Not even a passing hurricane deterred the wedding plans, as they tied the knot right by the ancient El Morro Fortress in Old San Juan. But first, let me tell you how these two got together to create the adventure of a lifetime, in their own words!

Tyler moved to Chicago after he graduated college from Western Illinois University. I moved to Chicago from northern Michigan on a whim to go to design school. We met in the winter of 2008 at a bar where we were both working. We got to talking and discovered that we lived just a few blocks from one another. It’s at this point Tyler claims he knew he wanted to date me, but I’m pretty sure he was only talking to me because he wanted a ride home, as I had a car in the city but he did not.

So here we are, happily dating, when one day Tyler (who I should mention is a spontaneous sort of person, whereas I am more of a ‘let’s formulate a plan, and then a backup, and then to cover our bases, a extra emergency backup plan’ kind of person) tells me about a promotion that an airline is doing, where for $600 you purchase a package which lets you take unlimited flights with this airline for one month. I told him that sounded like an interesting promotion and that was that. 10 minutes later he calls me back to inform me that he just bought 2 of those tickets. From there, we spent the next couple weeks planning a month-long 14 city vacation, which involved us heading to the airport every Sunday, flying out for the week, and returning Friday evening so I could bartend for the weekend and then flying out again once the weekend was over. In hindsight it was extremely romantic and the experience of a lifetime, but at the time it was a little stressful. I should mention we did this entire trip living out of a backpack. 2 people’s things, for one week, in one backpack. So I had made Tyler a deal before we started our vacation, that I would go anywhere and see anything, but at the end of it, I wanted to go to a beach and relax. Any beach. Anywhere. I didn’t care. And that’s how we found and fell in love with San Juan, Puerto Rico!

So, when he proposed to me in 2010, we decided a destination wedding would be the best thing for us. Since my family is from Michigan (with extended family pretty much everywhere in the States) and his family in Southern Illinois, they would all have to travel regardless, and we figured none would mind having to travel to a tropical location as opposed to the cornfields of Illinois. He proposed to me on 8-9-10, we figured 9-10-11 as a wedding date only seemed appropriate! And, a week ago, we were married, on a perfect day, at El Morro!

Joseph –

We would like to thank you for being so patient with us last weekend. We were so stressed, and with the time of the ceremony changing and a very bad storm coming by so close and everything, it was just really nice to have a photographer who was understanding and awesome!! We are excited to see all the pictures!

Thanks again Joseph!

Jessica Kukla & Tyler Sincalir

“Do you dream of having your wedding at the beach in a warm and gorgeous sunset afternoon?

Well, your dream may just come true! Imagine getting married in the nice, cozy, warm sands in a Caribbean Island. And then having a talented lenz technician capture the whole story, from start to finish! Guess what? You can! I know you can have this, because I do just that, all the time. Most of the brides & grooms that select my services are mainly from all over the United States. From as far away as New Mexico to Colorado to Maine to Florida, including New York, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, etc. I have so many wedding stories to share with you, but I prefer leaving you with some images, just to give you a feel for what I mean.”

Joseph LaMotta Photography

AMY & DAVE’s WEDDING  June, 2011

I was very happy and flattered to receive a testimonial from their wedding.  In their own words they sent me a message saying this:

This couple came all the way from Ireland to get married here in beautiful San Juan. Puerto Rico being a tropical paradise, was a big plus which made it the perfect destination for their wedding, because Ireland is a very cold country, but also because Bethany’s mom lives here. Gail, who prefers they call him Billy instead, is a towering six foot five big man, which makes most people have to look up to him! They are both christians and had a very nice ceremony at the First Union Church in the Condado area, which was sweet and emotional. They brought a band and 2 local musicians to play special hymns. Afterwards we went to the beach to take some photos, and it was a gorgeous sunny day!!! The reception was at La Casona Restaurant. The owners who I already new, are originally from Spain, living here for several years now. Both, the best man and maid of honors, described their adventurous friendship they’ve had over the years with them and how Billy used to misbehave and get in a little trouble when a bit younger! Now born again Christians, they told me how their life has changed and how it has made a big difference in their lives. Here’s a few pictures you can see from the wedding.

Amy and Ricardo selected beautiful San Juan Puerto Rico as their destination for tying the knot. This couple came all the way from Colorado to celebrate the wedding with family and close friends. They chose me as their photographer, because they said I had the style that matched exactly what they wanted. It was a very special evening with some great music and dancing. Her’s just a sample of photos from their wedding.

Do you want to get married in a romantic surrounding, with an old world charm and gothic architecture that is close to the sea? San Juan PR provides just that and more! I have shot many weddings for couples that decided to have their wedding here in Puerto Rico, escaping to a more tropical and different atmosphere and because it’s where they dreamed it would be. I want to share with you some of the images I’ve made for destination wedding couples around all of the United States that have planned and done their wedding here.

A recent wedding of mine this past month, was at the San Jorge catholic church and the Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel, both here in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I made a selection of some of my favorites, which I’m including here in a photo collage. A rather large wedding of about 300 people, in which everyone had a great time and everything ran smoothly. I met Natalia through her cousin, to which I also was her photographer and captured her wedding pictures.

KNOW A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN PUERTO RICO THAT CAN ALSO HELP WITH ADVICE IN OTHER AREAS?
Having a destination wedding in Puerto Rico is by far the best alternative, according to most newly wedded couples from all over United States. Most people speak the same language or are bilingual like me, same currency, no passport required, tropical weather all year long, many different hotels, venues and places to celebrate, plus it’s only a few hours hop by plane, among other things. But the biggest reason is, because you actually SAVE money, having a more intimate kind of wedding with around 30-70 guests, instead of a larger, more elaborate and expensive one with 150 people or more, in your home town. I am an experienced wedding photographer based here in San Juan Puerto Rico, serving all areas and neighboring islands as well. A few of the things brides & grooms enjoy about me and my services is that I am fully bilingual, which helps in knowing the couples needs, and I’m able to help with valuable tips and information about weddings here, besides my natural and romantic photojournalist style photography. Contact me and let me know the date of your wedding in advance and to see how I can best be of service.
My main site is: www.lamottaphoto.com
Phone: 787-370-1133

By Joseph LaMotta

Destination Wedding Photographer
Professional Photographers of America

On Aug 12, 2010

It was an exciting wedding celebrated on the beach in one of our beautiful Islands here in Puerto Rico. I selected some of my favorites, but only a few out of so many I like. I can only describe this young couple as cool and great to work with. We all had an awesome time at this destination beach wedding, at a nice tropical spot to the east of the main island.

Just a glimpse of this awesome couple and the gorgeous scenery we had for some exciting photos.

By Joseph LaMotta

Destination Wedding photographer

A recent wedding of mine at the Ritz Carlton, here in san Juan, Puerto Rico, was with a lovely couple from the states, who’s academics are in psicology and medicine. The day before the main wedding, they had a special Korean ceremony, in the tradition of Simon’s parents. They decided to have an outdoor ceremony by the beach and a great reception party in one of the main ball rooms. I included a few photos I liked below: