Matt and Emilie met on an online dating site in the summer of 2010. He stood out to her because he asked about her studies at university and her life as a cheerleader. They had similar interests including “taking long walks on the beach” and “watching sunsets” Emily thought “there’s something different about this one”.

A week after sending messages and texts back and forth they decided to meet in person and they immediately hit it off. Emily brought her 3lb poodle Tiffany with her and they got along well so she knew it was a good sign.

A couple days later they met for ice cream and went for a walk on the beach – they first real date. Matt made her laugh with his cheesy jokes and sparked her interest when he told her about his love of traveling. They started dating in September 2010 while up at his family cottage for the long weekend and have been inseparable ever since.

Some of their favorite things to do are: watching movies, dining out, throwing parties, and they love the outdoors (camping, ATVs, going to the cottage and traveling).

Matt proposed to Emily on Christmas Eve 2013 on her front porch before church. The doorbell rang, Emily went downstairs and greeted her boyfriend. She invited him inside but he just stood there, smiled at her and asked, “will you marry me?”

The rest is history… and it has led to some amazing punta cana wedding photographer.

About Huracan Cafe as a Wedding Venue

Located on the beach in Punta Cana, Huracan Cafe is one of the most photographer-friendly wedding venues in the eastern Dominican Republic. The restaurant sits directly on the sand, framed by palm trees and offering uninterrupted views of the Caribbean Sea. For couples planning a beach ceremony with a reception that flows seamlessly under canopies of fairy lights, it offers the kind of natural backdrop that does most of the photographic work on its own.

What sets Huracan Cafe apart for wedding photography is the variety of natural light scenarios within a small footprint: open beach for golden hour portraits, shaded covered areas for harsh midday moments, and a romantic, lantern-lit setting once the sun sets. The venue’s wooden architecture and rustic-chic decor provide rich textures that translate beautifully on camera, especially during the late-afternoon ceremony slot when most weddings here are scheduled.

Photography Notes from Emily and Matthew’s Day

For Emily and Matthew’s wedding, we coordinated closely with the venue team to schedule first-look portraits during the soft light window before the ceremony, freeing the couple to be fully present during cocktail hour without losing key portrait time. The beach ceremony was timed for late afternoon to take advantage of the warm directional light, and reception coverage extended into the evening with both natural lantern light and supplementary lighting for the dance floor.

If you are considering Huracan Cafe for your own Punta Cana wedding, see our Punta Cana wedding photography services for an overview of what we offer, or contact us to check availability for your date.

Arnaud Brichet
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