Bryan Morris – Aruba’s Premier Wedding Photographer

Andrea and Daryl eloped here on Aruba. No family, no friends, just them. As witnesses they’ve had a couple that they met on a party cruise a few nights before the wedding and were delighted to be their witnesses. They’ve made a great choice for witnesses, Amy and Lamont are really low key, outright cool couple.

Upon asking Daryl how he met Andrea his response was:

I began my divorce from my 1st wife in August 2006. (which became final in July 2007) I had not been out with another woman  until I met Andrea at Maggiano’s Restaurant In the trendy Houston, Tx Galleria area late January 2007.  I was in the bar sipping wine while waiting on my fraternity brother –Dennis.  I noticed this incredibly gorgeous woman staring at me.  About 4-5 minutes later she came over to me with her camera and asked me if I’d take a couple of pictures of her and her co-worker as they were eating dinner in the bar. I took their picture and gave her back her camera.  Now about 2 minutes later, she started taking several pictures of me.  They were finishing up, so I told the waitress that I’d buy their dinner. About 5 minutes later, Dennis showed up and we went into the restaurant to eat.  We finished eating about 40 minutes later and decided to go back into the bar to listen to the music and have one last glass of wine.  To my surprise, that gorgeous woman was still in the bar. She came over and put her arm around mine to thank me for buying their dinner.   She then said, I’m a little tipsy and it’s raining outside, would you mind walking me to my car. I still didn’t even know her name, but I wasn’t about to let her out of my sight again. I walked her to her car, she got in, asked me to get in.  About 5 minutes later she reached across the console of her Chrysler Crossfire and began kissing me. Now this was too good to be true.  That went on for about 10-15 minutes.  Then she wrote her name and phone number down and gave me one of her business cards and said she wanted to see me again.   I said I’d call her the next day.

We dated for about 2 months and she declared that I needed to get divorced and “play the field” for many months before getting serious again. I did that and had a blast, but a lot was missing – her.  I knew I was in love with her and I wanted only her. I called her up and told her that about May 2007 and we’ve been dating ever since.  I asked her to marry me on New Year’s Eve 12/31/07 and moved in with her last August 2008.  We wed on Friday July 10, 2009 in the fine country of Aruba.  I had been there four times and wanted her to experience the warm ambiance and culture of Aruba.

She is too good to be true.  I truly am the luckiest man – at least in Texas.

Well Daryl, I’ll dear to say that you might be one of the luckiest guys in the world to score a great lady like this. I really admire you two, I’ve learned from you the short period we’ve spent together. I want to be like the like you two when I grow up.

Andrea and Daryl, all the best in this new life you’re beginning together.

Andrea and Daryl at the very beginning of the ceremony.

Ceremony in session at the Town Hall in downtown Oranjestad, Aruba.

Lamont, witness that Andrea and Daryl met on the island. Lamont is a cool cat. 

Daryl signing his official marriage documents 

Andrea’s turn to sign the documents 

A detail shot of the bridal bouquet and the rings! 

The other witness, Amy signing the documents. 

Exchanging of rings, Daryl was first to place the ring on Andrea’s finger. 

Andrea anxious to place this ring on Daryl’s finger in the town hall in Oranjestad, Aruba

The Kiss. These two can kiss.

Listening carefully to the officiator, Mr Betto Christiaans.  

Mr Christiaans, informed them upon delivering the marriage book, that it has space to put the names of six kids in the book so they can now get busy. This was their reaction. 

Sealing the deal with a kiss!

Flirting outside the Town Hall in Aruba. 

 Do you understand why Andrea didn’t waist time? A total hunk!

A portrait in the garden at City Hall  

Andrea can’t keep her eyes off of those eyes. 

 A little intimacy outside after the civil ceremony.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Popularity: 77% [?]

Do you remember last year I’ve mentioned that I’ve had a blog stalker? See THIS post!

Mike & Janyne met in January 2006 while he was working at a Nissan dealership in Staten Island. Janyne was was shopping for a new car with her parents when Mike approached them to offer assistance. Immediately, Mike knew he had to have her! She was scheduled to pick up the car in a few days and since Mike already had her number (which was to be used for business purposes) he called Janyne on the premise of confirming the details to pick up the vehicle. After a few minutes of casual chit-chat, he asked Janyne out for coffee to “thank her for buying the car”. Startled that the car salesman had just asked her out, she didn’t know what to say. She thought for a moment of the obvious age difference (Mike has 17 years on her) then agreed, thinking “what harm could coffee do?” and “it’s not like he’s asking me to marry him!”.

The next day, when she was about to leave her new car, Mike asked Janyne when they could go out for coffee. They decided on the following night after work and as he gave her his phone number, he said “You’re gorgeous! You have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen!”.

On the night they went out for coffee, Janyne was surprised at how much they had in common, despite their age difference. They talked for so long, they didn’t realize the coffee shop was about to close. That weekend, Mike took Janyne to a romantic restaurant in Brooklyn for their ‘first date”. Afraid of starting a relationship with someone nearly twice her age, who was previously married with children close to her age, Janyne was uncertain if they wanted the same things. She set a “cut-off” of 6 months – if by then, they’re not on the same page she would walk away. She never got the chance as Mike revealed that if he were to ever marry again, it had to be her!
On December 15, 2007 at that same Brooklyn restaurant, Mike popped the big question, to Janyne “you’re gonna marry me, right?”

Since then I’ve been in contact with Janyne and we’ve built a very great relationship, I consider Mike and Janyne almost family.

Her wedding finally rolled around so after being a blogstalker for so long now it’s her time to shine.

Janyne and her family visits Aruba regularly and introduced Mike to Aruba, so when Mike proposed to Janyne it was easy to choose a spot for their Destination Wedding. Janyne didn’t just want to have her wedding on the beach so she opted for Tierra del Sol and had Ventanas del Mar cater for them. The evening started off with the cermony being officiated by Father Jacob as they wanted a more religious touch to their wedding, they’ve had a coctail hour that was entertained by Nico Conner with his Magical Steelpan. After the coctail hour there was a sitdown dinner. After dinner DJ Tino from Cyclone Promotions had the entire party family on the dance floor all night. The young and the younger were bouncing to the tunes kicking out of his speakers.

Janyne and Mike I wish you two the happiest life together.

Mrs Theresa McGann, Janyne’s mom, pinning up her dress!

Last minute touch ups before hitting the stage! 

A detail shot of the shoes. 

Mom securing the garter in place! 

Jennifer and Anthony, Bridesmaid and Groomsman walking down the aisle. 

Bestman Dominic and Maid Of Honor Kathleen making there way down the aisle. 

Charles and Janyne McGann on their way to give Janyne away. 

Mike receiving Janyne from her dad. 

 Minister Jacob conducting the wedding ceremony.

Portrait of the couple during the wedding ceremony. 

Mike saying his vows. 

Bestman Dominic, can’t seem to be getting the rings out of his pocket. 

Mike placing the ring on Janyne’s finger. 

 Janyne returning the favor.

The female part of the bridal party. 

The Kiss! 

 Janyne signing the marriage documents.

Mike’s turn. 

A portrait of the couple and wedding party. 

A detail shot of the rings.

Only in paradise would you be able to get a sweet portrait like this. 

A kiss during the portraits.

Janyne can’t seem to have enough of Mike so another….. 

And another…..

Mike showing Janyne his mad golf skillz. 

Another portrait of the wedding party. 

The cake! 

First Dance! 

Father/Daughter Dance 

This was a wild (in a good way) crowd, they can get a party started. 

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Popularity: 100% [?]

Do you remember Fayth & Steven? Here’s their slideshow. I’ve had so many awesome shots from this wedding that I just couldn’t put them all in a blog post. I’ve found this song sometime back and I love it so much that I just had to put it in a slideshow, so here it is. Enjoy.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Popularity: 83% [?]

The “Day After” Shoot is rapidly becoming a trend especially amongst destination weddings. This is where the bride & groom go off and take images of them usually in their wedding attire after the wedding day. This is where you will not have to be  afraid to dirty your wedding gown or tux.

Remember my posts (3) of a Chicago couple from a few weeks ago?  They did just that except they were not in their wedding attire as the wedding dress was long gone.

Here are the previous posts of this wonderful couple.

Out and about before the wedding
Wedding Part I
Wedding Part II

Now here you can see what we came up with in under 1 hour during the day after shoot.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Popularity: 41% [?]

It is so complex to the human mind at times how destiny is decided.

Steven met Fayth (both Americans) in Bonn, Germany in 2002. Steven was then attending Texas A&M University and Fayth Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. A strong friendship was born. They remained in contact for the next several years visiting each other in Texas and Pennsylvania. It wasn’t until a visit down to Texas in 2005 Fayth and Steven started dating, a few years later Steven decided that he wanted to kick up the relationship a notch so he decided no more long distance dating and moved to Pennsylvania to be of support to Fayth while she attended Dental school.

Steven proposed in August 2008 while touring vineyards in the Brandywine Area of Pennsylvania.

These guys are awesome, our first in person meeting left me knowing that this one was going to rock. I’ve approached the wedding with such a confidence that I was going to blow it out of the park, not by my efforts really, but by the flexibility and open personality of the Bride and Groom.

After a couple of shots I gave them a peak at what I was getting and Steven goes, “Man, you’re good!”. Steven, believe me it’s not totally me but the vibe that you two transcend just makes it happen. Thanks for having me and may God bless your marriage.

When things get tough (notice I said “when” ,because they will. It’s inevitable) go back to your sign in book and read what I wrote there for you.

This wedding was at the Bucuti Beach Resort with the illustrious Nashette Wouters as the wedding planner. Words fail to express the awesomeness of this lady. She really makes you feel at ease even though you’re planning a wedding from thousands of miles away. It’s always a pleasure for me to work with her.

Groom getting ready

Bride and Bridesmaid making the last minute touches. 

Bridesmaid attaching the veil to bride, for Aruba this is more like securing the veil, it is windy but the veil is cool especially for pictures. 

Admiring herself in the mirror before heading out. 

Detail shot of the Calla Lilly bouquet and the fans that were given out to the guests. 

Mirror mirror on the wall………. 

Steven getting his first glimpse of Fayth, look at the smile on his face.

Groom’s mother attaching his boutonierre, a special moment. 

Mom giving groom a kiss before heading to the ceremony.

The urban dictionary has a different definition to this word but I have a total different definition and it will be added to the dictionary in the next print. The word I’m referring to is “Sexceptional”, exceptionally sexy! 

This is what you get if you don’t be shy and really enjoy each other on your wedding day. There’s very little left for me to be introduced to and if you’re so daring I’ll go for it, no problem, I’ll just chalk it up as a new experience. 

Schweet, golden hour sun! Using flash here would just ruin this shot. Did I really need any flash? I don’t think so. Available light is the way to go.

Upon shooting Fayth for a while in the room, I was stunned by her teeth but never said anything. Afew days after the wedding we met and she said that she was a dentist, then all fell in place. She really has beautiful teeth. 

 A shot of the setup of the ceremony area, Nashette and her crew did a great job!

 The bridesmaid heading to the arch.

 Here comes the bride……

 The bride focused on her prize……

This guy have seen his then bride to be before the ceremony but he’s still amazed at how she looks, look at his expression.

The Vows! 

 The Ceremony.

The Kiss!

Look at this guy, euphoric. It’s like he’s saying “Yes, I’ve scored a touchdown” 

 A detail shot of the rings.

A classic portait on the beach.

Newly weds on the Eagle Beach! 

I call this “Ecstatic” 

Just schweet!

Steven told Fayth that he’ll take her to the end of the world. 

Romance in the tropics! 

Bride and Groom and the wedding party. 

……….take my breath away!

The reception area with your toes in the sand. Can you ask for anything better. 

The bride and groom opening the buffet line. 

A caribbean first dance! 

The cake.

Cake cutting! 

You feed me and I’ll feed you. 

Groom and Groomsman lighting up a Cohiba. This was a funny moment, a little secret between the two and me who documented it. 

 Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Popularity: 87% [?]

As promised, here is the part 2 for Ikna & Eric Wedding. 

One portrait before heading into the reception!

Bridesmaids just chillin’ in a hammock! 

First Dance, I just love the expression of the onlookers in the background. 

Some art of the first dance. 

Daughter and father dance. 

Son & Mother Dance 

 Bride & Groom during the toast.

Bestman with the toast. 

Mother of the groom with a toast. 

Maid Of Honour with her toast. 

Father of bride with a toast. 

Bride & Groom being romantic during dinner 

Father of bride was just having a blast. 

I just love this shot! 

A cake shot 

Cake cutting! 

Cake smearing! 

And the best part, cake cleaning! 

This is the bouquet toss. 

Mission: Find The Garter 

These single guys were having fun with the garter toss. 

The departure……. 

This is not the most technically sound shot but it tells the story of the evening. 

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Popularity: 54% [?]

Ikna and Eric really wanted every aspect of their wedding on the island to be documented, so documented we did. A few days before the wedding they wanted to go out and shoot some pictures. We’ve had a town and country as the wedding was going to be on the beach. This is always nice as it assist the couple in loosening up infront of the camera come wedding day.

Here are a few of the many shots that I’ve made on this day.

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Popularity: 34% [?]

For your viewing pleasure!

Enjoy it!

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Popularity: unranked [?]

What do you get when you have a stunning bride, a hunk of a groom at a spectacular location? Fabulousity!

This is exactly what I’ve experienced on Friday at Bucuti Beach Resort where I’ve had the honor to document the wedding of Daniela & Anthony Vazquez. The celebration went off without a hitch, thanks to the wedding planner at the Bucuti, Nashette Wouters.

Daniela & Anthony a.k.a. T.J. lived very close to each other, T.J. actually lived right up the road from Daniela. They were mutually attracted to each other bu the timing was just not right, they’ve had all the patience in the world, they’ve decided if it’s meant to be it will be. Over the course of time they’ve got to know each other pretty well to the point that they’ve decided to kick up the friendship to a greater level and knew from the beginning of the relationship as lovers they’ve had something special going on. It felt so right and so natural confirmed Daniela.

They’ve started dating in 2007 and came on their first trip together as a couple  to Aruba in April 2008, they’ve gotten engaged in August 2008 and knew that they wanted a destination wedding at a safe, romantic getaway that gives the feeling of being home all tangled in one. Upon discussing plans Aruba came simultaneously to their minds for their destination wedding, since it’s very safe, a romantic getaway  and the warmth of the people make you feel at home.

Daniela and T.J. I would like to thank you for choosing me to be part of such an important milestone in your life, it’s really appreciated. I’ll also add that things will not always be honkey dorey but giving up is easiest thing you can do, be a fighter when these trying times present and don’t give up.

The things that so make us feel like twisting our heads like the little girl in the “Exorcist” today will be laughed at a few years down the road.

T.J. and Daniela making it down the sand aisle to get married.

 Daniela and T.J. listening attentively to the officiant during the ceremony.

T.J. was put on the spot to say his vows to Daniela, here you have him spilling his heart. 

Sexceptional, exceptionally sexy! This is the first kiss, I just love this shot. I’ve played up the flare with the shadows. 

They ooze love, they cuddle any chance they get. This was when the minister was announcing them to the crowd. I loved the weather conditions, it was awesome for flare.

These are the guests rejoicing along with Daniela & T.J.

Here they are walking back down the sand aisle! 

The first toast! 

 At our meeting prior to the wedding T.J. requested some timeless portraits, here you go sir!

What’s a wedding in the Caribbean without a coconut tree on the beach? It just exudes Caribbean. 

 Did I say they cuddle every chance they get?

Daniela’s dad moved everyone aside to get this shot of him and his new son in law. 

This is the new Mr&Mrs Vazquez frolicking on the Eagle Beach in Aruba as a boat pass by.

A detail shot of the rings! 

Vogue on the beach of Bucuti Beach Resort in Aruba.

A detail shot of the back of Daniela’s dress. 

The first dance under the moon and stars on the beach at the Bucuti Beach Resort in Aruba 

A close up of the first dance. What a happy couple!

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Popularity: unranked [?]

Upon contacting Nora, I vividly recall, she was all business. She halted me at the very beginning of my sales spiel and said (Paraphrasing) “Cut to the chase just give me a quote for x amount of hours, my mind is made up, you’re my photographer!” I’ve closed the phone and said “That’s my kind of bride” Upon learning she had her own wedding website (www.eddyandnora.com) I was even more convinced.

After Eddy’s remigration to New Jersey he decided that he was ready to settle down and find the future Mrs Tufford. HE tried Match.com on the suggestion of a friend. It was destined to be as it was around the same time that Nora was also looking out for Mr Right. Upon there first face to face meeting they both agreed that they had something special but Nora learned that her Dad had cancer 2 months after. She was very close to her dad and this has thrown her life into a roller coaster. Nora suggested to Eddy that he can continue with his life.

Eddy said “No, we’ll get through this together and it would be OK”

Eddy kept his promise and accompanied Nora and her mom all hours at the hospital. Eddy’s caring personality didn’t onlt strike a note with Nora but with her father as well. When the father got out of surgery Eddy was the first person he asked for.

As soon as Nora’s dad was getting better, Nora’s niece was born which became a great part of their lives together especially that Charlotte chose Eddy over her aunt Nora.

A few months later Nora’s dad’s cancer returned fearing the worst Eddy requested permission to marry Nora in September and he passed away on Nove 6th, 2007. Eddy have grown very close to Nora’s dad and on that day it was a lost for both Nora and Eddy, but just as Eddy has promised at the very beginning of the relationship, they got through it together and they’re OK.

He proposed on December 21st of the same year. He setted the mood with candles, roses and various reminders of happy memories.

Fast forward to the wedding day which in actuality was a two day event. This was one great group of people. Both families very much in the moment and missing Nora’s dad.

Here you have Eddy and Nora walking into Town Hall, Oranjestad, Aruba.

Eddy being the ever caring person that he is and wiping the tears of joy from Nora’s face. 

 The first kiss after the civil ceremony.

 A couple portraits in the garden of the Town Hall in Aruba.

This is Nora, Nora Nesevich now Tufford!

The wedding guests heading to a sunset dinner trip the day before the wedding. 

This is so funny! There were 4 uninvited guests at this celebration and this is the first one. He followed the boat for the entire sunset cruise. 

Larimar Spa at the Radisson did an awesome job. Nora spent the entire morning papmering herself at the spa. They make up artist does a great job. 

The bestman, Giacomo preparing his speech. 

I love this shot of the preparation. 

Eddy and his mom walking down the sand isle. 

Nora and her mom walking down the isle to meet her man. 

 Eddy’s mom sharing words of wisdom during the ceremony.

word’s of wisdom from Nora’s mom.

The kiss! The purpose of this shot like this is to portray motion. This kiss came with a dip. 

A portrait after the ceremony. 

#2 uninvited guest.

The new Mr & Mrs Tufford entering the reception. 

The dance…… 

Mother and daughter dance…. 

Mother and son dance. 

The best man’s speech. 

The maid of honor’s speech.

A hug after the speech. 

A detail shot……

This was the third uninvited guest.

Druuuum roll please…….Wedding Crasher!  Uninvited guest #4!

This is Eddy and his school friends tradition! 

I just love this shot and I know Nora will love this too. This I’ll be entering into a photo contest. I’ve called it “Wish you were here” 

If you want to see more I have a slideshow that will draw you completely into this festivity.

Click here for slideshow……….

Blessings,

Bryan Morris

Popularity: unranked [?]