anywhere else.
What was your most memorable moment during your ceremony?
It's almost impossible to choose just one moment because the entire week was more than we ever could have imagined. But if we had to pick, it would be sitting together at dinner during the reception and looking around the room.
Seeing our family and friends laughing, celebrating, and genuinely enjoying themselves was incredibly special. Many of the people there had never met before the trip, yet after spending a week together, they had become friends themselves. Watching those new connections form and seeing everyone share in the joy of the week was something we'll never forget.
In that moment, it really hit us that we hadn't just planned a wedding—we had created an experience. Knowing that our favorite people came together to make lifelong memories, both with us and with each other, was the greatest gift we could have asked for.
What was the best part about having a destination wedding?
Without a doubt, the best part was having so much quality time together with everyone we love. Instead of feeling like the celebration was over in just a few hours, we were able to truly savor every moment.
And of course, it doesn't hurt that the backdrop was absolutely breathtaking! From the turquoise ocean to the swaying palm trees and spectacular sunsets, every moment felt like something out of a postcard. It was the perfect setting for one of the most memorable weeks of our lives.
What was your experience using Shoreline Destinations?
We had an incredible experience working with Shoreline Destinations. From day one, the entire team was there to help guide us through the process and make everything as seamless as possible.
One thing our family and friends commented on repeatedly was how easy and stress-free the travel planning was. With so many guests attending, it would have been overwhelming for us to manage dozens of questions about booking, flights, transportation, and travel details while also planning a wedding. Having a trusted team handle that side of the experience was invaluable.
Knowing that our guests were taken care of gave us peace of mind and allowed us to focus on what mattered most—enjoying the wedding planning process and celebrating with the people we love. We truly appreciated having such a reliable team in our corner and couldn't imagine coordinating a destination wedding without them.
WORK WITH SHORELINE DESTINATIONS!
✔ Customized destination wedding proposal
✔ Contract review & room block recommendations
✔ Custom wedding website
✔ Guest reservation management
✔ Discounted resort site visits prior to your wedding
✔ Transportation & excursion recommendations
✔ Access to “The Vault” filled with wedding planning tips
✔On-site representation*
*Based on room block size. Contact us for details.
