[Wedding] Rosalen & Chris – Radisson Aruba Resort

Every wedding is different.  Main characters, settings and details will generally change from one wedding to the next. This makes my job of storytelling relatively easy, allowing me to capture and present unique, distinctive stories a few dozen times a year. In Rosalen and Chris case however, I was tasked with a mission to capture not one, but TWO of their wedding celebrations while keeping them special and exceptional in their own way. The challenge here was the fact I’d already captured many key elements during their wedding celebrations in NY; what did I have in my creative arsenal that would allow me to create an entirely new experience?

Empty road in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

With only 1-2 weeks between their two celebrations, a whole lot of research and preparation took place. Karis and I scoured the internet for shooting locations, mapping out our itinerary for the morning of their wedding day. Once we touched down in Aruba, we rented a car and drove all over the island.

Empty field in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

We drove around the entire island, looking for inspiration.

Wild animals in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

We looked…

Gold mine in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

…and looked.

Stacked rocks in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

And then it finally occurred to me that everything was perfect, just the way they were . I just had to be there to capture it :).

Wedding dress hangs by the window at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Their morning started in the honeymoon suite of the Radisson Aruba in Palm Beach.

Wedding dress prepares to be steamed at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding dress prepares to be steamed at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride gets ready on the morning of her wedding at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Morning tea before a wedding at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Morning tea before a wedding at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bride puts on her dress at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bridesmaid looks up at the camera on the morning of Rosalen and Chris' wedding in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Groom preps himself on the morning of his wedding at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Groom adjusts his tie on the morning of his wedding at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Groom checks his phone on the morning of his wedding at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Groom gets his boutonniere on the morning of his wedding at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Rosalen and Chris were generous enough to give us 2+ hours of alone time with them.
“Wow-wow-wee-wow!!” was all I had to say :).

Bridal portraits at the Gold Mine in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bridal portraits at the Gold Mine in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bride and groom pose by the beach in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

I had them stand on relatively dry rocks. Mother Nature had other plans :).

Chapel in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Aruba landscape. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride looks out the window while on her way to her wedding at the Radisson Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Groomsman en route to a wedding at the Alta Vista Chapel in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Alto Vista Chapel. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding ceremony at the Alta Vista Chapel in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bride smiles during her wedding in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Groom laughs during his wedding ceremony at the Alta Vista Chapel in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bride and groom share a kiss during their wedding ceremony at the Alta Vista Chapel in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding ceremony in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Bridal party portraits in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Groomsmen portrait at the Alta Vista Chapel in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

This is why Karis works with the fellas.

Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Wedding cake at the Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Table settings at the Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Toasts during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.First dances during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.First dances during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

First dances during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.First dances during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Cake cutting during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Speeches during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Groom and best man hug during speeches at a Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Speeches during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Speeches during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Cactus soup during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Toasts during a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Dancers at a Radisson Aruba wedding. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Outdoor Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom dips bride during a Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom dances with his bride during a Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom dances during his Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Ben Lau Photography at a Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guests jump into the pool during a Radisson Aruba wedding reception. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

I jumped in shortly afterwards. You would too, if you were wearing what I was wearing all day :).

Bridal portraits near the Gold Mine in Aruba. Captured by destination wedding photographer Ben Lau.

A big congrats and hearty THANK YOU to Rosalen and Chris for sharing such an extraordinary day with us, and for allowing us to capture such an amazing story to tell. We wish you two a lifetime of love, laughter, happiness and a whole lotta drinks with umbrellas in them :). But most of all, thank you for inviting us to be a part of this journey not only as your photographers, but also as your friends.

A big shout out to the following folks who helped make this day possible:

Reception: Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino and Spa
Planner: Lisa Dammerman
Gown: Bridals by Marisa
Shoes: Steve Madden
Rings: Tiffany Yan
Hair: Jennifer Croes-Veeris
Grooms Attire: J.Crew
Catering: Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino and Spa
Cake: Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino and Spa
Stationary: Occasional Ink

Hope you guys have a fantastic weekend!

Ben & Karis

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Northern NJ, NYC documentary Wedding Photographer, Educator & All-Around Nice Guy

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