Four years ago (has it really been four years?!), Bryan and I got married in the little historic city of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

We had only visited the island once before with a very special friend, and fell in love with the Plaza, the old cathedral dating back to 1670, and the historic mansion, Castillo Serralles, overlooking it all. Neither of us had any ties to Puerto Rico, but after that visit, we were hooked and knew it would be the perfect spot for our wedding. Our friends and family were scattered around the country, so having a destination wedding just made sense for us. We also wanted something different – something that would be a fun, new experience for not only us but for our guests, too.

We had our ceremony at Ponce Cathedral, also known as The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.  It’s in the middle of Plaza Las Delicias, the town square, and has over 300 years of history!

Our hotel was right across the street.  It was originally a historical building called Casa Sauri-Rubert that was remodeled into a hotel.  They kept a lot of the original details in there, which we loved (obv.!)

There were so many fun buildings and spots around the plaza for photos.

Our reception was at Castillo Serralles, a large mansion turned museum/event venue at the top of a hill in Ponce.  It is so, so beautiful there.  And the views – ahhh!

We got our cake and dinner catered from a local woman who runs her catering business out of her house.  Seriously, the best food ever! Bryan and I still smile when we think about going to visit her and having samples at her dining room table.

The day, and the whole weekend, will always be one of our best memories together. We had the best time with our friends and family, enjoying the sunshine and taking in the historic architecture, beautiful views, and rich culture.

On that note, we might need to start planning our next island getaway. Or better yet, find some Puerto Rico real estate that we can fix up. Someday… 😉

All photos are c/o the super talented Benjamin James Photography.