Can’t help falling in love with you –  Evan & Marc

Las terrenas, Dominican Republic

When we look back on our love story, it’s hard not to feel like everything aligned just right, especially the moment Marc proposed. What I (Evan) didn’t know was that it also marked the anniversary of the day we first said “I love you.”

My connection to the Dominican Republic runs deep. Back in high school, I spent a summer living with a host family through a community service program with Amigos de las Américas. It was one of the most formative experiences of my life, and I fell in love with the country, its warmth, and its people. When it came time to plan our wedding, it felt only right to return.

We wanted a venue that could host a large guest list but still feel intimate, so the moment we discovered Sublime Samana, we knew we’d found the one. It not only offered accommodations for all 165 of our guests but also became a home base for an unforgettable weekend of celebration and connection. We wanted a weekend experience. Every event was designed to feel special, intentional, and reflective of our story.

Bonfire Night: We kicked things off with a casual beach bonfire to celebrate the early arrivals and to honor a few of our closest friends who happened to have birthdays that weekend. The venue built the most impressive bonfire we’ve ever seen, and we shared stories and cake under the stars.

Tropical Welcome Party: Friday night was all about fun. We invited guests to wear vibrant tropical attire for our “Tropical Welcome Party.” The venue crafted beautiful fruit towers and passed canapés, while Canabeat Band completely stole the show.

The Wedding Day: Our wedding design struck a balance between boho and tropical elegance. We enhanced the venue’s natural beauty with thoughtful details like wicker chandeliers, string lights and candles which created a warm, glowing atmosphere.

The groomsmen wore cream linen suits, and our bridesmaids chose their own sage-green dresses in silhouettes they felt best in. Evan began the evening in a long, elegant gown and changed into a short, dance-ready number to close out the night. We skipped the traditional cake to keep the dance floor going and offered finger desserts and a caffeine station with Marc’s “Mindful Caffeine Balancer” to keep the energy high all night.

Our first dance was a turning point; we’d practiced for weeks, and performing it flawlessly felt like magic. From that moment on, the responsibilities melted away, and we just let go and partied with our favourite people under the stars.