Gina & Mike
DESTINATION WEDDING IN PUNTA CANA
Gina and Mike recently celebrated their love with an unforgettable wedding at the breathtaking new Dreams Playa Esmeralda resort in the Dominican Republic. Learn why they choose thise stunning resort for their dream destination wedding and their favorite part about having a destination wedding!
We loved working with Gina and Mike and we are thrilled to share the highlights of their special day!
Wedding Date: March 2026
Travel Advisor: Andrea Norfolk
Destination: Punta Cana
Resort: Dreams Playa Esmeralda
How did you meet?
We met six years ago during Covid at the Jersey shore. He had a summer house on the beach with his friends and I had mutual friends that lived in that house and we got set up and hit it off from there!
Why did you choose to have a destination wedding?
We went to our friend’s destination wedding in Punta Cana and that immediately sold us. What could be better than an island vacation with your closest friends and family, it was a no brainer to us. Also, it is much more affordable than having a big NJ wedding and there are less options to choose from, so not as much planning which I loved.
Why did you choose Dreams Playa Esmeralda as your resort?
Andrea had told us about this brand new resort that was opening up 90 minutes outside of Punta Cana. We took a big risk because it wasn’t even built yet when we booked it and it was only open for about nine months before we had our wedding there but the fact that it was going to be brand new, it’s a chain Secrets and Dreams resort which I know well, and they’re all over so how could it be bad, and the untouched beaches and being in a more remote area of the Dominican Republic sounded very appealing.
What was your most memorable moment during your ceremony?
Walking down the aisle hand-in-hand with both of my parents and looking at everyone and Mike in the crowd and then also when my wonderful friend Amanda officiated and married us, she had about a 15 minute speech, which was beautiful.
What was the best part about having a destination wedding?
The fact that it’s not just a one night wedding celebration. We were able to spend so much time with our family and friends in those four to five days and made endless memories way more than we would have made if it was just a one night wedding and we were in paradise on a beautiful island - it was amazing!
What was your experience using Shoreline Destinations?
They were great! Andrea and Sharon really made everything so easy and seamless between doing all the research and communicating everything when we first met to creating our website and managing all communication with our guests including room accommodations and travel - they were so helpful and responsive!
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.
